13th August 2006: Darwin to Alice Springs, Australia
Right now I am in my Qantas 725 from Darwin to Alice Springs. I woke up at 12 noon and got ready to leave. Koos was very kind to drop me at the airport. There was a f++king long Que at the check-in but Darwin airport is small so it was quick. The interesting thing is that in Australia you can come just an hour before your domestic flight and its OK! I met the same Irish girl who was in my tour group to Litchfield National Park in airport because she’s taking the same flight to Alice Springs with me. Now I have to switch off the PC as we are soon inshAllah landing in Alice Springs. I feel like the time is running quicker than I thought It will. I’m not only in Austrlia but a week or more has passed since I left Zürich! J Thank God its going better than I imagined. Thank you Allah – You are great! I love you.
My flight landed after a few minutes and I enjoyed the view of the Red Outback Australian territory very much. The airport of Alice Springs is much nicer than the one at Darwin. I was a little surprised to see that there were direct flights from Japan by JAL to Alice Springs! The airport is all carpeted and decorated with lovely aboriginal paintings hanging around. Me & Michelle were waiting for our back packs while someone appeared from my back calling me Umer. I said yes its me, he introduced himself as Pen. It was the guy from Hospitality Club whom I wrote to for free stay at his place. I was not expecting him to show up. It was a wonderful surprise for me. At that moment I didn’t wish anything else more than a free stay because I knew that I will be taking a very expensive tour to Uluru – Ayer’s Rock and I must save!
Pen is 6 ft. 2” tall and a very athletic built middle aged fit Australian bloke. He’s working from last 11 yrs in Alice Springs but he hails from South Australia – Adelaide. On the way to his place from the airport, I was impressed by the nice views of Outback. The quietness here reminds me of Iranian & Turkish dessert cities. I can finally feel that I am in the southern hemisphere because its mid of August and today It’s the first day that I feel the ‘winter’. Pen, who’s real name is John, took me on his round to show me some places before arriving at his place. He drove up to a hill in Alice where there is a War monument and great views of the whole city. Then he was kind enough to take me to the market from where I bought a Australian electricity converter. I was happy to get it because there were so many electric devices that needed charging.
Pen’s house is big flat house with a touch of coziness to it. He’s growing vegetable in his back yards along with orange trees. Oranges were really nice sweet & juicy! Pen allowed me to use Internet at his place. While I was busy there he prepared meal for us and booked my trip tomorrow with Emu Run Tours to Uluru for 199 A$ incl. 3 meals & park’s entrance fees. We had a nice conversation over there dinner before I went to bed at around 11 pm.
It was a nice simple relaxing day.
Q&A:
What did I learn today?
How to make a kirsch (spelling!) eggs, cheese, milk, flour, small cut vegetables, salt n spices, meat optional – put them in layers and bake them in oven!
What did I see today?
Alice Spring’s Airport, Flying Doctors place just from outside, The hill with the views of Alice Springs.
I was surprised by?
-The cameleers were brought to Australian in later 1800’s from western parts of Pakistan!
-There are international flights to Alice Springs!
The golden moment of the day?
While driven from Alice’s airport through the ‘Gap’ in the mountains to the city there was a typical Australian yellow sign showing Kangaroo to make the drivers aware that the Kangaroo’s can be crossing the road. It made me really excited! I felt that now I am really in the Outback!!! My dream come true M.A!
What did I teach today?
Muslims back home are getting modernized and more tolerant.
Did I help anyone?
Yes I washed the dishes after the meal at night.
Did I eat something new?
Kirch – but I am not sure may be I had a similar thing in Europe before.
What did I do for the first time in my life today?
--
To how many people I introduced Pakistan?
John (Aussie) Total= 1
Overall rating or the day?
Nice.
My flight landed after a few minutes and I enjoyed the view of the Red Outback Australian territory very much. The airport of Alice Springs is much nicer than the one at Darwin. I was a little surprised to see that there were direct flights from Japan by JAL to Alice Springs! The airport is all carpeted and decorated with lovely aboriginal paintings hanging around. Me & Michelle were waiting for our back packs while someone appeared from my back calling me Umer. I said yes its me, he introduced himself as Pen. It was the guy from Hospitality Club whom I wrote to for free stay at his place. I was not expecting him to show up. It was a wonderful surprise for me. At that moment I didn’t wish anything else more than a free stay because I knew that I will be taking a very expensive tour to Uluru – Ayer’s Rock and I must save!
Pen is 6 ft. 2” tall and a very athletic built middle aged fit Australian bloke. He’s working from last 11 yrs in Alice Springs but he hails from South Australia – Adelaide. On the way to his place from the airport, I was impressed by the nice views of Outback. The quietness here reminds me of Iranian & Turkish dessert cities. I can finally feel that I am in the southern hemisphere because its mid of August and today It’s the first day that I feel the ‘winter’. Pen, who’s real name is John, took me on his round to show me some places before arriving at his place. He drove up to a hill in Alice where there is a War monument and great views of the whole city. Then he was kind enough to take me to the market from where I bought a Australian electricity converter. I was happy to get it because there were so many electric devices that needed charging.
Pen’s house is big flat house with a touch of coziness to it. He’s growing vegetable in his back yards along with orange trees. Oranges were really nice sweet & juicy! Pen allowed me to use Internet at his place. While I was busy there he prepared meal for us and booked my trip tomorrow with Emu Run Tours to Uluru for 199 A$ incl. 3 meals & park’s entrance fees. We had a nice conversation over there dinner before I went to bed at around 11 pm.
It was a nice simple relaxing day.
Q&A:
What did I learn today?
How to make a kirsch (spelling!) eggs, cheese, milk, flour, small cut vegetables, salt n spices, meat optional – put them in layers and bake them in oven!
What did I see today?
Alice Spring’s Airport, Flying Doctors place just from outside, The hill with the views of Alice Springs.
I was surprised by?
-The cameleers were brought to Australian in later 1800’s from western parts of Pakistan!
-There are international flights to Alice Springs!
The golden moment of the day?
While driven from Alice’s airport through the ‘Gap’ in the mountains to the city there was a typical Australian yellow sign showing Kangaroo to make the drivers aware that the Kangaroo’s can be crossing the road. It made me really excited! I felt that now I am really in the Outback!!! My dream come true M.A!
What did I teach today?
Muslims back home are getting modernized and more tolerant.
Did I help anyone?
Yes I washed the dishes after the meal at night.
Did I eat something new?
Kirch – but I am not sure may be I had a similar thing in Europe before.
What did I do for the first time in my life today?
--
To how many people I introduced Pakistan?
John (Aussie) Total= 1
Overall rating or the day?
Nice.
posted by Umer at 1:55 pm
1 Comments:
I think the word you were looking for is quiche'. Did you like it?
Post a Comment
<< Home