A Little Rock N’ Roll

Along with many others leaving on various tours, I scrambled to get ready for the day and have some brekki before the bus arrived. Waiting for the bus everyone had a huge smile on his or her face, due to the spectacular sunrise we witnessed.

Sunrise, Sunrise...looks like morning in your eyes (Alice Springs outside my hostel)

Happy to be Awake and Excited for the tour...

My tour company was the 3^rd bus to stop at our hostel. Two guys dressed in matching teal shirts jumped off the bus and cheerfully greeted us as they put our luggage in the trailer. Then we loaded the bus and headed to a couple other hostels to pick up the others, before hitting the road to Uluru (which was 468km from Alice Springs.) On our way to it, we would see Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), while camping out under the stars. I was excited! And so it began, a 3-day, 2-night tour with 21 total strangers.

Usually tours only had one guide on them, but Jared (our Aussie guide) had recently broken his elbow, and was unable to drive, so Adam  (our Kiwi guide) joined him, which was a bonus for us. The first day we had a long distance to drive. It is always hard to get to know people, but being in a bus for multiple hours helped. Soon enough we were all talking and were within 40k of our destination, Kings Canyon.

With full water bottles and fresh legs we began the steep climb that greeted us at the trailhead. Most people were exhausted upon reaching the top of the first of the three platforms, and possibly thought the hike wasn’t a good idea anymore. However, we eventually all made it to the top.

That's the climb...Jared leads us on the hike...

We each had an animal we were trying to find on the hike...I thought this was mine.

The canyon offered great views of the land below. Red cliffs surrounded us in every direction we looked. Life was alive here too with many green trees and bushes growing. The best I could equate the area to, was the slot canyons of southern Utah. It was breath taking and once again so nice to be  out of the city, outdoors in the peace and quiet of nature.

Along the hike Jared,  pointed out different plants and areas of the canyon that the aboriginals used. He had taken the time to learn about the aboriginals by his own desire, and thus knew quite a bit about them and their lives. At the canyon we took a group photo of us all laying on the edge of the canyon. I was the first to walk out and lay down, “claiming victory for America”, as Jared said.

Kings Canyon, Australia

The guides leading us through Kings Canyon (Jared in front, Adam after)

After the hike we loaded the Eskies (coolers) with some beverages and then made our way to our campsite.  On our way to the campsite we stopped to look at the salt flats and to see the red sand. The contrast between the red sand, green trees, and blue sky was amazing.  It was at this spot too that we all got our first glance of Uluru in the distance.

Uluru off in the distance. The red sand was SO bright and beautiful.

View of the "Red Center" and the Salt Flats!

Back at the campsite, dinner was cooked Dutch oven style, and included chili con carne, rice, veggies, and homemade bread, baked by the fire.  We sat by the glowing fire talking as Jared played the Didgeridoo and then the marshmallows emerged... Many of the people didn’t know about the concept of roasting them, and Adam even asked, “what are those things you make with marshmallows, chocolate and biscuits…” I replied by saying, oh you mean a s’more?  Thinking surely he knew what that was, hoping he was thinking of something else, but he wasn’t.

That night we all slept around the fire in our swags (sleeping bag covers that have a mattress pad in it). The cloud coverage made it so warm that most of us slept with our swags and sleeping bags fully un-zipped. Jared woke us up at 5:00am to show us the stars that had become visible. After brekki (wheat biscuits and fruit, toast, cereal, and coffee or tea) we loaded up and headed to Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the Winds.

Kata Tjuta (known also as the Olgas) 

Most of us started the hike with our jumpers on, as it was a little cold out. No one complained however, as we knew the sun would catch up to us. Hiking through Kata Tjuta  there were lots of birds flying around and the views were anything but ordinary. We made our ways through the valley of the winds before stopping to take a break to talk about the aboriginals that once lived in the area. Jared again shared his knowledge with us, as he talked about the various languages and lives the different groups of aboriginals lead. Adam and him talked about aboriginal paintings. Adam had colored his arm with 4 different colored rocks to demonstrate where they got the pigments used in their art.

Jared and Adam headed back to the bus to sort out lunch while the rest of us did the 2-hour hike to complete the full circuit of Kata Tjuta. Soon enough, the sun had arrived and it was getting hot and most of us were ready for the hike to be over and for it to be lunchtime. We loaded the bus and headed to the Ayers Rock Resort to have lunch poolside. (which included wraps with tuna, cheese, chili leftovers, carrots, peppers, corn, and beets). Taking a dip sounded good at the time, but after lunch the weather had changed again and it was no longer warm enough.

