Uluru-Kata Tjuta in April 2008
A short but wonderful visit to this World Heritage site and Anangu traditional lands, in company with my visitors from the USA, Tom and Debbie. :D It is difficult to describe the first (and indeed lasting) impressions of this magical place and the size and scale of the landscape. However, some statistics - Uluru (Ayers Rock) is 348 metres high from the ground and the circumference is around 9.4km. Nobody really knows how far under the ground - but there are estimates of 5-6 km. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) sit 546 metres at the highest dome (there are 36) from the ground. There are approximately 280 species of fauna and 416 flora species, despite the dryness of the area. Temperature extremes are up to 45C (113F) during summer and down to -5C (23F) on winter nights. It was a balmy 33C while we were there :o As I said, our visit was brief (2 nights), so I shall attempt to keep the prose to a minimum and let the photos do the talking :wink: First sight of 'The Rock' upon landing at Uluru airport
Heading towards Desert Gardens Resort, and I am only just beginning to realise the scale of Uluru
Thrilled that I can see a bit of Uluru from my balcony :D
Did I say it was hot :?: When Tom & Debbie arrived from Cairns, we all sensibly headed to the pool, then equally sensibly imbibed our traditional margaritas :drink:
That evening, we experienced the 'Sounds of Silence' dinner, which is wonderfully unique. First, champagne and canapes on a 'tali' (sand dune) to watch the brilliant sunset, not only over Uluru, but Kata Tjuta as well.
This was followed by a dinner under the stars, with great food and wine, with the haunting sounds of a didgeridoo. Later, we sat it total darkness to hear the aboriginal interpretation and dreamtime stores of the stars that we know by our common names of Milky Way, Southern Cross etc. All very spiritual, some of us (moi included) moved to tears at times. I felt so privileged to be there.
(Unfortunately my night-time pics did not turn out well, so hope I will have some from T&D in the future)
The next day Tom, Debbie & Deborah did a walking tour of the base of Uluru, while I battled a slightly upset tummy (probably too much crocodile & kangaroo the night before :sick:) , so again, I hope to have some pics of this at a later stage.
By the afternoon.....it was time for our sunset camel ride 
Tom and I were paired up on Saleh, who was very good natured.....with long eyelashes to die for
Nothing like seeing Uluru from the back of a camel :!:
Our camel leader was on foot, and a mine of fantastic information about the local flora, bush tucker, history of the area and camels in Oz of course :mrgreen:
Now comes the "OMG...I don't believe it" moment :!: Imagine my surprise when I saw what the 2 Deb's camel was wearing 
Look familiar, Ozzibob ?? She wasn't wearing it because she was a 'spitter' - it was because she loved to chew the leather on the harness of the camel in front of her :lol: :lol:
Adventure over all too soon and back to Sydney the next morning.
Some photos taken from the plane -
Kata Tjuta
Uluru
My best shot of Uluru
And finally.....another huge surprise for me. When we talk about the Red Centre, we always think of Uluru & Kata Tjuta....I had absolutely no idea there were salt lakes out there :mrgreen: I saw them when we were flying in.....and later had an opportunity to talk to a helicopter pilot.
They are known as Lake Amadeus and extend for some 140 km.....next time - I'll be in that helicopter flying over them
So much to see and do.....I will happily return and spend a few more days....all too brief a visit.
Palya (Anangu for hello/goodbye/thank you) :D
Robyn
A short but wonderful visit to this World Heritage site and Anangu traditional lands, in company with my visitors from the USA, Tom and Debbie. :D It is difficult to describe the first (and indeed lasting) impressions of this magical place and the size and scale of the landscape. However, some statistics - Uluru (Ayers Rock) is 348 metres high from the ground and the circumference is around 9.4km. Nobody really knows how far under the ground - but there are estimates of 5-6 km. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) sit 546 metres at the highest dome (there are 36) from the ground. There are approximately 280 species of fauna and 416 flora species, despite the dryness of the area. Temperature extremes are up to 45C (113F) during summer and down to -5C (23F) on winter nights. It was a balmy 33C while we were there :o As I said, our visit was brief (2 nights), so I shall attempt to keep the prose to a minimum and let the photos do the talking :wink: First sight of 'The Rock' upon landing at Uluru airport
Heading towards Desert Gardens Resort, and I am only just beginning to realise the scale of Uluru
Thrilled that I can see a bit of Uluru from my balcony :D
Did I say it was hot :?: When Tom & Debbie arrived from Cairns, we all sensibly headed to the pool, then equally sensibly imbibed our traditional margaritas :drink:
That evening, we experienced the 'Sounds of Silence' dinner, which is wonderfully unique. First, champagne and canapes on a 'tali' (sand dune) to watch the brilliant sunset, not only over Uluru, but Kata Tjuta as well.
This was followed by a dinner under the stars, with great food and wine, with the haunting sounds of a didgeridoo. Later, we sat it total darkness to hear the aboriginal interpretation and dreamtime stores of the stars that we know by our common names of Milky Way, Southern Cross etc. All very spiritual, some of us (moi included) moved to tears at times. I felt so privileged to be there.
(Unfortunately my night-time pics did not turn out well, so hope I will have some from T&D in the future)
The next day Tom, Debbie & Deborah did a walking tour of the base of Uluru, while I battled a slightly upset tummy (probably too much crocodile & kangaroo the night before :sick:) , so again, I hope to have some pics of this at a later stage.
By the afternoon.....it was time for our sunset camel ride Tom and I were paired up on Saleh, who was very good natured.....with long eyelashes to die for
Nothing like seeing Uluru from the back of a camel :!:
Our camel leader was on foot, and a mine of fantastic information about the local flora, bush tucker, history of the area and camels in Oz of course :mrgreen:
Now comes the "OMG...I don't believe it" moment :!: Imagine my surprise when I saw what the 2 Deb's camel was wearing
Look familiar, Ozzibob ?? She wasn't wearing it because she was a 'spitter' - it was because she loved to chew the leather on the harness of the camel in front of her :lol: :lol:
Adventure over all too soon and back to Sydney the next morning.
Some photos taken from the plane -
Kata Tjuta
Uluru
My best shot of Uluru
And finally.....another huge surprise for me. When we talk about the Red Centre, we always think of Uluru & Kata Tjuta....I had absolutely no idea there were salt lakes out there :mrgreen: I saw them when we were flying in.....and later had an opportunity to talk to a helicopter pilot.
They are known as Lake Amadeus and extend for some 140 km.....next time - I'll be in that helicopter flying over them
So much to see and do.....I will happily return and spend a few more days....all too brief a visit.
Palya (Anangu for hello/goodbye/thank you) :D
Robyn
.
