I have just returned from a weeks long holiday in the Northern Territory of Australia, primarily the Yulara area near Uluru. I travelled with a friend and it was both of our first times in the NT and also our first time travelling together; and to be 100% honest, it couldn't have been a more enjoyable trip. Everything, from the moment that we departed for the red centre to the time that we touched down back in Victoria went like clockwork. No hiccups, no problems and no distress, just a smooth sailing and very delightful holiday, and a mighty fine first introduction to the joys of the Northern Territory.
In the space of six days we saw the three 'big' rocks of the area - Uluru, Atila and Kata Tjuta, all of which hold a special, strange and ancient magic to them. My favourite by far was Kata Tjuta also known as The Olga's which means 'many heads'. The rocks themselves look like sleeping indigenous giants at Kata Tjuta, and although I also loved Uluru, the sunrise at Kata Tjuta is an undeniably spiritual place to be. I definitely felt like there was a strong spiritual presence at Kata Tjuta, something sacred and powerful; but all three rocks are kind of like an ancient holy trinity that really need to be seen to be fully appreciated.
In spite of the incredible heat that we 'Ballaratarians' are most certainly not used to (Uluru was averaging 35 degrees most days) we still somehow managed to clock up over 85,000 steps in total which equates to over 66 kilometres of walking in six days, and some of those steps were done whilst walking (struggling, panting) straight up the side of Kings Canyon, which almost slayed me completely!
We also did some fantastic garden and bush tucker workshops to learn about the medicinal, culinary and cultural significance of the flora in the area, which I would highly recommend. And we enjoyed an amazing dot painting session with an indigenous elder woman called Evelyn who was a total boss. And now, thanks to Evelyn, I feel like I actually understand the stories in the indigenous paintings that I see. Needless to say, I have purchased one from a local to put up on my wall to commemorate my journey and can interpret everything that is featured in it as well.
We took in the Field of Lights installation one evening, which houses over seven football fields of tiny colour changing lights that magically alter and shimmer against the darkness of the desert. We also managed to catch sight of most of the sunrises and sunsets which offer so many shades of pink, peach, purple, blue and gold, and some of the most incredible photo opportunities on the planet.
We happily walked the base of Uluru, visited GOCA (the Gallery of Central Australia), went on a trip to Curtain Springs where we saw some of the vast Northern salt lakes, some cattle stations and a few wild brumbies. Then we got super gutsy and headed to King's Canyon where we did the full 3.5 hour rim walk in the blazing midday sun (death became me). And to top it all off we even learned all about 'The Dark Emu' in the sky, a dark space between the stars in the Milky Way that the local indigenous people navigate by.
In short, we had a hectic, heavenly and incredibly rewarding trip to the red centre that I would recommend that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. It truly is a place like no other place that I have ever gone to before and I have some marvellous memories to keep from my adventures in the NT. From the red desert sands to the fields of wildflowers, from the giant monolithic rocks to the tiny lizards that scuttle about on their back legs and from the ritzy five star spa stays to the backpackers bar, there is something to suit everyone's taste, capability and price bracket in the NT. And what a gift it was to see it all with a dear friend and to have the time off to enjoy it completely. Feeling very grateful and also a little tired, but wow, what an amazing trip we had!
In the space of six days we saw the three 'big' rocks of the area - Uluru, Atila and Kata Tjuta, all of which hold a special, strange and ancient magic to them. My favourite by far was Kata Tjuta also known as The Olga's which means 'many heads'. The rocks themselves look like sleeping indigenous giants at Kata Tjuta, and although I also loved Uluru, the sunrise at Kata Tjuta is an undeniably spiritual place to be. I definitely felt like there was a strong spiritual presence at Kata Tjuta, something sacred and powerful; but all three rocks are kind of like an ancient holy trinity that really need to be seen to be fully appreciated.
