Darwin (Kakadu) June 28th - Day Three

(Hold Up!! Are you reading from the beginning?? Check out Darwin (Kakadu) June 26th - Day One!!) It was another 5am wake-up call and our first, well not really stop but more of a drive by was the Uranium mine. The miners work 24hrs/7days a week so even at the wee hours of the morning in the dark we could see the mine in full force – and it looked like a little city it was massive! Lights everywhere… it was really cool to see…

First stop of the day – Gunlom Falls – and yep you guessed it we definitely climbed to the top of the falls for the views! They had these rock pools that looked over each other – they looked like infinity pools… The one on the end looked over this amazing view that looked like we were just hanging out on the edge of a cliff – it was pretty amazing!

We then swam through shallow water with big rocks, climbed over boulders and jumped into this random little swimming hole with a water fall that we swam right under – it was so amazing! Definitely my favourite part of the day!

This was our last day on this leg of the trip – so we headed back to Darwin where we enjoyed a cheap dinner with everyone from the tour including our guide Loren – which was awesome to say goodbye to everyone! Our hostel which was the same one we stayed at the very first night we flew into Darwin (before our trip) – actually turned out to be ok. The first night we stayed there we shared a dorm that slept 12 people and it was absolutely awful – people in and out at all times of the night… getting ready at 5am in the dark because everyone else is sleeping…. The second night we slept there was awesome – we had a “private suite” to ourselves with a fridge and a bathroom all to ourselves… and a T.V. – almost like a 5 star hotel for us!

Darwin (Kakadu) July 27th - Day two

Another 5am wake-up call! Our first stop for the morning was Jim Jim Falls… of course it wouldn’t be a normal day without a massive hike and climb to get to where we are going – but of course once we get there the views are just amazing and totally worth the hike! There was a chance to go swimming – but the water was absolutely freezing! I did dip my feet and my feet never got used the chill so I decided not to go and just enjoy the sun and the views! Some of the girls decided to go in but they weren’t in there for long!

Our next stop along the way was called ‘Warradjan Aboriginal Centre’ where we saw some rock art and learnt about Dream Time Stories – stories of origin that the Aboriginal People believed were true – and taught lessons to young boys and girls. After touring around the rock art we climbed up this giant rock for some amazing views and waited for the sunset – which was breathtaking!

After that adventure we headed back to camp for some kangaroo and buffalo sausages for dinner and an early night! Not quite as busy as the day before but still pretty awesome!

Darwin (Kakadu) July 26th - Day One

START HERE! Wow! Do I ever have so much to update everyone on! I know... I know I haven't updated my blog in a while.... here's to lost time! Two friends (Lise and Lindsey) and I just got back from an amazing two week adventure in the outback! I’ll try and keep the writing to a minimum but there’s so much to say!

Our first 5am wake-up call (of many on this trip) – we met our first tour guide Loren and we hit the road. The first stop was at termite mounds. They were absolutely massive! We saw two different kinds a cathedral mound and magnetic mounds. The cathedral mounds have different walls so that at different times of day the mounds when the sun hits one side the other side is cooler – the mounds regulate the inside temperature to about 23 degrees. The magnetic mounds are so thin that they don’t cast a shadow on themselves. Pretty smart for insects…

We even saw a Jabiru at the mounds which is apparently pretty rare. A Jabiru is an absolutely gorgeous bored that is white, black, and turquoise and has orange feet. It stands about 3.5 meters high and has a wing span of about 6 feet. It’s beak is long and narrow, and in one quick motion can kill a crocodile by stabbing it through its skull…. Unfortunately it was too quick to get a picture but here’s one from Google.

Next stop was Florence Falls and Buley Rock Pools which cascaded down into one another.

Day 1 was a really busy day! Our next stop was at an Aboriginal ‘Welcome to Country Experience’. When we first arrived our guide explained to us who he was and what we should be expecting for the day. The first thing that happened was his spitting on our forehead – apparently under normal circumstances not only do they spit on your forehead but they also wipe their sweaty armpits and then proceed to wipe it on you as well… I guess I’ll take the spitting…

We then met his daughter – an absolutely amazing girl! She was a 16 years old who had a head on her shoulders that most grown adults don’t have. She was telling us how she failed 10^th grade and decided she didn’t go back (which is completely accepted here – you can drop out of school in grade 10 and still get a great job). However she knew that if she dropped out of school she would have to get a job and start earning money for herself and her family. Really amazing girl and story….

We also learnt how to throw a spear (we all attempted – most unsuccessfully – but hey at least we tried!). And our guide taught us about the didgeridoo and how to play – again unsuccessful attempt….

Next and final stop of the day was Mary River National Park where we went hunting for a crocodile! And boy did we see them – we saw tons!! We also saw tons and tons of birds (another Jabiru), we saw kangaroo and wallabies. Overall it was just a great day to be on the boat on the River!

After a very busy day we headed to camp for the night and got ready for our first night ‘camping’. Luxury camping I would say….

ps... I think this should be the biggest update! They won't all be this long I swear!