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Friday 17th August 2007- West Kimberley DAY TOUR
Left Broome after going out with the tour group had to leave at 12:00 as I knew I would not get up. Just turning into a saddo but hey enjoyed the trip. Gout up at 6:00 and got picked up by the tour. We were going to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek which is actually 5 hours away. Slept for around 4:5 hours. Realised we were on a tour designed for older people which to be honest meant I thought a realxing day. Anyway the day went well. We started off at Windjana Gorge which is beautful. The walls of Winjana Gorge soar 100m above the Lennard River, which rushes through in the wet but in the dry become s a series of pools. Tunnel Creek is a 750m long passage 3m 50 15m wide, created by the creek cutting though a spur of the Napier Range. Tunnel Creek was better we walked through the tunnel to see some Aboriginal Art. We then went into the cave where Jandamarra (Aboriginal frredom fighter) hid. Jandamarra was a highly skilled stockman working on the Lennard River Station. His skills led him to become an armed tracker working with the police to capture Aboriginal people who were spearing sheep. However in Oct 1894 Jandamarra tribal loylaty got the bette rof him and he shot a policeman. He killed another four men and in 1894 was finally trapped and killed near his Tunnel Hide out.
I thought this very interesting and kept asking the guide questions however he was not very interested or enthusiastic. Lunch was probably the best we have had on a tour not a sandwich insight. Got back to Broome and slept I think.
18th August 2007- Market and Crocodile Park- Broome
Got up fro the markets in Broome and bought 2 bracelets and resisted buying so much stuff. In the afternoon we went to the Crocodile Park near Cable Beech. Went for feeding time so was guided around the park. Sarah thinks crocodiles are beautiful I think they are pretty horrible and truly believe they are sociopaths. Crocodiles kill humans take a hand then bury them so no other crocodile can get their 'trophy'. The man crocs will kill the women if they take their food. The guide was very good and did make me think twice about hating crocodiles. We also held a baby crocodile which was very cute and saw Roos, Wallabies and Walla Roos.
We then decied to go to the Zoo Cafe and ironically eat Croc, camel. Roo and Oyster. This was lovely but def not going to be a repeat experience as a backpacker. Again got back to the youth hostel did washing and went to sleep. Hardcore
Sunday 19th August- Chilled
Checked out as we leave tonight for Kanunurra. Stayed by the pool and met a girl from School who is living in Perth but going to Sydney and Brisbane with her boyf.
Got the Greyhound at 7:00pm
Monday 20th August- Kimberley Trip Bungle Bungles
Arrived in Turkey Creek which is just outside the National Park. Got picked up by Gary who we now know explains things at least 3 times. I'm sure he thinks middle aged people and OAP's are all slow stupid or deaf or all three.
Anyway got on the boiling tour bus. The air con had broken down and some people had been on this bus for 5 days. The bus had leaking oil had gone through two fan belts, it had been jumped start oh and incurred a flat tyre. I am thinking brilliant. However the Aussie people seem to be laughing about the episode as I suppose if you did not you would cry.
Started the tour by visiting Echidna Chasm which is in the Purnunulu National Park and did a walk. Then had lunch. Then set up camp and went to watch the sunset over a big rock. Had tea which was interesting as you get to observe the dynamics of the group. 2 women doing the cooking but "not draining the water/liquid from the Chilli beans" So the Chilli was quite watery. I was thinking bloody hell cooked food.Plus we were too tired to care after travelling for 12 hours the night previous on a coach. Bed before everyone slightly embarassed but hey.
Tuesday 21st August- Cathedral Gorge, Domes, Beehives.
After not a brilliant sleep we set off in the hot sweaty van. We arrrive at the Bungle Bungles. Souding like the character off Rainbow I'm intrigued. Well the most likely story is it was named after Bundle Bundle which is a common grass that grows in the Kimberleys but the white settlers mispelt it.
The Bungle Bungle Range has striped rock towers. These formations were only "discovered' during in the 1980s however the Kinja people had been living there for quite a long time. The distinctive rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and rough conglomerates, and their stripes reflect the amount of water the layers accept. I really thought these were beautiful and so different to Karijini and Windjana gorge. We also got to swim in Cathedral gorge which was very beautiful but again a gorge.
Got dropped off at the YH. Kimberly Croc which is a family reun YH but very friendly and had a pool so I was happy. Did not have tea and had an early night.
August 22nd 2007- Chilled Kanunurra
Spent the morning booking the Greyhound and working out Alice. Then went for Lunch and explored Kanunurru. Went for lunch at the Boab Tree cafe and book shop. Hung out by the pool.
