Northern Territory

The Poem, Stop by Stop

1. 1Yulara, Ayers Rock ResortNorthern Territory
   To the Red Centre, so glad that we flew.If not, would have been 4 days driving, it’s true.Passing the salt lakes and approaching Uluru.At the start of three days, there’s so much here to do.What a morning, lots to learn, grab an ice cream to cool off.The kids are drained, an early morning, and Lorelei has a cough.A cold pool for dad and kids; it is my multi-decade fate.And then “Go Fish” at Pioneer Hotel, and chic nuggets on a plate.
2. 2Uluru at sunriseNorthern Territory
   Getting up early, before even the sun.Taking a bus, so we did not have to run.The stars are out as we pass into the park.They say it’s morning, but it still looks pretty dark.With coffee and tea we get our first glimpse of the rock.The moment seems solemn so seldom did we talk.Except of course CC, who had something to say.That was how we started, on this cool, sunny day.
3. 3UluruNorthern Territory
   The guides tell us the rock was an ancient riverbedSix kilometres wide, with a bit of iron, so it’s red.Flowing sediment down from the half billion-year-old Petermann ranges.When it oxides, it’s from grey to red colour that it changes.How it got vertical, is really what’s quite crazy.Although the rock just sitting there seems a little lazy.The sedimentary lines are erect at 89 degrees.The earth turned up this heavy rock, hardened from the pressures of the seas.Wild to imagine that this place was twice covered in waterFirst by a river, then an ocean, back when it was hotter.There likely weren’t Polar icecaps to hold up all the seasBut more recently the water dropped after a major freeze.Now the earth is colder, but Australia is dryerIn the middle of the day, the desert’s like a fryer.No activity, no animals, would venture out by day.They’re in burrows or nocturnal, is what our tour guides say.
4. 4The million-dollar dunnieson the road to Kata Tjuta
   On our way to another ancient rock formationWe make an important stop at a unique, remote stationWith dunnie drops that cost the govvies each a million bucks,We make a potty stop with the buses, cars, and trucks.
5. 5Kata TjutaNorthern Territory
   Kata Tjuta is the name for the collection of the dome.It is a mighty conglomerate where the Anangu men roam.Not for the women, but only men, this is a sacred place.Unclear what all they do, but at least the wild game they chase.
6. 6Around the base of UluruNorthern Territory
   Another morning bus ride, but starting three hours laterThis one was only transport, we had to all self-caterWe went through snacks at record pace, the bananas disappeared.That we brought tortilla chips was cause for joy; all the children cheered.The circumference of this monolith is nearly ten thousand metres.We had to go around, there was no chance for cheaters.At three hundred meters high, it would have been a rugged climbAnd, of course, this is not allowed, that was in a different time.
7. 7Yulara, the last morningNorthern Territory
   Mummy and James had a morning relaxing.An art gallery tour was slightly less taxing.In the afternoon we did a reprise of the pool.Although in a different spot, it was equally cool.Dot painting in the morning on a wombat or twoCan’t believe the hotel allowed painting on the floor with our crewSpilled my coffee on CC, but at least I didn’t drop her tooThen a flight back in the rain, goodbye to Uluru.