Brisbane, QLD


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

ADELAIDE TO PT AUGUSTA

On 19th November we flew to Adelaide from Sydney and met our friends from Brisbane. Our Birthday Group had decided to join Ann on a tour to Lake Eyre for her birthday.
Here we are at the airport waiting for the tour guide. L to R Paul, Helen, Mary, Ann, Bill and George.

This is our tour bus, a Mercedes 4WD 26 seater. We drove north and stopped at a small town called Two Wells for a picnic lunch. The town got its name from early days when the aboriginal people camped here because there were two natural wells.

We stopped in a park where there were many roses but, unfortunately, very few seats for the passengers. Most had to stand up to eat their sandwiches. I thought this was poor organisation. The lunch had been set out on trestle tables stored in the bus. On our last trip with this company to the Kimberley, the guides provided us with fold up stools as well.

After lunch we headed further north to Pt Augusta. On the way we passed  some interesting scenery including this bright pink lake with a salt deposit on the bank. The pink colour is due to a bacteria which grows in the water.

Unfortunately the driver didn't stop for us to take photos. I was lucky to be on the right side of the bus to snap these shots as we drove past quickly. We arrived in Pt Augusta in the evening and went straight to our motel. Unfortunately no tour of the town. 
Pt Augusta is a seaport and railway junction city. The Ghan train passes through on its way from Adelaide to Darwin (south to north Australia). The Indian Pacific also passes through on its way from Sydney to Perth (east to west Australia). Pt Augusta was settled in 1852 and it was named after Lady Augusta Young the wife of the Governor of South Australia, Sir Henry, Edward, FOX, Young. Did you see that third name????

Birthday Bear arrived for dinner to wish Ann a happy birthday. Bear was dressed as a tourist who loves travelling around Australia, just as Ann does. She was wearing a purple shirt, three quarter pants and trainers just like Ann does. She also has a camera, binoculars, backpack, floppy hat, and name tags just like Ann.

Unfortunately there were not enough chairs for Birthday Bear on the veranda where we had a BBQ dinner, which didn't impress us very much either. (We were a little disappointed with Day 1, but thought it would get better.)

17 comments:

  1. A pink lake! Wow... never would have thought to see that. Birthday bear is getting cuter and cuter or is it just that Ann is so cute? I'm sure the tour guide (driver?) is getting an ear full... not enough seating? They better have someone with folding chairs meet up with you somewhere ahead. Gotta be able to sit down and relax!

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  2. I am jalous ! lately you travel a lot and I am sitting at home in the snow (not really) The landscape looks amazing especially the pink lake ! Birthday bear looks very chic !
    BTW I am reading a book right now and the name of the main person is ...... FOX !

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  3. Yeah..I'd like to see that pink lake also. You should have bribed the driver to stop. Glad you got the photo though! Fun trip. You always have the most fun times!

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  4. That pink lake is very special. Looks like the travel organisation likes you to travel fast forward. Hope you get a chance to stop now and then.

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  5. Off on your travels again and I am delighted to leave this snow-bound land and join you. That pink lake is freaky!

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  6. Well hello there, BB. Glad you are out and about. You look well. Have a great trip.

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  7. Wow diane, a pink lake! Very unusual. I'm glad you managed to get photos, now at least we get to see this strange body of water. Man, what is it with the bus [driver/organizer] that there is no seating. Hope he gets his act together for you. I noticed the guv's third name immediately. How is the little lad? Bear is such a stickler for detail. I love these birthday posts. Have a good trip further. Jo

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  8. mmm ... can sense where this is going ...

    I know that they put all their effort into tours for LE as it filled with the waters from QLD. Maybe the drivers were new and not adequately trained.

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  9. A Pink Lake???? Unbelievable... Sounds like this trip may not be one of your best ---at least so far... You cannot offer people lunch --and not have places for them to sit and eat... Duh!!!!!

    BUT--the scenery is very pretty..Can't wait to see more.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. Awwww, love how Birthday Bear is always dressed up like this. I felt for you all over the lack of seating. And I hope people dropped a suggestion in the box to get chairs for people next time AND to take a tour of the town and the pink lake!!!! Great photos though.

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  11. Wow -- that pink lake is amazing! Can't believe the driver wouldn't realize what a great photo op that was. Glad you were on the right side.

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  12. Good for you being a quick snapper with your camera. The pink lake is a definite stop - even for 5 mins!!

    BB is quite smart and very well equipped I must say, with her sun protection, binoculars, backpack and camera!

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  13. Golly, have included some info about the Aspidistra which I found on Wiki, including an image of their flower. What a useful indoors plant to have! Have to check my puddy-tats to see if they have cloven hoofs!?!

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  14. come with your bear this time next year, we always have a teddy bear's picnic.

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  15. I really like Birthday Bear -- she's very cute. I'm sorry the first day of your trip was somewhat of a disappointment, but I was really impressed with that pink lake.

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  16. Gee, I wish I could be the birthday bear, traveling with you guys. I love the trip photos, especially the pink lake and the pretty roses. Sorry, that the food wasn't better. Now, I am moving on to part II.

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  17. The pink lake is amazing. Now, that would look surreal in a painting. :).

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