Outback Update - Day #1

Well as most of you probably are aware, I chickened out on catching the plane and am officially aboard the indian pacific rail (or the IP as the train staff like to call it) en route to Perth . I am roughly 200 kilometers into an overall railway journey of 4,352 k's. So far i have walked the entire length of the train, started the crossword in the complimentary on board magazine and been to the toilet 4 times......... and it's still another 2 hours until dinner.

I have books, DVDs, my laptop and Music to keep me occupied for the next 3 days and 3 nights. I think i just might make it to the Indian Ocean without getting cabin fever. To be fair, the cabins are pretty cosy. I am in a single sleeper which is about the same size as a small en-suite. During the day the ironing board bed is put away and you have a small table, a large seat and a basin in the corner. There is also a large window that gives you decent views of the countryside. There are communal showers and toilets at the end of each carriage. I snuck a peak in the double and family size cabins which are very roomy indeed. Around the same size as a regular size bathroom. (No idea why i keep comparing sizes to bathrooms by the way)

They also warn you that you need to be conscious of getting up out of your seat and move around regularly to keep up the blood circulation. Mandy - are there any Yoga moves suitable for smaller cramped areas? the train conducter pose?

So far however, there has been no sight of any cute male passengers or staff........ or anyone under the age of 40 for that matter.

They have 'train radio' which provides running commentary on the scenery and plays dodgy Celtic style music in between Banjo Patterson and friends.

We just passed through the Blue Mountains and i must admit the view is amazing. We arrive in Broken Hill at approximately 6:30 am tomorrow morning where you can hop off the train and do a tour. We then get to Adelaide at around 330 in the afternoon where i will hopefully be hitting the pub with some of the HP Help desk boys.

Some interesting facts include:

• A total journey time of 65 hours
• Average speed of 85 km's an hour
• If i had left Sydney on a plane at the exact same time i would have been about to land in Perth right about now :)

Any who, i have was going to attach some pics of the cabin and carriage but i am having trouble uploading them. Once i have this sorted I will see if i can take some more of the dining and lounge area a bit later on without looking like a russian spy.

Oh and I have just been handed a blue ticket which means i am in the 1st welcome session to be held in the lounge at 6:30 sharp. Excellent.

Luv ya's

Liz

xoxoxo