Saturday 28 October 2006 - Darwin - Kakadu

Ellie somehow got her times mixed up on her phones and woke up in a panic when one said 7.22am and the other 15.58.... god knows how but thought she had missed their 7am pick up so sent Rita to reception to ask the time for piece of mind! (to be fair it shouldn't have been opened until 5am so this fueled the confusion!) but anyway it was 4am so back to sleep!

3 hours later, picked up by Craig, our Sahara/Billy Can Tours guide to begin our 4 day trip to Kakadu/Katherine and Litchfield. A couple more pick ups until we had a our full group who were Ken & Dotty (Wales), Desiree & Petra (Holland), Jade & Shane (Melbourne), Kirsten & Ole (Denmark), Gino & Marlice (Switzerland), a danish family including Simon and a woman from Brazil.

First stop was Coroboree Tavern where we met 'Fred the Freshy' (Freshwater Croc) and 'Brutus the Salty' (Saltwater Croc). Both were in captivity, hiding under the water. Learnt the difference between them, Brutus would eat us, Fred wouldn't!! But that was just a taster for what was to come later in the day.

Drove through Humpty Doo on the way to Coroboree Billabong, where we were to have our crocodile spotting cruise. Ted, the guide stressing the point not to stand up unless instructed and to keep any limbs you wanted to keep inside the boat! Didn't expect to see so many though. Saw lots of other wildlife and had our first sight of wallaby's - very exciting!

Saw both Freshwater and Saltwater crocodiles. Learnt that Freshwater crocs live only in fresh water and eat just fish and birds (would only harm human if provoked) and Saltwater crocs live in either and are not so fussy!

Drove into Kakadu National Park, Kakadu being the largest National Park in Australia (20,000 sq km - apparently as big as Wales! Lunch at Aurora Kakadu Resort before having a look around at the Bowali Visitors Centre (showing a bit of an insight into Australian wildlife and Aboriginal Culture).

Drove up to Ubirr Rock to see classic examples of Aboriginal Rock Art, learning more from Craig about their culture. Hiked up to the look out to get a 360 degree view, spotting rock wallaby's.

Arrived at our permanent campsite in Jabiru (hut tents already set up with beds inside!) in much need of a swim followed by a nice dinner. First ones to bed and Ellie noticed her book was gone! Went to bed convinced Rita was playing a trick!