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Published: June 16th 2012
Day 9 - Sunday 10th June
Well, I guess you could say I’m officially nuts as not even a sore throat and chest cold could stop me getting up before dawn and driving out to watch the sunrise over Uluru.
Matthew joined me thus proving that madness is hereditary, but I was glad to have his company.
There were still far too many tourists than is right for that hour of the day, making it difficult to get a shot of the Rock without a beanie or gloved hand in the way, but the hardest part was having to walk back through the carpark (frozen and hungry) and smell the bacon and eggs cooking from campervans parked there. Honestly, someone could make a fortune selling bacon and egg sandwiches and coffee to the crazy tourists who come out this early.
Later we drove back to Uluru and joined a guided tour around the base of the Rock. “Ranger Steve” was full of information and we learned a lot about Aboriginal culture and way of life.
Day 10 - Monday 11th June
This morning I was happy to lie in bed – warm and
snuggly and listen to the other mad tourists exodus the campsite predawn.
After a more leisurely start to the day we drove out to Kata Tjuta to walk the Valley of the Winds. We took a packed lunch, almost ran out of petrol and arrived back completely exhausted.
That evening we christened our Weber Baby Q with a magnificent roast dinner J
Day 11 - Tuesday 12th June
Couldn’t help myself. Had to get up and watch another sunrise over Uluru. This time, however, I avoided the tourist mecca of the “Sunrise Viewing Area” and instead headed for the Sunset Viewing Area to photograph the Rock silhouetted against the rising sun.
Fewer tourists, better photos and a very happy me. Matthew joined me again, and this time I remembered to bring snacks.
Later, with the family, we did a short walk into a waterhole at the base of Uluru – it was very peaceful here, cool and refreshing in the shade of the Rock. Unusual that, although it hasn’t rained since weve been here, there was still water trickling off the Rock and into the waterhole.
We took a picnic lunch
again which we ate near Kata Tjuta and after lunch we walked through Walpa Gorge. It was a nice easy walk and again, quite impressive rock formations, although different to Uluru. I am having a great deal of trouble sorting the hundreds of photos I’ve accumulated already…
As a treat we ate out at a restaurant tonight. Bypassed the Asian takeaway, aptly named Ayers Wok, and ate in a real restaurant instead. They even had activity placemats for the kids and decent meals too, although Matthew was rather unimpressed by his small hamburger. Think he’s reached a point where perhaps he shouldn’t be ordering from the Kids Menu anymore…
Have included some of the photos the kids have taken. Really love Matthew's shots with his hands over Uluru (his idea) and Ryan's crazy angles.
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mumtoo
non-member comment
uluru
lovely photos and commentary. I am so glad all is going well. The temp in Alice Springs is 19'C today. Should be nice. Still all quiet here. The flowering camelias are beautiful. Lots of love, Mum