To Uluru

Uaah, 5.30am is an early start. But it was worth it, when we reached the Outcrops of the Stuart Ranges we had amazing views of the landscape in the morning sun, the moon still up. The landscape changed again dramatically, now everything was deep red, just a few green bushes around.
For lunch we stopped at the border of SA and the NT where we had sandwiches and a extensive photo session … the first of a few …
Kev had come up with a game, the wheel of fortune. Each time we stopped the position of one wheel marked a number of the passenger list and the two designated persons had to do funny things like hopping around the bus like a kangaroo.
We also went past an Aboriginal community to visit their art gallery but unfortunately it was abandoned. The community members must have been off to a ceremony or something alike. Those communities are quite traditional, they only have teachers for basic maths and English and medical support. Normally no white people are allowed to enter those areas, heavy penalties apply. I wasn’t allowed to take any photos because Aboriginals think that their soul can’t rest once they’re dead if they are shown around on a photo. The little village was very dirty, lots of wrecked and burnt car corpses and rubbish everywhere. A view little kids waved to us but that was the only sign that there was actually someone living there.
Following the Lasseter Highway, we rushed towards THE mountain, Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock but now officially renamed to its Aboriginal name). Lasseter was a guy who apparently found a huge amount of gold but wasn’t able to carry it all back so he returned to civilization to get more camels. But when he came back to the outback he wasn’t able to find the spot anymore but instead met some Aboriginals which was the first encounter of a white man and Aboriginals. They obviously couldn’t understand each other but he followed them on their way from water hole to water hole and ate what they ate – not quite. At some point he must have eaten some poisonous berries (the desert is full of food but you have to know when you can eat what) and he eventually died. His body was found although there are doubts that it is really his.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta (question: which famous American TV star resembles the shape of Kata Tjuta? Hint: the person is male and laying on his back) are both located within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. All visitors have to stay in Yulara, a little town and resort now owned by an American company. The resort features accommodation, a pool and facilities. From the local lookout we watched Uluru in the light of the setting sun we actually missed sunset by a few minutes but it was nevertheless amazing.
The day ended with a great stir fry and some beer before a short night in our swags.