Is There Life on Mars?

Todays back blip is from the very centre of Austrailia ....Alice Springs sadly the town does not live up to its romantic billing. Its more of a functional  hub and has the feel of a wild west frontier town which in a way it is I guess. However the views form the hills just outside the town are astounding such as this view across Alice to the McDonnel Ranges which dominate the town. Everywhere you look red and orange rocks and sand predominate in this harsh arid landscape, It made me think that if we ever colonise and terraform our nearest neighbour the early days would look quite a lot like this.

Unlike mars however we did come across some varied wildlife in the form of a kangaroo just hoping out of the bush infront of us ( amazing) and the two desperados trying to hustle for $5 to spend on booze in return for their photo being taken. ( I had already done it without them realising). Here in Alice more than anywhere else we saw the plight of the Aboriginal People. Chased of their land their traditional colonial jobs replaced by technology. loosing the link to the land has robbed them of their very souls and will to live, doomed to a life of wandering the streets looking for the next drink its unbelievably sad when you look into their rich cultural past. Elsewhere on our travels I am glad to say we saw a new redemptive attitude with huge areas of land and national parks being returned to its traditional stewards so their is some glimmer of hope.