"Look like miners"

Apparently that was my instruction as we wandered around this opal mine - look like miners.
Their combined idea of the profession is a little perplexing, I must say!

We wandered around the mine with a UV light torch which, when shone on the walls, caused remnant pieces of opal to glow in the walls. There were arrows stating things like '$7000 parcel of opal' found here.

It isn't my favorite precious stone, but it was impressive to discover the effort made to dig it out of these chalky walls in the middle of a near desert.

Driving through the mining town of Coober Pedy reminded me of news footage from Afghanistan, but without the guns, but not necessarily the drugs, so I hear.