Sunrise at Uluru and Uluru base walk

Sunrise at Uluru and Uluru base walk

14/1/2011

Once again a mass exit of the resort and everyone gathered at 6 am to see the sun rise at Uluru.  Absolutely breathe taking.  This place is most probably one of the best natural experiences we have ever had.  Nature at it’s very best! We experienced this from a different viewpoint than sunset last night and we will return tonight for sunset to get a different perspective and some different shots from last night.

Once the sun came up we headed down to the rock.  We decided we wouldn’t climb the rock, the aboriginal’s ask that you don’t and out of respect for their wishes we left that one alone. We decided to do the rock base walk instead.  This is an easy 10.4 km walk, or would be in the winter!  The temperature about an hour into the walk would have been mid 30’s.

There is not a grey nomad in sight here, only us! I think they know something Colin didn’t catch on to, or better still wouldn’t listen to.  Winter time would be the best time to visit Uluru, however we have had a great time not having to share with thousands of tourists and just so long as we get up at the crack of dawn and stay in air-conditioning or the swimming pool in the arvo, and then venture out at night again all is ok.  I don’t think we have missed out on anything. Most of the people visiting at the moment seem to be back packers and people hiring campervans all mainly from overseas.  I am not sure about the resort patrons.

Ayres rock resort is a wonderful place to say and caters for so many styles of travellers.

The base walk was absolutely fantastic!  Every metre we walked the view of the rock changed as you will see in the photos – I took hundreds of pictures it will be hard to know which ones to choose to share with you all. Lots of places I couldn’t take photo’s as there are signs to indicate that photo’s were not to be taken as that particular place had spiritual significance to a certain tribe. I kept wondering when we were ever going to reach the corner!  The corner was always in sight and it seemed a few hundred more metres we would make it but of course the rock being round it went on and on!  We were never so glad to see the land cruiser after the 10.4 km walk which took us around 2 ½ hours.  It is a 3 ½ hour walk so we did pretty well. I think they always over estimate to be on the safe side.

We then went to the cultural centre and learnt about the aboriginal customs and history.  We saw the sorry book also. Back to the van for a lunch, a sleep then a swim.

We intend to pack up later this afternoon, have an easy tea, see sunset and make an early exit in the morning for our next destination Kings Canyon.  I just spoke to Mum in Tasmania and they are ok with all the rain so that’s great.

I hope all is well in your world.

The Travelling Wilsons