Finally, 38 years after our first trip around Australia, we made it to the inner sanctum!
We left Alice Springs during a sudden 20 degree temperature drop and heavy rain, the first this area had seen for a long time. At Curtin Springs Roadhouse, which has a great free camping area, we talked to a couple of Vietnam War veterans who had visited Uluru just for the day. They offered us their 3 day passes to the National Park for less than half price and with two days to go.
Approaching Ayers Rock Resort, we were astonished that the area was much less barren than we had imagined. While the pale- yellow spinifex prevailed there were plenty of green scrubs, bush flowers and trees.
Then we entered the National Park, and there it was: the mammoth monolith, the worlds largest pebble, Uluru!
As we got closer, we were just gobsmacked by its size! The smoothness of the surface now showed wavelike folds and slim waterfalls, caused by the recent rain, were glinting over algea blackened run-offs. And then, of course there was the colour! 
When walking around “the rock” it divulged more features, like caves, rocky overhangs and small water holes - all of diverse significance to the Anangu people, the traditional owners. The word “Uluru" is often been given a meaning but in Anangu language it is just the name of the area, while "Kata Tjuta”, also known as "The Olgas", means “Many Heads”. A fitting name, I thought!
We visited Kata Tjuta twice, once for the sunset and then the next day for the Valley of the Winds walk. The sunset was beautiful and the scenery along the walk and views from the two major lookouts were stunning!
We were lucky that the day was mild, 28 degrees only. If the temperature reaches 36 degrees, the walk is closed. The “Valley of the Winds” also kept its promise delivering a refreshing cool breeze, very welcome during the steep ascend.
Still, back at the resort’s camping ground, we were glad to cool off with a glass of cider and many glasses of water!
This was especially well deserved because we had gotten up at 5am to drive to the other side of Uluru for the sunrise. We just made it in time to see Uluru in its full morning glory, changing from deep purple to red and orange as the sun rose over the horizon.
Most of us spectators with hastily thrown over jumpers and dishevelled hair looked a little less glorious.
We felt sorry for some tourists who had parked on the side of the rock, intended for viewing the sunset only. They probably thought:”don’t know what all the fuss is about!”, before realising their mistake.
Some people feel compelled to climb Uluru although it is actively discouraged.
I spotted this weather carved love heart in the rock.
Sadly, tomorrow we are leaving this special place.
We still don’t know what or who placed this big pebble right here in the outback, or why the rock’s colour at times looks like artificial lighting of a velvet curtain for a soon to be revealed theatre performance.
For our last night and a fitting end of our time here we booked a Field of Light pass. It was amazing what the English artist Bruce Munro has created here: a sea of colour changing, handcrafted light stems over an area of 49,000 square metres.
It is impossible to capture the atmosphere with a camera, although Austin tried.