Friday, Feb 11th ... On the road again. North up the Stuart Highway to Coober Pedy. 550km to the Red Interior and the Outback. Saw a beautiful sunrise! At 8am temp is already 29C. So hot that it doesn't feel like the A/C is even on. Shortly after we were on the road, we saw several Emu right by the road .... passed too quick to take a pic. Then a while later we saw more on the other side ... sorry camera lady was not ready! Lots of dead cows and kangaroos.
Tracy finally drove!! No round abouts or traffic ... just straight ahead .... no worries mate!
This is grazing territory for cows and sheep and the scenery is awesome and ever changing including salt lakes. By 9:45 am it is already 33.5C. About halfway to Coober Pedy we picked up more fuel. Only 253 more km to go. By noon it is 38C. We arrived at Coober Pedy by 1:45 and topped up the tank again.
Coober Pedy is the Opal Capital of the world mining about 70% of all opals worldwide. Watch where you walk.Approximately 60% of the residents live underground.
We parked at the Oasis Big 4 campground and walked into town ..... very hot and sunny - low 40's. At least our lovely campsite was "shaded"!!
Coober Pedy is a very rustic and unique little town in the Outback.
Our first stop in town was an opal/souvenir shop. The keeper leaves all the lights off until some enters (no A/C) .... then he tries very hard to sell something or anything!!! He muttered something in his native tongue as we and another couple left without purchasing anything. I think it was not something nice. Next we stopped at the Umoona Opal mine, museum and opal showroom .... all underground. They had beautiful jewellery designed and handcrafted here for $$$$$!
Our next stop is the only international hotel underground ... the Desert Cave Hotel. You have your choice of above ground or below ground rooms. There is also an upscale restaurant and an underground bar. Scared to check the prices here so we went dry .... at this point water is better for us anyway!
Our final "tourist" stop for the day was the "Old Timers Mine" museum. In 1968 while a gentleman was extending his underground home, he accidentally discovered a mine that dated back to 1916. Hard hats are a must for this unguided tour through the mine and underground home.
Bought several bottles of water for crazy money but it was OK. We didn't want to end up like the dead cows we saw on the side of the road!!! We had a VERY refreshing dip in the pool when we got back to the park. Watched a beautiful sunset!
Sounds like you two are still having a great adventure, I love the pictures. You should bring me home a new pet... Dana wouldn't mind.
ReplyDeleteLove Julie & Dana