Mick dropped me at Castlemaine at 6.45 am to get the Airport Coach to Melbourne airport for the 9.30.am flight to Uluru. Our flight was three hours but with time difference arrived at 11.30. Booked into The Pioneer Outback hostile. I am in a 20 bed female dorm. A little anxious due to the fact I do snore a little so my daughters tell me! The complex is fab we have a pool which I immediately went for a dip whilst waiting for room to be ready. Walked up to viewing point with Keria one of the girls from the dorm, surprise surprise we all got chatting to Eric from San Diego, and Justin from Vancover and had a night in the bar comparing travel stories.
Wednesday 2nd
Most of the girls all got up early to do sunrise tour. I went on Desert Garden tour learning nag about Women's work gathering berries and seeds he was a very knowledgeable and funny Aboriginal, then a demonstration on boomerangs. Had lunch the went to my Dot Dot lesson and produced a masterpiece!
Back at the bar chatting to a very nice lady Sam from Hawaii. She had a car so went off to see the sun set again from a different view point. It is quite breathtaking how the rock changes colour as the sun hits it turning bright red. Back at the bar for another beer! She is doing a 7 month trip and will be in UK next May so another visitor on my boat.
Thursday 3rd
My turn to be up early alarm went ar 3.50 to get bus out to The Red Rock. Viewed Sunrise absolutely fabulous again the rock just changes.
Dropped off at 7am at the Cultural Centre then walked across bush for one of the young fellers to give us a guided tour around base point. Zoe he reminded me of your Ian very kind and gentle, and long hair!
Really interesting he told of his story from creation and the learnings he has had from his Grandfather. Men's work and women's work (which he claimed he knew nothing about!). Australia is trying real hard to give back land to the indigenous folk but I feel the Western ways have already taking over many old way. The past is the past, future?
Then joined a nice German couple to walk round part of the rock. Got back at 12am knackered and nearly out of water. Saw some wonderful rock formations all with stories to be told.
Back at hostel had nice lunch the flacked out round the pool.
Catching up with blog before going on a Camal Safari tonight, at Sunset. We first fed the babies they drink up to 15/20 litres of calves milk really sweet.
The camels, mine was called Saxiifrage he chewed his cud well and he was a good ride,slowly we plodded up the sandy paths to watch the sunset then headed back for our tucker of damper bread with oil and Dukka. Fresh dates as many glasses of red wine as we wanted, strangely enough two is enough of in the heat. Back to the hostel for a shower, get rid of camel spit and smell, then a beer at the bar with a great American couple, from New York, who had been the on the Camel Safari.
When they left Sam and Laura found me to have a beer with so got to bed late. Never mind. The only big problem staying in the backpackers dorms is that the toilet block was bloody miles away, so as soon as anyone disturbed my kip I was up and away!! But all in all a wonderful way to meet people and make and enjoy new friendships.
Our flight left at 11 am so up, had a good breakie and a walk into The Market Place for some more souvenirs! Bags pretty full.
Back at Bendigo after a short coach trip and a longer train ride, joined M & E in The Queens Head for a beer. Back at The Shed someone has turned the sun up it was really warm 35 or so. Even as tired as I was just could not sleep. Lots on my mind. Should I pop down to Wagga Wagga in the Snowies to meet a friend. Another fishy tail!
Saturday 5th
Woke about 8am very hot and breeze less, as Mick says 'Welcome to Australia' having a really quiet one drinking plenty of water and lemon.
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