Now that we have left the Cape we have had time to reflect on what makes the Cape unique. The attributes listed can probably be found elsewhere, it’s just that the Cape brings them all together in the one place.
1. It’s remote – very remote!
2. Telstra provide the only mobile phone coverage – and that is very limited and often variable in quality.
3. There is no radio signal (not even the ABC) over much of the Cape.
4. Everything is expensive – groceries about double, beer is $5 a can and fuel got up to $2.20 a litre.
5. Red dust is and gets everywhere (yes everywhere) during the dry season.
6. Everyone drives a 4WD – it’s no place to try driving anything else.
7. All drivers will raise an index finger (politely!) in respect as vehicles pass.
8. The most commonly asked questions are, “where have you come from?” and “where are you headed?”, quickly followed by “what’s the road like between here and there?”
9. You have to provide your vehicle rego details to purchase alcohol.
10. There’s a sense of achievement having got to the top and returned to tell the stories.