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.

Thursday 16^th February, 2012

Yesterday I somehow noticed that today is “Dirty Thursday” and the carnival starts in Switzerland. I am missing the feeling for time here in Australia. The sky was clouded as I started driving towards Scottsdale. Here I stopped to buy food. Then I drove over the interior towards the sea. At Weldborough Pass I made a short stop and walked through the rain forest. There was much farming in this area and I saw many cattle herds. One was even escaped and stood directly on the road. My way led to St. Columa Falls. To watch the 90 m high waterfall closer, I walked to the viewpoint. At one spot there was a snake laying on the path. As I do not like snakes that much, to be precise I fear them, I stood still. The snake did not show any insight that it should get away. So I had to stamp hard on the ground to say: “Attention, enemy approaching!” After I took some pictures, it moved away. I then enjoyed a nice view to the falls. On the way back I met again an animal, but this time a wallaby. After this adventure I drive directly to St. Helens and informed me about the accommodation. The kind lady from the tourist information gave me a hint and I found immediately a room. As it was just past noon, I decided to drive to the Bay of Fires. The bay is 35 km long and has a white beach. From time to time there are also rocks covered with red lichen. Together with the turquoise sea it looked very interesting. I got the feeling of south sea holidays. I walked for an hour along the beach and went back as the tide was coming in. Then I enjoyed just sitting on the rocks and watch the waves breaking. In the evening I sat a bit at George Bay in St. Helens. Here I could observe rose grey parrots flying like mad through the air. There were also sea birds to watch.

Wednesday 1^st February, 2012

In the hostel we met yesterday Flo from Germany. He studies in St. Gall and is doing an exchange semester in Australia. As he did not travel by car he asked if he might join us. We sat off in the morning to the Prom, how the National Park is tenderly called by the locals. On the drive to Tidal River an Emu crossed the road, but it was too fast to take a picture. First we informed us in the tourist information which tracks were open. Many are closed as there were floods in the last year. For warm-up we walked to the Norman Bay. On the way we chased off a snake which wanted to take a sunbath. To have time to enjoy the view we went along the beach back to the car park. Now warmed up we hiked in the Lilly Pilly Gully. There was a dry rainforest. To get a better view over the Prom we went up Mount Bishop. Suddenly there was a loud noise in the bush beside us. We guessed that was a wallaby fleeing us. Even as the peak was only at 319 m, we had a spectacular view. Back at the car park we drove to Squeaky Beach. If you walk on that beach, it crunches below your feet. We were striding around the rocks and discussed what will be next. I was a bit sceptical about the suggestion to hike another 6 km as I felt already my sensible knee. So we decided to walk to a bay named Millers Landing. On the way a bird couple was trying to get feed from the tree beside the track and the cones dropped to the floor with a big crack. Understandable that we were a bit scared. But these kind of parrots we did not yet meet: black with yellow spots on the head and tail. We also met a few wallabies. To some we could get as close as 2 meters. Impressive. Down at the bay there were mangroves and black swans. As I still had some power left, we hiked up to another viewpoint. The track to the Vereker Outlook lead over many rocks and went up and up. The view was brilliant. On one side the sea and the islands, on the other the wide nature park. On the way back home we saw more kangaroos, cockatoos and other birds. It was a very nice day and I was surprised that I hiked in total about 20 km.