17th-22nd April - The Red CentreWe had an excellent flight from Perth to Alice Springs arriving late afternoon.We stayed the first night at The Alice Springs Resort.It was nearly dark by the time we got our bags repacked for travelling on the tour we had pre-booked. We went for a walk into Alice to find some food and get water etc for our trip. Alice comes to life after dark but not necessarily in a good way.The aborigines sit around in groups under trees and the groups of kids run wild.The police just keep circling round the town.It was not so intimidating being in a group but if we had been alone I think it would have been a little nervy.Next morning we had a 6.05am pick up, so were up before dawn.We choose to take a three day tour of Ayres Rock, the Olga's and Kings Canyon, sleeping in tented accommodation (semi rough, but the tents were permanent!I think we are past the girl guide stage in life!).Over the three days we travelled 1500 Km, it was gruelling but very spectacular.After setting up camp and having a lunch break we went to Kata Tjuta national park and had a hike on the Olgas.The walk was very pleasant but a little heavy on my knees!I gave up on tackling the full 5.5km and only did 3.5!Several others had already taken to shading themselves besides rocks and wait for the rest of the party to return.After our walk we went to Ayres Rock to see the sunset.We arrived in the viewing area with around 500 other people!Some groups had champagne or bucks fizz from flutes, we had a 3 litre box, each of red and white wine from tin cups!!After witnessing the magnificent colour change that the sunset creates we headed back to the campsite, showered and prepared for dinner.Everyone mucks in and helps although the steaks were cooked on the BBQ by Paul our guide.Most people had gone to bed by around 9.30pm as we had another 5am start the next day.The night was beautiful, we had a full moon and fantastic stars.Rob, Rich, Sue and several others pulled their little camp beds outside the tents and slept under the stars.I decided with the chance that a dingo, kangaroo or something else from the wild trying to get in my bed with me was too much to worry about!5am and we were up for a quick breakfast then back to Uluru for the sunrise.Unfortunately the climb was closed as it was a little windy especially at the summit, so before 6.30am we had set off on a 7.4km walk around the perimeter.It was wonderful seeing the rock close up and again witnessing the colour changes as the sun came up over it.The walk was very pleasant and easy going, unlike the trip up and down the Olga's.After this we went back to the campsite to collect our belongings have lunch and move on to the next camp site at King's canyon. On our journey Paul out of the blue slammed on the brakes, we thought that there was something wrong when Delphine jumped out and run back down the road. Next thing she carried a hand size Horny Devil lizard in (how the hell did Paul see that at 90kph), picture in album.We arrived late after noon, but it was still sunny and the site had a little pool.Fortunately Rob had suggested that we put our cossies in 'just in case' so we were able to cool off with a quick dip.Dinner was all cooked on the camp fire in big metal pots.We had chicken cooked in onion, garlic, soy sauce etc, a big pot of veg which when cooked had milk and cheese added, and also a pot of damper which was a cross between bread and a scone.Everyone was extremely impressed with our outback meal until someone discovered packets of 'Maggie Chicken Chasseur' sauce mix packets in the bin!!Delphine the French speaking guide was able to list out the ingredients in the packet like a pro, she had obviously quoted them many times when asked what was in the dinner!!!The second night everyone retired fairly early as we were due yet another 5am start the next day.We had only just got into our tents when a vehicle came up to the campsite to deliver a bull's head to Paul (the guide), he wanted it to put in his snake tank for them to sliver through - lovely!! Sleep that night was non existent for me the French chap in the next tent snored all night, at one stage I nearly went and hit him with my torch!I also had a sore throat which made me feel quite unwell.Rob and I were first up it was 4.45am.We then packed up the camp and headed off to King's Canyon.Today's trek started before sunrise with 550 steps to the top of the Canyon and then 6km around the rim, I took one look and not being a lover of heights thought it best to stay on the ground level and the 4km creek walk!It was our first real experience of flies - there were hundreds of the little blighters.A survey had been done recently that said they didn't like pink, so I wore a pink t-shirt and sure enough I had very few land on my body, they did however go on my arms, legs, face, neck and everywhere else!We were reliably informed that the flies were not as bad as usual this time of year, umm don't think we would have liked it when they were in full glory.We stopped for lunch before heading back towards Alice Springs, travelling off road for much of the trip.It was bumping tiring but the sights had been awesome and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone travelling to Australia.Next day we were back off to the airport and onwards to Sydney - flight 4 of 9.