very happy to leave merl campground behind us - mozzie city
back to ubirr for a leisurely stroll around the base of the huge rocks
examples of aboriginal rock art from eons ago is in touching distance
thankfully given some interpretation on signs - a fine outdoor museum
we've gone as far east as we can in kakadu so double back to jabiru
the town of significant recent historical importance - uranium mining
ranger mine is nearby and 1980's protests to an expansion comes to mind
the town of jabiru is underwhelming - small, suburban and well - functional
a wander round and a healthy population of original inhabitants in town also
the main feature is the large crocodile hotel built in the shape of it's namesake
it does look like some architect has had free licence to create something unique
kind of strange - big and imposing - but not at all inviting so we take a pass
at the nearby visitor's centre we are given some more must-visit advice
our vehicle is a 2wd campervan - some roads require 4wd so are no-go
we agree on the days activities and drive for an hour or 2 south-west
nourlangie rock is the target but nothing too imposing in the car park
it's a 15 minute walk we are told and so we head off through the scrub
up a few steps, turn a corner and oh wow - yet another sight to behold
a huge sloping red surface of what looks like pebbles of a dry riverbed
these held in some kind of hardened substance - lava comes to mind
up we go and from the highest point it's another breath-taking view
beyond the rock it's the greenness of low-lying trees on the wetlands
a bright blue sky beyond that and again the comment - only in australia
we have back-packed a light lunch up so indulge before then descending
happy with that stopover and a decision to get tonight's campsight sorted
we arrive at cooinda lodge which seems to be the centre of universe kakadu
all facilities at hand and a lot of people making this place home it seems
we manage to snag a powered site and happily set up and take a wander
nice-looking cabins, a swimming pool, large cafe, shop, petrol station
we then pile onto the (full) courtesy bus and are driven to yellow water
crikey - tourist central - there are 5 flat bottom boats each seating 50
we are 1 of 3 that cast off on the 'essential' kakadu wetlands cruise
our german tour-guide pilots the boat and does the commentary
hmmm - his english is not so good, his pitch flat and his humour -
please stay in the boat - too much paperwork if a crocodile eats you
haha - heard that one before - ditto about the pumped up toy crocodile
30 minutes in and i'm watch-checking - probably didn't need this one
but then i pinch myself - look where we are - it really is extraordinary
beautiful scenery in every direction and a sun heading to set in the west
one boy on board is a master croc spotter so we see quite a few of them
the birdlife so diverse and all at work feeding or watching for prey
as the sun sinks the cameras go crazy and we work our way back
our captain as happy to see us go as we him it seems - not mr friendly
back at lodge cooinda it's mozzie free so we enjoy the warm evening
a g&t starter, a nz pinot over dinner and chivas regal follows - oops
