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Caitlin's travels!
21 hours we arrived in Alice Springs. Didn't really know what to expect here, we heard a lot of mixed reviews and apparently some hostile aboriginals weren't so friendly to tourists. But there was no problems at alllll. Checked in at our hostel, a girl who had just done the same tour we had arranged was staying with us so she told us about what sort of thing we'd be doing. She promised a LOT of walking and she was not lying. That night we made some more fajitas. There was enough to feed 5 but Jenny and I don't believe in waste so when I come home 18 stone heavier don't judge.
In the morning we got up at 5.30, and were met by Morgan our guide. The bus ride was so long and the seats were bricks but managed to get some sleep. It must be sooo boring having to drive through Australia there is just nothing! The drivers wave to each other cos I think it's nice to know there is still life. First stop was Kings Canyon. Promising start-the first climb was 'heart attack hill'. Fortunately everyone was okay at the top though.. Kings Canyon is actually the largest canyon in the world. The Grand Canyon is a liar because its a gorge not a canyon. So I can say I've climbed to the top of the biggest in the world! It's a 3 hour round trip to see everything but the views are incredible and although it was so hot it wasn't humid, so very bearable. It was already getting on in the afternoon and the drive to camp was another couple hours so we headed back. On the way home we stopped and collected fire wood. This involved pulling down dead trees which I got a bit too into and ended up on the floor a lot. Jenny was pretty grubby too but the best bit was where we were camping that night there were no showers fab.
Camp was literally I'm a celebrity but not in the jungle-in the outback. I had no idea I'd like it as much as I did!! We built a hugeee fire and all sat around on swags while Morgan cooked us chilli. The darker it got the more amazing the stars looked, I have never seen so many in my life. A guy on the tour was a bit knowledgeable of all the constellations so he showed us where everything was. Everyone was so chilled. It's a weird atmosphere on these tours cos even though nobody knows each other you have to get on and it becomes kinda family like. We met Josh who was from Essex-you wouldn't know though he wasn't a Joey clone. Such a good guy! Hopefully we will see him in Sydney later on our travels. So that night I slept under the stars in the Australian outback! The only bad thing was the toilet which was foul and I can't talk about it.
The next day was full on again, we started at a rock which I can't spell or say. I think it's Kada Tjuta.. Or Kata Tjuda. Either way it's a massive rock with a really nice walk round it. To pass some time me Jen and Josh played the alphabet game with animals which I was so bad at. I lost I think. We then went to the culture centre to learn a bit more about Ayers Rock. It was so interesting to find out what the rock actually meant to the original owners of the land. It's so sacred to them, and they were given back the rights to it in the 80s. They don't mind tourists visiting as long as they are respectful. You can climb Ayers Rock if you want to, but the aboriginal people find it so disrespectful. You really shouldn't do it, 30+ people die from dehydration etc and it ruins their land. There's even a book of sorry letters. People who might have climbed the rock years ago, who may even have taken a piece home with them write and send the rock back apologising for doing it. A lot of people think it brought them bad luck! That evening we watched the sunset. Although the rock changed colour an it was pretty I didn't find this that amazing.. Sunrise however was summin elsse. We got to shower that night but still slept under the stars farrr away from the snorers.
Got up at half 4 to watch the sunrise. This was beautiful! I got some photos but I don't think they're anything on what it was really like. We had breakfast while we overlooked Uluru watching the sun come up. Another surreal moment! Next it was time for the base walk of Ayers Rock. By this time I was kind of walked out but it was still nice and not too hot as it was over by half 9! That was about it for the tour. We started the drive back.. I'm so glad I did it! The rocks were so interesting but the best bit was camping and I didn't think I'd hear myself say that.
After the tours it's normal for people to go to the rock bar for dinner and drinks. Turns out Alice springs can be a bit lively! It was a funny night, by now everyone knew a bit about each other so it was good to go out with them and Morgan.
We left Alice the next day, after a very productive morning of food shopping and washing. Me and Jenny are still refusing to do the traveller thing of eating McDonald's all the time so we've been eating really well. This may obviously change when I run out of money though.. So that was Alice Springs, next we fly to Cairns!
- comments
Steph Sounds like you're having an amazing time Caitwin!! Can't wait to see all the pictures, sounds incredible. Stay safe and enjoy Cairns! Missing you lots xxx
Emily Loving the blogs, really enjoy reading them and hearing about everything you two are doing even though I'm ridiculously jealous. Never knew all that about Ayers Rock, very interesting. Hope the tan is coming along nicely and keep the updates going :) Have the best time in Cairns, missing you and Jen xxx