Last Australian adventure! So bittersweet, and we had company on this one. Our friends Sarah and Chris went camping with us in the great Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. In other words, the Outback. The boys had Monday off for the Queen's birthday...and what better way to celebrate it than a day off!
Have you seen Crocodile Dundee? The filming in Australia was shot here and it was breath taking. There is so much to talk about, so lets get started.
Friday: Took the red eye from Sydney to Darwin and stayed in the Holiday Inn. This is part of the reason why we are now all exhausted.
Saturday: Started the day brilliantly with the boys off to get our four wheeling vehicle and Sarah and I at the Woolworth's buying provisions. We bought so much food, but hey, better more than less and starve! Our car was definitely jam packed with our suitcases, food, and water. Paul and I were great with how we packed: we got our 2 man tent, pillows, sleeping bags, and mats all in one suitcase! We think congrats are in order.
All of us in front of our car
We drove out to the park and did a couple of hikes that had Aboriginal art. We learned that this culture is one of the oldest in the world (20,000 years). It boggles the mind that humans have been around for that long. It was neat to see all the different pieces of art from all different areas.
Hike 1
Hike 2
That night, we camped near a swamp...and that's where I nearly died. Never, ever should you camp by a swamp as we found out the hard way. There was a swarm of mosquitoes that feasted on me. Sarah and Chris were probably thinking I was overreacting when I dressed myself in jeans and a jacket in warm temperature, but I was feeling every bite. It was a plague! I not only had lots of bites, but I had welts, that felt and looked like a softball. My ankle swelled to the size of a peach. It was the worst camping experience I ever had. But, I did make a beautiful fire and Sarah created a delightful dinner.
Paul going mosquito hunting in our tent
Sunday: After a rough night for me, we woke up exceedingly early (5:30) so that we could go on a crocodile safari! Sadly, they did not use pieces of meat to get crocodiles to come up to the boat. We did not even get to see the many of them, only two. But I suppose that's better than nothing. Paul at least had a good time taking beautiful photos.
Crocodile
Later, we hiked up to a watering hole (a billabong) and did some swimming. That's one thing that's the most surprising about the Outback: how full of life it is. We saw a goanna (monitor lizard creature we saw at Port Douglas) and of course there were warnings to watch out for freshies and salties crocs, but never found any.
Goanna
After the wonderful dip, we hiked around at another area with Aboriginal art and found a kangaroo with a joey in its pouch.
Chris got to have his four wheeling adventure when we went to set up camp in a very secluded area...or at least we thought so. Turns out that the area is well known and of course, being a holiday weekend, it was very packed. Oh well. We met a few people in the next camp over when we asked to borrow their fire to make our s'mores. Sarah and I also introduced the amazing s'more. Sharing culture everywhere we go! This night was much better than the night before :).
Monday: We got to have a lie in this morning due to our terribly early morning the day before. Sarah's leg was now the one swollen from bug bites. We were indeed in poor shape.
This day, we hiked up to the top of where we camped to the famous waterholes where they filmed in Crocodile Dundee. It. was. perfect. Simply. Just stunning. We swam in the pools and just loved it. Words don't describe, so hopefully these photos will.
Too cute
Waterfalls
Another pool
After this fun experience, we went on another hike that was perfectly secluded with a beautiful waterfall. This felt wonderfully Outback. Then, we headed off to Litchfield Park and found termite mounds that were 50 years old.
That night, we relaxed under the beautiful starry sky. It's sad to think that I will not see these stars again, or at least for a very long time after my time here. This pictures sums up everything I think. Paul took this one and is very proud of it.
Outback night. This one is definitely going on the wall.
Tuesday: This day, we did more swimming around in local water holes. This we found to be more touristy, but we didn't complain. It was wonderful to just relax and enjoy each other's company.
Later, we went four wheelin to reach the famous Lost City, which really is just a bunch of rocks that look like humans created them, but didn't. It was neat.
Around three, we left for Darwin, bringing our Outback adventure to an end. But not the trip. We went to see the sunset in Darwin. It is different because the sun sets on the water here. As exhausted as everyone was, we all had a long night ahead. We ate dinner and then watched a movie (A-Team). Our flight left at 12:00 at night and we did not get into Sydney until 6. The boys then had to go to work. Poor things. I don't know how they did it. I went to lay down for a 15 minute nap to wake up three hours later. We were all beat, but it was well worth it.
Well, that's it. We are almost done with our time here in Australia, but this is not the end of the blog. We do have one more big trip coming up...NEW ZEALAND! I will be coming to the States in five days for my friend's wedding and then returning for this trip. As awful as it may seem, I am thrilled about getting silver status with Delta :). What up free flights? Haha...anyway, here are a few more photos. Hope you enjoy them. And to my family and friends, I'll be seeing you soon :)
Paul and the 50 year old termite mound
Sunset
Exhausted
Have you seen Crocodile Dundee? The filming in Australia was shot here and it was breath taking. There is so much to talk about, so lets get started.