Next on the itinerary was the Cultural Center at Uluru. The center was free to visit with your park pass to Uluru and offered great information about the aboriginals and what Uluru meant to them. They viewed it as a sacred site and pleaded for visitors not to climb it.

(part of) Uluru up close and personable...

Then we did a short and easy 2k walk around part of the base of Uluru. Jared pointed out the scar on the rock where people climbed up it and talked about he different sections of the rock, including a couple sacred sites that were not allowed to be photographed. In the “wave” room he told us a Dreamtime story and we took another group photo. Jared made sure not to tell us too many of the secrets of the aboriginals that he had learned; for people who shared too much were often punished for sharing the secrets with people who weren’t ready to learn them. He told us how weeks ago he had shared too much and then he had a black crow follow him for a week and then ended up breaking his elbow…

The walk offered a couple places where we could see aboriginal paintings on the rock, which reminded me of the paintings I have seen on the cliffs in Utah. These however were much more colorful. There were two water holes that we also visited on this walk. Jared told us that in heavy rains, the waterhole was filled with a huge waterfall flowing into it.

Then it was to the sunset viewing area to see Uluru as the sun went down. We snapped a few photos of the rock before the sun went down and enjoyed a pasta dinner. Other tour groups filled the lot one busload at a time. Some even offered their tourists chairs and tablecloth-covered tables with champagne.  We all laughed at this as we drank our own chilled beverages from the Eski. The clouds rolled in before sunset, so the view was not so great. So we like all the other buses, packed up and headed to the campsite for a good nights' rest...or so we thought.

Mesha at Uluru! Check that off the list. It truly is unbelievable in person!

Uluru from the Sunset viewing area (which filled with tour buses at dusk)

Getting Centered

Hi. I'm no longer in the Red CeNTer (Northern Territory) but thought I'd post these stories and pictures. Pictures take a  while to upload, so will have to add those little by little. More to come soon of the Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation Rainforest. I was going to catch the Greyhound down the East Coast Saturday, October 23 but may stay in Cairns now a little longer. My mate from Alice is flying up Sunday and there is the possibility that we drive down the coast with her mate, making the trip more enjoyable and more affordable. We will see what I end up doing in the days to come. Much love to you all. - Mesha

I haven’t written since flying to Alice Springs.  Usually one does not find time to write because they are either a. too tired, b. too busy, c. without internet service (or I mean without FREE internet) or d. all of the above. In my case it was d.

That being said I still don’t have FREE or even reasonably priced Internet usage here, so I will try to post what I can before my time runs out. I hope to talk to many of you soon. Shoot me an email and let me know when you are free so I can better know when to buy Internet time, and be online if possible, (noon here is 7pm, PST). 

Ok so where were we…oh yes, on our way to Alice Springs…

Kellie was kind enough to wake up before dawn with me to take me to the airport. Quite nice of her, as she was STILL battling a terrible cough and hadn’t been able to sleep in weeks. She pulled up to the terminal and we said our goodbyes, which was reminiscent of my departure from the states.

At the airport I met a girl named Krystal who was from Alaska. We chatted a bit, and then after exchanging numbers went our separate ways. She was going to be back in Alice Springs Monday when I was there, so there was a good possibility that we would hang out then.

The flight was a short jump north. Upon landing in Alice I got my bag and went to the shuttle desk where I was to wait for my ride to my hostel. The Toddy’s shuttle came about 15 minutes later and took me to my hostel where I relaxed in the sun, waiting for my room to be ready.  I knew that once I was able to move into my room that’d I’d need to change into my shorts and flip flops, for it FINALLY was warm enough to do so. Jake, a friendly young Aussie was working the reception desk and chatted to me a bit while I waited. Once I got my keys I put my stuff in my room, changed and then I went to confirm my tour to Uluru, Ayers Rock. Little did I know at the time, that choosing the Rock Tour Company was the best decision I could of made.

The "river" that runs through Alice Springs (quite dry I'd say)

For the remainder of the day I wandered around. Alice is quite a small city, making it easy to get around by foot. I walked all over exploring the various aboriginal art galleries and shops before heading to the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens. I enjoyed walking around in the peace and quiet of the gardens and also did a short hike from them to a view of the MacDonald Range.

