Exploring Australia&NZ Day 9

Day 09 - Sunday, April 24, 2011 –Sunrise Visit to Uluru; Morning at Ayers Rock; Museum Visit; Flight to Sydney; Short Walk to Darling Harbor

Happy Easter! We woke up at 5:15, showered, and headed out to meet Darren and five other hardy souls to see the sunrise on Ayer’s Rock. Jim & May Ann, Sally & Frank, Mitch, and Gennie & I left the hotel at 6:00.

Driving to the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku Viewing Center, we arrived in plenty of time before sunrise. Raised platforms on the tallest sand dunes provided many locations for the daily event.

We were not surprised to find that the serious photographers were already set up with their tri-pods and cameras with huge lenses. It was cool; the temperature was 47º with the dawn humidity at 83%.

Gennie and I found a spot and enjoyed the sunrise behind us as well as the view of Ayer’s Rock emerging in the sunlight in front of us. We were also lucky to see three of the wild camels in the distance at the bottom of the red sandstone rocks.

Fifteen minutes after sunrise we hustled back to the bus and then returned to the hotel by 7:45. We finished packing and put our bags out before going down to a very nice Easter Buffet Breakfast.

We left the hotel at 9:30 with the whole group and drove back to the park. On the way Darren told us Aboriginal Folk Tales.

Our first discovery was the Mutitjulu Waterhole or Maggie’s Springs. Darren led us on a hike into the undergrowth around the bottom of Ayer’s Rock.

We found the spring and a very small waterfall as well as a cave with very impressive petroglyphs. This was really the first guided excursion we have had and it was very well done.

Our next stop was the Ayer’s Rock Cultural Center. Although no photographs were allowed in the compound or in the exhibit areas, we enjoyed seeing more of the culture of these First People of Australia.

Leigh gave us an hour to spend exploring. At 12:00 we were back on the bus and leaving Uluru one last time. The drive to the airport was only about 10 minutes so we arrived in plenty of time to check in for our 1:40 flight.

The flight left on time and there were several seats in the back which were vacant. We moved around and Gennie was able to take a few photos out the window for our final glimpse of Ayer’s Rock.

The flight to the coast and to Sydney took just under three hours. When we landed and claimed our luggage, we met our driver who took us to the hotel where we will stay for the next six days.

Originally we were scheduled to be in Sydney only four days but because of the earthquake in Christchurch, Odysseys Unlimited had to rearrange our schedule.

At 7:00 Leigh gave us a brief walking tour down to Darling Harbor so we could orient ourselves to the neighborhood. He pointed our several places to eat and things to do as we have many dinner meals on our own in Sydney.

After our orientation tour, we were on our own. We walked to the bridge, saw all of the Booze Cruises getting ready to sail, and then walked back to find a sandwich before making our way back to the hotel.

We finished the journal, chose the photos that represented our journey to Ayer’s Rock, and called it a day.

Accommodations: Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney - - - Meals: Breakfast

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