Kakadu do do!! (part 2)

We had somewhat planned out an itinenary for our time in Kakadu, which included the bush camp in Gunlom, followed by a night with all the amenities including a swimming pool, in Cooinda, followed by another bush camp near Ubirr, Merls Campground. As one can probably establish bush camping excludes all the amenities especially the pool!!!

After our night at Cooinda swimming in the beautiful pool and able to use our air conditioner at night,  we get ready to head for the bush camp at Merl. Just to explain, in Kakadu the only area it is safe to swim with out the risk of turning into tucker for the crocs, is in the Mary River Region. Once we left Gunlom, we left the safe swimming areas, except for, of course, a swimming pool.

We cleaned, reorganised and packed the van. All done except for hitching it to the car..........we then looked at each other, looked at the kids, looked at the pool.........looked at the receptionist, looked at the pool and kindly asked for another night......looked at the packed van and unpacked it once more!!!!!  

The next moring, after setting a new record for the earliest we have all managed to get out of the van we make it to our Yellow Water dawn cruise.

The sunrise is spectacular with the mist rising over the water.

One of the locals swims by to say hello.

An Azure Kingfisher.

A two hour cruise and the kids loved every minute. Our guide was very good at pointing out all the wildlife and different flora as we went along.

Beautiful water lillies. We learnt they weren't just lovely to look at, but they, like so much of the flora out there, have many practical uses. They use the stem as a food, or as a water source. The leaves are waterproof and therefore get used in a variety of ways.

A Jabiru.

We moved out from the Yellow Water billabong and into the South Alligator River then back to the marina.

Returning to Cooinda resort we enjoyed a buffet breakfast and remembered to stuff our bags with enough food for lunch as well!

The resort pool where we spent quite a bit of time and met Andrew and Vanessa, whose 3 kids were pictured in Kakadu part 1. Once again friendships forged in 24 hrs but over all too soon as paths diverge. Details exchanged, they will be coming to Darwin in a couple of days. Who knows, we may meet again, stranger things have happened.

Leaving Cooinda for Darwin we visited the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, about 1 klm down the road. Beautifully set out it detailed the history, foods and lifestyles of the local indiginous peoples. Unfortunately photography is forbidden inside so these 2 pictures are all we have to show!

The local Aborigines use plants and animals to denote their seasons up here, 6 of them in fact.

Then back on the road via Jabiru for the trip into Darwin. Kakadu certainly exceeded our expectations and we are already contemplating how we can return to see the many places we missed as 3 days was only enough to get a taste. To those who told us Kakadon't, well, we think, no we can't say what we really think!!