The Journey continues..
| The Journey continues.. |
|
We left Jabiru around 9:15am and drove the short distance to Mamukala Billabong Observation Building from which we could observe the bird life. Unfortunately, someone forgot to contact the birds to let them know we were coming cause there weren't many there. Looking at the weather calendar I see that the Magpie Geese arn't expected till July. Oh well, maybe another time. We continued on to South Alligator River to watch the tide come in. The water was rushing below the bridge, like a minature horizontal falls....
We then stopped for a break at the Aurora Kakadu Resort ,had a coffee and looked at some small wallabies in the gardens. Then on to the Bark Hut pub for another break. We then made it to the Adelaide River where we joined a one hour jumping croc cruise ($25pp) and had lunch. The cruise was interesting as we watched crocs come towards the boat on hearing the sounds of its engines. The hostess would then dangle a piece of meat on a string and entice the croc to jump out of the water so we could take our photos. This happened a few times so everyone could get their photos. We then enticed a white bellied sea eagle to dive out of the sky and grab a piece of meat from the pole. After about an hour we headed back and then fed kites by throwing food into the air next to the boat. They were diving and swooping every which way they could.
After the cruise we headed to Berry Springs for the night at the Lakeside CP. Tomorrow we arrive at daughter Christine's place and will stay there for the school holidays (4 weeks).
That's me at the sunset the other night. Old Navy Man!! |
Mamukala Wetlands, not many birds
around. |
One of the crocs that turned up for dinner!! |
Jumping for their dinner, in the Adelaide river. |
Sea eagle comes in for a look see. |
The kites swoop in for a feed. |
We say farewell to Kakadu National Park. |
Geraldine having a rest , the croc is not real!!! |
The Lakeside CP at Berry Springs, what can I say except the showers and toilets were reasonable but the rest sure needs a caring hand. Why do I always end up at the most expensive or crappiest CPs. We need to do more research!! We packed up late as we couldn't turn up at Christine's until after 10:30am as no one would be home. Stopped 12kms up the highway for a coffee at Coolalinga Shopping Centre.
Arrived in Gray 10 minutes later and James was there to greet us and settle us in. Christine was at work till 2pm. We backed the van into the drive and it still fitted OK. We then sat around and talked till Christine came home and James was off to work. Christine does the early morning shift at Hungry's and James does the afternoon shift at the Carer's home. Luckily they get their days off together. Their shifts are sorted so one is home looking after the kids at any time.
In the evening we took Christine and the grandkids to the Palmerston Markets. The markets were very busy and lively. Lots of crafts and Asian food stalls. We sat on the lawns and had some curry and rice while the kids enjoyed themselves dancing and playing to the music. Overhead there were thousands of small lorikeets in the trees making a loud continuous racket until the sun went down. A great night was had. Got to keep an eye on the grandkids as they run off in all directions. Today is our niece Kaitlyn's birthday so "Happy Birthday" Kaitlyn We're having a party for you!!
Geraldine with Christine, Kobi and Hunter |
Hunter and Kobi playing at the Markets. |
Hunter and Kobi pose for the camera. |
The next four weeks will be spent in Darwin so will only post when we do something or visit an attraction.
The Mindil Beach Sunset Market is held every Thursday night between 5pm-10pm during April to October and on Sundays 4pm -9pm. Everybody in Darwin must go there, or at least it feels that way. We arrived about 5:30pm and the carpark was chocker block full. There were people mingling everywhere. I like going to these markets when I'm in Darwin because they remind me of the markets in Singapore from my Navy Days. We just take in the ambience and the different smells of all the various Asian and other ethnic stalls that sell International cuisine, arts and crafts. We watch the live entertainment then try the different foods whilst sitting on the beach waiting for the tropical sunset to come. Thousands of tourists and locals alike sit there watching the sun go down. Magic!
Location Map.
Geraldine,Christine, Kobi and Hunter at Mindil Beach. |
Thousands come to watch the Tropical Sunset. |
Here it goes! |
Going!! |
Gone!! |
The Palms outline the skyline |
The George Brown
Botanic Gardens cover an area of 42 hectares and are located just 2kms
north of the Darwin CBD. The Gardens showcase the flora of Northern
Australia and other tropical habitats..It includes over 400 species of
Palms alone. Different sections of the garden include a rainforest
gully,a wetland,a coastal zone and mangrove boardwalk. The
gardens were renamed recently in recognition of George Brown's 32 years
service to the development of Darwin. We spent a pleasant couple of
hours walking through the gardens with the grand kids on Sunday morning.
After,
we had lunch at McDonalds in the city and then drove to Aquascene where
the grandkids fed the fish that come in on the tide.
Aquascene or Doctor's Gully, is open at high tide only as that is when
the fish come into the shoreline to be hand fed. Species include
mullet, catfish, milkfish,bream,and barramundi. Kobi loved getting into
the water fully dressed. Hunter wanted to join in as well.
You may be wondering that since we have been in Darwin we haven't shown any photos of Christine's other half, James, well I can tell you he does exist and is still married to Christine. It is just that they both work on opposite shifts so there is only a few minutes between one coming home and the other heading off to work. They are supposed to have their days off together but both get phone calls asking if they can do overtime so a day of together is rare. We are hoping to have a couple of days where we can all go and do something together around town. Keeping fingers crossed!!
Location Map
 The fountain at the botanic Gardens. |
Hibiscus thrive in the tropical heat. |
Wandering through the tropical rainforest. |
Feeding the fish at Doctor's gully. |
Kobi likes to get right into
it, |
Nanna takes a rest!! |
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Visitors since 19th Sept. 2006
