Oceania: Day 24: 7-27-94: The Olgas And Kings Canyon (Via HELLicopter)

Today it was off to the Olgas. The Olgas are a conglomerate rock formation, equally as impressive as Uluru, in their own way. We went for a three-hour hike through the "Valley of the Winds" and marveled at the gargantuan ochrous domes which climbed to the sky. As I walked through the red, barren landscape, I felt like some future astronaut exploring the surface of Mars.

------------------------The Contiki Gang Visits The Olgas---------------

---------------------------------A Lone Gum Tree----------------------------

Then it was off to Kings Canyon (by way of Lake Amadeus and Mt. Connor). It was here that I had my second experience with a helicopter, although this one was a tad more rugged -- for starters, there were no doors! Since neither Max nor Chris (my two fellow daredevils) relished the idea of hanging out over a 2,500-foot drop, I bravely volunteered to take the co-pilot position, or, as I would affectionately come to call it, the Death Seat. As soon as we took off, the wind ripped into my body, and a powerful gust blew my headphones into my lap. I was in the midst of fumbling them back on when the helicopter abruptly veered left, trying its darnedest to dump me out!

------------------------------The Choppy Chopper---------------------------

Thankfully, we soon leveled off, and I finally had the chance to enjoy the spectacular view. Kings canyon was a scenic desert valley filled with patches of scrubby green growth overshadowed by colossal cliffs topped with rusty rock mounds. The most harrowing part of the flight was when we zipped out of the canyon, shooting straight up along one of its sheer walls. As we neared the top, I took one look down the emasculating precipice and tightened my grip on the seat. The heli-tour was great fun, but I didn't mind it so much when we landed back on solid ground.

--------------------------Kings Canyon From Above-------------------------


After dinner later that night, the exhaustion and sickness I had been fighting ever since the Ayers Rock debacle overwhelmed me, and I went to bed at 8:30.