KAKADU

After happily leaving Luma Luma, the girls walked across the road to have a good coffee for the second day at the Mantra Hotel, then to the shopping center where Pamela booked her flight to Kununurra while Karen and Margaret shopped for breakfast and lunch food, before collecting the Nissan

hire car from Hertz. On the stroke of noon, they began their journey.

No, this wasn't the hire vehicle!!   

Just before  Humpty Doo, Pamela realised she hadn't handed in the key at Luma Luma. How fortuitous, there was a post office beside the road, and a service station to boot, as they needed an urgent 'pitt stop'. After having to ask for toilet paper and using the filthy amenities, Margaret stuffed a roll of paper 'up her jumper' in case of an emergency and left ASAP.  Their worms were hungry. Not a picnic table in sight, so it was make rolls from the boot.  They did find a lonely chair .    

No flies, but weather was hot. 

A CROCK GREETING 

Mango trees. 

Cultivated 'green' something amongst the dry country 

Sure was dry 

Mile after mile of palms 

Hard working man . Poor chap.  We waved.

Small white ant mounds. 

Mary River bridge. 

Dry and dusty rest area at Mary River.

Boat ramp at Mary River

Aurora  Kakadu Resort

Looked lovely, but too far from Jabiru. 

Tired travellers  - not us. 

Purchased $35 passed to the Park. 

Kakadu National Park covers an amazing 20,000 square kilometres, and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of both its outstanding natural values and as a living cultural landscape.  Aboriginal people have inhabited Kakadu continuously for more then 50,000 years , tracing back in time to before the last ice age.  Ancient rock art showcasing long-extinct animals combines with abundant wildlife and spectacular landscapes to deliver a profound visual and spiritual experience for visitors. Kakadu's complex ecosystem provides habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species.  About one third of Australia's bird species are found in the park.

The name 'Kakadu' comes from an Aboriginal language called Gagudju, which was one of the languages spoken in the north of the park at the beginning of the 20th century.  Aboriginal languages used in the park today include Kunwinjku from the north-eastern region, Gundjeihmi from the central region and Jawoyn from the south.

Is there a more appropriate place for bins? 

Dinner at Kakadu Lodge and Caravan Park, the first night. 

Margaret at the bar - how unusual.

Happy threesome. 

Breakfast the first morning. Comfortable accommodation in a cabin at $100 a night each. 

Breakfast on the verandah . 

"A visit from the pheasant plucker's son", exclaimed Karen.  

Another pit stop at a local park beside a lake.  Smell!! Yes, flying foxes. 

B... bats.  

Croc country 

Empty Croc trap. 

Still in the park 

Pamela, dodging bat poo. 

Shades of  WA car trip. 

On route to Ubirr where there is aboriginal rock art.  Due to energy levels and heat they didn't do the 250 metre climb, 

See the yellow flowers???  Thirsty. 

Stop,  Yellow flowers, nagged Pamela. 

Grevillea 

Swamp.  No doubt a good croc home. 

They thought of Sally, Pamela's grand daughter who is a geologist. 

East Alligator boat ramp. The river is full of salt water crocs. 

So close to shore 

Aboriginal work area 

A cave taken on largest zoom. 

LOVE THE BRANCH FOR A PILLOW!!!

THEY WERE STANDING ON A FENCED HIGHEST BANK HOPING IT WAS SNOOZING. 

THEY WONDERED ABOUT THE STORY OF THE ALMOST SUBMERGED VEHICLE. 

CROSSING TO ARNHEM LAND. 

 A CRUISING SALTY 

QUITE A FEW CRUISING AROUND.  

NICE ROCKS - LAND IS GOOD FOR NOTHING 

COUNTRY IN NEED OF RAIN 

SHOULD BE GREEN IN THE WET SEASON. 

KAREN AND MARGARET WENT FOR A SWIM. IT WAS FREEZING 

 THEY DIDN'T LOUNGE REGARDLESS OF THE 37 DEGREE HEAT.  

COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION, AT $100 A NIGHT EACH!!!! 

HIRED CAR AND MARGARET AT THEIR ABODE 

NARROW ROAD ON WAY TO A BILLABONG.  

GREAT CROC COUNTRY NEAR THE LAGOON 

REGARDLESS OF THE SIGN, PEOPLE WERE BUSHWALKING ON A TRACK AROUND THE LAGOON. 

MARGARET SUGGESTED THE GIRLS STAND ON THE TABLE

IS PAMELA HAVING A TANTRUM?? 

THEY DID SIT A MOMENT TO SURVEY NUMEROUS BIRDS. 

A PERFECT HOME FOR THE CROCS. 

CROCS LOVE A BIT OF MUD. 

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT. 

NO THEY DIDN'T ATTEMPT THE WALK 

INTERESTING TREES. 

SEE THE FACE? 

ENTRANCE TO NANGULUWUR ART SITE. 

THE ROCKS AND TREE ROOTS ARE AMAZING 

ON THE TRACK TO SEE ART ON ROCKS 

LOOKING UPWARDS

OVERHANGING ROCK!!

UNUSUAL PALMS 

PAMELA WANTED A PHOTO OF A YELLOW FLOWER. 

MIGHTY TOUGH AND DROUGHT RESISTANT FLOWER. 

MOST OF THE COUNTRY WAS LIKE THIS. 

LOTS OF WHITE ANT NESTS . 

A BEAUTIFUL TREE TRUNK. 

Where Margaret thought she was travelling at 130, just after leaving Kakadu Highway.  Karen took the photo quickly!!!  They all enjoyed the experience!!