Ayer's Rock

Hey Blogaroni Followers!

I am SO sorry we haven't written anything in a day and a half. We got to the Outback (Ayer's Rock) yesterday morning, and have very limited Internet (and phone) service here. It's pretty desolate. There are only 4 small hotels, and it's the down season, so very few travelers.

We have a nice room overlooking Ayer's Rock (The World's largest rock). See above photos. The nights are filled with shining stars and the mornings with beautiful birds. The only down side of this part of Australia are the many, many flies! We are constantly under attack. We had no choice but to buy nets that protect our faces from these annoying insects. We look pretty funny in them (see above photos), but it's the only refuge we have.

We started the day off with a walking tour of The Olgas (Kata Tjuta). Temperatures neared 100 degrees. We then continued on our Outback adventure with a sunset tour of Ayer's Rock (Uluru). We were supplied with a choice of White or Red wines, crackers and cheese to indulge in while watching the sunset.

The world's largest rock sounds boring, but it's an absolutely amazing sight.
We then came back to the hotel, watched CSI Miami, and, as the commercial notes, "The Most Popular Show in Australia", "Underbelly". Picture a Spanish Telenovela, but in English...LOTS OF DRAMA.

Day two in Ayer's Rock started very, very early; and even earlier for some. There is an hour and half time difference between Ayer's Rock and Sydney. Some of us, (Claudia!) did not change the time on their phones or watches, therefore making everyone get up at 3:00 for a 4:30 A.M. wake up call! Panama Jack was all dressed and ready to go, but an hour and a half early! We went back to bed, and woke up at the original call time of 4:30 A.M. and were on the tour bus at 5:10 A.M. for a sunrise tour of Ayer's Rock. The sunrise was nice, see pics below. We drank the free Nescafe and crackers and awaited the next activity, which was a walking tour of the interior of Ayer's Rock.

We have been waiting and waiting to see the following:
1) A Kangaroo
2) A Koala
3) An Aboriginal tribe member
4) A Dingoe

We finally got to see one of the above mentioned...can you guess which one?

Upon entering the Cultural Center (aka where they sell the REALLY expensive souvenirs) of Ayer's Rock, we saw three Aboriginal women, whom were also artists. We didn't say anything to them, I think the sight of them had the three of us awestruck. We've been taught through our tours that the Aborigines people are very highly respected, and are NOT to me made any mockery of. So we felt strange even staring their way. But they are very, ummm, indigenous looking.

OK, so since my $10 is going to run out soon, I will leave you with some more pictures. We are off to Cairne's tomorrow afternoon, and will hopefully have better access to the Internet.

Thanks so much for logging on!!!

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- The NYC Aussie Trio