The Ghan - Part 2

Photos

This has been the smoothest section of the train trip, but the least interesting as far as views. It was interesting that we left Alice Springs as the sun set on the outback and woke up in what looked to us basically like rainforest.

We did sleep fairly well last night. There were some unexplained stops which woke us since there had been no announcements to explain that there would be stops. We were told we could go to breakfast anytime between 6:30am and 8:30am. We were expected to stop in Katherine at 9am and leave the train for our off train excursions. We had been asked to pick an included or optional cost one when we checked in. Our choices were both Nitmiluk Gorge cruises. One went through 2 gorges with a change of boat included. The other only cruised the first gorge and got out to hear stories about rock art to be walked up to. We were told 3 times that both gorge cruise excursions would see the rock art, but only one would spend time talking about it. We didn’t need that and stayed with the recommended 2 gorge cruise. The walk was variously listed or described at 300 meters, 500 meters or 700 meters. It was probably closer to 1000 meters walked each direction coming and going in bright sun and 93F. It was precarious footing over a rock river bed and/or sand. We were told we needed to be able-bodied to do this excursion and therefore asked a lot of questions of more than 1 person before committing and yet there were people with canes, crutches and wheelchairs. We did not see rock art. I asked our boat driver/guide before boarding the 2^nd boat where it was. She pointed out white chairs across the Katherine River and said you had to dock over there and climb up to it. She said you can’t dock there in the dry for the same reason we have to walk between boats. The water is too low. She said no one could see the rock art now. I have no idea what the rock art people did on their tour. No one made any announced explanations of the missing rock art from the tour description. I only know because it was important to me and I asked. Another disappointment. We left the train in Katherine at 9am and the train left again after we were all aboard at 1pm. Normally, we were told, there is a drive through tour of Katherine but since it is ANZAC day here they had the main street closed for parades and marches. We had a minute of silence in our bar car before departing. When we got back onboard and before the train started they played a song and twice read an ode and then another minute of silence. I don’t know when the USA stopped with the red poppies to honor veterans and the fallen. It is a nice touch and moving.

Lunch for us is at 2:15pm. We should arrive at Darwin station at about 5pm. We have seen the train terminal they use out at the EastArm from when Sirena docked out there so we know it will be a while more to get into Darwin and our hotel. Our shuttle to the hotel is supposed to be included and hopefully this time will be since they confirmed it when I asked at check in. We’ll see.

About 1:30pm, we saw smoke in the distance on both sides of the train. Soon we could smell it. Later we could see it. Later still the flames licked the left side of the train and I could feel the heat through the 2 panes of glass in the window next to me! Add another unexpected experience. Ride a train through an Australian bushfire.

Lunch was running late and then the manager came into the lounge and took everyone into the next 2 dining cars. No idea what was up with that. Fortunately, we wound up being served very quickly. I ate buffalo curry! You might be getting an idea that my menu options have been limited by the funkiness of the choices and you'd be right. I have gained so much weight and am just so sick of food now. I hate thinking about eating and yet it seems like that is the main thing we do.

We arrived in Berrimah Station outside Darwin on schedule. There were complimentary shuttle buses for everyone on the train. There were 6 of them. Unfortunately when we got to bus 5 which was the one going to our hotel, it was already filled and there were 12 of us left on the sidewalk. The bus drivers, I think, solved the problem. There are 2 Double Tree Hotels side by side on Esplanade. One has Esplanade in the name and one has Darwin in the name. They have different street numbers. I think the fact that instead of putting all Double Tree customers in one bus caused the problem as people at the Darwin filled up the Esplanade bus. The Darwin Double Tree bus had empty seats so he took us. He parked in the middle of the 2 and everyone walked. As the first bus driver said, it is not so bad. Unfortunately at these prices not so bad is an unacceptable level of quality. We are paying for excellent, extraordinary, exceptional like that. Which brings us to the fact that our room 512 does not have working AC. I should say not cooling AC. The fan blows but it is about 80F in here. The maintenance guy made it up after we got back from dinner and were ready for bed. He said it takes a key card but we had it in when we first arrived and took it out to go to dinner and the fan ran the same the whole time and the controls never changed. They offered to move us but still on the top floor and that seems to be part of the heat problem. We didn't want to repack if it is the same. They offered us a fan and for AC technicians to come tomorrow and fix it or else they'll move us for the 2nd night. Oh, and we evidently do not have included Internet. We do have included breakfast but it starts at 6am and our 2nd morning pickup to Kakadu is 6:15am. We'd have rather had the Internet. Right now Clay's data sim is still working, so that is what we are using. 

We have no plans  for tomorrow other than to try to stay cool. It is still hot and humid here in tropical Darwin.  

 Photos