Day 1 - after buying some liquid supplies, 4/5 hours on the coach and seeing some wild horses we ( a group of 15) arrived at a campsite near Kings Canyon where we set up camp and ate a pasta dinner around our campfire. slept under the stars in our swags mindful of the dingos we could hear howling in the distance!!!
Day 2 - 5.30 am start to catch the sunrising over Kings Canyon. The Cayon itself is amazing to climb with some fantastic views out over the red desert. Larked around taking some pics of our shadows against the bright red rock. Later watched the sun setting at Uluru before we enjoyed an ozzie BBQ as we played " a game of 21" around the fire!
Day 3 - early start to catch the sunrise at Kata Tjuta (the olgas) - a fantastic red rock formation against the bland desert landscape. This site is of great spiritual and cultural importance to Aboriginal men and parts are closed off to the public. Amazing views as we walked around Kata Tjuta. Saw some wild camels before we headed off to Uluru. Headed to the Culture centre first which gives some useful information about Aborginal culture. For them, Uluru is a sacred place and they ask us not to climb it. Sadly 3 in our group and many other tourists chose to ignore this and climb. It was a very sad moment as they showed a blantant disregard for their aboriginal culture. Unfortunately our tour guide (a non native ozzie) was almost going out of his way to encourage us to climb it. His argument is that there doesnt seem to be any reason given by the Aborginals to climb. If the Vatican asked people to cover their heads before going in, you wouldnt ask why - you would just do it. The rest of our group walked around Uluru which itself was a lovely 7/8k walk. Later we all headed to catch the sunsetting at Uluru. The change of colours was spectacular changing every few minutes. Mexican fajitas for dinner and my first introduction to "goon" (ozzie cheap boxed wine)
Day 4 - Woke up at Ewing look out point where we watched the sunrising at Uluru before having a much deserved bacon and egg breakfast (these early starts are hard work!!). headed off for the long journey towards Cooper Peddy ( an opal mining town). Camped literally in the outback (no campsite) under the stars whilst playing a game of " i have never" around the campfire - living the dream.
Day 5 - Arrived in Cooper Peddy. quite little underground town (as the temperature can reach the 60's in the summer) . checked out a museum and the wonderful Breakaways (where Mad Max 3 was filmed) before heading out for a much welcomed Pizza. Had a few drinks in a local bar where everyone knows everyone before heading to our underground bunker for the night
Day 6 - arrived in Adelaide and was sad to say goodbye to the group. Was met by a mate living in Adelaide (whom only met some 3 week earlier in Indonesia) and who very kindly put myself and asbo up. Had an awesome time wine tasting at Jacobs Creek (yes the real one) in the beautiful Barossa Valley, driving through the wonderful Adelaide hills, visiting the Haig Chocolate factory and visiting Cleland Wildlife park. All in all an awesome time in Adelaide which sadly gets pooh poohed by a lot of toursts
off to sydney thurs for just over a week
ten4.
