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Published: September 7th 2006
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Uluru (Ayers Rock)
The rock at sunset. Day 153 Saturday 02 September 2006
Alice Springs to Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort) (approx. 480 kms)
Graeme decided to drive right through to Ayers Rock today as there was nothing much in between. We drove past Mt Connor which looks very similar from a distance to Uluru, the kids and Graeme started yelling and screaming but I told them (as I had been here 12 years ago on a coach tour) that it was not it. Mt Connor soon disappeared into the distance. We then came closer to the real rock and set up camp at Yulara. It costs $25 per adult to enter the national park to see Uluru (Ayers Rock) but we were fortunate enough to be given two tickets from a couple that we met at lunchtime at Mt Ebenezer. It was valid until the following day and we only planned on spending two nights here so it was a bonus. This afternoon we went to the visitor centre, looked at all the resort shops and drove out to the rock to watch sunset. Duane, Kiera and Graeme sat up on top of the tinny on the car and watched the sunset whilst having drinks and nibblies.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) 1
Keep stepping back Graeme - it would have been a huge fall! Day 154 Sunday 03 September 2006
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
HAPPY FATHERS DAY POPPY AND GRANDAD
This morning was Fathers Day but because Graeme was on a mission to climb Uluru we thought we better have a nutritious breakfast so he missed out on a cooked breaky. We drove down to the entrance of the national park when we saw the big sign “Climb Closed” due to strong winds on the summit. We were all devastated. The ranger said they assess the weather every hour and was waiting for the wind report from the airport. We decided to go to the front of the rock and walk around it a little. We didn’t want to walk all around it because it was about 10 km’s and we didn’t want to tire Kiera out before her big climb. After a little walk around some of the rock we decided to drive to the Olgas which was 48 kms away. We did a 2.5 km walk into the gorge which was pretty. The Olga’s reminded us a little like the Bungle Bungles. We then drove back to the campground and whilst in the kiosk buying bread it was advertised that the climb was
Uluru (Ayers Rock) 2
We were still following the white markers! open. We all then rushed our lunch down again so we could get back to the rock again. We were all really keen but I was concerned about Kiera whether she would make it. Kiera took her little figurine “Lisa Simpson” in her pocket for encouragement. I had done the climb 12 years ago so I knew it was going to be tough. We started to climb and all I could think to myself was don’t look back. Duane was very eager and was off like a rocket climbing really fast. Kiera was holding the chain and pulling herself up. Graeme was behind her incase she fell and I was behind him incase she fell through his hands. I had second thoughts even getting to Chicken Rock which is where the chain starts. It was tougher than we all thought. We were all huffing and puffing and stopping at the poles for a rest and a drink. When we reached the top of the chain we thought we were at the top but then we realized we had to follow the white markers. We were only a 1/3 of the way. This area was much easier to climb than the
Uluru (Ayers Rock) 3
Kiera with "Lisa" on top of the Rock. chained area. We eventually reached the top. Everybody was congratulating Duane and Kiera. Photos were taken by overseas tourists with Kiera and “Lisa”. We had a big earned rest at the top and enjoyed sour worms and a solo drink for treats. We then had to go down but we knew it would be easier than climbing up. When we reached the chain to go down Duane and I ended up on our bottoms and sliding down on our shoes half of the way. Our runners have not much grip. Kiera was holding the chain as it is quite low and was at the right height for her. Graeme was having a good perve as he was going down. The girls climbing up had to bend forward to hold the chain which exposed their boobs. Graeme’s eyes were popping out by the end of the rock. Graeme wants to congratulate the person who installed and designed the poles and the chains on the rock. After the big climb we were all exhausted so it was a quiet dinner and early to bed. My muscles were so sore and Graeme said that he found it really tough and thought it was
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Graeme with "Lisa" on top of the Rock. going to be easier. On this whole trip I have never seen Graeme walk so much. He is very fit now. It will be a shock to the system when we come back to routine.
Day 155 Monday 04 September 2006
Yulara to Kings Canyon (approx. 300 kms)
Today we drove to Kings Canyon. We have seen our first wild camel near the side of the road. We even saw a dead one on the side of the road. Huge!! We booked in for two nights. There are so many flys here. They are everywhere so the Bushman is coming in handy. The kids went for a swim in the pool - the weather is about 31 but the pool is really cold. After tea we went up to “The Roadies show” which is a man and woman who sing and get people and kids up on stage. They sing all the Aussies songs and are funny. Duane and Kiera went up on stage but unfortunately I did not have any camera with me so no photos. I was really disappointed but we will come back tomorrow night for tea.
Day 156 Tuesday 05 September 2006
Kings Canyon
Uluru (Ayers Rock) 5
The family at the bottom of the rock. Today we went on the walk around Kings Canyon - 6 km in total with a steep incline at the start. My thigh muscles were still sore after climbing Ayers Rock so I thought it would be a good idea for a walk to stretch them. Duane was keen but Kiera not so after her huge climb two days ago. The steep incline at the start was going to be a test for her but we kept stopping and filling her up with fluids. A bribe of a chuppa chup at the top convinced her. Duane was busy catching lizards by the tail but one that he caught bit him. He wasn’t happy. Luckily it didn’t break the skin. It was a really nice walk but fairly tough. Kings Canyon was similar again to the Bungle Bungles. We saw the Garden of Eden with lovely huge cycad ferns. I tried to convince Graeme to dig one up for me and put on the roof of the car but unfortunately there is no room on top. Graeme said he will not get rid of the tinny as we are at the closest place in Australia to every beach?? We were all
Kings Canyon walk
This is one of the cycads I would have liked to take home. red faced at the end of it but it was really worthwhile. Tonight we went out to “The Roadies” for entertainment and tea. A bbq dinner on offer, everything from prawns, barramundi, kangaroo and steak. We were all organized tonight with video and digital camera. Duane and Kiera were again chosen to go up on stage. Duane was playing the didgeridoo. It was very funny. We have it all on video so you will have to wait and see this. Poor “Lisa” has broken her arm after falling over doing rock ‘n’ roll.
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