Dan Will Travel
I'm Dan and I WILL Travel
America is the land of being indirect in what we say and being politically correct in how we say it. Very different over here.
I love the signs all over Australia. Let’s just get to the point. My favorite is not here. When you go to buy cigarettes, three is no “Warning, the surgeon general blah, blah. blah. Just a 1’x 3′ sign that covers the display case: “Smoking Kills.”
Pleasant, but direct. We would say “Rest Area 1 mile.”
Still being sort of nice and promoting the upcoming town at the same time.
OK, no more being nice.
I brought this one back from a previous Tasmania trip. Love the blood dripping down. Fortunately, it does not rain often……
In a way, they are further along on dealing with fires than we are. You see these in most every town. Where to go when there are no other options. Still rather apocalyptic.
Cute, but dated. Can’t you just hear: “Mommy, what is that thing on that sign?”
Well, I highly recommend it! Now, finding one…….
Well, if you are about 500 miles due east of Perth, Western Australia, you can find the Dakota at the Lily. (www.thelily.com.au)
This DC-3 (C-47) was built in Long Beach in 1944. Commissioned into the Royal Dutch air force, but stationed in Australia. After the war, it served in commercial use for KLM and Garuda mostly in Indonesia. After a zero fatality belly landing in Broome Australia in 1974, it went out of service.
And, if that is not enough, they have the largest stone windmill in the country as well. It is all developed and run by a charming couple, Pleun and Hennie, originally from Holland. So, I sit here typing this looking out over the wings to the Stirling Range national park, where I will be off to tomorrow.
Pleun built this by hand. It took him years, but it is accurate to historical records from his home area and totally functional.
Ok, let’s take a tour. Note the actual DC-3 door for entry.
kitchen and galley at the far rear.
Wonderful living area with dining table, TV, beds and such. Floor slopes up to the front where the bath is. Beds and dining /prep area are level of course.
And, at the front of the bath is the actual cockpit.
My view from my bed. Pretty cool, huh?
What a nice setting to enjoy for a few nights.
Finally saw some camels! Looks like they got a bit too much heat or something?
Yes, the are fake, but still pretty cool, don’t you think? The main attraction at Norseman, the end of my trek across the Nullarbor.
Every gold rush town seems to have it’s own story, but this is one of the best. Back in 1894 someone was in the area poking around, and his horse, “Norseman,” came up lame. Turns out he had a rock stuck in his shoe that was gold! And the local gold rush began. Hey, I am just the messenger, helping you grasp Australian history. We, of course, cannot vouch for the accuracy of the story, but the residents do. They have a horse sketch on every street sign. And the mine is still the biggest employer.
Not sure what they were doing this Sunday afternoon as I only saw 3 humans out of a population of maybe 1,500. Yes, it was hot, but no one. No kids playing, nothing. But, it was a lot more active than Dumas, 15 miles down the road and started around the same 1894 time. Looks like Norseman won out, huh?
The information sign showed Dumas with maybe 8-10 city blocks, full of buildings. Now, just the sign is all that remains.
When you first see these lakes, they sort of look nicely frozen like in the winter. Then you of course realize that they are dried up and alkaline.
Look at the shot below of the railway motel. Yes, it has seen better days, and yes, Dan stayed there. The one other couple there were classic Aussie. Seems that the took the gravel road from Perth over and said they were driving a bit too fast when they sort of landed in a dried up creek bed. Pretty sure that they damaged the vehicle, but after seeing that it was ok, his wife immediately was concerned about the bouncing the beer took in the mishap. So Australian!
Yes, even Dan travels on a budget. I actually stayed here. With one other couple and about 40 empty rooms that I think were not in use at all. Empty ball room, ghost like. The owner is a woman that I think is slowly renovating as money allows.