Blogs from Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia, Oceania - page 39

Today we had the option of climbing Uluru or walking around it. There are signs everywhere strenuously requesting that you don't climb the rock (it's a bit offensive to stomp all over what the aboriginals consider a sacred object) and yet a steady stream of tourists can be seen moving up and down. It's actually quite a dangerous climb, a woman died yesterday and they landed a helicopter on the rock to collect her. That was also a deterent. In addition, you can see a visible scar up the side where everyone climbs which is kind of sad. Jesse and I didn't climb. Instead we walked around the base with Paul and Clo who we met on our tour. The walk is 10km but completely flat. Uluru looks like a completely different rock from every angle. ... read more

After passing the Breakaways Rach, the two Irish John's, and Uver (he;'s german) and i switched busses and headed to Uluru. We camped in swags, think an candy wrapper made of canvass that you put your sleepig bag in and become a cocoon to avoid the frigid desert nights. At 5 am we got up to see Sunrise then hike uluru. Only Rachel and 2 japanese girls from our bus violated the wishes of the native owners to not climb uluru. So they when up, while the rest of us went around the base. Uluru is huge (which is why it is famous) and all red sandstone. The stone looks so different in the light and from angles. At points it almost looks like cloth, it has that drapery look to it. It is so beautiful. ... read more

In September 2003 I started travelling with a friend of mine. By car we drove around Australia in about 5 Months. Free-camping in National Parks, Surfing the Coast and Hiking in the Australian mountains. Car troubles in the middle of the outback were we got stuck for 5 days (a real Australian experience) The Best I liked West Australia with its beautiful nature and it's less touristy atmosphere!... read more

I just had a great day in the Australian Outback. It all started at 4:55am with my early morning shower. I misjudged the Rock yesterday. Arriving before dawn was one of the greatest experiences and I cannot say that I have many like it. It rises out of the pre-dawn murk, like some timeless wonder. And as you walk around it you actually feel this elemental power. You feel the wind. You smell the red dirt. And you hear the sway of the bush grass as the outback wind whips through. The Aboriginal owners urge you not to climb it. That is not what this place is about. Rather, they urge you to listen to the story it has to tell. Today was full of truly unique experiences for me. With the red Rock rising ... read more

After a bit of a delay in Cairns due to mechanical problems, my flight to Ayers Rock got underway around 9:15 am, and after about 2 hours of flight, and a 30 minute time change (yeah, in Australia they have 30 min. time zone differences) we landed safely in the resort town of Ayers Rock, about 15 km outisde of the National Park. Ayers Rock resort is the only "town" in the center of Australia, and has only one purpose: allow visitors to be close to the Rock and the Olgas and enjoy the magic outback of the red center first hand. The only other access point to the Rock is Alice Springs, about 400 km to the northeast of here. The resort is actually quite amazing... all the land here is owned by the Aboriginals, ... read more