Uluru; australia's heart

Uluru. Here she is. The heart of Australia. 

It's hard to find the words to describe this place. Our trip to the centre really was a sojourn to Uluru. We went to many other fantastic places too along the way. But this was our focus. And certainly the small people were telling everyone who asked that we were going to Uluru. It wasn't a trip to the red centre, or to Northern Territory. It was a trip to Uluru. So we were hyped up about this red rock. Well, it certainly didn't disappoint!

Our campsite, at the Uluru Resort, was great. We were 5 steps from a walkway leading to this viewpoint... this is sunrise from just beyond our campsite (and yes, I got out of bed to take this shot, it was FREEZING!).

We were soaking up this site, or sight. But we wanted to touch it, to feel the rock and to be right there! So we drove to the national park, paid our park fees and found a carpark. Then we walked to the base of the rock. And looked up at her. It was steep! I had no idea... As an aussie kid I've had the image of Uluru imprinted in my mind ever since I can remember. But this was my first experience at the rock. And no-one could have convinced me that it was sooo steep. In this photo you can see the people in the first stages of climbing, note how small they are. Yet, still this photo doesn't really look steep. In reality the angle is probably 40 or 50 degrees. It's hard to get a photo showing the steepness, you'll just have to go and experience it for yourself!

The colours are unbelievable. We decided that the red of the rock makes the blue of the sky pop. Giving that contrast between the burnt red/oranges and the blue of the sky. We had gorgeous days while we were there. And we soaked it up. The aboriginals ask you to listen, to listen to the place. It's a lovely way to explain that you need to sit and experience the place. To soak it all up. There are these bench seats made of gnarled wood situated all around the rock. Just for people to sit and listen.

We walked, we looked up (you look upwards a lot at Uluru, there is a lot to look up at!) and we took photos. Sometimes we just stopped and sat. There are fantastic signs telling you the stories of the place... There are also signs asking you NOT to take photos. I hope you can read the text on this sign, it states that the rocks in that place are like the text in bible; sacred. And they tell a story which must be read in that location, in context, and not via a photo. It's all about respect. From us and to the place.

The light of Uluru is just as dramatic as the colours. So it's often difficult to take a photo which properly captures the image before you. As you walk around the base of the rock the shadows overpower the detail in the photos sometimes...

At other spots the shadow provides the drama.

We are genuinely privileged to have this rock as the heart of our country. You really feel the place when you are there. The rock almost seems alive; it's warm in the sunlight with the colours and light changes making it change a million times a day. I'm sure variations in the weather would also present the place in another way; I'd love to see it in the rain! We'll be back one day, to listen again. Do you listen? Do you have a place where you just sit and soak it up? I've a few other places to show you like this, I will be back tomorrow.