March 5, 2012 Mon Day 25 Ayer's Rock

G'day

                                   Up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise on Uluru on the other side.
                                       Again coffee and cookies outside while we watched.

After the sunrise we walked a couple of trails around Uluru.   Uluru / Ayers Rock rises 348 meters from the desert and has a girth of 9.4 km.

We did an hour walk, then drove to the other side and walked another hour.  Majestic.
The heat of the day was setting in and we drove back to the campground for a swim. Temperature was only 30 today.  Last week 42.

Beautiful blue beetle

Uluru
As we walked closer, it was was more irregular than we imagined, more curves, divots and wavelike ribs.
I  could spend quite a lot of time here--possibly a worryingly large amount of time;
 possibly a sell-your-house-and-move-here-to-live-in-a-tent amount of time.
We also debated to check out the spot where you can climb up it.  It takes several hours and much exertion, which comfortably eliminated it from our consideration. 

Had to climb Uluru...a bit. 

Red River Gum 

Yes Janice, I have my walking shoes on. 

Rock formations were unbelievable.  Each one came with a story. 

Forgot the name of this one. 

6 months old. 

                                   At 5:30 we were picked up by a shuttle bus to a camel ranch.

Peter's sister Betty bought this car for herself.  She never drove it but Peter did, so
she gave it to him.  It's a 1949 Austin A40. Peter's first car. 

Marcel's camel getting up. 

If only the camels could talk...love their expressions.  

Sneaky look on this camel's face. 

"You got something to eat for me?"

Peter and Immy were in another group.  They are the third and fourth riders.  

Immy loved the ride.  Smiling from ear to ear. 

And still smiling. 

End of the ride. 

Saying goodbye to my camel Taz.   

We had about an 1 1/2 hr camel ride through the desert to watch the sunset on Uluru.  When we got back to the ranch there was beer, champagne, cold drinks, beer bread and a variety of snacks.  We all loved it.
 On the ride we all kept our eyes out for wild camels, but hard to see when they are laying down.

We are exhausted after the busy day.  Only played 2 games of euchre.  Bedtime.
Love to all.  Goodnight.