Alice Springs to Adelaide

I am trying to get into the Guinness Book of Records for the most mozzi bites gained in 24 hours. During my stay in Alice Springs I managed a total of 43 and that was wearing deet repellant :-( :-( I am sure there would have been more only the mozzis refused to bite my black leg (from orangutan injury) so the 60cm area remained bite free - fussy or what!

Tuesday 26th April
6am pick up and off to a camel farm. Little did I know that during this leg of the trip I would be eating camel sausages and camel burgers. I tried it but it was not for me.
After a long drive there was only a short walk was scheduled for today and then champagne whilst watching the sunset over Uluru - now thats more like the sort of holiday I know and love.

Wednesday 27th April
5am wake up to make sure we were up and ready to watch the sunrise over Uluru - no champagne breakfast though. A walk around the base of Uluru fighting off the many flies that tried to hitch a free ride by sitting all over you was interrupted by a train of procession caterpillars. I counted at least 80 all on the same line - don't know where they were off to.
A relaxing evening was spent around our camp fire toasting marshmallows and eating them between chocolate chip cookies mm mmmm mmm. The nights rest was spent sleeping outside in a swag. (which is a heavy duty, waterproof coffin type bag which you put your sleeping bag into). Much more enjoyable than a hostel as you can't hear the snorers.

Thursday 28th April
Another early start at 6am with a 3.5 hour hike in Kings Canyon - a must see place in my book. A long drive and camped at Marla for a comfy night again in a swag.

Friday 29th April
A visit to Coober Peddy which is famous for its opal mines in Oz. The museum was based underground and so was the pub and our accomodation for the night. Sleeping underground was brill. The temperature was cool and there were NO mozzis. Unfortunately it was not possible for me to stay there permanently. I did try my hand at noodling (searching for opals) but unfortunately I did not manage to make my fortune to enable me to retire properly. Evening meal was PIZZA wow I couldn't even remember when the last time I saw a pizza was never miind eat a pizza. Lurvely - with the Royal Wedding on the TV in the background.

Saturday 30th April
A bit of a lie in with wake up only a 7am. A short walk to some salt lakes where missile testing used to take place which provided great novelty photo opportunities. This evenings accomodation was considered most luxourious. Stayed in an old mill building in hostel style bunk beds. Somehow one of the little beasts AGAIN managed to take yet another chomp out of me in the 5 minutes it took me to get dried from my shower before layering on the mozzi repellant.

Sunday 1st May
Another late start at 7am. The lie in was appreciated and much needed to ensure full body co-operating for the longest and hardest hike yet. A 4hr hike up and down Mount Ollsen Baggi - must definately read the small print on all future holiday bookings as there is far too much exercise involved in this trip for my liking! Another short walk after lunch took us to view more cave drawings. Mozzi bites no longer itchy but still look pretty mingy.

Monday 2nd May
6am start
more walking
Arrived in Adelaide having travelled XXkm from Alice Springs.
1 Day off now before the trip continues to Melbourne.