Well I never thought that I would consider sharing a hostel room with seven others as luxury but after six days under canvas (with the exception of one night in Darwin spent in a hostel room with a 65 year old male perve) I can assure you that this is luxury. I have finally removed the dust and dirt from my clothes and am all set for the next part of this outback tour from Alice Springs to Adelaide.

So where have I been.....

From Darwin our first stop was Lichfield National Park where we swam in many of the waterfall plunge pools (which for anyone who knows me well enough and is aware of my freakish fear of open water will know that this is mighty big acheivement). Here we also met a community of aboriginals who taught us to play the digereedoo, how to hunt with spears (top of the class I might add) amoungst others things. Then we went croc spotting in the rivers and got a little to close for comfort!! Spent the first night camping at Stuart Point with a colony of mosquitos who decided that I tasted pretty damn good. I was force fed kangeroo for dinner and confess that despite them being cute they taste bloody good!

Kakadu National Park was hot hot hot!! We trekked here, followed by more swimming and cliff jumping.... yes I did partake actually! We watched the sunset over Ubirr National Park before spending another night under canvass and being eaten alive by bugs!! Yummy!!

Day three took us on a 4wd safari to Jim Jim falls and Twin Falls before heading back to Darwin for the night. Part one of the tour over and done with.

Part two of the tour left Darwin, stopping at Edith Falls for yet another swim before arriving at Katherine Gorge for a walk and our camp for the night.

Next we visited thermal pools and a rescue centre for the bush animals. I held a snake, fed a crocodile and cuddled a wallaby....cuuuuuuuuuuute!! On route to our campsite for the night we paid a visit to the Daly Waters Pub, the oldest pub in the Northern Territories (rude not to pop in for a cheeky beer).

Day 6 of the tour took us to the marble rocks, the oldest telegraph station in Australia (not quite as dull as it sounds...but nearly) and through the Tropic of Capricorn before arriving at my current destination, the Haven Hostel in Alice Springs. Here the tour split so I've lost some of my friends but hopefully will gain new ones tomorrow when we leave Alice Springs for Uluru where we're sleeping under the stars in swags (yikes, insert worried face here).

So what have I learnt so far?

1.The Northern Territory is a pretty awesome place and despite their stench and some what dischevelled appearance the Aboriginal community really have had a tough ride in life with us white folk moving in on their communities. Don't get me wrong though, I sure as hell wouldn't like to find myself alone in a dark alley with one.

2. Mozzie bites on your bum are pretty damn uncomfortable!

3. Camping is perhaps not so bad after all

4. I need to find me a job pretty damn quick so that I can see some more of the amazing sites that Australia has to offer.

So far an amazing experience. Really excited about part two (with the exception of the sleeping outside part!!!) Photos to follow I promise, when I have internet fast enough to load my photos, let alone upload them!!

Til next time (in Adelaide no doubt - back in civilisation)

Lots of love...xxx

p.s apologies for my poor spelling... I have kindly been loaned a laptop to write this and it's in japanese!!!!