I finally made it to Uluru. And it was every bit as amazing as I had imagined. I flew up to alice springs (yes it's where outback's alice springs chicken is from) and checked into a hostel. Well, I've been pretty good about the time changes around here but this place was an hour and a HALF behind sydney. Um, what? Who has 1/2 hour time changes? SO anyway when I realized it was only 7:30 am there and NOTHING was open I decided to raom around. Well, there is ABSOLUTELY nothing in Alice springs. It was quite a long boring walk.
The next day I woke up bright and early at 4:45 (which is the latest I slept all week) and got on the tour bus, but not after I attempted to get my giant suitcase in the trailor only to have it tuble back out on top of me putting me right in the dirt. We drove for what felt like forever and everyone took a turn introducing themselves. So there were these french people who didn't speak english, SHOCKER, and all they could do was sing allouette......and that's pretty much all they did the whole time. If I never hear that song again, it will make my life complete. We arrived at King's Canyon and I quickly realize we are at the bottom of a very steep and large canyon. THEN, I look at the sign. Not only is the hike completely uphill, it's 8 km long. Oh, and it's 104 degrees outside. My goodness did I look pretty. BUT, i did it. That night we went to set
up camp. With my luck, i just assumed i would be with one of the old french people, but someone was watching out for me, i thought. Our guide throws us our swags, which is all we had to sleep in. I wasnt exactly sure what a swag was befor this trip but the horror on my face when i opened it up said it ALL. It is a glorified sleeping bag with a flap to go over your head if it rains. Not tent, no tarp.....NOTHING. On the trip before us a drunken irishman got in upside down and began screaming bloody murder in the middle of the night. He assumed he'd been kidnaped. OH, the irish........The next day we awoke EARLY in the morning (or what i refer to as the middle of the night) at 4:30 am. We headed out to Kata Tjuta, which is more than 300 domes made from rock and sediment. Apparently, it gets hot in there, and when I say hot, i mean 115 degress. It's a bit toasty. SO this time we have 2 choices. We can to the hilly 8 km walk or the not so hilly 2 km walk. Well I didn't want to look like a pansy so i went with the group that did the long one. ABout 5 minutes in, i realized I should've been a pansy. The last km is completely uphill on rocks and mud. The top of that hill was like the promise land. A promise land where the guide looked at me and laughed so hard he began to tear up. Apparently I looked as if i had gotten run over by a train.......a 115 degree uphill train. And I was just so proud of myself until I was informed we were doing another hike.
I was a bit distraught until I was informed it was only 2 km and we were finally going to Uluru. (or Ayers Rock as you crazy americans refer to it) We did a short hike around the end, and oh my
goodness is it HUGE. Its 6 miles around and about 400 meters high (around 1200 ft.) We drove to the sunset viewing area to watch the sunset behind the rock. Sitting back, with a cold beer, with what is likely the most amazing view in the world is not such a bad way to spend a wednesday evening. Well, we ended up staying an having a few more cold ones and watching shooting stars. (5 in and hour......i made HEAPS of wishes) Apparently the park closes at 8 and at around 9:30 we were escorted out by Park Management. WOOPS. Then off to sleep in the ever so lovely swag.......The last morning we were up at 4 am. That's right 4 am. We back to Uluru to watch sunrise, and
if at all possible, it was better than sunset (except I couldn't really drink at sunrise, people may ask questions.) Then after the sun was all the way up, we were off to do another walk. This one.......10 km, 6 km, or 2 km. Again, I didn't want to look weak so I did the 10 k. I was a bit further from death this time.....no hills! So I made it......against all odds......with no scars.....After 4 am wake up calls everyday.....close to 20 miles of hiking in 3 days.......abouve 100 degree heat constantly.......and a "few" drinks......i had a nice LONG sleep on my flight back to sydney........
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