Ayers Rock: Flying over the skies

Amongst the clouds

Uluru - Bird Eye View

As I sat on the plane heading back to Sydney,
The pilot kindly flew over Uluru for one last look.
I seize the moment
To have another Get away shot
of this Sacred Rocky Formation

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Ayers Rock: The Vast Skies

Magnificent Skies



Looming Clouds



The thing about skies and clouds

I can never get sick of watching them

It was one of those late afternoon that I strolled aimlessly around

The day started clear and blue,

And I was there to witness the raging clouds that washes across the skies

Threatening to bring the rain that never came.

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Ayers Rock: Different Times, Different Looks

Uluru Sunrise

I wanted to show the color variations but I guess I didnt time it very well today

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During my hike up the rocky formations

I was astounded by the vast constrast of colours for the same spot.

All that was different was the position and intensity of the sun

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One of my fav moments.

We huddled up together before 5am at the viewing spot

For the sun to rise and shine on Uluru.

While everyone elses' eyes were tuned and glued to Uluru,

I turned behind me,

And gasped at the spectacular change in colors before me as the morn sun beckons.

To me

It was simply magical

I was overjoyed to witness .

The breathtaking moment belongs to me alone that morning.

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Ayers Rock: Taking a Rest

Resting with the Natives

As I sat in the shade waiting for my ride,

These little birds came fluttering and rested next to me

They didnt seem to mind this silly ole me

With my trembling hands

Pounding heart

Leaning forward quietly

With heart felt prayers that they wont fly away before I snap this shot.

Minutes after this shot was taken

A korean boy started to cry and kick up a nasty tantrum

My little friends flew away.

I wished they could have sit with me a little while longer...

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Ayers Rock: Heading to Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area

Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area

Another Quick Snapshot from the Unobstructed Front of the Moving Coach

I love the challenge and,

The satisfaction of getting a good shot

From a moving vehicle

There are no 2nd try

There is no room for hesitation

You just have to sieze the moment and hope for the best.

It's pretty much like living our life isnt it?

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Ayers Rock: Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge

Heading to Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area

Formerly known as Olga Gorge,
Walpa (meaning windy) Gorge is a desert refuge for plants and animals.
The rocky track gently rises along a moisture rich gully,
passing inconspicuous rare plants and ending at a grove of flourishing spearwood.



Brillant Sunset



A great treat after another hour walk for the 2.6km of Walpa Gorge.

The walk wasnt easy.

The ground was slopping at some parts, a challenge to walk 

Hot sun mercilessly shines on my back,

Scorchingly unbearable at 3pm

The air is very dry, making it hard to breathe as one sped up the lookout point.

The wind at times blows unrelentlessly at anything in its way.

Everything seems sweeter

When you have worked for it.

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Ayers Rock: Skull Formation

Uluru - Snapshot from the coach

As the bus started its bus tour and headed towards Kata Tjuta formation,

The guide pointed out one of the sacred side of Uluru,

Amazingly, it looks just like a human skull formation on the left.

more creation stories


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Ayers Rock : Mutitjula Waterhole

Mutitjula Waterhole

Had only 15mins to 9.30am and

I figured there wasnt time to make it back to the carpark to board the bus.
So instead, waited at the Mutitjula Waterhole, one of the designated stop for the bus guide.

The good thing about being there before the herds of tour buses,

Is to have the place mainly to yourself with little interruption.

Nature is an art in itself.

How else would a heart find its way on the rock wall?

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Ayers Rock: cave Paintings

Cave Drawings

The entrance to the cave painting had a rock formation shaped like a python. 
Story has it that there was a battle between the python snake Kuniya and the warrior snake Liru,
 that had killed her nephew.
So in vengence and anger, Kuniya battled the Liru snake here at this spot.
I didnt know why some of the people couldnt see the snake at all...
I guess that's what they meant by different perspective in life.




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Ayers Rock: Base Walk - The Lone Tree

The lone tree

I have an obsession for all things dead and dry -

The beauty of its simplicity,

Devoid of excessive colors

Strip bare of frivolous distractions.

