Outback Jeff and The Legend of Ayers Rock begins...
The team leaves Alice Springs to head out into the Outback for 3 days.
But not before a quick break for supplies. Um, sorry, "Gaytime" icecream? And its pink? Really? I had to take a picture of this.
Our first adventure? Getting stranded in the Outback. No, really, I'm not kidding. Our truck broke down and left us stranded. Here, Anna (Sweden), Martina (Switzerland) and I explore the surrounding area.
Aside from Mt. Conner in the distance, there really wasn't much here.
Just a VERY long road.
Fortunately, we were not far from the Curtain Springs Cattle Station, where the whole group was able to wait it out while we waited for help.
Our first view of Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) - the sacred aboriginal site that I had come to understand the history of. It is also famous as a natural wonder of the world for being the largest contiguous rock formation in the world.
The Uluru climb. The aborigines prefer that you do not climb because they view the location as sacred and because many people have died in doing so. High winds and temperatures at the summit cause it to be closed 75% of the year anyway.
Yes, that's alive. Just strolling by.
I don't think the postcards do justice to how incredibly large Ayers rock is when you get close to it.
Aboriginal markings left on the cave walls of Uluru are still used today as teaching tools for aborginal youth.
A "wave" cave. Created by errosion of wind over time against the edges of the rock.
Our guide Steve retells the stories of the Anangu people to us.
The black marks are tracks that water flows down on the occasions when it does rain.
Like I said. HUGE.
Champaign toast while watching the sunset over Uluru.
Team Outback as the sun sets over Uluru.
The sunset behind Kata Tjuta, another sacred rock formation.
Outback Jeff and the Sunset over Ayers Rock.
The team prepares dinner at our first campsite.
Campsite 1
This can't be good...
We slept in swags (Australian bedrolls) around the fire. No tents, just directly under the stars.
The sunsets were amazing.
So were the sunrises. Here Mathias (Germany) and I watch the sunrise over Ayers Rock.
The sunrise over Kata Tjuta, where we would hike to later that day.
Laura (Australia) and I as the sun rises over Uluru in the background.
Hiking Kata Tjuta
The canyons of Kata Tjuta
The rockwalls of Kata Tjuta, like Uluru, were covered with unique marks and holes caused by various forms of geological errosion (or perhaps by the Anangu ancestors during "The Dreamtime")
The face of Mala Wathi, the guardian of the Mala people, where he rests on the side of Uluru.
Another side of Uluru.
Serpent Rock
Mutitjulu - the largest permanent watering hole at the base of Uluru. Formed by the rock channeling what little rain there is together into one location.
The Outback's "Red Center" truly has super red Mars-like dirt.
One of several huge salt lakes that were a major barrier to early explorers of the region.
2nd night campsite
Exactly what my sleeping accomodations looked like for those who are curious. Honestly it was some of the best nights of sleep I've ever had.
King's Canyon - our next mission!
This is the archway from the movie, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert". Acting a little flamboyant was mandatory.
Fossilized proof that the entire red center used to be a giant sea.
Mini-Kata Tjuta like rock formations within King's Canyon.
The Watering Hole at the Garden of Eden, a lush area of water and plantlife hidden within the middle of the canyon and thriving amongst what it otherwise a barran desert in every direction.
Ok, come on! This HAS to be a secret passage!
Great view of the flatness and utter emptiness of the Outback.
Ok, so now I was a little tired.
Though not as tired a Laura and Jess...
The Giles Track - 100 kilometers of dirt road. We road over this at over 65mph - a very bumpy ride!
First though, a break to whip out the boomerangs for some Outback-style shootin!
On the road along the Giles Track
Anna (Sweden), Stephanie and Peter (Australia), Karen (Ireland), Sarah (Germany) and I sitting down to recover back at Alice Springs with a dinner of Kangaroo, Emu, Camel and Crocodile!
The Todd River that runs through Alice Springs. Yes, I know, its dry. Evidently, it usually is.
