I do well at putting a Damper on things

Who knew that you go to a country on the opposite side of the world, and your whole lifestyle changes? Well you will never believe it, but it's a parallel universe down under. Let's just look at our list of achievements:

Briana and I are true swagpeople by camping under the stars during in the middle of the Red Center (and there were tents as an option, but we knew we were swaggers from teh start).

We have walked so much around cities in Australia, but when we were in the desert. We walked through parts like Heart Attack hill in Kings Canyon, around the largest monolith in the world, and to view sacred spots in the aborigines of the area. However, we did opt against climbing the top of Uluru because we didn't feel it was right.

We are now Outback Culinary Experts: Two of the most talked about foods enjoyed on your tour were prepared by Briana and I. Briana made her famous Way Outback Pasta Salad. I made the traidition and much beloved Damper. What's damper you may ask; well, the short explanation is that it delicious! The long explanation is the following:

Damper is a traditional Australian soda bread prepared by swagmen, drovers and other travelers. It consists of a wheat flour based bread, traditionally baked in the coals of a campfire. Damper is an iconic Australian dish.

Damper was originally developed by stockmen who travelled in remote areas for weeks or months at a time, with only basic rations of flour, sugar and tea, supplemented by whatever meat was available . The basic ingredients of damper were flour, water, salt and sometimes milk. Baking soda could be used for leavening. The damper was normally cooked in the ashes of the camp fire. The ashes were flattened and the damper was placed in there for ten minutes to cook. Following this, the damper was covered with ashes and cooked for another 20 to 30 minutes until the damper sounded hollow when tapped. Alternatively, the damper was cooked in a greased camp oven.

Damper was eaten with dried or cooked meat or golden syrup, also known as "cocky's joy".
Damper is also a popular dish with Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal women had traditionally made bush bread from seasonal grains and nuts, which they cooked in the ashes of fires.

It also became a popular dish for recreational campers and has become available in bakeries. Many variations and recipes exist, some authentic, others using the name to sell a more palatable bread product to the urban public. (THANK YOU WIKIPEDIA)

And we rode a camel!

So those are just some of the highlights from our trip, which has become the Extreme Australia Adventure and will continue in Cairns! No for more fun - Unfortunately no more camels.

chk chk boom!