G'day!

I'm now in Cairn and its been wet, grey but warm. I have only been here for 12hrs and have organised myself on a trip to Cape Tribulation, starting at 7.30 am tomorrow morning, a trip that will take me through rainforests and the barrier reef. Don't you just love life? I do...... Here's an up-date of my adventures....

THE RED CENTRE OF OZ

Wow, what an amazing trip! I'm so glad that I went visit Uluru Rock (Ayres Rock) and the surrounding area. One ot two people tried to discourage me, saying it was too expensive for the time I would spend there and that I should continue travelling up the east coast. they were wrong because I truley loved it. Uluru Rock, one of the worlds natural wonders, has been a place I have always wanted to go. A dream come true and I was not disappointed. I flew to Ayres Rock from Sydney and joined a tour. It was made even better because I was up-graded to another, more expensive tour. (which was nice...)

DAY 1 (Uluru Rock)

I was picked up at 11.30am. It was extremely hot. 42 degress hot! I took every opportunity for seeking shade, water, sun cream and air con. The heat was amazing and relentless as with the flies. They would get everywhere, eyes, mouth, nose and ears. I felt like an fat ethopian! We walked around the base of Uluru in the afternoon heat. I had wanted to climb it but thankfully the route was closed. I say thankfully because I had an inner conflict of wanting to climb the rock and respecting the wishes of the Anangu people. I was glad that the decision was taken for me. The route is actually closed 80% of the time due to: temperates being over 36 degrees, rain, storms, wind speed or cloud cover. The Anangu people ask you not to climb the rock because it has great spiritual significance in their law and culture. Around the base of the rock are important, sacred sites, some under traditional men's law and others under women's tradtional law. In these places we were asked not to photograph. Luke, our guide has a great weath of knowledge in natural history, geograpphy and culture. We were all impressed. The members of my group were called, Robert, Liz, Rolf, Francis, Anna, Louise,Denis and Kath. (Brits, German, French and Danish).

The highlight of the day was watching Uluru at sunset. I watched it all, standing on top of a bus and drinking champagne! (I love life!!!!). The changing, deepening colours were incredible. They are images now ethched into my mind. Luke, our guide had even cooked us a meal AND it was nice, (spag bol). That night we all slept in swags, canvas sleeping bags with a mattress. It was beautiful laying out, under the blanket of the starry night.

DAY 2 (Uluru at Sunrise and Kata Tjuta, the Olgas)

4.30am start and it was already 32 degress! We went to watch the sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the Olgas. The changing colours of the sky and rock were beautiful, they all glowed pink, purple, blue, red, orange and finally bright gold. After breakfast, we headed over to Kata Tjuta for a 8km walk through the magnificent 'valley of the winds'. It was important to do this hike early in the morning becasue the track closes at 11am due to the searing heat. Anyone caught still on the track will be fined a hefty $5000. Kata Tjuta is a bizarre collection of huge rounded stones. The track took us through gorges, giving surreal views of the domes. Kata Tjuta means 'many heads'. After lunch, we travelled over to Kings Creek Cattle station for our second nights Bush camp. We got to swimming in the pool of the commerical campsite. It took me all of 2 mins, to get out of the vehicle, change, shower and jump in the pool. And then it rained!!! (just a short shower). I was the last getting out of the pool. Our camp for the night was far, far, far away from everyone else. Our beds and tiolet had views over the George Gill Ranges. Francis made a spectacular fire. It kept us warm and dry all night because it rained. Before we went to sleep, we all had a go at playing the didgeredo. Everyone of us managed to play it without sounding like wet farts or people in distress. Good effort....

DAY 3 (Kings Canyon & Alice Springs)

It was another 4.30am start. After breakfast we travelled over to Kings Canyon. The morning sky was beautiful, bright and vivid. The sheer 100m walls of Kings Canyon and secluded waterholes were spectacular. We did two walks . The short 'Kings Canyon Creek' walk took us through rocky creek beds. It also give us amphitheatre like veiws of the towering canyon rim. It was good warm up for the 'Kings Canyon Rim' walk because we had to climb a heart attack hill. Once we were up on the rim, the walk over looked the sheer cliff faces. The highlight of the walk was stopping at the 'Garden of Eden'. This was an area of tranquil pools and cyads. The pool was suprising deep. It was a shame that we had to share it with 30 other people. Still, it didn't top us enjoying it.. I found this hike to be the most enjoyable because the changes of the landscape. I even got to see rock lizzards. On our way back to Alice Springs, we travelled along a dirt track for 3rs and got to see wild camels, wild donkeys and the wild horses called 'the Brumby'. Alice springs isn't much of a town to write about. Its the gateway to Red Rock Country> I was only there for a night so its not fair that I should judge it so. The 'Lonely Planet' book advices that you don't walk alone at night. There were no fears of that because we were all knackered for the early starts and stayed at the hostel. Apperently, alcohol is a big problem with the locals.... During the morning, we walked around the town and had breakfast at one the cafes, I has a massive fruit bowl. It could have fed 3 people, but I manged to eat it! well worth 3 pound fifty. I flew from Alice to Brisbane.

BRISBANE

Didn't stay here very long, (2nights). I arrived late one night, so I only had a full day there and that was spent writing my journal, washing, interneting and a wee bit of shopping. I brought a dress!!!! When I'm not on travel days, I have been wearing shirts and dresses. Its too bloody hot for anything else. I was wondering why all the women in the cities looked very feminine and well dressed compared to me the seasoned traveller.... Alot of the clothes are from China and very cheap so you can afford it. I'm not going to buy anymore clothes until I get to Thailand. In fact I will be emptying my bag before I get there so I can fill it up again. My next stop was Kingcliff to see Bob and Cath who live on the Gold Caost.

KINGSCLIFF

It was great to see Cath and Bob. I was picked up by Bob in his VW Beetle. Bob is a great VW enthusiast and owns 2 beetle cars and one beetle bus. His VW fleet all have names, Crystle, Beige and Ruby. they are beautifully restored with the utmost care and attention. I loved staying with Cath and Bob because they spolit me rotten. I had my own unit, nice big bed, lounge, kitchen and bathroom. (Cath's mum is normally the resident there). I also had lovely home cooked food and fresh fruit. The water melon here tasted so good and sweet. Mouthwatering....The best I have ever tasted.

Kingscliff is a small beach town with lots of cafes and boutques. the beach is long, wide and open. Cath and Bob only live 2 mins away from the beach. One afternoon we all went for a swim and took a body board. I got trashed by the waves many times over but Cath did it with finesse and success. Bob and Cath has lived in Kingscliff for many years. They get recognised everywhere they go. Bob grew up there and spent his youth out on the surf. Cath is from Coolangatta a few miles away. I really enjoyed been driven about visiting the areas of where they grew up, lived and worked.

It was great to catch up with myself and have some peaceful time. I have been on the move for over 5 weeks, not staying in one place for more than 3 days. It gets physically tiring, although I never tire of seeing new places, people, environments, animals and plants. Each morning, I got up and went out for a 1 hr walk. . even at 8am it heats get up to 26-28 degrees.

I can't beleive that I have less than a week to go befroe I fly out to Hong Kong for 3 nights and then onto Bangkok. March the 27th is looming all to quick. Even though I have been in Austrailia for 1 month, it only feels like 5 mins.

So until my next adventure....

Take care as always.

Love Annie