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KATA TJUTU (THE OLGAS)
The first tour I took was an easy walk through Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta. Kata Tjuta is an Aboriginal word meaning "many heads." More than 30 rounded red domes rise from the desert floor. The tallest is 1,800 feet high. The English names for Kata Tjuta are Mount Olga and The Olgas. My boy Ernest Giles named it after reigning Queen Olga of Wurttemburg. Kata Tjuta is a 40-minute drive from Longitude 131. The rocks are amazing to see. The Anangu people and geologists have differing views on how the rocks were formed. I won’t get into them here – it would take way to long -- but here’s a link that will help.

ULURU – KATA TJUTA CULTURAL CENTER
The Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is a good first stop for visitors. Thirty minutes is enough time to learn about the rock and see some videos (no pictures are allowed). You can read some of the Uluru creation stories. Known as Tjukurpa, they describe the travels and actions of Kuniya (Woma python), Liru (poisonous snake), Mala (rufous hare-wallaby) and Lungkata (Centralian blue-tongue lizard). The Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre: tel.: 61-8-8956-1128; fax: 61-8-8956-2360.

ULURU (AYERS ROCK)
Uluru is Australia’s most famous icon. From a distance it looks really smooth, but up close there are all kinds of holes, caves, tunnels, natural sculptures, and even paintings. There are even gray streaks running down the side. They are caused by waterfalls, which form when it rains (a rare occurrence). At 986 feet high and 5 miles around, Uluru is one of the largest monoliths in the world. It’s made of arkosic sandstone, infused with minerals like feldspar. The rust color comes from oxidation. It’s amazing to see Uluru and Kata Tjuta change colors (from the reflection of the sun) -- particulary at sunrise and sunset, when it appears to glow. It changes so many colors, it’s mind boggling.

CLIMBING ULURU
Because Uluru is of great spiritual importance to Anangu, they prefer visitors do not climb it. One reason is that the path where people climb was associated with important ancient ceremonies. The other is that if you get injured or die (36 people have been killed, including a German man last month), the Anangu believe your spirit will remain here forever. They will feel very badly if that happens. According to our guide, half of all visitors still make climb. I did not, not only because I don’t want to disrespect the Aborginals (I don’t need any bad karma), but because I’m afraid of heights. It’s steep! In 1964 a chain was added to cut back on the deaths. Here’s a highlighted map of the path to the top.

SUNRISE WALK
I visited Uluru up close twice. One time was a Sunrise Walk (5:45 to 8:45 a.m.). The other was a sunset tour. Both were amazing, but if I could only do one, it would be the sunrise tour. That’s when Uluru is at its brightest and coolest (plus there are no flies). Walking around Uluru is very easy: a flat path that goes all the way around. It takes two and a half hours to make the lap.

RATES
Both Uluru and Voyages Longitude 131 can’t really be described, only experienced. So the next time you make it to Australia, be sure to include a trip out to the Red Center. Voyages Longitude 131: rates $1,800 AUS ($1,300 USD) per tent per night (minimum two-night stay); includes all meals, beverages, touring and airport transfers. Tel.: 61-8-8957-7121.

VIDEO
Here’s a 2-minute Johnny Jet Video of my trip to Australia’s Red Center. With high-speed the video takes about one minute to load; with dial-up, please allow three weeks.

NEXT WEEK
Next week we travel to the oldest rainforest on earth!