Yeah, I got to extend my diving vacation by 1 day and what a day it was!  We did 3 dives out in the passage between the islands.  It was about an hour boat road, but diving was beautiful.  The first dive site was called Black Mountain Magic and it was a coral head sitting in over 100 feet of water.  LOTS of soft coral.  The best part though is I got to see a Peacock nudibranch which is QUITE uncommon. 

Also saw another abstract reticuladia nubidbranch.  I got to see more shrimp and a banded pipefish…unfortunately no ghost pipefish on this trip. 

While doing safety stop, saw an interesting sight that our divemaster had never seen either....saw a school of moorish idols (Gill on Finding Nemo) of more than 25.

Second dive was to a site called Mellow Yellow because of all the golden coral.  It was a great dive as well.  Saw a leafy scorpionfish right away and then circled the coral head 3 times and decreasing depths.  Also got to see spotted gobies – they are always in pairs!!

The final dive was Garden of Eden and it had lots of little openings to swim into and look around.  I stayed a little shallower since this was 3 dive of day.  One of my dive buddies, Dean, found me two different flatworms, neither of which I had a picture of!!  One is a Pseudobiceros hancockanus (don’t know the common name).  I think the other a divided flatworm of some sort.  The dive finally had to come to close which also meant my diving adventure was over and I have to think about leaving.

VoliVoli Beach Resort and Ra Divers has been an AWESOME ending to my Fijian vacation and if I get the chance I will definitely come back to dive this end of the island.  While the shark dive was great and I would love to do it again, the overall diving up here and sheer diversity of life and abundance of soft coral was absolutely amazing.  I would definitely say this is one of the best places I have ever dove!

Another fabulous day of diving.  If you come down to Fiji, you HAVE to come to VoliVoli Beach and Ra Divers.  The soft coral is phenomenol and there are NO OTHER DIVE BOATS!!!!  We started today’s diving with Breathtaker.  It is given this name because 1) there are sharks, but also the current can sometimes take your breath away.  We saw white tip reef sharks and regular reef sharks.  Then we went shallower I saw a huge scorpionfish.

Second dive was Dreammaker and it was a beautiful site.  I saw more Much Desired Flabellinas and I found them all by myself!!!  Also found a new nudibranch for me – Ocellate Phyllidia.  There were lots of Serpant nudibranchs here – I saw at leat 5 different ones.  I also saw both the spotted lionfish and the common lionfish. 

HOPEFULLY, I will get to dive the Passage tomorrow and postpone the end of the my diving vacation a day.  If we go out there, we might do a 3-tank dive which would be even better!!

Here is a link to watch one of the swimthroughs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P13o5zHi8s

There are just 3 of us diving today and we have 4 staff on the boat.  The first place we went to was called New World and it was a bunch of coral pinnacles in about 65 feet of water.  I spent over an hour here and saw 4 different nudibranchs, one of which was new for me – Lined Nembrotha.  The other ones I saw were Phylidia, Loch’s Chromodoris (both of which are common in fiji) and a Serpant.  The soft coral is beautiful!!!

Second dive site was called Wedding Chapel and  it was only about 45-50 feet deep and was coral heads although we a had a bit of a current.  Didn’t see any new nudibranchs, but did see 3 serpants, and 2 Loch’s Chromodoris (which I refuse to take any more pictures of).  I LOVE the soft coral here.  It is so varied and the colors are amazing.  Most of the fish are common ones that I have been seeing around Fiji, but it is the soft coral that is breathtaking.  And I still have 2 more days of diving!!!!

Started my journey to RakiRaki today.  Took local bus which was quite comfortable and it was showing B movies.  This took me in to the capital Suva where I arrived at the bus depot which was crazy because it was market day AND there was a concert that afternoon.  Luckily, my bus north pulled in to the spot the bus I had gotten off vacated and I only had to wait an hour for the trip to begin.  It was 4 hours through some of the mountainous areas.  It was quite beautiful, but they are steadily working on sealing all the roads around the island so it was very busy.  I can imagine that it is treacherous when it is wet right now.  We had about 1 hour of the roads through the more isolated area which was unsealed.

