Before arriving at Darwin, the train stopped a few hours in Katherine. We attended a demonstration of some of the challenges of cattle mustering, mostly training the horses and dogs for their specific duties. We’ve all seen video of sheep dogs of course - mostly border collies who just absolutely adore working the herds for hours and hours. These were the same, they think their job is the most fun, ever. Some still pics below - after the show kids (of all ages) were allowed to get up close and personal to some of the animals. I have some good video but limited bandwidth makes things tricky, I’ll keep working on it.

….and then the Holy grail, Uluru, and some cave paintings at its base. Hard to describe the massive size. My father climbed to the top of this, many many decades ago when people were allowed to do so. He remembered being struck by the woman also doing so, in high heels. Probably not ideal.

Kata Tjuṯa, from various viewpoints

Uluru is the most famous and visited site in the outback, used to be called Ayer’s Rock, before the recent trend toward recognizing indigenous names. Here’s its sister Kata Tjuṯa, with Uluru off in the distance.

At one of our stops along the way, we learn of Bruce the Aussie-named donkey (ask any Monty Python fan). He was brought up with camels, and thinks he is one. (In the 19th century, Afghan-immigrant camel drivers were among the more intrepid folks living and working in the outback). Bruce thinks he’s a camel, and loves his family. A little too much, we’re told, as he is apparently a little too fond of the lady camels. If your sound is turned up you can hear him braying, although it’s nearly drowned out by the sound of the helicopter taking off in the background. We’re told that there are some 2 million wild camels these days, roaming the outback.

Ahhh, the joys of traveling.

The Reptile Center

Wildflowers are everywhere, but we understand that the spring months (Sept-Oct) are the most colorful.

Have surely walked more in the last 5 days than in the previous 5 months.

WiFi has been spotty in the Uluru/Kata Tjuta area, especially for posting any pix/vid, so I’ll wait until we’re back in Alice Springs tonight, and then hopefully catch up.

There was the option to do the Rim Walk, but….600+ steep rock steps up and then a strenuous 3-4 hour walk. Maybe 40 years ago.

We’re off the train and are in Alice springs for 6 days. Today we traveled down to Kings Canyon, took two long walks. The red soil underfoot and the majestic rocks soaring up - pretty spectacular.

This is our 4th visit to Australia, and each time I have to remind myself how vast it is. And the train trip is a great way to really experience it. If you overlay Australia onto the US, you realize that the train from Adelaide to Darwin is (very roughly) about the same distance as from New Orleans to Winnipeg. Have to pack clothes for very cold Winnipeg and very hot Indonesia!

The lounge/dining car. I’m trying to upload video of the wonderful red soil desert flying by, as one gazes out the window, but so far Aussie wifi is not behaving. Stay tuned.

And now we’ve made it to the mid-point of the train journey, Alice Springs. We’ll be exploring the area for the next 5 days, before we re-board the train for the second half, ending in Darwin. A quick history of the train: https://www.australian-trains.com/blog/history-of-the-ghan.html

OK, back on the Ghan train. The cabins are quite small (as expected). And while you’re at dinner, they transform the seats into beds. They’re quite narrow and short, especially for those of us who are neither.

Dinner at a fun teppanyaki place. Recalled the Benihana craze of the 1980’s - glitzy and unsubtle….but very tasty.

Think I’d choose…..the burger

Out and about in Adelaide, including the famous botanical garden. (first pic is our hotel)

We’ve been in Adelaide for 5 days, right now we’re at the train terminal, ready to board the Ghan in about an hour. Once settled I’ll send along some pix from Adelaide, a very nice town!