We got collected from our hostel at 5:40 AM for our Ayers Rock excursion. We drove six hours to the Kings Canyon where we had to climb up it at mid day in the 38 dgree heat. It was pretty tough especially as the flies wouldn't stop attacking us. We both got agressive on numerous occasions. It was a three mile walk up the Canyon but we got to stop at a water hole! Fantastic. We were melting so it was so refreshing. It felt bloody cold though. After the Canyon we drove for another five hours and stopped for the night on a cattle ranch. We got out the swags (rubber mattress type things) and layed our sleeping bags out over it. Our guide Nick started the camp fired. He made sure it burnt all night. It was so beautiful to sleep under the stars. Plus everyone was so chilled out before bed we all sat round chatting to everyone. We spend most of the night talking to Karen and Emma, Aussie and English girls.
The next day was spent doing a short trek in the Olgas. It was baking hot so as a group we decided to do the 5.5 kilometer walk instead of the 7K walk. The guide told us that the best sights were on the 5.5 anyway. Therefore we walked up and down the rocks and went to several viewpoints. It was beautiful. The iron content in the rocks meant the rocks were a wonderful red colour.
The guide told us about the different rituals that take place in Aboriginal culture. Apparently when a child is six years old they have to teach them patience. They will take them to a cave and leave them there for as long as they deem fit. If a child is patient by nature then two days is enough. If not they could be there for two weeks!! Emily figured that she would be there for years!! Another one is once a boy becomes a man he has to prove this by slicing his penis from top to bottom. If he is still able to have children it is a sign of strength. The magic man has it the worst. In order to be a magic man a lot of torture takes place. They have to slice their torsos so deep that they can stick hot coal in them. They usually pass out once a few pieces of hot coal have been put in there. They believe when he passes out he will see God who will give him the power of magic. This works to heal people etc.
In the afternoon we went to Ayers Rock and had a tour around the rock. We learnt more about the Aborignal culture and the celemonies that have taken place. The rock belongs to the Aborignals and they ask you not to climb the rock. This is because 1) it is sacred and only sacred men are supposed to go on this journey. 2) because if you die up there then they believe an evil spirit has made its way to the rock. Then they have to conduct two days of celemonies where they cleanse the rock of this spirit. Quite a lot of people have died mainly due to heart attacks trying to climb the first part.
The next day we watched the sunrise over Ayers Rock and then we climbed! The first 40 minutes were a bit tough. It was steep. After that it got windy. We could see how it would be easy to fall. We managed to get up the rock and back down again in an hour and 40 minutes so that wasn't bad going. After doing the Inca trail and climbing Pucon Volcano it wasn't difficult for us. The rest of the day was spent travelling back to Alice Springs.
The next day we left for Perth. We were a bit of the way out in Perth and quite a distance from the airport. We shared a cab with two Dutch men that happened to be staying at the same hostel as us. On arrival at the hostel they wouldn't leave us alone. One of them was really odd. He wanted to cook dinner with us and asked whenever we were heading out where we were going. In the night he kept sitting up on his bed and looking over at Emily. It freaked her out big time. She mentioned that she was going running the next day and that was it, he wanted to come. Emily got up so early and was so quiet so she could sneak out before he woke up.
We went into town the next day to sort out getting US dollars and getting our haircut and stuff. That evening Geoff collected us from the hostel and we went out for a drink. Geoff and Tony have known each other since primary school and Geoff booked our workd ticket for us. We went to a really nice pub. We arranged to met Geoff on the beach the next day.
Beach day - We didn't nothing but stay by the beach. The water was so cold but Geoff didn't care he was straight in. This put pressure on Tony so he had to go in too. Emily was so cold in Perth. It was 24 degrees and we have been used to 35 plus. Evenually she got brave and joined them.
We also went to a quiz night with Geoff and some of his friends. Unfortunately we didn't win!!
The following day we went to Fremantle Prison. Of course it wasn't as good as Alatraz or La Paz. The guide made the all the British people come onto the grass with him. He told us we needed our cameras for what he was going to show us. He then pointed up at the sun and told us he bet we have never seen that before!! Funny!! He took us around the prison and then showed us where they used to hang people. The noose was still there. He explained that the reason they have a chair in there was in case the prisoner got so scared he couldn't stand up anymore. He said it used to happen and their legs just turn to jelly!! I bet!
The following day we left Perth for Singapore where we would stop over for our flight to Thailand. So thats the end of the holiday part!! Onto Asia.
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