{"id":40762,"date":"2015-05-06T07:31:11","date_gmt":"2015-05-05T21:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/blog\/?p=40762"},"modified":"2015-05-06T09:26:30","modified_gmt":"2015-05-05T23:26:30","slug":"a-camels-eye-view-of-uluru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/a-camels-eye-view-of-uluru\/","title":{"rendered":"A camel’s-eye view of Uluru"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s 5am and the alarm goes off \u2013 finally time for the long awaited camel safari! I\u2019ve heard great things over the last few days from other adventurers who have \u201cbeen there, done that\u201d, so we have a true sense of excitement about what awaits.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With tired eyes, Miss LML (Nat<\/a>) and I stumble into the Sails In The Desert<\/a> foyer, where we await our hotel pick-up. A van arrives shortly after and we\u2019re already on the road before I’ve even properly woken up! After a short drive (nothing is ever too far away in Uluru<\/a>), we arrive at the Uluru Camel Tours<\/a> farm, where we join the other guests all excitedly prepping for the adventure ahead.<\/p>\n\"Uluru<\/a>\n

We head into the store, where Scotty and Bert talk us through the safety basics and things to look out for. Who knew there’d be so much to see and do when riding a camel?!? The group files outside, where we\u2019re greeted by a long train of camels who sit patiently at the ready. Some of them chew their cud with vigour, while others stare blankly around awaiting direction from the safari team. It\u2019s nice to feel the calm of such big animals.<\/p>\n\"Camel\n\"Before\n

Our expert guides walk among the group, looking to match up man with beast. Nat and I have been making eyes at a fine-looking camel near us that looks like it has a bit of personality, so our hopes are high that we’ll get the nod. Success! Nat and I are paired up with \u2018Wally\u2019! We don\u2019t know it at the time, but Wally is a legend among camels\u2026 Well, at least we think so.<\/p>\n

\"WALLY\"<\/a>

WALLY<\/p><\/div>\n

So now we’re paired we just need to get on. The camels sit poised, awaiting their passengers to climb on board, and once Nat (not so gracefully) and I are in position, Scotty gives the signal and a quick reminder to “Hang on!” With a rock \u2018n\u2019 sway that’d make a Deadliest Catch fan proud, we quickly ascend as Wally finds his feet and prepares for the journey.<\/p>\n

We’re lucky enough to be positioned near the front of the camel “train”, which is a great spot for unimpeded views of the beautiful countryside. Questions start to come from the group, and with one of the knowledgeable guides close by the answers come thick and fast. I\u2019m learning about the array of flora and fauna that makes the Australian outback unique, not to mention what the tracks of a seriously large snake look like\u2026 **Insert relief from being high up on a camel!**<\/p>\n

Our journey continues, and soon what we all came to see comes into sight\u2026 Uluru in all its glory. It\u2019s right about now I realise why I made the effort to get up at 5am – the sunrise is just magnificent! The sky is a mix of blues, yellows, oranges and pinks that’s nothing short of stunning. Calm comes over the group and there’s no noise other than the wind\u2026 and the camels. The quiet and stillness of the moment is inspiring. A quick look behind me to the rest of our safari companions, and it\u2019s clear I\u2019m not alone in admiration. We’re all mesmerised as the landscape comes to life; from the Rock and the sunrise, to the perfect contrast of the deep, red earth beneath it.<\/p>\n\"The<\/a>\n\"Uluru\"<\/a>\n

While I take in the view and use every camera setting and filter to take photos that will (try to) do the moment justice, the inquisitive camels look and sniff around. I’m positioned on the back of our camel (with Nat in front), so I get to have some up-close time with the camel behind us. A scratch and a pat are in order, and I seem to have made a friend for life!<\/p>\n\"camel<\/a>\n

After lots of photographs and bonding time with the camels, the signal is given for the camels to begin their march back to the camel farm HQ. Question and story time continues, and I’m in awe of just how much knowledge and, more importantly, respect, these guides have for the land and the greater region.<\/p>\n\"Sunrise<\/a>\n

Back at the farm we dismount Wally, I take a few more photos and give him a scratch to say thank you for the ride. He loves it.<\/p>\n\"Wally<\/a>\n

All up we had almost an hour on the camels, and now that I’m back on solid ground my mind starts to wonder about breakfast. And I\u2019m in luck – some tucker awaits in the form of beer bread damper with hot coffee and tea. Who knew that sitting on a camel was such thirsty work? As we all slather our choice of jam, Vegemite or Nutella on the damper, the professional photographs taken during our sunrise tour appear on a big screen. The shots are amazing and a great souvenir purchase.<\/p>\n\"Breakfast\"<\/a>\n

Nat is immediately drawn to the gift shop (no surprises there) and can\u2019t resist a cute T-shirt for her goddaughter Hannah. Nat can literally shop anywhere! I also notice that every camel has their own key ring, so our time bonding with Wally is forever immortalised in a Wally key ring that Nat adds to the gift-shop haul.<\/p>\n\"gift<\/a>\n

As I jump onto the bus to be dropped back at our hotel, it\u2019s clear to me that I\u2019ve just experienced an Uluru highlight; in my opinion it\u2019s an absolute must-do. This is a truly hands-on, up-close-and-personal encounter. The camels are the star of the show, which is a tall order when you have Uluru and that sunrise to compete against! So my advice\u2026 make the trip out to Uluru and make sure this sits somewhere near the top of your to-do list for this truly amazing place.<\/p>\n\"Dan<\/a>\n

<\/h2>\n

Dan and Nat were guests of Tourism NT.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Have you been to Uluru? Dish your red dirt in the comments!<\/strong><\/h2>\n