Kalgoorlie Mines

Weather was a bit better, so off we went first to The Super Pit and then to The Mining Hall of Fame. Paddy Hannon found some nuggets laying around in 1893 around Kalgoorlie and the race was on. Multiple mines have coalesced and now form The Super Pit. One of the most productive gold mining operations in the world. Pictures do not do the site justice. From the look out the trucks look like ants when in fact they are mammoth in size.

It is really remarkable in it's immensity and the industry of the work. We then went to the museum, where all were in costume for Halloween. Mining and ghosts and goblins.


Garth took us under his wing. A former dental technician, he was drifting through Kalgoorlie came to the museum and changed careers. Per his account, he had to learn how to talk to people, plus learn a lot of mine facts. It is interesting to see the evolution of the mine equipment from yesteryear to today. From large to bigger than belief.





We got to see a gold pour. They take 35 oz of gold, melt and pour into a bar mold. The same gold is used over and over, melt, pour and remelt 3 times a day. Richard our guide for the process is married to the woman who sells tickets who was dressed as a devil. She had wanted him to dress up. He soundly refused.

Two plunges in cold water and our brick of gold was cool enough to hold.


Alas no souvenirs, we had to give it back. There are lovely gardens planted in honor of the Chinese who died in the Australian goldfish. I guess I was into the machinery as no pictures of flowers.
Tomorrow is November 1st. It is Melbourne Cup Day. Apparently all of Australia stops for this event. We scoped our place to watch. We will be at The Picadilly, what looks to be a local bar. We have made our reservations.
Happy Halloween
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Location:Kalgoorlie western Australia

Ballard Lake

We had ambitious plans which narrowed with the weather. We decided to drive to Ballard lake and see The Gormley statues that were installed in 2003 for some 50 year anniversary. The exhibit is called Inside Australia and involves 51 black steel statues that were created from scans of some of the residents of Menzies. The statues are located in a 10 km dried salt lake, scattered about. We were compelled to see this despite it being 170 kms away.
We set off with me (anna) driving. Once on the road to Menzies the road is straight and wide witH nearly no traffic except an occasional truck train. The weather was cloudy grey and cool. The landscape is very stark.


We passed several gold Mines and an occasional tire signifying somebodies drive way. After 120 km we arrived in Menzies. Below is the town hall and main street.


I guess at one time or other it was a thriving gold town but it seems distressed and a shadow of itself. Apparently, the road was made this wide to allow camel caravans to easily turn around. We were hungry and the only option was The Menzies Hotel.


The lonely planet describes the rooms as dilapidated, probably true but there is a warmth and sense of yesteryear when you step in the door,








The barkeeper was Kiwi, and the choice of food limited, it being a Sunday. There was home made chicken soup, fresh fruit cake and toasted cheese sandwiches. There was an Indonesian couple staying at the hotel and miners in and out. Also while we were there, 4 Australians returning from their holiday from Alice Springs.



Michael lost no time in getting into the swing of Menzies. We pressed on as we had about 50 km to go. We passed the town store which was closed.


We passed the filling station which was fenced off and was for sale.





The light and colors of this town were from a different era. We left Menzies and the road became unpaved. Each side of the road was flat with endless scrub. It began to sprinkle. We passed a lot of floodway signs. It began to rain harder. In the 50 k driven we saw 5 cars.


Lightening an thunder and now harder rain and we had arrived.


The lake glistened with water. Several of the statues could be seen but they were in the distance.





We began walking toward the closest statue. Very slippery and muddy. We were not to be deterred.





The mud stuck to the soles of my shoes. I think I may have had a pound or two per shoe. We made it to the first statue.


I pressed on to the second. You could see at a distance, many more, but they were too far away, and the rain was becoming more intense. So we went back to shore.






There was no one in sight. It was magical. I would have liked to hike and see all 51 but it was just too slippery and rainy. The 50 kms back were a challenge. The floodway signs were accurate. Run off covered the road in places and with the mud came the sensation of fishtailing. Going slow was risky as we could have gotten stuck. As we exited the dirt road, there was now a barricade saying the road was closed. As it was, we had to take Johnny Walker into the shower to get the mud off the wheels and Michael worked on our sneakers for more than half an hour with an old toothbrush. Tomorrow we tackle The Super Pit and the mining museum.

