First stop was the Reptile Park. Tig was really looking forward to this but Thea was not so sure, not being a snake fan. With caravan in tow we were lucky enough to find a parking spot just around the corner, pretty good going in suburban Alice streets.
There is nothing fancy about the Reptile Park, situated in an old house, not that you would want to go swimming in the backyard pool, home to Terry their salt water crocodile complete with underwater viewing. It was very interesting watching him from a few feet away at the same level. We all sat patiently for the 15 minutes that he held his breath waiting for him to gracefully lift his nose to the surface for a breath.
Back inside the house there were a hundred or so lizards and snakes. Frank, the Spencer Goanna, roamed the rooms. He was very friendly and patiently sat still while all the kids patted him.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation where we learnt about a Blue Tongue Lizard, a Bearded Dragon, an Olive Python and Frank the Spencer Goanna. Best of all we got to hold them. When the lady asked who would like to hold the python everyone was quiet except Kai who yelled out with hand held high, "me". We were not quite sure if he knew what he volunteered for but he happily went up the front and let the lady drape the python over his shoulders and around his waist even though it was 2 or 3 times longer then he was tall. Both the girls were keen not to be shown up by their little brother and held the python, twice for good measure. Thea didn't hold Suzie Q the python but she did give it a pat. All the kids are now wishfully thinking that on our return to Sydney we will get a lizard of some sort as a pet. They at least understand that it will not be a snake while Thea is living in the same house much to Tig's disappointment.
The following day we managed to visit the School of Air which both Tig and Thea found very interesting. Unfortunately it was a day that the kids didn't wish to participate or listen. Kai particularly didn't cope with the task of listening and watching a short presentation and video. We would love to say Maddi found it unusual the way the children learnt from their teacher over the internet, telephone, mail and sometimes radio, however she was more interested in the craft materials Ella had found. At least all three donated a book each to the library that sends out books in bundles of twenty at a time to each child. They currently have 120 kids enrolled at the school, the child the furthest away is 1200km north of Alice.
After collecting our mail from Alice Springs main post office Maddi was very excited to have a letter addressed to her from her big cousin Anna. Thanks Anna and Jo the stickers were a great hit and thankfully named otherwise Maddi wouldn't have been so keen to share. Kai and Ella's drink bottles are sporting a new sticker on each for further identification.
Once our jobs of food shop, fuel refill, battery recharge, water top up and mail collection were complete we took off for a couple of days to Trephina Gorge in the East MacDonnell Ranges.
Till next time...
Tig and Thea
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