It's mad to think I have travelled from the very bottom of Australia up to the very top within the past couple of weeks. The landscape has changed dramatically. I'm now in the Tropics, in the territory capital of Darwin...it's a city but more like a town! The weathers been amazing, blue skies every day, about 30-35c but maybe a bit too humid. I just missed the wet season here luckily. Stayed at an awesome hostel called Melaluca on Mitchell, which was on Mitchell Street, which is really the central party hub for Darwin. It was just 4 share dorms and had 2 rooftop swimming pools, spa, massive outdoor terrace and a bar!

I wasn't able to go to Kakadu National Park sadly as the tours were over $500 for 3 days and I just don't have enough money left now (damn exchange rate) but instead I opted for a one day Litchfield National Park tour as I heard it was also amazing...and it was.... The park was just under 2 hours away from Darwin and of course is so green and tropical, full of rainforest, beautiful waterfalls and rock pools. It was a full day tour, leaving at 7am and back by 7pm. In the morning we headed north to Adelaide River to go on the 'Jumpin Crocs' Cruise. At the centre I was first to have a big Python snake wrapped round my neck...then it started going up my top, was pretty funny. Then we went on the hour cruise down the river...I couldn't wait to see wild crocs...a must see for when you're in Australia ey! After a couple of minutes cruising along we spotted our first croc gliding through the water...they are massive, I definitely wouldn't want to come across one. The staff then dangled food down to the water from the top deck and we all waited eagerly to see it jump out...and sure enough it did, and opened its huge mouth! We saw about 8 crocs I think. The largest one ever seen was 8m...absolutely mental. Even the 5M ones are HUGE!Scary stuff, you definitely have to adhere to the signs here as some stupid people who ignore them and go in certain waterholes etc have been eaten!!Next stop was these HUGE termite mounds in the national park, as big as 5m tall, it was mad! Then we stopped at Wangi Falls which were stunning, it was so hot too we all wanted to jump in the water...but there was a chance of crocs being there due to the last of the high water levels from the wet season so it was just a photo stop and lunch and then we moved on. We spent the rest of the afternoon at Florence Falls and Buley Rock Hole...both absolutely amazing. The freshwater was so refreshing and it's always fun swimming under waterfalls and jumping off into the water. Also I love my new underwater camera, it's so much fun!! The water was crystal clear. The rock holes were amazing, a waterways system when you could kind of slide down into the next pool, it was a natural Jacuzzi in parts too. Stunning! I can't wait to go to more waterfalls in North Queensland at the weekend!

Mainly enjoying relaxing, lie ins and lazing by the pool over the past week...it was time to rejuvenate after my outback experience...Hung out with a lovely Irish guy called Dave quite a bit. Went to the Mindil Beach Market on the Sunday night, everyone raved about it, it was good. I saw the most amazing sunset there...it was incredible! There's about 60 food stalls from all over the world, arts and crafts and live entertainment, right by the beach. It was great. Did the usual stuff in Darwin like go to the museum which was pretty good actually, it had a big section about Cyclone Tracey...which totally destroyed the entire city about 35 years ago...totally crazy. Walked down to the modern (and deserted) Harbour and waterfront...there was just no-one around it was weird. Still in development I guess...Had a couple of good nights out, it's a party town for sure. Hung out with some Ozzie Navy guys too...the usual travelling antics ;)

Next stop: Cairns!!! To be reunited with my wifey Lorna and it's my birthday whoop whoop