Sunday, 19 October 2014

The day of...

ENot sure what I was thinking last night when I set the alarm for 5:30 considering the sunrise was at 6:07 and it's at least a 15-minute drive away. Thankfully I woke at 5ish and realised I needed to get going! So up and out and off to the rock. 

People had said it was really cold at this time of day and to take a jacket. And there were people with three layers on. Jacket - not necessary!

It is amazing in the morning light, seeing the change of colours over it. My camera doesn't quite capture it - there's something about the stillness of the air and the magic of it.



Pretty spectacular and a perfect way to start a birthday!

Next, drove around to where the climb is and walked along to the Kuntga Gorge. (Fairly certain I've got that name wrong and can't find it on any of my bits and pieces here). It's quite a fabulous walk and just what I was after.




I managed to get in and out before the massive influx of people came through, thankfully.

This was the road I had just come down and was leaving...


Back to the hotel to open cards and read birthday messages. Then down to the lovely cafe for breakfast but it was $36 for a standard buffet!! So I stuck with a banana and blueberry muffin and just got a coffee. 


The resort is lovely. Back to the Town Square for a proper look in all the shops - not surprisingly, very touristy. Then over the road to one of the lookout spots. Randomly, there was a European couple wandering along the path looking for the Peeanere Hotel. Luckily for them I had a map with me and could point them in the direction of the Pioneer Hotel. Very random.


Up to the lookout which overlooks the whole resort and Uluru. Not the glamping spot where Kate and Wills stayed that costs $1,800 A NIGHT! That is hidden from the common pleb. In keeping with everything here - you can't look through the telescope without paying for it. So I didn't see through the telescope! 


Next on the agenda - I do love that I've gone straight back into 'travel mode' - planning the day with just me and what I want to do in mind and loving it - a drive around the resort, past the camp ground, then the doctors, fire department, police station, and then through to the camel rides. Great place with a camel train strolling along the road, great general store and a baby.




I didn't go for a ride. I rode a camel around the pyramids of Giza in Egypt and want to leave that as the only time to ride a camel. They also have a platform at the height of the saddles so you don't have that fabulous lift up and setting down that you get when a camel goes down on its knees like a rollercoaster.

Back to the resort and Town Square to get some lunch. Had a lovely chat with the waiter - all about living and working up here. Very interesting. He said he's working to save for a trip to Darwin in a year or so for his mum's 50th. I said it was my 50th today and he was very excited. Gave me a virtual hug - which is the best kind! Lovely.

Back to my room as it's now really hot and I'm going to hibernate for a while. Knock at the door - can I call the motorbike place. This is a bit concerning. He's not there when I call so have to wait - and I'm now imagining that it's been cancelled. Finally get through and he is worried that it's just on 40 degrees and did I want to go a bit later. Fine by me. So now I can get a nap in too. Here's my birthday corner - complete with Facebook messages and texts - which can't be seen, but anyway...


Quick coffee and then down to the foyer to wait for Jason. And I'm a bit nervous - never been on a bike. Right on time, here he is. A few grounds rules, put on the helmet and we're off. It takes a few moments to get used to it and it's fantastic! Out to Kata Tjuta first - it's quite a way away and fabulous. It takes a while to not feel like I'm going to fall off and to go around bends without clenching. 

We stop and go up to the viewing point - massive and impressive.


Then back onto the bike and up to Uluru. So very cool. The colours are amazing. This all took over an hour but of course I wasn't taking photos - so what was a long and fabulous journey remains a memory.

Around to the far side for another photo op... And then to the sunset viewing.


Don't I look natural!!!!

Now I'm comfortable to hold on with one hand and take photos.

Here's a shadow I never thought I'd make...


Don't mind if I do...!


And a selection of the adventure...






Sooooo much fun and I'm so very glad this idea came to me!

Back at the hotel and into the pool - and I had it all to myself. So lovely in the dusk, lapping the pool under the ghost gums with the stars shining. Lovely!

And finally, into the restaurant for a nice birthday dinner. And, coz I do like a food photo - here is my mushroom roulade, which was amazingly good.


Back to the room to finish this and day is done!

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