Deane & Jack's Motorcycle Trip in
Australia and New Zealand
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Deane & Jack's Motorcycle Trip in Australia and New Zealand |
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April 4 - Erldunda to Yulara, Northern Territory 355 km (220 Miles) |
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Today's ride was pretty much a straight run to go to Uluru (Ayer's Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), the prime tourist destination for this part of "The Red Center". These are quite close to Alice Springs. Uluru, or Ayer's Rock, is the huge red monolith that stands all by itself in the desert, and can be seen for miles, because it is 350 meters high. It is about 9 km (6 miles) in girth as well, so it is a pretty big rock - said to be the world's largest. I guess it was first discovered by Europeans, in the form of Mr. Ayer, and in the pioneer days it was given his name. The Aborigines of course, have known about this rock for centuries, or for thousands of years, and claim it for their religious reasons. Australia is in the process of handing over some of the responsibility for the National Park that contains Ayer's Rock, or Uluru, including renaming it to the Aborigines name, Uluru. Here is Uluru; I know you have see this image somewhere.
The Olgas, or renamed Kata Tjuta (Many Heads), is a series of rounded hills, as shown here.
A special visual aspect of Uluru, or Ayer's Rock, is the color change that appears on the rock as the sun sets, or as the sun rises. We were there for the sun set, and these photos show how that happens.
As the light changes:
Evening is coming.
Getting dark.
Show is over:
Different Subject: Over the last couple of days we have become concerned about the chain wearing out on Deane's bike. So we are going to try to get a new one put on in Alice Springs tomorrow. The timing of getting it repaired is crucial, in that with this Sunday being Easter, we are told that everything shuts down from the Thursday before (tomorrow) until the Tuesday after Easter. So it's get to Alice Springs and get the job done tomorrow, or possibly be stuck for four days. We'll hope for success - will let you know how it comes out. |
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350 meters high
