Coober Pedy to Coober Pedy, and all that came inbetween

We enjoyed Coober Pedy last time we were here, 2 weeks ago, and we've been to lots of places since then.  A long days drive to Alice and we book into a resort after 7 hours of driving - the kids have been amazing - not complaining once - and even I am amazed by how engrossed I am by the constantly changing landscape.  My eldest lad asks when we get to the real desert - rolling hills of red - I cant quite remember.  It turns out that due to an amount of rain that can not be remembered in anyones lifetime - there are no rolling red hills.  Eldest child is disappointed.  Never mind.

We eat out at The Saloon Bar in Todd St (very good) and stay at the Desert Palms (a little tired).  Next day we roll up to the most expensive camping ever - $70 per night - BIG 4 at Alice is well worth it.  BUT WHAT IS IT WITH THE POOLS?  It's into the 30's and there are solar panels everywhere - but pools less than 20 degrees.  Cools you down in 30 seconds or less!

A day of washing, shopping, relaxing and we meet up with friends that we havent seen for 5 years or so.  They havent changed at all!  Their kids and ours mix easily - its an interesting night - I'm pleased to hear their opinions on life in Alice.  They are leaving soon, as most / many do.

A visit to the Cultural Precinct and museum was interesting.  Another day spent at the public pool (lots of fun there and finally I can get some exercise in water - and the kids need some normal play time too).  Another day is spent at Desert Park, which really demonstrates how diverse the desert is even over just 1 km!  The bird show there was awesome - lots of fun and the bush tucker session was worthwhile too. 

I am feeling I am learning a lot about the desert, but hardly anything at all about the Aboriginal people.  I am looking back writing this, and have determined that you just cant sum them up in one paragraph - their cultures are very diverse, and their current lifestyles vary from highly disfunctional to university educated.  Such a difficult situation.  Charlie nearly died (fainted) when a women pulled a broken bottle on an man (and the language, oh the language).  Such a public display of aggression, my kids have seen nothing like it.  Our friends who lived their for 5 years hadnt seen anything like it either, so I am thinking we were unlucky.

Our last 2 days in Alice were indeed wonderful - visiting an array of gorges and natural features that I had visited as a young backpacker.  I've written a blog on this (This one is from the heart).  It is interesting how memory works - a gate here, and waterhole there and I am remembering things that I havent thought of since I cant tell you when.

 But it is 24 years since I was last here and I must say a whole range of emotions and memories returned.  I look forward to rereading my 1988 diary and looking at photos - I've gone to places I was sure I hadnt been before . . . but then again!

The Reptile Park is well worth a look for an up close experience!