Heading Home on the Ghan
Was it safe to go home? I had the TV on watching the breaking news before leaving Darwin that day.
I was shocked to hear that Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand had suffered an earthquake that registered 7.
1 on the Richter scale.
There was massive damage but fortunately, no one lost their life.
Going south on the Ghan again, yes, I rode on the Ghan both ways doing nearly 6000kms on that train alone! The Australians were suffering from massive floods in the south of the country just where I was going! Sadly, for Australia it appeared to be the first of many flooding episodes over the summer.
Traveling on the Ghan was now "old hat' but the bus ticketing system I found puzzling.
The station that the Ghan arrives and leaves from is about 20 minutes away from Darwin.
Nobody seemed to get the cost of the ticket right! Station staff had said $15, bus staff $16.
On leaving Darwin the booking office advised $15 the bus $16.
This time however the train staff advised that there was a spare sleeper available for $150 for the sector.
I had to try it of course.
Indeed, it was very nice being able to stretch out and sleep horizontally.
The train noise did not disturb at all.
As I was the only one there, the compartment was private and comfortable, I enjoyed the privacy.
As well as the complimentary toiletries in a Ghan souvenir bag, a sink and running water as well.
The gold service would have been wonderful, but we had enjoyed the luxury of the Canadian Pacific gold class a couple of years ago so I knew what it was probably like.
The train stopped again in Katherine, this time I took the Katherine Township Shuttle bus.
Wandering around town intrigued by the aboriginal people's apparent outlook on life, a much laid-back one it seemed.
Just a one street town, but aboriginal art to admire and handcrafts.
Also to stock up on another couple of books for the trip! On the way back to the train, the bus dropped us off at the Springvale homestead for a short while.
Reputed to be the oldest standing homestead in the northern territory it gave an authentic view of life in the late 1800's.
It was very pleasant taking tea under the huge trees and chatting to a New Zealander working in the area.
Kiwi's pop up everywhere! Back on the train to Alice Springs and Adelaide, another overnight trip.
Spending a couple of nights in Adelaide prior to catching the Overland.
This train travels during the day to Melbourne.
leaving at 7.
40 am and reaching Melbourne at 6.
30 in the evening.
The journey went through flooded paddocks where the small white bodies of newborn lambs lay, drowned by the floods of the last few days.
The train reached Melbourne on time and I walked to the up market hotel I had booked for my last night in Australia.
It was indeed a great feeling to sink into a queen-sized bed following a wonderfully decent shower that neither rocked nor rattled! Pity I had to get up again at three am to get ready to catch the flight home.
I was shocked to hear that Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand had suffered an earthquake that registered 7.
1 on the Richter scale.
There was massive damage but fortunately, no one lost their life.
Going south on the Ghan again, yes, I rode on the Ghan both ways doing nearly 6000kms on that train alone! The Australians were suffering from massive floods in the south of the country just where I was going! Sadly, for Australia it appeared to be the first of many flooding episodes over the summer.
Traveling on the Ghan was now "old hat' but the bus ticketing system I found puzzling.
The station that the Ghan arrives and leaves from is about 20 minutes away from Darwin.
Nobody seemed to get the cost of the ticket right! Station staff had said $15, bus staff $16.
On leaving Darwin the booking office advised $15 the bus $16.
This time however the train staff advised that there was a spare sleeper available for $150 for the sector.
I had to try it of course.
Indeed, it was very nice being able to stretch out and sleep horizontally.
The train noise did not disturb at all.
As I was the only one there, the compartment was private and comfortable, I enjoyed the privacy.
As well as the complimentary toiletries in a Ghan souvenir bag, a sink and running water as well.
The gold service would have been wonderful, but we had enjoyed the luxury of the Canadian Pacific gold class a couple of years ago so I knew what it was probably like.
The train stopped again in Katherine, this time I took the Katherine Township Shuttle bus.
Wandering around town intrigued by the aboriginal people's apparent outlook on life, a much laid-back one it seemed.
Just a one street town, but aboriginal art to admire and handcrafts.
Also to stock up on another couple of books for the trip! On the way back to the train, the bus dropped us off at the Springvale homestead for a short while.
Reputed to be the oldest standing homestead in the northern territory it gave an authentic view of life in the late 1800's.
It was very pleasant taking tea under the huge trees and chatting to a New Zealander working in the area.
Kiwi's pop up everywhere! Back on the train to Alice Springs and Adelaide, another overnight trip.
Spending a couple of nights in Adelaide prior to catching the Overland.
This train travels during the day to Melbourne.
leaving at 7.
40 am and reaching Melbourne at 6.
30 in the evening.
The journey went through flooded paddocks where the small white bodies of newborn lambs lay, drowned by the floods of the last few days.
The train reached Melbourne on time and I walked to the up market hotel I had booked for my last night in Australia.
It was indeed a great feeling to sink into a queen-sized bed following a wonderfully decent shower that neither rocked nor rattled! Pity I had to get up again at three am to get ready to catch the flight home.
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