The next day I went back to the gardens to watch the birds. It amazed me to see the colorful green lorikeets flying about in the wild.  While I was sitting at the gardens Krystal text me, asking if I wanted to meet up. I told her about a workshop I wanted to take, to which she agreed to go with me to.  So I made my way back to Todd Street, the main street in Alice Springs, to the Starlight Theater for a to meet her for a free Didgeridoo workshop. We spent the entire workshop laughing at how funny we sounded. I was not good at all at playing, but nevertheless enjoyed the class.

Its all about NOT blowing your cheeks up with air & breathing

Back at the hostel I packed my bag for the tour the next morning and called it a night in order to be able to wake up early. 

Melbourne by Foot

My last few days in Melbourne (for now) were complete with a  trip to the beach, more site seeing in the city, and of course a visit to the city library.

The view of Fed Square from the steps where I sat and rested.

When taking the train into the city, it has been my usual to get off the train at Flinder's Street Station and to walk across the street to Fed Square and sit a while people watching and soaking up the sun before exploring more. And so, today I did the same. I got off the train and made my way to the square which was highlighted by the glowing sun today. It felt nice to sit in the sun and have a nibble while watching the broadcast of the Commonwealth Games on the big screen.

Logo for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India

The Commonwealth Games as Kellie puts it, are like the Olympics, except the USA is not allowed to compete in them. They are sporting competitions for the elite competitors, which attract many past, present, and future olympians, for commonwealth nations only. There are about 54 nations that belong to this, most of which are former British colonies. They include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India to name a few. This year the games are being held in Delhi, India. A lot of press coverage has shown the games to be a huge disappointment with low attendance by both spectators and athletes. Event tickets are too expensive for locals to purchase and athletes fear for their health at the games due to dirty facilities. So with near empty stands and common reports of athletes coming down with "Delhi Belly" its hard for me to feel the same way about these games as I do the Olympics. Maybe this goes to show that I truly do just love rooting for my home country, and thus without their presence at the Commonwealth Games, I have little interest in them.

Street walkway to the City Library

One art piece at the exhibit. As a bird watcher, I enjoyed it.

Then it was off to the City Library. I found a few good guide books and snuck off with them to the far corner of the upstairs level of the library. In a comfy chair I sat there flipping through them one by one looking for anything of interest. I scribble notes down in my journal so to remember ideas I gained as far as places to stay and go in my adventures to come.

One cool thing about the City Library was that it had a small art gallery in it. The current exhibit, titled VietNOW featured young artists' works from their studies in Ho Chi Minh City.

Sign to the museum, building is not it however, just nice looking

The outside of the Melbourne Museum

The Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens

Reminded me of the White House here a bit...

Seeing the art in the library inspired me, so next I was off to the Melbourne Museum. The building itself was enticing with large signs and colorful siding. I walked in and looked around, avoiding the long lines to get in to see the featured exhibit on the Titanic. Then I walked around the Royal Exhibition building, which is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Building. It is one of the last remaining major 19th century exhibition buildings in the world. The building is located in the Carlton Gardens which offered a calm and serene place to sit and rest.

Heading back towards the heart of the city, I managed to find myself in China Town on Bourke Street. I wandered into a food court to see the variety of foods for sale and found very few of them were actually open. This was good, as I know it wouldn't have taken much for me to give in to delighting in a Spring Roll or some Dim Sum.

Entrance into China Town, in Melbourne on Bourke St.

Back at the train station, although it was not Peak Hour, there seemed to be a crowd. This was because there was a musician playing. Usually there is one or two street musicians playing around the station, but this singer was part of the Melbourne Music Project and was set up with a microphone and all and she was pretty good.

It was Friday, which meant fish n' chips for dinner (So I guess it was good I skipped the Spring Roll earlier.) I had just learned that when ordering fish n' chips that flake fish was the standard, which was shark! I had no idea. It tasted fine, similar to any other white fish.

Not exactly a pic of dinner, but close. Found hanging at the Mel. Museum.

And then next became the game of packing, re-packing, and realizing I have too much stuff with me, because in no time at all I was to depart Melbourne and head out on my own. Destination: Alice Springs, in search of Uluru (Ayers rock,the largest monolith in the world) and warmer weather. (and perhaps some good fellow travelers and mates too.)

Uluru (Ayers Rock)  My next adventure here in Oz...

