Uluru and Kata Tjuta
On sunday we did what we came to Alice Springs to do - see Ayers Rock. The drive to the national park where Ayers Rock is located (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) takes around 5 hours from Alice Springs so that meant a 5am wake up. Our day started with breakfast at sunrise and a 6am pickup from our hostel.
On the way there we stopped to view Mt Connor, which is commonly mistaken for Uluru due to it's size, shape and proximity to Uluru. We also learnt about the salt lakes that are spread out over the Northern Territory and got our first look at the red sand up close.
The beautiful sunrise right outside our room.
The boiling hot red sand of central Australia.
Our first stop when we got to the national park was The Olgas, or as the aboriginals call it, Kata Tjuta. Kata Tjuta (which means 'many heads') is a rock formation consisting of 36 domes. It is very important in aboriginal culture, we are not even allowed to know what happens here, which meant we are only allowed access to the western side of Kata Tjuta. We went on the Walpa Gorge walk - a rocky track between Mt Olga and Mt Walpa. These massive domes are up to 500m high. The walk was incredible but exhausting in the 41 degree heat.
The Olgas. The Walpa Gorge is right in the center where we did our walk.
Bros @ Kata Tjuta.
Marcus in front of the massive Mt Olga.
We visited the cultural centre next to learn more about Aboriginal laws and culture and then we were off to Ayers Rock. We did two walks around the base of Uluru - the Mala Walk and the Kuniya Walk. During these walks our guides told us the aboriginal dreamtime stories (stories passed down through the generations about how things came to be) about the different areas around Uluru. They showed us the aboriginal paintings on the walls and taught us about the landscape. The surrounding area was unusually green and wet due to the massive ammounts of rain Australia has had lately. These walks were thankfully alot more shaded than The Olgas so we weren't out in the boiling sun so much.
We decided to do the full on tourist look and bought matching hats.. haha!
We were unfortunately unable to climb Uluru. The climb is closed during the summer months due to extreme temperatures and can also be closed due to rain, wind, cloud, heat or cultural reasons. It's pretty rare the climb is open and even when it is the aboriginals request that you don't climb. It's very spiritually significal to them and they also feel a responsibility to warn tourists of the dangers involved. Like one of the guides told us: an english backpacker holds the record of being the fastest man down the rock - it only took him 5 seconds! He didn't survive though...
Ayers Rock. Enjoy it under the influence!
Kicking back and relaxing with a glass of champagne and enjoying the view.
Uluru at sunset.
We concluded the day with a barbeque dinner (including champagne) watching the sun set over Uluru. An amazing end to an amazing day!
/M, C & L
On the way there we stopped to view Mt Connor, which is commonly mistaken for Uluru due to it's size, shape and proximity to Uluru. We also learnt about the salt lakes that are spread out over the Northern Territory and got our first look at the red sand up close.
The beautiful sunrise right outside our room.
The boiling hot red sand of central Australia.
Our first stop when we got to the national park was The Olgas, or as the aboriginals call it, Kata Tjuta. Kata Tjuta (which means 'many heads') is a rock formation consisting of 36 domes. It is very important in aboriginal culture, we are not even allowed to know what happens here, which meant we are only allowed access to the western side of Kata Tjuta. We went on the Walpa Gorge walk - a rocky track between Mt Olga and Mt Walpa. These massive domes are up to 500m high. The walk was incredible but exhausting in the 41 degree heat.
The Olgas. The Walpa Gorge is right in the center where we did our walk.
Bros @ Kata Tjuta.
Marcus in front of the massive Mt Olga.
We visited the cultural centre next to learn more about Aboriginal laws and culture and then we were off to Ayers Rock. We did two walks around the base of Uluru - the Mala Walk and the Kuniya Walk. During these walks our guides told us the aboriginal dreamtime stories (stories passed down through the generations about how things came to be) about the different areas around Uluru. They showed us the aboriginal paintings on the walls and taught us about the landscape. The surrounding area was unusually green and wet due to the massive ammounts of rain Australia has had lately. These walks were thankfully alot more shaded than The Olgas so we weren't out in the boiling sun so much.
We decided to do the full on tourist look and bought matching hats.. haha!
We were unfortunately unable to climb Uluru. The climb is closed during the summer months due to extreme temperatures and can also be closed due to rain, wind, cloud, heat or cultural reasons. It's pretty rare the climb is open and even when it is the aboriginals request that you don't climb. It's very spiritually significal to them and they also feel a responsibility to warn tourists of the dangers involved. Like one of the guides told us: an english backpacker holds the record of being the fastest man down the rock - it only took him 5 seconds! He didn't survive though...
Ayers Rock. Enjoy it under the influence!
Kicking back and relaxing with a glass of champagne and enjoying the view.
Uluru at sunset.
We concluded the day with a barbeque dinner (including champagne) watching the sun set over Uluru. An amazing end to an amazing day!
/M, C & L
Kommentarer
Postat av: Marie
Helt fantastiskt!
Underbart, man hittar inga ord.
Sköt om er.
Kram
Postat av: Christina
Tur att ni inte fick klättra upp! Den är ju så otroligt hög. Det syns på kortet där Marcus står om inte annat! Fina kepsar:) Kram på er
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