Day 6 - Kings Canyon

When asked if she'd watched the Dawn, 

Our Tour Guide stated

"The Sun has been rising for Millennia - 

It does not need my Supervision"

But I say when it Jumps Up - bangs on your door 

and says "Hey Look at Me". 

You just have to pay it some attention!  

(At least I didn't have to walk anywhere for this shot!)

We needed an early start for today as we were going to The Kings Canyon Rim.

A 6 km loop - that takes about 3 - 4 hours that is ONCE you climb the 500 rock steps to the Rim.

Yes OK - we checked it out and NO ONE on the tour thought it a good idea!

I have left this photo at full size.

If you look closely you can see a Japanese Couple on the steps - She had no Hat and was dressed entirely in Wool! 

(By her body language I think she was having second thoughts.)

The forecast temperature was for Over 35℃ and it was already climbing.

And it was only 9:30 am

We chose the 1 . 5 km Riverbed Walk. 

Taking much longer than the estimated 45 minutes as our Guide kept stopping to tell us about the local Indigenous Bush Food. 

And taking Photos for Random Tourists.

The Path was easy for those of our Group who were not as Young or Fit as they used to be.

You felt a sense of pure tranquil Peace.

"Core of My Heart - My Country"

And then you look UP -

To "Her Pitiless Blue Skies"

and the Soaring Sandstone Canyon Walls

And you realise how small you are in the Great scheme of things.

Time to head back to Base for Lunch and .... "Pics or it Didn't Happen!"

Is that Stowaway Frog ...

in a Helicopter?

Yes - He wasn't going to miss out on this extra treat.

Our 30 minute Flight took us

Over the ever changing Landscape

There had been Rain recently and the amount of Green against the Red Soil was surprising.

And Over Kings Canyon, where we had walked its Valley this morning.

Our Pilot informed us that this is where the Iconic 1998 QANTAS ad final scene was filmed.

*See footnote If you would like to see the most expensive Australian Advert ever made.

With Feet firmly back on the ground I was able to check my photos and was totally 'blown away' by the quality and detail of the shots from my Iphone 13 pro

(This photo is cropped to 75% and condensed for Web Viewing.)

Our Last event for today was Canapes and Cocktails while we watched the Sunset and Moon Rise over the George Gill Range 

I had the wonderful experience watching the absolute Joy of discovery, when teaching some of our new friends that there was more to Phone  Photography than Landscapes and Selfies. 

Some of the Reflection Photos they got were awesome with one Friend capturing the Full Moon in the bottom of Her Glass!

The Day Finished with Bruce Monro's Light Towers.  

 

Made entirely from Light Filled Bottles and set to a mesmerising Soundscape, we wandered trough its Maze just enjoying the experience.  

I Preferred it to Uluru's Field of Lights, which I thought very messy and chaotic.  

* * * 

The following is a statement from Bruce Munro

“The intention of Light-Towers is not to be some spectacle of lights that flash in the desert. Rather it is simply about enhancing the feeling of wonder and the sense of place that somewhere like Kings Canyon naturally gives you. I hope Light-Towers will become a place where people can reconnect with nature, reconnect with themselves and escape the noise of the everyday in an incredible location.”

And Kings Canyon is Certainly Incredible!

*Link to a Documentary on the Making of The QANTAS advert

I Still Call Australia Home