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Possibly the best thing we have ever done. Speaking for all 4 of us on that one!
Day 113:
This morning we had an Emu harrass us at breakfast, we decided it was another picture opportunity!
We drove to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home to Ayers Rock & the Olgas. The first views of Ayers Rock were incredible. It just rises from the horizon in the middle of nowhere. Me & Carly hid in the back of the van to avoid the $25 each charge to enter the park!! Skanky but were on a budget after all!!!!!
We got to the base & our dilemma on whether to climb was answered. There were loads of people heading up & loads heading back down. We had to do it. It looked tough but we didnt care. Plenty of water on board & our stomachs filled we set off.
It was so much harder than it looked & so steep. In places it was near vertical & all you had for support was a chain. It took a long time just to get half way, but that was the hardest part out of the way. The pictures will justify how hard it was.
The views were amazing but the best was yet to come. We took a few comedy shots & Facebook profile pics near the top then took in the 360 degree views from the summit. It was breath-taking. We all agreed that the views & the whole experience was the best thing we'd ever done.
Coming down was easier, although it was still dicy in places. Had to slide on our backsides while clutching at the chain! I cannot recommend it enough if any of you are lucky enough to come here.
We drove around to the sunset viewing area & cooked up some pasta & cracked open a beer. After the sunset we headed back to our free campsite & collected some firewood on the way. When we arrived we got the fire going, had marshmallows & slept 4 in the van because we were too tired & too cold to set the tent up. Me & Carly appreciated Ed & Sara giving up half of their space for us.
Day 114:
We headed back to the National Park, this time to see the Olgas. We stopped at the shops in the resort on the way in & the woman that served us yesterday saw me in the van. This meant that I had to pay $25 to get in today!! Cheats never prosper as they say!!
We stopped at a couple lookouts before arriving at the Olgas & the views were amazing. Could even see Ayers Rock in the distance! Once we got to the rocks, we were unsure if we could cope with the 7.4 km walk so we thought we'd do the first part then decide how much further we'd go from there.
We carried on to the 2nd part, then decided we may as well do the whole loop. It was so tiring & the ground was really uneven. It made it difficult to appreciate the views as we had to watch our step the whole way.
By the end of the trek we were all shattered & Ed had a blister the size of a king prawn! Wasn't pretty! We drove back to Uluru resort & set up the tent. I cooked a BBQ then me & Ed played on Sega Rally for 2 hours in the laundry!! It was awesome.
The plan was to wake up early to catch the sunrise on Ayers Rock. We had an early night but didn't realise that the desert climate was so harsh!
Day 115:
Me & Carly had virtually no sleep as the temperature had dropped below zero. We woke at 6.30am & woke Ed & Sara up. We donned a few hoodies each & set off to Ayers Rock. We made it just in time for sunrise & the colour changes on the rock were impressive but not really worth the torture of freezing temperatures!!
We abused the campsite faclities to make some pancakes then headed for Alice Springs once again. We stopped at the Mount Conner lookout, a huge mountain that rises from the middle of nowhere. It's more imposing than Ayers Rock but seems to be a forgotten wonder.
Ed was too tired to drive anymore so Sara took over & Ed slept. After 30 mins or so Sara pulled over to take some pictures of a wild camel we passed. It was fun at first, we ll got really close & took some photos.
Then it all turned sour. Me & Ed decided that jumping & doing a handstand next to it would be a good picture. As I landed the camel turned & ran right for us. Ed was still on his hands which made it more dangerous for him, but he is quicker than me! For some reason I ran across the desert in a random direction until I noticed Ed running for the van! He dived in, literally & I cut across and jumped in the front. The camel was not happy & we stayed in the van until it got bored.
Meanwhile the girls were still the other side of the camel, but it didnt show ny interest in them luckily. When we set off again me & Ed shouted at the camel which made us feel better. I now have a phobia of camels!!
We checked into G'day Mate again in Alice Springs & slept 4 in the van once again 'cos it was so cold!
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