I set off from Darwin at 11.30am to Alice Springs. I took the Greyhound bus (a 22hr journey) all the way with several stops on route. Luckliy some of the people who had been on the Kakadu tour were on the bus too. I got into Alice Springs at 9.30am on Sunday, feeling tired and hungry. First jobs were to find the hostel, then get some breakfast and then sleep!

I had been recommended a Tour to do by 3 people I had met in Darwin (Steve, Hollie and Jay). The tour was run from another hostel called Annie's Place. I booked the tour monday and we departed for Uluru (Ayers Rock), The Olgas and Kings Canyon at 5.45am on tuesday. We picked up the others from Annie's Place and set off to Uluru. Immediately everyone started bonding and you just knew that this was going to be a tour to remember.

We arrived at Uluru in the early afternoon and got the chance to take photo's, see the visitor centre and then walk the 10k around the base of the rock. It was obvious that the rock is very special place. Very spiritual. Its a shame that the white man has all but destroyed the Aboriginal culture over the last 100 years. There seems to be a lot of double standards in Oz. Can you believe this?! The rock was given back to the Aborigines in 1970, with the understanding that they HAD to lease the rock to the government for 99 years for tourism reasons.

After the base walk, we drove back to the viewing point for a sunset dinner. Shame it was a bit cloudy! After dinner we drove to our campsite in the middle of the desert. We built a fire, opened some beers and then Dave (fellow traveller) treated us to an hour of live guitar music. He played anything from Oasis to Van Morrison. Absolute class! Our beds were swags. They are sleeping bags inside a waterproof mattress. We got to bed for 1am and were back on the road for 5.30am!

Next day was breakfast and sunrise at the rock. Then we set off to walk The Olgas. The Olgas are 36 rock domes created by the shifting of tectonic plates over millions of years. Apparently The Olgas are mans place, according to the Aboriginals. It was where they went to discuss important clan affairs and hunt and make there weapons. Lunch was had at a 1 million acre cattle station that had a wild emu wandering around the carpark. Another few hours driving, brought us to our campsite for the night. We had showers, toilets and a swimming pool! Within 10 minutes of arriving we were all in the pool, playing drinking games and generally having merry fun. Dinner was eaten and then more live music and random chat was had. Another late night was had, but we were rewarded by clear skies that showed the stars perfectly.

Day 3 was another early start. A short drive to Kings Canyon, a 2 hour walk and then a dip in the Garden of Eden. I had an amazing time and bonded with some special people. In particular they are Nick, Faustine, Ella, Marlen, Dave, Kate, Danielle, Will and his girlfriend Clare, Rich and Ellie, Andy and Sally. As usual the last day of the tour was finished off with a night of drinking, being silly and having a laugh. Top times were had by all.