Uluru

From Jabiru, we 'blitzed' it to Devil's Marbles. We spent a night at Mataranka & floated down the Bitter Springs - we were all a little 'windy' but didn't see any snakes, nor, unfortunately, was there any Aboriginal kids to teach us new 'tricks'. It was a lovely way to wash away the 'dust & toils' of our travels though! We left at dark to travel our longest distance to date - 650 odd kms to Devil's Marbles. It was an amazing place! The rock formations made you really think that some 'supernatural being' had been playing with the rocks, got bored, and had left for more interesting pastimes! There were two slight 'inconviences' - the heat (about 40 degrees when we arrived & the very smelly loos!). We took 'shelter' in the rocks until it cooled a little & then explored the incredible terrain. We had another early start to reach Alice Springs. I wouldn't quite call it an 'oasis in the desert' but it is certainly surrounded by the 'barren' McDonald Range & sits in the 'valley' of these ranges. The ranges have more to offer than the town - depending on your preference of course! We saw Simpson's Gap, complete with the highly camouflaged Rock Wallaby (cute wee marsupials they are!). We had picked up John's sister, Jill, by this time, so our party consisted of the Tidy family, Nanny & Jill - great to be travelling with others who are keen to see 'virgin territory' as much as we are! We left Alice Springs & took some time to reach Yulara (the township that has been built to service Uluru & Kata Tjuta - The Olgas). We saw Dinky, The Singing Dingo at Stuart Well & made camp in time to see the sunset over Kata Tjuta & Uluru - spectacular! Today we have walked & run around the base of Uluru (John, Nic & I ran the 10.6kms & Jill, Nanny & Catherine walked it). It is truly 'amazing'. Difficult to describe Uluru - it is a huge rock, it is amazing to watch the colours change from sunrise to the late afternoon & sunset, but it is more than that - if you haven't yet been - you need to - especially if you are Australian or now call Australia home or if you want to see one of the 'world wonders'!
We didn't climb Uluru - for a few reasons - it is not encouraged in any way, it is bloody steep and the climb was closed! It will be your decision to climb or not when you visit (unless it is made for you).
We had a short walk into Kata Tjuta but sadly our time constraints didn't allow a more thorough walk - but, we've found with our travels, that you do what you can! We had a truly awesome day!
I have to mention that we again 'treated' ourselves to an original Aboriginal painting - we even got to meet the artist - fabulous! and what a souvenir of our trip in Qld & NT!
So tomorrow we are back to Alice Springs - to drop Jill to the airport on Thursday, then to Mt Isa, to drop Nanny to the Airport to Brisbane early Oct & we will be making our way to Cairns - where we will find jobs & look after my sister, Liv & her hubby, Ben's, house until we make our way home.
Not thinking about home & the real world yet but if any teachers who read this & who know of any work for 2013 - let me know!
Love you all - trust your lives are as fulfilling as ours are!