Wednesday 8 November 2006 - Alice to Coober Pedy Desert Dash Eventually got picked up from Groovy Grapes after they had bus trouble, not a good start to our 2 day bus tour. Last ones on so got separated! Drove along the Stuart Highway and got to South Australia! Literally spent the day on the bus chatting, reading and sleeping! Our night stop was Coober Pedy - where the locals live underground! Famous for that and its opal production. Went on an underground minin...

Tuesday 7 November 2006 - Alice Springs Melbourne Cup Day! After thinking it had been a ball game of some sort Ellie quite surprised that it was actually a horse race, but nevertheless it was a big thing and warranted going to the pub to watch it! - like our Grand National, lots of excitement for a 10 minute race! Evening was spent round at Kirsten and Ole's room, sat outside with a few beers.

Monday 6 November 2006 - Alice Springs Looked around Alice then visited the reptile centre where we got to hold frill neck lizards, bearded dragons, blue tongued lizards that kissed you and a python which gave us a neck massage! Out to see the Saltwater Croc who was going a bit crazy in its tank crashing into the window! Walked Anzac Hill where we watched the sun set over Alice then went for a drink in Bojangles Saloon Bar where we feasted on free nuts! Got adv...

Sunday 5 November 2006 - Kings Canyon to Alice Springs Another early morning to walk the 4 hour Kings Canyon walk starting off with Heart Attack Hill! Dan's preparation talk included 'Be Careful lots of people have died on this walk!' Made it to the top without losing anyone then walked through the sandstone dunes of the Lost City. Stopped halfway to swim in the Garden of Eden - a 'lush oasis', freezing cold but very refreshing! At a high poin...

Saturday 4 November 2006 - Kata Tjuta Up at 4.15am, packed up our swags and went to watch the sun rise at Uluru. Breakfast at the van then a short drive to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Kata Tjuta being the Men’s sacred area and meaning 'Many Heads'. A 3 hour walk through the 'Valley of the Winds' in and around Kata Tjuta, taking care not to walk on the sacred ground. Drive to our lunch destination playing Dan's bus game of "Who the hell ...