After a very early morning, we arrived in Yuluru, the town near Uluru and where our accommodations was located. There was some interesting landscape during our flight.
We checked our luggage into storage as we could not access our room until after 3. While we waited for our tour bus, I took a walk to the resort’s mall and take some photos of the fauna.
Upon boarding the tour bus, we were given our lunch and we then headed to Kata Tjuta (aka The Olgas). While not as large as Ulura, Kata Tjuta is more a collection of rocks. We went on a 1.5 self-guided hike into a valley. Upon returning to the tour bus, our guide informed us that it was 42c. No wonder I was sweating.
There had been a fire near Kata Tjuta which really changed the look of the area. Whereever there was grass or shrubs, there were black marks amongst the orange ground. There is one tree which burns so hot that it leaves white marks.
Our next stop was the Cultural Centre where there was displays about the local aboriginal stories which we were told during our drive and there were a couple of shops where the local aboriginals were doing paintings that were available for the public to purchase.
After our stop at the Cultural Centre is was onto Uluru and our first walk, the Multitjulu Waterhole. Because the area had 38mm of rain last month, there was actually water in the waterhole although it was evaporating about 1/2 inch every day.
Our next walk was the Mala Walk where we saw a number of caves. Two of the caves were kitchen caves where women prepared food and taught their girls how to collect and prepare food. Aboriginal men did not enter this cave and continue to respect the area. The third cave was for men only where they taught boys the hunting and tool making skills they would need.
Our final stop for the day was to watch the sunset at Uluru while we enjoyed a BBQ meal of snags (aka sausages) and steak along with various salads, along with wine and other beverages. After the busy day in the sun, it was great to sit in the shade of the bus eating a wonderfully prepared meal which watching Uluru change colour as the sun set.
Ten minutes after the sun set, it was back onto the bus to return to our accommodations to prepare for our Field of Light tour. At this point, I couldn’t wait to have a shower but needed to wait until after the next tour.
The Field of Light was interesting. The lights are solar powered and change color. The more interesting part was seeing the stars. The Milky Way was so bright and clear. The night sky is so different from at home with completely different constellations, including the Southern Cross. Unfortunately, there are not photos, just memories.
We took the last bus from the Field of Light at 10:20 p.m. and was in the shower before 11. No need to run the hot water because the cold water is bath tub warm. Regardless, it was still refreshing. Now for a well deserved rest as it has been a long day.
Hopper Oz Adventure 