Hey I've had an amazing few days, I don't know where to start!!

Saturday was my trip to Rottnest Island, I hired a bike to cycle round it was lovely although it did end up raining and was pretty windy so the cycling became a bit of a challenge it was beautiful and i made friends with some of the locals - Quokkas and peacocks - see photo's.

Sunday I travelled into Perth city centre, I had a really great day and thankfully the sun re-appeared!! I had breakfast overlooking the town square then wandered round the shops before heading down to the swan harbour. I took a trip on the tourist wheel to get good views of the city. It was beautiful! There was a triathalon event on too, so I got to cheer for team GB and check out the talent!!

Monday I flew from Perth to Alice Springs, didn't have much time there but had a walk along into the town centre - I did feel a wee bit nervous around the abouriginal people which I know is wrong but I couldn't help being wary - its such a different way of life!! Anyway In the town centre I bumped into a lovely English couple, Vanessa and Steve, I'd met them on the bus on the way to the airport so they invited me to go with them for a drink, we ended up having a lovely time and they very kindly walked me back to my hostel, which I was really grateful for as it was pitch black by then!!

Tuesday I had a 4am rise for my trip down to Uluru (Ayers rock). There was 15 of us on the tour, very multicultural as there was 3 English girls, 2 French older couples, 2 fit German boys, 2 Danish girls, 1 Aussie lady and myself the token Scot As well as our Wacky tour guide called Molly. Yeah thats right a guy called Molly!!! He also brought along his mascot called Mr Hanky. Those of you who watch Southpark will know who Mr Hanky is!!

We travelled down to Kings Canyon where we did a 3 1/2 hour trek, it was challenging in the heat but the views were amazing so worth every minute of it!!! Think we were all pretty proud of ourselves when we got back down to the bus and pretty knacked too!! The bus was stinking with all our sweaty bodies but at least the air conditioning worked well!

We got to our camp at Uluru resort just as the sun was setting so we sat at the top of a sand dune with our beer and camera's to get a few shots over Uluru and Kata tjuta, it was stunning and the sky was amazing with all the stars. Once the sun had set we headed back down to the camp where Molly had started preparing our BBQ. We all got stuck in preparing the Kangaroo steaks and camel sausage, beef steaks and potato and veg cheesie mash. It was delicious!!! We sat round the campfire after dinner having a few drinks and a chat but with another 4am rise the following morning we had to get to bed early. I chose to sleep in one of the wee huts, I decided I would at least get a few hours that way rather than sleeping out under the stars like my friend Miranda did - I was very impressed!!! Still, I figured the door to our hut didn't even close so I was pretty much sleeping under the stars too!!!

Wednesday morning was another 4am start to head down to Uluru for sunrise. It was pretty spectacular and although the photo's are good it just doesn't quite capture how amazing it was!! After sunrise Molly dropped us at the bottom of the rock to do the base walk which took about two hours, it was lovely it actually felt really peaceful even although loads of people where doing the same thing. I think its because it was still only 7am. After the walk we jumped back on the bus and got a quick half hour walk around the visitor centre then we headed for Kata Tjuta another giant rock formation which is apparently more sacred to the aboriginal people than Uluru. We did a 45 min walk into this rock valley, it was amazing to see there was a water hole in the middle of it despite the exteme heat!! It was also totally amazing and very peaceful!!!

After this walk we headed back to the camp for BBQ beef burgers for lunch then packed up and they dropped me at Ayers rock airport for my flight to Cairns. Thankfully I didn't have to do that 6 hour drive back throught the desert like the rest of the group, it was great to see the camels, emu and cattle on my way down (still not seen live wild kangaroo though so on the look out for that) but couldn't have coped with that road trip again, once was enough!!!

I arrive here in Cairns last night, It was dark when I got here so just had a drink at the hostel bar with my roommate Kay and I'm heading out now to organise my tours to great barrier reef - very exciting - although it was raining first thing this morning so hopefully that will clear as i only have 3 days here!!!