Uluru, Australia

Along the highway from Alice Springs we stopped at a roadhouse that had some Kangaroos.
One joey was in a cloth pouch hanging on a post.  Apparently an orphan.
The other seems to have just about outgrown his natural pouch.

Here we had our first camel ride.

Miles upon miles of flat dry outback.

This rock is actually bigger than Uluru just not as photogenic.

Kata Tjuta also known as the Oglas off in the distance
 
As we drew closer we could see vegetation on the tops of the rocks and began to get a sense of just how big it was.

And even closer we saw these boulders that had fallen from the pits high on the walls of  the crevices.
For a sense of scale look for the people at the lower left of the first picture below.

There was a bit of excitement during our  hike up Walpa Gorge when someone collapsed and the rangers had to summon medical help for him.
He recovered and rejoined our group before we left.

Our first view of Uluru (the aboriginal name) called Ayers Rock by the early European settlers.

Our hotel had some art including a carved and decorated emu egg.
The pool was excellent except for the temperature of the tile surrounding it.
My guess is that you couldn't fry an egg on it but it would have been close.

Sunsets over the desert.

We enjoyed some unique foods at a cook it yourself barbecue with a variety of local meats.
Elsewhere on the trip we had our first taste of camel.
All were good and we understand that they are low in cholesterol so they are good for you.

We started our camel trek to breakfast before sunrise and were treated to a view of Uluru that not many have seen.
Breakfast tucker included billy tea, damper (beer bread) with, golden syrup, Marmite, several kinds of  jam and cheese.
There are people who say Marmite tastes good.  They are liars.
     
If you want to be alone at a tourist resort, take a hike.
We have found that a few hundred yards is far enough to thin out the crowds dramatically.
So a walk around Uluru was in order.
If you choose to do the same take sun block, plenty of water, and allow at least  three hours and as much more time as you can spare.
We didn't see one other person except where we started and ended our hike next to the access point for the climb to the top.
And few people even there.
When we visited the trail to the top was closed because of temperature and wind conditions.
We wouldn't have climbed in any case since the aborigines request that people don't violate their sacred place.

We found places the rock was shaped like breaking waves.

A flock of Finches, I think, in some bushes near the trail.

The trail was solid rock in places, packed soil, or loose sand in others.

Erosion has created wild sculptures in the rock that no tour bus can get to.
You will only see them by taking a walk.
 
There are several spots with shaded benches if you want to rest or just take a little while to study your surroundings.


Sunset reveals the changing face of Uluru.
 
A morning walk through the desert showed the tracks of some of its residents.
Wild camels, lizards, snakes, birds, beetles and unknown critters.
   
An evening dinner with great views of Uluru and sunset over Kata Tjuta.
 
Here are links to other sights in Australia
Western Australia, Northern Territory, Alice Springs, Uluru, Cape Tribulation, Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Victoria, Wildflowers

See other places we have visited here.

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