Arrived in RakiRaki and caught a taxi to VoliVoli Beach which is the northern most point on the island.  I will be able to watch sunrise AND sunset from the same place!!!  The resort is quite isolated and beautiful.  The dorms here are quite nice and overlooks the water and there is a large pool with lounge chairs. 

OMG!  Friday the 13^th is Fabulous Friday to me!  We went down on our shark dive and saw a bunch of tawny nurse sharks.  Then we saw a few bull sharks….and then she appeared – Lady Joyce.  I think I heard she is about 20 feet, but I might be slighly off.  She was a truly awesome sight to see – my first tiger shark underwater!  AND she swam RIGHT in front of me, I was in heaven and got some great video!

She swam through 2-3 times and all eyes were on here as she swam through.  When she wasn’t there, we would watch the tawny nurse, bull, gray reef, black tip, and any sharks that showed up.  I did actually see 3 nudibranchs, but they were ones I had taken lots of pictures of, so I didn’t bother taking their photo.

Dive 2 – we went to the shallower dive site and visibility was much better today and sun was out so it was brighter underwater.  I took mostly photos on this dive since visbility was good.  Started off just the regular shark, and then a DIFFERENT tiger shark appeared.  This one after getting a snack in front of me, swam over the heads of the group behind me close enough for them to put their hand up and touch the stomach – I was too far away *sigh*

Tiger shark returned a second time and ate a fish right in front of me, but I didn’t want to put my hand out in its face where it might mistake me for feeding it.  It circled over us again and departed.  After this spectacle, we swam over to the wreck and then I looked around on reef till it was time to come up.

Besides seeing these gorgeous creatures underwater, there is a purpose behind these dives.  The purpose is not just to get sharks to come so people can see them, it is to show that you can be safely in the water with them and they are not going to come over and take a bite out of you.  AquaTrek has done a fabulous dive of showing people that sharks should be respected and protected, not killed off because they look mean!!

I spent the rest of afternoon drying SCUBA gear and relaxing at Club Oceanus.  Tomorrow, I head off to VoliVoli and the northend of the island to do 3 days of soft coral diving.

AquaTrek in Pacific Harbor is fabulous!!  Shark dive was amazing.  When we dove down to 80 feet for the first dive, we had a line that we stayed behind as the sharks were fed. When we first got to the line, I saw a nudibranch right in front of me on the other side of the rope.  They let me go photograph it and I don’t think I have seen it yet!!  Then they  started the feeding.  We saw lots of fish and then the sharks started coming in.  We saw some Tawney Nurse sharks, Lemon Sharks, and Bull sharks.  Then as we went up the line, since I still had lots of air, two of us swam around the reef for a few minutes.

Dive 2 was a shallower shark feeding.  Many more bull sharks on this one.  This time we had a rock wall to kneel behind.  I had a fish keep attacking me (I was in its territory I guess).  There were even MORE fish this time…then we started seeing sharks moving through the midst of fish.  One of the divemasters brought me forward so I was closer to the action for pictures.  I wasn’t so worried about the sharks as I was about the moray eel that was about 2 feet from where he had me kneel down.  He had to use the pole to push one shark away. 

There were a lot of sharks and although pictures weren’t great because of visibility (fish guts and fish), it was quite amazing.  Hopefully my videos come out okay!!  And I finally got a good picture of a clown triggerfish (it was uncooperative in Mamanucas)

Tomorrow is another day for shark diving!!

The drive to Navua Village (just past Pacific Harbor) was about 2.5 hours because speed limit is only about 45 miles per hour.  Coastline was beautiful, even though it was overcast.  When we reached Navua, we climbed into motorized canoes to ride up the river to a village.  Here we had a welcome ceremony involving kava.  Kava isn’t alcoholic, but it does have a bit of a numbing effect (drink too much and it numbs the body).  We drank it straight out of cocunut cup and I didn’t particularly care for the taste.

