Uluru

Up at sparrow fart this morning as we had a 10 km walk around the base ahead of us and some detours .

We caught the sun peering over the rock as we got through the park entrance after a bit of a wait there for our 3 day pass.

Once there the rock was closed for climbing and we began our sojourn around the rock clockwise from the Mala Carpark reading the story boards as we went . 

It was still a fairly busy time with many buses coming and going but we tried to keep to ourselves but we did run into some travellers from other places on the red centre way we had met before .

The women's business cave area made for some great shots with the kids and talking points on the grinding bowl looking areas on the rocks just inside the cave .

From there we went in to the men's sacred area at the base of a waterfall where owing to a more permanent water source the plant life was pretty alive compared to other arid regions and the birdlife was abundant with swifts flying all around us .

Someone ahead gone to quite an effort with the few chairs provided handcrafted from local timbers and moulded together .

From here we ventured out into the sun on the western side of Uluru where we weren't permitted to photograph a rather large portion of this side of the rock so a walk to the north western side with a constantly twisted neck craning for better glimpses of the rock face as it was now a little way from us as we walked firstly along the road around then on to the dusty track on the northern side where we still couldn't take pictures , the actual brochure mention I think 2 or 3  areas we can't photograph not half the bloody rock .

We stopped at the first aid/rest area and was a little miffed at the lack of toilets as you need to drink a litre an hour but there is no public toilets hence why I seen many wet patches and even a few white flags of dunny roll not far off the track , quite a shame really I'm sure the funds are there to build it and I would rather see a toilet than faeces and pissy smells .

We passed our neighbours on bikes going anti clockwise shortly after then we rested and had some more fluids as it was now 930 ish and quite warm already .

The camera was snapping away merrily and we took the detour into waterhole of the eastern side where the Woma story was created then the cave nearby and I had to carry Shahla for a bit .

One more non camera area where we learnt the blue tongue men story and how not to steal someone else's hunt .

We where finally back at the start and the rock walk still not open but I think we where to fatigued to climb at this point anyway .

Ahhhh airconditioned comfort of the car at least until the cultural centre for a nice ice creams and some learning .

We came across the German bike rider yet again who told us how a dingo tried to steal his roast chicken and he scared it off growling loudly , lol.

Many items where for sale here but pretty pricey so we just got a hat pin with our icy poles.

Back at camp after the ride back we tidied up a bit and kicked back in the pool and lounged around .

Then off we went to the pioneer hotel next door with the intention of happy hour drinks and no cooking for mum and dad but alas it was a all you can eat salad and dessert but the catch was you cook your own meat on the provided BBQ hot plate , ah well it was still once not to clean up and the drinks were cold and well priced.

Back to camp for a but of reelection and talks about the rock with neighbours then we slept well with the exception of the generator running .