I have made it to the airport, early as always. Nobody is stopping me from getting on the plane!

After some last minute organizing I am ready to go. Thinking that I was traveling to somewhere warmer luckily I checked the weather in Uluru. Minus one last night with highs in the late teens and early twenties. I swapped out summer clothes to warmer options, especially since I have a few sunrise and sunset tours.

The flight from Sydney to Uluru (JQ660) was smooth, the weather good with views of Lake Eyre on the way. Arriving in the territory all passengers on the plane went through COVID screening (this took nearly as long as the flight! After checking into the Sails hotel and refueling with a club sandwich at the pool bar I walked to the lookout to see my first sunset over Uluru. Followed by a Bushman's Sour cocktail at the bar before heading back to my room.

It is amazing flying over the desert, the colours of the red earth, the white salt lakes and spotted green foliage. Lake Eyre was dry, last full of water in 2018 so just the white salt visible from the air.

COVID screening is a bit intense in the NT. All passengers from the plane needed to line up, show their border entry pass (completed previously with details of all towns visited over the last 28 days, along with the normal declaration around symptoms etc), then there was the temperature checking, then onto a public health official and police officer to show ID, details of the border pass again, a series of questions around locations visited and symptoms and then something new - they wanted to see bank statements for the last 14 days to verify that you have not spent money in locations that have not been listed on the border pass or in exposure locations. This involved logging into my online account for both debit and credit accounts and having someone review all of the transactions. Luckily I was one of the first off the plane so got through early, but then had to wait over an hour for everyone else to get through. The luggage did not come through until most people were through the screening process!

The hotel is not far from the airport so arrived just after 3pm. Starving, soon after checking in I headed to the pool bar to get something to eat. It was nice to get some sun and during the day it was warm, around 22 degrees. After settling into my room I headed out to see the rock at a lookout not far from the hotel. I was there around 5:30 and stayed to watch the sunset.

The colours of the rock changed throughout the whole time, from red to purple and everything in between. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of photos of this rock over the next few days! sorry in advance.

The temperature dropped along with the sun, so was pleased to get back inside the hotel. To warm myself up I stopped in at the bar and sampled one of their locally inspired cocktails - a bushmans sour.

After a bit of a sleep in and a breakfast at the hotel that would last all day I set of exploring in the morning, then a helicopter flight, followed by a sounds of silence sunset dinner and star gazing.

After a very big breakfast I started out on a walk. I was not really sure where I was headed, but thought I would try and find a look out point. I ended up walking about 5km, I did follow a trail that looked like it was headed up a ridge for a vantage point, however I came across a sign half way there saying 'danger shooting range'. I am not really sure if it was, but decided I would not take any chances.

Along the track a lot of wild flowers were starting to bloom. The hotel is amongst a number of different properties in an oval, with its own town centre. Capacity is around 50%, many of the staff were international that flew back home at the start of the pandemic so even though there is demand domestically, they don't necessarily have the staff to open everything back up.

Each morning starts with the sound of helicopters overhead, heading out on sunrise flights. I could not resist a helicopter flight so booked one in for the afternoon. It was amazing, a totally different perspective of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The helicopters are small, the trip I did had three passengers, guaranteeing everyone a window. I was lucky enough to sit in the front. The flight circles around the rock as aircraft are not permitted to fly over the middle. In the distance you could see the largest salt lake in the NT Amadeus and Mount Conner, sometimes mistaken for Uluru, off to the other side was the Mac Donnell ranges.

My next adventure was to Sounds of Silence. This tour left an hour before sunset, taking us to a location where over bubbly and canapes we watched the sun set over Uluru. Then a short walk to a location where tables were set up for dinner under the night sky, with a fire (and strategically placed heaters). Dinner was a mixture of local fares, from Kangaroo to Crocodile, Lemon Myrtle and various bush spices. The meal and wine was very good and I had great company at the table. In between the main meal and dessert, the lights on the table were turned off and the night sky was lit up by millions of stars. A short talk followed as we gazed at the southern cross and milky way. The moon was mostly dark, meaning the stars were even more visible in the night sky, including seeing a shooting star. A tour very much worth doing!

Sunday was a mostly free day, starting with a sunrise, but finished with a rainstorm, rainbow, sunset, more champagne and canapes and a tour of the field of lights.

The day started off with a sunrise over Uluru from a lookout close to the hotel. I am not sure if I have told you much about the weather, but the nights and early mornings are cold! Armed with my new jacket (that I am very happy with and has kept me warm) I headed off in the dark with my iphone torch towards the lookout. It was another beautiful display of colours across the sky and over the rock, I promise not to include too many more rock photos. Returning to the hotel a hot shower was needed to warm up before breakfast.

As the day warmed up I spent some relaxation time in the sun, on my balcony, near the pool (too cold for any swimming).

The day before I decided to change the date of my field of lights tour to tonight, not realising at the time how glad I would be. The tour took us to a lookout to watch the sunset over Uluru, as with most sunsets it included wine and canapes. As we were pulling up we could see dark clouds in the distance and we were sure it was going to rain. Luckily we only had a few drops, but what it created was an amazing rainbow. It did not last long but we first saw a double rainbow, right over the rock, then a full rainbow (too wide to capture on a photo) touching down and stretching across in the distance. This rainbow was not a common occurrence at the rock and was the talk of the staff. The first reason changing the tour date was meant to be!

After the light show in the sky, and the sunset the sky turned dark and the field of lights slowly started to light up. For those that have not heard of the field of lights, artist Bruce Munro has installed over 7 football fields in size, more than 50,000 globes. The globes continually change colour and pathways wind through the exhibition for us to walk through. Really hard to describe how amazing these are, especially located in the middle of the desert. Photos probably won't do it justice either.