Then we got to see village preschool, how some of the crafts are made including mats, tapas (tree bark pounded and then stenciled), and how cocunuts were used.  We also got to see how our lunch was  being cooked in a fire pit similar to Hawai’i.  Following lunch, we got to see some dances and listen to music and then we were all pulled up to dance.  We also learned the history of the village – they are descended from Englishman who became family to chief (they were cannibals at the time). 

We then motored upriver so more passing small waterfalls until we reached a large waterfall that we were able to walk up to.  I didn’t go swimming because 1) it was overcast 2) water and air were cool and 3) I was underwater past 2 days and will be underwater for next 3 days – kind of wanted to stay dry for a day.  After going downstream a little, we switched to a bamboo raft.  This used to be the ONLY form of transportation and villagers from the mountains would spend entire day travelling down river.  We only went a short way, and I thought it was kind of unstable (of course we did have over 20 people on it).  We then switched back to our motorized canoes to head back to the Navua.  Along the way, we passed locals using smaller bamboo rafts to either travel upriver with or without goods.

Club Oceanus where I am staying is located on river just up from the ocean (I can see the ocean from river bar).  It is very beautiful and not very crowded (especially not loud partiers).  Tomorrow I get to go Shark Diving – hopefully I will get to see Tiger Shark!

Went to Yadua Pinnacle today and visibility was at least 80 feet because that was where I spent some time looking up and could see the boat.  It was a bunch of coral bommies that we swam to.  Saw some nudibranchs and one new one.  I think it is Geometric Chromodoris, but I have to look it up online to make sure.  I also saw more Phylidia, Loch’s Chromodoris,  and a Serpant Pteraeolidia (looks like a feather boa.

Second dive was at North Reef which was just this long line of coral that we swam around.  Saw a shark shoot through, but wasn’t able to identify it.  I took a lot of fish pictures on this dive including the Regal Angelfish.  Right near the end of the dive, I saw a another new nudibranch which I believe Ocellate Phyllidia.

Final dive for this area was Outpost Reef.  The visibility definitely wasn’t as good, but still saw quite a bit of marine life out here.  Found the coral that changes color again and saw a turtle.  Near the end of the dive, I found a brownish flatworm that was real neat.  Then the divemaster waved me over because he had found one of the Phyllidia that I have seen before, but more importantly, he showed me a new nudibranch.  I think this one is the Deocrated Flabellina.

Tomorrow, I head toward Pacific Harbor.

Got up early today to catch taxi to First Landing Resort where the transfer boat was waiting to take me to Beachcomber Island – where Subsurface Fiji dive operation is located.  Along the way, Castaway island was pointed out to me in the distance – some of you may remember this island from the phrase, “WILSON”  If you need another clue – Tom Hanks… a lot of the filming was done on the island and at a nearby one as well.

The diving was incredible!  First dive was to Plantation Pinnacles which was in about 80 feet of water.  It was about 45 minutes away from Beachcomber island on the outside of the Mamanuca Islands.  I saw a banded sea snake, some nudibranches, lots of soft coral, and loads of fish.  Visibility was about 70-80 feet.

Second dive was to Namotu Wall.  It is a shallow wall – 70 feet, but lots of coral.  It was a drift dive so quite relaxing and once again visibility was fantastic.  Saw loads of fish and a turtle as well.  Then I had lunch on the island before doing my third dive of the day.

Jackies reef is right near Beachcomber Island and I had the boat to myself.  The divemaster asked how long I wanted to dive for since it was shallower dive (bottom was around 50 at deepest places) and I said about 50-60 minutes.  This site had lots of coral bommies and despite the visibility being not as good as the outside reefs, this dive was great.  I saw some nudibranches and got to feed the fish bread.  I was SWARMED and luckily when they did nip at my fingers, it didn’t hurt.  I saw an octopus although it wouldn’t come out of its hole.  The coolest thing at this site was this soft coral that changed color when you touched it.  It was so neat….it would go white and then turn other colors as it came back to its original.

