Howdy! For the last three days I have been on a tour that took in Uluru, Kata Tjuta & Kings Canyon (that's Ayer's Rock & The Olgas to the 'white man'). A 5am start meant that I had to be very quiet not to wake Alex & co in my dorm (and the random German guy that had found his way into our room) and after a few slices of vegemite on toast I was on my way. The atmosphere on the tour bus was very subdued due to the early hour but having Bob Marly pumped out of the speakers brought a smile to my face. Our tour guide was a guy named Diesel (well Dan really) and after a few hours kip, we were woken up for our first stop at a Camel farm! I (along with most of the group) was either too tired or hung-over to pay for the two minute ride around a small dirt track so instead I bought a 6 pack of 'Toohey's New' and got back on the bus. After a few more hours driving (including a stop for fuel at a ranch the size of Belgium!!!!) we arrived at our base camp at the overly expensive, resort next to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. It's not in the park area as the Anangu (proper name for Aboriginal people) requested that 'white man' move their resort of their land when they got it back in the latter quarter of the last Century. After chucking our gear in one of the semi-permanent tents we headed of to see Kata Tjuta. After getting the cultural low down - it is an Anangu sacred area with the many rock domes representing the heads of their ancestors - we began the climb to 'the saddle'. No problems on the way up; grabbed some good pics but the way down was...fun. I was quite confidently making my way down, at some points even leading the way! Hahaha! However, on one quite steep section I lost my footing and had no choice but to keep moving quickly to avoid falling. As I went down, I kept picking up speed, praying that I can make it to the bottom of this section with out falling. I got to the bottom (still standing) but still running at an uncharacteristically fast pace. I was about to breath a sigh of relief when 'BANG', I had fallen over and 'SMACK', I had just hit my head on a rock. A little dazed, I got to my feet and Diesel ran over checking if I was ok - it had been quite a big fall. Well the only signs of injury were a few minor cuts to my arm and a bump to the side of my head. No problem so I brushed my self of and kept going. After getting back to the bus, I realised that I had actually cut my knee, so out came the first-aid kit. Next stop was sunset at Uluru. Ok, it was impressive but not the totally, inspirational experience hyped up by travel companies. After we had all had our half mug of champagne and nibbles we headed back to camp. It was clear by now that the group (22 people) could be divided into three groups: the backpackers, the Japanese tourists and the European retired teachers. Whilst sitting round the fire, a couple of girls asked if I had been at 'Malankas' the previous night (if you haven't read my Alice Spring's entry then do so). After rather embarrassingly saying that yes it was me making a tit of himself I had the camp's didgeridoo handed to me and gave it a good blow. Now being a Trombone player, I can make a good strong sound but was put to shame by Diesel and another Oz (Steve) who could make all the cool noises. Word of my fall had reached the boss of the tour company out at Uluru so he came to check if I was ok and suggested I stick of the booze for the night! Grrrr! As the fire began to dim we decided to hit the sack, or as I should say, hit the swag. No outback safari is complete without a night sleeping under the stars. Even when the night temperature is pretty cold, swags let you sleep outside (no tent) in your sleeping bag. They are essentially a thin mattress attached to a large canvas sleeping bag, with a flap to cover your head. After putting on all the extra layers I had packed in the small bag I took on tour, I climbed into my swag, admired the view of the stars and got off to sleep. The next morning we were woken up uber early to catch the sunrise over Uluru - pretty similar thoughts as to the sunset. Next we headed of to get up close and personal with the rock itself. Uluru is one of the most sacred places for the Anangu people so they request that you don't climb it - it would be the same as if they walked into a Church and climbed the altar or ate a big piece of pork in the middle of a Jewish service at a Synagogue. But the decision was taken out of our hands as the walk was closed due to the high wind. Instead we all took in the 10k base walk. I managed to get some ok pictures but all the really impressive sights are sacred areas, so you are asked not to take pictures. After a brief visit to the cultural centre we left the national park and headed over to King's Canyon. After getting to our camp it was party time! One of the lads on tour, Rich, was celebrating his 21st birthday! After eating one of the nicest meals I have ever eaten (except Mum's Sunday roast!) the cooler was cracked open and out came the beer! Now when I was going for my last Toohey, left over from t'other day, I was shocked to find someone had pinched it! No worry, Diesel let me crack into his private stash as reward for taking the fall on Kata Tjuta! Score! Sleeping was same as night before: swags under the stars! Our final day was set to be the toughest - climbing King's Canyon. Now to some one not in the prime of physical fitness, starting a climb on 'heart attack hill' was not an exciting prospect. But all the walking I had been doing since I left the UK must have helped as I managed it fine! Result. The rest of the walk was easy but the sights were awesome - better than Uluru. I even managed to army crawl to the edge of one of the cliff faces and take a few pics. After all that, we headed back on the 4 hour drive to Alice. As we were ahead of schedule, we stopped to see 'Dinky the singing dingo'. Rich's girlfriend got up to the piano and Dinky started to sing/howl along. He is a local celebrity and even features in the latest version of trivial pursuit!!!! Once we got back to Alice, we all met up at Malankas for food and the post-tour party. I decided to go for the local delicacy: Kangaroo steak! YUM YUM lol They were v.nice. After some good drinking (including more drinks bought for me by Diesel - who was now chatting up a Swiss girl from the group) and this time watching people making an arse of themselves on stage, I headed back to my hostel. To sum up: a pretty amazing 3 days! TOM x