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A snappy flight from Sydney to Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, also known as, Ayers Rock and The Olgas. From the airplane we could see the landscape change dramatically from the city and bay of Sydney over the forested Blue Moutains (shout out to the Kingswood family) to the desert plains of the Australian outback. Steely buildings, green-blue trees, then orange brown yellow red sand and rock.
The guide books are correct when they say that pictures and postcards don't quite capture the magnitude of the rock - Uluru. A solitary monolith. Awesome in its presence. This entire area has deep cultural significance and many areas are restricted from taking pictures, as well as the knowledge of its particular significance. It is owned by a couple tribes of Aboriginal people, who refer to themselves as Anagu, and they lease it to the Parks Australia.
Majority of the visitors come to view sunset or sunrise at Ayers Rock. I must say, it is not to be missed! I would liken it to the greatest fireworks display you've ever seen. Colors changing, shadows creeping, shapes altering. As night creeps on, Uluru goes grey then is gone, a distant shadow on the horizon.
Above, the stars come out and the sky is filled with their twinkling brilliance. Miles away dingoes and wild dogs howl at the night.
Brrrr. The desert is cold tonight.
Kata Tjuta ( many heads ) is a group of domed rock clusters west of Uluru. Equally as captivating, if not, more stunning in my opinion, at least for tramping. A constant change of scenery along the 7.4km Valley of the Winds loop trail.
The loop around Uluru's base is about 10km, and we had the chance to experience sunrise on this particular tramp. A great way to wake up.
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