Cleaned up a little and took the transfer boat back and then took the taxi back.  Another dive tomorrow and then I head to Pacific Harbor and the world famous SHARK DIVE at Beqa!!!

Uneventful to the airport, so I now just to get to sit here and wait for my flight.  Flight to Sydney was slightly late because they lost the oil change paperwork and had to turn off engines to check oil levels.  Air Pacific to Fiji was great since the gave you wine and served lunch!  Touched down in Nadi in a rainstorm, but by the time we got to hostel, it had stopped.  Temperature is awesome!!

Finally!!!  Got picked up around 7 a.m. to beging our trip to the Great Ocean Road.  This road was actually built after World War as a way to give employment and reacclimation time to soldiers coming back.  It skirts the coast similar to Big Sur Highway in California, but this one goes down to sea level at times and there are towns along the way.  The coast is broken up into 3 sections – Surf Beaches, Green Beaches, and Shipwreck Beaches.

We stopped at Bells Beach which was made famous in Point Break with Keanu Reeves.  There were a lot of surfers along this part of the road – all in wetsuits since 1) it is winter, but 2) this is the Southern Ocean (COLD). We stopped off at Apollo Beach for lunch and then continued on our way.   Then we went inland a ways and wet to Cool Rainforest.  Very lush, but we could see our breath.  There is a flesh eating black snail that is found here (normally feeds on carrion) but we weren’t able to find any.

Next, we stopped at a Koala reserve.  Got to walk up right under a tree where Koala was actually awake and moving around.  Then, we got to the highlight for me – Apostles.  Originally called the Sow and 18 piglets because of how many seastacks there were, they were remained the Twelve Apostles and some of the stacks given other names.  Over time, the ocean has reclaimed 4 of the official Apostles, but more sea stacks have been made.

The views from the lookouts were absolutely incredible, much better than the helicopter flight (definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND).  We also saw Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge.  London Bridge was actually a double arch that people used to take carriages out on and have picnics.  In 1990, the arch closest to shore collapsed leaving 2 people stranded on the remaining area (no deaths).

Now we get the 2 hour drive back to Melbourne where I get to pack and begin my relaxing part of my summer adventure – diving and laying on Fijian beaches in the warm South Pacific!!!!

Got to sleep in this morning since my Phillip Island trip wasn’t until 11 a.m.  Went to a wildlife park and had three koalas overhead about a yard away.  AND they were awake (well 2 of them were) – they ate and one walked along branch.  I got to see a Tasmanian Devil (marsupial) which kind of looks like little bear.  Also saw a wombat and more dingos.  I got to feed kangaroos!!  They were quite cute when you gave them a carrot – they would hold it between their front claws and nibble on it.

Then it was off to Nobbie Island where the coastline was quite beautiful.  The seal island was too far to see unfortunately, but supposedly, the bumps we saw out there were seals.  Then it was to the main attraction:  Penguin Parade.  The Little Penguin (yes, they are the littlest penguin standing at 30 cm = 11 inches) enter the water at sunrise and return to their nests at sunset.  When they return, they exit the water in groups and wait till the sun sets so that predators (birds mostly) have gone to sleep so they can make it from waters edge to the grass along the beach and reach their nests. 

They were quite adorable and when only one would come in, it would keep going back in the water at the edge until more showed up and then they would waddle up the beach.  There is  a boardwalk built so that we can view them without bothering them (no cameras allowed unfortunately-picture is of banner).  These penguins can actually travel a fair distance to their nest since we walked next to one group on the boardwalk all the way back up to visitor center. 

I had pizza for dinner and the most unique one was kangaroo and crocodile…Then it was on to the 2 hour drive back to Melbourne.  Tomorrow is the Great Ocean Road!!!!  This was my reason for coming to Melbourne and I can’t wait!!!

Uneventful morning.  Heading off to the airport to fly to Melbourne today.  Flight was good and I arrived in Melbourne.  Dropped my stuff off in my hostel room and went to the aquarium which was across the street on the corner.  The Melbourne Aquarium was quite nice.  They have an Antarctic penguin exhibit with King Penguins and Gentoo Penguins.  The Gentoos had lots of stones so they could build their nests and it was fun watching them steal pebbles from each other.

