Aus Day 7 - Uluru sunrise
Very, very, very tired after perhaps sleep calculated in minutes. Breakfast was excellent with more choice than expected. Some awkwardness and lack of eye contact with our Japanese neighbours but at least everyone was ready to go at 5:20am for the Uluru sunrise. Again it was no secret to every tourist who all got up even earlier than us to get their viewing place. Coaches and their guides had already set up breakfast tables for their passengers. The raised viewing platform was already humming with people so we found a quiet spot further in front of everyone.
Although it had a more vegetation (trees and shrubbery) but only one couple was there enjoying the silence. We kept quiet ourselves looking for the same chilled vibe but then a German couple and teenage son arrived chatting away. Worse though were the pair of British gap year guys who just talked and talked ignoring the sunset and the majesty of the scenery. It got to the moment of them talking about X Factor that something had to be said. I think my 'verbal diarrhea' comment may have been a step too far but they certainly kept their tongue after my outburst. The actual scenery was indeed stunning (though a little bit tainted by the new British atmosphere) with the moon still hanging around, the golden colours changing the rock and the neighbouring Kata Tjuta still in sight.
Back on the bus for a long walk around one side of Uluru with a pre-amble by the guide explaining some of the notable sights. Many of them were interesting corroded holes or cracks which the local aboriginal tribe, the Anangu hold sacred or used for teaching their children of their law and history. As we walked around the guide was keen to point out that certain areas or directions of the rock could not be photographed due to their sacredness. A $7000 fine and your camera confiscated was the charge if caught by a park ranger.
Some interesting facts came up when talking about the Aboriginals. Scientists sat they now think their ancestry goes back 20000 years. There are (or were at last count) 300 'countries' that make up Aboriginal Australia each with their own dialect. The story of Uluru could only be told in Uluru. If you traveled to the next country you might hear the next part.
Since the park became national and protected, the management and preservation is made up of 8 Anangu and 4 white Australians. Its hard for Aboriginals to adapt to modern life as they haven't learned to read or write, know maths (true fact: their numbering is simply 1, 2, 3 or many) or have any concept about using a PC.
We were all given the 3 options for the next activity: either walk one side of Uluru, walk all 10kms around or climb it. The third option wasn't really an option as the Anangu said it was sacred. The guide said many Japanese would still do the climb as they either couldn't understand the concept or it was part of their culture: to respect a mountain you have to climb it. All but one hardcore German went for the half distance (he did the whole circuit). We spread ourselves from the group to enjoy our own company. Lots of small birds buzzed around in flocks and squeaked like Sweep from the Sooty Show. There were also some falcons hovering around too. Went into the rock's watering hole where the rain would pool in a sheltered cove.
Last stop before lunch was the cultural centre, a museum dedicated to the Anangu. No photos were allowed at this simple building with displays of tools, art and supporting information. The highlight was listening to a local elder who with an Australian translator re-told the same story our guide told us but with more detail plus some personal boyhood memories. He must've been about 70 or 80 wearing surfer's sunglasses and the centre's uniform.
Back at the campsite after dropping off Team Japan, camel burgers were our last meal with the group. Slightly awkward moment with a German couple. I was trying to describe Kerry's brother-in-law's house in Australia, where we'd been staying, as just like what you'd see on Neighbours or Home and Away. The German lady totally got the wrong idea and talked about her own neighbour. I then said it was a soap opera(s) we get in the UK. Some translated conversation with her husband, more than expected. I tried a different tact: had they heard of Kylie Minogue? No but 'we are aware of her music' was the response though had no idea she was an actress. I gave up and went to hide from the embarrassment on the bus to go back to the hotel.
Pool side for an hour or two dodging massive bees or wasp-like flies who insisted on trying to drown. Then the retired German guests descended into the pool and congregated in the middle just to chat to each other blocking any route to properly swim.
Making a few trips to the supermarket was the only other excitement and started to regret booking the hotel (Desert Gardens) at all with the restaurant meals costing around $56 a head - way more than our budget. Instead we bought rolls for our evening meal and cereal for our breakfast.
