Week 29: Aug 28th – Sept 3rd, 2023 // Let the countdown begin!
This week FLEW by and was spent mostly at work, but managed to get in some quality time with a few close friends as my time in the red centre begins to wrap up.
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Monday through to Wednesday was spent up at Yulara, finishing up my one week there working the BBQ’s, did my first (and probably last) tour in the National Park, reading, writing, and a whole lot of nothing.
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Thursday was a long work day. Initially I was supposed to hitch a ride back to Alice with the Wednesday crew, but with work stuff changing, I managed to scoop up some more hours. This involved me driving the 5-hour route from Yulara to Alice leaving at 6am, then leading a 6.5 Simpson Gap walking tour with the Ghan an hour after getting into town. To say I was tired would be an understatement, but I lucked out with a really great group, and am thankfully at a point where I kind of go into autopilot on these tours. It’s so funny thinking back to when I first started, and how nervous/anxious I was about starting solo tours, and now I don’t even really have to think much! It’s so cool to look back on much I’ve learned in such a short period of time, and has me so excited about future possibilities (potentially within tourism) around the rest of this country.
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Friday I had a day off and spent it doing absolutely nothing of importance and it was WONDERFUL.
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Saturday was SUCH a great day. It was my last West Macs tour with work and I had my absolute favourite group out of my entire time touring. Everyone clicked so well, were super engaged and chatty with myself and each other, timing on everything was perfect – it was just all around such a great end to my favourite tour I’ve been doing the past few months. I’ve really grown to love the West MacDonnell ranges. There’s so many beautiful sites to explore and hangout, so much to learn, and after having experienced them in such a unique way on the Larapinta Trail, it’s earned a special spot in my heart for sure. I really never expected to spend as much time as I have in Central Australia, and while it was a bit rough adjusting in the beginning, I’m so happy with my time I’ve spent here.
This is also our last weekend with Gian before he heads off to the east coast! So a few of us (Gian+Takk+Felipe) went out for dinner, then to a couple pubs for a game of pool (Bojango’s), and drinks + dancing at Epilogue. Shameless brag that I won the pool game - Takk disappeared so I’m taking credit for the win lol we all sucked though so was the LONGEST game of pool ever. Made some new friends too with local pilots having their bachelor parties! Was such a great night.
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Sunday I was exhausted, but also turned out to be a really great day. We didn’t get home till 2am, so did my best to get as much sleep before my 10am shift with a different company. I managed to get some hours with Alice Silver doing an early afternoon Simpson Gap Walking Tour with the Ghan. What was great about this shift is you actually take the group from the train to Desert Gardens for lunch – which you get to join for! Had some of the best salads I’ve ever had, along with an amazing vegan chocolate cake. The rest of the tour too was super cruisy and went so smoothly!
Gian and I had plans to make dinner together, so I tried to get in a “quick” grocery shop, but turned into an hour trip… ended up making some friends with this German couple parked beside me who are also road tripping the country! Gave them some tips on things to do around Alice and talked lots about our car reno’s + plans for Australia.
Had a good long lay down in the hammock before spending the evening cooking + hanging out with Gian.
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Feels so weird knowing that things are starting to wrap up! More goodbyes are happening, shifts are slowing down + ending, loose ends on road trip plans + prep are wrapping up. I hit the road sometime within the next week and I’m just spending it making sure everything is organized, getting in some last adventures of places I haven’t yet explored, enjoying my last moments in places that have become favourites, spending time with the friends I’ve made. Really trying to savour these last few days in a place I never expected to call home.
Stay passionate and curious.
Hunter💛
