The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

So glad it all went well Mav and crew. Great right up Chippy! as usual. Great feeling seeing all those Prados lined up. Looking forward to finding out where the next one is being held. Glad to see the banner up Mav, sooooo glad it made it there in time. Big thanks Maxtrax for printing it and sending it onto you.
Bring on 2010, love it!

[FlyNdrive Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyNdrive]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Well, I made it back to the US safely. I am completely humbled by the kindness and the generosity of everyone who contributed to making me feel like I was at home in Australia.

Thank you Mav for putting this event together. It was the perfect opportunity to get me 'down there' and meet you all as more as a sign in name and profile picture. Thank you for planning the Independence Day sausage sizzle and party. It was completely on par to anything happening 'up here'.

I am in the process of downloading the 3000+ photos I took, so it will be a while before I'm prepared to share links but will do so when I get it done.

Thanks again everyone.

-Ben

[learner52 Member Find all posts View Profile Close learner52]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Mav...when the dates are out for next year Im in, just need to organise the time off and here we go.

Chippy...the photos are awesome, talk about green with envy.

The whole write up and pics are brilliant, certainly wont miss the next one if thats what it is like to go to them.

Now to get to the ever growing list.......

Pete

[flyingwil Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close flyingwil]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Hey guys!

Wil, here from team Thrifty, Ha! I made it back to the states just fine. It was an awesome trip and a pleasure to meet all of you, the hospitality you all gave us was unprecedented!

The GTG was great, as I mentioned to Ben at one point it was well planned, and the daily flexibility made it a joy.

I thought I would share some of the pictures I took before I start forgetting names of the people and places... (think I'm getting old or something).

Day one camp at Ross River:


Ben in his Swag...


Route planning... I allready for got the name of the place we were trying to get to:


Attempting to get to above location... (we turned around shortly here after):


Looks like a rental (hire) vehicle right?


Well, at this point my camera batteries died, (Both of them) and my smart packing did not pack the charger, so after our free day in Alice Springs and hitting the local Camera shop across from Wooly's I was able to get some juice back into the batteries... so there is a lag of pics, and on to dinner, we ate here:


When in NT, we were told we had to get a stubby...


Some how we got suckered up to singing, and playing with some wiggle boards or whatever they are called...


This was the song, but I could not understand the words, and think it was about milking a cow, and something out back... (really it was some fig trees and some clothes lines out back or along those lines... but milking a cow just seemed to make me laugh while I was up trying this).


On the way out of Alice we stopped at John Flynn's Grave site:


Unfortunately this was the only Roo I saw in Oz!


I think we hit every side shoot that had a gap and chasm in the name, so that is all already a blur... but here is some pics. Unfortunately I was not able to get the Rock Wallabies on the camera.







Can you spot Fiona?


I forgot the name of this place, but this is where the aborigines would get their colors.


Later on we went to this place...


Here we are airing down to head down the trail, you know you're cool when you have two spOt's on the dashboard.


The petroglyphs were a real treat to see up close and be able to actually touch.


Around where I live we would call this a Teneja..


Breath taking views were around every corner...


Ben in all his infinite wisdom pondering the amazing views:


Awe crap, you can still see part of the Thrifty logo...


Look Mom, no feet! The Camel rides were a lot of fun, then to top it off we ate a camel burger right after our camel ride.


We came across this KJ, and I thought it was cool. Up here we call them Liberty's and my wife actually owns one...


Here is my wife's for comparison:


We then made it to Uluru..


As you can see I was quite happy to make it!


And it was time to sit back and wait for the sun to set and the rock to change colors. Barb is enjoying a nice refreshment.


Ian just looked like an Australian, and I had to capture the image.


What site are we on again?


One of these things is not like the others... now its time to play our game...


Ok, so we had to crack a few beers while waiting for the sun to set...


Everyone was getting the camera's ready for the fireworks display! Here's Glenn getting ready for the perfect shot:


Here I am waiting for the sun to set...


Then it set and the colors began to shine!


And every one was pleased with their pictures:


The next day we woke up early to climb Uluru:


I had to send a spOt OK message from the top:

date: Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 4:25 PM
subject: OK ESN:0-7367563

Wil's Checking in OK via spot
ESN:0-7367563
Latitude:-25.3449
Longitude:131.0325
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:07/09/2009 23:25:14 (GMT)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...UTF8&z=12&om=1

It was a tad windy from uptop of Uluru:


Then there was the line up:


All and all it was a great trip! Thanks to all!

Oh yeah, many of you asked me about our truck(s) here they are:

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

I have limited photo processing capabilities till I get back home but I am enjoying seeing everyones photos. I did up a simple pano of the group car photo and here is a low resolution version of it, I will do a better one when I get home:



It is interesting to follow JeffH heading up the Tanami Track and LFaR recrossing the Simpson with the Eastbound group.

