Ayers Rock/Uluru News, Updates

From the New York Times this morning, they have this headline: "The Season of the Skulls" with some of these highlights: "Uluru was, 25 years ago, still referred to mostly by its English colonial name, Ayers Rock. It’s breathtaking, the way the massive rock rises out of the flat, red landscape. Uluru holds spiritual significance for the Anangu people, who own the land once again."

This American writer, who now teaches at Princeton, gives background from her family exploring in these areas of Australia when her father was doing post-doctorate work in geochemistry at the Australian National University. Their family did much during that period to explore this vast and interesting country.

From the London/UK Telegraph today, they have this headline: "Tourists warned not to climb Uluru after 11-hour rescue mission to save hikers" with these highlights: "Tourists have been warned about climbing Uluru after three male hikers had to be rescued from the Australian landmark. The 23-year-olds from Australia are thought to have got stuck in a crevice after going to inspect a waterfall. Rescuers finally reached the men by helicopter, ending an 11-hour mission to save them. There have been 36 recorded deaths at Uluru and the authorities are under increasing pressure to ban people climbing the iconic landmark; not just for their own safety but because the rock is sacred to Aboriginal people. The Australian government handed Uluru back to its rightful owners in 1985, but the rock was then signed back to the government under a 99-year lease as a national park."

During our first trip to Australia, we did not make it to Ayers Rock/Uluru. There were limits on our time/budget availabilities, plus we were also warned by those experiences in these areas that during January/February conditions there can be very hot and/or "buggy". Nice to read all of this added background on this scenic and historic area.

Any others have good insights and experiences to share from being in and around Ayers Rock/Uluru?? Tips and suggestions??

Full stories at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/travel/australia-kangaroo-season-of-the-skulls.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftravel&action=click&contentCollection=travel&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/articles/tourists-warned-about-climbing-uluru-after-11-hour-rescue-mission/

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 156,055 views for this posting.