NT , we frequently heard Aboriginals speaking their traditional language . In recent years there has also been an increase in the use of Aboriginal place names . This is important to acknowledge and show respect for the traditional owners of the country . On Larapinta Drive we came across a road sign where the ‘ white fella ’ names had been crossed out and the traditional place names painted on the sign .
This far out of town and with a rougher road there are not many tourists . At the picnic area before the walk into the Big Hole , there was a group of about 15 people from a local community . It was their Sunday barbeque . Music , drinks , speaking in language and lots of laughter .
My co-pilot asked an elderly gentleman if it was okay for us to walk down to the water hole . He nodded yes . We thanked him for letting us visit his country . His face lit up , liking the recognition and respect we had shown . We left the bike , knowing our new friends would be watching over it , while we enjoyed a few hours having lunch in the shade beside the water hole .
Leaving Alice at dawn the next day we felt the cool air as we travelled out of the “ Gap ”. Near Stuarts Well we passed the “ Cannonball Run ” memorial , a monument to the four people that died when a Ferrari crashed .
The Cannonball Run was a 3,200km high speed car rally on these outback roads . What a tragedy . How such a slight bend on what is nearly all straight roads could cause fatalities is a reminder to always stay alert and never be complacent about the risks on these roads .
Further south there were straight sections of road of four to five kilometres as we were starting to head through red sand dune country . It was becoming more isolated when
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