Days 39, 40, and 41 (December 11-13)

The Ghan at sunrise in Marla

Two and a half days of relaxation: The Ghan.  This train ride is definitely not what I was expecting, but none the less, it is a welcome break from the ride.  We are about three hours out from Darwin, the final destination for the train.  Scott has been diligently GPSing our track as we go while I have been reading, napping, drinking and intermittently brainstorming blog content.

I do not believe this train excursion is designed for someone of my temperament.  Not enough excitement, but as the average age of the passengers is 65, this likely suits them just fine.  The main activity of the passengers on the train is looking out the windows.  As far as exploring the train goes, we are kept to within our five-car block (three sleeper cars, lounge car, dining car). Most of one’s time on the train is spent looking at the scenery out the window.  (As this is much like what I do on the bike, I am not overwhelmed.)

Damian (left, dining room manager) and Paul (right, bar manager) at work in the lounge car

The meals are quite nice, but as Scott puts it they are “gourmet” (when you see more plate than food).  I had the preconceived notion that I would be able to eat to my heart’s content and catch up on lost calories…this has not been the case.  The meals are sufficient in size to calm your appetite, but not large enough to get ahead in the calorie department (something I thought helpful before the last push to Sydney).

Just one of the wonderful meals served on The Ghan

We have gone on two off-train excursions (not counting when the train stopped to watch the sun rise…as if this is not a daily occurence!).  The first excursion was a trip to Simpson’s Gap and around the town of Alice Springs.  The second excursion was a boat tour of Nitmiluk River Gorge (complete with a wild fresh water crocodile sighting!).

Katharine Gorge

Our ride on the Ghan has been an all-expenses-paid journey (a new experience for me).  With my stained Carhartt pants, work T-shirt and dirty boots, I feel out-of-place.  (…not to mention I have lived for a third of the years these folks have been alive!)  The staff is incredibly friendly, professional and have done a spectacular job of welcoming us on the train.  The rocking of the train at night reminds me of my time on the sail boat across the Pacific Ocean (although the train movements are less regular than ocean swells).

A rock wallaby at Simpson’s Gap, near Alice Springs, Northern Territory

We are spending one night in Darwin.  Tonight we went out to an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.  We stuffed our faces with shrimp, crab, lobster, pasta, pot stickers, etc.  This is the first time I have been sufficiently full since leaving Adelaide.  Tomorrow we fly back to Adelaide.

The view from our hotel room in Darwin

This has been a nice break from riding and just as I was hoping, I am looking forward to getting back on my bike.  Scott has worked out a route from Adelaide to Sydney that will hopefully be a good compromise between distance and scenery.  We will be back on the bikes in a day and a half!

Termite mounds. The left-most mound is about three meters high.

Posted by Mattie