Sunrise (Tour) Sunset (Tour) Crap, I'm a Tourist

Cranky and Over It Brendan
Dave here.....getting "herded" is not the best way to travel. It can be quite the physical sport. But.....you got to see some seriously ginormous and spiritual rocks on this great planet.

Tourists ...
Ohh, Brendo ... you do know, don't you, that you are now always going to be "Brendo" to us. :) A good Aussie nickname. Aussies do like nicknames and, once given one, it's a good sign that you have been accepted as a mate or good friend. Are you sure that you weren't an Aussie in a past life? Some of your expressions give you away. Either that, or they have rubbed off on you while you were here with us :) Good stuff! Regarding tourists, and, all jokes aside, I know exactly what you mean as, we too, really dislike the thought of being a tourist when we travel and, I too, can very quickly become grumpy and Cranky Jan and Over It Jan, when dealing with inconsiderate tourists.Grrrr!! Much prefer the thought of being a traveller. Great blog, by the way - despite the tourists and, you saw the country at its best - after (monsoonal) rains :) Jxx

Isn't it strange...
I often wonder why it is that we often do not see the wonders of our own country, yet fly around the world to see the wonders of others. Uluru, the Kimberleys, the Great Barrier Reef... all places I am yet to visit in my own country. Seeing your photos of Uluru, with the gorgeous colours at sunrise and sunset makes me shake my head at why I haven't been. One day... I too understand the tourist vs traveller dilemma. I will opt for a tour when constrained by time. It's not ideal, but sometimes it's either that or miss out altogether. I find though, that Cranky deejayvee is soon forgotten but the memories of wonderful experiences are not. I trust it's the same for you, and you will never forget such a beautiful sight.

Left right left right...follow the flag
I can see you bucking the system...lining up then missing...long strides then dragging your feet...the many faces of indifference and displeasure...then looking at the mighty rock in awe lost in your thoughts...ignoring the tour guide trying to herd you back onto the bus. Ahhh...the joy of travel...no matter how you do it...all sorts of memories every time!

Uluru & Kata Tjuta
I'm so glad that your experienced the beauty and wonder of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. I hope there weren't too many flies while you were there; the last time we visited the Red Centre we were extremely glad to have hats on which included a veil to cover the face. At certain time of the year those outback flies can be a real damned nuisance!!

Tourists and Travellers
I love your distinction between tourists and travellers. I completely agree with you, and much prefer to be the traveller myself. Sometimes you just have to be the tourist though in order to see such amazing places, and I, like you, often find myself having to find peace with it, as sometimes it's just what you've got to do. Amazing photos, and what colour and contrast between shade and light :)

Sometimes you just do what you gotta do.....
Tourist v traveller, like everyone has said - sometimes you just do what you gotta do to get somewhere. I'm glad in a way that I'm playing catchup on these blog entries of yours having now met you in person. Love the sense of humour, and now they are almost like audible books because I hear the voice and personality behind the words :-)