We arrived in Ayers Rock Resort (population about 1500 and the 4th largest town in the Northern Territories!) with two days to spare before we joined a tour group out to Ayers Rock, the Olgas and Kings Canyon. So we checked into our 20 bed dorm, which resembled army barracks, and then read our books and watched tv for two days. And that was about it. Oh no, we actually went to a concert where The Choirboys were playing (apparently they were big in the 80s) so that was pretty much the highlight. We were, needless to say, fully rested by the time we got picked up to join the tour. The first day we headed off to Ayers Rock. We were a bit worried that it would be one of those things that you have seen in so many pictures that once you see it in real life its kind of disappointing, however it wasn't and we were all duly impressed! We decided not to climb up it but to do the base walk instead, since the Aborigines see ayers rock as sacred and request that you don't climb it. So obviously we just wanted to be respectful of their wishes. Well, that and it looked bloody hard work! As we walked round the rock there was a few spits of rain, which seemed unlucky as it hadn't rained for about seven months, but then there was this amazing rainbow that arced right over the rock. We drove back to a viewing point so that you could see the whole rock and the rianbow came to an end right in the middle of the rock, it was really beautiful and we hope our photos do it justice. That night we headed back to a campsite and got issued with our "swags". No tents for us then. Swags are basically waterproof bags that you put your sleeping bag in and then crawl into, head out so that you can watch the stars. A delicious meal was cooked for us over a camp fire and then all that was left to do was sit round the fire, chat to everyone and watch for shooting stars. Its a tough life. Next day we were up at five in the morning to go and see sunrise over Ayers Rock, which was nice. Then we headed off to The Olgas, which are nearby. We choose to do the long hike and i don't think my feet will ever forgive me, but it was well worth it. Absolutely beautiful. Back to the campsite in the evening for more star gazing. Next moring we got a lie in and got up about 6 to drive to Kings Canyon. Again Kings Canyon was very impressive and the views were amazing, although the sheer sides were very scary and careless tourists had been known to topple over the edge in pursuit of the perfect photo. We managed the whole hike and were proud of ourselves. The rest of the day was taken up with driving to Alice Springs, where we got booked into a hostel and went out for a meal with the guys from our tour group. (BBQ, all you can eat Aus$7.95 BARGAIN). The last few days have been spent in Alice Springs, where we visited the Flying Doctors Museum (entertaining and educational) and the reptile centre (educational and scary). Last night we went drinking in Bo Jangles, one of the few bars in town, and where there is a strange but nice blend of locals and backpackers. Good week had by all. Off to Cairns today and we have the pleasure of Kirsty "the drunkard" Miller for the next few weeks so anything could happen.