08/04/2019 # Outback, Day 3, from Kings Canyon Resort to Ayers Rock

We get up early and actually manage to finish breakfast before the big insect invasion. The Toyota gets refueled one more time, and I'm glad that we haven't used too much fuel yet, considering the price difference of about 40 cents per liter compared to Alice Springs. But really, I can't complain, as the price for diesel is only about one euro per liter, which would cause jubilation back home.

There isn't much crowd at Kings Canyon. Because of the predicted temperatures of over 30 degrees, we decide to take a leisurely walk along the bottom of the canyon. However, nowhere is it written that the path is completely closed due to construction after about 1 km. So we walk back somewhat frustrated. That can't be it. In order to get some good photos of the grand canyon, I take on the sweaty ascent to the upper circuit. Meanwhile, Maike waits for me down below, because I say I'll be right back. But here, you have to think in different dimensions, so "right back" means about 45 minutes, even though I hurry. The stairs are quite challenging, while on the way up, I think to myself that the Jacob's Ladder in Perth is probably a walk in the park in comparison.

But it's worth it. When I reach the top, I enjoy a magnificent view of the canyon. Based on everything I've read about it, this is exactly why I'm here. It doesn't matter that I later realize that I've sweated through the nose pads of my sunglasses. It's probably time for a new pair.

There is a WiFi hotspot at the entrance to the canyon. Amazing, right in the middle of the wilderness. Since we have been cut off from the outside world for two days, we take the opportunity to check our emails and send a sign of life.

We continue heading south until we reach the Lasseter Highway. From here, it's just over 100 km to Ayers Rock, or Uluru as the locals say. Apart from a brief photo stop at Mount Connor, we don't linger for long. About 20 km before the Ayers Rock Resort, where we want to check in for the night, we see the huge, orange rock for the first time on the left-hand side in the distance. Even from a distance, it's an impressive sight. We drive straight to the resort and book a campsite. If Kings Canyon Resort was already a small city in itself, everything here is even bigger and more touristy. It's not exactly what we want, but wild camping is prohibited in the entire area, so we have to accept it.

Since it's still early afternoon, we want to visit Uluru right away. It's about another 20 minutes drive. At the entrance to the national park, we buy a ticket for 1-3 days. When asked where we are from and we say Germany, they say it's fifty dollars. I give it a try and ask if it would be cheaper if we were from Switzerland, for example. Of course not, they laugh and say it unfortunately has no influence, just a statistical value. Well, it's worth a try J

Then suddenly we are really close. Majestically, it lies there in its full size, the sacred mountain of the Aboriginal people. We feel a little guilty for skipping the recommended visit to the cultural center. But since it's not our first encounter with this culture, we feel well prepared.

There are various hiking trails around the mountain. We take the so-called Mala Walk, which, like most others, brings us very close to the rock. It is said that you can feel the spiritual significance of the mountain, and although we are not at all religious or anything, we both almost get goosebumps when we place our hands on the rock. This place has something mystical about it. For a moment, even the ubiquitous flies are forgotten as the path leads us past various small caves adorned with rock paintings. Slowly, we also realize where we are.

From the summit, you can often see black channels running downwards. When it rains, they turn into cascades that gather in caverns at the foot. The Aboriginal people used these caverns as water reservoirs a long time ago.

Time flies and we have to make sure that we are back at the resort before it gets dark. When we arrive, we have to fight for our campsite. Well, it wasn't that bad. A nice woman from Germany was actually assigned a different spot. But since ours is in a remote corner of the campground where we can expect a bit more peace, she parked her camper there in the hope that no one else would come. Before she vacates the spot without any further ado, we start chatting and learn that she is on a world trip with her eleven-year-old son. He is also attending school in Australia. It's great that they managed to organize something like that. Traveling is still the best education.

At sunset, we see Uluru shining in different colors from a hill right next to our camper. It's beautiful. In the opposite direction, we can see the mountain range of Kata Tjuta, which will be our destination tomorrow.

After a big pot of spaghetti, we reminisce about the day while enjoying a cold Carlton Draught. We agree that it was a great idea to come here.