3.45 a.m. alarm. YUK!! Struggled out of bed and made it in time for the 4.30 a.m. coach trip, first of all to Uluru for sunrise pictures, then to another extraordinary rock formation, that of Kata Tjuta, around 25 miles away.
It was actually cloudy and cool on the way to Uluru, and we made our way up to the viewing platform with not very great expectations. We were there nice and early, so booked our position. Just as well, as it became very crowded later on.
The sun peeped over the horizon at 6.03 a.m., and it was, to be honest, a bit of a damp squib. Nothing really changed very much on Uluru.
Kata Tjuta in the distance
Quite a few disappointed people left at this point. We decided to hang on, and we were very glad we did, because not only did Uluru light up in the way it\’s supposed to, but a rainbow appeared on top of it. Magical, and, apparently, rare.
Then on our way to Kata Tjuta for a walk along the Walpa Gorge between two of the largest domes in this weird and rather eerie place. The highest point of Kata Tjuta is 200 metres higher than Uluru. This is not the place to explain the geology, and it is complex.
The sun was still low in the sky, and very bright at this point, so taking pictures into it was unrewarding. Here are a few samples:
We were then taken to an external viewpoint where one could actually get a better perspective on how big and impressive these domes are.
Back to the resort by 10 a.m. for a relatively lazy afternoon to get the washing done (these things are important, you know), packing, and enjoying a very decent steak meal at the only truly a la carte restaurant at the resort.
Flight to Cairns isn\’t until 3.20 p.m. tomorrow, so at last we can have a bit of a lie-in after two properly sparrowfart mornings. We both need it.
Travel Adventures 
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