We will see a. how much I missed hostel life, b. if paid tours make trips stress free, and c. if I can survive camping, in Australia, under the stars...in the bush. More stories to come for sure. Until then I promise to be safe. relax. and have fun. -Mesha

The "Drought"

No big adventure today. To be honest I had quite the lazy day. After getting ready to head out on a hike on what looked like a clear and sunny day I ran back inside to grab my rain coat, just in case. This seemed silly as I have been carrying it around with me day in and day out and have yet to use it. This is because, if you didn't know, Australia is in a drought. Its dry, and very little rain is likely to hit the ground here...or so they say.

The stats say rainfall has been low...perhaps they are catching up on it now

As I ventured out in search of the Reserve (a park) nearby that Kellie had told me about, I could see the dark clouds off in the distance. I kept walking. I thought that if I just made it to the Reserve, that the weather would clear up and I could enjoy the afternoon writing on my journal and reading outside. That was a nice idea, but clearly not what happened. On my way to the Reserve, I must have taken one too many 'lefts' or something because I don't think I was anywhere near it, when it started to drizzle. Just 45minutes after I had left the house and it was sprinkling! As an Oregonian, I shrugged it off, not even bothering to grab my rain coat and kept walking. However, the more I walked, the more lost I got and the heavier the rain became.

Able to re-trace my steps, I made my way back to the house, and warmed up with a cup of tea. I decided my journal writing was to still be completed, just with less of a scenic setting. So as I sat at the dining room table I wrote and with each sentence, the rain came harder, and harder. It pounded on the rooftop and splashed violently into the pool. Trees were blowing, and once again I found myself sitting in Australia, with it not only raining, but POURING. Who's jealous now? Hahaha. They say that it never rains...that they are in a drought...but I'm not sure I believe it after today.

You say pepper, I say capsicum...

It was my night to cook dinner. I made a favorite of mine that is simple and easy to cook, fajitas! (with little room might I add for it to go wrong.) I had pre-cooked the chicken and chopped the peppers (or capsicums here) the day before, so dinner was a breeze. That was until I couldn't find the rice I bought to make Spanish Rice with. Last minute I told Kellie and Mark that I could just make some quesadillas to go with the fajitas in case we were still hungry - and Kellie's response was, what is that? Apparently she didn't exactly know what one was. Mark better understood, but was still at a loss, so I enlightened them. Fajitas, quesadillas and guacamole, what a fantastic American meal I cooked for my friends. Hahaha. Regardless of it's background, they as I, enjoyed it.

Dinner with the Millars...fine home cooking at it's best

By after dinner time, the sky had cleared and it looked as if Kellie would have tennis after all. (They could still play even after it just rained, because they played on clay courts.) Kellie belongs to a Tennis Club and plays on a team that has weekly matches. I decided to go with her to watch the team. Kellie joked to the other ladies that I was her coach.  I laughed. I joked that this was my preview to the Australian Open. Kellie laughed.

Similar to the Clay Courts at the Tennis Club...

I saw Kellie warm up and play only a few games before all of a sudden, the courts went dark. Lights out! We weren't as lucky as we had thought and a big storm that was thought to skip over us had landed in our neck of the woods, causing thunder, lightning, and you guessed it, a blackout on the courts.

The players quickly exited the courts and went into the Club House. Most anticipated that they would wait 15 minutes for the lights on the courts to regenerate and then they would resume their matches. The rain didn't cooperate however, and 30 minutes later, we were all racing to our cars to head home, as the rain continued. 

What would some American do without Ranch Dressing?

One more thing I learned at tennis tonight was this: Ranch is not known to Australians other than a style of a house. One of the tennis players told me how she discovered her love of Ranch Dressing while on holiday recently in Hawaii. She said she just couldn't get enough of it and brought a big jar of it home with her. As readily and loved as Ranch Dressing is back home, its hard to think that people have no idea what it is...

During this time I seemed about the only one distressed about the rain. We were in fact in a drought, so despite it ruining a perfect night of tennis, most others didn't have much to complain about. They actually seemed excited by it... I at least knew I'd sleep well if the rain persisted. 

A few good Men

Today I rose with the sun in preparation of my farthest journey yet away from Greensborough alone - to the city of Geelong. My plan was to make my way to Federation Square in downtown Melbourne by 8:30AM to see the start of the Men's Elite Road Race, the final race of the 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championship.

