27th-29th June 2015. Three Days in Uluru and Kata Tjuta
/We arrived in Alice Springs after an excellent flight with Jetstar flying almost across to Adelaide before turning North and flying across the Eyre Peninsula for our inland flight some 2000km due North to Ayres Rock. After departing the aircraft we walked across the Tarmac in perfect weather without a cloud in the sky and 18 degrees celcius. We were ushered into one of the AAT Kings buses for the short trip to the Aboriginal owned Ayres Rock Resort and dropped off at our Hotel the luxurious Sails in the Desert. We were enthusiastically greeted with cool towels and a drink, before checking in.
Our room was ready at about 13.30pm after we enjoyed a luncheon in the restaurant. The room is #109 on the ground floor a short distance from reception. We checked in collected our keys and had unpacked by 15.30pm and then decided to go for a walk and take in the general ambiance of the resort and area. Ken then walked to the top of the sand dune out front and took photos of the sunset.
We both slept really well and it was 8.30am and time for breakfast before Ken took a 30 minute helicopter ride which took in both the spectacular Ayers Rock (Uluru) before we then flew 10 minutes to the equally impressive but less publicised Kata Tjuta or the historical term Olgas (Meaning many heads). The weather was perfectly clear and Ken sat in the front next to the pilot and really enjoyed the scenery and colours. It is a series of enormous rock domes dating back some 500 million years.
Nothing quite prepares you for the immense size and the colours of dynamic reds and Browns of the rusting sedimentary rock. We then flew around the magnificent Uluru taking in its stark size and proportions.
Later today and tomorrow we have tours to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta with detailed walks.
Back to the Resort and time for lunch and we had sandwiches and coffee at the Aboriginal Training cafe called Kulata Academy Cafe and enjoyed the fresh food.
Following this we returned to our room and received a call advising that our tour guide and coach were ready for our afternoon tour to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) where our guide explained the geological history of the area and we were then escorted over 2 walks over 3 hours to the Valley of the Winds lookout . We received detailed explanations as to the unique flora including the Desert Oak and Willow as well as the Witchity Tree which has Witchity Grubs under its roots. The Desert Oaks put down a tap root which will go down sometimes 60 metres to the artesian basin following which the tree spreads from a juvenile to a mature tree. As a juvenile it looks like a pipe cleaner tall and pencil like but then spreads out into a luxuriant growing tree which survives the harsh semi arid climate. We also admired the views of the Central Valley of the domes of Kata Tjuta embracing the 4 domes which we are able to access. The balance of the 36 domes are off side to tourists and are sacred ground for the local tribe/ owners.
We then travel to a viewing area and platform from which we take in the magnificent sunset and the spectacular colours. Our driver and guide then set up a table for a well provisioned nibble and drinks, which we enjoy for the next hour as we see the unique colours arriving with sunset. The pinks through purples and reds are unbelievable. It has been a long and tiring afternoon but totally enjoyable despite the walk being at times difficult and very challenging under very rough and uneven conditions.
We return to the resort at 7.10pm and clean up and change for dinner. We had a booking in Ilkari Restaurant, but upon being seated we decide against the buffet and decide to eat in the Walpa Lobby Bar where we both enjoyed a Caesar Salad. Into bed at 10.30pm because we have a wake up call of 5.00am to be ready for our morning tour to see the sunrise and the beauty from the Uluru sunrise viewing platform. We arrive at 6.45am having picked up a bus load of people from the various hotels and enjoy a hot drink and biscuits prior to walking the 400 metres to the viewing platform.
We are then treated to an amazing morning with sunrise at 7.31am with an amazing caliedoscope of colours as firstly the sun climbs over the horizon and touches the various bushes before starting to translate the colours of Uluru and the the Olgas. the viewing platform is called Talinguru Nyakunytjaku and we enjoyed the first rays of sun setting the Red Centre alight.
After sunrise we were bussed to a hop off point to commence our base walk of Uluru. first up we walked from Kuniya Piti an Ulura sacred site, and hear the stories of the Tjukuupa (Anangu- the local aboriginal people-beliefs and law). Story of the Mala Man. Next is the Mala walk which includes a visit into Kantju Gorge, where after rainfall the waterfall can cascade over the side of Uluru. this is a most important area for the Anangu people, with a spiritual and religious importance over thousands of years. They have lived here for over 30,000 years. From here we walk to the base of the climb.
Jeanette and I then caught a bus back. We had covered 5.7 km and we were sore and decided against going on for another 5 km. as it turned out we think we have made a very good decision.
We returned and again had lunch of sandwiches and later this afternoon we again are picked up and we travel out for. Uluru sunset. We will again enjoy nibbles and a drink.
This has been a wonderful experience and the Rock is amazing