Then I went to Costco.  The ONLY Costco in Australia!!  It was about a mile from where I was staying and I wanted a big tub of yogurt to have for brekky, some crackers, some cheese, and of course another fairly local wine – this time Barossa Valley which is near Adelaide.

It was cold this morning!!  We got up around 6 a.m. to pack up and head to Uluru to watch the sunrise and have breakfast there.  The layering of the sky as it lights up is impressive as you see the silhouette of Uluru.

Then we did the base walk.  This was approximately 5.5 miles around the perimeter of Uluru.  We walked quite briskly since it was quite cold at 8 a.m.  This rock is incredible.  It is impressive when you see the pictures of, but walking around it, it is HUGE.  There are many eroded features which make it interesting to see and some signs told of stories of that area.

When we got back around to the end of our walk, we saws lots of people climbing to the top.  This area is sacred to these people and despite the signs asking people not to (from aborigines), there is a chain part of the way up that you use to walk up this structure.  Currently, about 32% of the people that come to Uluru, climb it.  When the number reaches 20%, the climb will be closed forever.  When the government gave the land back to the aborigines, they leased the land from them for a 50 year lease and no climb.  By the time it was signed, the lease was for 99 years and the climb was permitted.  It is frequently closed for wind or for a mourning period if someone dies on it.

Climbing Uluru is similar to someone walking on the alter of a church or peeing in the holy water.  It is believed that people who takes rocks from Uluru or climb will experience bad luck.  The Cultural Center has an entire Sorry Book of people who have sent rocks back or sent apology letters for having climbed the rock.  We had one person in our group that decided to climb up a little ways.  He said it was a rough climb and since there were so many people older than him and varying shades of health, he could easily see how people could have heart attcks or slip and fall.

Now we have the long trip back to Alice Springs.  We stopped for lunch at a roadhouse that has an art gallery in the back of it.  The artwork was quite interesting and there was glass where you could see the women working on their crafts.  All money spent here goes back to the aborigine community which definitely makes you feel better about buying things.

Our last stop on the way back is a camel farm.  We will get to ride a camel for a gran total of $6.00.  It was a blast – we had to sit back when the camel got up and down or we would have fallen off.  The camels that we were one were racing camels and the handler did jog with them and we got bumped all around.

Got up before sunrise and headed to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and saw a large kangaroo sitting in the middle of road which means many heads.  Kata Tjuta  is a sacred site to the aborigines and no aboriginal women are allowed here.  The aborigines believe that the spirits of their ancestors inhabit these rocks and soon, people will not be able to photograph here at all. Part of our hike was through the Valley of the Wind because a cold wind blows through the valley as you are climbing, but the sandstone structures are quite amazing. 

We learned about different forms of bush tucker (food) and medicine that exists out in the bush.  After reaching our second lookout, we were turned loose to continue the walk around the base and lookout over more heads or turn around.  We all knew we might never return, so we all did the longer hike.  The views outs here were stunning, but the 5 mile hike was quite exhausting in some places.  Our guide also told us how the area formed.

The scientific version is that Kata Tjuta is an alluvial fanin which  the larger rocks settled and then the finer sand settled at Uluru.  Over time the sediments piled up and more layers were deposited on top of it.  At one point, the giant sandstone monolith was actually broken in half and turned on its side.  This is what is now sticking out of the ground.  It erodes slower than the land around it, so it is getting taller.   A little beyond it is Mt. Connor which is rock covered by sandstone.  They are all in a direct line of each other.

