15 July 2016

Left Darwin a few days ago and anxious to do so, 34C, hotter than I care for and I'm told I got out on time. Went to 40C the day after I left.
Drove to Willeroo about 500KM (300Miles) and to Kununurra the next day. To Fitzroy Crossing the following day and Derby the next. Heard later that there was some violent behavior in Derby the night I left.
Drove to Sandfire Roadhouse next day and found the accomidations pretty good. These roadhouses are nott what I thought they would be.
Went on the Roebourne the next day and took a tour of the area including a iron ore mining operation owned by Rio Tinto. It is huge. They load ships 24/7/365 off of two wharfs all headed for China, Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The demand is so great a third loading wharf is being built. And the iron ore is here in Western Australia. The ground is dark Red everywhere I have been.
Following day I spent with an Aboriginal Guide: Clint Walker. Spent 8 or 9 hours with Clint. Took me to many sites that are special to the Aboriginals. Explained in great detail many Beliefs, Customs
Mysteries, Dreaming, Religion and Rituals of his people. I wish I could remember it all. But he is a forth coming man and we traded emails and I expect I will have questions for him and Jerry Kelly back in Tennant Creek
What a great experience I am having learning about a culture that is about 50000 years old.
Left Roebourne and spent the nightNanutarra Roadhouse, left eary the next morning and drove toWooramel where I am now.
At Wooramel Cattle Station. A small livestock operation of 356,000 acres 1430 sq km. 60 km of Indian ocean shoreline.They cattle,sheep and goats. The goats are ferrel and huge about the size of a shetland pony. The owners harvest them and ship them to Middle Eastern countries.
More when I learn more.
 

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Spent the last few days in Jabiru, Darwin and Katherine in the Northern Territory (NT). At Jabiru went for a Cultural river boat ride that is run by the Aboriginals. Learned much about their culture and saw some salt water Crocs. There are signs all over that warn not to enter the water and stand away from the shore line. The bottom of the campground fence is cemented into the ground as the salty’s will dig under fence in search for a snack.

In Darwin I visited the WW2 Museum. Quite extensive with all usual things you find at WW2 Memorials. From an Americans view I was pleased to see the Aussies recognition of our help with their war effort against the Japanese.

Later that same night at a Caravan park where an Independence Day celebration was being held I ran into a couple of fellow Americans. Both well lubricated with Aussie beer. After a bit of talking I discovered they were both US Marines. One was from close to Hastings. I will not mention names here to protect the innocent: When they learned I was Irish they wanted to do was shake hands. Claimed he was Company Commander but politely refused to discuss what he was doing here. His friend was silent about anything. Made the evening more interesting at least

Katherine was a drive through town. Have seen a lot of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. In  Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin many are seen on the main streets of town congregating  anywhere there is shade and a place to sit down.

Monday night I stayed at a small Caravan Park just west of Katherine. Got to gabbing with a gal, Tina was her name. We wound up chatting through sunset and into the night. Shared a lot of info and learned we had a bit in common. Including right hand thumbs that were healing from what appeared to be encounters with a hammer. Tina looked at me seriously and declared “this is scary”. I thought so too.

Saw her again the next morning and we parted with a hug and exchange of emails. Tina is best described as one that I would bring home to meet Mom. She is a young chick, only 68.

Drove to Kununurra Yesterday, booked a flight on a tour of the Kimberlies, spent a restful night, got my oil changed and wrote this note.

As an Aussie would say: See ya Later!.

Pat    

29 + 30 June 2016

Charters Towers to  Mount Isa to Tennant Creek

Hi Again

The wheel bearing was fixed sooner than I expected. Decided I could move on to (the next place west)

First thing I saw was a camel, think it was in someone’s yard but it's hard to tell may have been the range.

Heading for Mount Isa tonight Driving the Outback reminds me of a new definition of nothingness. With exception of an occasional vehicle and the road I’m on there is little sign of human involvement. Made it to Mt. Isa area. Slept in the outback. It gets more than dark out here. The stars are so dense it is like a cloud.

