Tuesday 19^th June, 2012

In the morning we first cleaned our camper. After we started to drive towards Darwin. We wanted to go to several Billabongs, but unfortunately the hiking tracks were closed. At Fogg Dam we had more luck and made two walks through the Nature Reserve. We got accompanied by some butterflies and birds. After we ate our last food Konrad wanted to cross the dam to a bird observation tower. It was noon and I thought this is a bad idea as it was very hot in the sun. We then crossed the dam with the camper and saw, that it was closed for walking due to crocodiles. But we still managed to enjoy the many water birds from the observation platform. In Darwin we went back to Apollo to ask where there is a car wash nearby. They explained us we only need to wash it if it is very dirty. As this was not the case, everything went very fast. A kind taxi driver drove us to the airport. At 35 °C we entered the airplane and at cool 4 °C we left it in Melbourne. We booked in the same motel when we arrived and thus we fast were again in the warm.

Monday 18^th June, 2012

Today we got up a bit before 6am as we made a boat trip on the Yellow Water. Shortly after the start the welcomed the sun and could see how the nature was slowly getting awake. We saw countless birds and could watch their morning activities. Our guide told us that we may not see crocodiles. The cool temperature makes them stay in the water and so they are difficult to see. But we were lucky and saw five crocodiles. A big male was laying already at the shore and warmed himself up. Our guide could even point out three tree snakes which were very difficult to see. It was a very beautiful morning tour and we enjoyed the area. After a big breakfast at the lodge we drove to the Warradjan Aborginal Culture Center. Here we could read a lot over the Aborginals and learn how their life is looking like. After we drove to the Old Jim Jim Road, a 100 km long gravel road. We were driving towards Darwin as we encountered a big puddle. Due to the dirty water we could not see how deep it was. I did not feel well about it, then I did not like to get stuck here and to wait until maybe another car passes. We could not walk into it to check the depth (crocodiles?). So we turned and made a detour of 100 km on the highway to Bark Hut. There we stayed overnight. Twice we drove through thick smoke, also here the underwood got burnt down. At one fire there were many birds on the road. This morning we learned that they follow the fire to hunt escaping animals. At Bark Hut we got the hint to make a short walk to see a nice sunset. So we enjoyed our last sunset at the Top End.

Sunday 17^th June, 2012

During the night we experienced different noises. First our fire alarm started to beep and only calmed down after we removed the batteries. We guess it was the cold smoke from the fireplaces. Then there was the howling of the dingos and at the end the birds whistling their morning song. We just started to drive when a few wallabies jumped over the road. A bit further a dingo crossed the road. At Yurmilkmik we started to hike to a viewpoint. We just start as Konrad spotted moving rocks. At a second look they were wild pigs. Some of their ancestors must have been escaped. Then we crossed a suspension bridge and hiked through dry grass to the view point. Here again we had a wonderful view over the National Park. Here I got induced to walk another few kilometers to the Motor Car Falls. A wide path led nearly to the falls, only the last few meters we had to climb over rocks. The effort was worth it as we got to a waterfall with a relaxing ambiance.

Back at the camper we continued driving to Bukbukluk and a short walk allowed for another view over the park. Then we drove to the Gagudju Lodge in Cooinda. On the way we saw at times the flames blazing in the grass to clean the country. After a break we drove to Nourlangie. A walkabout passed different places with rock art. Then we walked up the nearby Nawurlnadja and enjoyed the view to Nourlangie. As the sun was about to set we drove slowly back to the camping site. On the way we saw a wallaby crossing the road. In the restaurant of the lodge we enjoyed a nice dinner. Our stock of food is going low and as we are soon flying back we did not buy much.

Saturday 16^th June, 2012

We made our first stop in Batchelor to shop. We could not send the postcards as the post office is only open in the afternoon. We continued to Hayes Creek. Here we got rid of the postcards and strolled through the small market. There were a few stands were everything from honey to clothes was sold. In Pine Creek we made a refuel stop. After we went without further stop back to the Kakadu National Park. 35 km of gravel road and two places with water we had to pass to get to the camping site of Gunlom. Arrived there we explored a bit the area. We wanted to do a small hike to the river, but there was too much water on the path and we were only allowed to walk to a billabong. Back a the site we went to the falls. In the pool below a few people were swimming, even if the risk of saltwater crocodiles was not eliminated. A warning sign state also that here live freshwater crocodiles. But these are not dangerous for humans. We decided first to hike up to the plateau at the top of the falls. After a steep climb a nice pool and a wonderful view over the Kakadu National Park welcomed us. I jumped into the water as it was quite warm. Later Konrad also followed. At the water we could also watch how small frogs were playing. With still wet clothes we descended. After we walked again to the waterhole in the hope to see wallabies there. Unfortunately we did not meet any.

Friday 15^th June, 2012

Our journey went back to the Wangi Falls. Here we hiked around the waterfall and enjoyed the view. But for a refreshing bath it was still too early for us and thus we decided to continue. Tolmer Falls we watched from above from a viewing platform as they were very high. Then we went to the Tabletop Swamp. Here a short hike lead to a small pond with trees in the water. We did not go too close as there could be crocodiles. At Florence Falls we put on the swimming suits and packed a pick-nick. We first hiked along a creek to the waterfall basin. We enjoyed a refreshing bath and I tried to swim to one of the two falls, but the drift was too strong and I did not reach it. After we had a nice pick-nick and let us dry by the sun.

Our last stop was at the termite mounds. On a field there are many mounds build like a slim wall in north-south direction. Thus they get in the morning and in the evening the full power of the sun, but not during noon when it is the hottest. On the other side of the carpark were other termite mounds of the more common round type. One was much taller than Konrad. With this experiences we drove to a camping and found there a place for the night. Today we saw from time to time some wallabies, but they always jumped away before I got a picture. In the evening we saw a few grazing in the pasture just next to the camping.