Thursday August 23rd 2007- El Questro
Got up at 6:00 and was picked up at 7:00. El Questro is a privately owned place that is not a National Park. This was a very touristy place but still very beautiful. We went for a walk up to Emma Gorge and swam in Emma Pool which has the waterfall Emma Falls. Nice walk to wake you up in the morning but again the rock formations were very different from anywhere we had seen. This place was hit by a cyclone in 2004 (I think) and the resort and living quarters of staff were completely destroyed. Everywhere you go you hear about the wet season but to picture waters rising 7 meters is hard to do. Came back and was treated to cake, fruit, tea coffee, and fresh water. Nice.
Then went to Zebedee Springs wich are thermal pools. After swimming in cold gorges I thought thia was brilliant. The tour again was mixed and we were the only English much to the tour guides delight who kept cracking jokes about "Pomme b******s". I'm sure that would be prejudice in the UK. Ozzies do not care about PC which in some ways is quite nice! The judges on Pop Idol regularly call the contestants fat.
After the springs we go for lunch. We have wait for it Barramundi, Steak, Salad and complimentary fruit juices oh and chips. This is now the best lunch we have had. Spoke to the people around the table 2 of which were teachers so the rest of the table had to endure teacher talk.
After dinner we went on a river cruise down the Chamberlain River. The guides were hysterical Pete and Steve one retired man who had been married 3 times and had 5 children. His wifes were great "home keepers' divorced him and kept the homes. The other guy was from NZ and kep saying comments about the English coming over to OZ which is slightly ironic as if we hadn't he would be out of a job and he was a Kiwi. I was going to point this out. Had a lovely time on the river learnt about the history of El Questro. It was owned by an English man whose grandmother owned Penguin and Royal Dalton. He then married into the Mia family meant nothing to me but he was then super rich. Recently been sold to a company who own resorts on the East Coast. Drank Champagne and ate lots of fruit. Every tour we go on we eat so much fruit so we do not get ill!!! Got dropped off at the YH and Pack.
Friday 24th August 2007- Travel to Darwin
Greyhound at 10:00, DVD, Radio is broken. 12 hours of sooooooooooooooo much fun.
Saturday 25th August 2007- Slept and Chilled
We went shopping in the morning as I realise I have no skirt, no shorts, and no summer dress and jeans in Darwin are not going to work. Buy those things but did need them. Then sat by the pool.
Went out at night to Monsoons and then the Vic which is basically a student/ backpacker Club. It was ok danced on tables but thought I shoul not spend too much after I had bought clothes. Met an Israli bloke called Aled in the hostel bar and me and Sarah and him went out. Previous to the shots and dancing on tables we spent hours talking about politics, Israel/Palestine and his experiences in the army. Moss Side does not seem that bad now!
Sunday 26th August 2007- Darwin
Booked Kakadu, Lichfiled and sorted out Alice by the pool, hungover.
Monday 27th August 2007- Chilled, Wharf walk AquaScene
Stayed by the pool but went for a walk down to the wharf and decided to come for tea tomorrow night. Went to Aquascene at about 4:00 which is where you can feed the fish bread and they come right up to you and take it out of year hands. This was fun. Watched the sunset came home again and slept.
Tuesday 28th August 2007- Pool and Cinema
Pool and then went to the WWII oil tunnels. This was actually very interesting tunnels took a while to build and by the time they did the war was over. Then went for tea on the wharf. We ate Oysters and Barrumundi which was beautiful. Then we trundled down to the deck chair cinema. Went to watch a film in Swedish about a man who was a conductor moved back to where he lived and is then persuaded to coach the local church chior. It was brilliant 2005 K.Pollak 127m. However I got bitten at leat 10 times they love me Mossies.
Wednesday 29th August 2007- Kakadu 3 days
Get picked up at a reasonable 7:00. First stop is the Crocodile Cruise place. We get to old a python and then go on a cruise down the river. The rangers feed the crocodiles but get them to jump out of the water to eat the meat tht is on the rope. The crocs swim right up to the boat. This was awesome but the commentator kept saying these crocodiles are killing machines. " Were crazy up here in NT but we are just used to crocodiles, we love em"
" Did you know that Salt water crocodiles can live in Fresh water, yes where you go swimming they can be"
" Crocodiles live in the sea, rivers, gorges, they can travel 100km across land especially in the wet season this is how they get into gorges and pools"
This man was clearly out off his mind or just suffered from short term memory loss or probably both. However his commentary made for interesting humour over the camp fire that night!
Then we went to Maguk pool or Barrumundi pool. This was beautiful the water was warm and I did not have to keep moving just so I did not stop breathing. We then walked to the tip of the waterfall and hung out in rock pools. Our guide as all gudies are in OZ was mad. So we get to this pool and if you jump into this pool you can swim under a rock and get out to another one. So I'm thinking you try everything I jump in and try to swim under the rock that is 1 metre below. I panic come back up and I'm stuck in the pool. So the guides going "no worries mate we will just pull you out." By this point the entire tour group are watching me swimming round and around this pool. I can't climb out because there are no ladders (very inconsiderate). So I am treading water for 25 minutes. The guide tries to pull me out but falls back into the pool I want to get into. This is obviously very funny for everyone but I'm thinking they are going to have to get a rope and pull me out like a whale. It took two men to heave me out with my friend Sarah taking photos of me straddled across rocks in an ungraceful position. She is then shouting use your own strength this girl has known me for 6 weeks I have no upper body strength. Possibly one of the most indignified moments of my life. However prob not on par with throwing up in my own bed and then falling asleep. Went to camp and guess what went to bed early!!!
