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Published: September 10th 2014
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Hi Again, heard some people had problems logging into the last blog, if you have, try www,mytb.org/maygee. Trip to Alice Springs amazing too, flying across Australia on a clear day and being able to see how the landscape changed from a patchwork quilt of greens, yellows and browns to browns and reds. Nothing but bush for miles and miles. I saw Uluru from the air, it looked so small but so strange on it's own in the middle of the desert. Although the rock appears red because of the oxidized iron it's actually grey and depending on time of day, temperature and weather it changes colour dramatically from blue, violet to glowing red. It's said to be the best sunset in Australia, they weren't wrong!
The drive from the airport to Alice took only about ten minutes to my digs right in the center of town. A lovely little town with a population of approximately 28 thousand people. There are plenty of hotels and eating places and also a couple of small shopping centres with lots of tourist shops And lots to explore in and around the town. I booked a two day tour which left the following morning at
six am for the long drive ahead to Uluru ,463kms Southwest of Alice Springs. The coach drivers were fantastic, a running commentary of the surrounding area and what life is like in the outback, everything from life in the cattle stations to the flying doctor. Local people are trained to give injections and there is a colour coded medical kit which in emergencies is administered with the doctors instruction over the telephone or radio. Your driving for hours and see nothing but bush. Our first stop was at Kata Tjuta taking a walk into a small canyon . It was formerly known as the Olgas, and it is believed that Uluru was part of this range. We arrived at Uluru after lunch. It was incredible, larger than I expected 348 metres high, taller than the Eiffel Tower and very imposing. Originally called Ayers Rock after some white politician it was finally handed back to its original owners in 1985 and is now known as Uluru, (no translation )It is now jointly managed by Parks Australia and the Anangu tribe (translates we the people) who are involved in all decisions, including closing off sections of the rock where they still carry
out sacred ceremonies. Because the rock is very sacred to them The Anangu also ask that we don't climb it , but many people still do, some people were climbing it while we were there. The rock has a very steep climb at the beginning and is very smooth, there is a chain part of the way up to hold onto. Forty two people have already lost their lives, the heat playing a big factor in it, the temperatures can rise to 47 degrees in the summer months. The base of the rock is 5.8miles and the surrounding area supports a variety of wildlife. The caves are spectacular and so are the colours And the paintings are said to date back to about 5000 thousand years. I would have liked more time here but we only had just over an hour.
Since the Anangu have taken over they have reintroduced controlled burns of the park as several devastating fires destroyed a lot of the wildlife and plants, using a type of myrtle which does not burn they planted more of it to stop fires spreading. Being the outback there are no fire engines so they are left to burn
out. They are also reintroducing the Mala to the national Park (a small kangaroo) which has disappeared completely from the area due to feral cats and of course the fires. This little animal is used in the creation stories known as (Tjukurpa )by the aboriginal people and believed to be ancestral beings and are used in Mala Inma (sacred ceremonies ). They are so sacred aborigines travel to the area just to see them. The programme is going very well and they hope to release them into other areas. We headed next to the viewpoint to see the sunset, with a veggie Barbie meal and a glass of champagne ,the site was spectacular!! Photos don't do it justice. Stayed at the bunkhouse in Yulara overnight so the next days journey would be shorter, great facilities and restaurant.
Four thirty wake up to take the 323k drive to Kings Canyon south west of Alice. Part of this area is also a sacred site and visitors are asked not to enter. The 6k rim walk follows the top of the canyon and takes about three hours. I was in two minds whether to do it or do the low level one
along the creek. I wasn't worried about my stamina but I've lost my head for heights and was worried about how narrow the paths would be, but after talking to the guide I decided to go ahead and do it. The start is a steep climb of five hundred stairs known locally as heart attack hill! , (they filmed part of Priscilla queen of the Desert up here) after that it was easy going. Half way through the walk a detour descends to a waterhole known as the garden of Eden amazing! Over six hundred species of native animal and plant life many unique to the area. It was gorgeous and so peaceful. I loved Uluru but the scenery on this walk was just incredible, and I was so glad I decided to do it.. i've seen some amazing scenery over the last few weeks all special in their own right, so unique and so different. Our world truly is an amazing place , get out there and see it!
Heading now for Kuranda in Queensland. House and dog sitting!
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Catherine Bradley
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Hope you got a proxy vote
Hi May, we are all hyped up here with referendum fever, so hope you got a proxy, your vote may be the decider. We are having really nice September weather here so far and are being kept busy in the office. Your photos look fantastic and they are very similar to Gemma's as she did the same tour etc as you. You will be looking forward to seeing the kids and having them around, although I bet you have enjoyed being the "lone ranger". See you only too soon Catherine