Ayers Rock / Uluru
View of Ayers Rock or Uluru from above - not formed like a bread as we thought, but
rather oval - with no real narrow side to see! (postcard view)
That is how we all know Uluru - but what we did not expect were the numerous bushfires
all over Uluru National Park.
Sabine and Gerhard in front of Uluru and one of the bushfires.
Uluru visitors centre - had to be evacuated due to the bushfires soon after we came
there. The bushfires were so severe that it was not sure if we could see the sunset change
colours on Uluru. There were plans to evacuate the entire National Park due to the fire.
Fortunately, the fires turned and we could see the famous sunset. Sitting on top of
the OKA, we were almost as big an attraction for the masses of tourists taken here by
comfortable coaches from the resorts nearby in the "artificial" settlement of Yulara (only
created for the tourists). Anyway, they were distracted from the spectacular view by crackers,
cheese and champagne which was offered by their drivers in white socks (or other personnel)
on camping tables with white tablecloths...
However, we also had crackers and cheese AND a much better view over the heads of the
all the hundreds of other tourists and their coaches!!!
Next morning, breakfast on top of the bus!
We watched the sun rise behind Uluru - in contrast to all the other ones which
watch it from the opposite side. Fascinating to see the silhouette like this!
Uluru sunrise.
Uluru sunrise.
Start of Uluru climb. See all the people climbing Uluru like ants? The Aboriginal people
don't like tourists climbing Uluru. For them, Uluru is a holy site and only special people
have been allowed traditionnally to climb Uluru.
Climbing Uluru is not only strenuous due to the heat and unavailability of facilities
along the way, but also highly dangerous. More than 70 people have already died here -
heart attack, heat stroke, fallen down... The Aboriginal people believe that their souls
will remain at Uluru as evil spirits. There is only one chain to hold on to, and right
and left of the narrow path there are steep slopes. There are no rules of who must go right
or left (down and up), and masses of people are climbing. Furthermore, there are most often
strong winds and very high temperatures, even in the morning. Uluru climb is closed very
often, and might be closed for good some time in the future.
For all visitors respecting the Aboriginal traditions and wishes, there is an alternative:
the Uluru Basewalk. It takes about 2-3 hours to round Uluru, and to be honest, this walk is
already strenuous. You need to carry a lot of water with you in order not to suffer of
dehydration, even when starting the walk at about 7 am like we did.
The majority of our tour group decided to do the Uluru basewalk - and were not disappointed.
This is the best way to see all the details Uluru has to offer! (What can you see from the
top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere???) In the rainy season, there are majestic
waterfalls at spots like this one, as we all can imagine.
At some spots it was not allowed to take pictures because they are holy sites for the
Aboriginal people. Still, there were many fascinating details left as you can see on this
page. Here, Uluru looks like a giant wave transformed into stone.
Uluru.
Uluru - in caves like this, young Aboriginals were introduced to community in ritual
events. Women and men had their separate places. Sites like this one may not be photographed
from close by.
Uluru.
One of the holiest details and sites of Uluru - the brain (at the time we took the photo, we
did not yet know that it was).
Uluru detail - this looks like a giant pipe. Speaking of pipes and water: All waterholes that we found on the basewalk
were empty or had very little water.
The Olgas or Kata Tjuta seen from Uluru.
On the basewalk, a few caves like this can be found...
...all with paintings like these ones. Most of them were used to teach the young. This
was usually done by the grandparents, as the parents had to go hunting.
Aboriginal paintings at Uluru.
