The Ghan Expedition Train is turning out very much as I imagined when I first booked the trip; cruise style “shore excursions” with over enthusiastic tour guides. At 70, I need a break from non-stop amplified information, no matter how interesting it all is. We journeyed by coach and boat through some awesome and dramatic landscape, which, I would not have missed for the world. I am looking forward, with pleasure, to a day at Alice Springs, and, hopefully, the flight to Uluru.
Today, day 1 of 4, our first call was at the Katherine, a town with population of 11,000 named after the daughter of explorer John Stewart. It is thriving, although our tourist guide emphasised that around five years ago, pollution of the water supply was beginning to affect adversely, those living there. The source of this contamination has been identified and suitable “action” is on-going.
We were taken by coach to the Nitmiluk Gorge for a brief but very scenic cruise to its end, where, recently discovered, were rock paintings dating back, I understand, 4,000 years. They were not obvious until pointed out by our “informative” guide, who explained their meanings and relevance. Below, a selection of pictures taken while off the train. With luck, I may later, be able to elaborate further on the rock art illustrated in the pictures which follow.
More news later.
The Dream Continues,
David.
David's Cruise 