Was only a few minute to our hotel, staying at the Outback Pioneer hotel which offers traditional Aussie hospitality at budget price in good surroundings. Had to queue to check in but didnt take too long and at least room was ready our room overlooked the pool, if only had known was a pool would of bought my bikini. At soon as got there dropped our luggage then off to go exploring had to wait a few minutes for the free shuttle bus via the camel park and we got off at the Resort Town Square. First stop was for lunch at the red rock deli just had a toastie and expensive for what it was and browsed the shops. Then to art gallery where got some picture and to the visitor centre which had a museum about Uluru very interesting. Found out a few things like Uluru is 348 metres above the surrounding plain, highest sail of Opera House is 67 metres. It is 862.5 metres above the sea level, 9.4 kilometres (6 miles) around the base and the Uluru- Kata Tjuta national park is 1325 square kilometres. Aboriginal tradition prefers visitors not to climb Uluru, but people still do climb it today but don't think I will. The first white person saw Uluru in 1874 so are relatively newcomers only 130years and 1st tourist was 1948. Next to the auditorium lookout to get our first glance of Uluru (big red rock) and o get a few pictures. Then back to the Resort Town Square to get a ice-cream but unfortunately the ice-cream cart had gone. So instead got bus back to hotel straight to the visitor centre for a ice-cream maxibon which had never had before so thought why not... A maxibon is a brand of ice-cream sandwich which is not your typical ice-cream, it's a original format and it's many flavors make it unique, interesting and fun to try.. Then time for a rest in our room before the tour but wish had bought bikini then could of laid by the pool and was right next to our room.
Got picked up for our Uluru sunset and BBQ dinner at 5.30 and was expecting to pay for the park tickets $25 for 3 days but somehow we ended up getting free. Not sure how we got it free as when we booked the tour was told would have to pay for park entrance, so very good was free... Was straight to the Sunset Viewing Platform were is a goid view of the rock with snacks provided which was a bonus. The snacks provided at the Uluru Sunset Viewing Platform were plentiful, varied and tasty and the wine was good aswell. So I had a glass of champagne whilst watching the rock change colour and you could see a slight change of colour is good to see. Then obvisiously I had to do a few funny poses like holding the rock and trying to jump on the rock as why not whilst here. After "sunset", we transferred to another coach to be taken to the barbecue area. Delicious food provided and we spent a pleasant evening chatting with the other tourists sitting next to us who were good company was 10 on our table. Was 1 from Brisbane, 2 Melbourne, 2 USA and 1 germany not sure on other couple as kept to self and got to find what good to do in Melbourne like go see a AFL game. The food was very lots of meat to choose from and also got to have some Australian delicacies such as kangaroo meat!! It was a proper Australian BBQ with beef steak, chicken skewers, lamb sausages, garlic prawns, bread and salad and more wine to drink. An evening of star-watching was planned afterwards and it was a great view to see so many stars got to see various Southern Hemisphere constellations like the Southern Cross. We got back to hotel 9ish was so tired that I fell straight asleep eve though their was people outside making abit of noise in the pool.
Rise early Sunday morning at 4.45 to travel to see the Uluru Sunrise caught bus at 5.45 and straight to the Uluru Sunrise Viewing Platform. The viewing platform is on the easterly side of the rock and wasn't here when I came in 2005 was only built in 2009. The new viewing platform on top of the sand dune gives a better view of Uluru and can even fit Uluru and Kata-Tjuta in the same shot. It's an early morning wake-up call, of course, for sunrise at Uluru, but well worth it, it's one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences. It begins with a cup of coffee/tea/juice and a quick bite to eat i didnt fancy coffe o had juicevwhich wasnt the best and a biscuit. It was then to join everyone else on the platforms to see the sunrise over Uluru with spectucular panoramic views and actually saw Uluru change colour.. After sunrise, was back on the bus at 7.10 and to follow was a guided walking tour at the base of Uluru that brings the site to life. First stop was for the climbers but I had already decided I didn't want to do but nobody could do it as was too windy. What at first looks like a big rock, is filled with Aboriginal stories that make sense once you relate them to their specific rock formations. This one tour (or any other similar tour that explains the stories) made the visit to Ayers Rock Resort more of a unforgettable experience. We did the Kuniya walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu waterhole where you got to experience the magical waterfall, view the aboriginal rock paintings only thing bad thing was lots of flys. Later visit the Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre where you can learn more about aboriginal art and see aboriginal arts and crafts. The art gallery was good lots of pictures to choose and really wanted a picture to remind me of Uluru ns the aboriginal culture. I ended up getting the "Seven Sisters" which was purple with 7 stars, perfect for me as everyone knows how much I love stars. The picture is said to represent seven sisters fleeing from the unwelcome attentions of a man represented by some of the stars in the sky.
Time to head back to hotel after this and first thing was to check out of hotel and get food before catching the bus to airport. Got picked up at 11.35 then 10-15 minute journey to the airport and luckily didn't take long to check in. Only thing is when going through security forget to take aerosols out of bag so their had to search my bag. I didn't really like it that I wasn't allowed to find them and take them out but I suppose at least I got to keep them. Then sat in viewing area whilst waiting for our plane and flying qantas this time started boarding 1ish and even left 15 minutes early. Got food on the plane chicken and mushroom pie which I could actually eat, drinks and films but I mainly slept must of been because of early start. Landed just before 5pm and think must of just missed train to central, once at central had to wait nearly 30 minutes for train home. As soon as back straight to Rhodes to get a few things fruit etc then home for tea. After tea time to speak to Sharon and Ellie , Ellie was tired so not bothered about aunty Jo was only a quick chat 20minutes, then watch TV and fall asleep on sofa.
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