With temperatures expected and hitting 40+ degreesC the shade and coolness offered by the environment was most welcome. The constant thud of tourists' feet and the chit chat and clicking of the cameras is a subtle reminder of the reality of the many thousands of tourists that come here to visit the red centre. While to the outside observer there is sparseness of trees, birds and other life if a few moments are just spent observing and listening, there is much to be seen.
Bloodwoods, rock figs, desert oaks, even a river gum are among the wattles, saltbush, mallees, and spinifex that allow birds such as the woodswallows, finches and some other birds that were also seen on the walks. For a desert environment there was certainly plenty of flowers and grasses evident while we walked in awe of the towering rock that is around 350 metres tall in some points.
The Mala Walk led by a tribal elder allowed us to get up close and personal to many of the ancient stories that lie beneath the artwork and historical significance of the area. We were very lucky to have such a wise tour leader and local language tramslator with us on this part of the visit to this part of the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. We heard stories of the troubles that tourists cause by walking or aiming to walk to the top of the rock and were able to see some of these issues up close and personal. The whole tour group declined any offer to walk the pathway, anyway it was way too hot, and the pathway is closed early in the hot season.
After a visit to the Cultural Centre where there was just enough time for the "Did not climb" book to be signed, we were off towards Kings Canyon.
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