Final Day in Alice Springs

August 26 was our last full day in Alice Springs. The internet was down and we were without a car. Fortunately, as we were leaving for the day intending to walk or bus downtown, we met the permanent tenant. She had been away in Adelaide. Cathy works at the town hospital and she gave us a ride to Todd Mall. We ran few errands to complete our camping supplies. Then we walked down and across the dry Todd River to Olive Pink Botanic Gardens. I was curious about the name - it is named after a woman, Miss Olive Muriel Pink! Well, the garden is interesting, but Colin had been so knowledgeable about vegetation as well as birds, as had Justin been in Uluru, that we didn't think we would see much of anything new. No. Only a pair of western bower birds courting in his bower, with the male dancing and flaring the pink ruff on the back of his neck! We took photos and watched the pair for a long time. The cafe was closed of course (if I have any complaint about this entire country it is the habit of early closing, like at 3 or 4 if not 5, everywhere!) So there was nothing for it but to follow the road that ran along the Todd River back to our neighbourhood. Along the way, we came to the Hilton, and decided on dinner at the Deck there. As in so many places, and even though this was a little more high end than most places where we dined, we ordered at the bar and paid upfront, were given a number, and the food was delivered to the table. No worries at the Deck. Our meals were delicious! It was an easy walk to our place from there, to pack for the flight to Darwin.

I have to say it again, in case I didn't say it before: Becky and Craig were great hosts. He drove us to the airport on August 27. It had been fun to meet Becky's friend, Colleen, and Craig's son, Kieran. And I am glad we met Cathy, who keeps the water tub full behind the property, for the birds, the roos, and the invisible dingo. Oh, I almost forgot - besides the mother and half-grown joey that we spotted a few times behind the place, we saw a similar pair bounding about Olive Pink as we were leaving. They are called Euros, at least that's what I thought. They are a soft blond tan colour. But in the Olive Pink brochure one is identified as a Black-footed Rock Wallaby...hmmm. So, goodbye to Alice Springs! It has been a wonderful base for our red centre adventure.