So why are we doing it? What’s our motivation, our driving force? Why leave comfort, affluence and safety behind in favour of a life on the road, exposed to extreme weather conditions, dust and dangerous creatures. Why swap our big flat and weekend house for a car with roof tent, no more comfortable bed, no more privacy, no more heating cables in the bathroom and private shower? And not just for the length of a usual holiday, but for more than half a year?
Well, the short answer is: because we have the possibility. The desire for doing something beyond the norm, really pushing the limits was so tempting once we realized that it just might be feasible. We couldn’t resist.
And then there is this enormous fascination for Australia, for its wide landscape, its grand nature, its amazing wildlife. A few experiences stand out especially clear in my memory. One of them was on our first trip when we spent a week on Kangaroo Island south of Adelaide. Early one morning we drove out to the so-called Remarkable Rocks, one of the best-known icons of the island.
The rocks are a collection of enormous granite boulders sitting atop a giant dome of lava, eroded by wind, sea spray and rain over some 500 million years. Sitting there alone, watching the wild sea, thinking about that the next land we’d meet further south would be Antarctica… The power of Nature there and then was magical.
Another time I had a similar experience was on our second trip in Keep River National Park in Northern Territory. Reaching our campsite in the late afternoon after a long drive, I decided to do a walk of 8 km, even if Robin and Dag didn’t want to join me. The track was well signed (as usual in Australia) and I knew I had enough time before sunset if I walked at a certain pace. I was completely alone in this fantastic landscape, passing some beautiful rock art sites and then climbing up a moderate hill. The lookout offered spectacular views in all directions, and I felt so small, but at the same time so well and safe out there by myself. It was quite emotional.
I know one doesn’t have to travel all the way to Australia to have similar experiences in nature. What makes Australia special to me is this vast land, uninhabited for miles and miles, yet full of signs that witness of the presence of Aboriginals thousands of years ago. Australia’s fascinating fauna and flora adds up to my obsession.
Easy to imagine our excitement knowing that it’s only six weeks and 2 days until departure…
RCD on Walkabout 