As we drove closer, everyone in the car was awestruck with the enormity of Uluru and could not believe what they were seeing.Today is the day we face a moral dilemma! To climb or not to climb? Well as it turns out we do not have to make a choice as the Rock is closed due to high winds at the summit. This is now a common occurrence with the Rock regularly closed more than it is open.
We later found out that there was rain a day or two before and about one hundred climbers had to be helped down with ropes and so the Ranger decided not to open it the next day.
On the Mala walk we learnt a little about what the rock meant to the aboriginal culture and saw some of the rock art and areas used for different aspects of life. On a negative aspect, we were told that someone had graffitied some of the aboriginal art with a spray can and someone else with sunscreen, most probably due to the fact that they were unable to climb the rock.
After doing the Mala walk and learning more about the aboriginal culture and the meaning of the rock to them, Cathy immediately decided it was her decision not to climb the rock as per the request of the local tribes. The rock ended up being closed all day anyway.
Chels & Josh were keen to walk around the rock instead, a distance of about 9.5 kilometres and so we all set off on this walk at about 3:00pm to start our marathon. After an initial thought that it was going to be too far, we eventually got into the swing of the walk and made it around.
Josh, Skinny and Chels decided that they would race off ahead and then made it a stage of the Amazing Race and welcomed Cathy & I at the end to say we had been eliminated from the race.We also had a new member on the tour today, Genevieve the stick! I am sorry to say, well not really, that the new tour member did not stay with us long at all. In fact, never made it back to the caravan park!
We then had the thrill of setting up at the sunset viewing area to watch the rock change colours as the sun went down. It is something that really has to be seen to be able to understand the thrill of seeing this phenomenon. Slowly the rock changes colour in front of your eyes until the sun sets behind you and then the colour of the sky takes over the colour show. What an amazing event!
I think that this day will last in the memory bank for a long time as a day we saw amazing rock in the middle of an amazing country!
3 comments:
I cannot imagine how amazing the rock must be. What a shame you couldn't climb it! Will it be open any other days you are at Alice? Wish i was with you
LUV Georgie
hi there to you all,
well it certainly looks like your all having a great time. skinny you looked great with the leather gear on and looks like you enjoyed the ride, good on you. now stuart id like to see a photo of you on these walks to show me that you really did them to. lol. josh i got your letter and yes im missing you but that put a smile on my face getting your letter so thank you for that, and i got yours to skinny. now chels i hope i get one from you soon, and you to cath. well take care, miss you all love susie teags and shan xxx.
We are loving sharing your travels with you. What a fabulous time you are having!! Looking great there Skinny! Looking forward to reading what comes next.
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