Monday the 15th of October, a new week and a new adventure... We were up bright and early hoping to get an early start in our journey to Uluru but after a morning walk and pack up, Richard went to start the car to find, it wouldn't start (I know this won't surprise you Ange).
So our early start to Uluru was delayed until Richard managed to get the car going. (where's a reliable Nissan when you need one?)
We headed south back on the Stuart Highway. Our first stop was Stuart's Well, where we got something to eat and had a toilet break.
By the time we reached Erldunda everyone was getting excited about seeing Uluru.
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| Uluru, here we come!! |
Here we turned onto the Lasseter Highway.
After a sleepless night Richard was feeling weary so I took to the wheel. Mid-way there was excitement, when the kids saw what they thought was the rock... False alarm... It was Mt Connor.
Sitting 859 metres above sea level, the flat topped mountain looked quite impressive from afar, and is often mistaken for Uluru.
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| Mt Connor |
Nina went to the toilet at Mt Connor while I was taking some photos, she became panicked when she thought she had locked herself in.
I tried to unlock the toilet door from outside but it was faulty. By the time I ran to get Richard she had worked out how to get out...clever chook!
Drama averted, we continued on until... there it was on the horizon.
It was still as beautiful as I remembered it when I was last here with Richard, 14 years ago.
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| Uluru |
The closer we got - the more impressive, this sign on the way also had the kids excited...
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| A sign to the WA border, so close yet so far.... |
After setting up camp we went for a drive to the rock to find that the walk had been closed for the day due to the extreme heat. Park Managers close the walk when the temperature is forecast above 36 degrees or when it is too windy.
Upon arriving at the rock we read about how the local Mala people ask you not to walk, but then leave you to make your own decision. I would have been fine with abiding by their request except we had two boys, desperate to climb.
We would wait and make that decision tomorrow.
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| Nicko smiles for the camera |
A photo really doesn't paint a true picture of Uluru... it's many shades, it's mystique, it's beauty, it's enormity, it's spirit and soul. It's almost like it has it's own powerful beating heart.
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| Nina says goodbye to Nicko |
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| Jack and Harry say goodbye to Ned Kelly |
The tour was over by around 8 and we were back at the caravan and in bed so we could be up before dawn to watch the sunrise.
but the call of the rock was strong enough to drag us all out of bed. We headed towards the rock in the dark reaching the sunrise platform just in time. The platform was packed with tourists from all nationalities also heeding the call of the rock. Despite the hoards of people around us there's an inner peace that comes with watching the rock and all of its Colours...
| The sun rises on another day... |
| Another shade of Uluru in the morning light. |
Snapshots taken, we headed towards the rock where Richard decided that I should climb the rock with the boys and he would stay with Nina. Good one!
I very hesitantly agreed against aboriginal and my own law.
Scared as hell, I headed towards the rock. By the time I had reached the easy part where you can hold the chain, my heart was beating so hard and my legs were like jelly. Richard sensed this and called me down trying to convince the boys against climbing but they were so determined.
Richard then headed off with the boys and I stayed with Nina, disappointed in myself for getting panicked but still panicked about the boys doing it...
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| The boys take on the big rock climb |
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| Nina and I wait for the boys to get back safe and sound |
Within about half an hour, I watched as they made the trek down the rock, only breathing again when their feet touched the red dust. I was very proud of my boys for their achievement but I could never be prouder of them, than they were of themselves....
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| Back safe and victorious |
Breakfast was pancakes in a park by the rock before we looked through the cultural centre, learning more about the rock and it's local people.
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| Pancake Tuesday |
We continued on to the Olga's, or Kata Tjuta as the locals call it, again, beautiful and impressive...
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| Kata Tjuta, meaning many heads |
The area covered, we headed back to the van for lunch and a quiet afternoon, at 38 degrees it was too hot to do much else.
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