A Town Down Under in SA

That would be Coober Pedy

A town approx 850 kms North of Adelaide.

Coober Pedy,

 is an anglicisation of the indigenous word "Kupa Piti"

It's the World Capital of Opals.

 so they say.

Population of 1695

That's the ones accounted for.

Who would really know,

it has the feel of a wild west town,

 a law unto itself.

Driving through this town 

is kinda weird.

 There are hardly any houses 

to be seen.

They're tucked away hidden underground.

These homes are called "Dugouts"

People build them underground

 to get some relief from the harsh conditions 

of the desert.

Main Street

I don't have any photos of an underground house.

When we were there

a kind chap,

overheard that we had missed our tour

 and offered us a look at his

'Dugout'.

Yes please.

Of course we then couldn't take photos

Take my word for it was pretty impressive.

All mod-cons,

surprisingly light and airy.

He had skylights and air vents

in every room.

Rooms were joined together in a honeycomb pattern.

When he wants to expand he just brings in the gear

.......  the drill thingy

and makes another room.

As easy as that.

There didn't appear to be any forward planning

 so how they don't encroach on the neighbours, 

I don't quite know.

S'pose its called local knowledge?

Thanks "Joe" we appreciated the tour,

with the personal touch. 

The suburbs

More suburbs

The working mines

And even though we went noodling 

.....digging amongst the piles of dirt.
Hoping to find an elusive beautiful opal

there was not a one to be to be found
by us. 

Just as well there were shops.
And Sirs favourite stone is Opals.

I'm the proud owner of a lovely opal ring.

xDee

 

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