20. KIMBERLEY CRUISING Part 3 of the trilogy featuring Lost City, massive cliffs, rivers, crocs and Wow!!

The Lost City in Glycosmis Bay provided a wet landing and a dry walk through what looked like ancient Inca ruins.

Looking like lost folk seeking lost items in a lost city, the group scrambles on.
Finding a secure foothold was often difficult.

The Lost City with many avenues of trees.

If lost in the bush and stumbling across the above structure, most people would immediately know where they are.
There were no bridges in The Kimberley Lost City.

There were dozens of caves and overhangs where we witnessed so many different types of art.

The finesse of the artwork was admirable. 

The Wandjina figures always appeared to float.

Standing ovations for the artwork were out the question.

Some of the Zoomorphic Wandjina artwork was incredibly realistic.

So many different art forms.
There are about 45 different classifications, hence we haven't tried to even make a guess. 

All were convinced our boat was lost somewhere in the city.
But where?

King Gee Clothing took its name from King G, or King George V,  considering he was the best of the best. (Monarchy at its height)
King George River was named no doubt for the same reason in 1911, 15 years earlier than the clothing brand.
We motored 12km upstream dwarfed all the way by 80 - 100m high cliffs, culminating in twin waterfalls.

Massive river with cliffs to suit.

A waterfront property potential boom area.
Access to the area and to the water are minor drawbacks. 

Natural parkland with native fauna along the water's edge.

Launching dinghies would take seconds.
Recovery of the dinghies is another matter.

Complete with diving platform.
Would this be suitable for the Red Bull High Diving Series?

Many river overhangs. 

Comparative size of cliffs to this reasonably large cruising vessel.
Fortunately we saw very few signs of other human life which really added to the experience and remoteness. 

Here comes the cavalry!
Our three other tenders making good speed up the river.

The Falls.
In the Wet, massive flows of water pour down.

Just a trickle now, altogether different in the Wet. 

Hideaway cavern in the cliff.
Ideal for smugglers or water police radar units.

Venturing out in the bay we were met by Fisheries Inspectors who had left their mother ship for a run up the river to check for any illegal fishing happenings.

Fisheries Inspectors combining work and pleasure.
Note the three game-fishing poles on the top of the Bimini

A beach Barbecue was held to take in the Kimberley outdoor weather and enjoy the sunset.

Timing  the surge is crucial to avoid getting the feet too wet!

Zoomed in shot showing the preemptive smoke haze from our bonfire.

An Eco system showing evidence of global warming.

Strategy meeting discussing alternatives in event of embers burning our boat down to the water line.  

Tenders dancing at a blue light disco.
The battery power to the tenders remained on for the AIS, allowing tracking of the dinghies if they broke free. 

The Berkeley River was entered on daybreak with the river showing mirror images of all the surroundings.
All the grand rivers we explored had such different characteristics, escarpments and personalities to each other.  Unlike children, there were no favorites.

The Berkeley River flat as a pancake.
Hence, breakfast pancakes at dawn and toast to the new day.
What better way to enter the Berkeley River!

Early morning serenity and isolation.

Cliffs one side; mangroves the other. 

The view took our breath away.

More breathless conditions.
Or could the breathlessness be from being unfit and tackling the flight of stairs to the top deck? 

Looking like a Norwegian Fjord without the snow and the Norwegian Blue parrots. 

The water depth is often the same as the cliff height. 

A quiet time to reflect on the Kimberley trip nearing an end. 

Waterfall at the end of the far bay. 

The wonderment just went on and on:

Exploring further upstream by dinghy. 

Very few visitors in this part of the world. 

The upper reaches where the cliffs are merging with the flat plains. 

Venturing upstream to the tidal limits of the Berkeley for fishing.
Large Barramundi made themselves visible, but didn't go along with the idea of being on the menu. 

At least a barramundi was caught in this location. 

Birds of all sorts flocked, or walked to the Berkeley River.

Stress must be a health issue in these parts.
Striding confidently despite a croc being seen 200m away.
The ones seen are not the ones to worry about. 

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
This majestic fellow eats bees!!
Rainbow Bee-eater

Incoming!!!
This chap was decent enough to fly into the shot.
This is the last impression many prey will see. 

Crocodiles are known to inhabit all areas.  This one didn't seem too concerned about our presence.
We were the ones concerned.

A great way to while away an afternoon. 

Fit for purpose!!
Just study the detail in this beauty! 

A tooth cleaning visit to our Dentist friend Michael would be appreciated.
(Probably not by Michael though)

Just look at the power of that limb!

Flippers and body armour to die for.

It is only a flesh wound!
There is probably a tale to be told about the missing chunk.  Probably a battle for territory. 

It is said that the crocodile not seen is the crocodile to fear.

This one at least gave us an indication he was there. 

He knew we were there, but didn't move, hoping no doubt that we hadn't seen him and possibly take a dip or fall. 

Blending in well!
The muddy water near the mangroves assisted. 

Falls 

Cassarina Falls in a small tributary of the Berkeley.
Just a trickle now, an amazing torrent in the Wet. 

Several folk washed hair under the falls from the bow of the tender.
This was beneficial after all the bad hair days we had experienced in the fast moving tenders. 

The trip was nearing an end, requiring 24 hours of motoring to Darwin, leaving the Berkeley River at daybreak in order to arrive at daybreak the next/departure day.

Departing Berkeley River on daybreak as we are farewelled by a partial eclipse of the moon. 

A farewell from the Kimberley Moon partial eclipse. 

The final setting sun over the Timor Sea at the end of the day's steaming.
Our beach bonfire from a few days ago is evidently still burning. 

Dawn as we approach Darwin signifying the dusk of our epic Kimberley adventure.
What an amazing part of the world. 

Thus ends the trilogy of Kimberley Kapers.
If we could make one suggestion for those considering taking a cruise before heading off around the islands, New Zealand or elsewhere in the world,  "See Australia First!!"
The landscapes, flora, fauna, adventures and challenges; and the Aussie sense of humour are like no where else in the world.

Hoping all have enjoyed our experiences in the Kimberley.

Cruise on!!
Cheers, Don and Carrol