King catastrophe

Saturday 27/2/21

You guessed it.

Paul was one of the 3 doing the rim walk climb and I was one of the 6 who didn’t.

So paul got up and did the rim walk at 6 while I slept in.

Paul took some amazing photos which i will add later, and found it a challenge, a surmountable one.

 

After that he wanted to go to the shop for a drink while I had yet to check out the pool so i thought it would be a good idea to go on my own.

 

Not so.

 

On my way back to the pool after trying a little detour, I fell over. Crashed to the ground, with my face in that lovely red soil.

I realised I had turned my ankle(lots of experience)  and done something to my arm as I could not get up. There was no one around so I tried to get myself off the ground and out of the dirt/gravel and sand.   I fell back on my bum.  I cried out for help but there was no one around.   I noticed a rocky outcrop on my other side and bum shuffled over and somehow got myself up holding on with my good arm. There was no one around, I didn’t have my phone and I was somewhere in the middle of the resort and I wasn’t sure anyone could find me in time for our departure time in one hour. I made my way somehow walking on my own until there were posts to help. I even tried to find a broken tree branch to use as a stick to help me stay upright.   It felt a bit like a cross between Survivor and Bear Grills. Or maybe Crocodile Dundee..

Once back at the room, Paul had arrived  and he swung into action. He decided that my quickly swelling ankle was a sprain at least and needed ice. He checked my wrist and decided it was probably just a strain.

Somehow we got to the bus which was thankfully close and I was practically lifted on by Paul and the driver. I could not weight bear at all at this stage.

 

When the other 7 people got to the bus, they were all talking about the rim walk and how scary that was. Ha! Little did they realise the dangers of the resort itself! 

 

And then we were on our way to Alice Springs, only about 500km away. The resort gave us lots of ice for both my ankle and arm and off we went. Paul and other passengers pooled their drugs and I was offered all sorts of things for pain and swelling.  I generally take Panadol with me when I travel but you should see what other people take, all sorts of drugs. We found this on a previous trip to Fiji when one of the people in our group was bitten by something and he suddenly had at least 20 different drugs to choose from. I am sure they were all legal.

 

It just shows that people are nice and want to help. Lots of people helped carry me on and off the bus at the various toilet and food stops along the way. I could walk a little leaning on Paul one minute and then could not move at all the next.  And perhaps a bit groggy from all the drugs, god (and maybe Paul) knows what I took!

We had a lunch stop at  a camel farm where we ate camel burger and drank beer. Yum.  Camels are a pest in this area. Brought over as transport in the early days of the territory, these camels absolutely thrived. There is much more food and water in this area than in their natural desert habitat.  Unfortunately they are good at finding all the water and  food and have caused the near extinction of some native animals including marlas and are even a threat to emus. They eat the same food as emus but the way they eat this fruit, they destroy the tree so that they don’t seed and grow more trees. All very sad.

But back to something really sad. After 5 or 6 hours on the bus, we arrived at Alice springs where instead of checking in, Paul went looking for a wheelchair (none available) and a taxi to take us to the hospital. I somehow got off the bus with at least 2 passengers and driver helping me.

So we went to Emergency at Alice Springs hospital at about 6.30 ish on a Saturday night. It took about 3 hours to be seen, Xrayed and booted up.

I have a broken (fractured) ankle and only a sprained wrist/elbow. The lovely Irish doctor  considered plastering my ankle but that would mean I could not fly due to increased risk of DVT  so she decided on the boot. She also provided a letter saying I was fit to fly. Or at least she thought I would be in a week or so.

Everyone at the hospital was great and while we had some concerns, it all went well, even waiting for a taxi at the end. This was a little scary with some of the drop offs and pick ups.

Back to our hotel and finally checking in at 10ish. Still no wheelchair available and our room was a very long way away apparently. The two couples with whom we were going to have dinner that night (at 7.30) were happy to help. So we asked the hotel guy for some form of transport as it was clear I would not be able to walk to my room nor be carried.  I suggested a luggage trolley early on which was quickly discounted but in the end,  I hopped on a trolley and was pushed.

