Central Australia Trip 2012: The journey continues at Kings Canyon (Northern Territory)
Day 5 ended with camel rides and sunset by Mount Conner. It only made sense if I picked up where I left of with the photo of our view that night. Dark blue canvas lined up with sparkling diamonds.
Breathtaking.
Breathtaking.
To read about part 1, link here!
Photo credits to Yu Kai Liang
Day 6: Friday June 29
We only stayed 1 night at the Frontier Caravan Park. The thing about only staying 1 night at a single campsite, you have to pack up the next day. It's like, you just settled in and now you need to get going. And let me tell you the hassles involved:
1. You have to wake up a lot earlier! We have a full day ahead of us and it's on everyone's wishlist to check off all the places listed out in the itinerary. But the thing is, it's so damn cold in the morning, making it really difficult to get out of that sleeping bag. One thing to note, because we're in the dessert, temperature drop is massive. It's basically 5 layers of jackets, 2 layers of pants, 2 socks and a beanie versus just a t-shirt during the day.
2. Packing rucksacks were the most difficult task of them all. I personally think it requires a very unique skillset to fit everything in in an organised manner.
3. The tent... It's not the most difficult thing to build or take down. But the labor involved in getting them in and out of the bus can be quite taxing.
Chaotic morning aside, Day 6 was extremely exciting! We were in for a hike at Kings Canyon. This was not like a "get off the bus and a short 5-10 mins walk". It's an actual hike, loved it!
We were determined to climb to the top of the canyon rim which was promised with spectacular views.
Last but not least, the last bit of the hike was to see the domes of "The Lost City". This beehive-like domes made the plateau looked like a "lost city" (hence the name). They were results from erosion from vertical cracks in the sandstone.
Fun fact, they started out as cube shaped blocks and it's corners were slowly rounded-off due to weathering process.
1. You have to wake up a lot earlier! We have a full day ahead of us and it's on everyone's wishlist to check off all the places listed out in the itinerary. But the thing is, it's so damn cold in the morning, making it really difficult to get out of that sleeping bag. One thing to note, because we're in the dessert, temperature drop is massive. It's basically 5 layers of jackets, 2 layers of pants, 2 socks and a beanie versus just a t-shirt during the day.
2. Packing rucksacks were the most difficult task of them all. I personally think it requires a very unique skillset to fit everything in in an organised manner.
3. The tent... It's not the most difficult thing to build or take down. But the labor involved in getting them in and out of the bus can be quite taxing.
 |
| look at how much shit everyone had! |
Chaotic morning aside, Day 6 was extremely exciting! We were in for a hike at Kings Canyon. This was not like a "get off the bus and a short 5-10 mins walk". It's an actual hike, loved it!
We were determined to climb to the top of the canyon rim which was promised with spectacular views.
 |
| Let the hike begin |
Along the rim walk, we came across "ripples" that was evidence of inland sea, million of years ago.
Followed by the "Garden of Eden" which I must say... What a name! Taking the stairways down, we discovered a whole new environment. With a permanent waterhole, the lush greenery was way different from the orange rock formations found above.
Last but not least, the last bit of the hike was to see the domes of "The Lost City". This beehive-like domes made the plateau looked like a "lost city" (hence the name). They were results from erosion from vertical cracks in the sandstone.
Fun fact, they started out as cube shaped blocks and it's corners were slowly rounded-off due to weathering process.
The day ended as we went back to our campsite at the Ayers Rock Resort Caravan Park. This time round, we're staying here for 3 nights!
Day 7 & 8: Saturday June 30 - Sunday July 1
It's all about Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park! AKA climax of this entire trip.
Day 7 started with a visit to the Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, learning about the aboriginal culture and Tjukurpa of the Anangu (Aboriginal Law). Well, I'm pretty sure it was very informative but the only thing that I could recalled was them advising us not to hike Ayers Rock. Because the site is very sacred to the locals. Hurm... do you think we ended up hiking it anyways?
That'll be a story for another post!
Day 7 started with a visit to the Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, learning about the aboriginal culture and Tjukurpa of the Anangu (Aboriginal Law). Well, I'm pretty sure it was very informative but the only thing that I could recalled was them advising us not to hike Ayers Rock. Because the site is very sacred to the locals. Hurm... do you think we ended up hiking it anyways?
That'll be a story for another post!
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