New Years Eve

Sunday 31st December 2006

The alarm clock went off at 4.30am this morning all in the name witnessing sunrise over Ulura. The massive monstrosety of sandstone sat peacefully amongst flat landscape, its red colour derived from weathering of the rock changing slowly as the sun rose for the very last time in 2006. Its a popular trip and we weren’t the only nutters who had got up in the middle of the night for this spectacular “free” show, even coach tours were there to experience this natural phenomenon. I had never seen so many vehicles in convoy at 5am in the morning just to see sunrise. It was so worth it though. Of course after the sun had risen for the final time in 2006 I had to have a cup of tea. Of course I had brought my tea bag, flask and milk with me so we sat in the car having our gormet breakfast of yoghurt , muslei and tea. However we were not the only ones doing this, and at least i wasn’t drinking tea whilst watching the sun rise like some people were. We’d decided not to climb the rock by respecting the Tjukurpa and Anangu wishes, instead started our 6km base walk right around the rock – Ulura base walk. Although it was flat, it was hard going at times as the heat was quite intense and it was only 10am by the time we had done one lap, we weren’t about to do another lap even if we had wanted to. The “rock climb” had been closed indicating it was over 38 degrees as well. Often on the walk there are sacred sites and photography and entry to these areas is forbidden. After a cup of tea (and coffee) and a really fascinating video of the journey from Ayres Rock to Ulura at the “cultural centre” a few km from ayres rock we happily made our way back to the “resort”. A quick supermarket mash up lunch was on the menu before our hellichopper ride that we decided to splurge out on as our new year treat. This was a magnificent 30 minute ride over both the Olgas and Ulura, an amazing experience and it goes to show how vast and barren this part of the country really is. I must say that I have never taken a Helicopter ride on New Years Eve, neither can I say that I have ever done 50 lengths of an outdoor swimming pool in 40 plus degrees on New Years Eve, well not until today that is. How did you spend your New Years Eve afternoon? My friend owns her own travel agency in Monbulk near to Melbourne so she is often keen to try out some of the ‘tour’ type things. So we were down to do this “sound of silence” dinner thing out in the desert, which had already been pre-booked. A great way to spend New Years Eve. There were 5 coaches going out to 5 different locations in the desert where a three course meal was served after the final sun of 2006 had gone to bed. Unfortantly it was cloudy so the sunset was not as stunning as the other night.Some kind of champagne was served or orange jucie for me, the kids and the pregnant woman. Around the tables came a ‘bloke’ playing the digeridoo, very good but something authentic missing from this particular experience. The girl introducing the ‘experience’ sounded like she had a digeridoo up her backside, especially when she was attempting to show us the stars which were either being shy tonight or had decided to go partying for the new year. I think it was the latter. The buffet ‘dinner’ had choices of crocodile, kangaroo, beef and fish, I stayed clear of the meat albait one small cube of crocodile due to my insides having felt like they have doubled in size. The salads were very nice though so I stocked up on those. A couple of hours later though I wish I hadn’t as I was spending the turn of the new year having just recovered from a long time in the bathroom. My insides were telling me that they were tired of travelling and must rest. I was looking forward to tomorrow. Despite my blockages (just what you want to know isn’t it?) to spend New Year at Uluru was a fantastic experience. Although the “Sounds of Silence” was a little to cheesy for my liking (either that or I just didn’t really get it) the overall feelings of the Australian Outback were really quite mindblowing and a most amazing way to wave goodbye to 2006 and cheer on 2007.