Last night we fell asleep to the dullset sounds of the power station near the camp ground (be warned for anyone planning on staying here) and the chorus of snoring from the numerous campers that descended on the site.

It was an early morning start to join the procession of cars, busses and horse carts heading out to watch the sun rise over Uluru.  Passing the numerous signs with 'no stopping here', 'no camping', 'no photography' and 'no picking your nose' we were directed to the sunrise viewing car park. Despite the feeling of being in a controlled theme park this was all forgotten as the light show began.  While not as spectacular as the sunset it was still nice seeing the rock change through the shades of red.

 

As the masses departed like the end of a football match we followed the wave of vehicles to the base of Uluru for a walk.  

My decision weather to climb or not was made easy as it was closed due to the winds (which I admit were blowing and bitterly cold despite the sun). Before we came I was grappling with the decision weather to climb the rock or not.  Not having a strong belief at a spiritual level but a very strong appreciation and respect for the natural world I was driven by how to get the greatest appreciation for this amazing work of nature.  Hence even if the walk up the rock was open I would have elected to do the walk around the base.  Byte time we got back from the base walk it had opened however at 10 km it was needed to work of all those great camp oven meals.

As you pass around the base you get to experience conpleatly different views from the towering shear red rock face to the narrow eroded channels and rock pools.  The flaky rust iron red surface is broken by several honeycomb caves eroded over hundreds of thousands of years. Where ever you look you get a different perspective of the rock.  It is hard not putting the camera down to just experience it.

 I can only begin to imaging what it would look like with the rain plummeting down the cascades and grooves on to the earth below.  May be one day?

As a keen photographer I can appreciate why the traditional people chose certain sites as their ceremonial and sacred places.  These were the most special and appealing parts of the rock.  Unfortunately they were also the parts you were requested not to photograph.

I can also appreciate why we men still have an urge to return to our man caves having seen the many sacred men's caves on our walk. See Kathy it is not just me.

There were numerous traditional paintings and many dreamtime stories of how different parts of the rock were formed.  The story of Tjukuritja had a lesson that you need to honour you responsibilities and be prepared to be punished appropriately ( something the children need to learn) and that women should look after the men and serve their every need - ok I made the last bit up.

At the end of the walk the tour continued at a frantic pace as we did a quick stop at the cultural centre then on to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) to do a short walk in to the Valley of the Winds (and yes it was windy in there).   Kata Tjuta is different to Uluru in that it is an composed of eroded rock turned solid by the weight of an ancient sea (Uluru being eroded sand). Over time the cracks have eroded forming numerous rounded domes.

The afternoon was spent watching the sun slowly sink behind the horizon with Kata Tjuta as its backdrop.  While we enjoyed it I am not so sure about a passing traveller who noted "it's as slow as watching paint dry".

Arriving back at the campground we had been invaded by every camper within 500km of the place with caravans and cars camped in side our tent.

It was time to go to bed (with our new friends) and go to sleep to the hum of the power station again.

I am looking forward to the isolation.