The aboriginal version.  Two creation beings, young boys, went on their walkabout.  They decided to make balls of mud and throw them around, this is what created the 36 heads of Kata Tjuta.  Then they decided to pile a huge mound of mud and jump over it.  When they jumped over it, their bellies dragged in one area and their fingertips dragged on the sides.  Finally, their toes dragged over the indentation their bellies had made.  This was Uluru.  As they continued on their way, one of the brothers got bitten by a poisonous snake.  The other brother made a pile of mud and leveled the top for his brother to lie on and then he went to look for bush medicine.  He found it, but by the time he got back to his brother, he had died. This was Mt. Connor.  So he buried his brother just beyond Mt. Connor and cried as he did so it created an island in a salt pond.  As he walked around, he continued crying creating a much larger salt lake near.  Normally, plants don’t grown around a salt pond, much less on an island in the middle.  However, because the boy was a creation being, his essence was able to imbue the land at that island with enough life force for plants to grow.

Then it was on to Uluru.  We visited the Aboriginal Cultural Centre first where we were able to read some of the dreamtime tales about how different features formed. 

We did the Mala walk at Uluru which was a 1 km walk seeing parts of the monolith.  There are many areas that photographs are not allowed to be taken because they are sacred sites.  Then we went to viewing site where we watched the sunset and had dinner. 

Then back to campground where many of went to sleep quite early.  The night started off comfortably, but over night, dew formed and the temperature dropped below freezing.

Got up before sunrise and headed to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and saw a large kangaroo sitting in the middle of road which means many heads.  Kata Tjuta  is a sacred site to the aborigines and no aboriginal women are allowed here.  The aborigines believe that the spirits of their ancestors inhabit these rocks and soon, people will not be able to photograph here at all. Part of our hike was through the Valley of the Wind because a cold wind blows through the valley as you are climbing, but the sandstone structures are quite amazing. 

We learned about different forms of bush tucker (food) and medicine that exists out in the bush.  After reaching our second lookout, we were turned loose to continue the walk around the base and lookout over more heads or turn around.  We all knew we might never return, so we all did the longer hike.  The views outs here were stunning, but the 5 mile hike was quite exhausting in some places.  Our guide also told us how the area formed.

The scientific version is that Kata Tjuta is an alluvial fanin which  the larger rocks settled and then the finer sand settled at Uluru.  Over time the sediments piled up and more layers were deposited on top of it.  At one point, the giant sandstone monolith was actually broken in half and turned on its side.  This is what is now sticking out of the ground.  It erodes slower than the land around it, so it is getting taller.   A little beyond it is Mt. Connor which is rock covered by sandstone.  They are all in a direct line of each other.

The aboriginal version.  Two creation beings, young boys, went on their walkabout.  They decided to make balls of mud and throw them around, this is what created the 36 heads of Kata Tjuta.  Then they decided to pile a huge mound of mud and jump over it.  When they jumped over it, their bellies dragged in one area and their fingertips dragged on the sides.  Finally, their toes dragged over the indentation their bellies had made.  This was Uluru.  As they continued on their way, one of the brothers got bitten by a poisonous snake.  The other brother made a pile of mud and leveled the top for his brother to lie on and then he went to look for bush medicine.  He found it, but by the time he got back to his brother, he had died. This was Mt. Connor.  So he buried his brother just beyond Mt. Connor and cried as he did so it created an island in a salt pond.  As he walked around, he continued crying creating a much larger salt lake near.  Normally, plants don’t grown around a salt pond, much less on an island in the middle.  However, because the boy was a creation being, his essence was able to imbue the land at that island with enough life force for plants to grow.

Then it was on to Uluru.  We visited the Aboriginal Cultural Centre first where we were able to read some of the dreamtime tales about how different features formed. 

We did the Mala walk at Uluru which was a 1 km walk seeing parts of the monolith.  There are many areas that photographs are not allowed to be taken because they are sacred sites.  Then we went to viewing site where we watched the sunset and had dinner. 

Then back to campground where many of went to sleep quite early.  The night started off comfortably, but over night, dew formed and the temperature dropped below freezing.

6 a.m. is when I got picked up to head off into the desert.  We were told we were travelling 1500 km in our trip total (100 km = 60 mi).  Our first destination was Kings Canyon.  This sedimentary formation has canyons and gorges and is made up of conglomerate rocks (lots of rocks glued together).  We started our 3 hour hike by climbing heart attack hill which was an uphill climb to till the top of the canyon.  Then we walked through sandstone domes which were absolutely amazing.

