Uluru - Magnificent Monolith

Uluru, or Ayer's Rock as known by non-Aboriginals, was described by an early European explorer, Ernest Giles, as a 'remarkable pebble', in 1872. A remarkable pebble, indeed! Uluru is the second largest monolith in the world, second only to Mount Augustus, also in Australia! Uluru is 986 feet high, and extends deep below the surface of the earth approximately a mile and a half.

Out of respect for the Aboriginal spiritual beliefs regarding Uluru, I chose not to take the long and somewhat arduous trek up the monolith, but I can assure you, I experienced Uluru's magnificent beauty every bit as much as anyone could. The climbing path crosses an important cultural and spiritual 'Dreamtime' track, significant to the Aborigines. Former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, handed over management of Uluru and the surrounding lands to the original Aboriginal 'owners' in 1983, with the promise that Uluru would remain sacred for all eternity. He broke that promise in 1985, by making access to climb Uluru for any and all tourists who wished to, a condition of the Aboriginal owners actually receiving the title to the lands. There are several deaths each year, usually directly attributable to heart attacks suffered by climbers on Uluru, but this does not deter the physical trespass of the many visitors who still choose to desecrate this sacred space.

The indigenous peoples of the area believe that there is a gigantic hollow beneath the everchanging colors of Uluru. They believe that in this hollow resides an energy they call 'Tjukurpa', the Dreamtime. The word Tjukurpa also is used to refer to the entire history of an ancestral being, from the beginning to the end. Uluru is 'inhabited' by many ancestral beings, dozens in fact. The Tjukurpa of Uluru is related through oral histories, whether the spirit ancestor resided there or just rested on their way to another location. To the Australian Aboriginal peoples, the Tjukurpa is in the physical feature of a location, animate (as in the winds and streams) or inanimate (rock ledges, outcroppings and caves).

One word of caution, learned from experience: DO NOT leave your expensive digital camera sitting on the dash of your enclosed vehicle in the sun! I was surprised at how quickly a camera melts. It was an expensive lesson.

Uluru and the surrounding lands have so very much to offer the visitor that I decided I needed to allow several days for exploration. The magnificent beauty of the area was equaled by the history and spiritual elegance the monolith exudes. Take your time, sit quietly and absorb the quiet beauty of Uluru.

Desert Gardens Hotel Ayers Rock - make this your base of operations at Uluru! The Desert Gardens is set in a tranquil Ghost Gum forest, right in the middle of everything, with views out to the colorful and changing desert. They have a large swimming pool, a great little bar, called Bunya, that serves humongous cocktails and ice cold ales, and a restaurant, The White Gums, with superior cuisine and service.

More lodging choices, including campgrounds, see http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au, but most of all, use the resources available on the internet to plan your journey to Uluru, Land of Dreamtime. My husband and I are planning another trip soon, and all because I wanted to write about my excursion. Gee, maybe I should write about my trip to Cairns, next. Maybe he will take me back there too!