The first stop today was the Standley Chasm where we were amazed by the cool breeze and the refreshing shade. This was quite a commercialised venue where you needed to pay an entry fee that went to the Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation ($10 an adult). This gave us (unchecked) access to the nature trail that was constructed by the prisoners from the Alice Springs Goal. I found this sad in some ways as the freedom at Ruby Gap was just natural, untouched beauty where I really appreciated the serenity. It was a huge height to look up to and just inspiring to consider God's handiwork. This chasm is only 50km out of Alice Sorings and we have gone in the morning so we saw deep reds and our photos will be phenomenal. Ben took a vertical 360° panoramic shot and I hope this will be added onto this at some stage. It was only a short 15 minute walk into the chasm along a creek. The walk was beautiful as we saw cycads four times the size of anything I've ever seen. There were ferns and river gums and with a back drop of majestic cathedral height walls with a small pond at the end.
We made our way to ElleryCreek Big Hole, one of the largest permanent waterholes in the West MacDonnell National Park. It is a popular spot where I am sure we ruined the serenity for three young ladies (from England and France who work and travel around Australia on a 12 month visa) and discovered the lovely water hole where Irma, Joan, Leah, Peter, Amy, Travis and Dave all had a relaxing and refreshing swim. I went in up to my knees while Tim worked on our car. Our in car battery charger stopped working, it got water in they to fuse and shorted out. Rob and Tim repaired that and then it was still not working then they discovered there was another blown fuse going in front of the charger to the fridge batteries. Now we need to wait till the next town so we can fix it tonight.
Lunch (beef and Greek salad wraps) was enjoyed at Serpentine Gorge. This was named because of the snake like course that the creek has cut through the ranges. The aboriginal perspective of this location tells us that this is the home of the large and fierce water serpent and people only ever went there if they were disparate. The Altyerre (al-cha-ra) was the Dreamtime creation period before people and the indigenous people believe that all natural things we see in the world today are descendants of the Dreamtime. All weapons were left behind before entering this gorge and certain songs were sung to calm the water serpent.
We drive onto the Glen Helen Resort to try and get spare parts for the batteries and this is where we found an intresting old Meat House that was built in 1905 by Fred Raggatt who owned the Glen Helen Cattle Station. The building is made of white cypress which is durable and resists termites. It was last restored in 1988 and desperately needs to be rethached. The fuel cost here is $2.22!
Animals spotted today
1. Frog - swam to save his life after a serious accident
2. Wild budgerigars - beautiful to see the brings green fly across the blue sky
3. Lots of ants
4. On the lookout for peregrine flavons - saw the white splash on the cliff face
5. The banded grunter fish - one of five species here at Serpentine Gorge
Funny facts
1. You loose 90 hairs on your head a day - more when you are camping
2. Eyelashes re grow every 90 days
3. Dennis Naphtine is the Premier of Victoria
No comments:
Post a Comment