Mackenzie : Today we got up and went to Ayers Rock / Uluru. When we got there we started climbing it, we got half way and we didn't want to climb anymore so we came back down and had a tour around the rock to listen and read about their life is really fascinating. Then we got something to eat and had a look at the museum, there was dot art work and wood work, they burn them and shape them, one of them is a snake. We went back to the caravan for lunch and looked at the playground and the pool. We watched the sun go down on Ayers Rock.
Today I woke up early to go to the lookout to see the sunrise on the rock, Dan had got his things ready the night before and set up his coffee cup ready to fill in the morning and then wouldn't come as it was freezing. I rugged up in a pair of leggings, tracksuit pants, t shirt, jumper, jacket & beanie and went to have a look, it was gorgeous but I think I enjoyed the sunset more and think I will try sunrise from a different lookout. I rang the office at 7.30am and they told me the climb was closed due to the wind, I must admit it was a little windy. We got ready and headed out to walk around one of the tracks. When we got to the car park there were dozens of people climbing it, the gate was open so we made a compromise we would climb a small way, to the chain if possible, even one foot on meant we had "climbed the rock" but we also wanted to show our respect to the aboriginal people. So sitting in the car park I knew I couldn't do this but I didn't want to deter the kids so we climbed a small way and took some photos, we were on Uluru! We kept going, to say it is steep is an understatement, apparently once you have done all the chain section it isn't so bad but with blood pressure problems one of the few medical conditions they had listed as not to climb, I knew I was beat, not to mention it was incredibly windy and I was scared stiff! Dan has done the climb before and went the highest, he did slip on the way down and he admitted it was a very scary moment, the lady we were sitting with half way up told the kids to look away, she said to me after she thought it wasn't going to end well, I had to agree. Fletcher went a little higher than Mackenzie and she went higher than me! We were rapt, we high fived and hugged proud we had done it. Yes a part of me would have loved to have made it to the top but I think that moment passed 2o years ago. There were all shapes, sizes & ages climbing it, I clung for dear life on the way down only to then watch a 6 year old girl run down the edge, crazy yes but she did it and made it to the bottom safely. I don't know what I expected, I will admit I know it is called a rock but I kind of expected it to be mountain like, there is no dirt on it at all it is just rock. It is beautiful and it felt amazing to be near it & on it. And without getting all gushy and spiritual, to walk around it was amazing and in some sections you could feel the temperature and mood change, a bizzare wonderful feeling. We got to see the art work on the rock and where the elders sat, a waterhole and you weren't allowed to photograph in a section where the women had been. The history is amazing and I just cant work out why we don't study it in some form at school. We got to see 3 aboriginal women doing dot art work and they spoke their own tribes language and one sang as she worked and it was mesmerising. The paintings themselves were incredible, they each tell their own families story via their art and the stories are passed on through each generation. Again you were not allowed to photograph the women. The cultural centre is very interesting and is so well designed, everything flows with the environment and the colours are all earthy and reds. We drove all around the rock as the walk is 10kms and Bentley was back at the van it was too long to add to the few hours we had already been gone and besides Dan was proud he had just done the 2 km walk ! We will come back and do The Olgas tomorrow and have another look at Uluru. We headed back to the van to one very happy Bentley and had some lunch, we had some scones at the café at Uluru which were to die for. Did I mention my friends with the beautiful orchids from yesterday had to leave and had bought passes to the national park and had the same vehicle so they passed them onto us, they refused to take any money for them and were just pleased they were going to be used. So we were $50 in front which never happens to us, I did make a donation to the local people as they are trying to build a respite type centre for the elders and only 25% of monies collected go to the 3 local tribes, the other 75% goes to care & upkeep of the area. After lunch I was siting down outside on the phone to my mum telling her about the rock and I look up and say to mum, I will call you back there is a camel walking past! Not sure if she thought I was crazy but there was in fact 2 camels walking past the van that were from the local camel farm, the kids patted them, they were soft and on their humps were quite fluffy, we have ridden camels before and its not an experience I would like to repeat. There is a baby camel out at the farm which we will go have a look at though. We headed out for a drive and filled up with petrol.............. $2.09 a litre and of course we needed a bit so $144 later. Oh well when you need it you need it and we are in the centre of Australia. We checked out the airport then to IGA again to get some meat, the truck had been so the fridges were full of fresh meat, fruit & vegies and quite a big variety. Again I don't know what I expected but maybe a general store with provisions and a few meat packs. As I had promised myself, I dragged the family up to the lookout to see the sunset, Dan with a coffee, ok it wasn't champagne but he was coming and the kids loaded up with glow sticks and everyone was happy, tonight there was a bit of cloud cover but we still got to see the color changing.
We have been to Ayers Rock :)
PS : for those who haven't been to Uluru may be thinking what the kids and I thought- at the top of what you can see is the top............ that is not the top........... no where near it apparently, it is about a 3 hour return trip :(
How absolutely amazing for you all,and you made it a little way,well done.The photo's are terrific,the colours really do change don't they,and everyone saw the sunrise.Have fun,love you xx
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