Darwin

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What a difference in weather.  30 degrees and humid - lovely.  Our hotel is comfortable and cool.  We have a mini kitchen and a Woolworths next door - what more do you need.  Rather than trying to find our way around we decided to book two supervised tours.

Wednesday - Litchfield National Park and Waterfalls

Beautiful day and 30 degrees by 9am.  The coach was really cool with iced water on tap.  Stunning waterfalls.  Florence Falls in one of the top 5 natural pools in the world.  Whilst we didn't go down to it as our knees and hips couldn't cope, the look out was stunning.  Also the trees were full of flying foxes.  Unfortunately it was too sunny to get photos of them but they looked amazing through the binoculars which is what I spent most of my hour doing.  Tolmer Falls were a trickle whereas Wangi Falls was lovely and David and I both took a dip in the cool waters.  We had to swim under enormous spider webs which stopped quite a few of the ladies in the group from getting past the steps.  The termite mounds were spectacular.  We had seen some before but not a whole field full.  





Thursday - Kakadu National Park

An early start - 6.00am and we didn't get back until 7.30pm.  38 degree heat for most of the day.  To be honest 4 hours driving each way was very tiring.  The drivers are extremely knowledgeable and their banter whilst informative and enjoyable did get a bit much at times but that could have been because I was also reading !!  However, the boat excursion down the yellow billabong was worth the 8 hours sat on a coach.  Our aboriginal  guide Dennis (with 2 n's!) was so entertaining and explained his environment so well.  We lost count of the number of crocodiles we saw - it was truly fascinating.  I was so glad I had taken my binoculars.  The water lilies were especially beautiful.   It was so peaceful for such a dangerous environment.  

Although the Billabong is fresh water the crocodiles currently there were all salt water and he did explain why but I can't remember - old age seeping in there!!


In the afternoon we were taken by our guide to look at Aboriginal art on the rock faces within the park.  Although very interesting I personally would have preferred to have had more time in the cultural centre.  



Friday morning

What fun.  Hotels in Australia take a holding deposit when we book in even if the room has already been paid for.  Our hotel inadvertently charged us - oops!! You can imagine David's reaction.  An hour later we were all sorted and got to see some of downtown Darwin before our flight back to the airport.  The sign in Centenary Park made me laugh you will need to zoom in on the sign next to David.

Finally why did we not know that Darwin had been bombed immediately after Pearl Harbour on multiple occasions - the first being 41 years before we got married?   So much to learn about Darwin that we didn't know.  Fascinating place.







On our way to Alice Springs.



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