[stewy Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close stewy]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Well MAV what a ripper of a week.
The Mrs and I just arrived home after our 14hr drive from Longreach today.
CONGRATS again on a fantastic event. Can't wait for the next one.

For my mates LFaR and Callo, I'm looking forward to doing the SImpson Leg next time, hopefully in not too distant future.
I'm holding you to exploring the Simpson again soon.
New Tyres and Suspension will better prepare me next time.

Wil and Ben, the pics look awesome. I've got so much digital footage and video to wade through.
I got a few pics myself of local wildlife on our trip home to Brisbane.
Renee and I had a few close calls with Emu's and Kangaroo's on our last leg this morning from Longreach.
You should come to Outback Queensland if you want to see and dodge some Kangaroo's in the wild. he he

Below is the Mrs kick'n back with the Pradopoint Point Crew at Uluru Sunset, after our climb.


One of the many colours of Uluru at Sunset.


Oh, here's the famous WalkAbout Creek Hotel which was from the Crocodile Dundee movie.
It's in a little Qld Town named McKinlay.
We passed this pub on the way to and from the GTG. I just had to stop and have beer.

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Okay, I had a bit of time left tonight so I tried to scrape some more photo's together:

Around Glen Helen Resort:



Roma Gorge:






Kings Canyon:








Redbank Gorge:

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

We arrived home late last night, we were planning on staying out a few more nights however the weather turned bad and rained us out so we decided to head home. At least the Prado got a wash on the way home. Thanks again Mav for organising a great trip.

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Hi Everyone,

I have been finally cleared by the Doctors in Alice Springs to resume my travels.

Given the fact I have been delayed by 5 days, I have decided to head back home to Lara direct.

I will post some of my photos when I get home.

Stuart

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Arrived home safe and sound this afternoon. Kids very glad to be home and have found renewed enjoyment from all their toys and playthings.

Time to unpack, wash, unwind and relax. Thanks for the great PP GTG memories - they will be long-lasting for sure. :wink: 8)

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Hi Everyone,

I have been finally cleared by the Doctors in Alice Springs to resume my travels.

Given the fact I have been delayed by 5 days, I have decided to head back home to Lara direct.

I will post some of my photos when I get home.

Stuart

Good to hear you have been given the all clear Stuart, you are probably on your way home at the moment so have a safe trip.

[Mrs Fishnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mrs Fishnut]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Brief summary of my trip experience and a few photos to boot (hopefully not too many repeats!!).

Trip Details
Left Perth Tuesday 30th June 2009:
Perth to Kalgoorlie 594km (12.7l/100km)
Kal to Tjukayirla 642km (11.8 )
Tjuk to Yulara 773km (12.8 )
Yulara to Alice 423km (13.0)
Alice runaround (Ruby Gap, Rainbow valley etc) 571km (12.1)
Alice to Yulara 979km (12.4)
Yulara to Tjuk 767km (13.7)
Tjuk to Kal 620km (13.7)
Kal to Perth 580km (13.0)
Arrived home Sunday 12th July
Total 5964km
Average economy 12.8l/100km ('03 diesel, no roof rack and not towing a camper trailer)

Team WA leaves home on a rainy day


Camp setup at Warakurna RH


The Outback Way


Couldn't help but peek at the sights on the way in


All of Team WA arrives together at Ross River


Artlunga


On top of a Rainbow


Spotted Bowerbird


White-Plumed Honeyeater


Spinifex Pigeon


Pacific Heron


Black-footed Rock Wallaby


Not a PradoPointer but SNAP!!


Last Team to hit The Mereenie Loop


Yellow-throated Honeyeater


On top of a rock


A rare species at Uluru


Crested Pigeon


Team WA


A celebratory moment


Wedgetail Eagle


Sturt Desert Peas (and Fishnut said it was the wrong season!!)


End of a great trip!


Again - had a blast. Thanks everyone! See you at the next one!!
Deb

[waylib Member Find all posts View Profile Close waylib]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Great photos Deb. looks like the new camera was put to good use.

Cheers
Wayne

[Mrs Fishnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mrs Fishnut]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Great photos Deb. looks like the new camera was put to good use.

Cheers
Wayne

Very happy with the camera, just disappointed I didn't have heaps of time at each place to get that really good shot. The eye behind the camera still needs some practise.....plus I need to remember to use a tripod for zoomed in shots of birds/animals!!

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: The 2009 PradoPoint Get Together Experience Thread

Awesome photos Mrs Fishnut! :mrgreen: