Posts Tagged With: Red Centre

Its Raining in Alice Springs

My bus driver told me that he lived in Alice Springs for 10 years and for 7 of those years, there was no rain.  I am here for 5 days and it’s raining cats and dogs. We’ve just had the most dramatic thunder storm.  Now I am excited because we will cross the River Todd on the way to the airport this morning and it might have flowing water for the first time in 18 months. Outside my window, everything looks so fresh. Its funny how your perception of rain changes away from home.

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My fantasy of flying being just like hopping on a bus, came true today.  I was supposed to fly from Alice Springs to Brisbane and take the coach to Hervey Bay.  Instead, when I checked in at Alice Springs Airport, I was handed two boarding passes and my luggage was automatically checked through to Hervey Bay.  Hopefully the airport is close to the ferry port and my luggage makes it all the way.  I am due to catch the ferry this evening to Liann’s favourite place, Fraser Island.

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There was a bit of confusion over my travel arrangements today.   All’s well that ends well. I arrived on Fraser Island 3 hours ahead of schedule.  It is beautiful but more on that tomorrow.

Ann x

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Sounds of Silence Dinner

 

Last night we dined under the stars at an elevated site half way between Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). The Sounds of Silence Dinner began with a sparkling wine reception where we listened to the haunting sounds of a talented didgeridoo player and watched the sun set over the Rocks. My table companions were two couples and a student from Uruguay whom we “kidnapped” to make up the numbers for the table.

One couple, I had already encountered that morning on the sun rise walk. I guessed that they were Scandinavian, a bit standoffish and I took an unreasonable dislike to them. They were actually Spanish, very friendly and interesting and on their honeymoon. How often we make false initial judgements. The 2nd couple were in their 60’s, in a second and very happy relationship and were also great company. We enjoyed a gourmet meal, a fascinating presentation on the night sky and a generally lovely evening.

Another early start (4am) to travel to King’s Canyon. There we had the choice of two walks, a tough 3.5 hour walk up to the rim of the Canyon or an easier walk to explore the rock strewn canyon floor. On the basis of the weather forecast for a hot 40 degrees, I chose the easier walk.

Ann x

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Sunset, Sunrise and Survival

Photos courtesy of Snapfish

http://www3.snapfish.ie/snapfishie/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=6248033006/a=82828258_82828258/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/

Sunset:  imagine sitting side by side with hundreds of people on campstools, sipping wine and watching the sun set at Uluru.  As it sets, the Rock starts to change colour and the sky turns orange and purple.  It was beautiful.  I sat with my new friends, Cathy and Daryl and we toasted the New Year and life.

Sunrise:  not many hours later, we are up again for our sunrise tour.  I set my alarm for 3.30am.  Back at Uluru, we take polystyrene cups of coffee and head to the viewing point to gaze again at Uluru as it changes appearance with the rising sun.  Afterwards, we did a fascinating guided cultural walk around the base of the Rock.  The stories were magical and made a long walk very enjoyable.

Survival:  the Red Centre tour is not for the faint hearted.  It involves basic accommodation, early rising, long days, tough enough walks in sweltering heat and little provision for meals.  We are up too early for breakfast and home tired and too late for dinner.  Don’t worry, I wouldn’t change a thing.  The experience is well worth it.

Dinner under the stars at Uluru tonight.

Ann x

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Journey to the Red Centre

 

In the end, I had a lovely relaxing day at the Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge.  After posting my blog, I went for a swim and then lounged by the pool.  Dinner in the campsite café was a delicious beef steak with mushroom sauce and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (I hope it was beef and not camel, as suggested by our driver today).

The luxury coach picked us up at 6.40am for our drive to Uluru (Ayers Rock).  Our group today was a family of 5, which included two grandmothers, a couple and myself.  “Sit back, relax and let the world go by” said our driver and we did.  The journey was 460km through some of the most beautiful and unforgiving landscape on earth.  This 460km consisted mainly of just 8 cattle ranches, with in excess of 1 million acres of land each.  The land was originally developed by white settlers in the 1800’s with the assistance of camels, which were subsequently let loose.  There are now more than 1 million wild camels in Central Australia.

I will spend 3 days and 2 nights in this area, staying at the Pioneer Outback Lodge in the Ayers Rock Resort.  My adventures begin this evening with a tour to watch the sun set over Uluru.

Ann x

Categories: Travel, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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