Sunday 24 January 2010

Essex Girls, moths and scorpions.

So the Kings Canyon Hike was actually pretty good. That evening we stayed at a campsite. ;-). Lets discuss the facilities. We satyed at the same place- Yulara base camp and 'resort' for 3 nights I think. So when we stopped earlier in the day at a toilet break and on the north south border off we all went excited at the prospect of a toilet. Hole in the ground is what we found. Ok so needed the loo it'd be good enough. Checked under the seat to be sure I was safe alls good. Then there cam a shout from the lads loo next door. Greg had found a red back purched behind the lid- didn't check there did I.
Once at the camp we had proper loo's tres good. That evening alls well, there isn't a multitude of flies just silly moths but you can cope with them. Then they found a scorpion in the girls loos! Yuck. Next morning the moths had decided that moth suicide was the game and were dead in their thousands all over. Over the few days there were more spiders, moths and huge lizzards- but the lizzards are pretty cool.

We were woken really early 5am to go up to the look out over kata tjuta and ularu so off we went and once the sun had risen we were greated by fresh blueberry pancakes - hard life living in the outback.
That day we walked the vally of the winds which is through a small area of Kata Tjuta- it's probably the best of all the walks as it is a bit hilly but also there were some amazing views and just a general nice hike.
Now for the Essex Girls rant: So they booked a tour which stated camping, hiking etc and they brought suitcases- not so bad ok. Then they moned like hell about the accomodation, wore plimsoles for hiking hills with lots of shale and slippy bits without doing up their laces. So we were all walking happily along- not fast- and we had to keep stopping and waiting for them to catch up and moan abit more. They always wanted people to do things for them and didn't help with anything. Proper little princesses! AAGGHH.
After the vally of the winds we went on operation budgie smuggler. For any of you who don't know budgie smugglers are the tiny mens swimming trunks that Ozzies seem to be obsessed with.
So operation budgie smuggler was a plan to sneak in to the 5 star hotel at yulara resort rather than use the crap communal pool. We thought that Rob the guide was joking and had some deal with the hotel but I'm now not too sure. So we did a reconosonce (spelling???) around the outside of the hotel and were shown the side and main entrances and then over a period of time we were dropped off in two's and three's to sneak into the pool side. It was quite nice and there were free fluffy towels and everything which is excellent after 5 months of crappy travel towels.
Operation budgie smuggler over then we went back to the base camp for a proper barbie and to watch the sunset over ularu.
Our final night we sneaked up to the lookout with our swags and slept at the lookout - at the top of a hill so that we could watch the sunrise over ularu for a final time without having to get up.
Just a quick note- the Essex girls didn't come to the lookout and stayed down in the camp and tried to sleep early which was silly cus everyone stayed there drinking and it was quiet on the hill. HA HA HA.

So on the final morning we walked around the base of Ularu which was good- it's a flat walk but a suprising 9km around the base. It was quite good and Rob told us some of the creation stories before we set off. We walked at our own pace this time- no waiting for moaners... Yippie.

just to let you all know we didn't eat bush tucker actually we were fed like kings. Our proper outback evening we had paella (can't spell) and we also got things like steak, pasta, fajhitas etc. Well done Rob our guide who was awake V early ever day, cooked drove and even drank with us at night- god knows when that man slept.

Post photo's soon.
Toodle pip. Hol

2 comments:

  1. Sounds really cool. Though think I would be moaning and lagging behind with the Essex girls. x

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  2. Looking forward to the photos. Hello from grimsby! I know you've never met me Holly but I know Ben. Enjoy reading your blog and think your photos are great.

    I blog for the Grimsby Wargames Society and do their website, like playing magic etc

    Been following your blog for ages now. Keep it up!

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