Uluru National Park

Aboriginal people have lived in the central Austrailian area for over 22,000 years. In 1873 William Christie Gossse became the first white visitor to reach the area naming it "Ayers Rock" after the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. Uluru was set aside as a sanctuary for Aboriginal people in 1920 so few people visited the area until the 1940's.

Uluru has served as a most sacred place where natives come for their ceremonies and hunting. There are sections of the rock where visitors are asked not to photograph because of the sacred history. The Aboriginal people as a rule don't like to be photographed because it is their belief that once a person dies you never speak their name again or it will cause them unrest in the after world. We had an Aboriginal guide that gave permission to be photographed. It was a special treat to have him explain the spiritual background of the rock and how it came into existence which basically involves two snakes fighting. 

The pictures don't truly portray the enormity nor beauty of the various formations. 

Ancient drawings on the walls of a small cave where the men would wait in hiding for the animals to come to the only water hole around for hunting.

Found a "foot print" bigger than mine!

Those more motivated visitors can climb to the top.

After visiting the base of the rock, we went to an area to watch the sunset. As the sun goes down it casts different shades of color on the rock. The group leader had arranged for us to have a champagne/ mimosa reception while we watched the sun go down. It was a great evening.

We had a group photo taken.

It was truly a party atmosphere.

Time to head back to the hotel.