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The Outback...
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Thursday morning was a nightmare! Up before 6 to make sure we got to the airport on time for Steve-o's plane to Sydney... Luckily for us, as 'relatives' we got to go with him into the QANTAS frequent fliers lounge and enjoy a luxury breakfast that helped pass the time before our 11'o'clock flight to Ayers Rock... The flight itself was uneventful although Ben was horrified when we were told there was no 'vege' alternative.
And so we landed at Ayers Rock Airport - a landing strip, a baggage room and not much else. Checking into the Outback Pioneer Hotel, we booked a Sunset Tour of Kata Tjuta and a Sunrise Tour of Ayers Rock the next morning, an expense we'd stupidly forgot to budget for... we were feeling the holes in our pockets, especially when we were asked to stump up a further $25 for National Park Entry!
We set off for the Olgas late afternoon - first visiting the 'Dunes' where you can get a nice overlook of the formation... this was the start of the fly infestation that was to follow us around for the next 24 hours... not pleasant at all! Thankfully I'd remembered to pack Gail's fly net which is probably the most useful thing I've brought with me so far. We went for a walk through the formation - possibly a more sacred sight than Ayers Rock to the Aboriginal people. Then followed sunset, a bit further back that allowed for some very nice photos... The evening provided our first taste of real 'backpacking' and staying in a hostel for the first time - we had to share our room with other people! Before bed however we played a few games of pool with the weird locals and chatted to some funny German girls - one was very attractive, the other wasn't.
The next morning we woke up bare early to climb the Rock, probably the highest mountain in the whole of the world! We saw the sunrise and the magnificent colour changes, before heading to the foot of the mountain to begin an epic trek. The start was easy, but then the steep bit began: they give you a chain to help and how useful it is! At the top of the chain lies Chicken's Rock - the place where those with no stamina stop their climb... I almost gave up, letting Ben continue and almost collapsing. But then I decided that I'd probably never be back and so chatting to a nice Chinese Couple we helped each other up and finally, much to Ben's disappointment, I reached the top, in my Personal Best time!
Once we'd taken some photos and made our way down the rock it was time to leave Ayers Rock and head to Alice Springs on the coach. I took no photos of Alice Springs and will comment little on it as it was a bit of a waste of time... lots of scary Abo's and very little to do. However we did meet the best pool player in the world! His name was Mark and he was the best - he told us that he'd played the night before and 7-balled his opponent twice in a row before potting the black on the break the frame after. I played him and lost. We flew back to Melbourne the next afternoon and decided to stay up all night to avoid paying for a hostel as we were catching the bus at 6.15 the Sunday morning... we watched the FA Cup Final and then continued the epic Pool match - Ben won 9-1 on the night as I found myself playing in a state of unconsciousness brought about by not sleeping enough. My own fault - no excuse. Series stood at 22-10.
So the next chapter will tell you lucky people all about the journey to Sydney - and you definitely want to hear about it! Until then, those of you with exams good luck, those of you with work ha ha ha, and those of you travelling round the globe keep having fun! All the love in the whole world, Phil More thumbnails ...
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