Kakadu

All bar little M went to the RSL for dinner last night. She decided it was too far to walk so would stay in the hotel. Our meals were really nice and my smoked salmon spaghetti was excellent! Some went to play the pokies and one of my kittens played a 1 cent machine, put in $1, did one spin and won $140. She was so excited and I was really happy for her as she is one of my favourites! No one else was that lucky but we all had a good night. Back to the hotel and time for bed. Up just after 5 and ready to collect the box breakfasts in time for my herd to roll up at 6 which they all did on time. We then headed off on our very big day trip to Kakadu. First stop is a short break at Corroboree for those that want to get breakfast/morning tea. Then into Kakadu National Park and stop at Nourlangie Rock where we are able to walk around and up a rocky sandstone outcrop that has different ancient Aboriginal art on many rock faces. The 'youngest' drawings are estimated to be about 1,000 years old. It is a reasonably cool morning and the cloud cover is keeping the temperature down, but still warm enough for short sleeves. Then on to Cooinda for a buffet of cold meat and salad lunch. We travel across Adelaide River and the Marraki Plains. Beautiful country. We've had it explained to us that during the Dry, much of the native vegetation has been burnt off as this aids regeneration so we are getting used to seeing blackened bases of many of the trees. There are mangroves along all the flood plains. We go on a boat on the Yellow Water billabong which is a large billabong teeming with different bird life, something like 250 different species. Saw brolgas, lots of different ducks my herons, sea eagles, jabirus, and so many more I can't remember names of. Also saw about 10 salt water crocodiles, all sunning themselves on the muddy banks. Spent about 1 1/2 hours out on the water and it was just fantastic. Our guide, Don is a local Aboriginal lad and was a mas of knowledge about the billabong, someone who clearly enjoys his job. He had a great sense of humour too so made his commentary even better. Then we went to the Warradjan Culural Centre which was interesting. 5 people from our coach (3 of the kittens) went on a half hour flight over Kakadu while we went to the cultural centre. The kittens said the flight was good, but didn't rave about it so I'm not convinced it was worth the $250 each that they paid. At this point I need to add that Frugal, my habitual complainer, was one of the kittens who went on the flight so I was bracing myself for the complaints that I was certain were to come. But back on the coach we all got for our 3 1/2 hour drive back to Darwin. Arriving back at the hotel about 7.30 some decide they are going to head to the hotel restaurant for a late dinner while the rest of us are heading for our rooms. As we are about to say our goodbyes for the night, Frugal came up to me to tell me that she has had a fantastic day.... Well knock me down with a feather.... I've had a fantastic day too.