Day 77 Port Douglas to Ayres Rock

Another day, another flight. We haven't actually flown for around 10 days now but it does feel that we're always in the air and we have another tomorrow, also can't believe that in two weeks we'll be getting on our flight home. Part of me will be glad as it will be lovely to see all the family again but this place has started to feel like home now despite the fact we are constantly on the move and I will be really sorry to leave.

Nice smooth drive into Cairns this morning for a 10:35 flight. We didn't actually leave Port Douglas until 8am but I had been awake since 4:30 when my phone started playing up again. I switched the damn thing off but by then it was too late and sleep eluded me; consequently I have been half asleep all day. Not good as we have a "Sounds of Silence" tour tonight and a sunrise camel tour tomorrow - I'm sure this is supposed to be a holiday! This whole area is unnaturally green at the moment as there has been a lot of rain this year, (rain, surely not!!) but fortunately it is sunny and clear today. We are staying at the Sails in the Desert hotel here at Ayres Rock and whilst it's very nice it's not the five star they say, four yes but not five. Good that they provide a complimentary shuttle from the airport though, plus around the whole resort which is about 2.7 km and the town, although to call it a town is perhaps stretching the imagination some. It actually consists of a newsagent, a bank, post office, small supermarket and a tour office and that's pretty much it. Our hotel is very close to the "town" so we can walk the 3 mins or so it takes to get there. I decided to have a swim and sunbathe round the pool whilst Bill went off for a wander. They advertise that the pool is heated but it was really quite chilly, supposedly 22 deg but felt like about 18 and a real contrast to Port Douglas. Oh and the flies, they are everywhere, even inside the hotel and drive you nuts. I couldn't live here as even with the fly net which looks ridiculous only keeps them off your face not elsewhere, without it you are contantly doing a waving action to keep them away, hence the name of the "Aussie Wave". Off now to the Sounds of Silence tour…..