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Our Time On The Ghan Is Coming To An End

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		Our tour of Alice Springs was brilliant - we couldn't have asked for anything more interesting.  We are finding that everything Great Southern Rail organises is done so very professionally.  Back on The Ghan train it is now time for lunch.   We sit with Alan for lunch.  He is a really nice fellow who lost his wife late last year.  We have sat with him before for meals and had some interesting conversations.
View as we left Alice Springs

For the rest of the afternoon we relaxed in our cabin appreciating the views of the countryside and taking occasional photos.  Ian got out his train information and maps and studied them.  I dragged out our Russian language lessons and tried to memorize a few more words.  Thank heavens we don't go to Russia for another 12 months yet.  After dozing off a few times it suddenly seemed to be dinner time.

Dinner on the Ghan - the food is divine

		For dinner I chose Creamy Pumpkin Soup infused with Ginger, Cinnamon and Coconut finished with Coriander Fromage Blanc and Cumin toast.  For main course I had High Country Pork Cutlet, served with Pommes Rosti, Apple Chutney and a Red Wine and Rosemary Juice.  A bowl of steamed vegetables was served with the main dish.  For dessert I opted for The Outback Cheese Platter served with Lavash and Glazed Fig.
Pumpkin Soup

Pork Cutlet sitting atop Pommes Rosti		Cheese Platter

Although the meals aren't large, we feel we haven't stopped eating since climbing aboard The Ghan. To walk down our dinner, Ian and I decided to walk the length of the train.  We wanted to check out the Red Service in particular so this was a good opportunity.

Red Class on the Ghan

The first thing we discovered was the Red Class Sleeper carriages have a passageway that snakes along the centre of the carriage.  This came as quite a surprise.  These carriages seemed newer than ours. There are cabins on each side of the snakey walkway.  The cabins are tiny but seem quite nice.  The top bunks seem to be up higher than the top bunks are in our cabins in Gold Service.  Red Service have a shared shower at both ends of the carriage.

We wander on down to the Red Service Sitting (only) carriages too and then take a look at the Red Service Dining Carriage.  All very smart looking.
 

Red Service (non sleeper) carriage		Red Service dining area

		The prices in the Red Service kitchen looked quite reasonable to us.  We walked on through several more Gold Service sleeping carriages and then came across the other Gold Service dining car and lounge.  The lounge carriage was very nice but the dining car wasn't anywhere near as special as the one we had up our end of the train.  We liked what we had better and again we counted our blessings. We turn around and head all the way back to our carriage. Unfortunately we don't feel any less full.
Red Service counter

Back in our cabin we decide to "fix" Ian's bed.  We've rolled up the extra blankets lengthwise and inserted them under the mattress along the wall side.  Now the bed looks level.  Had our showers with oodles of hot water.  Hopefully we'll both sleep better tonight.

...........Ended up with Ian having a near perfect sleep that night.  I slept pretty poorly though but then I'm not a great sleeper anyway.  Sunrises in this part of the world are simply stunning.  Our lovely train holiday is coming to an end too fast.  We just want to keep on looking out of the window.  We're not ready to get off yet.

Breakfast as always is a delight.  I chose the Fruit Compote (I needed the prunes) followed by Pancakes and Maple Syrup.  Although they are called pancakes they are more like a large Aussie pikelet.  Ian had Weetbix and a cooked breakfast.  Whilst having breakfast we went through the outskirts of Port Augusta.  Later, when we sauntered back to our cabin, the beds had been packed away and a little surprise awaited us.  The Ghan staff had remembered it was Easter and we found a handful of tiny Easter Eggs tucked away for us. Easter Bunny even finds those of us travelling on trains.  What a lovely thoughtful touch.

		At 9.15 we passed through Crystal Brook.  We were blown away by all the old houses that look to be in such good condition.  In Bunbury, where we come from, most of our heritage has been bulldozed so seeing lots of these lovely homes excited us.  The landscape seemed to change so quickly. Late morning we were invited back to the dining car for morning tea. I think we managed to eat one morsel each. We've been fed too well.
Ghan on a tight bend

Scenery closer to Adelaide		The greenhouses of Adelaide

Greenhouses of Adelaide

Coming in to Adelaide we saw an incredible variety of greenhouses.  Some were new but most were in some stage of decay and collapse.  They were such a dreadful sight.  The decrepit greenhouses seemed to go on for ever.  Some of the older ones were still being used as we saw heaps of rotting fruit and vegetables between the greenhouses and the railway track.  We saw huge mounds of tomatoes and zucchinis, just to name a few.  All presumably unwanted and left to rot.  We think some of the Adelaide tourism echelon need to take a look at the railway entrance ride into their beautiful city. I'll bet they don't know it looks as bad as this.

We arrived as Adelaide's Keswick station around 1 pm.  Our journey on The Ghan has ended.

Next page - Arrive in Adelaide and visit Glenelg

Our trip in the order it all happened:

Preamble - how it all began

Getting organised to go

Gathering travel facts

Packed and ready to go

Up, up and away - Darwin here we come

Sunday afternoon in Darwin

Playing the tourist in Darwin, Part 1

Playing the tourist in Darwin, Part 2

Stressful day In Darwin Part 1

Stressful day in Darwin Part 2

Boarding the Ghan

Ghan stops in Katherine for sightseeing

First night on The Ghan + Alice Springs

Our ride on The Ghan comes to an end

Arrive in Adelaide and visit Glenelg

Hahndorf and Port Adelaide

Homeward Bound

Find out what to see and do in   Darwin,   Katherine,   Alice Springs  and  Adelaide

Learn about the history of   Darwin,    Katherine,    Alice Springs   and   Adelaide