 Enchanting Kata-Tjuta and amazingly green Red Centre |
 Sunrise at Kings Canyon, December 9, 2013 |
Day 2– Maria woke us up at 4am and we had a healthy breakfast. Like kids, we were rushed off at 5am for sunrise viewing. Again we did not have the perfect weather and the sunrise was so-so.
 Steep climb to the top (white trail) |
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By 7am, we began our Kata-Tjuta walk. Kata Tjuta is a conglomerate of 36 domes covering some 20 km². I did not have a chance to take this walk in 2002 as it was closed after 11am. This time, I walked through the mystical green Valley of Winds which is surrounded by gigantic rock walls. My first view taken when reaching the Karingana Lookout is breath-taking and unforgettable. Half of the group returned to the starting point via the Valley of Winds. Natasha and I completed the 7.4-km full circuit route which is most rewarding. Kata-Tjuta is totally different from Uluru. I find it more fascinating and engaging. It sucks me in and grows on me.
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 Walk to Karu Lookout |
 Karu Lookout |
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 Natasha a year older after her birthday |
 Amazingly green in Kata-Tjuta |
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By 10am we were on our way back to Uluru for a 900m-long Mala walk. We were told to return to the bus by 11:05am. Natasha and I walked together. She is young and sportive and wanted to run to see a gorge before returning to the minibus. I would return to join the group first. As I was approaching the car park, I saw our bus leaving. What is happening? Then I saw Maria walking back to look for us. Natasha got on board at 11:16am.
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Maria prepared fried noodles with minced meat and vegetables. At 1pm, we were back on the road heading to Kings Creek Station. We arrived before 4:30pm and had another swim. It was hot!
An outback experience cannot be completed without a campfire, BBQ and a freshly cooked damper. We had a sumptuous meal with a chicken skewer, a piece of Kangaroo meat, a beef sausage and salad. Thanks to modern satellite technology, we have free Wifi in the middle of nowhere!
 Maria with a freshly baked damper |
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 Jina preparing our BBQ dinner |
In this campsite, permanent tents with beds are available. As it was too hot and stuffy to sleep inside the tent, I decided to sleep outdoor. But it turned out to be an awful sleepless night. First it was too hot. Then the moon coming through the clouds shone so brightly that I could not sleep. After the moon had disappeared behinds clouds, the wind was howling and trees were shaking all around me. I began to wonder whether some branches might crash upon me. Then I was shocked by the hot air from the desert brought by the wind. I began to perspire.
The last straw came when I was bitten by a mosquito (?) or a bug of some sort. I had to get up to put on a long-sleeved shirt and apply stuff all over me to prevent further bites. I was so uncomfortable and hot that I finally decided to get up and take a shower. The old Korean couple had no sleep at all and they got up before 2am. I joined them in the kitchen half an hour later and had a coffee.
Day 3– Maria gave the group a wake-up call at 3:30am and we were off to Kings Canyon an hour later. We had a demanding climb to the rim and watched sunrise at 5:30am. The 6km-long Canyon Rim walk is most rewarding bringing us close to the Natural Ampitheatre, North and South Walls and the Garden of Eden.
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We reached the station shortly after 9am. The Aussie family and I took a 10-minute helicopter flight for $60 each. The whole area looks too green to be true!
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December 10 Tuesday: Alice Springs – Cairns (GMT+10)
Time to rest and work! I stayed in Annie’s Place working on my travel notes and transferring some 26,000 old pictures to an external hard drive. This process took over three hours. My plane left Cairns at 5:20pm and I arrived in Cairns at 8pm. As my sister-in-law, Vicki and her two sisters were also visiting Cairns, I went to stay with them in a time-share apartment in Whiterock.
December 11-12 Wednesday & Thursday: Cairns
I made my first trip to Cairns, the capital of the Great Barrier Reef in 1999. It has an idyllic tropical atmosphere. The bay is planked by lush green mountains and the 3-km long esplanade is one of my favourite walks. I have taken a couple of diving trips.
Today, Cairns like other Australian cities looks smarter. But I am glad that Cairns has retained its tropical forest feel with only a handful of buildings rising above the tree tops. Its jewel is the esplanade which has been redeveloped since my last visit in 2002. I am impressed by the well-designed public amenities including a free swimming lagoon, exercise stations and BBQ stoves and enjoy my morning and evening strolls along the leafy esplanade. Hong Kong is developing the West Kowloon which will be a landmark. If we can have an esplanade like the one in Cairns, it would be fantastic! I wonder whether our planners have been here!
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I have come for its idyllic atmosphere. I have not done much apart from making a day trip to the Fitzroy Island, the biggest island closest to Cairns. The journey only takes 45minutes. One can take a 2-hour hike to its peak and a couple of short walks, swim in the beach and view coral just off the beach. I did not bring a swimming costume as I had not planned to snorkel or swim. But I ended up taking a nice a 2-hour glass-bottom boat and snorkeling tour. I got snorkeling gear from the dive shop and an English tourist lent me her spare swimming costume! and I got snorkeling gear from the dive shop. The water is nice and clear with plenty of corals and fish.
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 Nudey Beach (in name only) |
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December 13 Friday: Cairns – Sydney (GMT+11)
After a pleasant do-nothing break in Cairns, I flied to Sydney to attend Choi’s wedding. My last visit was made in October 2010 when his sister Shirley and Leigh got married. This time, my cousins Geoffrey and Wini accompanied by her husband Bob, and Lawrence my younger brother would also be coming.
I was met by Alan my elder brother who drove me to China Town. I had dinner with Alan, Wini, Bob and Karen my friend from Ho Lap College before going home with Karen. We talked till 1am!
December 14 – 15 Saturday & Sunday: Sydney
Choi, Alan’s youngest son is 30 years old and is now working in Hong Kong. Jane and Choi met in university and have known each other over 10 years. Jane is beautiful while Choi is gentle and handsome. We are all pleased that they finally decide to get married.
Alan arranged a family dinner on December 14 in Len Hong at Sylvania which is owned by Sam, a cousin from my grandmother’s side. Vicki’s brother, Gilbert and his wife Maria who just arrived from Hong Kong, Karen, her mom and her husband Tony also joined. The food was excellent and I particularly like the steamed oyster with ginger and spring union. We were all very cheerful and drank five bottles of wine!
The wedding took place in the Terrace, Sydney College of the Arts. The 150-year old sandstone building and the lawn provide a picturesque backdrop. Jane looked gorgeous and elegant. Choi looked handsome and was at his best. The four bridesmaids all dressed in rosy pink. Their dog Noodle was also standing beside the four Best Men. The setting was simple but serene. I was moved when they gave their wedding vow with love and passion.
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The reception at the Deckhouse, Woolwich Dock at Clarks Point was attended by over 100 guests. It took us by surprise when they performed the tea ceremony. (This is a traditional custom when the couple knees down to present a cup of tea to senior members of the family. In return, they will be given ‘lai see’ i.e. red packet with some money). We all took turn to drink a cup of tea before the banquet began.
Alan was emotional and could not stop smiling the whole day. Unfortunately, he being an egocentric person gave a long but not funny speech. Choi and Jane must be embarrassed by some of his remarks. We all wish them happiness and a great life together. We left the party around 10:30pm while the young ones stayed on. The night was still young.