Day 8
WOW! Before we even start Day 8.... We gotta say....Wow...Wow...Wow!!!
Uluru has far exceeded all our expectations!
It was impressive from the ground. Breathtaking from the top and absolutely unbelievable from above!!!
Back to day 8, Sunday 16th.... We did some much needed washing before leaving the camp ground.
We think Grace might have finally found her grove. Or is it that she is looking forward to Sails? Apparently according to Dad who's in Europe (via Instagram) she's having a great time! That's good to hear!
Drove to the Cultural Centre at Uluru so we could learn about the history and make an informed decision about the rock climb.
The girls all said "No" to the climb.
Grace "didn't want to upset the aboriginal or disrespect their culture" and decided not to climb. Olivia "respects the aboriginal and wanted them to know she wouldn't do the wrong thing!"
Matilda "loves the Aboriginal people and when she's older she wants to help aboriginals, help feed them and give them clothes and food". Despite this the was no way in hell Matilda was climbing the rock...she's accident prone on flat ground! Especially after we saw some walkers lying face down on the base of the rock being coached by their friends to help them off the beginning of the climb.
While at the centre we watched a short film about the Government handing Uluru back to the traditional owners in 1985, (on condition that it was leased back to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife) we watched some aboriginal ladies dot painting and read some traditional stories about dreamtime.
Uluru despite common belief is not the largest monolith in Australia. That title (2.5 x larger than Uluru) is held by Mount Augustus in Western Australia. However Uluru stands 348 metres above the surrounding plains (the highest sail of the Sydney Opera House is 67 metres and the Eiffel Tower is 300 metres) What you see above ground is only 1/3 of the rock the other 2/3' underground! It continues 5kms underground to the south!
The rock spans 9.4 kms around the base and has an area of 3.33 square kms!
The sheer magnitude and magnificence can't be be described with either words or photos! In absolute awe of Uluru, it is incredibly imposing the photos don't seem to do it justice!
The colours are stunning and its imposing scale impossible to explain. Astounding!
We did a short walk into the Mutitjulu Waterhole! Saw aboriginal drawings in caves. We read the differing stories about the serpent, ancestral spirits and a great battle in the time of Uluru's creation.
We drove around the base of the rock and made our first attempt at a family photo!!
Checked into Sails in the Desert! 3 nights of luxury! (Stay 3 & breakfasts free!) Girls immediately hit the pool, disappointed that it was cold too! Apparently it's heated to 20 degrees but only on the surface! We are all in one room still but a bit more room, hot shower, fluffy white towels and a buffet dinner!
Great day!