Back from the Outback

Hi everyone. We're safely back in Darwin after our week exploring the Top End. We've had a great time. Lichfield National Park was tranquil and we loved lazing in the water holes. Katherine Gorge was spectacular, and we really enjoyed a walk up to Edith Falls through beautiful scenery. Our last port of call was Kakadu, a huge National Park with lots of Aboriginal Rock Art dotted throughout it. We went on a great 4WD trip to Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls. Even though the falls were not much more than trickles (as the Wet season hasn't quite started yet) they were really stunning places and we enjoyed the company of Wade and Jacqueline, a young couple from Adelaide on their honeymoon. Wade was great fun and spoke at 100mph - mostly about the various time he's been bitten / stung / set on fire by spiders / snakes / alcohol.

 

The following morning we got up at the ungodly hour of 6am to go on a boat trip through the Yellow Waters, which contained a huge variety of birds. June has bought a "Birds of Australia" book and is becoming quite an expert in spotting them. We also saw lots of crocodiles, and are glad to report that we've returned with a full complement of limbs. The tour guide warned us not to lean over the side of the boat - a few years ago a croc took a tourist's head clean off.....

 

On the way back from Kakadu we drove through an incredible thunderstorm. The rain was amazingly heavy and reduced visibility to a few feet, and there were lightning flashes every ten seconds right around us. It lasted for about 30 minutes, by the end of which June was ready to have kittens! She isn't the best passenger at the best of times.....

 

We've uploaded a few photos from the trip - link on the right.

 

OK then, I guess its time to go out and explore Darwin. It's a smallish place but there is lots of building going on, including a grand Convention Centre and marina village which looks really nice but locals warn could be underwater the next time a big Cyclone hits. Catch you all later. Watch this space for a video podcast from Mrs F.......