G'Day from Alice Springs

We are now back from or trip out into the bush and want to tell you all about it so here is our last 4 days worth of news!!!

Monday 1st October

It was up at 5am so we could be collected by our guide for the next 3 days. From Alice Springs to Uluru is approximately a 450km 6 hour drive, hence the early start. An hour into the journey we made our first stop of the day at Stuarts Well Camel Farm. We both had a go riding a camel which was really good fun but we were both glad that it was a short ride as it was really uncomfortable especially when they began to run!!!

Blackie our camel delivered us back safely although getting off the camel is an art in its own right!!! We were back on the Stuart Highway and almost straight away we saw a mum kangaroo and her little joey bouncing around the bush. After a little more driving we turned off the Stuart Highway onto Lasseter Highway which would eventually take us all the way to Uluru.

You pass Mount Connor on the way which looks similar to Uluru but is 150km away, tourists have mistaken it for Uluru and taken a picture then drove back to Alice!!!!! We arrived at our campsite for lunch but it felt like 5pm as we had been up for so long. It was then off to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to do the 6km hike through the Valley of the Winds. Kata Tjuta translates as 'many heads' It was real hard work walking as the temperature was in the high 30's but we made it back exhausted and in one piece having drank several gallons of water. You can't climb the rocks as they are of sacred significance to the Aboriginal owners.

It was nearly 6pm and time for us to go and watch the sunset on Uluru. After finding our own space among the crowds we opened up the champagne and canapes and watched the rock change colour as the sun dissappered over the horizon. As the sun sets it illuminates the rock in burnt orange then a series of deeper and darker reds till it eventually turns charcoal and was magnificent to see. As we were on the Safari in Style it was back to the campsite for a tremendous meal and wine before hitting the hay at 9.30pm as we had another early start at 4.45am.

Tuesday 2nd October

The tents were so comfy and we emerged into the dark with only the stars lighting up the camp ground. After bacon and eggs we took the short 15 minute drive to watch the sun come up on Uluru.

From here it was more walking but it was still quite cool as it was only 7am. We set off on the 1/2 base walk around one side of Uluru which took about 1.5hrs to complete. Some of the group had decided to climb the rock but the Anangu people who own the rock prefer you not to as it is a sacred path up the side of the rock and disrespectful. It was just hotting up nicely by the time we finished the base walk, so we could not think of anything better than another walk!!!!

The Mala Walk is a 1.5 hour guided walk along another part of the rock, where Doc our guide explained various areas including sleeping caves and cooking areas plus several pieces of rock art. Around the base are also sacred sites where no photos can be taken. According to Aboriginal belief Uluru is the creation of many different stories and not just one, or it's a huge rock created by compacted sand and rock that used to be under water. It is up to you which version you want to believe!!!

We moved campsites after lunch and headed 300km across to the Kings Canyon. On the way we stopped at Curtain Springs and got 2 surprises. The first was Bob the Emu wandering around the place and the 2nd was more dramatic, a real twister just started right in front of our eyes and tore across the parking area about 20 metres from us kicking up dust everywhere, it was spectacular to see.

Then on the drive we suddenly pulled up and everyone jumped off the bus as there was a huge sand Goanna just sat basking in the sun at the side of the road, he was so cool to see and really beautiful.

Our next campsite was nestled right in the bush and very secluded after another long day we just pulled up a chair and had a cold beer chatting and admiring the thousands of stars that were visible. I did visit the toilet once and got a fright as there were 2 redback spiders in there, I had to dodge around them everytime I visited the toilet!!!

Wednesday 3rd October

Kings Canyon or Watarraka was our final destination today once we had surfaced at 4.45am again!!!

The drive was short and we hardly had time to wake up before we were heading towards Heart Attack Hill (a 60 degree hill for 100m) Luckily it was still only early and the climb was made easier because of this. Once at the top we skirted the rim of the Canyon for several kilometres including a drop into 'The garden of Eden'. Some of the view points were amazing. The land was originally owned by a group of Aboriginals that were wiped out by the 'WhiteFella' and is now in the hands of the Luritja people. After 3 hours we reached the end and were glad to sit on the bus and cool down in the air conditioning!!!

Then the inevitable happened and we had to make the long drive back to Alice on the way we saw a Wedge Tailed Eagle feeding on a kangaroo carcass at the roadside. The whole tour was excellent and we arrived back at the hostel at 6pm ready for a shower and a beer!!!

Thursday 4th October

Happy 60th Birthday Geoff!!!!

Managed a lie in till 9am today as there was no early start needed. We took a walk into town and had a look around. But our main reason for going to town was to visit the kangaroo rescue centre. It was set up by a ex tour guide who kept finding baby joeys in the pouches of Mum's that had been hit by Greyhound buses and cars which are left on the side of the road. With people not being aware that there could be a baby in the pouch.

So he is trying to raise awareness so people will stop and check dead kangaroos and bring the joeys into him or a vet. It is such a good setup and he and his partner nurse the joeys till 6 months old then slowly distance themselves from them till they are old enough to be released back into the wild on a 1.5 million acre cattle farm. As part of the visit you get to hold a baby joey while it is in a bag to simulate the mothers pouch and you hold it close to your body as you are the same temperature as a mum kangaroo. This keeps it warm, but there is no touching or petting the joey and strict guidelines are in place to ensure minimum contact.

Both Mel and I had 20 minutes each holding Nicky a 6 month old girl. Mel went first then she was fed by the guy running the rescue centre (only he and his partner can feed them) then it was my turn. I was sat quite happily with this sleepy baby in my arms then I suddenly felt really hot and looked down to find that it had decided to pee all over me!!!!

It was really funny. The centre was really informative and worth the visit, we both learnt a lot. I hot footed it back to the hostel for a shower and clean up for lunch. We are just sorting onward travel and stuff this afternoon. Next stop tomorrow Coober Pedy.

Check out the photos as we have uploaded some today also a couple of videos but they may take a few days to show up so keep checking if you want to see cute joeys and a crazy twister!!!

Lots of Love

M & M

xx