Page 10 - Martin Downs Bulletin - September '23

Page 10, Martin Downs

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Uluru: Red Center Of The the brush not getting much
higher than 5 feet. The effect
Australian Continent at the red center becomes
one of contrast, with the
Previously submitted by the greenish-brown surface being
late Don Kiselewski, MCC, penetrated by the blood red,
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens majestic monoliths of the area.
Travel Leaders Uluru is perhaps the
There is perhaps no place most well-known and
on earth that leaves a more photographed of these unique
indelible impression in the land features. Projecting
mind than the geology of more than 1,000 feet in the
Australia. The land at the air, the red stone monolith has Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock)
center of the country, in a circumference at the base
the southern portion of the of 9 km. (5.4 miles). When Ernest Giles sighted the rock in
Northern Territory, is truly 1872, he named it for the former South Australia Minister, Sir
unique. The perimeter of the continent starts with light Henry Ayers. Today, most of the world refers to the world’s
shades of tan that meet the blue ocean water. From the outer largest monolith as Ayers Rock, however, Australian maps
perimeter, moving toward the center of the country, the sandy still use the Aboriginal name, Uluru (the monolith itself) and
soil intensifies with redder and redder hues of color until, at Kata Tjuta (the rock domes located west of Uluru).
the center of the continent, the earth has turned to blood red. It is in these harsh surroundings that the Aborigines made
The surface of this vast area, affectionately referred to by the their home, starting some 20,000 years ago. Recent findings,
locals as the Outback, is broken by strange rock formations, still in the process of being re-confirmed by carbon dating,
completing the intrigue of the area. place this civilization some 130,000 years ago. The people
The flat surfaces of the area have been touched by a who then lived at the base of these huge monoliths were
smattering of trees, small scrubs and needle-sharp plugs of hunters and gatherers. Traveling in bands of 20 to 30 people,
grass. The tallest of the trees is no more than 20 feet, with they left their marks at the base of the rocks, in caves and
overhangs that have protected the artwork for these many
thousands of years.

This camel is a descendant of the camels that were imported
to Australia from Afghanistan to carry the ties and telephone
poles from Adelaide to Alice Springs when the telegraph
line repeater station and rail line were built there. After
completion, the camels were let loose and it’s currently
estimated that more than a quarter million camels run free
in the western portion of the country. This one was captured
and put into use carrying tourists to the Outback.

west, have the major portion of their multiple monoliths
This kangaroo was photographed at the watering hole in the restricted to tourists. During a visit to these major
desert garden near Alice Springs. monoliths, one does not always see the native people of
the land, but somehow their presence is felt.
Life in this barren wasteland was far from simple. The The most dynamic experience of a visit is visually
women, who were the gatherers and diggers, soon stripped capturing the various lights and shadows as they fall on the
the area of edible berries and fruits. They used their digging monoliths. As the sun rises across the semi-arid land of the
sticks to break the surface of the earth in their search for Outback, the graying silhouette of these monoliths emerge
edible roots and tubers. The men found themselves going from the black sky behind them. As the daylight slowly grows
farther and farther from the sheltering rocks to find kangaroo and the sun peeks over the earth’s edge, the colorless gray
and other game that would provide food for the colony. It has melts into dark brown. As the sun continues to rise higher
These heart-shaped holes in the smooth face of Uluru were been estimated that these first inhabitants stayed only a few and higher into the sky, the rocks likewise become an ever
created by erosion. months at the rock in their quest for life, based on the food changing picture of color – through the brown range, into the
sources of the area. Water was a very precious commodity, purples and then the reds, before projecting its true daytime
with the area only having an average of 10 inches of rainfall appearance. The shadows at sunrise from the deep ridges
a year. However, there have been dry spells for up to 10 years and valleys on the rock continually change the appearance
where there has been no rain at all … and then deluge. and perspective on the start of a new day.
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing No mention of this area would be complete without mention Very few places on earth present such contrast and visual
Palm Beach County and is a privately of the flies of the Outback. These flies, about half the size of beauty as the rocks in daylight. The solid red rock monoliths
owned and managed company. our flies here in Florida, swarm in huge numbers. They become penetrate the tan/green surface of the earth’s surface at an
Captain’s is committed to providing real pests, and even though they don’t bite, they tend to land almost perpendicular slope, culminating in a nearly flat-
dependable, reliable and professional
ground transportation to and from all on your face and neck, and you wind up finding yourself doing topped surface that presses against the cobalt-blue sky. Just
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 the Aussie salute – by waving both of your hands in front of add a few white puffy clouds, and you’ll have a sight that
To reserve your vehicle: your face to chase the flies away. Solutions to the problem will remain with you forever.
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com come in many forms: speed stick repellents, hats with corks The setting sun completes the daily cycle of images,
tied around the edge, and most effective, netting that covers reversing those of the early morning. At the right time of
the hat and head. The net really works. the month, the full moon’s rays, when cast against the rocks,
Answer for The rocks continue to be sacred places of worship by create unique shadows that intrigue the viewer. After an hour
the Aborigine. Although you can travel the entire base
or so, when the light of day has completely slipped below
Crossword Puzzle of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and even climb to its top, the the horizon, the stars of the Southern Hemisphere twinkle in
the heavens of the Outback. There are few times when one
Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) some 40 kilometers farther to the
feels so insignificant and distant from the rest of the world.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta, to some who have never visited
them, are just rocks in the Outback. But to the many who
have had the opportunity to see them, they are a way
to truly focus on one’s surroundings. Quoting a fellow
traveler after our experiences in the Outback, “We’ve had
a good day at Red Rock.”
The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal
experiences, having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the
oceans, seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens
Travel Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is
located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road,
Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency
has been serving the travel needs of the South Florida area
for over a quarter of a century. Contact them at (561) 694-
9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
Photos by Don Kiselewski
This gold-colored animal that looks like a dog is actually
a dingo; these came to Australia from China and most are
wild. This one happens to be domesticated.