Just because we are
totally insane, or at least a little bit lulu...we set the alarm for 0530. Ashley woke up at 0400 and woke everyone
else. After sending him back to bed, we went
through the mad rush of trying to wake the children early and get them ready
for the Cruise on Yellow Water Billabong.
A mean feat on the best of days, but we managed to get everyone sorted
and up to the bus stop just in time to see the bus departing. We had a brief moment of panic, before
someone let us know that there was one more bus 5 minutes later. Little help that did as 40 other people were seated on the boat when we arrived, so for the second time this trip we were seated as a family 1 seat per row for 5 rows. That was the only downside, because the cruise was truly spectacular. Dean (Our Guide was very knowledgeable of the park, the native people, the wildlife, customs and history and gave a fantastic commentary for the entire cruise.
We were again
exposed to an incredible array of wildlife during the cruise from crocodiles,
to White Breasted Sea Eagles, Darters, Egrets, various types of Kingfisher, the
Rufous Night Heron (Paris Hilton Bird … because it stands still all day looking
at its own reflection), Cormorants, Whistling Ducks, Pheasant Coucal (Head of a hawk and body of a
pheasant) Brolga, Spoonbill, File Snake, Bee Eaters, Silver Belly Fly Catcher,
Whistling Kite, Pelicans, Many species of Duck, Jacana (The Jesus bird because
it can walk on water) and one very plentiful species of Mosquito.
The sun rose over
gorgeous glassy water and we were treated to a glorious beginning to the
day.
The crocodile
pictured below was a lean 4m long, and he quite happily lounged around the boat
whilst we all took photos. Truth be
told, he looked as if he was waiting for someone to lean overboard. After the jumping croc cruise, I wasn't game
to put anything outside the boat near this brute. I've seen what they can accomplish when they
set their mind to it.
We got off the
cruise hungry which was perfect as breakfast was included, and we stuffed
ourselves with bacon eggs sausage, fruit and if you were Ashley, 5 chocolate
muffins and 3 pieces of apple strudel.
From There we went across to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Here we languished around for almost 2 hours
reading the boards and looking at the brilliant displays. There is a fantastic insight into the land
and people, and their traditional way of life.
We reluctantly got onto the road and left Kakadu, to head to Mataranka via Katherine. It had been a long day with an early wake up, so the driving had been difficult. We stopped in Katherine to make lunch and get fuel, but Lisa found that the fridge had opened somewhere during the long drive, and the contents had spilled onto the caravan floor. The contents being our delicious leftover butter chicken which had spread from one end of the van to the other. I had to remind Lisa twice that this was all part of the adventure. She was not amused.
We finally got into
the caravan park in Mataranka, and it is not the one that Lisa remembers from
her childhood, but I am tired and grumpy and here is where we are staying. There is a short walk down the road to Bitter
Springs (Hot Spring 33 Deg C) and we strolled down for a late afternoon
swim. This was divine after the long
day. The water was about 2m deep with a
fairly strong current, but there were platforms with stairs to get in and out,
and there was a log in the middle of the stream that the kids played on. I think the idea for this river is to lay on
your back with a pool noodle (Conveniently available for a fee from the office)
and float gently along with the current in the warm water.
We may try this
tomorrow, but I am buggered now, so I'm going to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment