We we reached Uluru, we had 2 options: Take the long walk all the way around the rock (about 7.4k) or go to the climb and see if it was open. They sometimes close the climb if the winds are too high, and it was pretty windy on the ground when we got there. We had always planned on doing the long walk and seeing everything, though I will admit I was tempted to do the climb. The Aborigianal people HATE when tourists climb the rock, but they are more dependant on the tourism $$ so they begrudgingly allow it.
When Paul stopped the bus for the long walk, Clarice and I jumped up ready to go. Everyone else sat there probably thinking, "The bus sure is warm and it is pretty early, isn't it?" Losers! The sun was just coming up as we started and as it rose the colors changed dramatically.
I was lining up the last shot above (I swear I see Darth Vader in profile!) when Clarice says, in a boring statement voice like it happens every day, "Camels." You really had to be there! It was so funny.Clarice - "Camels."
Jon - "What?"
Clarice - "Camels. Wait! CAMELS!!!"
I had zoomed in on "Darth Vader" and the camera setting were all wrong so when I finally realized she had seen 3 camels calmy trotting right between us and the rock...none of the pics came out. Bummer! Still, it's not every day you see wild camels up close.
From there we trekked around the rock. It is amazing how the contours change, the colors change, the slopes and curves changes, yet the rock is one giant chunk of sandstone.
I love the orange glow in the one of us. It was just at the height of the sunrise color. (And Ethan, that is a scarf on Clarice's head!) The photos above are shown in chronological order to try and give you some idea of the changes in colors and shapes. If you want more photos be sure to check out the slideshow on the right! ->After Uluru we went back to the camp to pack and grab some lunch. Then it was off in the direction of Kings Canyon, or destination for Sunday. We stopped at a few ranchs/cattle stations, as well as several lookouts with beautiful vistas of the outback region. The stop that evening was a Kings Cross Station where we had the opportunity to ride 4-wheelers in the outback! You know we jumped at that (the only ones in our group - losers!)!
By the time we got back to camp we were exhausted, but in a great mood. Paul had made homemade bread and honey glazed chicken over the fire and the entire group ate the fill as the sun slowly set. I got up to get my camera and Paul made his big mistake. "The shot would be better if you climbed on the roof of the bus." Next thing you know, 8 people are on top of the bus!
As you can imagine, we slept hard that night. Hope you are enjoying the photos as much as we did out trip! Stay tuned for day 3!
Jon
1 comment:
Beautiful shots Jon! You will have to find some wall space for enlargements. The four wheeling looked like fun.
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