Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hi guys and gals (V sorry for the delay in adding this),
Well here I am and this time I have stepped out on my own into the Northern Territory. I left Carly behind in Perth and boarded a plane to Alice Springs where the following day I joined a 3 day/2 night tour to Uluru (Ayres Rock), The Olgas and Kings Canyon.
As Carly said, there weren't any tears although it did feel really strange to leave her there and I missed having my buddy with me straight away.
I arrived in Alice Springs and as the plane was coming into the airport to land, the first thing I noticed was how much open land there is all around, it literally stretches for miles and miles, just the sea of bright red open space with a few green trees scattered around. It really puts into perspective how much unused space there is in Australia.
After collecting my bag, I was taken to my hostel where the tour would pick me up the next day. On the bus I got chatting to a girl (Shaz) who was from Sydney and going on the tour the next day. We clicked straight away and were staying in the same dorm at the hostel. That evening, we decided to go and watch the sunset over Alice Springs at the famous Anzac Hill. Here there is a panoramic view across the whole of Alice. The sunset was really beautiful, all the changing colours of red, orange and pink setting across the city. I took some photos and then we headed back to the hostel for some dinner. I was extremely glad to have met Shaz as walking back through Alice Springs was quite an experience. There were loads of Aboriginal's just wandering around the streets, it was very intmadating and without trying to sound rude, they do have a certain look about them that just makes you feel a little unsafe. After dinner, we chatting for a while and then went to bed fairly early as my tour was picking me up at 5.50am....not a prospect I was looking forward to....
So bright and early the next morning, I crawled out of my pit around 5.15 and showered before the tour picked me up (I wasn't sure that there would be any showers for the next 3 days so I thought I would at least start the tour being clean!) I was picked up first and then we drove to all the other hostels to pick everyone up. In total there were 23 people in our group (made up of some Japanese, Korean's, Italians, Dutch, one Aussie, 5 Irish oh yeah and me the one English bird) plus our tour guide, Reg. I was sussing out all the people who were in my group, praying that they wouldn't all be a bunch of freaks! At first I was a little concerned, but when some Irish guys got on board the bus, I knew i'd be fine seeing as we all know, they like a good old drink! After picking everyone, Reg explained that we had around a 4 hour drive to our first destination, Kings Canyon, so everyone settled down to catch a few zzzz's.
On route, we stopped at a camel farm where you could ride a camel. It was like 8.30 in the morning by this time and the last thing anyone felt like doing was riding a bleedin camel! Everyone grabbed a coffee and I chatted with a few people, who all seemed like decent, fun people and then we got back on the bus. We arrived at our first campsite at Kings Canyon around midday.
The camp basically consisted of lots of little areas with a campfire in the middle and around 8 tin huts (tents) round the edge of each spot, oh and yes, there was a shower/toliet block too - phew! We also had another hut, which was the kitchen/dining area. Reg said we had the option of sleeping in tents (tin huts) or outside under the stars in a swag (basically a giant padded sleeping bag that zips right over your head, plus you have another sleeping bag for warmth). I decided it seemed like a lot more fun to sleep under the stars...well I had to get into the outback vibe and get the 'real' experience afterall.
Everyone had to help prepare the meals so everyone helped to make the lunch. After lunch, we went to Kings Canyon which really is quite spectacular. Here we had a 6km walk to do up and then around the canyon. The first part (aptly named heartbreak hill) really did live upto it's name. We basically had to climb up the side of the canyon up these steep, uneven steps. My god, did I notice that I haven't been to the gym for 4 months however when we reached the top, it was totally worth it as the view were quite something else. All you could see for miles and miles was open space. We really were in the middle of Australia where there really isn't anything there. We then spent the next couple of hours walking around the canyon. It was a gorgeous day and the contrast of the bright blue sky against the red rocks of the canyon was amazing to see. We stopped at one point where Reg told us to all be quiet, as there were baby koalas sleeping in the trees. We all looked up to see these little koalas, the Japanese started snapping away taking pictures and then it clicked...the 'baby koalas' were those little clip on ones that you buy in souvenier shops that people have obviously put up there to fool the tourists (one wearing an Australia jumper was a bit of a giveaway!). I have to say, for a split second I was fooled however I'm not sure the japanese ever actually realised they weren't real!!!!
