The Outback: Urulu or Ayers Rock

After a fond farewell to the Majestic Princess this morning, we disembarked the ship and traveled via bus to Sydney Airport where we caught a 3+ hour flight into the outback to visit Urula/Ayers Rock. After touching down at the single-strip Airport, we took a 10 minute bus ride to our accommodations at the Sails in the Desert resort where we had the chance to freshen up a bit ahead of our tour of the aboriginal culture center and tour of the Rock. A single piece of sandstone 350 meters tall and 15 kilometers in circumference, Urulu is very sacred ground to the local indigenous tribes, and forms the basis for much of the people's beliefs. The place is stunning in size and scope and we were left in awe of the sheer volume of the monument. Following a couple stops at various points of interest (watering hole, petroglyph overhang) we drove around the entire dock and then arrived at a sunset viewing area. There we were treated to champagne and appetizers while we watched the changing colors of the Rock as the sun set.

While we were there, local tribes people were selling some beautiful traditional art work that held special symbolic meaning. We found a piece by this local artist, Emma Nelson, that we liked, and purchased it from her. Although the indigenous locals do not like their pictures taken, since we had purchased from her, she consented to a photo. The picture represents a medicinal plant traditionally used for skin rashes and scrapes. We just liked the design and colors of the work. 

Tomorrow we get up extra early and travel back to the Rock to watch the colors change on the rock with the rising sun, then return for a buffet breakfast and a flight to Alice Springs, then on to Darwin tomorrow night.

Oh, and p.s., the temp here today was between 105° and 107°. But it's a *dry* heat. 😉  So dry, in fact  that before some rain they got a couple weeks ago, it hadn't rained in 163 straight days. 😮