Up at 4.30am to go on the 'Anangu' Sunrise Tour'. Everyone on the coach was very quiet, not a good time to start a conversation Nicola. We arrived at the sunrise viewing area along with at least 400 other sleepy heads. Everyone intent on getting the best spot for photos, all determined to stand their ground if necessary. As Henry was in charge of the camera I was under no such obligation. The good news was no rain, the sun rose and a feel good factor was had by all. Off down the hill for a welcome cup of tea. We then went on the Anangu sunset tour. To cut a long tour short we were shown how the tribe made fire, made resin, learnt to throw spears and learnt some tribal stories handed down the generations. After tour quick swim at hotel before booking another early morning bus to make the walk round the base of Uluru.
At 14:30 we set off to see the range of mountains close to Uluru called Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) followed by the sunset on Uluru (yes we were really going to do everything available)
Although Kata Tjuta looks similar in construction to Uluru they are quite different when seen close up. The rock has the appearance of a concrete fruit cake mix with over 15 different types of rock cemented together by sandstone. Really weird (in comparison Uluru is exclusively small grains of sand)
We met Mike and Pauline who were also on the tour as we walked down the "Valley of the Winds" approx 800m to the far end when it started to rain! We were slightly wet on returning to the bus and very early so the driver took us on an unplanned circuit of Uluru before the sunset.
We then decamped for the ritual of the setting sun but the omens were not good having still been under he clouds of rain so we set about the free wine and nibbles with gusto. It was a toss-up who was most inebriated Nicola or Pauline. The guide forced us out of the shelter to witness an amazing sunset complete with double rainbow. We made our merry way home and great burger meal with Mike and Pauline.