Hello!

We arrived back from our trip to the Outback last night. The trip was absolutely amazing!! And very tiring! Three hikes in three days!!! It may be my new favourite place in Australia (or Sydney I can't quite decide)

Anyway, the trip began with a very early start as they all seem too ( I think 5am is becoming our new favourite time!) However, we soon realised that there would be a lot of early starts as there was so much driving to be done on the trip. We seemed to spend most of the first day in the bus getting to our campsite. However, we did manage to get in a walk at Kata Tjuka (The Olgas) on the afternoon. It was really beautiful but really hot as it was about 40 degrees, no the sort of heat you want to be walking in! We all got to see our first kangaroo in the wild however which was really cool. Before going to set up camp we went to Uluru to watch the sunset which was really amazing. Atfer seeing so many pictures of Ayres Rock, it felt so strange to be actually looking at it. We were so shocked at how many people were there to see it though. Its like a big event, there were bus loads!!! It was a bit crazy. I think I was a bit naiive and expected us to be the only people there but it was still really cool.

That evening when we were back at our very civilised campsite (we had proper toilets and taps!!!) we had our first camp meal which Jen, Lynds and I helped to make using our culinary skills! It was then that we were told that we would not be sleeping in tents but in 'swags' out under the stars. Needless to say we were not impressed as our guide had just told us about all the poisoness snakes and dingoes thats are around in the Outback. However, I think we all agreed that it was the best nights sleep we had had for the whole trip! It was really nice going to sleep looking up at the stars and that sky is so clear you can see thousands. We also didn't get eaten which was a bonus too!

The following day was another early rise to see the sunrise at Uluru and despite being up at 4am I think this was my favourite sight of the trip. In some weird way it felt really good to be up so early watching something so amazing. This picture on my blog is not mine as I haven't put them on yet but I have some just like it. It was beautiful too see. I think we were all up for just going to watch it in our pyjamas however and going back to sleep after but this wasn;t the case and we were walking round tha base of Uluru by 7am! This was really lovely though as it wasn't too hot and we learnt lots about the Aborignal culture. In a way. you almost feeel bad for being there as you realise how much of a sacred site it is to them and how that has been taken away slightly by tourists. It was really interesting learning about they way they used to live and still live today.

That night we suprised everyone by sleeping under the stars again even though tents were an option. It was only us and a few other guys as most people wimped out and slept in tents. I loved it though, it was so peaceful!

The last day was possibly may favourite place that we visited. We got up bright and early again to walk around Kings Canyon. Our guide told us that most people go on the trip to see Ayres Rock but leave with Kings Canyon being there favourite place and that was definitely the case for us. After a fairly steep climb up the Canyon, we reached the top and were greeted with the most amazing views. There were hardly any other poeple around, it just seemed so vast, simliar to pictures I've seen of the Grand Canyon, which we did find our isen't actually a Canyon, its a gorge and Kings Canyon is the only Natural Canyon in the world! It was quite breath-taking and so natural as at points we were walking along with sheer drops next to us as there were no fences or barriers. We felt like we were walking in the desert as it was so baron and dry. It is actually where they filmed Priscilla Oueen of the Desert.

To top the trip of, we had a really nice group, especially the crazy Korean guys who were just hilarious! We all got on really well and went out after the trip in Alice Springs to a really Western style Saloon bar. It had proper Saloon style doors! There were quite a few characters in there too, some real cowboys and there wer loads of artifacts and bits stuck on the wall, including a real crocodile skin!! We all ate lots and drank lots and generally had a really good night!

Anyway, we're heading back to Melbourne later ready for the Neighbours tour. Woo!

Bye!! xxxxx