Did you know my daughter has a blog about anxiety and depression? She draws it. And its name is Blarry. You can check him out here. I was walking along a path a Uluru and looked up and I swear this looks just like him.
Do-it-yourself ULURU Tour - Last day
Surprisingly, the 20 room dorm wasn't too bad. Despite having a top bunk.
I'm up early to do the base walk. Pack up and check out. I've finally got this cup of tea business sorted. And it's taken a while but I finally have a workable camera, lens, tripod, backpack combo that works.
National Park entry is $25 for a three day pass. You can get an annual pass for $32.50. I asked for an annual pass and when I explained that I would be here for 3 days then away in Kings Canyon for a day and then back for one more day, (I didn't want to have to pay an extra $25 for one morning if I could avoid it!) the helpful guy explained I could get the pass extended to 5 days without paying extra, I just had to ask on my way back in. So I took him at his work and sure enough he was right. It was good info to know.
I arrive at Uluru just as the sun crests the horizon and off I go. I didn't get far though. I was completely blown away by the wildflowers. So many! If I had my time over again, I'd skip Kings Canyon and spend the time wandering around the base of Uluru morning and afternoont. I never made it the whole way round ( I did a few sections) because I kept stopping to take photos. I had a plane to catch at midday so I couldn't risk getting half way around the rock and not making it back in time. So I took my time and went as far as I dared before turning back. The light shifts so much that the way back presented just as many photo opportunities and so I was rushing to return the hire car and get the bus to the airport.
I could have easily spent several days just exploring the terrain. I was absolutely in awe. The landscape. The light. The flora. I didn't do it justice with the short time I had, and with being sick. And I really need to do something about getting new knees that work! OK. that's my list of excuses. I got a few good shots but oh, I could have spent so much more time here. Who needs a Field of Lights when you have Fields of Wildflowers!
Looking back on the trip now that I'm done blogging, it all seems a bit surreal. Firstly, it feels like months ago, not just 6 weeks. Secondly, I'm so glad I have all the photo memories. When I look at the photos I remember the place, the smell, the feel of it, the beauty of it. I don't remember how sick I felt. And only because I took notes at the time do I recall how hard it was to push through that sickness to get out and see and do as much as possible. I just remember the spirit of the place.
Do-it-yourself Tour - Day 5 Afternoon
I guess one thing about booking in to a 20 bed dorm, it means you're not going to lounge around your room and waste time. So you might as well go for a walk and explore the flora.
Do-it-yourself uluru tour: Day 5 - Kings Canyon
Kings canyon 6.55
Return 10.15
"The first bit is hard", I'd heard from several sources. But it wasn't that hard. Sure, it was steep. But it's just like walking up a lot of steps. And there's a nice little seat to rest part way up. And plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the view (catch your breath, take a photo). I struggled due to the flu. My throat was so sore it was burning. It reminded me of distance running, and it's been a long time since I've run distance. I can't even run to catch a tram now. Could barely manage a Cliffy Young shuffle with my knees. So yeah, I was glad when I got to the top and things levelled out. But in good health, I don't think it would be too hard at all.
Overall, The valley of the Winds (Kata-Tjuta) was a more difficult walk because you have to navigate loose rock much of the way, which makes it easy to turn an ankle. You have to watch each step. Kings was literally nice, evenly placed natural steps due to the geological make up of the place. And in between, some nice national parks crew have cemented in extra steps and even matched the cement colour to the rocks so you don't even notice.
I was an hour and a half in before I saw another person. And then suddenly there they were, like a herd of camels cresting a dune. (below)
I was having a lot of fun creating these impressionistic versions of the landscape and I plan to get some printed up as they really capture the feel of the place much more than a specific picture.
Back in yalara by 1.30.
Hoping to still retain my licence and that all the warning signs about speed cameras etc were all bluff.
I've lost my voice. I feel like shit. Two days off grid and the only person who noticed was a client chasing a print.
I do wish I had a nice resort room to sprawl in. Have a shower and a nap, instead of a 20 bed dorm. But at $400 a night and a two night minimum, as opposed to $38... I'll suck it up.
I feel like my throat is bleeding, my chest is imploding and my head is a cesspool of snot.
I found a sunbed by the pool and collapsed on that.
Home tomorrow. And planning to be up early and do the base walk.
My overall thoughts on Kings Canyon are that if you're driving to or from Alice, definitely do it. But I wouldn't make a special trip from Uluru.
Do-it-yourself Tour - Day 4 Kings Canyon
Back from the sunrise flight. Pack up and check out and walk from the Outback Pioneer Lodge over the red dirt to the centre of town and hire a car.
One of the best things about driving as opposed to bus'ing, it being able to stop whenever you want to take photos. Despite this wonderful opportunity, I only stopped twice (I really just wanted to get there). I hadn't heard of 'fool-uru' before (above) but apparently if you're heading to the rock from Alice many a tourist has been fooled thinking Mount Conner is Uluru. It's on private property but apparently you can get tours to there. If I were to come back again I'd definitely check it out. (The photo doesn't do it justice)
Arrived at Kings canyon resort. Questioning the cost and time of getting here. And the use of the term 'resort'. I'm at the lookout at the back of the resort and feel like in an old western movie. The isolation, desolation, quietness, heat, dryness. The wind whistles, the vista is sparse. The ridge of red rock jutting out of the ground... I'm half expecting tumbleweeds to roll past. Or roadrunner and coyote to appear.
There is one tree and the wind whistling through it is eerie.
So far, I've seen one other person in the resort. And he looked like the baddy in the western.
It's so quiet it reminds me of those camps where you don't talk for 10 days. Which is probably good at the moment as I've pretty much lost my voice the few times I have spoken ( a few words at reception when I checked in).
Maybe this is s detox camp. There's no phone service. Ergo no internet (there is an option to buy by satellite).
I find a few wildflowers to amuse me and then go and do some washing and wait for the sunset.
Suddenly, the place comes alive. People come out of the woodwork and swarm to the previously mentioned isolated tree. There is a mobile bar and laughter and Grey Nomads and Young Backpackers and families all stand in appreciation as the sun soaks the cliff face in rich warm light. And then the light fades and people wander back to their campervans, tents and caravans. I have spoken to no-one. I suck at meeting people. Ok, it doesn't help that I'm sick as a dog and my voice is a croaky, squeaky, wheeze.
I linger a while though the light is low. I start experimening with shutter speeds and movement as I couldn't be bothered using the tripod. I like the colours and mood I capture. To me, the shots evoke the 'feel' of the environment.
Warning: Worst pizza ever! Honestly, we've all had bad pizza from time to time, but nothing comes close to this. It was disgusting. I persevered through one piece thinking it must have been because I was sick that it tasted so bad. But really... No.
I was planning to have half for dinner and take the rest with me for breakfast. Not a chance. Absolutely gross. Inedible.
Do-it-yourself Uluru Tour: Day 4 - From the air
Uluru and Kata-Tjuta from the air. It's big and it's bald and it's beautiful.
I'm pretty happy with how these turned out despite being shot through the windows. The price of chartering a helicopter so I could fly with the doors off was a bit too expensive when I'm not shooting commercially. So I was happy to do the touristy thing.
I was up early thinking I'd grab a cup of tea from reception as they must put the tea out for the early morning bus pick up. I even had my gold coin ready. But when I got there, no tea! I asked at the counter and was told by a lovely young man that they only leave the urn out until the restaurant opens out the back (despite not being able to just buy a cup of tea from there). Missed it by 5 minutes. He took pity on me and found a cup and a teabag I could take to the communal kitchen and I was so very grateful to him.