The race started at 10am and finished in Geelong, with the cyclist riding to there and then completing 11 laps on a circuit around the city. With daylight savings in effect I wondered how many people would have forgotten to set their clocks ahead, and thus miss the start. I made sure to set my clock ahead before going to bed.

So with my bag packed full of snacks, water, and clothing for all weather occasions, I was off. I arrived at Fed Square just after 8:30am, just as they started bringing in the riders by country to sign in for the race. Lucky for me the American cyclist were among the first to sign in. 

After the last country signed in, I made my way across Fed Square and over to the arts center where the start was. Each team was announced and then they rode down to the start together, with the host country, Australia being called first. The US was not too long after. 

The Aussie team's  Cadel Evans, is the defending 2009 UCI Champion

A USA Cyclist rides up between another team, ahead of the rest

The cyclist try to stay loose as they await the rest of the pack to arrive

And then without further a do - the race began. Just like that, the cyclist were off in a flash. I was on the opposite side as the US cyclist so I missed seeing them ride off, but caught plenty of others.

The Netherlands...

France...

Russia...

and even Kazakhstan had cyclist here...

Despite the crazy crowds, which filled the streets, it wasn't that hard to make my way back to the train station to head to Geelong. At the station I glanced over at the long line for Vline ticket sales, and was happy that I had pre-purchased my fare. 

I had to go to Southern Cross Station to catch the regional train to Geelong. After a quick trip on the wrong line, I made my way to Southern Cross. I raced down to the platform and boarded the next departing train. The train was packed, but luckily I found an open seat and sat down to rest.

We arrived in Geelong around 11:30am. I didn't have a map or know much about the course, but the event was so well organized that there were volunteers giving out maps as you exited the station and they were standing on the intersections offering advice of where to go and were happy to answer your questions. 

I eventually decided to just follow a group of people that were headed off to see the course. I made my way to a big stretch of it and as I got oriented was told that the cyclist had just arrived in the city. Anxious to see the leader group ride by, I decided to stay put. 

The leader group on their first lap through the Geelong Course. 

The leader group was about 10-15 minutes ahead of the main group of riders. After they passed, I ended up walking up to the first climb to watch the other riders pass by.

And just like that, they went flying by...good thing they still had 10 laps to go or I'd have wondered why I came all this way just to see them for a few seconds.

The course had two climbs...I wanted to go watch the cyclists as they rode up the first climb so I moved on. Along the way, I stopped in the FEED zone to watch the cyclist come through and get water/food. It was a good opportunity to spot the American cyclist, as I stood across from the person handing out water for the USA. 

USA Cyclist preparing to get some water...

Each team had a person standing out, ready to give water out. 

Moving along the course I went to the bottom of the second climb. This seemed to be a good viewing area as the crowds increased here making it hard to get by. People who lived along the course had pulled lawn chairs out and they lined the streets with wine or a beer in one hand and a sausage in the other. Also, kids along the course were selling cold beverages and food to spectators, kind of like how kids set up lemonade stands back home. With my own snacks in my pack I continued on until I found a stretch of the fence that was empty and rested/had a snack while I waited for the racers to make their way back around.

And here they came...can you spot the USA cyclist?

And up the hill they went...

The motorcyclists gave the photographers rides to diff. points along the course

And each team had a car follow the riders closely behind with extra bikes

I meant to make it back to the finish line for the end of the race, however I ended up taking a trail through Baron Reserve, which while it was lovely, had me travel 40 minutes out of my way, away from the finish line. I decided I at least needed to make it to one of the parks that had a big screen set up so I could watch the finish. With 1.5 laps to go I was 2 hill climbs and some distance from the closest park. Luckily, I arrived just in time to see the finish. The results:  1st, Thor Hushovd of NOR with a time of 6:21:49, 2nd, Matti Breshel of DEN and 3rd, Allan Davis of AUS. So the host country went home with 3rd place. They surely wanted 1st, but with Cadel Evans, coming in 17th, that was not the case. Of ranked cyclist, USA cyclists came in 73, 79, 80, and 81st.

Thor Hushovd is the 1st Norwegian to win the Rainbow Jersey

After a bite to eat I headed back to the rain station to head home. The train station was overflowing with spectators, but in no time at all I got on a train. (The trains were running Express Service to Melbourne and ran every 10 minutes.)

Back in Melbourne I switched trains at Southern Cross Station to get on one headed to Greensborough, and within a few hours was home. Hot, tired and thirsty, I felt like I too had competed in the race today, but I had had a great time and was happy I had gone.