Coober Pedy

This place should be looked up on Google Earth...you won't believe it.  It is a working Opal mine and has been for many, many years.  The majority of the old mines have now been turned into homes.  People are actually living under the ground and it isn't any wonder because it is so hot here and the temperature underground stays between 23 and 25 degrees so it is pretty comfortable all year round.   One of the homes we wanted to see is closed and won't be opened again until the end of March to be ready for the influx of tourists at Easter.  This house was carved out of the ground by three women in the 1960s.  It even has a swimming pool in the living room. 

We stopped at the Tourist Centre and the woman working there had some pictures of the home on her computer so she showed them to us, it was quite unbelievable.  She, the tourist lady, also lives in a home underground.

We took a tour of one of the old mines and went into several Opal shops, didn't by anything though.  We went for a beer and lunch in an underground bar and cafe, attached to an underground Hotel.  I tell you this is the new thing.  I might want to try it when I get home.

Entering the Town of Coober Pedy

You can see some of the chimneys and vent stacks from the underground homes

The Catholic Church, too bad it wasn't Sunday, maybe we could have gone to Mass.

This is one of the first kitchens, it was purchased by the people who bought the old mine, they actually lived there, we saw their daughters room and the picture of the girls was dated 1979.  They have now built an extension on this property, which of course, the public are not allowed to see.

This is the master bedroom, the stereo and TV and couch are also in there, you have to go down a few steps to get to the bathroom, tub and shower and actual flush toilet.  Small vanity, all the comforts of home.

It was a very unique experience today.  Hotter than the Hubs of Hell but while we were doing our touring it was quite pleasant.

I have to say the flies are something that I would never get used to.  They are everywhere and they love your eyes, nose, mouth and ears.  A very kind cashier in the grocery store sold me some cream that seems to work, however, only getting to Darwin will solve the problem as Darwin has no flies.  Only mosquitoes and midges!!!