This morning, we got up to get up close and personal with Uluru (Ayers Rock), what we came here to do. The past two days, we've seen and learned a lot about the Outback, which covers 70% of Australia's landmass. Animals out here are rarely seen in the blistering heat of the day, opting more for nighttime and underground travels, excepting the few birds that hunt in the daytime. Southern Australia used to be covered by a massive inland sea which deposited rock and sand sediments at the mouths of its rivers. These were compressed over time and geological forces eventually pushed them above ground and the sea emptied out into the ocean. Kata Tjuta is made of the rocky composite, and Uluru is made of sandstone...with some 1,500 feet above ground and an estimated 2-3 miles underground yet to be exposed. We walked the 7.5 miles around the base today at sunrise, and spent over 5 hours seeing the Rock up close and learning about the many Aboriginal Dreamtime stories associated with its features. We head out to the coast tomorrow with a greater (and spiritual) appreciation of the land of Australia. (Updated 12/15/06 with picture of us in front of Uluru after our hike.)
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Uluru
This morning, we got up to get up close and personal with Uluru (Ayers Rock), what we came here to do. The past two days, we've seen and learned a lot about the Outback, which covers 70% of Australia's landmass. Animals out here are rarely seen in the blistering heat of the day, opting more for nighttime and underground travels, excepting the few birds that hunt in the daytime. Southern Australia used to be covered by a massive inland sea which deposited rock and sand sediments at the mouths of its rivers. These were compressed over time and geological forces eventually pushed them above ground and the sea emptied out into the ocean. Kata Tjuta is made of the rocky composite, and Uluru is made of sandstone...with some 1,500 feet above ground and an estimated 2-3 miles underground yet to be exposed. We walked the 7.5 miles around the base today at sunrise, and spent over 5 hours seeing the Rock up close and learning about the many Aboriginal Dreamtime stories associated with its features. We head out to the coast tomorrow with a greater (and spiritual) appreciation of the land of Australia. (Updated 12/15/06 with picture of us in front of Uluru after our hike.)
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7 comments:
Hi, guys,
All your blogs are so interesting -you really should write a book - "Travels with Carrie and John". I've told all my friends and they think it is amazing. I always thought Ayers Rock was spelled the same as my maiden name - Ayres - but I guess not. Miss you. Love, Mom
Hi,
It's Mom again. I finally had the time to check out all the comments and realized you had already discussed the spelling of Ayers Rock. Your father hogs the computer. He's standing here right now trying to displace me. We will be staying at your casa this weekend. We'll take good care of it - not to worry. Love, Mom
I expect some bedtime aboriginee stories when you get back.
Tank
Quit hoggin' the computer TANK!!!
Yes, tell all your friends, they should read our blog. :) It should be OK if Tank hogs the computer, I seem to remember somebody getting a brand new laptop upstairs so that she could have her own computer to use...
I think John should write a book - "The Halo Effect" or "Diaries of an XBOX Junkie"
Or Carrie's book "The Art of Hair Smelling"
Mmm, good ideas. We'll start shopping around for publishers.
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