A quick trip to Uluru – The heart of Australia 闪游乌鲁鲁

Whisperingsand

Uluru乌鲁鲁！又名Ayers Rock艾尔斯岩！它是一块耸立在在澳大利亚中部荒野之中的巨大岩石！是世界最大的单体岩石，已经在红土中心的沙漠地带历经了上亿年前的风风雨雨。这座岩石以其壮丽的景色和神秘的魅力而闻名于世。

乌鲁鲁，它不仅是澳洲的心脏，也是体现澳洲丰富的文化遗产和自然奇观的核心和灵魂的地方。对我来说，它也是一个逃离墨尔本寒冷冬季的地方，一次探险，也是一个学习土著文化中的机会。上周，考试结束后，我终于与我的丈夫和朋友一起“闪游”乌鲁鲁.

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, geographically located in the central Australia. It is not only the heart of Australia but also a place that captures the heart and soul of Australia's rich cultural heritage and natural wonders. It has experienced ups and downs hundreds of millions of years ago in the desert area of the red center. The rock is famous all over the world for its magnificent scenery and mysterious charm.

For me, it is also a place to escape the cold and miserable Melbourne winter, a physical adventure and an opportunity to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of the indigenous culture. Last week, after my exam, I finally was able to make this quick trip to Uluru with my husband and my friends.

Day 1: Flight to Uluru and Witness the famous sunset at Uluru - 乌鲁鲁日落

After ~3 hours flight, through the airplane window, a giant red rock suddenly came into my sight with its vibrant red hues standing out against the surrounding vastness of the desert, illuminated under the sun light, looked majestic and imposing. Little travel tips here, to get a great first aerial view of the Uluru, make sure to book your plane a seat in A or B preferably before the wing, on flight out, you will need to sit on the right side of the plane with an E or F seat to get your last aerial view of the rock.

经过约3个小时的飞行，透过飞机的窗户，一块巨大的红色岩石突然映入我的眼帘，它那鲜艳的红色在周围广阔的沙漠中显得格外突出，在阳光的照射下，显得雄伟、气势。这里给大家一些旅行小贴士，如果想在飞机上鸟瞰乌鲁鲁，请确保在飞机上预订 A 或 B 的座位，最好是在机翼之前。回程时，需要坐在飞机的右侧E 或 F 座位，这样就可以在飞机上最后一次鸟瞰岩石。

As soon as we stepped out of the plane, the dry desert air enveloped us, giving a sense of adventure and anticipation. We couldn't wait to witness the beauty of this natural wonder. We headed straight to our hotel-Desert Gardens, dropped off our bags, and set off to see the Rock. Uluru is the largest sandstone monolith in the world, rising 863 m above sea level with most of its bulk lying underground, measuring 348m high above the ground, and 9.5km in circumference.

一走出飞机，干燥的沙漠空气就笼罩着我们，给人一种冒险和期待的感觉。我们迫不及待地想亲眼目睹这一自然奇观的美丽。我们直接前往沙漠花园酒店，放下行李，就出发去看岩石。乌鲁鲁是世界上最大的砂岩巨石，海拔 863 米，大部分位于地下，距地面高度 348 米，周长 9.5 公里。

As the sun started to set, we positioned ourselves to witness the famous sunset at Uluru. The rock seemed to transform, showcasing a mesmerizing display of colors as the light changed. As the sun slowly set, its light sprinkled on the rocks, shrouding them in a golden red. Uluru seems to be a volcano, erupting with flame-like colors, its magnificence and beauty are breathtaking. I stopped taking pictures and just gazing at the wonder in silence, appreciating the power and creativity of nature. It was a surreal experience that left us in awe of nature's artistry. （Notes: the reddish colour in the rock derives from iron oxide in the sandstone）.

太阳下岩石色彩的变化，以及日出和日落时分的美丽景象，使得乌鲁鲁成为了令人难以忘怀的自然奇观。当太阳逐渐落下的时候，它的光芒洒在岩石上，将其笼罩在一片金红之中。这时，乌鲁鲁仿佛是一座火山，喷发出火焰般的色彩，它的壮丽和美丽令人屏息。我放下手中的相机，静静地凝视着这一奇迹，体会大自然的力量和创造力，对大自然的艺术感到敬畏。（备注：岩石中的红色源自砂岩中的氧化铁）。

Day 2: Unforgettable sunrise and Explore the Uluru乌鲁鲁日出

With the promise of an unforgettable sunrise, we got up early, braved the chilly morning (4˚C) and made our way to Uluru. Waiting patiently for the sunrising, the darkness in the desert enhanced my anticipation. As the first rays of light illuminated the rock, it was as if the entire landscape came alive. The golden glow cast upon Uluru was a sight to behold, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquillity and spiritual connection. Eager to explore further, we embarked on a ~12-kilometer walk around the base of the rock (Mala walk). The sun beat down on us, intensifying the heat as we made our way around. It was challenging but rewarding, as we marvelled at the intricate rock formations and ancient Aboriginal rock art adorning the walls. The walk allowed us to appreciate the magnitude and cultural significance of Uluru.

