Day 8 - Uluru/ Kata Tjuta

A 5:30am wake up wasn't exactly welcomed by the boys after the first night in Alice Springs. After breakfast we set off for Uluru (Ayers Rock) as the sun came up, other than the single straight road and the odd lorry there was nothing but desert for miles. Halfway through the journey we stopped for some casual camel riding in the outback. Only a few guys splashed out the $6 dollars for the ride, the best of all being Stacy and Johnny Mac riding the same camel, the camel didn't seem too pleased....

We made it to the campsite for lunch then we went off to the impressive Kata Tjuta rocks to attempt the 'Valley of the Winds walk'. After being nearly blown off my feet I managed to figure out how the walk got its name; after taking some stunning pictures at the Karu Lookout we headed back to watch the sunset at Uluru. The dramatic colour change as the sun went down was very impressive, however the rapid drop in temperature prevented most of the boys from staying out there too long.

A unique BBQ of camel sausages and roo stake back at the campsite was followed by the tours first Court session led by judge Nick Martino. A large number of the boys were punished for certain 'mishaps' that occured in Pier 21, such as eyebrow shaving, wetting the bed, just the usual. The worst crime of all was the false accusations made by a certain individual in an attempt to frame Sheldon Brown and even head of 6th form Adrian Norris. This was simply not tolerated and the individual involved has been punished.

The night finished by the fire under the stars, another 5am wake up and a freezing night lay ahead for us all, our tour guide Clarky had assured us none of the poisonous snakes or spiders would come close so it was simply a matter of believing him and surviving the night.

Nick Burnham