Our camping trip to Uluru

DAY 1

We flew from Melbourne to Alice Springs on the thursday. Checked into our hostel and then took a tour of the town. On the tour we learnt how alice got its name. As you can see in the photo, the spring, which is not a spring but a billabong and its dried up!! Seen Lasseters grave and one of the original flying doctors planes.

DAY 2

We got up at 6.00am. Picked up by the tour guide at 6.20am. It was freezing cold outside. Started our drive towards Kings Canyon. Drove for hours...about 5 I think, with a couple of pit stops along the way. At this point I didnt appreciate the pit stops and didnt take full advantage...

Began our 3 hour hike along Kings Canyon. It began with the hardest point, commonly known as heart attack hill. It consists of steep steps. I thought I couldnt do it. At one point I got so light headed I felt like I was going to vommit...I was only 10 mins in to the walk!! Eventually caught back up with the group. It was well worth the hike. We came across a huge lizard on our walk, as you can see from the photo. I ran out of water 2hrs into the hike. Mental note....'sip the water dont gobble it down'. Having completed the walk,(alive & well) I went off to the loo....only to be greeted by a Dingo. Friendly looking. quite common to the area, but suprisingly harmless. Still ya cant help but to be a little scared when ya meet one face to face.

Off we went towards our camp...Firstly we had to stop & collect wood. After collecting the wood we headed on our way. Twice our driver had to dodge animals on the road, first a herd of cows and secondly some wild camels!!!

During this time, I assumed the Swags on the trailor were big sleeping bags for those who didnt bring any. Still when we were rolling out the swags i thought we were staying in cabins. It was only when the guide went on to describe how to pee/poo, did I begin to accept that we weren't staying at a camp site with facilities. So at 26yrs old, I had my first proper camping trip. Still you would not catch me armed with a shovel & toilet roll heading into a bush....

There were no tents either...just swags...pretty much a giant sleeping bag. Quite comfortable. We had chilli con camel for dinner...quite yummy!! After a few drinks I climbed into my sleeping bag. Anto shot a few photos....Then Casper appeared! but as the story goes...casper was friendly ghost, because at stage we were all so tired nothing would have phased us!!

DAY 3

Up at 5.30am for sunrise. We headed for the Valley of the Winds for another 3 hour hike. This one was alot easier than yesterdays one. Tonight we had a proper camp site...i.e. it had toilets. In the evening we headed off to see the sunset around Uluru. We had some stir fry for dinner. One of the tour guides cooked some kangaroo tail, as you can see from the photo. Anto had a taste, I didnt. Didnt seem right.

DAY 4

Up gain at 5.30am for sunrise.From there we took off for Uluru. We had a choice to climb it. But the aboriginies prefer if you dont. We chose not to climb (me for more than 1 reason). Instead we walked the base (9km). We headed straight back to Alice after the walk. We all slept soundly in the van!!