Cruising at Sunrise

SUNRISE AT YELLOW RIVER What a great cruise we had, it sure was worth getting up at 4.45 am to be at Cooinda at 6.45 am. To see the sun rising was incredible with the mist over the billabong and river. Within minutes of being out on the water we encountered our first of many crocodiles making their way across the water to lap up the the sunshine and bask on the banks of the wetlands. We saw a lot of bird life so a fabulous morning, after our buffet breakfast back at the lodge, we headed back towards Jabiru and did some walks.
CROCODILE MAKING HIS WAY ACROSS THE WATER TO THE WETLANDS

CROCODILE SUNBAKING

AZURE KINGFISHER

Farewell Darwin, Hello Kakadu

KAKADU NATIONAL PARK Monday we left Darwin and headed out here to the park which was about 300kms, got settled into the caravan park and then visited the Bowali Information Centre to suss out what to see and do the next few days.

Today we did a one hour scenic flight, it was great, the park is vast so a great way to see some of the escarpments, wetlands and Alligator river. Tomorrow we are doing a dawn cruise so bound to see a few crocodiles in their natural habitat.
RANGER URANIUM MINE This mine will be operating through to 2021 and provides 10% of the countries uranium for export. The tour was great and we got to see around the site and the buildings/equipment that make up the various stages from rock to powder for export. The bottom of this open cut mine where the water is, is 170 metres below sea level and the top of the mine is 15 metres above sea level.

Sunset

DARWIN YACHT CLUB We are enjoying our last few days here in Darwin. Tonight we went back down to the beach and took a bottle of wine and some nibbles and took a few more photos. The sunsets here are really stunning and we chatted to a local who likes to come down and take some photos. Looking forward to heading to Kakadu on Monday.

Just Relaxing

VESTEYS BEACH We had a lovely time with Dad here, out and about most days then when we could we spent the afternoon at the pool here reading and swimming. Dad's nine days flew by all too quickly. We have another nine days here before we head off to Kakadu, don't think we will have any trouble filling in our days.
LOTUS FLOWERS - Territory Wildlife Park

Territory Wildlife Park

STANDING GROUND Just in front of the pelicans and to the left of the vegetation is the head of a freshwater crocodile. The pelicans all sailed towards him as if to show force and then about two feet away turned around and went to the other side of the lake. The park was great and is run by the Northern Territory Government. They have some great bird life and a wonderful aquarium.SALTWATER CROCODILE For ages we thought this crocodile was purely an exhibit and not alive, after what seemed like forever he floated to the top and took in air with just his eyes visible and then gradually came back down into the water. We reckon he was a good advertisement for Colgate toothpaste.
LOTUS FLOWERS - Territory wildlife park. After spending a few hours at the park we went and had a picnic lunch at Berry Springs and then a lovely swim in the tepid water, a great way to finish off another day together.

Darwin Sunset

SUNSET This evening we went to the Mindil markets, after having a wander around we then went around to another viewing point and watched the sunset, it was really pretty and the sun disappeared very fast. We have had a good couple of days, yesterday we went to the casino for lunch and caught up with Don and Barbara a couple we met way back at Wilpena Pound in South Australia, up until now we have been travelling together or just a day or two apart, but they are now heading back down to Three Ways and across to Queensland and home to the Sunshine Coast. We look forward to meeting up again when we get there.

Last night Deidre who lives in Katherine spent a night with us, she used to work with Dad back in New Zealand and made the 300km trip up here to catch up which was much appreciated. Today Dad and I visited the aviation museum which was very interesing.

SKY CITY CASINO DARWIN This is the lovely view out from one of the dining areas, sure it would be very easy to have a week here lapping up that view.

Family Time

WAR MUSEUM Dad arrived safe and sound on Wednesday afternoon so had a quiet evening. Yesterday we went to East Point and visited the Museum and then had a picnic lunch at Lake Alexander where we had a couple of swims. The lake is a really nice salt water swimming spot next to the ocean which is not safe to swim in with the box jellyfish and crocodiles.
DARWIN WHARF Today we went into the city and had a wander along The Esplanade and checked out the various plaques in regards to the bombing of Darwin then had a wander around Parliament house. After that we visited the World War 2 oil tunnels so an interesting morning. Lovely spending the afternoon around the pool swimming and reading after another day in the low 30's.