Late last year I had the opportunity to travel to Alice Springs, Australia for two weeks.
The 15-hour plane ride from San Fransisco to Sydney wasn't pleasant but considering I flew business class I couldn't complain. I spend the first night in Sydney since the connecting flight to Alice Springs only flew once per day. It certainly didn't bother me none ;) Sydney was a great city! I stayed in a hotel at Darling Harbor and was only minutes away from the popular Sydney Harbour bridge and Sydney Opera House. I decided to take a water taxi around Darling Harbour so I could get better pictures and see the Sydney Harbour Bridge up close as well as the Sydney Opera House. The 1-hour water taxi ride didn't leave me disappointed.
The 15-hour plane ride from San Fransisco to Sydney wasn't pleasant but considering I flew business class I couldn't complain. I spend the first night in Sydney since the connecting flight to Alice Springs only flew once per day. It certainly didn't bother me none ;) Sydney was a great city! I stayed in a hotel at Darling Harbor and was only minutes away from the popular Sydney Harbour bridge and Sydney Opera House. I decided to take a water taxi around Darling Harbour so I could get better pictures and see the Sydney Harbour Bridge up close as well as the Sydney Opera House. The 1-hour water taxi ride didn't leave me disappointed.
As tired as I was from the 24+ hours traveling over to Australia, I began walking around Sydney immediately after my early morning check-in at my hotel. I knew I had to make the best of my short time in Sydney and there was so much to see. I found out quickly that things were very expensive in Australia. Things were especially expensive when compared to the weaker U.S. dollar. For lunch, I ate (fish & chips) at a small pub that overlooked the Sydney Harbour Bridge...great food...even greater views. After lunch, I headed over to walk around the infamous Sydney Opera House.
It was as spectacular as I had imagined. The exterior that is. There was some sort of event scheduled the night I was in Sydney so I was unable to go into the Sydney Opera House. Instead, I headed back to Darling Harbour and walked around - snapping pictures along with all of the other tourists. The next morning I was up bright and early to catch my flight into Alice Springs. This was 4-hour flight into the middle of the Australian Outback. I was ready for the adventure.
It was as spectacular as I had imagined. The exterior that is. There was some sort of event scheduled the night I was in Sydney so I was unable to go into the Sydney Opera House. Instead, I headed back to Darling Harbour and walked around - snapping pictures along with all of the other tourists. The next morning I was up bright and early to catch my flight into Alice Springs. This was 4-hour flight into the middle of the Australian Outback. I was ready for the adventure.When I arrived at Alice Springs I must say I was expecting a much larger airport. 
The airport was really small and didn't have any jetways...we had to deboard the plane while it was on the tarmac. As soon as I exited the plane, my battle with the flies began! The Outback conditions are so arid that flies attach to you in an attempt to get the moisture (sweat) from your body. If you are not careful they will go in your ears, up your nose, in your eyes...they are horrible. At any given time, you could have more than 50 flies stuck to your clothes while you are outdoors. Of course, the flies didn't keep me from sight-seeing around Alice Springs.
The airport was really small and didn't have any jetways...we had to deboard the plane while it was on the tarmac. As soon as I exited the plane, my battle with the flies began! The Outback conditions are so arid that flies attach to you in an attempt to get the moisture (sweat) from your body. If you are not careful they will go in your ears, up your nose, in your eyes...they are horrible. At any given time, you could have more than 50 flies stuck to your clothes while you are outdoors. Of course, the flies didn't keep me from sight-seeing around Alice Springs.
The first thing I noticed on the ride from the airport was the Aborigines walking around the town...most of them in tattered clothing and barefoot. I was informed by a local that I shouldn't take any pictures of them because it will upset them - they believe you are stealing their souls. I must admit that I'm guilty of taking a few souls while I was there...but I was very careful when I took pictures ;) I learned that a large population of the local Aboriginals receive aide from the government and don't work. Instead, they remain homeless and use the money from the government to buy alcohol. I learned even more when I got out of the car and realized that I could smell an Aboriginal from a block away...I'm not kidding. The smell they emit is stifling to say the least. I've never smelt anything like it before, and don't particularly want to experience it again. Sorry, I was unable to get a better picture of the Aboriginals without being caught stealing souls :)
While in Alice Springs, I went to the local reptile center as well as the popular site for feeding wild wallabies. I had a great time, but I think if I ever return I will plan to go in their winter months so I don't have to deal with the extreme temperatures and flies.
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