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1) Darwin, Australia, Palms City Resort, The Esplande Malaleuca on Mithchell, Mitchell St 13th-18th March 2007 Blimey! Australia is a really difficult country to get into. Even before we got onto the Australian flight we were 'inspected' by a stereotypical, rigid, australian offical at Singapore. A pattern bacame obvious although everyone was expected clsoely. All passnegers off any ethnicity other than British or Australasian got a lot harder time and some were forced to provide telephone confirmation of their plans. In some cases Austrlaian officials here seemed to be warned off their arrival in advance. We got off our flight from Singapore at around 5am. We then proceeded through the first section of passport controls where we showed our immigration sheets to the official. She then proceeded to ask a series of questions before sending us off to the next section. We approached the baggage wheel and rushed forwards to knab our backbacks as they whirred round. But we were immediately asked more questions by another official. Then we joined a queue for all luggage to be scanned and were asked more questions. Issey was unfortunate and her backpack was subject to a search which left her to repack again which is very hard to do quickly! Finally we were through and onto Australian soil! Finding a shuttle bus was remarkably easy so we arrived at Palm City quickly and with no problems. That was until we arrived! We then discovered we ahd no room for that ngith and would ahev to wait until 2pm the next afternoon to check-in. So we waited in the reception area for 3hours,paid for breakfast and then went to the internet cafe,Global Gossip to waste some time. Once we finally checked we realised the rooms were lovelly, the pool was nciely refreshing and we felt a lot better. We inevitably spent quite a lot of time in the pool all on our own. Except for a lizard who we assumed could swim. But a huge 6ft australian then stepped in to resuce the little critter saying they plunge in forgetting they cant swim regualrly! It was also on our first day in Darwin that we discovered we would have to stay until the 18th March as the oz experience buses were booked up till then. There is little to do in Darwin except for going to Global Gossip internet cafe where we ended up spending a lot of time. We started off staying in Paslms City resort which was really lovelly once we finally got our room. It was surrounded by lush palm trees and had a secluded langoon pool. It also had a highly amusing radio advert which we later heard! Because we were forced to stay in Darwin longer than intended we had to face our first hostel experience earlier than expected. We booked Malaleuca on Mitchell and stayed in a six bed female dorm. Although it was strange at first staying with so many other people we soon got used to it and ended up making friends with a girl named Alex. In hindsight i would have apprecitated this hostel much more. Compared to some of the other hostels i have since stayed in it really was luxury! Clean, new, modern and well kept! As well as friendly staff which is a big bonus.... I cant actually remember too much about Darwin but it wasnt filled with lots of activities or fun! We went to see The Good Shepherd and The Illusionist with Alex and Grace as well as going to The Hogsbreath cafe for dinner. On one action packed day we went to Crocodylus Park which was actually really good fun. We saw an assortment of the prehistoric crocodiles and were amazed at their size and sheer strength. The noise their jaws made when suddenly clamped shut in a matter of miliseconds was incredible. And so we finally made it through our stay at Darwin and prepared to head off to Kakadu and Alice Springs (but spending one final day in Darwin in the middle!)
2) Kakadu National Park, Australia Adventure Tours, Dibden We left Darwin to start our two day tour around Kakadu. I am sure that these days were action packed but have left writing this longer than i should so can only remember certain parts. However the higlights include... - going to a beatutiful rushing waterfall which we would be able to swim with. However upon arrival there was no chance that this would be possible. There were huge torrents of water crashing down covering completely the rock which is usually used as an island. The guide was the only one who attemtped to swim in the raging waters and only he lasted barely a few minutes. Regardless of the fact that we could not swim it was a beautiful sight which will be hard to forget. The volume of water and its shear intensity was amazing. It was an impressive waterfall to see for the first time. - going to a different waterfall which was named MotorCreek Falls. Although this was also a very beautiful natural sight the volume of water was much less and the water a lot calmer. So this became the first waterfall that i swam in. It was enjoyable until i was told that there have been lots of water pythons found there... - climbing up a huge rock face. Luckily we started this in the morning so wasnt too stifflingly hot till we were on our way baxck down. About halfway up we stopped to look at some secluded aboriginal rock art. It was amazing to actually see where people have taught younger generations what they believe is the most fundamental knowledge that they possess. It was quite high up and it was where the people would have sheltered when the plains below became flooded. We then continued our ascent and waiting for us at the top was a mesmerising view of miles of land stretchin around us on all sides. It was from here that you could truly appreciate the actual scale of the national park. - we also saw some more aborignial art at an area which was specifically for tourists. It was really intereting and ranged from very anceint ones to more recent ones. The first form was a simple hand print. Alhtough this seems simple it would only be the very wise and respected who would be able to place their mark on the land. It was a very high privilege to have. There were also some paintings which the aboriginees thought had been done by 'evil demons'. These were higher up than the aborignees could reach and would be taken as a warning. A lot of the paintings taught stories stories through fear. They had figures who they used such as 'the lighteninign man' in an attempt to teach the younher generations right from wrong. The guides however only know the first level of the paintings. You are not provided further knowledge until you have earnt it. Similarly to moving up through years in school so only the basic stories are known. This sparked debate and disussion on the aboriginee people and issues such as them being classed human in 1976, the classroom of the 'air', the new cities where they are placed and the poverty facing them were all discussed. It was a really good and interesting trip lasting two days. Afterwards we returned to Malaleuca for one night before going to Alice Springs.
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