today we are planning to reach the heart of this great land
uluru is the target - 330km from where we stopped at kulgera
making our mobile home road-ready now a very familiar routine
some breakfast then unplug, water-up, tidy up, lock down and depart
onto the stuart highway again and 90km north to hang a left turn
another 240km to be covered to yulara town adjacent to uluru
a perceptible cheeriness in the fellow travellers from the west
with drivers of every passing vehicle offering a friendly wave
we take that as a promise of a fine time to be had at road's end
a perfect day - blue sky, low twenties, endless red dirt and scrub
mt conner comes into view - this gigantic rock demands attention
it has perfect symmetry - sloping sides, erect cliffs and a flat top
simply the definition of that other much over-used word - awesome
a change of driver at a roadside rest stop identifies a return campsite
signs indicating such activity is welcomed - that could be very handy
uluru looms in the horizon - excitement levels then crank up a notch
next stop - yulara - park the vehicle and a-wandering we then go
the unique architecture reminds me of my first visit 25 years ago
first impressions this time is that it is all very well maintained
a wander to the information centre to plan 2 days of activities
done easily and quickly - we take a rare coffee at the village cafe
next stop - the campground to secure a powered site - also easy
very well organised and laid out and more genuinely friendly staff
we have 5 hours of daylight left and 2 planned walks at kata tjuta
formally known as the olgas but aboriginal respect now superceding
36 rock domes with the highest at 546 metres and established paths
as we drive nearer another cliche comes to mind - jaw-dropping
the wow factor off the scale with the rocks in the afternoon sun
we come prepared - on with the back-pack and onto the track
the first gentle walk up to a stunning close-up viewing position
a huge sheer cliff of red rock in front and behind - so unique
we push on down and clamber along the valley of the winds
the path is loose shingle and rocks requiring due diligence
the views - just stunning - bright red rock against a blue sky
native trees and shrubs adding to the timelessness of this place
we reach another decision point and decide to push on further
a clamber up the path to a high lookout to more of the domes
a few other people enjoying the walk - some annoyingly so
loud whoops causing echoes and ignoring the request for quiet
some people just don't get it - spirituality - na - it's all about me
we backtrack to the starting point and quickly drive to walpa valley
this a much more sedate walk up the valley to another viewing point
cliffs of smooth red rock going straight up on either side - staggering
a few moments of solice at the lookout and a wander back to the van
and a few minutes drive up the road to position ourselves for sunset
this accompanied by a bottle of nz cuvee brut and wasabi snacks
it just does not get any better - we are in awe of this sublime place
the sun on the rock a bonus to a wonderful day - and then it's night
a drive back to town with the milky way able to be clearly seen
pull in, plug in, eat up, wine to assist - an absolute gift of a day....
