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Darwin
So we went to the airport, secretly hoping Dad might have upgraded us again only to find out we were flying with Jet Star - Oz's Easy Jet !! Was OK, apart from the fact the Pilot said in the same sentence before take off that he was sorry for the delay - there was a TECHNICAL problem and that he would fly FASTER to make up time ! Hence I was a little more worried than usual and consumed 2 wines on the plane J Then he warned of thunderstorms, but we made it.
Got a Taxi to our hostel and arrived about 3am ! it was SOOO hot ! Luckily we have the 4 bed dorm to ourselves so didn't have to wake anyone! So next day we just chilled, went to the supermarket, went to buy hats and had a look down by the sea & manmade wave pool. Sat by the pool for most of the day and had some dinner in the hostel which had had a really nice bar. We were in bed by 9pm !! Due to the night before I think and the 5am start of the tour the next day !!
So… we set our alarms and made it downstairs in time for our tour, boarded the 4wd truck and sat at the back J Our tour guide Sheldon greeted us and off we set. Our 1st stop was Litchfield national park where we had a swin in the waterfalls, it was gorgeous !! We were told it was a 30 min walk to the waterhole but it was sooo hot and took about 1.5 hours, was agony, so the swim in the pool was a nice reward J Then in the afternoon we did a river cruise on the Mary River Wetlands, saw lots of crocs J Then arrived at our 1st campsite for the night, helped with dinner - red thai curry and had a glass of wine then were in bed by about 1030 !! hah ! Oh and after having a go on the didgeridoo ! I got it … for about 3 seconds!
Next day woke at 6am, had peanut butter & jam on toast and set off to Kakadu National Park.
Our 1st stop was to see some Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and we climbed to the top of a rocky look out for some fabulous views ! Then in the afternoon another swim - at Barramundi gorge. There were some gorgeous waterfalls here too. There was a more difficult bit we could climb too, but I was a bit scared of the wet slippery rocks, so Lou went on, (having done a lot rock climbing) so I turned back and then FELL IN !! I slipped down a little waterfall, only about 1 metre, but fell in and smacked my left leg muscle on the rock, was in agony, thought id broken my leg for a minute, but think my muscle just went in to spasm, you know when you get cramp ? So I just rubbed it for a bit, and was fine, got some help on the walk back !! Knocked my confidence a bit thought with rocks !! So I took it easy !! Oh and before that we were in the water and a Chinese guy was struggling, he couldn't grip on to the side, so I had to tread water and hold him up for a couple of minutes !! (thanks mum & dad for that lifesaving course!!) The tour guide then came over to help, so was a stressful 30 mins !!
Then back to camp for the night where we tried Kangaroo steaks !! Hate to say it but it was delicious !!
Next day was a 4wd experience to Jim Jim Falls J Great fun and another rocky walk up to a plunge pool. This one was easier to get in to though and you could swim right across to the other side for a rest - amazing views, and the waterfall wasn't running at the time, amazing views. On the way back Lou and I sat in the front with Sheldon, was so much fun, singing along to grease, I did the woman part ;) and Sheldon taught us a few action songs so we joined in ! Even got to play my ipod for a bit which gave everyone a break from his country music ;)
On the way back we stopped at an Aboriginal culture centre which was really interesting.
So then back to the hostel we stayed in, in Darwin, showered, did some washing and met up with everyone for some dinner and drinks J Another early ish night.
Next day picked up by Rich - another tour guide for the next part of the journey at 5:40am ! We stopped for some breakfast and saw the buffalo (stuffed) that was in Crocodile Dundee !
There was a lot more driving this day - about 4 hours in total ! We went to Katherine gorge for another boat trip - incredible views! Was about 43 degrees today !! Lots of water needed !!
Then was my favourite part of the trip so far - we met Manuel - an aboriginal man - who told us stories of his life and taught us how to do paintings. So we were all sat on the floor with him, was amazing, to meet someone from that culture. I was secretly really disappointed with my painting though, thinking I was creative, though I might be one of the good ones ;) So I bought one of Manuels as a souvenir, (or to pass off as mine)
Then back to camp for a yummy Moroccan dinner & more chat.
Another long day of driving today - about 7 hours, so set off at 7 (nice lie in) and our first stop were at Bitter Springs - a hot spring, had a little dip which was nice ! 2nd stop was at the Pink panther pub, there were some snakes and crocs to look at and had a drink J Everything was pink, so I loved it ;)
We then stopped at the Daly Waters pub, which really was in the middle of know here, its amazing, I try to sleep as much as possible on the bus, but when I am awake and look out the window, for miles, the scenery is the same - its like being on a treadmill ! I really admire our drivers, must be so boring ! I asked Sheldon actually, but as they do so often they do notice the difference.
Our camp for the night was at Juno Horse farm and here we had proper beds in our tents J The showers weren't so great though, any kind of bug you can imagine, even frogs occupied them ! I loved the camping though, so relaxed and nice everyone has dinner together. Have met some lovely people from all over, CZ, Germany, Holland J
On our last day with Rich we went to the Devils Marbles, a sight which is treasured to the aboriginal people, we took some great group photos here and had another few stops on our way to Alice Springs, one at the tropic of Capricorn, where on the longest day of summer, the sun is directly above this point J Stopped for a lunch at a pub where it was filled with foreign currency so the barman loved finding out where we were all from and showing us our own money !! I helped wash up from lunch and had 3 men drying up for me ;) If only it was like that at home !! J
We then arrived in to Alice Springs about 5pm, in to our 1st 8 bed dorm and it was full !! So as you can imagine, quite interesting trying to get 8 girls showered and ready for a night out !!
We all met up for dinner at Bojangles, a pub full of character and as you go in you collect some nuts, the ones you crack open from shells and when you are done, you just throw them on the floor !! Such a crazy concept, but we had great fun doing it !! Had a nice dinner and a few beers, some of the guys were leaving the next day, so our last night with them. We played a few drinking games, one of which I made up, which involved hand actions of ozzy animals, was really funny J
So that's us so far - now have a couple of days to relax before setting off in another 2 days down to Adelaide…
Having such an amazing time, so great to meet so many people from different countries and just loving all the culture and different places to visit. !
Missing you all !! Update me on how you all are !!
Lots of love Michelle xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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