The main purpose of the Australian tour this time was to climb Ayers Rock. The Rock is located in a vast prairie and looked like the naval of the earth and was very attractive.

I thought climbing it would be easy as I was told it would take an hour each way. It wasn’t that easy.

The first half was a steep path with a maximum grade of 45 degrees. Although safety chains were in place, it looked like you would fall down to the bottom of the Rock if you slipped. I had to take frequent breaks on the way up the slope.

Difficulties continued from there on. Later on the grades were not as steep as earlier but the ups and downs were quite hard and I had to be pulled up by my fellow travelers on several occasions. At first I thought they should dig footholds in the Rock but I realized that such an act would be prohibited since this was a sacred place for the Aborigines

At the top of the Rock there is an extensive plain, and I saw a red sign far in the distance. Since our time was limited,

I had to give up going close to see this red sign which I thought was a drum painted red. Later, I found out that it was made of red rock. I should have confirmed it in person and taken pictures. The photo shown here was taken by another visitor.