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Introduction
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Most Australians have an urge to make a pilgrimage
to Uluru, the physical & emotional centre of Australia,
but few make it. Of those who do most rave about it's beauty &
amazing rock forms. Having travelled fairly extensively outside of
Australia I decided that this was going to be the year that I would
start discovering my homeland for myself.
I booked the flights, accommodation & tours individually
through different companies & have to say that due to my
experience on this trip I'll have one company handle the whole lot
next time! Having said that, I can highly recommend Northern
Gateway Holidays as their help & patience has been totally
invaluable!
I've always been a bit of a country bumpkin at heart & have
greatly enjoyed the few forays I've made into the Australian
Outback. I also gained a new insight into Australian
"culture" from a month long working trip to Port Hedland
& a two day trip to Wave Rock. Keeping this in mind I knew it
was going to be an emotional experience & so pre-booked as many
tours as I could fit in. Despite doing this I still didn't manage
to have a good look at Uluru itself as when I did eventually make
it out there it was just too hot! Not that I'm complaining! Uluru
in Summer takes on a mildly spicy smell thanks to the Wattles &
other plants. The colours also take on a vivid hue as the contrasts
between the red dirt & the grey greens of the foliage really
come into play.
Having spent the previous New Years Eve with friends partying I
decided to do something different this year & so booked a
unique experience for the night - Sounds
of Silence tour. I had spoken with a few people about this
event previously & although none had done this as part of a New
Year celebration, all raved about it & swore that I would
"love" the event. They weren't wrong! Little did I realise however that I would be starting the new year already
feeling pangs of regret & remorse over a bad decision that was
heavily influenced by alchohol and cost me the company of someone
who I felt very drawn to & comfortable with! BUGGER! :)
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29 Dec 2006
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After a 3 hour flight, or there abouts, I finally
arrived at The Outback Pioneer Lodge, a 2 star lodge
accomodation option at Ayers Rock Resort, at 2:30pm. The first tour I had
booked myself into didn't start until 4:30pm so I had a little time
to spare. Despite the heat I felt like exploring & so after
settling in I caught the free resort shuttle to the shopping
centre. It's basically an open plan area with a supermarket, hair
dresser, bank, cafes etc. Not bad for a little outpost in the
middle of nowhere! Having bought the necessities - 4L of water; and
luxuries - chocolate, I headed back to get my kit together &
meet the tour bus.
My first tour for the trip was a mildly strenuous walk into Walpa
Gorge, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) followed by a viewing of Kata Tjuta
showing off it's sunset colours accompanied by sparkling wine &
a dukka made from the seeds of plants found locally on bread. There
were a couple of tour groups at the spot but I think everyone was
so enamoured with the colour show that it was easy enough to forget
that you're one in a crowd. Despite the size of the group the
experience didn't feel over crowded at all. It was actually very
peaceful.
Arriving back at the resort at about 8pm I was concerned that none
of the restaurants would be open, but I guess due to the late
return of some of the tours they stay open until 10pm! Considering
the amazing day I had I decided to end it in style, enjoying the
buffet at the Outback Pioneer Lodge despite the hefty pricetag.
.JPG)
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30 Dec 2006
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I should have known! I should have been prepared for
the 4:30am departure from the hotel on the Kings Canyon day long
tour, but somehow I was still deeply shocked by the early rise.
Knowing I'm not a morning person & would inevitably take a
while to get myself lucid & prepared I had set my alarm for
3.30am. Fortunately however I found myself wide awake & raring
to go at 3am. This was just as well as I find it a much easier
& quicker way of waking up rather than being woken by an alarm
clock.
I made it to reception with time to spare & so quietly sipped
at a coffee from the vending machine while waiting for the coach
which arrived not too long after. The tour guides must be used to
getting up this early because the two on this trip were very bright
& cheery. A little TOO bright & cheery if you ask me for
such a revolting hour!
As we headed off we were told that our first stop for the trip
would be Kings Creek Cattle station for breakfast & coffee. I'm
sure there would have been a round of cheering if anyone had
actually been awake & capable of doing this. Most of the group
were dosing on the bus & so unfortunately missed the incredible
sight of the sun gradually rising over the horizon, awarding those
who were awake with one of the most spectacular sunrises I've ever
seen! Not that I’ve seen that many since I’m definitely not a
morning person!
Having enjoyed what was claimed to be the best bacon & egg breakfast
in the Northern Territory, we
headed off for the short drive to Kings Canyon
itself where we were split into two groups - those who wanted to do
the Rim Walk & the sane amongst us who were happy to stick with
the canyon walk. Despite the warnings & advice, especially with
regards to the heat, about 60% of the group took the 3 hour long
rim walk. The group I joined chose the 1 hour easier option but
waited until the others had achieved scaling much of the initial climb
before heading off along the canyon.
The walk was very pleasant with the path meandering through scrub
& trees which shaded us from a fair amount of the heat. The
trees finally opened up to a spectacular view of the walls &
the end of the canyon a fair way beyond the end of the path which
was cordoned off due to being a sensitive & sacred place to the
Anungu (local Aboriginal people). There
was a footpath throughout the walk but in places it was a little
nerve wracking and unstable underfoot, even still a family group
passed us on their way back with one of the group pushing a
wheelchair. I have no idea of how they managed to get the
wheelchair through.
Having completed the shorter walk we were then offered the
opportunity to relax at Kings Canyon Resort or take a helicopter
tour above the canyon & surrounds. I chose the latter & was
amazed with the size & variety of landscape in the surrounding
areas. This was inbetween bouts of feeling a little sick &
sorry for myself as the helicopter was thrown around in the
turbulence & crosswind! Still, it was an enjoyable trip &
I'm glad I did it. Once back on the ground & with my stomach
contents again settled we hopped back on the coach for the three
hour drive back to the resort. Once arrived I went for a late swim
in the almost deserted pool & then relaxed in the bar with a
book & a beer before heading to bed feeling happy &
relaxed. What a life!
.JPG)
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31 Dec 2006
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1 Jan 2007
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I woke up this morning feeling upset but determined
to find the guy & rectify the situation or at least apologise.
Despite spending hours haunting the pool & reception areas I
couldn't find him! But that was only the start of my woes for the
day!
While at Uluru I had developed a massive sleep debt thanks in part
to the hectic schedule & in part to not being used to having an
air conditioner unit buzzing away in my bedroom preventing me from
sleeping. The morning was a comedy of dramas with me losing the
cabin, keys & then realising I had left various belongings
behind after booking out. Fortunately the staff at the counter kept
their sense of humor & was willing to accept my claims at just
being over-tired.
Still, at some point between finally giving up on the hunt &
planting myself at reception to wait for the coach to the airport I
must have dozed off. Much later the realisation that I should have
been at the airport struck & there was a mad dash in the
hotels' mini bus. Despite a delay due to mechanical problems I
still wasn't able to board the plane & instead had to rebook a
new flight - in two days!
I'm a great believer in seeing the best in any given situation, but
I really struggled with this one initially as I enjoy my work &
found myself feeling a little guilty at missing the first two days.
Still, a few hours of catching up on sleep, reading & going for
a leisurely swim in the pool helped me to see the benefits of my
extended holiday.
As soon as I realised that I would be at Uluru for another couple
of days I had all of the best intentions of booking a morning
guided tour around the rock but I'm embarrassed to admit that I
didn't make it. I will just have to go back again!
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