Road trip – 677 km – Leonora
It was 02:45 when I woke and had to leave the tent for a pee. The car was just in front of the tent. I saw my backpack beside the car and another bag. Stuff was lying around the side door of the car. I didn’t get the first moment what had happened. Maybe I forgot last evening to put my backpack in the car before I went to sleep? But what is the other bag doing there? Anyway, I was tired and went for a pee. When I came back, I saw the full damage. The side window was broken. The car was still locked. My suitcase was on the passenger seat for the night. Then I woke up, my wallet with debit cards and money was in the backpack, and so was my passport. I checked my backpack expecting the worst, but my wallet with cards and money as well as my passport was in there. This was at least a relief.
I woke up Andrew, showing him the disaster. We were wondering if anything got stolen, but it wasn’t. He just grabbed the two bags that were in front of the seat. Probably, I just came out at the right moment, so the thief had to escape. Our neighbor came down from his big truck because he heard us. He said that the thief was already at 01:30 at his truck, trying to open the door. Then he was chasing the guy, but out of the sudden he disappeared. We don’t know how he came into the camping place, as there is a high wall with a razor fence around it. Later, we found a cardboard box from our neighbour on the ground. It looked like these with wine inside. Obviously, he was looking for alcohol. Andrew saw the owner of the place and was running towards him. He said that they have all on video. There are cameras on the property and enough light from lanterns at night. He knows who he is, and that was not the first time he came in. He was also in the room of one of the staff members. The police don’t do anything about it. Somehow, there are different laws for Aboriginal people. They are hardly getting punished by the law, which creates an uncomfortable situation. But this is a longer story here in Australia.
We couldn’t sleep anymore, packed the tent and everything in the car. Early morning, we left the place and started towards Laverton, where we planned to stay. It worked quite well with the window. Fortunately, it was warm. The second day on a dirt road passed by. We stopped at Tjukaquirla Roadhouse, which was the only petrol station between Warburton and Laverton. We filled up the petrol tank and had a coffee there. The owner was telling us more stories about the crime going on around the communities. He said the black guys are masters of disappearing, like black magic. We also saw many cars beside the road, mostly on their roof and burnt. These cars got stolen and were just left there. Don’t get me wrong here, I am not feeding a prejudice against Aboriginal people, but a fact is a fact. Also, I have to say that this is just done by a few.
It was a long day, more than 500 km on a dirt road. 100 km before Laverton, we saw a car with a caravan standing on the road. They had a flat tyre in their 4-wheel drive and just got air in with a compressor. Andrew gave them a few tips and asked them about their trip. They didn’t even know that there were more than 800 km of dirt roads. Also, the caravan was very old and not in good condition. Andrew offered them an emergency can of tyre air inflater to fix it temporarily. The can was AUD30, but they didn’t have cash, so the lady gave him 150 Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to AUD30. Andrew recommended that they should change the tyre; they had a spare one. He also recommended turning and not continuing to drive to Ayers Rock. They were not well-informed and prepared for the outback.
Around 17:00, we reached Laverton. We asked at the Information Center about accommodation in Laverton and a safe place for our car. The lady suggested “Desert Inn” to stay for a night. Andrew called them, and it would be 160 bucks for a family room. We drove there, but it was just next to the Aboriginal community, and we didn’t feel safe for car to park there. Andrew talked to the lady from the reception. We decided to drive further. We could sleep in the bush, which is not legal but possible. You have to hide there. Andrew said if we get caught by the Rangers, I am deaf and dumb, and you speak a different language 😂
The next town would be Leonora, 130 km from Laverton. We were already tired, but we called a caravan park there and asked for a place to stay. It would be only AUD45 for a night. It was sunset, and the sun was several times right in front of us; it was hard to see the road. Also, cows were crossing the road. We reached there safely. We already have the code to enter the gate and are prepared for the night. It was an 18-hour day.
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