Rock Solid

Uluru
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If you look at a map of Australia, Alice Springs and Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) look quite close together.  Believe me they are not.  It was a six hour drive on very straight roads - only two right turns on the entire journey.  However when I got there the sight of Uluru entirely lived up to everything I had anticipated.

As a tour group we spent one and a half days viewing and exploring the area around Uluru and Kata Tjuta, another nearby rock formation.  We were told some of the Dreamtime stories relating to Uluru and had a tour round the cultural centre which provided insights into the traditional Aborigional way of life which has existed for over 40 thousand years.  It has now been largely wiped out in just the last few generations causing huge social problems.

Me and Uluru
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The Aboriginees are content to share their land but ask that visitors respect their sacred sites and the land that they have nurtured for such a long time.  I have seen Uluru at sunset and at dawn (as part of a helicopter flight over the area).  That was an experience - I've seen bigger insects out here thant the helicopter I went up in!

We also went to the Sounds of Silence dinner which is held in the outback with stunning views of Uluru.  After dark an astronomer talks about the constalations in the southern sky.  It was a very clear night and the number of visible stars was just overwhelming.

Me and the tiny helicopter
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The visit to Uluru ends the Northern Territory part of my trip.  However I think I should at this point give a special mention to the lies that have been ever present thoughout this part of my journey.  I'm told that they can be a lot worse but they do seem to resist any repellant potion used.  I have perfected the Aussie salute - waving a hand vigourously in front of the face!