10. Kakadun and dusted!!!    They said to Kakadu so we Kakadid!!

Kakadu presented great days with temperatures in the low thirties, and nights of mosquitoes in the high hundreds. 
The artwork dating back thousands of years took the guernsey for the most impressive feature.
Dulux and British Paints should take note as to how to make paint finishes last longer before repainting is required.

Some of  the art work dating back to the dream-time must have been a nightmare due to the substrate and available painting materials 

Obesity was not an issue

Red Kangaroo. Eastern Greys are not local to the area

It was incredible how so much of the signage by National Parks giving information of the artworks could not be read due to deterioration, however the art work has stood for hundreds or thousands of years.

Combined art gallery, kitchen and bedroom

The views from up high of the escarpments and into Arnhem Land were also high on the list of impressive features.

Colours of the rocks are impressive under different light conditions

Looking into Arnhem Land. The land appeared to be looking back. 

The three Alligator Rivers (West, South and East) were possibly so named by Lieutenant King as he couldn't either pronounce or spell Crocadial.
We took a boat ride on the East Alligator River under the guidance of a young Arnhem Land local by the name of Hilton. Hilton gave us all a great understanding of the traditional way of life,  even allowing us to step off the boat into Arnhem Land for about 30 minutes to a secluded billabong and to get away from the river.
He also amazed us all with the distance he threw his spears aided by a woomera.  If these were allowed as an Olympic sport, much larger stadiums would be required.

Looking peaceful, but all would change if an attempt to swim the river was attempted. 

150 salties live in this 400m stretch of river.
They make great pets for those having problems with  neighbour's dogs or cats entering their backyards.

A deadly log just sliding past.
Stepping stone to shore if quick enough 

Captain Hilton

Stepping ashore in Arnhem Land with special permission, with a big step away from the boat..
We are not sure why we were given life jacket  and emergency exit instruction.
 No one would be putting even a toe in the water, no matter what!!

Captain Hilton showed his ability with spear and woomera. Very impressive

Cahills Crossing is a spectator sport where folk line up to watch two different activities at the one location.
The first is to watch fishermen pulling in barramundi as they dice with death by standing in water or on rocks within striking distance of crocodiles on either side of the causeway, waiting for the change of tide to bring a new food supply.
The second is the crossing of cars into Arnhem Land, again an incredibly dangerous challenge as evidenced by the two cars washed downstream into the crocodile infested waters.
YouTube has many videos of the challenges.

Viewing platform of Cahllls Crossing into Arnhem Land
(Petite girl 2nd from right looks as if she had her legs taken off by croc on a  previous fishing expedition) 

A fisherman lost his life a few years ago when taken by a croc standing in the exact location as the chap with the hat.
All seem oblivious to the danger in the water, ready to strike. 

Security car parking.
No one has gone near these cars since they were parked in current positions.
Burley standing on sand bank on distant beach. 

Falcon impersonating crocodile on the crossing; although crocs normally travel at right angles to direction of travel.

Barramundi sent back after photo. Need to be min 55cm and max 90cm.  Backs are turned to any approaching danger.
The barramundi in these waters suffer from unusually high stress levels 

Kakadu is also home of 68 mammals (almost 20% of Australian mammals) however we only saw three walabies (the jumping ones, not the running type wearing green and gold) and one little rodent fellow.
It is also home to more than 120 reptiles of which we saw five salties and just 3 small lizards. Nothing else in the whole time we were in the park!!!
The lack of animals is hard to comprehend.  We noted when driving the 190km in through the park to our campsite how little road kill there was compared to elsewhere we have been, and saw only two wallabies and one cat during the 500km travelled in the park.
They might just have other places to go, and have no interest in populated areas or roads.
Fires are burning all through the park continuously, giving a smokey haze to obscure the distant views.  Perhaps too many have been barbecued.
Of the 10,000 different species of insects that call Kakadu home, all except 8 visited our van. 

This could be the reason for shortage of visible animals.
Buffalo on the shooting list this week.
Macropods next week.

Barbecued marsupials and reptiles a specialty

It was so disappointing to read this sign as desperately wanted to take our car through here

A few good treks were accomplished along the way keeping the steps up over the 10,000 and the number of staircases one day exceeding 50.  The views were good, but on a clear day would have been magnificent. Carrol's injuries are recovering well.

Mirrai Lookout providing excellent views of tree tops and smoke after climb equal to 50 flights of stairs.

Kakadu through smoke haze

Arnhem Land to the east on an almost clear day

MA 15+

Carrol is very adept in ascending and descending steep, slippery,  rocky uneven tracks.
Not so confident on urban concrete footpaths outside pubs.
The good elbow is in shot. 

Treks up to Ubirr for sunsets before stumbling back in the dark were a necessity in Kakadu.
At least the 40km drive home was safe from animals due their absence in the region.

Custom designed and  built grandstand for sunset viewing.

Redhead Bluff in the distance

Getting an all over tan. Currently working on the backs. 

Life as viewed through rose coloured glasses

Mamukala Wetlands bird hide provided a great safe opportunity in seeing birds and water lillies without the fear of losing a leg, or worse still, a wife.

A bird hide is so different to a cow hide.  

Solitary Egret standing all by himself due to the old saying "Don't live your  life with egrets!".

Sitting ducks

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet

Tall poppy syndrome

We also met Russell who dropped by for a drink.

                   Russell taking a drink                         
(Too much drink impairs focus)

Russell crowing about the evils of excessive drink

It was finally out of Kakadu and NW for the final venture north before we run out of land and need  to turn and head back down the continent.

Whoopty Doo!!
Toured Kakadu, shopped  Humpty Doo, avoiding Doggy Doo.

Onward northward before heading south, west, south, east and north east.

Keep well.
Travelling on, Don and Carrol.