The Outback

October 31 Adelaide

Arrived at Adelaide after two days aboard the Indian Pacific, so named because it runs from Perth on the Indian Ocean to Sydney on the Pacific Ocean. It had 31 carriages and 191 passengers. 

The Outback became more and more desolate and dry. as we moved away from the coast. Rather than lakes, there were salt pans. 

We stopped at the largest single open cut gold mine in the world, called the Super Pit. It operates 24/7. Gold has been mined at Kalgoorlie since 1893 when it was first discovered. 

Then passed by the Jumbuck Pastoral, a 2.5 million acre station on the Nullabor plain. It stocks 70,000 sheep!!

When we arrived at Adelaide we set our clocks ahead by 2-1/2 hours to South Australia time!!  Weird. 

Perth

Perth is the Capitol of Western Australia. 

They have a wonderful botanical garden in King’s Park where spring flowers were booming. Also the home of some pretty impressive fig trees. 

Perth is also home to the Bell Tower, constructed to welcome the new millenium. It contains bells from England that are over 224 years old. 

Fremantle

Friday, October 27

Spent the day in Fremantle (affectionately known as Freo) just down the Swan River from Perth.  

Like many other sites in Australia there is a monument to the Anzacs who fought in WWI. 

The Fremantle Prison operated from the 1850s until 1991. It was a horrible place. Toilets and running water to the cells were not installed until the 1980s!!  Yup, they used buckets. 

The Fremantle Markets Building dates back to 1897. Very European in feel. Lots of produce but also crafts and art. I now own a stunning Australian opal. 

As part of the Fremantle Featival which begins on Saturday, Swiss artist Felice Varini brought his internationally-renowned “optical illusion” art to High Street. Yellow designs on buildings and the street stretch for 800 meters.  (p.s. it does come off)

Down Under

Landed in Sydney after 17+ hours from Dallas. An easy, comfortable flight. Our first glimpse outside the Sydney airport was an Australian Christmas tree. Always hard to reconcile Christmas with their springtime here. 

Beautiful blooming trees. 

And a magnificent sunset viewed from our restaurant in Potts Point—our favorite locale to stay. 

Hiking, hiking, hiking

Three great days hiking the Rockies with “the kid” and Ashlee.  Beautiful. 

Rocky Mountain High

Yesterday—68 degrees and golf in shorts

Today—36 degrees and snowballs