Hey just got to Alice Springs and three things strike me immediately. 1. Where have all the flies gone? 2. Why is it so bloody cold here - it's the desert? 3. It's 1.45pm so why aren't the bottle shops open? I came here on The Ghan which travels all the way down the centre and is one of Australia's great train journeys. The train is 1.2kms long (yep I read the brochure) and travels an average speed of 85 ks per hour (slower than a car) so it took 24 hours to get to Alice from Darwin. Worthwhile? Yes, I think so as it's a good "travel experience" and another mode of transport to add to my list, but considering I was in cattle class with the rest of the dodgy backpackers, I did not sleep at all the whole way (despite the bottles of red consumed on board) and now I'm completely knackered. Let's hope I fair better on the next leg to Adelaide. Well I've got about 5 days here in the centre. I'm staying in Alice tonight and I doubt I'll get much sleep again as I've gathered there's a footie match on at 1am in the morning which my hostel is showing in their bar (which happens to be next to my dorm room) and I'm guessing there's probably going to be quite a few rowdy English fans around, which is nice seeing as I'm up at 5am tomorrow to get my next tour to Rainbow Valley (see picture at top) and then the rock thing and Kings Canon for a few more days of camping under the stars. Mind you with no footie guaranteed that should be good. Right off to see if that bottle shop is open yet - need my box of red for my tour. Enjoy the match - hope they don't loose...