Up early, and drove 100kms to Uluru, in order to make an early start on the climb.

At 7AM, there were already hordes of people on the climb, including many Japanese tourists.  It proved to be a steep and quite exposed climb, albeit most of the way was protected by a large metal chain affixed to steel poles. In fact, it was easier to walk up the side of the path, thus avoiding the other climbers and also not having to lift the low hanging chain.

Inevitably, we met “Pete from Geelong” at the top of the chain section, and he looked somewhat knackered – 40 years of smoking, he explained. “Pete from Bangkok” was also struggling a bit from the after-effects of his chest infection. But, the views were stunning, and especially of “The Olgas” (Kata Tjuta) 40kms away to the west.  The climb across the top of the rock to the summit itself was quite tiring, as one traversed a series of gullies. Anyway, we made it – and back down too!

We rewarded ourselves with a light lunch and coffee at the “village square” coffee shop in the Yulara resort.  Pete struck up a conversation with some motorcyclists who were riding east to west across Australia. They droned on about scramblers, aspirated what-nots, blah-blah suspensions, .. that kind of thing.  One guy, travelling at 95kph at the time , had hit a kangaroo which leapt into his bike. He was very lucky not to have a serious crash and managed to stay on the bike. The kangaroo was far less fortunate (RIP).

After lunch, we went west to “The Olgas” (Kata Tjuta), and photographed and viewed these beautiful, dome-shaped mountains (hills?) that appear purple in some lights.  We decided not to photograph Uluru at sunset; it had already been a very long day. So, we returned post haste to Curtin Springs, and cooked ourselves an excellent steak dinner (arguably better than the one we had at King’s Canyon resort).