June 17th-19th.
We enjoyed Alice Springs leisurely, which I must say, was a nice change of pace. Mark drove our rugged Ford Falcon, lol, down to the main strip where the "mall" is located and we passed many a pleasant hour walking in and out of the shops that lined the outdoor style mall. Many of the shops boasted amazing paintings and handmade Aboriginal crafts from the local tribes. Even the boomerangs were a work of art, with the scenes upon them burnt into the wood - it was really something to see.
We drove up Anzac hill, which affords you a complete 360 degree view of the town. Trust me, it doesn't take that long to take it all in, lol, Alice Springs in not what one would call a large town. Oh, by the way, "Anzac", for those who are wondering, is the term they gave the Australian & New Zealand men and women who joined up in World War I. The name is a merging of the two countries and it has stuck throughout all the wars they have fought in. There are many memorials honoring the courage and sacrifice of their fallen. It is always heartwarming to see that the great sacrifice given by so many for their country and the freedom of all, is honored and remembered.
The morning of the 18th saw us on the road to Ayers Rock with yours truly behind the wheel. After getting my feet wet a few summers back driving in Ireland, I felt like an old hat at the "wrong side of the road and car" driving done here in Australia, ha! So I wasn't nervous in the slightest! Although, the same might not be said for my stalwart shotgun passenger...poor Mark, he claims he fears for his life every time he gets in a car with me behind the wheel (it begs to be said, I haven't been in an accident in YEARS..decades, people!), but as I am so often the driver whenever we go anywhere, I must conclude that he likes the thrill...weirdo!
We weren't but 10-15 minutes on Stuart Hwy heading towards The Rock when Mark points out the window and says, "What IS that?" I slowed to almost a complete stop (luckily no one was behind us, eh) and we watched in unbridled excitement as a dingo, carrying a bit of a kangaroo in its mouth, meandered along in the middle of the highway! OMG!!!! A DINGO...and none of us with a camera at the ready!! All I kept hearing in my head was, "A dingo ate my baby..." what movie was that, again? Ha, anyway. We were so stoked! Real Outback wildlife!! Awesome :-)
The drive to The Rock from Alice Springs is just 4 1/2 hours and I have to say, it is the best way to go. The landscape is just amazing....the sky is huge, it looks stretched, if that makes any sense, and as far as the eye can see is blue sky unbroken by any mountains with a rolling landscape of red dirt and bush. There were so many birds and in such vibrant colors. I disturbed a flock of them from a bush as I drove passed -- out flies about 20-30 of the most vibrant lime-green colored birds, I have never seen birds so bright -- and they are tiny little suckers, too. There were also these other birds, a wee bit bigger than the green ones, and they were black and turquoise --- when the sunlight catches their feathers it looks like they are lit from within, the turquoise shines so bright.
Our apartment at Ayers Rock Resort was not quite what was advertised, lol, ants on the counters and in our bed, no oven, no laundry in the apartment, no internet (the highest crime!) and no cable, but it worked. We went to the resort grocery store soon after we arrived and, Holy Hera, but they gouge you! I guess they figure that since they are the only game in town (and I do mean ONLY..there is nothing else out there) people will pay whatever is asked for their needs. Ha, and they're right because trust me, under no other circumstance would I have EVER paid $4.70 for a small can of chili...NEVER!
Our first morning, after a hearty breakfast of bacon, toast and chili-cheese eggs (chili used sparingly, lol), we hopped in our car and headed to Uluru. Uluru is absolutely incredible. It is a spiritual place for the Aboriginal tribe from the area, so they have many spiritual areas around the rock that you are not allowed to explore or take pictures of. They are sites that are still used today. Some of them are sacred to just the women, some to just the men, some to the elders and some are for everyone. Uluru, btw, is the big red rock that you so often see in pictures, commercials or advertisements about Australia. It is in what they call the Red Centre. It is truly an awesome sight to see it up close and personal. While it is not recommended that you climb Uluru, due to its spiritual nature, you actually can climb it if the weather is right. God be praised that it was windy at the summit the day we went, otherwise I wouldn't be here to regale you with our on-going adventures! I would have died from a heart attack -- either from fear (that damn thing is TALL and STEEP) of falling and plummeting to my death in a rather ungraceful manner, or from the friggin stress of climbing pretty much straight up! Dear diggity dog, never in a million years would I have done that! So, since climbing was not an option (thank you, Lord!), we decided to do the 10km "easy" base walk.
Now, as far as there not being any stairs (thank you!) or hills, yes, it is an easy walk. What makes it difficult, if you are me, is the ungodly amount of flies that continuously buzz about you. It is seriously unreal the amount of flies. AND, quite distracting, to be honest. There is so much beauty and wonder to take in but it is quite overtaken by the obnoxious flies. One even flew into my nose. YES, my friggin nose!! I had to oakie blow the damn thing out and its dead body landed on my chest. It was so foul!
Flies aside, it was a gorgeous day in Australia. The weather is perfection; crisp in the morning, warming up to the mid-60's in the afternoon with a gorgeous breeze. The sky a deep blue with thin white clouds stretched here and there and the sun gently beaming its light upon all beneath it, making everything shine and shimmer. And against all of that, is the deep red of the monolith, Uluru....you can imagine how it can make one catch their breath or feel as if they are standing within the embrace of a people who have held that land for 10's of thousands of years and know the secrets of the land like no other.
Truly magnificent.
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