Ayers Rock

Coming in on the last trek towards Ayers Rock we came across a big rock formation which, if you didn't know,one could have thought was the actual rock. It is certainly a very Ayers rock shape and size but we had been warned and so we passed "MT Connor" without getting too excited.

  But once we came upon the real thing there was absolutely no mistaking it. It is HUGE... After setting up camp in the Resort campgrounds, which are very basic and not very cheap, we headed out to the park. It cost $25 each and the pass lasts for 3 days. So you can visit the rock and the Olgas as many times as you like.

 It is sooo much bigger than ever I had thought. We came to the point where there is the "climb" but one look at the steepness and I knew it was not on my list of things to do. The rail and chain were halfway up the climb so just to get to that required some skillful climbing. If you have a fear of heights then forget it.  Lizzy was very keen to climb straight away but had not brought her proper shoes, but she almost got to the rail. Even she was a bit fearful.

The chain and rail doesn't start until just above the person who is halfway up.

Contemplation...

Lizzy on the way back..

after standing up there for some time (not alone) sitting was a safer way down

 One step wrong or a slip and down you would tumble. There are plaques on the rock in memory of those who have lost their lives over the years.  Close to 40 people on record.

Memoriam plaques of people who did not survive the climb.

That night we watched the sunset on the rock with all its varying changes of colors. Reds, Golds. and Purples. It certainly is something that everyone should see at least once in their lives. 

Gold

Red

Purple

Hi  from Ayers Rock.

There are pools of water around the base of the rock in some spots

Water holes

 and there are "sacred sights" too where you are not only not allowed to go to but also not allowed to photograph. There are $5000 fines for those that are caught.

One of the sacred site areas

 This is the only down point in that the rock is "owned" by the local aboriginal people and do not like tourists here. The aboriginal word for tourist is "Minga" and apparently means termite. They would prefer no visitors.  They ask that you do not climb the rock which is understandable but still people flock to the rock to climb. The rock conditions are closely monitored and the climb can be closed for many reasons as it was on our second day. (Too windy)
On that day Lizzy ran/walked around the base (10.6 ks) 

Running the base



Behind the tree

 We did a tour with the park ranger which took about an hour and a half. It was a great tour and included history, bush tucker and much info about the rock itself.

The "Brain"

The "Kitchen"

Women's business cave



Cave with aboriginal carvings and art work



Apparently they go over previous art work. Last known work was in the 1920s

The Olgas are about 40 or so Kms away and are also stunning in their own right. They look like great blobs of rock and probably similar size to look at as Ayers.

On our way to the Olgas

Big Blobs

The resort is a huge town like complex with a shopping area and several resorts within. There are several swimming pools and accommodation in huge supply. The resort is the only place you can stay so of course busy +++.  Theres no free camping for miles any where near the rock. Lots of red dirt and not enough trees but as its the only camping ground they have you on a hook. The ablutions are very outdated for the amount of people.
We did enjoy our time here though and I have at last seen The Rock...

After 3 days we packed up to begin the journey to South Australia.  Coober Pedy and opals  await.  See you there
love John Sonia n Lizzy

Through the NT

Hi to everyone
As we are getting a bit closer to home I had better get my act together and try to catch up. I think I mentioned before that the roads in NT are not really great but the overall feeling about this state is that it is the poor relation to the rest of Australia. I don't know if its because there is a lot of welfare and agencies to cater for certain populations but there is certainly an overall lack of any thing special. But having said that the NT does have a lot of interesting places to see. After Katherine we headed south and stopped at a little place called Mataranka for a swim.  Like Katherine it too was the home of a hot natural spring and once again the water was astonishing. Crystal clear and even warmer than Katherine one. They have done a little more to this one and have cement seat around the edge for you to sit and relax however as there is a constant gentle current you really have to work at just staying still. I wish there was something like this near Perth. There were quite a few people here for this tiny town in the middle of the bush.

Warm as toast. Crystal clear again



See the current



Surprise

Like an oasis all around the spring

Hi everyone

It wasnt long before we were at a place called Daly Waters. This little town is famous as part of the overland telegraph line but even more famous for being the place where Christine and Ian met. You will have to ask Chris the full story of this but it is a quirky little place with a pub in the middle.

At this airport during world war 2 there were planes in and out every 15 minutes

The old hangar at the disused airport

Stuarts tree

The pub at Daly Waters where Chris and Ian met



Free helicopter rides across the road



Cans and bottles hanging at the side of the pub

We stayed at a little roadhouse then on to Tennent Creek. That night we were entertained at the park by a bush bloke called Jimmy  who is part aboriginal and talked about bush tucker (with samples) bush medicine and spun yarns and poems about his life. He was a terrific bloke and apparently has featured on Australian story. He is a funny but sincere fellow and we really enjoyed his show. There were a group of schoolkids there who were also mesmerized and a good time was had by all. He does these shows every night and asks for a donation only.

Jimmy chats to the kids

and with yours truly

Our next stop was to play with the Devils Marbles. This is a stunning place to visit and if we come back this way again we will camp out here for a few days as there is several rock formations to see and you need to spend days just looking. There is also 24 hr free parking.

Holding up the rocks

This is a pushover



A snake in the grass (Look close)

The marbles are stunning and we will be back one day.
Soon we were at a place called Gemtree. This is a place where you can go out and fossick for garnets or zircons. After a day of fossicking we had quite a few garnets to show and after the gem man assesses them there were 7 that were suitable for cutting.

Lizzy found about 50 garnets

Although Gemtree caravan park is very basic we found it very relaxing as there was hardly anyone else there and we had everything to ourselves to enjoy. There are creeks close by to explore and lots of rocks to look through. We enjoyed our time here and especially the fossicking.

On to Alice Springs for a bit of a break :)   
After climbing the steps to the lookout to see the sunset I looked over the other side to find there was a car park that brings you right up to it. It seems that everything involves either climbing or descending (or both).  But it was well worth it as the view is terrific and the sunset lovely.

A town like Alice

The sun sets over Alice

It was a cool night and there were probably about another 100 people there too. Anzac Hill is a very popular spot.
We caught up on some shopping here but John had to wait until after 2pm to buy some alcohol (something to do with their regulations) and also show ID. Apparently you cant buy alcohol twice in any one day there.



Visiting the original RFDS headquarters



Lizzy learnt to flip pancakes





Memorial for the 3 team mates that died in the Cannonball Run

 Its off to Ayers Rock now so until then, take care and keep well
love Sonia John n Lizzy