Mackenzie : Today we went to Yulara which is the town where Ayers Rock is. We went to the caravan park to set up and went into town and went to watch a Aboriginal Culture Dance. I loved it, we might go back tomorrow. Then we drove to a lookout and we took lots of photos of Ayers Rock. We got tickets given to us today, we got two tickets and kids are free so the tickets are for mum and dad so we all get in free. We will go tomorrow so we are hoping they say we can.
Ayers Rock
Today was another day to tick off my list. I have seen Ayers Rock, tomorrow we will go to it but I have officially seen it. I had butterflies in my stomach on the way here, crazy I know as I'm an adult but I have been looking forward to this day. We first saw Mount Conner which if I hadn't read up on the area I would have thought it was the rock, it does have a flat top though but on first view you would think it was Ayers Rock. And yes I have cheated on the post heading we are officially at Yulara but I had to put Ayers Rock up there, even if just for today. At the resort reception they give you a stack of information about the area, eateries, sights, all the free indigenous activities and even write down the sunrise and sunset times for the day. You are given a flouro sticker to stick on your van draw bar with your details on it, no sneaking into this place. We set up and headed out to see if we could get fresh water and some fresh meat for tea, they have an amazing IGA that sells everything, including BBQS & Bicycles. So the water is expensive but everything else is the same as home, some things even cheaper. We looked through the shops, there is only a few but everything you need. We were in time to see the Wakagetti, which means dance, it is traditional aboriginal dancing, these guys were in full body paint and their dances all meant something different and were only to be danced by the men if given permission from an uncle, brother, father etc who passed the dance on to them. There was a welcome dance and many dances about the traditional Australian animals, to see these men move so life like an emu or goanna was truly amazing. They also danced like a brolga, showing off their chests and moving with such grace, aboriginal men are taught to be humble and not show off, so in dance is the only time they can behave like that. The kids loved that they didn't have a radio to dance to! Playing the sticks and mouthing the sounds and singing. A few had traditional ceremonial scars on their bodies, one even had a pair of footy shorts under his wrap, but we wont mention them!!!! We then went out to a lookout to view the rock, we took way too many photos considering we will be there tomorrow. The kids were so excited and so was I, Dan has been here a few times but he was still happy to see it again. They close the rock under many conditions now, and strongly discourage you from climbing it. It was handed back to the aboriginal people in 1985 and leased by the government for 99 years. There has been 35 deaths at the rock according to the handout you are given but I'm not sure when it was printed. So today it was closed due to wind? It wasn't windy but apparently this is what they do, its too hot, its too cold, too windy etc. I'm sure it is for safety. I am torn whether to climb it, I have always wanted to but as I have got older I have probably thought more of the respect issues, then you see the chain they have put into the rock and the paint to guide your way and I am torn again. The kids are keen so we will see what happens on the day if its closed or open. There is a $25 fee per adult to enter the park which gives you a 3 day pass to the rock and The Olgas, so I'm sure we will get to do the walk around it, drive around it and go to all the things we want to see. I headed up to the lookout to see the sunset, the others weren't interested but there was so many people with chairs, champagne, cameras & potato chips watching it, I am dragging Dan & the kids there tomorrow to see it changing colors as the sun sets. I had been told this before many times and even studied it at school in year 10 but until you see it yourself, it really is just words. I met a few people up at the look out and had a laugh and wished I had a chair and champagne instead of a pine pole to sit on! So back to the van with a stop off first at a van of some people I had met, they are from Mornington and travel all the winter months until October, they bring their dog Max and also bring 2 huge hanging baskets with the most beautiful orchids in them, they put them in their car to travel with and they take up the whole boot space of their 4wd but they love them and "its too cold to leave them at home", I have seen people travelling with herbs or a tomato plant but now I have seen it all. Tonight it is freezing, ok so its 6 degrees but cold for us, so we have put the heater on, so 3 months straight of air conditioning, it has had a weeks break and is now switched to heat.
Just on sunset there was a red hue around the rock
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