Nights here in the Outback were still chilly, but finally I could cope with just one blanket. Days become significantly warmer now, T-shirt weather again :D
From time to time you see smoke rising into the sky and I encountered more and more burned black patches along the road. So there are still bushfires around. I was sure that the main road would be safe and the fires and smoke vents didn´t look very dangerous from the distance.
However, when I finally drove INTO the first bush fire, I grew a bit nervous. The smoke can completely block your vision and the fires stop just at the concreate of the road. Other drivers didn’t seem to care, so I went on in good faith :D. It seems to be mainly grass burning and after I passed more and more bush fires I finally got used to it.
My water supply became also a increasingly urgent issue. I used to refill my bottles at camping grounds and national parks. However, here in the Northern Territory it became increasingly hard to get your hands on clean water. I suppose most travelers buy it for ~10$ / L at the gas stations if they are out of it. A lady at an aboriginal center offered me their tab water. “That is ok for drinking” she said. Well, it tastes like the dusty desert around here. By the color and flakes drifting in that soup, I hope it is really just that! I drank significantly less the following days. She was right though. I didn´t actually get sick from it.
In the afternoon, I arrived at the hot springs of Kathrine. Warm water pours from the ground and creates a tropical river paradise in the desert, I guess you would call it an oasis. My first bath for weeks. Very relaxing after all that driving :D
This is my last night here in the Outback. Amazing sunsets, bright stars on the sky and only the Dingo's giving you some company. I will really miss this place.
(my late night movie program :D)
Enjoying the blog mate!
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