To complete our trip we had to return to Adelaide in the OKA, which had driven in from Birdsville at around 8 pm on the previous evening. As we had a considerable distance to cover, Brendan wanted an early start so we were up at first light to pack our trekking swags and leave them at the campsite for the next group of trekkers, who would arrive later in the day.
... [more]Day ten began cool and windy and the sky was cloudless at dawn. For the first time on our trek, we would head south today. Leaving the campsite at around 9.30, we retraced our path back to Eyre Creek and, after crossing the creek bed, walked for about 20 minutes along a narrow vehicular track between coolabah trees. Before long, the northern end of a red sand dune appeared east of the road so we left the road to follow the dune.
... [more]Having only walked for 3.5 kilometres on the first day of the actual trek, we expected to do a lot more on the fifth day. The day itself promised better conditions and the camels were rapidly getting back to a working routine. It was still cold at breakfast time and most trekkers lingered by the campfire for as long as possible.
... [more]Sleeping in a swag means you wake at first light; no matter what you do it's impossible to keep your eyes shut once the sky starts brightening, when the sounds of the crew - and the camels - become evident. It's actually a great time for photography, although you need a tripod to steady the camera in low light levels.
... [more]Spending 10 days walking in the Simpson Desert isn't everyone's cup of tea but my partner and I decided it was time we saw more of Australia and getting a feel for the outback was a great way to start. A relative had told us of his excellent experiences on a Simpson Desert trip run by the Outback Camel Company, which has been operating since 1976 and runs trips that replicate the experiences of the early pioneers.
So we decided to give it a try. Little did we appreciate what an adventure we were embarking upon.
... [more]Our editor takes a look at the websites that specialise in camera and photographic equipment reviews. ... [more]In May 2007 mobile phone photographer Henry Reichhold visited Sydney as part of his 'Connected Worlds' project. As Reichhold describes it, 'The "Connected Worlds" project aims to create two exhibitions; one "realworld", and one virtual. The dual nature of this approach will reflect the way in which images are being shared across the world. The two exhibitions will open simultaneously at the Royal Albert Hall and on Nokia's Secondlife Island on October 24, 2007.' ... [more]On the morning of our third day we rose at dawn to travel up the Manu River, which joins the Rio Alto Madre de Dios a few kilometers upstream from Boca Manu. Unlike the relatively clear Rio Alto Madre de Dios, which flows over a cobbled bed, the Manu is a brown, muddy stream and its banks frequently bear the scars of turbulent flows in the wet season. Piles of branches and washed-over trees line the banks and impede the flow of the water in many places, providing refuges for both animals and birds.
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