Uluru

Weather: 30c, sunny.  (Friday 13th, September)

Another fabulous day weather wise, and a drive to Ayers Rock, also known by its aboriginal name of Uluru.  The drive (Stuart Highway then Lassiter Highway) was hilarious – whenever we saw anything higher than a termite hill, we claimed it as Uluru – but for those who have already visited, you really don’t see it until you are very close.   

So hello Mt. Conner (above) and Mt. Ebenezer – who masquerade as Uluru (below)!

 

I am afraid that we were typical tourists here – stop the car, jump out, take photos, drive to the next fabulous viewpoint, stop the car etc., etc., etc.,  But you know what?  It worked for us.  It really is quite amazing.  

A few fun facts – it is made out of sandstone that is actually grey in color.  However, it has quite a high iron content, and the orange/red color that you see is actually rust.  Yep, you got that, Uluru is rusty!  It has worn away quite a bit, and the faces are not at all like the smooth sides that you see in photographs.  Here are some of my favorite photos . . . .

 

I found the countryside most interesting,  for some reason I thought that there would be barren desert all around – but that was not even close to the truth.  Some areas would be quite lush, with bright green grasses, then we would see lots of trees, then scrubland, and so it kept changing as we drove along.  The land itself though was pretty much the red and that you would imagine.

We didn’t see much in the way of animals today – not even one of the over one million camels that reside in Australia.  Actually – I tell a lie.  Whilst driving I saw a twig in the road – about 18” long with one end bent up from the road.  I drove around it – didn’t want it getting stuck under the hire car – and up it got and scurried off.  Being an Australian creature expert, I determined that it was ‘lizardy’!

We then arrived at Kulgera – an outback outpost, and booked in for the night.  The ‘roadhouse’ accommodation was very ‘rough and ready’, but basically clean.  Look what Paul and Sharon found in their bathroom . . . . .   

The food though, was fabulous.

Tomorrow we are back in Coober Pedy and hope to make a trip to an opal mine.  Another early start – but we can catch up on sleep on our flights later in the vacation.  Right?!

What, no Internet?

Actually, we do have internet, but it is a 'pay as you go' connection, so not much chance to update the blog with photos and information as yet.  However, I have LOADS to report - we had a great time in Alice Spings and Uluru (Ayers Rock) was amazing.

We are staying in a roadhouse motel in the outback tonight, and are hoping to visit an opal mine tomorrow.  We will be back in civilization (Adelaide) on Sunday, so I will probably have three or four posts for that day!

Another hot, hot, hot day today!  Loving it!

In and Out of Gaol - and a Touch of Silk

Well, today was a very busy day - lots to organise, lots to plan.  First of all we drove into Adelaide itself so that we could book a motor-home for a trip to Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, a 3200km round trip.  This was the first time I had driven in Australia, and it had been 9 years since I had driven on the left had side of the road and about 5 years since I had driven a manual (gear shift).  Thankfully, it all came together pretty quickly - surprisingly so in fact, and with the help of GPS, we arrived at the motor-home company, only to be told that the next booking available would be mid-October.  Doh!  Plan B it is then!  We hired a car (a Holden Commodore) in dog-sick-yellow (our thinking was that we would not lose it in a car park!), and will just have to book hotels on our route into the Outback.  Once of the conditions tied into the car hire was that we can only drive between dawn and dusk - otherwise the chance of hitting a kangaroo is very high, and they cause a lot of damage to vehicles. 

You don't get that in Canada.  We set off tomorrow.

Next was a stop for me at the Eastern Silk Shop.  Oh bliss - I did what all good seamstresses do . . . and bought some fabric - well, it is so light and it fits in the case so easily!!!  Here are a few quick pics of inside the shop:

I have enough fabric for a couple of shell tops to wear under a jacket and I believe that there may be a return journey before we leave!!

Sightseeing was next on the list - and a trip to Adelaide Gaol.  This was quite amazing and very barbaric - how I wish we had gaols like this when I was in the Police in the UK . . . . 

Dad checking out the trap door (above) of the gallows.

Last but not least we went and had fish and chips on the beach at Glenelg - along with about 500 seagulls.  I kid you not!

Avery beautiful place with some stunning architecture.

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside . . . . !

Weather:  Mostly sunny - some rain showers (when we were indoors), 21c.