Anyway after the walk, we headed back to the camp for dinner around the campfire, however not before stopping off for the most important thing...booze! By this time I had been chatting with the Irish guys (Seamus, Rachael, Michelle, Mike plus the Aussie girl, Jodie). We all got the good old cheap wine/beers in which should last us that night. Once back in the camp, we all helped prepare the dinner, the guys need the male bit by building and lighting the campfire. The evening was spent sitting round the fire drinking and eating chatting with everyone and getting to know them better. It was a really good night and as you would expect, I was the last one up drinking (I know, it doesn't sound like me does it??) with Seamus till about midnight. We crawled into our swags by the campfire and OMG was it cold. I was wearing all my clothes, socks, had my sleeping liner, sleeping bag and swag and Seamus even had some very sexy longjohns and a balaclarver. Once tucked in, it wasn't actually that cold and in the morning the people who slept in the tents, had actually been colder.
After my first night under the stars, we were woken bright and early again. After brekkie, we set of for another 3 hour drive to Uluru - home to some big rock or something, yep that would be Ayres Rock! We arrived at the campsite, pretty similar to the one at Kings Canyon and after lunch we drove about half an hour to The Olgas. These are a collection of rocks that have been formed over millions of years. Reg explained about how they came to be there today and then it was time for us to step out alone and walk around the rocks for about 6kms. It was a pretty spectacular walk and some of the views were truely breath taking. The only unfortunate thing was the bloody flies, everyone had said that they drive you mad and here they were really out in force!
Once the walk was completed, we headed to Ayres Rock to watch the sunset over the rock. We were really lucky and got a clear night. It was amazing how the rock changed colour throughas the sun set. We also managed to blag some cup and had some bubbly whilst watching it, very civilized!
We then headed back to the camp where Reg knocked up and good old aussie barby with steaks and sausages. We all sat around the campfire once again where of course the obligitory alcohol did flow. Three of us decided to share a box of wine (aka goon) and I have to say, for all the bad things I've heard about how disgusting it is, I thought it wasn't that bad! We also toasted some marshmellows over the campfire - really getting into the spirit if it all. So after polishing off the 4 litres of goon, we crawled into our swags for another night under the stars...
Another early morning start, we were up at 5.15 and what a bonus, I didn't even have a hangover! We were off to watch the sunrise over Ayres Rock as well as walking around the base. As we arrived and started walking, we watched the rock change colour again as the sun came up. It was a very wierd feeling to be up so early, walking 9km round the base of Ayres Rock which is in the middle of no ware and all before 9am! Some people in our group (mainly the Japanese) decided to climb the Rock. This is something which they are trying to stop as it is felt it is disrespectful to the Aboriginals. It did kinda feel like what is the point of climbing it, just to say you had done it I suppose but most people decided to have some respect for their beliefs and not do it.
After the walk, Reg took us on a short walk and explained in detail the history behind the rock and about Aboriginal people. I have to say, it was facinating and my word, did he know his stuff. He talked passionately about it and explained how they used to be lean, mean, killing machines. If someone in the tribe was weak, they killed them. They had to hunt for water and food everyday. He even showed us where the kitchen was and well as the maternity area where they delivered the babies!
After all this, it was back to the camp for an early lunch (about 11am as we were so hungry from the walk). then we packed up the camp and headed back on the open road for the 4 hour drive back to Alice Springs. I slept most of the way back (as did most people). It was such an amazing experience and definately one of my highlights of the whole trip.
Back in Alice Springs that evening and our group decided to meet up for dinner. We went to this bar called Boojangles which is like a saloon bar which broadcasts a live web cam on the internet. As el vino did flow, we decided to try and get some friends at home online, I text Linx but unfortunately she couldn't get on at work (v incondiserate of them, what elese is the internet for apart from to have fun when you're suppossed to be working!) Anyway, much merriment was had dancing and singing around until Jodie and I were "asked to leave" because we went to the toliet in the mens - can you believe it, Alice Springs is one of the most backward places I have ever been to and some saddo takes offense to that! anyway, we then ended up in this random casino where we danced the night away until the early hours.
Well folks that's about it from me, Off to Sydney now where we have to be sensible and find a job and somewhere to live. We will be there for the next 5 months or so, so watch this space for an update very shortly about our first couple of weeks in the the big city.....
Love
Claire xxxxxxxxxx
- comments