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| 02/11/2001 |
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| Adelaide - AUSTRALIA |
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| S 34°55 E 138°35 |
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That's
not easy to write you after 2 days off from
the Web, lost in the middle of the Red
Continent. Since 10 days, we covered more than
3000 km, but this week-end's 1559 were quite
special.
Friday
at 1.00 pm, the Car@van got on the mythical Ghan. As it was written in the last Journal,
this train is the Australian homonym of the Tran Siberian
or the Orient Express. The Australian Tourist
Commission made us a surprise: we are in first
class and each member of the Team has his own
private cabin. It's the first time in 60 days
that we sleep all separated ! The cabins are
incredible: private bathroom and toilets, tea
or coffee on request, large and comfortable
bed ... but neither Aleko or Maya will be able
to sleep: too many jolts !
In
1929, the 478 meters train made its first
travel. Today, the Ghan's logo is a camel. The
door closes, the air-conditioning starts up,
and a few moments later, the wagons quietly
leave Alice Springs. The 700 tons train leaves
the Northern Territory to enter the Southern
Australia.
In
the first class lounge, we meet the train
manager, Yvonne Lamotte. She welcomes us with
a glass of Champaign, and tells us about the
time she has been working in the Railway.
Taken
by a member of the crew, Maya and Aleko visit
the half-kilometer of the train, from the
luggage room to the cockpit. Some of the
wagons remain the same they were a long time
ago.
Through
the windows, we discover the bush, the desert,
the red dunes. Some kangaroos skip along here
and there, cows look at us, ruminating, while
vultures wheel, looking for preys.
The
sunset is full of colors, hypnotic.
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After
a few beers, Theo, Choum and Aleko improvise a
show - read the Anecdote and watch the video !
For
dinner, we eat some kangaroo - tender meat,
not very tasty, probably better on a grill
with a barbecue sauce. The Team, Choum and a
New-Zealander who travels with us, spends the
rest of the evening talking about travels and
drinking beers.
Than,
each one of us in his cabin watches the arid
landscapes shine under the full moon.
After
20 hours of travel, the train slowly enters in
Adelaide's station.
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During
his last round the world tour,
that he did with no money and no
luggage, Theo (Matteo Pennacchi)
traveled on the Trans Siberian. In
order to survive for 7 days, he
gave some magic shows in the
restaurant car.
Thus,
the Car@van improvises a gig for
the Ghan's distinguished
passengers: a group of 25
Canadians and some Australians.
Their average age is around 70
years old.
While
Aleko makes a little speech about
the Nomad's spirit, Choum begins
to play guitar. Theo gives the
best he has, helped in the end by
an 80 years old lady.
The
ultimate song, dedicated to the
Gan, is a total success. They
applaud us like if we were pop
stars and many of them want to
offer us a drink.
The
Car@van has now its senior
fan-club !
Watch
the video...
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Tourists,
they come here and there, they put
what they see in a box and shake.
When they come back, they can't
remember what they really saw.
They should just put everything in
their heart, they would understand
better.
An
Aboriginal passenger in the train.
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Royal
Flying Doctor Service -RFDS-
On
the Ghan, we pass along a landing
track in the middle of the bush:
one of the RDFS'19 bases, composed
of 350 doctors and 44 planes.
Since
1928, thanks to Dr John Flynn, the
Australian Outback is less
isolated.
The
RDFS is responsible for medical
assistance in the most remote
areas. Without this organization,
a great part of Australia would be
inhabited. In addition to the
emergency units, they also take
care of small clinics close to the
small communities, farms and
mines. The RDFS has its own
network, nearly covering the whole
territory.
If
you come to Alice Springs, you can
go and meet the people who meet in
one of these fascinating bases.
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We'll
try to find where and how to
organize the most voted choice:
Aleko organizes a meal with
Aborigines.
But
it doesn't seem very easy: we
haven't met any in the city since
our arrival. We'll go tomorrow in
an Aboriginal Art Center to get
some help...
We'll
see...
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Guide our next steps,insert contacts & info on
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