Sometime ago I read about the field of Lights Dinner and when I went searching I immediately booked us a place. It was expensive.....very expensive, but ultimately worth every cent. We were picked up at 5.35 from the Ayres Rock Resort Campground by one of the fifteen AAT Kings coaches that zip around the resort picking up and dropping off for the various activities. There were another eight or so people waiting at our bus stop to board the bus that was already three quarters full. By the time we reached the next stop people boarded but were then. having to do the "walk of shame" back down the aisle of an already full bus! As it turned out there were enough people booked for the dinner to fill two 52 seater buses. At around $300/head they were making a killing!
Once we arrived at our destination we walked the short distance to a viewing platform to await the sun setting over Uluru. Platters of canapés were brought around to us. The bush tucker selection was tasty and included things like camels meat crepes, yam pastries and onion tarts. The drinks flowed generously as we watched the sun change the colour of Uluru to a deep red and to the west the Olgas were silhouetted against the setting sun. At was a magical sight.
Once the sun had set we were lead along another short path to where our tables of eight with there white tablecloths and linen napkins, were neatly laid out. A light was set in the middle of the table that cast a soft glow around the eights guests. We had a great table of people that were fun and interesting. Most of them were from Victoria but there was also a couple from Sydney. They had all flown into Ayres Rock and were doing various tours afterwards.
Shortly after being seated we were brought our first course that was a Pumpkin and Carrot Soup and a nice hot dinner roll to go with it. It was a hit around the table and I must remember to add carrot next time I make pumpkin soup because it certainly lifted the soup to another level.
We had an indigenous host entertain us all the way through the dinner. His name was unpronounceable but he said "Call me Vili". He regaled us with lots of interesting facts. To get our attention he would yell out "Palya". The word has a number of definitions - Hello, Good, Goodbye and OK. While our empty soup dishes were cleared from the table we had another indigenous fellow come around to each table playing his didgeridoo. It was the biggest didgeridoo I have ever seen and it had a beautiful sound, but then again I do love the sound of the didgeridoo.
Our main course was a buffet and we were called table by table to help ourselves to the very generous buffet. Oh my god. The food was out of this world delicious and as long as I live I will remember the taste sensations. I helped myself to just a small spoonful of each of the native dishes but went around the Thai Green Chicken Curry that I am sure was there for people who wouldn't try the bush tucker. I can't think of every one of the twelve or so dishes I tried but there was Barramundi with crushed Pepperberry and the Barra was flaky and not like the mush I have been served back in Palm Cove, there was Crocodile (melted in your mouth) tossed in a coleslaw mix but without the mayo , there was a risotto that had flavours of salt bush and lemon and I think Warrigal Greens, tiny tender lamb chops dusted with a native dukkah, and many more. I just wish I had taken a photograph of the buffet!
After a suitable amount of time we were once again called table by table to help ourselves to dessert. I was going to pass on this course but how could you! Once again a heavy influence on bush tucker but my favourite was a very simple piece of watermelon dusted with wattle seed. Who would have thought that combination could be so delicious. There were tiny little finger lime cheesecakes, a soft chocolate yam tart and about another six dishes to chose from. And of course there was the tart Davidson Plum Sauce that just seemed to taste good with everything. Fortunately, no Camels Milk Custard! We were also offered a Port Wine that was very good.
The night passed very quickly but one of the highlights was when all lights were turned off and we were invited to look above at the magnificent Milky Way. We had another indigenous point out all the different constellations with the help of his laser light and then he worked his way through the star signs. It was a wonderful presentation.
Before our night ended we were lead down to the Field of Lights to wander at our leisure through this amazing display. Originally it was meant to be just a temporary display but is now here until 2027. It is the size of seven football fields and contains more than 50,000 standing lights that change in colour from purple, to red, to orange and blue. It is startlingly beautiful.
By the time we board our bus that takes us back to our accomodation it is well after 10pm. What an amazing night it was and another thing I highly recommend.
No comments:
Post a Comment