It's Time, to become a tourist.

There is culture if you look for it. Today was our turn to be the tourist, yes sometimes we exchange the self-guided tours for the airconditioned bus and sit along those that haven't used a public washroom let alone public toilet.  It was a day where we mixed with those who expect vanity sets, spa, and complimentary champagne on arrival.

There are times when a little money is needed to be spent and tours around here aren't cheap, on the outside I couldn't handle paying these prices, but as the saying goes, 'When in Rome'. Oh hang on that is another tip, but still rings true.

Our first tour was a Bushtucker and Reptile Experience. Everything is an
experience these days, I guess before too long they will be advertising 'Journeys'!

After being collected in a giant 4X4 Mercedes we went north of the Ayers Rock Resort, passing the mechanical repairs section and the water treatment plant. There were four others on the tour, two ladies and two gents.

It was only about 10 minutes and we were in the middle of the scrub, with one small shelter that was surrounded by the Witchety, Wattles, and Mulga trees.

Check out the stylish floral hat.

 The guide then took us on a short walk showing us how ants build a nest next to termite nests, then invade the stronger structures, either kicking the termites out, killing and eating them, or keeping some hostage to perform repairs on the structure.

The talk and walk were very interesting and reinforced to us the importance of taking some paid tours when on holiday.

Returning to the structure we were shown some tools made from wood that were used by Aboriginal men and women, followed by a tasting of around 7 different bush seeds, grains, and fruits. With the help of a fellow tourist, we also had a go at making fire, by rubbing two sticks across some dried out camel dung.

Next was the part Katie wasn't looking forward to all that much, it was the reptiles. Roxy was the first, a Blue Tongue Lizard and then Sheldon the snake.

It was a great tour and the information presented kept us interested the whole time.

Lunch was back at the campground, Katie's favorite, (hint, sarcasm) Spam in a can!  Isn't it amazing that this can of pork can sit unrefrigerated in out food boxes in the hot car for the past weeks and still be in an edible format? Of course, once some tomato, lettuce, and cheese were added to the bread, it was, well, pretty much a spam salad sandwich!

The afternoon we took our second experience where we learned about the traditional owners, and the techniques they used to create art.

After the demonstration by Alice the local lady, we got to make our own pieces of art.

Payla