Click to Zoom Ayers Rock at Sunset

A 4:00 a.m wake-up was required for one of our highlights of the trek - the Ayers Rock sunrise.  Drasco dropped those of us that were going to walk the 9 K around the rock in one location and then took those climbing the Rock to their starting point.  Andrew and and I chose to walk around the perimeter as the Aboriginals request.  This is a very sacred area to them.   Rus joined many as they climbed up the Rock. Each was a very different experience and vantage point.  Our walk would include some shade and trees and wildlife where Rusty's was in shade to begin as the sun was low but soon was to be in full sun and very hot.   It was a challenge!  He emptied his 1 1/2 liter water bottle just as he came down. You almost can't carry enough water with you! Rus told us the view was spectacular.  Andrew and I were glad we had chosen our path.  It was very peaceful and was beautiful again to see the Rock light up with the morning's first rays.  We toured the base of the rock, exploring the mysterious rock formations and aboriginal art sites. After meeting up with the full group again we visited the Ranger's Information Centre where we saw original Aboriginal arts and crafts.  Andrew got to speak to one of the Aboriginal men there in language which was a real highlight for him! 

The temperatures are running so high that Ayers Rock has been closing to climbers at 10:00 a.m.  I may have been this hot at Zion National Park in July one time but I'm not sure.

Click to Zoom Cave at Ayers Rock

Click to Zoom Drasco the Tour Guide

We returned to Yulara for lunch and a dip in the pool again.  One of the rangers had a baby camel by the pool letting it eat scrubs.  It had been found alone in the desert and they had brought it back in.  We were soon back on the road headed toward King's Creek Cattle Station. Once again the only stop in the road was Curtin Springs. The trees there were absolutely full of cockatoos chirping.  It was fascinating to watch and listen.  We enjoying watching the emu and a couple of roos that they had. It was a long very hot day and this was a nice cool down for a few minutes.  We got a longer than planned for break here because Drasco had to check on the bus.  We've been overheating and I'm sitting where I can watch his eyes watch the dashboard.  When he'd head off the road in to nowhere again I'd wonder what we'd do out there if it quit going!!  He gave us some wild rides to old cowboy music.  We're really having a grand time!

Along the road at one point we stopped to watch seven wild camels cross the road.   They were a little skittish and didn't stay long. It seemed like we could count the cars we passed on our fingers for the entire day.  I was so glad we had not rented a car to do this on our own.  What a lot of desolate driving!!

The cattle station where we camped was truly an oasis in the desert.  Once again full of cockatoos.  We followed a lizard headed to the sprinkler for a long cool drink.  They had a group of kangaroos that included several babies that were so much fun to watch.  Again  we had a roaring campfire and we sat around for many a good laugh and story. Our group includes folks from Ireland, England, Austria, Holland and of course the U.S. Dinner was cooked in four huge iron pots sitting in the coals.  We had chicken, cauliflower and broccoli, pumpkin and carrots, and mashed potatoes. 

The sky here was truly lit by stars.  We could see the Southern Cross and Orion.   The sky is very different than at home.  It's like there was a center strip of stars and not much on the horizon  It was a wonderful night of sleep.