Friday: Took the red eye from Sydney to Darwin and stayed in the Holiday Inn. This is part of the reason why we are now all exhausted.
Saturday: Started the day brilliantly with the boys off to get our four wheeling vehicle and Sarah and I at the Woolworth's buying provisions. We bought so much food, but hey, better more than less and starve! Our car was definitely jam packed with our suitcases, food, and water. Paul and I were great with how we packed: we got our 2 man tent, pillows, sleeping bags, and mats all in one suitcase! We think congrats are in order.
All of us in front of our car
We drove out to the park and did a couple of hikes that had Aboriginal art. We learned that this culture is one of the oldest in the world (20,000 years). It boggles the mind that humans have been around for that long. It was neat to see all the different pieces of art from all different areas.
Hike 1
Hike 2
That night, we camped near a swamp...and that's where I nearly died. Never, ever should you camp by a swamp as we found out the hard way. There was a swarm of mosquitoes that feasted on me. Sarah and Chris were probably thinking I was overreacting when I dressed myself in jeans and a jacket in warm temperature, but I was feeling every bite. It was a plague! I not only had lots of bites, but I had welts, that felt and looked like a softball. My ankle swelled to the size of a peach. It was the worst camping experience I ever had. But, I did make a beautiful fire and Sarah created a delightful dinner.
Paul going mosquito hunting in our tent
Sunday: After a rough night for me, we woke up exceedingly early (5:30) so that we could go on a crocodile safari! Sadly, they did not use pieces of meat to get crocodiles to come up to the boat. We did not even get to see the many of them, only two. But I suppose that's better than nothing. Paul at least had a good time taking beautiful photos.
Crocodile
Later, we hiked up to a watering hole (a billabong) and did some swimming. That's one thing that's the most surprising about the Outback: how full of life it is. We saw a goanna (monitor lizard creature we saw at Port Douglas) and of course there were warnings to watch out for freshies and salties crocs, but never found any.
Goanna
After the wonderful dip, we hiked around at another area with Aboriginal art and found a kangaroo with a joey in its pouch.
Chris got to have his four wheeling adventure when we went to set up camp in a very secluded area...or at least we thought so. Turns out that the area is well known and of course, being a holiday weekend, it was very packed. Oh well. We met a few people in the next camp over when we asked to borrow their fire to make our s'mores. Sarah and I also introduced the amazing s'more. Sharing culture everywhere we go! This night was much better than the night before :).
Monday: We got to have a lie in this morning due to our terribly early morning the day before. Sarah's leg was now the one swollen from bug bites. We were indeed in poor shape.
This day, we hiked up to the top of where we camped to the famous waterholes where they filmed in Crocodile Dundee. It. was. perfect. Simply. Just stunning. We swam in the pools and just loved it. Words don't describe, so hopefully these photos will.
Too cute
Waterfalls
Another pool
After this fun experience, we went on another hike that was perfectly secluded with a beautiful waterfall. This felt wonderfully Outback. Then, we headed off to Litchfield Park and found termite mounds that were 50 years old.
That night, we relaxed under the beautiful starry sky. It's sad to think that I will not see these stars again, or at least for a very long time after my time here. This pictures sums up everything I think. Paul took this one and is very proud of it.
Outback night. This one is definitely going on the wall.
Tuesday: This day, we did more swimming around in local water holes. This we found to be more touristy, but we didn't complain. It was wonderful to just relax and enjoy each other's company.
Later, we went four wheelin to reach the famous Lost City, which really is just a bunch of rocks that look like humans created them, but didn't. It was neat.
Around three, we left for Darwin, bringing our Outback adventure to an end. But not the trip. We went to see the sunset in Darwin. It is different because the sun sets on the water here. As exhausted as everyone was, we all had a long night ahead. We ate dinner and then watched a movie (A-Team). Our flight left at 12:00 at night and we did not get into Sydney until 6. The boys then had to go to work. Poor things. I don't know how they did it. I went to lay down for a 15 minute nap to wake up three hours later. We were all beat, but it was well worth it.
Well, that's it. We are almost done with our time here in Australia, but this is not the end of the blog. We do have one more big trip coming up...NEW ZEALAND! I will be coming to the States in five days for my friend's wedding and then returning for this trip. As awful as it may seem, I am thrilled about getting silver status with Delta :). What up free flights? Haha...anyway, here are a few more photos. Hope you enjoy them. And to my family and friends, I'll be seeing you soon :)
Paul and the 50 year old termite mound
Sunset
Exhausted