The nice hotel employee suggested we place a chair on the trolley so I could sit as it would be safer.

OMG I felt like royalty being carried/pushed aloft on my own throne. I don’t think we have a photo of that.

 

Once we reached our room, we ordered dinner with strong drinks (medicinal only for both of us).  Thank goodness for Paul. All the canyon rim walkers felt like heroes for making the walk. But Paul did that and did everything for me for 500 kilometers.  I don't know where or how i would have been without him. My hero.

What a strange day that was. Or was it the drugs?

Kings Canyon

 

Friday 26/2/21

Kings Canyon

 

This morning we did virtually nothing before our tour to Kings Canyon was to leave from Sails resort at 12.30pm.

After speaking to fellow travelers, we realised there were other activities like aboriginal painting, didgeridoo lessons and guided walks. We missed all that somehow.

We did however have a nice walk, swam and generally got organised.

A few drinks at he bar and we were ready to go.

Our bus was a 47 seater bus but there were only 9 of us on this tour. (averages out at about 5 seats each).  Very comfy.

Tourism has been much impacted by COVID (global pandemic) and numbers have been seriously down resulting in job losses and downturn in business just as it has elsewhere in the tourism industry.

However they have increasing numbers of bookings over the next week and especially weekend so things are improving.  The good news for us is that we were able to see things with only a few people and not had to fight through any crowds whatsoever.  It feels like a privilege.

So onward to Kings Canyon, we ‘travel through spectacular scenery from Ayers Rock Resort’  passing through Curtin Springs, where we stop for a quick amenities and food break.  This is a working cattle station of 1million acres which also does tourism as a side-line. They have a petrol station, accommodation and camping sites. And a phone box! This is not just for show as there is little or no internet access here.

 

 Just so you know where to go. Note the beautiful blue sky

The scenery is different and changing. There is far more vegetation than anyone expected to find. This is due to the rain earlier this year and it is greener now than it has been in many many years. The ground is still red but lots of grass and trees. We hear about the Desert Oak (really a casuarina) the Mulboa and other trees and how they survive in the desert. Actually not a desert. It is not dry enough so the area is termed  ‘semi-arid’ rather than officially a desert.

 

 

 

We arrive at Kings Canyon and we are invited to accompany the driver/guide on a 1 hour walk of the canyon. In fact we can choose to wait  at the entrance if we do not feel up to it. 

How hard can it be? An older man using a cane who has struggled with some walks is keen to do it. If he can, I can for God's sake.

So off we go. It is beautiful on the way and pretty easy until we get to stones, and steps and uneven ground and a few climbs.  Hmmm not so easy.  I need to hold Paul’s hand the whole way.  yes kind of romantic but also functionally necessary.  But once we arrive at the lookout, it is worthwhile. Stunning scenery.

 

While walking, the start of the  track for the 3 hour rim walk is pointed out.

keep this in mind as is the start of the rim walk. Vertical for 50 metres or so....

 It is a very steep climb for the first 50 metres and then not so bad but you do need good fitness to complete this climb. Those who decide to do so will meet at 6 the next morning to do the walk.

Completely voluntary and no need to decide just yet….

 nice scenery on the way

We arrive at the Kings Canyon Resort which is much smaller than the Ayers Rock resort. The rooms are more like cabins and I immediately think, Glamping. Shock, horror.

But once we go in, the cabin is amazing. There is a private balcony and a separate (private) glass walled spa bath room looking out over the ranges.  Very special.

 

our spa

 sunrise from our window. maybe a bit creepy

our sunny  balcony 

Part of the tour is a sunset viewing at a special sunset viewing area walking distance, so  we go but only one of the 9 make it in time as we were given the wrong time . But still nice photos.  The caravan that was to be serving drinks is shut due to COVID (global pandemic)

 

Then off to dinner at Smokey Joes pub nearby which looks like a real outback pub. Reminded me of the outback pub in Crocodile Dundee. 

