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G'day from the dusty Oz Outback,
What adventures we have been having! The flight into the Northern Territory alone was stunning all we could see for miles was rusty red desert floor and scrubland, we really knew be where in the heart of Oz deep in the bush! After spending one night in the small town of Alice Springs we wasted no time in booking ourselves on a 3 day trip to take in the wonders of Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta and Ayres Rock. So the following morning it was a bright and early start and we were both feeling really excited as we boarded our tour bus. We were introduced to our group leader, our group and the many adventures that lay before us.
Our first stop was the Camel Farm where Lorna and I had the chance to ride a camel in a race, this was bloody hillarious and a little scary if i'm honest- haha! We also saw a Dingo, Emus and Kangroos. Onto the second part of our trip we made our way down to Kings Canyon, where we began our 3 hour walk. After working up quite a sweat, we finally reached the top and the views were amazing not only of the landscape across the desert but the sheer beauty of the Canyon and its rock formations. Days previous the desert had experienced some heavy down pours the first in around 2 years, this was fantastic news for us as we witnesses waterfalls spilling into the canyon over the jagged rocks as well as taking a swiming in the fresh waters of the Oasis, Wow- we felt so lucky! Later it was time to set up camp in the heart of the desert. After tucking into some grub around the camp fire and nestling down in our sways (these are like canvas sleeping bags), we gazed into the night sky filled with hundereds and hundereds of sparkling stars. We lay there around the dying camp fire as our leader explained all the diffrent constulations. The sky was so very clear, we could even see our to nears galaxies and well as dozens of shooting stars- amazing!!! Although we were feeling tired we just didn't want to shut our eyes, the sky was so beautiful we just wanted that moment to last.
After some breakfast it was up and out of camp by 5.30am and time to take on our second walk this time around the wonderous Kata Tjuta (aka: the Olgars). Large rock formations of striking domed rocks clustered together to form small valleys, in a deep rusty orange/red shading perfectly set off by the blue sky and green bush at ground level. Here we ventured round and in between the rocks taking in the dramatic landscape. We stopped throughout the walk for our group leader to guide us through the history of the national park and Aborginal culture, which was really intresting. Then it was onto Ayres Rock (aka: Uluru) to watch the sunset. After placing ourselves in the perfect spot we watched the sun slowing sink infront of Aryes Rock set it off in many shades of colour. From glowing orange casting black shadows to lavender complementing the surrounding sky and finally a matt shade of brown, this was breathtaking. This wasn't the last we saw of Ayres Rock as we were back bright and early sleepy eyed to watch the sunrise before taking on our final trek, walikng a 10k walk round the base of this towering 348meter high rock. From some distance the rock appears to be quite flat but up close the rock is staggered with caves, diping and rising formations fringed with bloders and rocks. There was an oppitunity to climb Ayres Rock but Lorna and I did not choose to do this. The Aborginals ask visitors to please respect their wishes by not climbing thier sacred rock, only they believe that if somebody were to die from the climb their spirits would remain and this would take the Aborginal people into a period of morning cutting themselves and drawing blood-pretty serious stuff!!! 35 people have died attempting to climb Ayres Rock and sadly people are still climbing it till this day as we witnessed. After we had completed our walk it was straight back to camp for our last supper with the group and what a great group of people they were, was quite sad to say our goodbyes as they headed back to Alice Springs and we stayed in Uluru for one more night, as the following day was our flight to Cairns. We really had a great time on this trip and will take away some fantastic memories with us!
Hope all you guys back in Blighty are keeping well and the Crimbo preperations are not to hectic? So great to get your messages and know you still keeping track of our travels and haven't forgotten us down under, you are never far from our thoughts. Miss you lots!
Love from- The Essex Girls Worldwide x x x x
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