index by countries

01/11/2003: We arrive in South Australia (SA). The first European settlers landed here in 1836 from England. At that time about 12,000 Aborigines were living in the area covered by this state now. Today about 1.5 million people live in SA, 21,000 of them are Aborigines. We spend some days in Adelaide, the capital of the state. The charming city was founded in the 19. century by the first settlers and has an unusual outline: the nearly squared centre of the town is surrounded by big parks. That's maybe the reason for the pleasant climate and the relaxing atmosphere of the city. We stroll through some streets between old houses and visit some of the many interesting museums.

01/05/2003: We cross the notorious Nullarbor Plain and it takes us nearly five days. This road is so well known, because it's the only east-west-connection in the South of Australia. Most of it leads through still uninhabited land. Officially the 2,700 km long "Eyre Highway" connects Adelaide and Perth - in 1912 the first car went this extent, just in 1976 the last part of it was sealed. Since then its not very dangerous any more, but still very long. For us 1,500 km on that lonely road are enough where "Road Houses" - small service stations every 200 km - rise to highlights. On the road we mainly meet Road Trains and when we are lucky wild animals. One thin is sure: this road gives a good impression of how huge Australia is!

12/31/2002: We surely found the best party for miles around. The Surf Life Saving Club invites to its Beach Party. We enjoy differnt bands, fireworks and a lot of good mood. On the beach under the rain of light we say"cheers" to all our friends - whenever the new year will start for them.

12/24/2002: The weather is not as we expected it to be, but nevertheless we enjoy a very special Christmas: On Christmas evening we flee the cold (20°C) into a restaurant, Later in the tent Santa Claus visits us to bring some presents and we spend quite some thoughts to the loved ones at home. The next day we have breakfast (with cake) and leave after that for the sea. On top of a dune next to the beach we have our Christmas meal: salmon as starter, after that grilled prawns in garlic and then Fondue, accompanied by Australian wine. We enjoyed it!

12/23/2002: The Pemberton area is known for its vast Karri-forests. Some time ago the wood of these giant trees were the economic base of the area, now they mostly are of tourist interest. The Gloucester-tree was long used as fire-lookout and we climb up the 70 meters to its top to enjoy the gorgeous view from up there. Some hundred kilometres west of it we find large tingle-forests. To learn more about these trees we follow the Treetop Walk: small bridges that climb up to 40 meters between the trees. Some of the giants we visit on our walk through the green are about 400 years old!

12/18/2002: We are visiting the south-western part of Western Australia stretching between the northern Cap Naturaliste and the southern Cap Leeuwin. We discover the several magnificent beaches and also the many caves. That stretch along the coast. The Ngilgi cave is not the only one having stunning limestone formations.

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