Sorry for the late travel post - I'm having a hard week re-writing my thesis conclusion and introduction! Please take this as an excuse for the image reliant post as well.


First up, the hypothetical happiness list. Nearly all of it came true, including the “no one got eaten by a crocodile” item, fortunately! We all had a fun time.

It was great to see the Northern Territory, even if for a short time. I have been before, but only in a I-wonder-if-we've-crossed-the-border kind of way in the desert near Queensland. Darwin was the furthest north I’ve ever been in Australia and it was cool to stand on the beach and look north towards Asia. Sending good wishes to East Timor for their election seemed more effective when the island was so close, somehow!



Darwin combined a relaxed, country feel with good cafes and restaurants. And because of the abundance of rain there were lots of beautiful, crowded green gardens. I loved the warm weather and can definitely see myself living somewhere like this, especially as the weather is starting to get cooler here.

We also visited the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park. This was as amazing as everyone says. It’s mostly made up of tropical savanna, which was interspersed with very tall termite mounds. There are also wetlands, wetlands everywhere.



Some of us decided to forget being sensible over money and take a scenic flight, and it was completely worth it! Look at these photos of sandstone escarpments and wetlands above and below – who could disagree?*





Taking advantage of the wetland aspect, we also went on a boat trip on one of the Alligator Rivers (yet another example of the first explorer there mucking up the name –the rivers are full of crocodiles, not alligators).



Despite the high water levels we still managed to see some salt-water crocodiles – my first ever in the wild! This photo shows why we didn’t go swimming anywhere but the hotel pool (sorry it's not too clear - it was hard to get any closer!).



He is around four metres long. For some reason, crocs seem more dangerous and large when you see them in their natural habitat. The billabongs are so beautiful it’s hard to remember one of these huge predators might be lurking.*

While I didn’t catch a glimpse of any Jabiru, the boat guide did point out one of their large nests. I hadn’t realised they nested so far up in a tree! However, I did see other great birds including a Brolga, a Little Kingfisher, Magpie Geese, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Whistling Ducks (I think it was this species) and what seemed like excessive numbers of Wedge Tailed Eagles and Whistling Kites.

It was hard at times travelling with other people. My feet itched to get out and bushwalk but it didn’t happen because the majority preferences allocated the time (and car) elsewhere. I definitely need to go back again!

Although I’ve been reading (of course), the need for relaxation has driven me back to familiar re-reads. I will try to post a book review entry soon, though!

* OK, my middle sister can; she got quesy from the small plane’s movements and was also convinced we were going to crash and die, but who else couldn’t think it was great?

**One guide book I read recommended some lakes as good swimming “when croc free”. Um, yes. I agree. Any swim without a crocodile is a good one in my opinion. But isn’t it the finding out if they are croc free the crucial bit here?!



And for those collecting Australianisms, this entry has reminded me of two more shortenings: saltie for salt water crocodile and wedgie for wedge tailed eagle!

Tags: animals, birds, family, travel