我们早早起床，冒着寒冷（4℃）前往乌鲁鲁。耐心等待日出。黎明前沙漠的黑暗增强了我对光的期待。当第一缕光线照亮岩石时，整个岩石顿时仿佛活了起来。乌鲁鲁就像披上了一件美丽的外衣，诱人光芒，令人惊叹，让我感受到一种宁静。我们围绕岩石底部步行了约 12 公里。观摩了复杂的岩层和墙壁上装饰的古老原住民岩石艺术。这次步行让我们领略了乌鲁鲁的规模和它文化意义。

Day 3: Kata-Tjuta – Another magnificent site for the magic rocks卡塔丘塔

Kata-Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, located ~40km west of Uluru and consists of 36 domes. I got up early once again and set out to catch the sunrise at the kata-Tjuta. However, my friend and her husband couldn’t get up earlier again, so me and my husband decided to take a walk to a nearby sand dome and watched the sunrising from the distance. As the sun gradually ascended, the soft light bathed the domes, each with its own distinct character, casting beautiful shadows and creating a surreal atmosphere.

We hiked through the Walpa Gorge and the Valley of the Winds, marvelling at the sheer size and natural beauty of Kata-Tjuta. The ancient rocks seemed to hold countless secrets, and we felt a deep appreciation for the land's spiritual significance to the local Anangu people.

卡塔丘塔，也称为奥尔加斯，位于乌鲁鲁以西约 40 公里处，由 36 个dome组成。我再次起得很早，准备出发去卡塔丘塔看日出。然而，我的朋友和她的丈夫“失约”了。我和我的丈夫决定步行到附近的沙丘，从远处观看日出。随着太阳渐渐升起，柔和的光线沐浴在各个dome上，每个dome都各具特色，投下美丽的光影。我们随后徒步穿过瓦尔帕峡谷和风之谷，惊叹于卡塔丘塔的巨大规模和自然美景。这些古老的岩石似乎蕴藏着无数的秘密和故事。

Day 4: Kings Canyon – 帝王谷

Another early morning day, we got up at 4am and embarked on a journey of 300km-drive to Kings Canyon, another magnificent natural wonder in the central Australia known for its dramatic sandstone walls. We joined AAT-Kings tour for this trip.

The tour bus travelled on the dark desert highway before dawn. As the bus glided along the highway, my mind was transcending between time and space, and a sense of anticipation and mystery engulfs me. As the darkness gradually begins to yield to the first hints of light on the horizon, I felt the excitement and eager to uncover the hidden stories that lie within this desert expanse.

又要早起了。我们凌晨 4 点起床，踏上了 前往帝王峡谷的旅程（300 公里车程），这是澳大利亚中部另一处壮丽的自然奇观，以其引人注目的砂岩墙而闻名。这次我们跟AAT-Kings旅行团旅行。在黎明前，旅游大巴行驶在漆黑的沙漠公路上，我的思绪也跨越了时空，既期待又感到畏惧。当地平线露出第一缕曙光时，我感到兴奋并渴望揭开这片沙漠中隐藏的故事。

Kings canyon is within the Watarrka National Park at the western end of the George Gill Range in Northern Territory. It features 300m high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices, and views that stretch across the desert. We arrived ~9am, perfect weather for hiking. Following the tour leader, we explored the iconic Kings Canyon Rim walk (6km circuit). It was physically challenging and specially climbing the first ~500 steps to get to the top, but the view from the top was amazing with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. As we hiked along the canyon's edge, we were in awe of the sheer scale and beauty of this rugged terrain. The walk challenged us physically but rewarded us with unforgettable vistas and a sense of accomplishment.

帝王峡谷位于北领地乔治吉尔山脉西端的瓦塔卡国家公园内。它拥有 300m 高的砂岩墙、有长满棕榈树的裂缝以及绵延整个沙漠的景色。我们上午 9 点到达，天气非常适合徒步旅行。跟随领队，我们沿着帝王峡谷边缘步道（6公里环线）徒步登山。这项活动挑战性高，特别是要爬约 500 级石阶才能到达山顶。但山顶上的景观令人惊叹，崎岖的地形，巨大的砂岩墙和绵延的沙漠，尽收眼帘。 对大自然的美丽感到敬畏。这次登高爬山虽然在体力上有些挑战，但也给我带来了难忘的景色和成就感。

Day 5: Goodbye - Uluru 再见 - 乌鲁鲁

Sadly, it was time to bid farewell to Ayers Rocks. After a fulfilling and adventure-packed trip, we packed our bags and took one last look at the mesmerizing landscape. The memories of the vibrant colors, stunning sunrises, and ancient rock formations would forever be etched in our hearts. With a sense of wonder and gratitude, we boarded our flight back home, carrying with us the spirit of the Outback and the memories of an incredible journey.

时光飞逝，闪游就要结束了。这是一次充实而挑战的旅行。Uluru鲜艳的色彩、令人惊叹的日出和日落，以及古老的岩层将永远铭刻在我们的心中。带着对大自然美景的敬畏及感叹之情，也带着满满的的回忆，我们登上了回家的航班。

Note – the original travel diary was written in English, and translated into Chinese using google translator with some modifications.Thank you for reading and watching my travel diary.

初稿旅行日记是用英文写的，使用谷歌翻译器翻译成中文并在文字上经行了一些修改. 谢谢阅读及观看。

Sue-五味子 于墨尔本 2023.06