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.

Monday 11^th June, 2012

In the morning we drove to the Mamukala Wetland. Here we made a short hike through the bush. We saw a big waterhole with some birds enjoying themselves. The area around the path was mostly burned down. It is normal here that the shrubs are burned down. This is done at the beginning of the dry season, also now. Next morning the fire will be put out by the thaw. Like this the Aboriginals clean every few years a part of the forest. This reduces the changes of big bushfires at the end of the dry season which destroy everything. The Kakadu National Park is owned by the Aboriginals. They leased the country to the government to run a National Park. There are more than 5000 places with rock art in the National Park, but only two of them are allowed to be visited by tourists. One of them is in Ubirr. We mazed at the many rock paintings and hiked up and up. Already in the middle of the hill and the more on the top we had a wonderful view over the country. Then we drove to the Bardedjilidji Walk. At the start we were informed that we should not go to close to the water as crocodiles have been seen lately at the river shore. We hiked through bush to the river. It was a nice hike and we did not meet a crocodile. After we drove back to Ubirr and listened to a ranger who told us about the plain and its history and significance. As the presentation was over the sun slowly set and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Sunday 10^th June, 2012

In the room beside us it was sometimes quite load because of the Football Euro Championship and I could only sleep badly. After a lazy start into the day we went to get our camper van. The kind lady from the rental office talked to us in a mix of high German and Swiss German. We learnt that she is from former Yugoslavia and lived for a long time in Zurich. She made a perfect handover and we got a nearly new camper with only 11'000 km. Next we bought food for the next few days. After we had everything packed we started. On the Stuart Highway we drove towards Kakadu National Park. In the Wetland region we made a short stop and visited the visitor center. We enjoyed the view into the wide country. It was already late afternoon as we reached Kakadu National Park and thus we went directly to the first camping site. From there we wanted to make a short hike. We asked at reception if the path is open. Unfortunately there is still to much water and so it could have salties there. So are the saltwater crocodiles, the biggest crocodile species, commonly called by the Australians. So we spend the rest of the day studying the brochures of the region. I met a slightly shocked Dutch when I went to the toilet in the late evening. She just met a frog in the toilet. Nothing new for me as on the west coast I had seen some frogs in the restrooms. When being in the nature you may see some animals you usually do not see.