Many people would not think that 2 weeks on a bus touring SA and the NT with 92 students would be a fun way to spend 1/2 of your school holidays. I however, disagree! Despite the hours of bus travel (including the 22 hour express trip home from Coober Pedy!) the Central Trip was fantastic. We saw some amazing sites, walked some gruelling tracks (stay away from Wilpena Pound!) and got to know some fantastic students, none of which I had met before we left. I also had the chance to consolidate new friendships and old ones, and got to know all of the staff better than I previously had. This is probably one of the few perks of teaching - a free trip interstate and as I had never been before, I had a fantastic trip and was amazed at the sights.
We travelled the Oodnadatta track, saw Wilpena Pound, Standley Chasm, Alice Springs, Royal Flying Doctors, School of the Air, Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock, The Olgas, Coober Pedy and lots more - none of which I can remember without getting up to get the itinerary and I can't be bothered doing that!
Early on in the trip the other bus (we were a 2 bus convoy) was run off the road by a ute driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel and was heading straight toward the bus. Driver had to make the decision to run off the road and onto an embankment in order to narrowly miss the ute. Although the ute driver woke up just as he was level with the bus and swerved, he only just missed the back of the bus and trailer. Could easily have been a fatality - and made me more vigilant with my seatbelt for the rest of the trip.
Apart from that no real dramas.
Highlight: Kings Canyon - easy walk, amazing views and landscape and brilliant company - thanks Bec!
Lowlight: A certain staff member who was an embarrassment the whole trip, and me missing out on seeing Ayers Rock due to an unscheduled trip to the Flying Doctors for a student who had cut her toe and needed 3 stitches. Whilst the other 91 students and staff visited the rock, we were visiting the flying doctors! All the way to Central Australia and the closest I get to the rock is one of the lookouts at Yulara! Oh well, for me there is always next year- the student who missed out doesn't get the second chance.
22 hour bus trip home was an ordeal. I have never had to sleep on a bus before and frankly, I am not good at it! Got home and slept for 6 hours then slept that night from 9.30 to 7 in the morning and am feeling better for it!
Might write more later - for now, essays call and I only have 5 days left to correct them and get my planning organised!
