COOBER PEDY

This is the first society you arrive to when going from Port Augusta. It's defenetily worth a stop especially because the houses are located underground. Need a livingroom? Just dig... Probably a cheap way to make the house bigger if necesarry. The reason is of course: the heat. Another thing which is worth seeing is the world famous opalmines. Guided tours down the schakts are arrenged. Here, in the desert, people always gather at the pub. To sit here with a Carlton Cold is to sit with your own family. People are so friendly. They actually talks to each other (comparing to swedes)

 

Coober Pedy might not look so pretty at the first sight but be patient, the beaty will come to you.
Of course, also the backpackerplaces, here Radekas, is situated underground. 15A$ for a bed with tons of soil above....well relax! You might find an opal in the wall.
Five minutes after our car rolled into the gasstation, a sandstorm began to overtake us. People started to ran around closing windows. When the "sandwall" hit the car it almost felt like someone was trying to lift us all up. I don't know if this is a common happening here. Look at more pictures here.
Coober Pedy stands for 90 percent of all opalmining in the world. There is also a museum where all the history about the subject are remained. On the picture you can see an opalstring blasted into the mountain.

 

 Nearby Coober Pedy lives a very peculiar man. A modern caveman. It is almost a "touristthing" to visit him and put your name on one of his cavewalls when passing through Coober Pedy.
Next to his cave was one of the film "Mad Max" recorded. I cant remember which one.
His home look like a big guestbook

 

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