It might take me a little while to put up some new photo's, I have a busy Schedule wanting to get an early night before yet another sunrise and my 'desert awakenings tour. I will also update you on Kings Canyon soon.

Another early start, this morning I am on my way to Kata Tjuta (some may know by the European name as the olgas) with 36 domes, first for the sunrise and then for a 4km walk / hike through the valley of the winds.

Leaving in the dark we board our mini bus to travel into the national park. The tours here are very well catered, we have a breakfast bag containing cereal, banana bread, nuts, muesli bar and juice. Stopping at the lookout car park we also had our choice of hot drink - coffee, tea or milo!

A short walk up the dune to reach the viewing platform where we could watch the sunrise over both kata Tjuta and Uluru. 

Then onto our hike, I really enjoyed Kata Tjuta, the valley of the winds hike was a grade 3 moderate walk, with two steep sections (more about those later). Half way into the walk there is a small clearing between the domes, there were plenty of birds, mostly zebra finches and budgerigars. There were also plenty of wildflowers out in bloom.

Now for the steep sections, basically a steep rock face with little natural steps, conquered by either leaning forward and almost running up the middle, on all fours or on the edge, where there are some footholds but also loose rock. Coming down could also be achieved by sliding down on your backside. I am pleased to say I made it both up and down without injury and the trick was to do it anyway that worked. The rest of the track was up and down rocky paths, certainly gave ankles, knees and hips a workout. Little did I know it would be good training for my rim walk the following day! The effort was definitely worth it with wonderful views.

the tour returned at around 12:30, just in time for my connection to Kings Canyon.

I checked out of my hotel, Sails of the Desert in the morning as I was headed to Kings Canyon for the night. Leaving around 1pm on a coach we headed off on a 4 hour drive. Arriving just in time to watch the sunset, eating at the thirsty dingo pub and an early night before yes you guessed it, another pre sunrise departure to the canyon for a walk around the rim. Afterwards getting back on a coach to return to Uluru.

 The bus trip out to King’s Canyon was good, it was nice to watch the landscape go by. During the trip I saw wild camels, horses and a dingo. We stopped at Curtin Springs station along the way, a quick toilet stop as well as a photo stop for mount Connor and a salt lake. We arrived at Kings Canyon resort just before sunset. I walked across to a small viewing platform where people gathered to watch the sunset. The lookout had its own bar, or I should say a small caravan serving drinks. There is not much at the canyon, the resort which has some cabins, a camp ground, service station and a pub. People have come from far and wide, all with stories from their travels and speaking their own language around their cars and vans. The sunset again was spectacular with the canyon in the distance and sky changing colour as the sun set. 

Dinner was at the thirsty dingo pub, then an early night before another very early start in the morning. The hotel was comfortable enough and I slept well after a very tiring day.

Leaving in the dark, the temperature was below zero, the good news was that by the time we reached the canyon it had warmed up to one degree. There were two hiking options, I chose to do the rim walk. This is a 7km walk around the rim of the canyon, the catch is that you have to walk from the canyon floor up to the top first. The first section is around 500 steps and I use the words “steps” loosely, it is a steep climb up rocks. The sun started to rise as we climbed and it started to get a bit warmer. The views were beautiful, around half way into the walk we once again descended into the garden of eden, a small oasis at the bottom of the canyon. Well worth the steep steps, up and down. Although I must admit my legs are feeling a bit sore today!

Today I head to a private viewing area to watch the sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta, then finally a walk around the base of the rock, a visit to the cultural centre before returning to the hotel for lunch. In the evening it is back into the national park to watch the sunset with champagne and nibblies.

Another early and cold start to a private sand dune to watch the sunrise, I am not sick of sunrises or sunsets as each of them has been from a different location and the sky is different every time. Each tour also has its own features, today it is damper with golden syrup, a selection of pastries, fruit and a bacon and egg roll. Did I mention that for this tour we are watching the sunrise next to gas heaters set up on the sand dune! 

Once the sun has risen it is off to the base of the rock, here we walk around, seeing where the climb had previously been, rock art, the gorge and waterhole. Throughout the tour we also learn of indigenous stories and history. 

Later in the afternoon it was back out to the viewing location for the sunset, along with drinks and nibbles. I have now loaded what will be the last of the photo's and the last of the rock, I promise!

Later in the afternoon it was back out to the viewing location for the sunset, along with drinks and nibbles. I have now loaded what will be the last of the photo's and the last of the rock, I promise!

My last day was pretty relaxed, with no organized tours I was able to have a sleep in, that’s right, no sunrise! After a leisurely breakfast I headed to the town center, throughout the day they have a number of free sessions.

First up was on indigenous hunting and living, then how to play a didgeridoo, onto bush tucker and plants and then the cosmos! All were around 45 minutes spaced throughout the day. 

The weather has become overcast and colder, I have been lucky to have perfect weather through the week. I have just finished packing my bag and checked out of the hotel. I have a couple of hours until the transfer to the airport. Maybe time for a final walk or reading time. I am trying to avoid the red dust, it is on everything so might be a tough ask. 

This will probably be my last post. I have had a great week, time away from work, out in nature, beautiful weather and scenery, the right mix of adventure and relaxation. Well worth the trip, it might have been my plan b, but it has always been on the list and I am glad I have had the chance to do it.

In some breaking news, I have also found out that I am now on an August departure for the Western Australia trip that was cancelled. It may be too late for the whale sharks but I have my fingers crossed that there will be a few late to leave! I think my next threat will be a border closure in WA for people in NSW if the number of COVID cases increase, hoping we can get it under control.

bye for now, see you on the next adventure!