The phone calls started early this morning to try and source an alternator for the Prado. Finally found one which can be freighted here to Alice Springs by midday Tuesday, hopefully! Next step was to try and find someone who could fit it, luckily we managed that too. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful. As we couldn't do anything about the alternator until tomorrow, we arranged to get the exhaust fixed today. We took the car to Sprint Mufflers & Exhaust, who were so nice. George had spoken to them a few days ago and they had said they could do the job for us and to just bring the car in whenever we reached Alice. After we dropped the car off, the lady from the exhaust shop gave us a lift into the city so we took a walk around the shops, bought a few presents for family and friends back home and even bought ourself some authentic Aborignal artwork. Only about 2 hours after we dropped the car off we got a call to say that it had been finished! They fixed/replaced the exhaust flex pipe, replaced the rear pinion seal and also found and fixed the source of one of our noises - broken rear upper control arm. Couldn't believe how quickly they had done the job - and the fact that we just rocked up this morning without being booked in. The price was great and the service was great and all staff members we dealt with were ultra friendly. Even had a chat with the owner and his wife and compared stories about our Cape York trips! Couldn't recommend these guys more. And to think that when we broke down in Dubbo, NSW, we were ripped off by Toyota, yet here we are nearly 3000km from home and all these mechanics/spare parts stores etc are going out of their way to help and treating us as if we have been dealing with them for years. Really is a nice change to deal with people like this, Sydney is really lacking in this area at times! This afternoon we went to the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, which was really good. After George whinging that we even had to go there, I think he ended up enjoying it more than I did! We got to hold and play with Blue Tongue Lizards, Frill Neck Lizards and snakes. George held a snake for the first time and loved it! For years I have been telling him how cool snakes were and asking to have a pet one at home - after today he is converted, he loves them as much as me now! There were heaps of snakes and lizards to look at, a big salt water crocodile, frogs, geckos and goannas. The staff were great, so helpful with their information and super friendly. Recommend a visit to this place if you are travelling through Alice Springs. Anyway, gotta go, heading off to the casino for dinner and a look around!
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