Uluru and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

Wow...can't believe it's been a month already! Time certainly flies when you're travelling. It's definitely not a relaxing holiday, but worth it all the same. Finding time to do things like school work and diary's is a challenge, not to mention the other things I had hoped to do whilst away. The hopes of me learning to play the guitar on the road are not looking so promising now! There is just too much to see and do.

Our last few days have been amazing. We left Devils Marbles and headed south to Alice Springs only stopping for the night and a quick refuel and shop the next morning. We only had one more stop at Curtain Springs and then were finally in Yalara. At Curtain Springs there was a resident Emu, who Libby named Edwa. After the girls fed her, she decided to pop over to the caravan to see if anything else was on offer and we thought she was going to come it and make herself at home. Obviously the girls thought she was fantastic. I set Libby the task of writing a story about her and will try to post it along with some of their journals at some stage.

As we managed to have an early arrival at Yalara, we did a quick unpack and headed straight out to the National Park and Uluru. First stop was the cultural centre, where we soaked up the information on the area we were about to explore and also watched a informative movie on the local Aboriginal people. The girls thought the ladies long boobies were the highlight! They were also very excited to spend some of their money on a piece each from the souvenir shop, with Libby choosing a snake and Immy a fish, which were carved out of wood by the local tribes. After soaking up all that the centre had to offer, it was time to venture to the rock! We did the two main walks to each of the waterholes and also did the drive around Uluru. It is not at all like the one huge smooth surface I had imagined and also so much bigger too. We decided to go back to the van and sort dinner in time to head back for the sunset viewing. Even though it was packed, we managed to find a spot to set up the picnic table and dine in style on my yummy prawn risotto...with a crackin view!

The next morning we were off to explore Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). We decided to start with the bigger of the two walks and managed to get as far as the second lookout. It was quite a challenge in spots with some steep rocky climbs, but on we marched passed the first lookout with the girls leading the way. The scenery was breathtaking and the distance was easily forgotten when you soaked up the view. My walking stick Paddy found me, also helped.

We made it to the second lookout and wow, what a view it was! Buzzing with excitement and still full of energy, my husband said these words..."I think the loop track ahead will be flatter and easier than going back through the rocky climbs." and for some reason, we listened. So on we headed, with only two half full water bottles, no food and hop-a-long mummy! There were a few moments that I thought this adventure may turn sour, but amazingly we made it to the only rest point about 5 kms into the walk and filled up on water. A lovely lady there heard us talking and gave us some biscuits to get us through.

The girls were incredible, with Libby leading the way most of the time and also helping me. Imogen didn't complain once and kept saying "I bet you can't believe that my little legs are still going!". We made it back to the car park nearly four hours later with over 7.3 kms travelled and sat down for lunch at 3.45pm. We were all amazed at what we had done and also very tired. After popping back to the van to shower and change, we went back to view the sun set over the Olgas and for a first in our family...I served tinned soup for dinner! Shock, horror!!

We are now back in Alice Springs and have had a few days exploring the area. Tomorrow we head north again and hope to be in Darwin in a week or so.

Edwa the Emu

Sorry, out of sequence....Lib and her clapping sticks at Uluru

 

Immy near pooped her pants!

Uluru

Risotto with a view

Sunset colours of Uluru

The Olgas

First Lookout

 Beautiful Red River Gums on the walk

 Our puppy trying the water!

 Sorry again....back at Uluru

 Paddy trying to stretch his hat

 Having fun with a rock puzzle

 Looking back on our walk so far

 Second Lookout and the walk ahead

 Libby's photography

 The amazing Kata Tjuta (Olgas)

 They thought it was an adventure!

 We made it!

Two proud girls

 The end to a great day