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"In Australia alone is to be found the Grotesque, the Weird, the strange scribblings of nature learning how to write. Some see no beauty in our trees without shade, our flowers without perfume, our birds who cannot fly, and our beasts who have not yet learned to walk on all fours. But the dweller in the wilderness acknowledges the subtle charm of this fantastic land."</br>

– Marcus Clarke

Out of the Outback (Into the Unknown)

Tctraynor
2005-11-04 21:38:55

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I love that quote. It sums up Australia for me.

I like Australian cities, but they are not Australia for me: the bush is. Cities are manmade and planned; the bush is nature-made and unlimited. I will no longer see the night sky quite as vividly as I did when I was in the NT and WA. I am in civilized Australia now.

I still dwell in the wilderness.

The Journey

We made it through the Nullarbor and into Adelaide on a rainy day. I honestly thought that it barely rained in Australia. I was beginning to get some of Tony's whiningness (I was warned by Tristan, who traveled with us to Ayers Rock, that I am to refrain from any future English-bashing. All right, Tristan. That's no fun, but I'll try. Promise). I was beginning to pine for some sun and warmth! Just like in... England! (Oh, another promise down the drain). The journey to Adelaide was lovely though: rolling hills and bright purple wildflowers.

I wasn't really impressed with Adelaide. It is difficult to come into a city after being in remote areas for a while – it is a shock to the system. I found it architecturally interesting – very big-city European looking – and oddly suited for the Aussie continent.

I returned Vicki, our Teutonic rental van, to the rental company. She did suffer a small scrape on her topside by going under a low hanging underpass – oops. But it was barely noticeable. After giving up Vick, we were once again carless. Auf Wiedersehen, Frau Vicki.

Tony looked in the papers and found an ad that was particularly promising: "1980 Honda Accord. $500. Looks like a bomb but it runs and is cheaper than a washing machine". How could we pass up that? Tony bought the bomb for AU$300, which works out to US$150. Can't beat it. It looks like it is about to fall apart with a good southwesterly breeze, but it runs although it sounds like a tank. An added bonus ...