E: Rocks around the clock
Friday the 24th me and Belle, this Americanised Thai girl who’s a part of my close network in Australia, took off for Alice Springs; a gathering of accommodation, nutrition and tourist information. The view from Anzac Hill and the kangaroo meat purchased at the local grocery store weren’t too bad though.5:50 AM into Saturday a three day rocking adventure began. 15-16 other budget globetrotters filled “the Wildway” bus. Already the same afternoon we had climbed the 346 meters to the top of the biggest rock (monolith) in the world; The Uluru (Ayer’s rock). The aboriginals prefer that you do not ascend the rock, disobeying their own laws and culture. I still went, with a nagging bad consciousness all the way. I felt as if I was too close not to go. The rock itself is not holy/sacred, only certain parts of it (where we did not go). The view from the top is really a notch greater than what your senses are capable of grasping. The sandstone has a 9,4 km circumference and scientist guess it might go down about 6 km under the ground. Watching the sun rise next to it the following morning was incredible. The path of the sun repeats itself every single day, yet one can never get tired of it.
The nights between the sights/sites were spend at the trillion star hotel, as tour-guide Danille put it. We slept under open sky with a moon on it, in swags – these sleeping bag bags – and truly loved it.
A picture of the Olgars (or Ayer’s rock for that matter) is like an autograph. It might be nice to look at, especially if the origin is famous, yet it can never provide you with the experience of actually meeting the highlight in person.
“Valley of the Winds” is a few hours walk in complete stone fascination; you’re stoned so to speak.
The width span of the motives exceeds those of the lens. And the effect of the impressions outdo what a picture is able to project.
So is the case with Kings Canyon, the last visit on the last day (Monday). Humongous rocky towers shaped by rivers and wind covered a good eyeful or seven. The memory stick fought with maximum capacity. My memory knows it will never be able to part with the impressions of this tour.
Back in Alice Springs we packed and then headed for dinner with most of the rest of the tour group.
BTW: The Sydney/Canberra synopsis is coming soon
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