Today we got up and stuffed ourselves with breakfast. I cant believe a) how early I'm waking/getting up and b) how much I'm eating for breakfast. Jade didn't sleep very well last night coz of the geckos and bugs bless her, she's not very good with those. Apparently they don't really get all that in New Zealand. I was quite shocked though that my insect repellant spray (the 'harmful' one you gave me mum) actually melts the print on carrier bags. I wasn't too impressed when I realised I had dark green print smeared all over my legs. Dread to think what that spray is doing to my skin!! Probably best not to think too much about it.
So this morning we jumped on the coach and headed out towards Nourlangie for our hike in Kakadu. It's hard to be believe that what we're seeing is only 1% of the whole national park. Must be flipping massive. We crossed over South Alligator River (as we've done a few times) and Jara shouts out for 'Croc Watch' - we've yet to see any damn it. Tim the driver does this thing where he honks the horn to try and get the birds out of the grassland so we can see them. He also toots when someone says or does something funny or exciting. Kinda funny when it happens in traffic, or in the middle of nowhere bless him. At least he's joining in!
When we got to Nourlangie we had our hats, water etc checked and we set off on our hike. I reckon the temperature must have been around 30 and it was bloody humid. It hadn't crossed my mind that the hike may have involved going up - perhaps it should have done so I could at least have been prepared! Jesus I thought I was going to die! Thank god I bought walking shoes! Climbing over these rocks and through the forest would have been impossible in flip flops or my trainers. We saw wild wallabies on the way up and down, so cool seeing them in their natural habitat. My camera has proved to be an awesome purchase too - I can get proper close photos from a bit further away, meaning neither me nor the animal I'm stalking gets scared. During the hike we stopped and saw Aboriginal artwork on the rocks and learnt a bit about their history and culture. It was all a little bit overwhelming in some respects - being in such a stunning place and seeing all the actual aboriginal stuff. When we reached the top of the bit we were climbing, it was breathtaking. Although essentially a lot of what I could see was the top of a hell of a lot of trees, it was still amazing. We then headed back down which was much easier than the way up! We jumped back on the coach (stinking and sweaty, nice) and drove to Cooinda for some lunch and a swim. The pool was wicked, even had a jacuzzi spa bath bit. It was lovely and cool water - lush after a hot and sweaty hike. From here we boarded a boat and took a boat cruise through the flood plains at Yellow Water. As its the wet season here, what we were actually cruising over was the roads and car parks which are normally useable during the dry season. Saw some really pretty birds (the feathery kind) and baby chicks etc. camera came in handy here although it's flipping hard to zoom and focus while the boat is turning! Then heading back in, we spotted a crocodile in the water up ahead. Wow! Apparently they had only seen about 3 all week so we were lucky to have seen it. It was just visible in the water but I managed to get a picture before it disappeared. Well chuffed/easily pleased, not fussed which!
The rest of the evening was spent chilling for a bit before heading to the bar for a pizza and a few drinks. It's so expensive here that pizza is the best way forward as we can split the cost! A group of us ate together and Jara and Tim came to join us for a drink after. Jade was pranging out about the bugs that were all around - much to the locals amusement. So much so that they were flicking them at her or catching them and throwing them at her and pissing themselves with laughter. Was incredibly funny and luckily she took it well! A couple of others came back to our room again and when we got there Jade almost had a meltdown - there was a frog on the room door and 2 geckos tonight - Jock had returned with a friend. Needless to say the next half an hour was spent trying to herd them out, funny times. We had a few drinks and then due to the fact I fell asleep, everyone left! Jade then proceeded to move her bed into the middle of the room so 'nothing could get her' - bless, so naive. Turns out she still didn't sleep any better....