I must've been exhausted from the lack of sleep so took in an hour's kip. After our ham rolls with crisps for tea (classy I know) we left our room, passed the rabbits munching on the outside lawn's grass and headed out to view the clear night sky. No shooting stars or satellites tonight but at least you could see a definition of the Milky Way.
Although it had a more vegetation (trees and shrubbery) but only one couple was there enjoying the silence. We kept quiet ourselves looking for the same chilled vibe but then a German couple and teenage son arrived chatting away. Worse though were the pair of British gap year guys who just talked and talked ignoring the sunset and the majesty of the scenery. It got to the moment of them talking about X Factor that something had to be said. I think my 'verbal diarrhea' comment may have been a step too far but they certainly kept their tongue after my outburst. The actual scenery was indeed stunning (though a little bit tainted by the new British atmosphere) with the moon still hanging around, the golden colours changing the rock and the neighbouring Kata Tjuta still in sight.
Back on the bus for a long walk around one side of Uluru with a pre-amble by the guide explaining some of the notable sights. Many of them were interesting corroded holes or cracks which the local aboriginal tribe, the Anangu hold sacred or used for teaching their children of their law and history. As we walked around the guide was keen to point out that certain areas or directions of the rock could not be photographed due to their sacredness. A $7000 fine and your camera confiscated was the charge if caught by a park ranger.
Some interesting facts came up when talking about the Aboriginals. Scientists sat they now think their ancestry goes back 20000 years. There are (or were at last count) 300 'countries' that make up Aboriginal Australia each with their own dialect. The story of Uluru could only be told in Uluru. If you traveled to the next country you might hear the next part.
Since the park became national and protected, the management and preservation is made up of 8 Anangu and 4 white Australians. Its hard for Aboriginals to adapt to modern life as they haven't learned to read or write, know maths (true fact: their numbering is simply 1, 2, 3 or many) or have any concept about using a PC.
We were all given the 3 options for the next activity: either walk one side of Uluru, walk all 10kms around or climb it. The third option wasn't really an option as the Anangu said it was sacred. The guide said many Japanese would still do the climb as they either couldn't understand the concept or it was part of their culture: to respect a mountain you have to climb it. All but one hardcore German went for the half distance (he did the whole circuit). We spread ourselves from the group to enjoy our own company. Lots of small birds buzzed around in flocks and squeaked like Sweep from the Sooty Show. There were also some falcons hovering around too. Went into the rock's watering hole where the rain would pool in a sheltered cove.
Last stop before lunch was the cultural centre, a museum dedicated to the Anangu. No photos were allowed at this simple building with displays of tools, art and supporting information. The highlight was listening to a local elder who with an Australian translator re-told the same story our guide told us but with more detail plus some personal boyhood memories. He must've been about 70 or 80 wearing surfer's sunglasses and the centre's uniform.
Back at the campsite after dropping off Team Japan, camel burgers were our last meal with the group. Slightly awkward moment with a German couple. I was trying to describe Kerry's brother-in-law's house in Australia, where we'd been staying, as just like what you'd see on Neighbours or Home and Away. The German lady totally got the wrong idea and talked about her own neighbour. I then said it was a soap opera(s) we get in the UK. Some translated conversation with her husband, more than expected. I tried a different tact: had they heard of Kylie Minogue? No but 'we are aware of her music' was the response though had no idea she was an actress. I gave up and went to hide from the embarrassment on the bus to go back to the hotel.
Pool side for an hour or two dodging massive bees or wasp-like flies who insisted on trying to drown. Then the retired German guests descended into the pool and congregated in the middle just to chat to each other blocking any route to properly swim.
Making a few trips to the supermarket was the only other excitement and started to regret booking the hotel (Desert Gardens) at all with the restaurant meals costing around $56 a head - way more than our budget. Instead we bought rolls for our evening meal and cereal for our breakfast.
I must've been exhausted from the lack of sleep so took in an hour's kip. After our ham rolls with crisps for tea (classy I know) we left our room, passed the rabbits munching on the outside lawn's grass and headed out to view the clear night sky. No shooting stars or satellites tonight but at least you could see a definition of the Milky Way.
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