Day 17 of the connections tour Early start today so we can watch the sun rise over the rock. Jen enquired "is there light before the sun rises?" a busy and hectic day, first we watched the sunrise from a dedicated spot, the side of the road, they have yet to build one. then we took the coach to the base of the rock, the climb was closed due to winds. took a stroll around the rock 9km i think. so glad i brough a fly net, it was hot enough now yet it was still only 7am. after our walk we stopped at the supermarket, another ice cream. then back to the camp where i boarded a harley davison for a trip round the rock, as you can tell i was beginning to do every activity i could. this was absolutely great fun, seeing the rock from a different perspective while cruising on the bike, nice. took an hour. Next the helicopter ride around the rock. 5 of us went up in the helecopter, no one else wanted the front seat so i was happy to take it. after some prechecks we were off. the helecoper was far smoother than i imagined, especially compared to the numourous planes i have been on now. we travelled between 900ft and 2000ft. when we were up in the air i enquired about what each of the controls done, the pilot duly showed me, shortly followed by a voice through the headphones from Diana asking me not to ask anymore questions. i guess she was a little nervous. we flew over our campsite, around ayers rock although we couldnt fly over it and then onto the olgas. a valley that we were going to visit later in the day. looked a little like homer simpson lying on his back. then back to the airport, the whole flight lasting around 30 minutes. Now for our trip to Kata tjuta to the valley of the winds in olgas. my its been a long day. this was quite a trek and it was pretty god damn hot. well worth it. took a run rocky style up a very steep part of the walk, this is where i stayed for a while after. then back to the campsite for dinner a few drinks and another night in the swags, tonight i was the park ranger. i discovered that the swags could be easily dragged away. i didnt snore tonight, due to popular demand i didnt sleep on my back.