Lap Around Australia Uluru

Uluru

We got up very early this morning (in the freezing cold!) to drive out to the sunrise viewing point at Uluru. Everyone else in the campground and resort had the same idea, so it was fortunate that there was a very large multi-tiered viewing platform built for this purpose at the site.

There was a great feeling of camaraderie here, as everyone was excited to be fulfilling a dream. Some of us continued on after the viewing to walk around the perimeter of Uluru. Some also chose to climb, although John and I had decided we wouldn't as the Aboriginal owners prefer that you don't.

Who should we see also at the Sunrise viewing? The very rude and arrogant "Harlequin Man" from last evening. Still carrying his tripod and large camera and pushing in to get the best shots.

We drove from the sunrise viewing platform to the start of the walking/climbing trail. Steve climbed the rock as he was keen to get some shots from the top.

Ian, John and Barb did the 11.5km walk around the base of Uluru. There was lots to see on this walk. Some parts were listed as sacred and we were not allowed to take photos of these places.
Many people were walking, but there were also a lot riding hired bikes or even riding segways. John claims they looked embarrassed, but some were shamelessly giving a royal wave as they glided by.

We took several hours to complete the walk. We were carrying food and plenty of water with us and rested in shaded spots to consume these. Barb's knees and feet were really feeling the strain at the end of it. She hadn't worn her knee braces, thinking it was only flat walking. Indeed it was...but big mistake not to wear them.
We visited the Cultural Centre at the end of the walk when we met up with the others. By the time we'd sat a while there Barb was in agony. John went off to get the car from the car park and bring it round to the service area at the back of the Cultural Centre.
While he was gone, a very nice young lad (probably in his twenties) who worked at the Cultural Centre tended to Barb who was crying with the pain. He brought her herbal tea and an aboriginal traditional medicine rubbing ointment for her knees. It was marvellous! After a hot shower, a sleep and the rubbing ointment liberally applied she was good to go again.

Just as well, because that night we had our special "Field of Light" bus tour. We caught the bus after dinner at our campsite and travelled to the mystery destination where an art installation of 50000 coloured lights decorated the desert landscape. It was rather magnificent but also impossible to capture on camera adequately. We'll just have to savour the memory.