Day 15 0704 2011 Uluru (camping at Yulara)

Day 15 0704 2011 Uluru (camping at Yulara)

Another fabulous day was had by all on this big adventure!!. We started the morning slowly but wanted to head to Uluru early to beat the heat and possibly miss one or two flies.  We beat the heat but not the flies, so it was another walk in our flynets!! Pete bravely went without his but im not sure it was the smartest idea!!

Today we chose to do the Kuniya Walk, a little of the base walk and finished it off by going to the Mutitjulu Waterhole.  The kids though were not as keen today but they completed the 2 hour round trip with only a little whinging and a promise that tomorrow they would get a rest day, I honestly believe I have exhausted them.

 The walk was memorable with Uluru once again being full of surprises and simply stunning.  There were many places were the kids could walk on the rock and they took full advantage of the opportunity being very pleased with themselves and comparing how many times they had “climbed Uluru!!”  They understand why we are not going to climb but they did want to have their own version of a climb.  Honestly though we were insignifcant when viewed against the sheer size of Uluru

Along the walk Pete and I marvelled at how the water must cascade down some of the sheer cliff faces, unbelievable.  The kids though spent most of the walk trying to work out what sort of ride could be added to Uluru if the traditional owners wanted to make Uluru into a theme park.  Some of their ideas were very funny but they struggled with how to end the ride safely!!!.

The highlight of the walk was the Mutitjulu Waterhole, a waterhole that not only had water in it but there was still water flowing down the rock face into the waterhole.  Whilst we were at the waterhole a tour group turned up with and Aboriginal guide who proceeded to tell the dreamtime story associated with the waterhole, so we just hung around to listen.

After the walk we went to the Cultural Centre where maybe we should have gone before we started the walks but anyway there was a lot to see and learn about Uluru and we spent a few hours there. 

After lunch we again enjoyed the pool and spent a lazy afternoon doing very little.  We have again been joined in the caravan park by large numbers of adolescents in school tour groups, it is hilarious to listen to my kids whinge about the “adolescents!!” and to indigently complain about their poor behaviour including tonight Claudia’s complaints that they were talking loudly and swearing in the showers.  I only hope they remain this pure through their own adolescents!!!

Just before sunset we once again headed into Uluru – Kata Tjuna National Park to watch the sunset over Uluru.  Again we were surprised by just how beautiful this time was and how the colours of the rock changed as the sun set.  I also once again enjoyed watching the sky change colour, as I did during the sunrise, and it still feels like the sky is competing with Uluru in the magnificent stakes!!! 

 

Understandably the children’s attention waned during the sunset viewing so they sat themselves down in the red sand and promptly did their own version of aboriginal drawing telling their own stories.  It was enlightening to see how much they had learned during the past two days about Aboriginal drawings and symbolism!!  Just when I had given up hope on their educational opportunities on this trip!!!

Given that we have been here three days and we haven’t yet made it to Kata Tjuna (the Olga’s) we have extended out stay by another two nights.

Once again the children fell into bed, in a tired state…..