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Location:Menzies Western Australia

Prospector Train

We reorganized all our luggage so we could travel with just one carry on. Hoped the cab we called would arrive and at 6 am, off we went to the East Perth Train station to catch the 7:10 Prospector train to Kalgoorlie. The seats were comfortable, they even had power supplies for one's electronics, the windows clean, and even two movies for the ride. I would avoid anything other than chips and drinks. The worst hot chicken roll imaginable. We will bring our own lunch for the ride back.






We pull away from the station. Stops along the way are only if passengers are being let go or picked up.


We arrived in Kalgoorlie 6 hrs after leaving. Our hotel is across the street from the train station. It is modern version of the old train hotel. A bit more basic than it's original form.


We then cabbed it to the airport to pick up a rental car. Since the traffic is minimal Michael has me driving. He calls me Mario Andretti, alas would that were true. Of course with each attempt at the turn signal the wind shield wipers go on. Merging with the mirrors feeling in the wrong place is exciting. We tried eat at two, well reviewed restaurants only to be turned away for not having a reservation. Who would have thought in the middle of nowhere that would happen. We cruised the main street for dining options. This is a mining town with a lot of money. The buildings are all from the past and create a wild west feel. There are certainly a lot of bars and some with strippers. Apparently Kalgoorlie drinks 50% more than the rest of Australia. There are legal working brothels that even offer tours.
We ended up at paddy's Irish pub, which felt more like a local hangout and had a tasty meal. I had a pint of a pale ale called 150 lashes. We drove without dent back to our hotel.
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Location:Perth

Perth

After a breakfast, we were left on our own. We decided to take the ferry across The Swann river to the main part of the city. Because of CHOGAM (commonwealth heads of government of something or other), public transportation was free and the roads were blocked off. After all, The Queen was in town.


It worked out as crossing the street is a lot easier without cars. However the downside was altered schedules, police everywhere and helicopters hovering about. We started at the riverside at Swann carillon bells and walked up the hill with our goal being The Western Art Museum.





Perth has a temperate climate and supports palms and semi tropical vegetation. Parks abound. There is also combination of old and new architecture.





We wondered through the shopping district. Arcade after arcade. Some are very unusual. One, simulates a British/shakespearean town.





Others were simpler.


There were street performers.


When we got to the museum, it was crowded with a family oriented fair. Also the museum was hosting child art events. The aura was festive



We toured the museum. It had an interesting array of indigenous and Australian artists intermixed. After an early dinner, we headed home to organize for our 4 day train jaunt to Kalgoorlie.
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Location:Perth

Return to Perth

This time on my early morning walk I saw a kangaroo. A bit shocking as it was my size. Despite being big, it moved quite silently and rapidly, so alas no photo. I am used to spooking squirrels and small mammals, so it was my turn to be spooked. Of course there were the usual flowers to be photographed.

Eucalyptus ( gum)


Who knows


Peppermint tree


Eco Retreat highly. We were sorry to leave.
But further adventure await. We arrived in Busselton for lunch. We ate at The Goose a cafe by The Jetty, again a sunny day.











We are in Perth during CHOGMOG, commonwealth head of meeting something or other. It means that The Queen will be in town,helicopters will be buzzing around and central Perth streets will be closed. Pauline is amused because the homeless that live in the causeway will be put up at The Sheraton. she nearly left us at that causeway.
Our friends have a two bedroom apartment in South Perth, overlooking The Swann River and the city of Perth proper. This will be our home base for our excursions. Andrew and Pauline's children have the Friday off for CHO....and as a farewell, we are taking them out to dinner at their favorite restaurant Cocos. The neighborhood is fun with a variety of restraurants, shops and access to the ferry across to Perth proper.
They live near the zoo, so you can hear the wild animals: lions roaring etc.
Charles is 16 and Georgia is 14. They are in boarding school in Perth. They were delighted for a night one the town.








The dessert pictures sums up Cocos. Tomorrow Michael and I are on own and will Perth sight see. Our friends drive bak to their farm in Dandaragan. What a great time they have showed us, not to mention letting us camp out in their unit for the rest of our stay.
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Location:Perth