Since we last posted we've been walking around beautiful landmarks by the bucketful. We headed out from Alice Springs last Saturday along to the West Macdonnel Ranges, stopping in at a lot of gorges and waterholes along the way to stretch our legs, so much so when we got to our night's stay at Glen Helen we were "gorged out" and didn't really want to go in to that one as well. Even so our drive out was lovely the skies were clear and the short walks we did were really lovely. We had a very cold night at Geln Helen on our patch of red dust and neither of us really wanted to venture out to the bar, instead snuggling into bed for a good nights sleep.
Sunday saw us travelling the Mereenie loop to get down to Kings Canyon, we had a very healthy chiken salad sandwich on the road and got down there about 3pm. We were super excited to see some grassy camp areas when we first got there but were not so thrilled about the evil looking thorny burs that would puncture their way into your feet and thongs, nevertheless we set up camp and had a good shower to wash off the dust that seemed to infiltrate our clothing and hair before a simple bbq dinner. After dinner we made our way up to the bar where the entertainment was for the evening -- The Roadies -- a performing couple who involved the audience for some family orientated fun, getting kids, mums, dads and all sorts up on stage to play instruments and sing or dance. Ben got pulled up to boost the numbers in the "dad's" game, playing a cows bell without touching with his hands to the chorus of "my ding-a-ling". Ben was good but some of the other contestants moves, which included a bum dance and mr bean-esque dance, won out in the end.
The very obvious highlight of our stay was walking around the rim King's Canyon, a very stunning venture which started with a very steep incline to ascend to the top of the canyon. I had not been feeling all that well and was very much highlighted in my breathing issues on the way up, meanwhile Ben was jumping around and being ever so spritely to my chagrin. But we made it to the top one way or the other, and it was very much worth the effort! We spent the next 4 or so hours walking around the canyon edge, Ben loved getting up close with the edges of the cliffs and I've decided he must be part mountain goat somewhere along the line. The vistas from those cliff edges were spectacular!!! We both thoroughly enjoyed all the lookouts, climbing out to each little turn off to really enjoy the experience. We broke up the day by having lunch down in the "Garden of Eden" right next to the waterhole, which was just lovely to look up to the cliffs we'd just been walking around. The stairs up and down from this spot were super steep and Ben really enjoyed the 'view' coming back up to the top of the canyon. From the otherside it was a meandering little journey back along the cliffs and down the back side of the canyon (which if you aren't too fit is a much easier way to get to the top). We ended the day with soft tacos and a very early night for Tanya not being all that well.
To be continued with photos - Today we have been around Ayers Rock and The Olgas, but that will have to wait!!!! Sunset at Uluru is a calling........
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