From this point onwards; it's all just about getting home... Well, not to say that I'm no longer seeking for adventure but it felt that I have been to where I want to be and have achieved what I am here to achieve so I was just aiming for a smooth and enjoyable ride home... I hope...
There's something funny, well, more like embarrassing to me about this pic. This is Mt. Connor and this pic was taken at the Mt. Connor Lookout along the Lasseter Highway between Erldunda and Yulara on my return journey. On my way to Uluru the day before, I had probably missed the sign that tells me that this is Mt. Connor and I had mistakenly thought this is the Red Centre (Ayers Rock). How excited I was that I have reached my destination, punched my hand in the air triumphantly and only a moment later began to notice that the shape of the mountain is not quite the same as Ayers Rock I had remembered all along. I quickly came to realization when I saw that according to my SatNav, I am still a long way away from Ayers Rock! It's a good thing no one was around at that time... Haha!
The journey to Erldunda felt shorter this time and I stopped again for another fill up, preparing for the long stretch after that. I did my routine check around the bike to find if anything is amiss and all the panniers, top box and the tied-on items are properly secured. Then I noticed something odd about my front brake caliper. It looks like something; like a cover, was missing. I took this pic and send it to my service guy in Brisbane. I hope nothing was wrong.
As I finished my drink and was about to go fill up, two guys on GS (BMW R1200GS - all terrain bike) rode into the service station. They saw me and waved so I thought I'd go over and say hi to them. They are two Hungarians who are here for a holiday. They rented the bikes (no wonder they look brand new!) and off for a ride from Melbourne to Darwin with a stop over in Uluru. Now, THAT's the kind of holiday for me! I also took the opportunity to compare their brake calipers with mine and fortunately, they look just the same! So, nothing to worry about. Here's the pic of me with one of them. The other guy doesn't seem to speak English well, so he had to be the photographer!
This is the sign as I left Northern Territory and enters South Australia. Hey, I've covered three states already so far!
Remember I said I was hoping for a smooth and enjoyable ride? This is where the first of the series of tests begins. Test one: Wind! With the flat terrain and virtually nothing on either side of the road to block the wind on this stretch, you are so exposed. The combined weight between the bike, me and the things I carry could have easily been close to 400 kg but we were swept easily by the wind and it was a tough job trying to maintain the bike on course. There's no point stopping either as rest areas along this stretch are all just an empty space with nowhere to hide! I remember stopping at one rest area and came across this couple in their motorhome enjoying their hot beverages inside the warmth and comfort of their motorhome. I don't suppose knocking on their door asking for a cup of hot coffee would be a good idea so I just ride on for the next two hours in the strong wind and the fast dropping temperature (this reminds me more like Scotland in autumn!)... Talking about test; imagine riding on 5th gear (on a six-gear bike) at 80 km/h for 2 hours straight, inclined to about 10 degrees! Both tyres were terribly worn out on the right edges!
It started getting dark as I approached Coober Pedy. I had listed this as one of the places to visit and spend at least a night there because I heard so much of it on (1) the opal centre of Australia and (2) the underground living of the people there - apparently the only way to get away from the scorching heat of the area is to build everything underground - how fascinating, I thought.
This was my first view as I entered the town. It was about dusk but darker due to the rain clouds. It was something about the town that gave me an uneasy feeling. If you're old enough to have watched Twilight Zone; you know what I mean. The whole town has that Twilight Zone feeling about it. As if something is not quite right or something terribly wrong is about to happen but I'm the only one who doesn't know about it... It's an unexplainable eerie and creepy feeling...
I checked in myself at an underground motel and chose the cheapest room they have - single dorm with communal bathroom and toilet. It's just one night; I thought.
This is the view going down to my room. Now, imagine, having seen the Twilight Zone town, by now it's getting dark and then were told to go down here 6.5 meter underground to a dungeon-like place to spend the night. I would have really hesitated if not for the many other younger international tourists I saw, just going about happily in their own little groups.I quickly unload my stuffs then went out looking for something to eat. It wasn't that scary after all once you get used to it, really, I was convincing myself...
This is the room. No window, no power outlet and no night light! I thought it would be pitch dark once I turned out the light but there were nice little crevices in the wall that allows the corridor light to shine in. I also noticed there's a gap between the laminated-wood wall and the ceiling which means you can hear every word from your neighbours! On the far end of the corridor there are three very chatty elderly Aussie ladies and a man who keep chatting throughout the night. Next to me were 2 young European ladies with a guy and they were giggling away too and in between them were two young Japanese ladies who were "whispering" and must be complaining about the other two groups. It was tough trying to get to sleep in such a merry neighbourhood but I think I must have finally dozed off at some point... and this time, it would be them complaining! Haha... zzzzzzzzzzzzz....!!!!
I dreamt that night that I dug out the biggest and rarest opal in the whole area and became the envy of all!
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