Thursday 30th August 2007- Day two Kakadu
Today we get up at a reasonable hour and leave camp. We call at another termite mound these things are fascinating but after having 8 explanations of what they are. I start to beleive I can be a tour guide well certainly on termite mounds. We go to Twin falls and Jim Jim Jim Falls. We travel to Twin Falls on a boat but we are not allowed to swim as there might be crocs in the water. Fine by me!
We then hike over rocks, boulders in the sweltering heat to Jim Jim Falls which is beautiful and we get to swim for about 1.5 hours. This is stunning but I do not enjoy the hike back. We drive to a caravan park to drop people off and get to have a shower and swim in the pool. This tour guide is making everything up as we go along. Happy days shower. We then go to Yellow waters to watch the sunset and are serenaded by a French guatarist. Well not personally seranaded but it was nice.
We then go and camp near to a river. Now our tour guide has told us about the German girl who 5 years ago was eaten by a crocodile only 100metres down the river from where we are sleeping. Now I have just heard off the crazy croc crusie man that crocs can travel 100km across land for food. Surely camping 10 meters away from a river bed where a German girl was killed is not the best idea. But apparantly crocs don't like fire! Now Sarah thinks its hysterical to wind me up but I seriously keep dreaming about being killed by a crocodile. However I manage to sleep after the boulder hike and because there is only 5 of us on tour we get two mattresses to sleep on. Its the small things!!!
31st August 2007- Day 3 Kakadu
Morning start hike up Nourlangie and hear the story about Crocodile Dundee being filmed there. The scene where the croc grabs her water bottle well I hvae seen that Billabong where that was filmed. We walk down and go to Ubirr rock which has beautiful art work all over the site. This I loved sooo... interesting hearing about the Mimis (spirits that look over the Aboriginee people) and the foods Abroginees eat.
On the way home we go for a swim in a river that looks very similar to the one we camped beside but the tour guide goes in plus I'm sweating so I think what the hell. While we are in the water he says no other tour guides take their group here they think 'm crazy but the rangers to do checks. We all get out quick as I'm thinking dream becoming reality.
We call at Bowali visitors centre to look and possibly buy authentic Aboriginal stuff and not stuff designed in Oz amde in China. We then head home. We have a free tea at the Vic. Chips, Pasta bake and Salad told ya student place. Go to a few bars but everyone is very tired so again bed by 12:00. I would have stayed out as I've decided going out twice in 1 month is letting the side down.
I really enjoyed the tour and we are sharing a room with a Scottish girl called Laura who is really nice.
Saturday 1st September 2007- Chill and Cullen Bay
Today we shopped and bought a boomerang and some Aborigianl Art. It is very beautiful and Origianl and I got discount because there was no certificate and the man forgot to charge me for a souvenier. We then went for a walk to Cullen Bay for tea which was nice. Spanish music looking over the harbour. This is where the Ozzies come for their holiday not a backpacker in sight. I had mussels, chicken wing and corn on the cob which cost $10. Bargain home to bed asleep by 12:00.
Sunday 2nd September 2007- Litchfield Park
Another tour but we got this cheap because we booked Kakadu. Get up fairly early and drive to Litchfield park. First stop we see the Termite mounds but this time we have Cathedral and Magnetic mounds which if I had not spent $11 on the internet already I would explain what this are. It is very interesting but just google it. We then go to Wangi falls which you can't swim in because of bats. Then we head to Florence Falls which is an Aboriginal womens site. Older women bring young girls down to this fall to teach them about sex, men and the ways of the world. This happens when they are about 12-13. It seemed pretty horrible that we were swimming in such a sacred sites but apparantly there ar eplaces where tourist and non aborignees are not allowed to go. Litchfiled is joint managed which means the government pay the Aboriginees money each year to look after the park and so tourists can come and visit. So the bloody government are now doing something right. We then went to Tolmer Falls which wa snice but quite busy and kids were jumping off rocks I wanted to say please don't but just covered my ears. We then went to Buley Rock Hole which was a collection of Rock pools with mini waterfalls flowing over.
A lovely day and our tour guide Andy was mates with Daz the tour guide from Kakadu who said "Oh your the girls from the Friday tour." Not sure what that meant. I'm now home and need some tea but shouldn't really eat this late. Going to museums tomorrow so will update everyone soon.
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