Indeed, it was an early morning. Luggage was out at 6:00 a.m. and wheels rolling at 7:00. Our flight was at 9:25. Got to catch a bit of the Sunday game at the Marlins while getting dressed and was able to finish the game at the airport. Great comeback win!
Traffic was quite heavy as we neared the airport, but with group check-in at Qantas, it was a breeze. You get your boarding pass, identify your luggage and off you go to the gate.
The flight was quite pleasant and with the free WiFi, I was able to do a bit of writing and picture editing. We arrived in Alice Springs just about on time. It is strange that there is a half hour difference between Melbourne and Alice Springs. I am not sure I have ever heard of half hour time zones. Sharon was sitting in a window seat and got some great shots of the landscape from the plane.
We headed into town (about a 10 minute drive) for a quick lunch and a stop at the ATM. The rock formations and vegetation are unique. It is so dry that the trees seem very bleached.
After lunch we traveled to the Royal Flying Doctors Center. There was a brief explanation of how the service works and then a 20 minute holographic presentation of the history of the organization. Founded in 1928 by the Reverend John Flynn, the organization has been providing medical aid and rescue to the vast outback country until the present day. The museum was quite interesting with artifacts and letters relating to the service. There was even a replica of one of the medical planes. Only Sharon of our group could stand up in the plane.
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| John McDouall Stuart, early explorer of Australia |
After touring the museum, we traveled out to see Rev. Flynn’s grave site.
On the way back to the motel we stopped at an overlook that also serves a war memorial. The ANZAC hill monument references all the wars in which the Australians have fought. It was also a good place for a group photo.
It was on to our hotel, The Doubletree by Hilton. Just a bit of time to get settled in and call for more towels and 2 luggage racks.
At 4:30 a small group of the Drum Atweme game to the hotel for a performance. The girls were talented drummers, although a bit shy. Many of our group brought gifts for the school that the girls attend.
We hurried to the bar to get Happy Hour priced drinks and then to dinner at the hotel’s Saltbrush Restaurant. Gerald, Charles, and Barbara had the largest portions of chicken Parmigiana that any of us had seen. Sharon had a burger, Lois and Earle had gnocchi, and I had a delicious piece of barramundi.
Back to the room where I worked a bit on pictures, but soon gave into sleep.
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