Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Finally, my last big highlight of my travels in Australia: the world-famous Australian landmark, Ayers Rock, or as it is known now: Uluru!

It is located in the "Red Centre" of the continent, in the deepest outback, far from any coast. By car it would take me 2 weeks to get there. But by flight it is so easy to reach, there's a direct flight from Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport.

The rock, a massive object made of red sandstone, eroded by wind and rain for millions of years but still there, is a marvel the way it rises in the otherwise flat landscape. It is also famous for its red colour in the sunrise and sunset. This is the classic view that you find on thousands of postcards.

As you see, Uluru is majestic from a distance, but it's also awe-inspiring and fascinating when you get close up and can discover its concave and convex shapes, its smooth and coarse surfaces, varied textures, streams of water, holes and caves. I did the full walk around Uluru, which is about 10 km. I did not climb it -- the Aborigines don't like people to do that and besides, it was forbidden due to weather conditions (wind, chance of rain) when I was there.

I arrived on Monday and stayed for two nights in Ayers Rock Resort. On Tuesday I got up really early, 2 hours before sunrise, to drive (in my rental car) to the best viewing spot, and was rewarded by one of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen in my life. Isn't it just amazing?

And then on Tuesday I visited Kata Tjuta, which will be a separate posting.

Last day at work!

Finally -- it's my last day at work. I made it. Yay!

Two more weeks before I'll fly home. And two final highlights coming up -- stay tuned on this blog! *sings* Uluru -- I'll soon be seeing you...

Sold my car

That went quick! I put up an ad on Gumtree and waited this weekend for people to call me... and the first who saw it bought it.

So now I'm on foot again... and one less worry.

The photo shows last night, our new Korean housemate (Jade) made a special Korean dinner for us! I need to explain how that goes, I've never had something like this before: You make a kind of wrap. You take a lettuce leaf, put a Perilla leaf on top, then comes some rice, fried pork belly (Samgyeopsal), bean paste, and Kimchi. Roll it into a ball and stuff it into your mouth! Yum. And then you make the next one and so on...

Paul was right

Paul the Octopus was right. :(

Manly Scenic Walkway

Today we had a nice day, cool but sunny, and I went for a walk on a bushwalk trek known as Manly Scenic Walkway; it's along the coast inside the harbour on the north shore between Manly and The Spit. It is very pretty; the water is so blue and the view of North Head, South Head and Middle Head, and out to the open sea is awesome. There are always a lot of sailing boats cruising in these waters, nice to watch.

There are also some idyllic small bays, overhanging sandstone rocks, and ancient aboriginal engravings to see.

Improv Theatre

On Friday night I've been to an improv (improvisational theatre) show, called Scared Scriptless. Most of my friends in Germany know me as a big fan of improv, so I'm sure you may have already wondered whether there is any here in Sydney too. Yes, there is.

They did a theatresports show (9 players in 3 teams, one host, one timekeeper and one light-man for a small audience of about the same number of people). The players and the host did a fairly good job; although I must say I think 'my' group in Augsburg (Deschawüh) is just as good as them. For a city the size of Sydney you might expect a bit more, but I think improv is particularly big in Germany, which is why I'm spoilt (verwöhnt).

It's freezing

Oooh is it cold now. This morning we had frost. And a layer of ice covered the cars parked in our street.

They said Sydney, being at sea level, does not get frost, but this is apparently not true.

Last year at this time I had escaped to Fiji for 2 weeks...