My trip to Ayres rock was so long ago that it is probably a story best told over dinner now (and a few glasses of wine to make it sound more amusing), rather than waffling on in writing here. Anyhow, it felt pretty epic at the time.

To cut a long story short I rustled up a few ozzie bucks savings and reluctantly joined some fellow travellers for a scenic flight over Ayres Rock and the Olgas. At the time I was a nervous flyer and pretty reluctatant to get into a tin-pot little plane with only one engine the size of a lawnmower. The money alone seemed a good enough reason to pull out. However, peer pressure won over and i was persuaded to take the flight. As it happened my instincts were right. After fending off air-sickness I was then confronted by a an engine cut-out (just when a nice view of Uluru came into view), a sweaty pilot barking Mayday-Mayday and a loved-up couple holding hands and declaring undying love for each other prior to what felt like as near to a near-death experience I have had. Clearly I made it back but it was absolutely terrifying. That said the views were pretty good and i got the odd nice snap (by my standards any how).

Although the trip to Ayres rock and the Olgas (sorry Uluru and Kata Tjuta) is a bit of a cliche it certainly lives upto it's billing and is a sensational experience. Those who have been will give you a knowing look when the topic of walking up Uluru comes up. It is a monumental shag (and I was 18 then) and a little hairy (I don't think it was me being a wimp). However, the views from the top are well worth savouring but don't bother bringing a pen to write in the wretched book because there is not a spare nanometer...you will not feel intrepid for having made it where the pitter patter of feet is pretty constant and brought in by the bus load. However, there is constant talk of Uluru being closed to walkers (a la stonehenge) so if you are inclined then best to get there whilst you can.