In the middle of nowhere

The Museum was really cool, I loved some of the Aboriginal Art and random Science Section was great fun! I had a really enjoyable day out with Will. After the museum we wondered ll the way down to East Point Reserve and Lake Alexandra. It was almost 5pm by this point so we hopped on a bus and headed back to the centre of Darwin for the EOE reunion BBQ down on the beach. I bid the truck goodbye in the early hours of the 19th (after a rather long BBQ the night before). All on my own for the first time in months I headed to the airport to fly to Alice Springs. I was so knackered from the night before I actually fell asleep during take off! Not quite sure how since it's so loud! The ride to Alice was fine although a little bumpy on landing. I hoped straight onto the Airport Shuttle and was dropped straight outside my hostel. I chilled out that evening wondered into town and enjoyed the $10 all you can eat buffet before hitting the hay! I got up relatively early the next day 9.30am (having already missed the free breakfast which finished at 8.30am!) but I had wheat-a-bix to hand so tucked in. I rented a bike and rode to the Alice Springs Desert Park. My Lonely Planet guide says it's an easy 5K ride. Firstly it's 8K and secondly I took the scenic route adding at least another 2k on top. Ah well I got there and had a fantastic workout in the process. I really like the Desert Park it was split into three sections showing you Wet, Sand and Woodland desert. There was loads of different birds, plants and animals to see. I have to say for such a baron looking ground I'm surprised so much lives in the outback! Including the cutest little Knob-tailed Geckos. I'd have one as a pet for sure!I then decided to take on another 10K bike ride to reach the Old Telegraph Station which was nicely placed on the other side of town! Knacked I wondered around the old Telegraph station which was quite interesting. Funny though Australian history is so recent that the buildings almost looked new! After the station closed in 1032 it then acted as a bungalow for mixed race children in the area. Alec was a guide showing around a big group of American tourists. I happened to wonder into the middle of the tour. He had a very interesting story to tell about how he was found very sick at the age of 1 and taken to the bungalow where he received from what I can gather care and education. He was reunited with both his parents some decades on but is forever thankful for the day that he was taken into to care. I bumped into him again outside when he was signing his book and having his photo taken by the mob of Americans. He sat down first and made a point of saying hello to me,asking where I was from etc before making sure that I had reapplied my sunscreen throughout the day! Nice bloke. On my way home I saw my first wild Kangaroo. Just sat and looked at me for a couple of minutes before hopping on. What a wicked end to the day! I then rode back into town before taking a well earned shower and heading for bed.I start my tour to 'the rock' tomorrow and can't wait! I'm then only back in Alice for 7 hours or so before catching the bus down to Adelaide via the opal mining town of Coober Peedy. Lots of love Nicole xxxP.s Something that made me giggle on the bus into Alice was the 'Old Timers Village'.