Way Outback
Uluru–one of the world’s most recognized sights. I don’t understand how this is the case as it is in the middle of NOWHERE. We flew into Ayer’s Rock for three nights in the area and as we came down through the clouds I looked out the window and saw: nothing. No roads, no buildings, no landmarks, just miles of desert scrub stretching to the horizon. I’m not complaining. I thought it was an incredible sight considering it’s tough to find many places we humans haven’t plowed, bull-dozed, or bent in some way to meet our needs.
Then Uluru came into view, one huge monolith seemingly dropped into this landscape. It was so exciting to see it for real after years of photographs and getting psyched watching the intro to Globe Trekker.
“The Rock” is actually in a protected national park handed back to the aboriginal community in 1985. All of the accommodation in the area is owned by one wonderful monopoly ensuring you pay the big bucks. As much as we hate organized tours, we didn’t have much choice.
We did a sunset tour, sunrise tour, Sounds of Silence dinner, and tour of nearby Kata Tjuta capped off with one final sunset over Uluru.
We enjoyed it all but definitely had tour bus burnout by the last night. The bus showed up 40 minutes late and rushed us through the sights. We did a five minutes stop at part of Kata Tjuta to run up a hill and take a sunset photo. WD was dawdling so I told her to hurry up and enjoy herself, we had to get back to the bus!
Back at Uluru with 250 of our closest friends to watch the sunset one last time, I was struck by the insanity of it all (or maybe it was the 6 glasses of wine).
I starting telling WD how I was going to scream and get everyone’s attention. “What is wrong with you people?!?! You have all traveled thousands of miles and spent hundreds (maybe thousands) of dollars to come here and stare… at a big ROCK!!! You think I’m insane?!” Then I realized I was one of them too so I better keep quiet. I didn’t want to look like one of the many fiery preachers I saw in the bus stops of Central America.
I shut up and drank more of the advertised “fine Australian wine” I noticed they were pouring from a silver plastic bag, then the sunset lit up Uluru and we all realized it’s worth it.
AlexFreeman said:
I know this comment isn’t relevant to this entry but I have finally got to see the winning photo/video. I have been reading the entries whilst travelling using a 3G card which hasn’t been able to download the video. Great video, not sure about the commentary. It did however answer my question Sean about how your Spanish had progressed (I assume you were on the Argentinean side) since throughout the commentary there appears to be an echo which is Dawn correcting you pronunciation.
Oh and Ayer’s Rock looks amazing, did they have that annoying habit of applauding the sunset?
P.S. If it’s Portuguese you were speaking I will take this comment back and send out a formal apology.
Rick said:
WS,
We met a few times at BJJ and once at Richard T’s house on the beach… This is the first time I have looked at your site, but I am going to make it a daily (or every few days) thing. Great stuff. How much longer are you going to be traveling?
Thanks
Alex said:
Wow. I have seen that place on tv and in books my whole life. It is fantastic that you were able to get there. It is too bad that it is so touristy. But stil cool all the same! I love the pic of the moon just over the “rock”. Great shots.
Talk soon,
Alex
Alex said:
All right bro. I know you tried the Kangaroo steaks. Were they good. I understand Kangaroo is very healthy as far as red meat is concerned because it has almost no fat. That probably means it wil dry out easy but if prepared right it is probably great. Do tell. I am eating vicariously though you guys! I understand that Kangaroo populations are sky high anyway so…Eat ‘em!