In spite of the incredible heat that we 'Ballaratarians' are most certainly not used to (Uluru was averaging 35 degrees most days) we still somehow managed to clock up over 85,000 steps in total which equates to over 66 kilometres of walking in six days, and some of those steps were done whilst walking (struggling, panting) straight up the side of Kings Canyon, which almost slayed me completely!
We also did some fantastic garden and bush tucker workshops to learn about the medicinal, culinary and cultural significance of the flora in the area, which I would highly recommend. And we enjoyed an amazing dot painting session with an indigenous elder woman called Evelyn who was a total boss. And now, thanks to Evelyn, I feel like I actually understand the stories in the indigenous paintings that I see. Needless to say, I have purchased one from a local to put up on my wall to commemorate my journey and can interpret everything that is featured in it as well.
We took in the Field of Lights installation one evening, which houses over seven football fields of tiny colour changing lights that magically alter and shimmer against the darkness of the desert. We also managed to catch sight of most of the sunrises and sunsets which offer so many shades of pink, peach, purple, blue and gold, and some of the most incredible photo opportunities on the planet.
We happily walked the base of Uluru, visited GOCA (the Gallery of Central Australia), went on a trip to Curtain Springs where we saw some of the vast Northern salt lakes, some cattle stations and a few wild brumbies. Then we got super gutsy and headed to King's Canyon where we did the full 3.5 hour rim walk in the blazing midday sun (death became me). And to top it all off we even learned all about 'The Dark Emu' in the sky, a dark space between the stars in the Milky Way that the local indigenous people navigate by.
In short, we had a hectic, heavenly and incredibly rewarding trip to the red centre that I would recommend that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. It truly is a place like no other place that I have ever gone to before and I have some marvellous memories to keep from my adventures in the NT. From the red desert sands to the fields of wildflowers, from the giant monolithic rocks to the tiny lizards that scuttle about on their back legs and from the ritzy five star spa stays to the backpackers bar, there is something to suit everyone's taste, capability and price bracket in the NT. And what a gift it was to see it all with a dear friend and to have the time off to enjoy it completely. Feeling very grateful and also a little tired, but wow, what an amazing trip we had!
THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Release Date: 1994
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 104 mins
An Australian drama comedy written and directed by Stephen Elliott, 'Priscilla' was certainly instrumental in bringing Australian cinema to worldwide attention for its positive portrayal of LGBT individuals, and with helping to bring LGBT themes into the mainstream.
The story follows two drag queens and a transsexual as they travel across the Australian outback in a silver and hot pink bus called Priscilla, peddling their unique style of cabaret entertainment. Along the way the men share in the trials and tribulations of their lives and adventures.
This is hands down the best drag queen movie that I have ever encountered, it is a true extravaganza of sequins, glitter and glam wardrobe attire. There is also a stirringly emotional undertone about the ugly prejudices that have been endured, and sacrifices that have been made by these men in order for them to live their lives by their own terms.
Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce are all solid and do a marvelous job of singing, dancing and lip syncing their hearts out under the harsh Aussie sun.
FINAL SAY: That's just what this country needs, a cock in a frock on a rock.
3.5 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 1994
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 104 mins
An Australian drama comedy written and directed by Stephen Elliott, 'Priscilla' was certainly instrumental in bringing Australian cinema to worldwide attention for its positive portrayal of LGBT individuals, and with helping to bring LGBT themes into the mainstream.
The story follows two drag queens and a transsexual as they travel across the Australian outback in a silver and hot pink bus called Priscilla, peddling their unique style of cabaret entertainment. Along the way the men share in the trials and tribulations of their lives and adventures.
This is hands down the best drag queen movie that I have ever encountered, it is a true extravaganza of sequins, glitter and glam wardrobe attire. There is also a stirringly emotional undertone about the ugly prejudices that have been endured, and sacrifices that have been made by these men in order for them to live their lives by their own terms.
Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce are all solid and do a marvelous job of singing, dancing and lip syncing their hearts out under the harsh Aussie sun.
FINAL SAY: That's just what this country needs, a cock in a frock on a rock.
3.5 Chilli Peppers
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