This is going to be my diary entries during my road trip. Hoping to capture some memories in writing and pictures via this blog. So, that means that this post would get kind of boring. Have done a quick summary if you want a overview of events. If you want the costs of my trip, you can go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UOCBBykZ45unQRYMfjVcdLgO3eaQMwi1dYCq3JhXWSk
Summary of events:
15Dec – Explored Standley Chasm with Shan, Gowree and Dinesh. Headed north. Stayed the night in a rest stop. Stars were beautiful at night. Adventure staying out in the middle of nowhere.
16Dec – Watched 2/3 of The Two Towers of LOTR. Reached Katherine for the night.
Entry for 15Dec: Hermannsburg – Standley Chasm – Rest Stop north of Ti Tree (291km south of Tennant Creek)
Last look at Hermannsburg before leaving. 
We visited Standley Chasm along the way to Alice Springs. After a simple lunch at the cafe at Standley Chasm, we did the short 15mins way to the chasm. It was a beautiful view, quiet, and most importantly, breezy, especially in the heat of the area.
Standley Chasm. 
Looking up from Standley Chasm. 
After Standley Chasm, we split ways and I headed to Alice springs to top by my petrol and buy some groceries before heading north.
Scenery along the way north. Look how straight the road is. 
Scenery from my rear mirror. 
The scenery changed. The trees are gone. 
Seen along the way. Are people that dangerous? 
Noticed this sign when I rested along the way in Northern Territory. Thought I would try it tonight, for the adventure and to save money. It is FREE! Stopped at this rest stop north of Ti Tree. 
Interesting. How to get better coverage in the middle of nowhere?
This helps you get better coverage, it works! 
Cooking in the middle of nowhere. 
Warning!! There are lots of flies around at this time of the year. I wore a hat and fly net to alleviate the flighty problem. Luckily the flies did not come to my food while I was cooking, but eating was a problem. In the end, I had to eat in the car.
Lots of flies actually came into the car. Even after much begging and pleading, the flies would not leave the car. Using the fly net, one by one, I caught each fly and threw the unwanted company out the door.
After dinner, I called it a warm and sticky night. Using wet tissues, clean myself as best I could, and headed to “bed” or car seat. The stars were bright and beautiful at night.
Did not get a good sleep though. It was too warm. My portable fan did not help much. Had decided to open all the windows and sunroof for ventilation. It was much better. That’s until I heard the buzzing of an insect in the car.
I pondered for a while before coming to the conclusion that I did not want to sleep with an unknown insect flying around in the car. So, I searched for the insect. It was crawling on my unused blanket. Taking the whole blanket out of the car and shook it off. Closed all windows and the sun roof.
Hot and humid.
Entry for 16Dec: Rest Stop north of Ti Tree (291km south of Tennant Creek) – Katherine
Woke up at about 430am, then prepared to leave and drive off. Planned to drive to Katherine Gorge in Nitmuluk National Park and spend the night there. Katherine, the town before Nitmuluk National Park is 965km away. Expecting to be on the road for at least 12 hours.
During this drive, I “listened” to 2/3 of “The Two Towers” extended version from “The Lord of the Rings”. Fun imagining the various scenes in the movie.
Road trains. 
Took this picture of a road train at a later part of the trip. 
Map of sights in Northern Territory. 
Beautiful trees. After not seeing much trees for such a long time, this is a welcoming sight. 
Reached Katherine at about 5pm and decided to spend the night here instead of the national park. Would visit the national park on the return drive. There were several options for accommodations and petrol is cheaper at Katherine. After another hostel told me that they were fully booked (even though they were available on Agoda.), I chanced upon Coco’s hostel. Great choice. Simple, down-to-earth, rustic place. Had great conversations with the other backpackers in the hostel.
There was a guy who was cycling around. Did not get a chance to ask him much.
There were 2 other guys who are on a biking (motobikes) trip all the way to England!! They started off from Sydney. Driving in a car is already hot and crazy in these parts of Australia, but on a motorbike! And all the way to England! They are heading to Darwin to catch a vessel to East Timor. WOW!
After a shower, I had an early night.
Coco’s. 
Feels like it is its own village. 
Will travel 