The meals are surprisingly good.

After dinner it is time to make a decision about the rim walk.  Only 3 out of the 9 of us decide they will attempt it in the morning…….

---

Uluru at last

 

Thursday 25/2/21

 

We did not go on our sunrise tour today but instead of sleeping in, Paul decided he had to let the bus people know we were not joining them. This meant getting up before 5am and letting them know. Kind of defeating the purpose??

Anyway the alarm was set incorrectly and we sleep right through the 5am start.  As we find out later, they only wait 5 minutes for stragglers  before leaving so no one was inconvenienced. Relief..

I decline an early morning swim in the cold pool unlike Paul. Breakfast in the hotel is good but pricey.

To explain,  the Ayers Rock resort is huge with 5 different hotels/accommodation on it, all at various price points. We are staying at Sails resort which is one of only two open at the moment due to low bookings (COVID, global pandemic). It is at the high end.

In the middle of Ayers Rock resort is a town square with shops, IGA, and coffee shops which do breakfast and lunches.  There is also a medical centre where both Paul and i were treated: me for my sprained little finger/ankle/bruises and Paul to have the stich on his skin cancer removed. That was supposed to be my job but I was happy to leave it to the professionals.

 

After all the stress of our arrival yesterday and my fall, I forgot that Paul had left his glasses behind on the bus from Alice Springs. Yes the second time this trip. He realised as soon as we got to our room at Sails. He rushed back quickly to the bus but it had left. A few phone calls and enormous distress later, the glasses were to be returned on our next bus tour later that day.

Again a man bag idea was mooted but still no way.

We both had a swim in the beautiful pool and had lunch at the town square.

There are a couple of cafes at the town centre including one run as a training café for local indigenous youth.   It is good to see something positive.  There are quite a few indigenous people employed here unlike in Alice Springs where there appeared to be few if any. 

And then finally after 1.5 days, it was time for our “Uluru Sacred  Sights and Sunset tour and also BBQ dinner tour”

 

It left at 3 in the afternoon and stopped at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre for a look at local paintwork and stories. We bought a painting which I really loved. Probably should have taken a photo but you will just have to see it once it is framed.

Another reason to stop here was to use the amenities as there none on our Uluru tour.  (And bus toilet not available due to COVID, global pandemic etc etc).

Taking photos was not allowed in the centre or surrounds.

We drove around the base of Uluru only taking photos at some points as others were sacred sites and not to be photographed. It was amazing and I am only including some of the photos.

                                                                                                             

And then we actually did a walk around the base and a walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole to look at caves and rock paintings.

Photos around the waterhole and caves

cave entrance

 aborignal rock art

 the waterhole

 us with the waterhole behind us

                                                                             

There is one point where you are allowed to touch the rock and even sit on it. it was very slippery so i just touched it.  It is hard to imagine how people climbed the rock.  For cultural as well as safety reasons.

We also sat on the bench on which Princess Diana and Prince Charles had sat as well as where Meagan and Harry (not royals!) had sat.  

After this we went to our viewing of sunset over Uluru with wine and nibblies of course. We were advised to start taking photos just before sunset and then take them at 1 minute intervals to see the changes in colour. I did but am not going to include them all here.

Just a few. The colours were great. Note the blue right on the horizon as sunset passes. It is the Namatjira blue they kept telling us about. Beautiful.

We then went back to BBQ area for a really great meal under the stars with very few lights  We then had a star viewing of which i have no photos whatsoever as my phone battery had run out. Paul may have taken some. 

I needed an escort to the amenities block as it was in complete darkness after a 30 minute timer on the light had run out. Lucky for the person caught there in the dark, we arrived to turn on the light. The outback is fun.

It has been a wonderful day and finally we had a good look at Uluru. So much more spectacular than we imagined. And we heard stories we had never heard before. How could we not have known about the aboriginal history of our country. Tragic on many levels.