We are finally on our way, farewell Port Augusta for another day, farewell Judy and Peter.
As you will probably be able to tell by this post, Coober Pedy made quite an impression on all of us. It is famous for its opal mining, and unique landscape. The name Coober Pedy comes from the aboriginal word kuiper piti, meaning white man in a hole. In its lunar lanscape, Rob found a similarity with ancient hills of Israel. I was constantly amazed by the thousands of pyramid shaped mounds of dirt everywhere aka Mullock (signs they have been looking for opals). A lot of living is done underground: motels, shops, restaurants, churches and camping grounds (not us caravans!). We went on mine tours of days gone by, we were shown how the modern day mining machinery works and taught the difference between opal and potch (simply potch is the opal with out the colour, therefore worthless). Here in Coober Pedy there is no such thing as grass, the football oval is on gravel!!! Glad they are not part of the MSJFL. In order to get water they have had to dig for bores and then build a desal plant to make their water drinkable. The locals pay an absolute mint for water, therefore it was an absolute luxury that the Caravan Park we stayed at had free showers. 3-5 minutes max.
To prove that we finally did leave Port Augusta!!
Australia really is a very large country. The kids have already established that kms travelled to date, would have got them to Queensland!!!
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| The long road ahead..... |
It is anazing how many large mountains , someone will always ask.'is that uluru???'
Can't wait till they actually see it.
Taken just before Pimba. Robbie's favourite, if you can check this out in full screen.
These funny yellow things all along the roadside had us perplexed. Were they a lost load of lemons? Or a lost load of bouncy yellow balls? So we finally had to stop and find out.....
They were actually a fruit attached to the dry grassy creeper. We later found out they are Paddy Melons, apparently poisonous. We did not taste, but discovered that they bounced just like balls.
Parking bay at Riba's Caravan Park. Got in just in time for evening tour of their opal mine.
Trying his luck at finding the spot in which to start digging for opals. Otherwise referred to as dowsing for opals.
We do love the flora of Australia.....perhaps a calling for a blog just about flora?? Perhaps not.
Current mining machinery
Passers by are able to fill up at this point in the main street.
Inside the Serbian Church. Incredible stained glass windows and statues carved out of the walls.
This is at the Umoona Underground Opal Museum and Gallery. we liked this so much we came back time and time again. Just ask Benj.
Josephines Aboriginal Art Gallery and Kangaroo orphanage. They try to return the roos either back to the land, or to a sanctuary. Timna could have stayed all day.
They really are enjoying it all!!!!!
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