Day 31 - the other Australian Day

26.01.23

Today is 'Australian Day' - a national holiday and sort of the 1st of August of Australia. We have a lot planned because we're leaving Adelaide and flying to Alice Springs. But let's start at the beginning.

At exactly 8 o'clock, our phone alarm wakes us up. A bit surprised that we can finally sleep well in the morning without being disturbed by the neighbors, we stay in bed a little longer. Finally, we get up and pack our things for the first time since arriving in Sydney to be flightworthy. After the hosts knock on our door twice (9 o'clock & 9.55 o'clock), we leave the AirBnB at exactly 10 o'clock. PS. Apparently they want to prepare it for the next guests even earlier.

We set off with our bags and stop in the empty Victoria Park. Our intention is to spend about 3 hours there in a cozy way (write a report, have breakfast, read, play games) until we take the planned bus to the airport. It turns out differently than planned. Well, breakfast coffee can be quickly organized despite almost empty streets and closed shops. But at 11 o'clock, more and more people with signs join us in the park. Something is happening here. We watch with anticipation as the park fills up almost completely. The people are all dressed in the black-red-yellow colors that represent the indigenous population (Aborigines). It quickly becomes clear that they are demonstrating for their rights. Because January 26th is the date of the first arrival for Western immigrants. However, for the Aboriginal people, the day is considered 'Invasion Day' and reminds them of the atrocities of the colonialists. That's why they and many other people are demonstrating today that Australia Day is not a holiday and should be moved date-wise. At 12:45 p.m., the over 1000 people march peacefully but determinedly on the main street - with a large police presence.

The stay in the park is extremely eventful and quickly over. We have to go and hope that our bus finds a way and we can catch the flight. And it works.

At the airport, we check in our luggage ourselves, including sticking on labels, and quickly pass through security. We walk through the terminal and discover a surf shop. In short, Sarah gets a new bikini and Marco gets a shirt. Then we have lunch at a restaurant and board on time. Everyone's on board, only the luggage is still in the wrong place. With a delay of about 30 minutes, but with organized luggage space, we take off on the one-hour flight. Along the way, we read and read in our books. Strangely, the bird should have landed long ago, even with the delay. We notice that we are once again crossing a time zone of 1 hour.

After a 2-hour flight, we land in Alice Springs and have the key to our gray Suzuki in our hands even before the luggage. We set off at 6.30 p.m. in 36-degree heat and arrive at the hotel about 20 minutes later. During dinner, we come up with a good name for our vehicle. From now on, it's called Hector (pronounced 'egtor').