Sunrise at Uluru and hike at Kata Tjuta 26.10.18

Today we will be woken up in the camp with music at 4:15 am. Departure at 5:15 am to the best spot to see the sunrise. Waking up was not bad because it thundered at night, so there was strong wind and rain. Also, the zipper of our tent was broken, so everything was open and I could hardly close my eyes anyway. It was not completely cloudless to see the famous sunrise at Uluru, but even with the clouds, it was a beautiful spectacle as the colors changed. There were far fewer people at the places compared to the previous evening. The other reason for leaving so early was that it can get hot in the morning, and if it reaches 36°C by 11:00 am, the Kata Tjuta National Park will be closed and hiking will not be allowed anymore. After 40 km of driving, we walked a part (5 km) of the "Valley Of The Winds Walk" at 8:30 am with a temperature of 34 °C. It was hot! And then there were the flies that constantly bothered us, especially in the face. It was already a problem the previous day at Uluru. They annoyed us constantly, despite the sometimes strong wind blowing through the gorge. We had bought a fly net from home that you put over your hat, then they can't get into your nose, ears, mouth, and eyes anymore. The hike with the beautiful colors, vegetation, and the mountain Kata Tjuta (546 m high, 40 km2, and 36 rock domes) was simply amazing. It's quieter there than at the prominent Ayers Rock.

After the exertion, there was a small lunch in the community tent and then we continued, about 200 km to Kings Creek Station. There, a bush camp was waiting for us. Before that, we filled the roof of the bus with collected wood. Smaller tents than the day before, only sleeping cots, also broken zippers. You have to close your eyes to the hygiene. 2 toilets and 2 showers with only 3 walls, everything else open (facing bush). It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't stormed and rained again. There was just enough time for dinner by the fire before the storm came with wind and rain. But with our nice group, we always had fun and made the best of it.