The next day we were up early again to head off to Kata Tjuta, aka the Olgas. Just a few more photos of Uluru follow from the above road.

 Kata Tjuta is just as awe inspiring as Uluru.

We did not do the full Valley of the Winds walk around Kata Tjuta as it was too long a walk for my knee. Mark and I did a shorter version  which took us to the Karu Lookout whilst the others did the whole circuit.

The Karu Lookout is as far as you can walk here.

Looking towards the carpark. It can just be seen in the middle right.

 Next we did the Walpa Gorge walk. Another beautiful walk around through some of the domes.

Once again ,as far as we could go because beyond is a sacred site.

The flower is a type of pussy willow. 

There was still some water sitting on the rocks from a previous rainfall.

On the way back to Yulara, we stopped at a viewing platform to have one last glimpse of Kata Tjuta.

On the left is a desert thryptomene and on theright is a honey grevillea.

This is an upside down plant. The red flowers grow at the bottom of the bush.

The tree in the middle is an immature desert oak and the one on the right is a mature one.

 On the left is a Gibson's Desert Fuchsia.

The pigeons kept us amused with their antics.

Then it was off to Yulara for lunch where we met up with the "gang"

After lunch we headed in to the retail area of Yulara where Mark tried his hand at the didgeridoo.

When we finished tea,we went out to the sunset viewing area in the park. At first there was no sign of the storm to come.

The changing colours of Uluru.

As the sun set, storm clouds started to come over.

 It took a while for us to leave the park as we were treated to a spectacular lightning show over the desert. Soon after we got back to camp an enormous wind came through followed by a drenching downpour.At least we know our tents don't leak. Luckily it didn't last very long and the park had a decent outdoor meals area where we could cook, sit and eat.

After four weeks of trouble with the internet I can finally return to my blog, starting with our visit to Uluru.

Today was our day to explore Uluru. It was another early start because the others wanted to climb the rock. Mark and I had decided not to climb even before I had hurt my knee.

Chris and Irene had rejoined us yesterday and were ready to make up for lost time.

 Mala Walk is one of the base walks around Uluru where you  see some of the very places where the Mala people prepare for ceremony . This is an easy ranger guided walk and well worth it.

Fascinating rock art.

Would love to see water coming down here.

The face on the side of the rock.

The waterhole on the left is the most reliable one at the base of Uluru, while the chair is one of many made for one of the royal visits.

The next set of photos are from the family cave.

 Kata-Tjuta

After exploring Uluru it was time to head back to Yulara for some lunch , after which we went and watched some aboriginal dancing at the resort.

Followed by a glorious sunset.