Friday, December 31, 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Mereenie Loop Road to Wallace Rock Hole

After we left the Kings Canyon area, we drove on the Mereenie Loop - we stopped somewhere along the way to get out and stretch - views in both directions.
We saw over a hundred wild horses along the trip and stopped to get a close look at this group.
The stallion.
The stallion with his group.
By the 4th day this is who was left; Lewis was our guide, his wife Michelle took the picture, and Millen from Eritrea. There had been 10 French people and 1 German man who did only the first three days.


Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Wattarka

Just for an idea of how remote Uluru is - this was our 2nd stop of 4 stops we made during the 6 hour drive from Alice Springs to Uluru.
After staying at the campsite at Uluru, we went to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and then to Kings Creek Station and Wattarka (Kings Canyon).
Sunrise at Kata Tjuta.
Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the Winds Walk.
We stayed at Kings Creek Station, and the sunset was amazing.
Then hiked in Watarrka.
Interestings rocks
Even water holes.
And Spinifex Pigeons.

 

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Uluru Trip

Just a few pictures from our Uluru trip.  We're heading to Sydney tomorrow.  We went to other places too, I'll post some more pictures tomorrow.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas - Alice Springs Style

We're heading to Uluru today for a 4 day trip.  Happy Christmas to all.

The Alice

             Not sure why it's referred to as The Alice - neither does anyone else.
Todd Mall is the main street.
A crafty tradition.
Many of the poles in Alice Springs are decorated like this.
A closer look.
People just add sections and sew them around the pole.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

More Pictures from our Outback Trip

                        Collecting fire wood along the way.
Some places where we swam.
Glen Helen Gorge
Ormiston Gorge
Ellery Creek Big Hole
We didn't just swim. We rode camels too.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Campsite highlights from "Way Outback Tour"

We spent an unbelievable two and 1/2 days camping in swags in amazing places. A few campsite photos.
First night at Oak Valley.
Next night on the Finke River (which is only a river once in a while) - lucky us.
Notice the Red Gum Tree - it will have a significance soon.
Moon Rise
Not a great picture, but I was standing under the infamous tree to take this photo.
Then we all settled by the fire to eat dinner and chat for a while, when we heard something fall out of the tree.  It didn't sound like a branch, so our guide took a torch and --warning, Jil, you may not want to read any further-- this is what we discovered had fallen.
It's a Carpet Python. Officially it's a Centralian Carpet Python (the reddish/orange coloration).
We moved our swags closer to the fire and out from under the tree, and next morning - the view west from my swag.
The view east.
I'll put up some more pictures tomorrow.