This was Darwin. Ha! I didn't actually see much of Darwin cuz I arrived late the night before our tour picked us up at 530am the next day. But I remember this ad. And its true. Mobile phone rates are painful.
First day of the tour we went here. I have no idea what the name is, but they were cool little swimming holes with little waterfalls.
Penny was a good tour guide. She made us kangaroo steaks. I love kangaroo steaks. Who knew Skippy was so tasty?! Seriously, American friends...we are missing out.
Our first big waterfall! Maguk, I'm pretty sure it was called. All the falls and places we went on this leg of the trip are part of Kakadu National Park. The park overall is huuuuuge and well worth the trip.
Penny the tour guide. Whats nice about this part of the trip is that it was as north as you can get (for the most part) in Australia...which means even though it was winter in July...it was nice and warm and perfect weather for a swim. The water however, was freezing!
Polish Army man and a yak? I think he was giving it coffee or tea?! Seemed dangerous to me, so I took a picture. The thing I remember best about Pavel is that when he ate an apple he ate the whole thing, core, seeds and all. The only thing left was the tiny little top stem. Hardcore man.
And this would be Pavel fixing our second of three flat tires! 4 wheeling on red dirt roads (not the Alan Jackson kind) is dangerous, but 3 flats in 2 days was a record!
Part of our group at Jim Jim falls...waaay in the background. It was dry season, which is why they're kinda measly. I guess in summer, aka wet season, they crazy powerful, but you can't actually do this hike during wet season because the crocs will kill you. Seriously. Apparently there was a tourist a few years ago that didn't head the signs and got eaten by a croc on one of these tours. Or at least thats what they tell us so we'll actually listen to them. I don't know about you, but if someone says Crocs live over this way...I'm gonna go the other way...just sayin.
What a lovely group. Its not everyone, but there's Netherlands, America, Poland, Germany, Australia, Australia/Germany/Peru. Ireland, Canadian, and Balanese (?)
Maguk Falls
Hiking to Jim Jim Falls. When I'm hiking I think of it as a physical puzzle. Every step is well thought out to get you to the other side quickly and safely. I'm a dork, but it makes it challenge, and I like it.
Its not Maguk, and not Jim Jim, but I don't remember the name of it. I do remember that this water was the coldest of all the watering holes we went to cuz its was covered in shade by the cliff. And it was frightening to swim all the way to falls cuz the water isn't clear and you're just waiting for you leg to get ripped of by an unseen croc.
I think that's me being a tour guide?! It does look like I'm saying something very interesting. But everyone listens when I tell stories, right Hannah?! ;)
Swimming at JimJim=cold!!
Speaking of crocs (was I?) On all of our hikes was this sign. We did go on a croc cruise, which was quite nice. (and safe.)
Salt water croc. They get big and can kill you. And like to live in fresh water. D'oh.
Lilly pads and what are those flowers called?
Bird sanctuary behind lilly pads
Friends on the boat! Leticia, Kevin, and Julie
Sandra! She lives in Sydney, you've probably seen pics of her on this blog of on FB...this is where we met :)
Lilly pad hats, lol. We are dorks. Moira and Sandra modeling
Leticia and Julie
This might look familiar to you. Its where Indiana Jones (or Crocodile Dundee...I always get those two confused) was filmed. Buts its aboriginal owned land (technically all of Australia is) and supposedly the dude cracked the whip incorrectly which is offensive to Aboriginals, and they kicked him off the land. Could be true, could be another tour guide story to make things more interesting...entertaining either way!
Nothing as far as the eye can see. Beautiful.
Group photo!
Just chillin on the cliff face watchin sunset <3
Wish I was in this one
Aboriginal rock painting. I think thats a long neck turtle. Important to aboriginals, someone who reads this probably knows why and can fill us all in.
Sunny Darwin.
