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Well hi everyone!
Ive left Alice Springs now but heres what happened (if I can remember)
Started the trip with an early start and made our way to the 'Ayers Rock Resort'- the only place you can actually stay in the Uluru area. The dorm rooms were very basic and reminded me of a jail cell but it would only be for 2 nights so I didnt mind. Our tour manager informed us that each room cost about 50 pounds a night (for a dorm room- so expensive)
We were told prior to departure that we had to pack only a small bag with our clothes and toileteries because if we opened our big bags they would quickly be covered with red sand that you would never be able to wash off- so we followed the guide lines.
That night we got comfortable at the resort trying some kangaroo burgers and wraps- very tough. Still prefer crocodile (meaty but fishy)! The next morning would be a 5 am start as we would be having breakfast at the Ayers Rock (Uluru) look out point. The rock was really big from far off and as we approached it was just a dark outline, when the sun came up the rock quickly turned a rusty red colour with a hint of blues and reds in the sky around it. We had to share this spot with hundreds of others but there was no pushing (apart from the Chinese- for their priceless photo)
We then drove to the base of Ayers Rock for our 2 hour walk around it. It was decided that we start early because the heat out there is unbearable and people burn in minutes (but not me, as I have dads skin and just get browner) As we walked around there were signs saying not to take photographs as certian areas are sacred to the Aboriginal people. Our tour guide informed us that hundreds of tourists over the years has stolen bits of the rock or takenm photos where they were not supposed to to then discover that as soon as they returned home they began to experiernce bad luck so sent their rocks and photos back to the Ayers Rock Cultural Museum! (So I didnt dare)
The walk around the rock was very easy and informative as there are stories relating to different parts of the rock. Cant remember mnay of the stories but one is about a monster attacking the people- you can actully make out paw/claw prints along the side of the rock where the monster chased them- very interesting.
The rock was actually formed when sediment was gathered together when the massive amount of water that used to cover thousands of km of the area started to dry out leave Ayers Rock and The Olgas.
Next on the agenda for the day was the Olgas (massive lumps of rocks sticking out of the ground.) The person that found The Olgas actaully spotted it from Ayers Rock once he had climbed it.
They think that the Olgas were used by local aborigional men to hunt. One man would chase the animals through the middle where his hunting partners would then enclose the animal and kill it as it had no where to run. Part of the Olgas is older than Ayers Rock. The Olgas many years ago actually tipped 14-20 degrees which is why parts of it that used to be underground are now visable- the olgars are no longer moving now!
We then went back to the resort for a shower and dinner and then got back on the bus for a 'Champagne sunset' where we watched the beautiful sunset around the rock- it was lovely and with a bottle of champagne each it was definitely a great night. I spoke to some helicopter pilots who told me that a few months ago some idiot man climbed Ayers Rock in Flip Flops (when you need walking boots), by the time her got to the top his flip flops had broken and he had hurt his ankle- he had to pay 1000 pounds to be air lifted off the top (GEES)
Oh, you are allowed to climb the rocks on days when it is not raining or windy but you are advised not too because it is disrespectful to the aboriginals scared site. Also 35 people have died in 10 years because they fell off the steep climb- you hold onto a chain and pull yourself along (Dad did it- how brave).
The next day we had another early start as he headed towards Kings Canyon for a 3 1/2 hour walk, including 600 rock stairs to the top- it was hard work. I much preffered Kings Canyon to Ayers Rock because it was so huge and there was so much to look at. To me, Ayers Rock is still just a big rock but the beauty of it is the fact that it is so special to the aboriginal people.
We then returned to Kings Creek Station where we had a 'night under the stars' in swags which is like a heavy duty sleeping bag. We were quite anxious because there are red back spiders and dangerous snakes in the outback and there we were, sleeping on the ground. It was fun though and we sat around the camp fire teling stories while we had a few drinks!
The next day we made our way back to Alice Springs!
FACT: 1-3 aboriginals die every week in Alice Springs because of drunk fighting! Oh, there are also thousands of flies so you have to wear fly nets (not cool, but very practical)
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