Thursday night we took a flight from Perth to Ayers Rock with Virgin Blue, since we've vowed never to fly with Qantas again if we have a choice. The flight was fine and we got to sit together, which is always a bonus, but it takes forever. We flew from Perth to Sydney and then finally to Ayers Rock. All in all it took the best part of a day! When we arrived we were greeted by the customary flies that attempted to feast in our nostrils and eyes, before catching the shuttle bus that takes you to the Ayers Rock resort which is the only thing within 500km's of anywhere.

Friday night was our first night there and we were staying at the campground. As is the process in these situations, Siobhan set up the tent whilst I went somewhere else. Once 'we' had the tent up we quickly got ready to go to 'The Sounds of Silence'. This is a meal outside in the desert, where you enjoy champagne whilst watching the sunset over Uluru, then sit down to eat traditional Aussie cuisine. We were sat at a table with several Americans and a few ex-pats. It was an awesome night and everyone got drunk and got to know each other. The food was good too. The only downside was the racist didgeridoo player, who was white, but thought he was Aboriginee. We later discovered he is actually from Bradford.

The next morning we woke up early to watch the sunrise and then took a traditional tour around Uluru with an Aboriginee who showed us how they used to live and hunt. I had a go at spear throwing and making fire, which I was awesome at. Siobhan had a go at carrying pots on her head, with less natural flare than me. It was an eye-opener. We were told the stories behind the rock and it's markings, as believed by the Aboriginee's. People are discouraged from climbing it, but they still do. We didn't, in some ways out of respect for these beliefs and in others because it's bloody steep. In the afternoon we took a bus to Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olga's). Here you can do 'The Valley of the Winds' walk, which is a 9km walk through the rock formations. The walk is one view after another, culminating in an incredible view down through the valley. After this we watched the sunset and returned home for a BBQ at the campsite.

There are mice everywhere here, and they run all over the place trying to eat your food. When you're in a tent all you hear all night is mice scampering all over it and in-between the inner and outer sheets. One even tried to nibble his way in before we flicked him off. Combining this with the freezing cold nights means you don't get much sleep.

The next morning we were supposed to catch a bus to King's Canyon and get dropped off in Alice Springs, but we decided to look for work here because apparently they're always hiring. We looked at the jobs board and there were loads of jobs going so we thought we'd apply. The next day we had a phone call about an interview, and that night we both had jobs on the resort. I'm working in a restaurant in the middle of the resort and Siobhan is working at the 'Sounds of Silence'!

Whilst looking for work we met a couple called Sydnee and Niko. They both got jobs here too and we were all thrown into a hotel room together whilst our on-site accommodation was arranged. Nothing like four-in-a-bed to help you get to know each other. The on-site accommodation is something called share-share. It's like a mini-flat with us on one side and two others on the other, and communal kitchen and bathroom facilities in the middle. We are sharing with an Aussie called Cassia and a Kiwi called Renee, who is crazy.