14th June – Sunday
A very cold night, which meant clear skies, which meant everyone was up at 6.00am to watch the sun rise at Ayers Rock. It was so cold (3 degrees) that the ice warning sounded in the car! We stood around in the dark with hundreds of other people, taking photos of each other, because we couldn’t see the Rock. Then as it gradually started to lighten, the colours started to change. What an incredible sight! As the sun finally rose above the horizon, the Rock was the most amazing shade, almost pulsating with colour and light. Well worth the early rise and cold. Breakfast, and coffee, was most welcome when we returned to the caravan.
Then it was back to the Rock, this time for a walk right around the base – it took us 3 ½ hours, but was flat all the way, fortunately. The light and shadow on the rock formations was extraordinary, however, the light at times didn’t make for good photography as it was too bright. There were many signs at sacred sights forbidding photography and entry. Whilst respecting the Aboriginal culture, I had no problem with the no entry, but photographs could be taken from the road, where there were no signs. I’m afraid the camera button may have been pushed accidently at times.
It was still very cold by lunchtime, so we looked for a sheltered spot to sit, out of the wind. We choose a rock on the edge of the path, with a well-trodden track around it. Not long after settling down (Cat needed a rest by this stage), a young, female ranger, with a foreign accent, walked by and told us we were on a sacred site and to move. Not happy with her attitude, as we were definitely not on a sacred site – we had carefully checked on the map provided before sitting down. She followed us for quite some time and when Les asked her what she was doing, said she was looking for graffiti. Left us alone after that!
There is a large waterhole on the southern side, with a nice patch of green bush around it. It was also in this area where we were able to see some rock paintings.
We have found it remarkable that we have not seen any indigenous people in the area or working at Uluru. Nor have we seen any wildlife, apart from a few pied butcherbirds and magpies.
Returned to Yulara via the resort’s gift shops, ready to put our feet up for a few hours. Cat was quite “stuffed” after such a long walk.
A very cold night, which meant clear skies, which meant everyone was up at 6.00am to watch the sun rise at Ayers Rock. It was so cold (3 degrees) that the ice warning sounded in the car! We stood around in the dark with hundreds of other people, taking photos of each other, because we couldn’t see the Rock. Then as it gradually started to lighten, the colours started to change. What an incredible sight! As the sun finally rose above the horizon, the Rock was the most amazing shade, almost pulsating with colour and light. Well worth the early rise and cold. Breakfast, and coffee, was most welcome when we returned to the caravan.
Then it was back to the Rock, this time for a walk right around the base – it took us 3 ½ hours, but was flat all the way, fortunately. The light and shadow on the rock formations was extraordinary, however, the light at times didn’t make for good photography as it was too bright. There were many signs at sacred sights forbidding photography and entry. Whilst respecting the Aboriginal culture, I had no problem with the no entry, but photographs could be taken from the road, where there were no signs. I’m afraid the camera button may have been pushed accidently at times.
It was still very cold by lunchtime, so we looked for a sheltered spot to sit, out of the wind. We choose a rock on the edge of the path, with a well-trodden track around it. Not long after settling down (Cat needed a rest by this stage), a young, female ranger, with a foreign accent, walked by and told us we were on a sacred site and to move. Not happy with her attitude, as we were definitely not on a sacred site – we had carefully checked on the map provided before sitting down. She followed us for quite some time and when Les asked her what she was doing, said she was looking for graffiti. Left us alone after that!
There is a large waterhole on the southern side, with a nice patch of green bush around it. It was also in this area where we were able to see some rock paintings.
We have found it remarkable that we have not seen any indigenous people in the area or working at Uluru. Nor have we seen any wildlife, apart from a few pied butcherbirds and magpies.
Returned to Yulara via the resort’s gift shops, ready to put our feet up for a few hours. Cat was quite “stuffed” after such a long walk.
1 comment:
Fantastic photos!
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