monday 29th of june - a couple of days left in this territory
we wake at wangi falls campground in litchfield national park
this morning's plan is to do the 800 metre hill-top climb/walk
up past last night's treetop destination and celebration point
climbing up to the top of the escarpment and crossing streams
these feeding the tall waterfalls into the large pool down below
it's a quite pleasant scramble up and down using a man-made path
again amazed at the effort people put in to make life easier for others
we work up a bit of a sweat - good - and then we plunge into the pool
there's patches of warm but mostly cold water as we re-visit the falls
another chance to be pummeled by water falling from a great height
we are alone again in this pristine place as we swim back and exit
into the campervan and drive to the equally famous florence falls
a descent down a set of stairs containing 135 steps - count 'em
another beautiful pool and falls but crawling with them tourists
we take a swim anyway to complete the set and then head away
next stop - berry springs - a large tavern first stop for brunch
then a visit to the springs - at any other time it would be amazing
but we have been seriously indulged so no swim - let's get set up
a couple of caravan parks listed and we select tumbling waters
lovely setup, lovely people, restful surroundings so we stay put
an evening re-packing and re-laxing in the quiet under the stars
next day we head back to darwin via palmerston - tidy town it is
there's a few hours to kill before return of the vehicle so we wander
a visit to darwin's fish markets interesting but it's certainly not sydney
then a final stop at east point overlooking the bay and to the ocean beyond
beautiful outlook too - a chance to sit quietly before the final burst of activity
the famous $15 lunch and asahi beer at monsoons bar then return the vehicle
an evening free used up with an enjoyable long walk around the waterfront
destination - stokes hill wharf spotted a week ago from our sailing trip
no disappointment either with an array of nice looking food outlets
we are tempted by crustaceans seafood restaurant and sit outside
full moon too - warm as - oysters, scallops and chilli mud crab
delicious and a wander back to the h hotel through the city mall
next day - breakfast taken at eva's cafe in the botannical gardens
then - sniff - farewell darwin - a near 3 hour flight over to brisbane
though pleasantly spent conversing with a rigger from the gas project
he one of many thousands of workers based off-shore from darwin
a lot learnt in that time and also a mutual respect for the host city
then down to sydney - the loop completed - a wonderful 17 days
so much seen, so much relaxation had and a plan to return...