They signify the cycle of life.

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Ayers Rock: Uluru Base Walk - Fallen Pieces

Uluru - The fallen pieces




The wind was incredibly strong this morning.
Yet after over an hour, it started to get pretty warm
And battling against the sand getting into my eyes was a true challenge
As the wind constantly whips them up from the road.
And I forgot my shades...


I took this shot simply because I love seeing how all the little fallen pieces,
 gathered round at the base, with the giant red hue contrasting against the brillant blue.
A notion cross my mind then,
Every magnificent structure is made of million small singular unit.


While we all know the saying that
"Apples never fall far from the tree"
In this case,
"Little rocks never fall far from the mountain"




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Ayers Rock: Uluru Base Walk



Uluru - Walking round the Base



The agenda after the sunrise was touring the Uluru Base.

I didnt realise that the base tour had not included the actual base walk,

which actually encompasses the circumference of the rock formation.

Instead, the base tour was just having the tour bus driving round explaining the different sites.

The bus departs at 2 timings, one was 7.30am and the other 9.30am.

So we had the 2 hours free and easy time to do our own walk if we are fit enough. Unhesitatingly, I knew I would be doing the walk.

I wont miss it for the world. 

I didnt come all the way to sit in a bus to enjoy the gift of nature.

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Ayers Rock: Uluru Sunset



Uluru

After a super packed day of non stop walking and climbing,
 It was time to have another sunset view of Uluru tonight.
I can finally rest my feet to view the sunset after 12 hours of non stop walking!


Most people came to see Uluru.
Yet what I had come to love was the blood red pasture surrounding Uluru...
The beauty of the sunset, the colors looks spectacularly different every 5 mins.


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Ayers Rock: Sunset View

Sunset


The sunset view opposite of K.T.
I love the golden orange spread in the sky with tinge of pink hues that envelopes the skyline.
While I was taking the shot,
I began to think of the old Fuji Film TV Advertisement "Wonderful world"
And if I have a giffare in the shot, that would complete the ourback wilderness look :)


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Ayers Rock: Guides of the Day

Cheers Mate!

Our guides of the day, presenting Leah and Meagan.

Preparing our cold drinks and munchies,

while we wait for the sun to set.

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Ayers Rock: Uluru - Gaping Hole

Uluru :Base Walk - Gaping Hole


The wonder never ceases.

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Ayers Rock: Sunset of Kata Tjuta

Sunset of Kata Tjuta


After the tiring but statisfying climb up to Valley of the winds,
It was time to view the sunset of Kata Tjuta before heading out for our Aussie BBQ for dinner.
To be honest,
I thought the sunset of K.T has more character than to Uluru.
Perhaps it is the differing shapes and sizes of the domes and the shadow plays that gives it the edge..

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Ayers Rock: Karu Lookout Point

Karu (1st) Lookout is 1.1 km from the carpark.

Moving on to Karingana (2nd) Lookout, challenging but worthwhile trek.

For the unfit, I really wont recommend this walk.

 At times steep slopes, without safety nets or ropes, navigate to step on solid rocks, 

Avoid the loose gravels as much as possible to avoid accidental fall.

People have injured themselves before,

And some dehydrated from forgetting to drink water.

But when you made it to the stop after all the sweat and toil, it was absolutely worthwhile. 

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Ayers Rock : Landscape View

Ayers Rock Landscape - View from Moving Coach

What can I say?

I just love the colors of nature.

Sienna Burnt Brown, Yellowish Green, Vibrant Blue to Fluffy Whites...

Can't get enough of it.

The coach is heading to Valley of the Wind,

To bring me to the starting point of my power walk up K.T.

The sky is extremely blue and clear today.

Reckon it will be another typical hot sunny outback day.

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Ayers Rock: Catching the Uluru Sunrise

Timing the shot

It was an exciting morning

Everyone crowd round waiting to have the "perfect shot"

Of the magnificent sunrise over Uluru.