Made it to Tennant Creek, went to the Aboriginal Culture center. It was late but Kate stayed and explained some things about Aboriginal art. Two Aboriginal ladies come in the morning and paint what I would call story boards. Each picture has a story that goes with it, but if you don't know the symbols you can't figure out the story. I expressed a desire to learn about Aboriginal culture, she suggested coming back the next day and meeting with Jerry Kelly

Came back to the Culture Center the next day, met Mr. Kelly. Got a wealth of info directly from Mr. Kelly Some topics: Map of aboriginal Colonies/Tribes each with their own language, 11 languages in Tennant Creek and other defining characteristics, Skin names and how they describe a person, a lesson in Bush Tucker (bush food), looking at picture of deceased (a totem) why some do not say hello or welcome, the connection between people and land and some stories that would bring a tear to your eye.

Here’s one: Mr. Kelly was one of the children, one of 50.000+ taken from their parents during a 1910 to 1970 government policy that did such a thing in the name of assimilation of the Aboriginals with the Europeans. He found his Mother in Tennant Creek, once he was released with the help of skin names.

I hope I got this stuff correct. If not; Mr Kelly will probably let me know as we swapped emails. 

Staying at a caravan resort that has everything. Currently sitting beside a pool full of people, at a table next to a table of local Aboriginals. I am listening but don’t understand a thing. There is a lot of rhythm in their speech. One talked to me but asked that I not write about him. Done!

Heading for Darwin tomorrow

Saturday 25 Jun 2016

Made it to Airlie Beach. Got a nice motel room with a view of the harbor.beach. Booked a harbor tour on a duck boat, a one day cruise of the inner reef and a flight over the outer reef.

Won’t go into a lot of detail here but had some serious fun, sight seeing and met several Aussie’s on holiday. Great bunch of people and learning much from them.  

Went for a Duck Boat tour; noisy, eye catching and fun for both riders and pedestrians. After driving around in the harbor we drove through the city center making a lot of noise and attracting a lot gazers. Took a lot of pictures in the harbor. All sailboats and mostly catamarans.

 Pictures

1, Where I'm at

2, Artist on the beach

3, The Duck boat

4 View from our room

Sunday 26 June 2016

Went on an all day cruise aboard a huge Catamaran. Guessing it holds 100 people, we were about 35. Toured some islands and anchored at Hook Island. Many went snorkeling, some of us went coral viewing in the glass bottom boat.

This area is known as the Inner reef. Hundreds of islands, some privately owned and a lot of coral. Unfortunately it was cloudy and the colors didn’t come through. So you get lucky; no vacation pictures!  Maybe a couple!

Went to an island where there are some beautiful white sand beaches. Small problem is the beach is on other side of Island requiring a walk over the top. An easy walk once you get the directions correctly. Seems everyone else got them.

Absolutely beautiful, breathtaking! The small ponds that form when the tide is out is home for baby Lemon sharks. You can walk in among them but they won’t let you get close. The sand is like powder and comfortable to walk on. Tomorrow I’ll view this beach from 2000 feet.

Pictures

1, How we got to shore

2, What we saw

3,  A privatesailing vessel

4, & 5 More of what we saw

6, Another Private sailing boat

The day cruise ends with a stop on Daydream Island. Somebody spent some serious Shekels building this place. Everything you would ever like to have at a vacation spot. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. One exception: Walking around I met up with a kangaroo coming down the pathway. He stopped to look at me, I grabbed a leaf from a nearby bush, it came over, smelled it and proceeded to the grass for a snack. The little guys are cute as can be. If US Customs would allow it I’d bring one home.

This is another area of Earth Chae Sun would have loved.

Did I mention the Cockatoos; they are all over and make a devilish screech. I’ve seen gatherings of these birds of a hundred in a single tree. Seeing flocks of twenty + is common. They start with the sunrise, alarm clock free zone. Picture is across the street from my room.

Monday 27 June 2016

Went for a plane ride today to the Outer reef. It's out near the continental shelf takes awhile to get there even by plane . Got lucky again. Got to sit in the co-pilots seat. Best place to take pictures. Appears my chubbiness played a role in the seating arrangement.

First we looked from above at the white sand beaches visited yesterday and then a spectacular viewing of the Great Barrier Reef. The pictures can do the talking.

Leaving the East coast and it’s beaches reminds me of another notable feature of Australia; bikini size. They are spectacularly small. 

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Mad it to Townsville yesterday afternoon and decided to head west. Got to Charters Towers just after dusk. Noticed a little speed related growl as I drove into town. Found a Toyota dealer in town that would look at it. Right front wheel bearing was shot. Couldn’t turn the wheel freehand. No wonder it felt like the emergency brake was on.

That is where this day will be spent.