Advertisement
Published: December 24th 2007
Edit Blog Post
Tues 27th Nov:
Up at 0500 to pack up, check out, store rucksack and ring home. No real change and ordered by Mum to go and have a good time.
Bus picked us up outside the hostel. Glen, our driver/guide seemed really moody so had a feeling things could be interesting. Got the fromt seat which was cool, loads of leg rooms.
So, we headed off to Kings Canyon. 700km with no a/c and around 35 degrees, not fun! We had regular stops throughout the day so it wasn't all bad.
At Kings Canyon, we started on the 6km walk. It started with a steep climb of the canyon face and once that was done it was thankfully much flatter, though no shade so glad to have 2L of water with me. Half way around we stopped at a waterhole for a much needed dunk! Continued the remainder of the walk, now in 39 degree heat...... 3 hrs in total, we got back to the bus, had a quick snack then onto our campsite, a cattle station with no facilities. The boys headed off to collect firewood, so we were left chopping vegetables for the chilli.
The fire was built, swags
The face of Kings Canyon
The start of the walk, though that picture looks more like a small hill, trust me, it wasn't! were arranged the fire, we served up and all sat around the fire eating. After dinner, it was already dark and everyone was pretty tired so we sat around chatting to a couple of English girls, Hayley and Emma. Toilet before bed meant Hayley, Emma and myself taking a walk into the bush with our roll of paper! Once we'd found our own space (if you know what I mean!) I turned the torch out. The next thing we hear is Hayley screaming that something touched her leg. Emma and I started laughing, even more so when Hayley piped up with "Oh, it was my toilet paper!", she's never living that one down, LOL!
Back to the swags to settle down for the night. It was hard to get to sleep, especially when we're just lying in the bush starring up the stars in the crystal clear sky, a close second to the Fraser Island. Slept until 0100 when Hayleys snoring woke me, so I got up and dragged myself away from the group, but not too far, just incase there were any more toilet paper attacks!!! Could still hear the snoring so grabbed my iPod and eventually got to
sleep.
Weds 28th Nov:
All up and swags packed away by 0530. Glen appeared in another bad mood, stomping around saying do I have to do anything. Last night he's delegated what needed doing and as it was our morning we were waiting for instructions again.
We threw his dummy back at him and sorted breakfast, then headed off in this bus to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Only a 2hr drive today, much better. We then started our walk, 39 degrees today! After stopping at 2 lookout points we then had a choice, to turn back and walk back to the bus (shorter route) or continue and complete the 7.4km loop. I opted to continue, so Tina, one of the 2 Irish girls, carried on, talking most of the way, a happy distraction in the heat. One last stop point before getting back to the bus, where Glen had waited for us. I then carried on with Vanessa, a fellow PT, for the final strech. When we got back to the bus we passed a sign saying that walking the rock was longer permissible today due to the extreme heat, I'm so hardcore!!
Back on the bus and onto
a campsite in Uluru to use their pool and shower facilities (much needed)! Walked to the servo (petrol station) for ice cold drinks then back to the pool to cool off.
Back on the bus to head for Ayers Rock at sunset. It was quite cloudy when we got there and we were even treated to a light shower. This may sound a bit grim but it cast the most amazing rainbow over the rock, which I have to admit was more impressive than the sunset.
We had thai green curry whilst waiting for sunset then once over, headed back to the campsite. We were meant to be sleeping in the bush but due to weather conditions, the campsite was the safest bed, fine by us with toilets and showers to hand.
A few beers back at camp then everyone wandered off to find a space for their swag. I banned all the snorers from lying near me but still I got more sleep last night, oh well.
Thurs 29th Nov:
0415 start to get to Ayers Rock for sunrise at 0500. Arrived to see a lovely glow at the base of the rock. Had breakfast whilst watching the
Great views
Kings Canyon sunrise, a pretty special moment. We then drove closer to park up by The Rock to do the walk. Although it is against the Aborigine's wish, it is possible to climb up Ayers Rock but due to the wind, it wasn't option. With only a single rope to assist you, I think it was a good thing!
Did the walk with Hayley, Tina and Maria, Laz opted to stay in the bus to get some sleep........
We some how managed to lose H and Maria on the way back (stopping for lots of photos I think) but all got back to the bus on time. We were then given a history talk by Glen on various things but know one was really listening so he stopped and we got back on board. Back to the campsite so the Japanese couple could shower before their flight from Uluru. Dropped them off and then sat for the 5 gruelling hrs back to Alice. The heat was really getting to everyone and Glen's sexist crude remarks really weren't helping the situation.
Eventually arrived back at 1600, helped clean and empty the bus, checked in and headed for the pool. Then another needed shower
before my dreaded call home to hear the inevitable, the Auntie Audrey had quietly passed away in her sleep on Tues.
We had a tour group meal in the evening which was a thankful distraction for the evening. Had a good evening, making arrangements to meet up with several people back in Sydney for Xmas and New Year.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.094s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 11; qc: 56; dbt: 0.059s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb