Saturday 24th November 2018
We were up and at 'em early this morning to drive to the airport to catch our flight to Adelaide. As it turned out we could have had a sleep in because our flight was delayed...by 3 hours! But as luck would have it, being a Silver Velocity member, I was entitled to a pass into the Virgin Lounge. At the end of the three hour wait, we were quite relaxed, fed and watered. It was most acceptable.
It was 4pm before we checked into our hotel in Adelaide, the Majestic Rooftop Garden. Our plans had been to take a tram ride down to Glenelg, but our late arrival and the fact that it was drizzling with rain put paid to those plans. So instead we had a lovely stroll through Rundle Mall (even though pretty much all the shops were closed) and a delicious dinner in an Italian restaurant close to the hotel.
Sunday 25th November 2018
After a great night's sleep we got ourselves dressed and went downstairs for a delicious breakfast in the hotel's dining room. We had time for another wander downtown for a while before our shuttle arrived to take us to the train depot. Actually we were expecting a shuttle, but we ended up with a limo - a very nice way to arrive.
As soon as we got out of the limo we were treated like royalty. Our bags were whisked away to check in and we were welcomed into our carriage by Claude as he escorted us to our cabin for the next day and a bit, Cabin I9. And what a gorgeous little cabin it was
We went to the Club Car for our departure where we got to spent an hour or so with some lovely Canadians and an English lady, but after that we just wanted to return to our cabin and enjoy the passing scenery
Our dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant was amazing - just as good as any high end restaurant
Monday 26th November 2018
I climbed down my ladder at 5.30am, looked out the train window and saw lightening bolts streaking across the sky - very cool. We got ourselves dressed and left the train for our sunrise stop at Marla, out in the middle of nowhere. While we drank coffee and ate freshly baked Vegemite scrolls we watched the sun rise on a new day
The train departed at 7am and continued on our journey towards Alice Springs
We arrived in Alice Springs in the mid afternoon
and our night was spent at the Mercure Alice Springs, a short walk away from the Town Centre of this very interesting town
Tuesday 27th November 2018
An early start this morning as our coach departed Alice Springs bound for Uluru. As we were the first to be picked up we scored the front seat all the way! We travelled on the Stuart Highway passed the McDonnell Ranges
saw lots of wedge tailed eagles
had stops at a couple of roadhouses
and also at Mt Connor (also known as "Foolaru" as it's often mistaken for Uluru). We walked up a very big red sandhill to get a better view of the mountain as well as the salt lake on the other side - and of course I face-planted into the soft and very red sand!
Our accommodation at Yulara was Sails in the Desert - WOW! It was a stunning resort and our room was ginormous, with a queen sized bed each and stacks of humungous fluffy pillows
After settling into our room we had time for a quick drink
before being picked up at 5.15pm for a trip to Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olgas) and the sunset, which was just stunning.
Another bonus for today was that while we were admiring the sunset and enjoying our wine and appertifs, we started chatting with a most delightful couple from Redcliffe and I just 'clicked' with Julie (Stark). We ended up becoming Facebook friends...just like that!
Wednesday 28th November 2018
This morning we were up at 3.30am...in the MORNING!!! But it was all worth it to be able to see the sunrise over Uluru, as well as Kata Tjuta in the distance
After sunrise we were taken to Walpa Gorge in the Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park ('Walpa' means "windy" and it was certainly true to its name) where we went for a long and very interesting walk
After such a long and strenuous morning, we were back at the Resort by lunchtime and a chill-out for a few hours before being picked up around 3pm for a visit to the Indigenous Cultural Centre, followed by a walk into the springs of Uluru
and then to the viewing area to watch the Uluru Sunset
To cap off a perfectly wonderful day, and one thing we were definitely not expecting, was 'Dinner Under the Stars', a delicious Aussie BBQ with the backdrop of Uluru
After dinner all the lights were turned out and we could see the spectacular night sky in all its glory. What a day!
Thursday 29th November 2018
Another early morning...3.30am this time. Farewell Sails in the Desert, as we travelled to Kings Canyon, a 3 hour drive away. We stopped at Kings Station where we were treated to a great Aussie cook-up
Friday 30th November 2018
On the positive side of our delayed flight, we did get to have a sleep in which was pretty darned good after the last couple of very early mornings. We enjoyed a nice leisurely breakfast and were picked up around 10.30am ready for what we thought was a 12.15 flight. Alas it was further delayed until 2.30pm but when we arrived in Adelaide we didn't have too long to wait for our flight to Brisbane. It was 10.30pm by the time we arrived back at Brisbane airport but when we arrived home, after a nice shower it was divine to sink back into our comfy beds.
And so ends another memorable holiday.
No comments:
Post a Comment