Leaving Sydney, we flew to Ayers Rock. Unfortunately, a passenger required emergency medical treatment and the flight made an unplanned stop in Adelaide. Our single checked-in luggage also made an unplanned stop as it was unloaded in error at Adelaide before we resumed our flight to Ayers Rock.
So, we were without luggage for about 36 hours. This encouraged us to rinse our sweat drenched clothes in the evening. With travel clothes and the hot weather, wearing damp clothes the next day was not likely. We received the duffel bag today as we arrived at our hotel at Alice Springs.
At Ayers Rock, we stayed at the Sails in the Desert hotel. This hotel had a refurbished central area but the rooms were a bit tired. The room air conditioning ran all evening trying to maintain an interior room temperature of about 85F.
Despite the 110F degree heat, we ventured out from our Ayers Rock hotel, at 3pm, to view Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There we visited Kata-Tjuta and the Walpa Gorge. We ended the day with a sunset viewing of Uluru. The mile hike to the Walpa Gorge was a bit brutal given the hot temperature and heat reflected by the rocky trail. The tour operator hosted a small party at the sunset viewing area with champagne and snacks. A great way to end the long travel day.
Uluru is a sandstone rock rock formation rising about 1,150 feet. The surrounding rock has eroded leaving only Uluru. Kata Tjuta consists of 36 domes and is located about 16 miles from Uluru. Uluru is slightly taller than the Kata Tjuta structures. It seems the only town in this area is Yulara, which was built for the tourists. Yulara hosts several hotels, a grocery store, police and fire and cell service.
Henri at the Crowne Plaza
We left Ayers Rock for Alice Springs on Tuesday morning. The coach ride took about six hours with a short stop for lunch and a few scenic and bathroom stops. The drive was not particularly scenic - much like the high desert of the Southwest, except few scenery changes. Flat land with rare physical structures and scrub brush. It was good to disembark the coach and relax at the Crowne Plaza.
Tomorrow afternoon, we're off to Cairns for a couple of days and some cooler temperatures.
So, we were without luggage for about 36 hours. This encouraged us to rinse our sweat drenched clothes in the evening. With travel clothes and the hot weather, wearing damp clothes the next day was not likely. We received the duffel bag today as we arrived at our hotel at Alice Springs.
At Ayers Rock, we stayed at the Sails in the Desert hotel. This hotel had a refurbished central area but the rooms were a bit tired. The room air conditioning ran all evening trying to maintain an interior room temperature of about 85F.
Despite the 110F degree heat, we ventured out from our Ayers Rock hotel, at 3pm, to view Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There we visited Kata-Tjuta and the Walpa Gorge. We ended the day with a sunset viewing of Uluru. The mile hike to the Walpa Gorge was a bit brutal given the hot temperature and heat reflected by the rocky trail. The tour operator hosted a small party at the sunset viewing area with champagne and snacks. A great way to end the long travel day.
Uluru is a sandstone rock rock formation rising about 1,150 feet. The surrounding rock has eroded leaving only Uluru. Kata Tjuta consists of 36 domes and is located about 16 miles from Uluru. Uluru is slightly taller than the Kata Tjuta structures. It seems the only town in this area is Yulara, which was built for the tourists. Yulara hosts several hotels, a grocery store, police and fire and cell service.
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| ©2013, R. Ono |
Kata Tjuta
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
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| ©2013, R. Ono |
Afternoon hike at Kata Tjuta
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
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| ©2013, R. Ono |
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| ©2013, R. Ono |
Uluru at near sunset
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
Another view of sunset at Uluru
Sunset viewing at Uluru
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
Petroglyphs at Uluru
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
Base of Uluru
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
Water hole at Uluru
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
Trail closed to hikers due to extreme heat conditions - at 8am
©2013, R. Ono
©2013, R. Ono
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| ©2013, R. Ono |
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©2013, R. Ono
We left Ayers Rock for Alice Springs on Tuesday morning. The coach ride took about six hours with a short stop for lunch and a few scenic and bathroom stops. The drive was not particularly scenic - much like the high desert of the Southwest, except few scenery changes. Flat land with rare physical structures and scrub brush. It was good to disembark the coach and relax at the Crowne Plaza.
Tomorrow afternoon, we're off to Cairns for a couple of days and some cooler temperatures.
Great photos Bob...keep them coming. Deb L.
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