Sunday, May 29, 2011

Darwin 29th May 2011


















This morning we went to view a 'rural open garden' where I took this picture of a Bromiliad. These gorgeous pink water lillies are on the lake looking out from Garry & Marcia's deck:)

Darwin 28th May 2011



~Dinner at Char Restaurant on the Esplanade, absolutely beautiful evening with wonderful people~

Darwin 28th May 2011







~Mietta making waffles for breakfast and the entrance to our studio apartment~

Graham, Helen & Garry 27th May 2011



Litchfield National Park 27th May 2011



~~Tolmer Falls~~

Litchfield National Park 27th May 2011




```Wangi Falls~~~













~far right is Florence Falls~

Litchfield National Park 27th May 2011







Buley Rock Pools~~~~~~Garry & Graham with Termite Mounds in the background~

Katherine Gorge Park 26th May 2011







Lunch in the park

The tree is a Salmon Gum, when they

shed their bark it is this beautiful smooth

salmon red colour.

Katherine Gorge 26th May 2011












This 2hr. cruise up Katherine Gorge was just jaw dropping beautiful, it is very difficult to put into words how majestic it is.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Springvale Homestead Katherine 25th May 2011






It was a hard slog up hill to view Edith Falls and very hot. We did'nt venture down to have a swim in the rock pool below as some of the other's in our group did.

Our tent for the night, it was very cold in Katherine tonight and our 6am whip crack call it was even more freezing! Did'nt take long for the day to warm up though.








Nourlangie Rock 25th May 2011




















6am crack of the whip call for breakfast before heading off at 7am to Nourlangie Rock. Huge rock formations and art works. It is truly amazing and a privilege to be able to see it all.

Wash Up time!



Graham copped heaps of ribbing over this for the rest of the trip!!

East Alligator River Tuesday 24th May 2011





















After lunch we went on a cruise up East Alligator River with a very entertaining aboriginal guide named Neville. It was'nt too long before we spotted a crocodile on the banks, he kept his eye on us for a couple of minutes then quickly made his exit! The other guy in the picture is Joe from Toronto, Canada.




Our camp site tonight was at Kakadu Lodge, Jabiru . Our coach/cook/guide was Craig....a very versatile bloke! Cooked up a feast of Nile Perch and salads.










Kakadu Tuesday 24th May 2011












We arrived in the city at 7am for our trip to Kakadu. Morning tea was at Bark Hut Inn on our way to Ubirr Rock to view the aboriginal rock art. spectacular 360 views once we got to the top, very hot climbing!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Monday 23rd May 2011



Our last day at Nightcliff. Caught the bus just a short distance up to the shopping centre, especially needed to buy insect repellant and a torch ready for our early morning departure tomorrow for Kakadu. We will be out of range most of the time, no more blog updates until Friday. Rearranging our bags as we get to take one sports bag and a backpack on the trip. We are very fortunate to be able to leave the remainder of our gear with Garry & Marcia.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

The Potato Man Nightcliff 22nd May 2011




Absolutely delicious potato's with all the trimmings and by the continuous stream of people we are not the only one's who think so! All delivered back to me by 'the man'!

Cornucopia Museum Cafe 22nd May 2011




Darwin 22nd May 2011

















Open Garden......beautiful Mietta amongst the tropical trees.............Ginger Plant

Darwin 21st May 2011

This morning Garry picked us up at 10am, took us to the Parap Markets where we met Marcia for a coffee and look around (markets very popular here in Darwin) The rest of the day, that is just what we did, lazing around. We walked along the Nightcliff foreshore for about 2 km to the Beachfront Hotel for dinner and viewed another beautiful sunset.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Friday 20th May 2011



Sunset Darwin Harbour

Friday 20th May 2011

Parliament House












Friday 20th May 2011



Today we went into the city. Back to Tourism Top End to change our Kakadu trip as parts of the roads are closed due the massive amount of rain a month or so ago, Jim Jim Gorge & Twin Falls are closed. After this we headed down past the Darwin Wave Pool on our way to Stokes Hill Wharf where we boarded the Cape Adieu Harbour Dinner Cruise. Absolutely beautiful seafood, steak, salad's and dessert which was lemon cheese cake. The sunset was magnificent as was seeing the city from the harbour. Very relaxing night.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Nightcliff Foreshore 20th May 2011



This is the view from our unit....with some free entertainment from the local indigenous people who gather in the park for their pow wow....which could be very quiet or just the opposite, verbally that is!!

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets 19th May 2011








After spending a lazy day at the unit we met the Russell Family at the markets, what an education, thousands of people, most bring chairs, drinks etc. then purchase food from the hundred or so food stalls from five continents, we chose an asian banquet to share.....this is a tradition for the local's and visitors each year during the dry season from May to October. We were positioned close to the fire twirler. Lot's of other entertainment around the site, so much to take in. That's besides all of the stall's which are similar to our markets in Brisbane with some very talented aboriginal art and jewellery.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Darwin 18th May 2011



Today we caught No. 4 bus into the city to book our adventures for the coming days. Fantastic recommendation from our very lovely assistant Rachel (mammoth effort to accomodate us 1hr45mins. all with the most gracious smile) we caught another bus No. 14 to Cullen Bay and had lunch at the water's edge at Buzz Cafe. After a hair cut for Graham at Casuarina Shopping Centre (very big for Graham) where he managed to walk into a hairdresser's and immediately get a hair cut. K-Mart, well we must try some sneakers on for Kakadu, 'what do i need these for' dah!! You all got the picture!!!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Darwin 17th May 2011



This sunset was taken looking out from the Darwin Trailer Boat Club where we had dinner with Graham's nephew Garry, his wife Marcia, son Tom and daughter Mietta. Beautiful introduction to the obvious relaxed lifestyle of darwinites!