Red Centre experiences...great!!

Hi everyone- we’ve had a huge week! We are so pleased we decided to divert inland and check out the centre of the country. It’s been great to experience this area.
A couple of days ago (after posting my last update on here) we drove into Ayers Rock. We decided to tackle the strenuous climb to the top, considering the huge number of people already attempting the climb (and weighing up Aboriginal wishes that people don’t climb).
It is VERY steep to start with. There is a chain to help you climb up and its pretty relentless climbing. Over the years more than 30 people have actually died trying to climb the rock, through heart attacks etc or taking a fatal tumble. It definitely is risky and the granite is quite slippery. The chain ends halfway up the climb to the summit. Adam was two thirds the way up the first section when his fear of heights clicked in and he went back down. He was disappointed, and I was upset he couldn’t join me as I continued on, but I’ll post a picture soon which shows how steep it is. It was also pretty windy and quite a few people did turn back.
Anyway, I continued on …there are no chains after that first steep bit…so you need to follow painted white lines (like road markers)…up and down gulleys and things, heading across the top ridge of the rock to the summit.
It was worth it! The view from the top of so much nothingness and arid plains as far as the eye could see….and the Olgas jutting up in the distance….was just amazing!!! I took a moment and sat away from people by myself just to soak it all in, before climbing back down, which was just as hard as climbing up (and my own fear of heights kicked in more on the way down).
We joined the crowds of people and tour buses and watched the sunset at the rock that night…lighting it up and turning the rock rich red.

The next day we visited the Aboriginal Cultural centre to learn about the traditional ways and wildlife of the area etc, before taking a chopper flight over the rock and the olgas! A really worthwhile experience which gave a unique perspective of the rock formations….the only significant features on the landscape for miles.

After that we continued our action-packed pace, and went to the Olgas, were we did the Valley of the Winds walk…about 7 km circuit, through the Olgas- once again…really amazing to see them towering above us, with gorges etc, and red rock against the deep blue sky.
We ate biccies and dip and watched the sunset at the Olgas (once again the big crowds do detract from the experience a bit, but it was still beautiful).

Next morning up in the dark to see sunrise at the Rock…before doing some of the cultural walks at the base of the rock, before packing up and heading back to Alice!! Adam was going to tackle the climb to the top again, but the climb was actually closed due to strong winds. So next time!

Nice sunny weather is continuing. Cool nights, mild days. Lovely (but need to rug up when heading the toilets/showers at night!)

We had the car serviced in Cairns and since then it has been leaking oil- something wasn’t put back properly- we are now stopping in Alice to get the car serviced again and make sure all is right before continuing on towards Darwin.

Having lots fun and often reminding ourselves how lucky we are to be on this trip!! After the past week, we are also tired and looking forward to a break from the caravan soon, maybe even a hotel for a night so we can sleep in a proper size bed and I can have a bath!

Hope all is going well in your part of the world and please stay in touch.

Love and best wishes,
Emma & Adam xx