We took the
local train which was a short walk from the hotel and flew Qantas to Ayers Rock
airport. It was a great flight with friendly crew and a nice meal. The views
from the window were spectacular! We also had an hour and a half time change
between Sydney and Ayers Rock. Yep, an hour and a HALF! We had reserved a car
to maximize our time there.
airport
We drove to
the Desert Gardens Hotel and checked in. On the drive to the hotel we saw a
Dingo in the desert quite close to the road.
On the way to the room we saw a huge lizard. We dropped our bags and
drove to the Cultural Center and learned all about the aboriginal people and
the surrounding area. The area is all dessert with red sandstone and scrub.
Very beautiful. It was early to mid-afternoon and it was hot and dry. We walked
around the base of Ayers Rock. The aboriginals call it Uluru, but most of us
know it by Ayers Rock. The park is called Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and
the people are called Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantatjara. In their language they
call themselves Anangu (pronounced arn-ang-oo)
Before we
packed for the cruise we debated hat nets. We have good insect lotion and
decided not to bring them. Well, mosquitos weren’t there, but it had just
rained and there were flies by the gazillions. Luckily, they weren’t the biting
kind, but were pesky. They liked to go up your nose and up under your
sunglasses and they would bounce around trying to get out.
We saw some
lizards and walked along the path looking at the features of the rock and the
surrounding landscape. I can’t explain it, but the skies were bluer and the
clouds whiter here. I think our pictures will show that. I got overheated and
about 2/3 of the way around. Greg convinced me to wait at the water station
while he finished and got the car. I soaked my pants, shirt and hat with water
and rested drinking water and eating some shortbread cookies we had brought
with us. There was a young couple there that didn’t want to leave me, but I
convinced them I really was OK. I don’t sweat and without humidity I don’t do
as well hiking and it was over 100* out.
While I
waited 3 aboriginal kids came by on bikes and later a couple women and a child
in a stroller came by. I really was fine and could have continued, but I didn’t
want to take a chance I would get heat stroke and miss the Sounds of Silence
Dinner.
we were covered with flies!
I waited here where there was plenty of water
Greg came by
and we stopped back at the Culture Center to grab a cold soda. We wanted to
stop at the only small town called Yulara to shop for something for breakfast
and to drink. We would have liked to
have some time to clean up, but we barely had time to freshen up and meet the
bus to take us to the Sounds of Silence Dinner at 6:15.
We were let
off in the dessert and walked a short distance to a viewing area of Ayers Rock
and The Olgas. We were greeted with champagne and canapés of salmon, kangaroo
toast points and crocodile infused with citrus and served in phyllo cups. YUM!
A didgeridoo player played and told us stories of his people and the making of
a didgeridoo. Then, as the sun started to set you could see it changing the
colors of Ayers Rock and finally as the sunset behind The Olgas it got really
amazing! Best sunset we have ever seen and we have seen some gorgeous ones!
Brilliant reds and oranges and pinks and yellows. We took tons of pictures. It
just didn’t look real…..
Then, we
walked the short distance to where we would have our dinner. White linen table
clothed tables set with perfection against the red sandstone. Wine was free
flowing, but they also had beer and soda as well. We chatted with all the
interesting people at our table and waited our turn to visit the buffet. The
food was fantastic! Lots of salads with citrus cous cous and orange rice and
for main dishes there was Baramundi, lamb chops, and wild kangaroo. The
kangaroo tasted like the best steak you have ever eaten. There was more food
that I can’t remember and it was all good. Then after dinner they turned out
all the lamps on the tables and a star talker showed us all the constellations
in the sky. The Milky Way was amazing! It went from one horizon to the other.
The Southern Cross was very brilliant. They had a telescope set up so we could
see Jupiter and a couple of its’ moons. Then, it was time for dessert and they
served coffee, tea and port. The desserts were chocolate brownies, carrot cake,
cinnamon bread and butter pudding and more! I have to say it was a magical
night and exceeded my expectations. It ended around 11:00 at night and it was
midnight before we got to sleep.
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