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We got the chance to practice using the didgeridoo! and we learnt how and why they paint them in the colours and patterns that they use. We also learnt about their paint and why they sometimes paint themselves and what each colour represents to them. After this was explained to us, they then came round using their paint to strip on our arms..this was a really nice touch and I felt good knowing they were truly happy to be sharing their culture with us.
We went to the dock for a crocodile cruise on a Lake called Yellow Waters..we saw a few floating by the trees..and one ate a fish infront of us! We were lucky as sometimes people go out on the boat and dont get to spot a single one. We also saw other wildlife such as hawks, eagles and jaberoos. 30 minutes the other side of the lake we disembarked and went for an educational walk about Aboriginal art.
We learnt what their drawings were and what they symbolise and their meanings. Even the different colours show when the drawings were painted and they show the tone of the story they are telling-for example black colours used to draw people show the deceased, red is dying, white is usually female and black and yellow for the rest.
After this we went on a bush walk...this was the longest and scariest walk I had ever done! We climbed up in the blistering heat to a staggering height in the mountains on unstable rocks..the walk was 30 minutes to the top..the rocks were falling beneath our feet-the heat was unbearable..the scenery was out of this world..dont get me wrong-but we couldnt enjoy it as we were terrified of hurting ourselves and falling or just simply passing out as the steps up were huge and each one required alot of effort. I actually had one rock shift beneath my feet so now i will never forget this day due to the yummy scarr on my knee!
When we got to the top everything felt so so so worth it...we overlooked the sea, the bush, the mountains...and a gorgeous rainbow-i cant explain it-just look through my photos when I post them. You have to do it-im very unfit but somehow I made it!!! We watched the sun setting before heading down and then found the most gorgeous dark red/orange rock with the sunset gleaming on it-we used this as a fantastic photo oportunity.
We then got back to camp - The campsite was lovely-we had our own little green tents-not like the kind you put up yourself-the bigger kind which fit two people and two individual beds, a side table, a lamp...these were luxury. We had a big area for kitchen space which was a separate huge tent/room and communal bathrooms.
We had a nice dinner and then went to bed.
Saturday 23rd April 2011
We had a very early start today at 5am ready for the next big adventures ahead. We came to a lake with huge crocodile warning signs outside of it! We entered and had a quick bathe-the water was still very cold at this time of the morning..but we had the best view from here of the Twin Falls Waterfalls which were stunning.
We stopped at a gorgeous pub -this was very remote but so so amazing-it was huge and decorated with very old dark oak wood, it had a lovely seating area and overlooked a big green with mountains in the view, and the bathrooms had fresh water and soap----very rare in the outback!!!! They sold home-made ice-cream which we enjoyed before driving to the pub famous for the stuffed Bull in the Crocodile Dundee
We then made our way to Jim-Jim Falls Waterfalls-it was a long windy walk in with huge rocks to climb over and squeeze inbetween on the way-flip flops are not advised!!!! You must wear walking shoes!! Once we got there we were def in need of a swim. There were huge rocks which you could balance on if you were brave enough...they led round the corner to the waterfall itself-one rock you had to balance with your toes and hug the rock whilst shimmying round so you didnt fall to disaster beneath you-I said i didnt want to attempt as I know how clumsy I am-and the thought of slipping terrified me. ...The longer I sat there the more I changed my mind-I gave it a go...I couldnt miss sitting on the two tier waterfall!! After climbing the tree up-there was a big ledge and pretty much a big natural pool area where you could sit under the fall above you!! This was beautiful. It was then time to make it back down again!!
On the drive back we went to an Aboriginal Arts Factory where we had the chance to purchase any art or souvenirs. We also saw animals such as snakes, parrots and turtles here.
This was the end of my first few days on tour...we said our goodbyes to the rest of the group and I got dropped back at the Cavenah in Darwin!
Sunday 24th April 2011
This was my free day to myself in Darwin..you cant really explore much here without a car as its just so far to walk to anything...and to be honest-there really isnt much here! I went for a walk through the town to check it out...the heat was blistering! I knew there would be a change in temperature and humidity-but this was immense lol!!
I was surprised how they had built up the town centre-putting a Mcdonalds, Outback Jacks, many Restaurants and Souvenir shops for the tourists..as you just wouldnt expect it here because just outside of the town there is nothing.
Monday 25th April 2011
Today was my trip leaving Darwin headed South to Alice Springs. We drove for an hour introducing ourselves on the microphone and playing games to get to know eachother using group work and team exercises..this was actually quite fun lol.
This is when I met the wonderful Lissy Gaskell and Claudia Campbell!! We arrived at Katherine Gorge and set up for lunch before starting our 2k walk the mountain to get to the gorgeous lookings over the Gorge. After our walk we made it to camp where we wet up for the night. This was another camp like the first-i really did enjoy this experience!!
We sat round the campfire playing cherades and had some drinks before bed -Lissy, Claudia and I also helped our tourguide -'Wayne' make Aussie Damper bread on the fire-this is so nice-sweet bread.
Tuesday 26th April 2011
Today we were travelling from Katherine to Tennant Creek, it was a 700km journey! We stopped off at Eversey National Park where there were natural hot springs called Mataranka thermal pools- These were amazing, so warm and pretty with the forest surrounding it. We relaxed here until we reached the Daly Waters pub. This was such a great pub-it is so so remote and the last pub before you reach the desert.You could make donations and then leave something of yours at the pub-for example underwear hanging from the ceiling, letters, photos, old driving licenses, t-shirts, teddys...anything you wanted to leave as your mark!
Claudia, Lissy and I wrote a note and left it on the wall here! This pub was also home to Australias most remote traffic lights! This was the trademark for the pub as they are just fake traffic lights, making a point that on the journey through the outback-there are no traffic lights to be seen for Km's!
We drove past Cattle ranches and Horse ranches before approaching our camp where we set up for the night and started the drinking games straight away!
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