Even though it is a desert, it does get rain, just not a lot.  It has rained recently here, so there is quite a bit of green.  We into the Garden of Eden which had palms and cycads lushly growing and reminds you of an oasis.  Then ascend on the other side and see sheer walls where the sandstone has eroded and fallen away.

We drove another distance so we would be near our next destination.  Along the way, we saw a dingo standing on the side of the road.  It looked liked a dog.  We watched the sunset at Mt. Connor, which is also called the false Uluru.  It is taller, but it is a rock covered by sandstone, not completely sandstone, like Uluru.  We camped in the middle of nowhere under the stars and I saw 4 meteor shooting across the sky.  Temperatures were cool, but not unbearable. 

Went shopping in Darwin for my final morning while waiting for my 2:45 flight to Alice Springs.  I am going to miss the wonderful temperature up here.  Then it was off to the airport where people coming off the plane from Alice Springs were bundled up.

Hostel was quite nice and almost everyone there are doing trips so waking up early is fine because you don’t have worry about waking other people up.  They showed a movie on the wall and there were people actually sitting out in the cold wrapped up in blankets.  I was able to watch it and hear it from my room.

Got up EARLY for long road trip to Katherine Gorge today.  We were slightly late to start with, but then the large van we were in had clutch problems and a van was brought to us.  One problem, we still had to pick up two more people, and there was only one more seat.  Soooo…they had to send one of the double decker NICE buses out for us to ride in.  14 of us with a choice of 64 seats. 

Drove down to Katherine and had a 2 hour boat cruise on the river.  We did the first two gorges and had to change boats in the middle because of the rocks.  Our walk along the shore between the two boats took us past some more rock art.

Following our cruise, we went to Edith Falls.  Whereas last time, I hiked up to the top of the falls, this time we had 30 minutes and just stayed down at the plunge pool.  Then we had the 3 hour ride back to Darwin. 

We are currently in the dry season which means NO rain.  Past two days though, there have been clouds and it has looked like it was going to rain (and there were two birds at Mary River that the boat guide said he had never heard before October that sing when the rain is coming).  Today on our drive home, we went through some heavy rain storms.  None of the lightning that the buildup is known for, but definitely RAIN!!!!

Tomorrow, I head to Alice Springs for my final camping trip.

Today we go to Barramundi gorge for our final swim before we drive back to Darwin.  This hike was quite easy after yesterday.  Mostly sand with very few rocks.  Once again, there was waterfall at the back of the gorge and fish in the pool.  The pool was quite warm and popular as more groups showed up.  For lunch we ate in the camping area and saw some Cathedral Termite Mounds up close…then it was time to head back to Darwin. 

Tomorrow, I am off to Katherine’s Gorge for a day trip.

Today we go to Barramundi gorge for our final swim before we drive back to Darwin.  This hike was quite easy after yesterday.  Mostly sand with very few rocks.  Once again, there was waterfall at the back of the gorge and fish in the pool.  The pool was quite warm and popular as more groups showed up.  For lunch we ate in the camping area and saw some Cathedral Termite Mounds up close…then it was time to head back to Darwin. 

Tomorrow, I am off to Katherine’s Gorge for a day trip.

We headed into Kakadu National Park today and went straight to the top to Ubirr to view the rockart.  They divide the art into different periods based on the environment – estuarine period and freshwater environment (now).  This area of Australia is known for the x-ray designs in their artwork.  We saw turtles, fish, and a thylacine.  The thylacine is a tasmanaian tiger that has been extinct for about 4000 years so this one piece of rock art is quite old!

From here we stoppped by our campsite to set up and eat lunch.  Then it was off to Twin Falls.  We had a short walk to a boat which took us down closer to the falls.  From there we had a short walk to plunge pool of the falls.  We couldn’t get in the water here because they have found salterwater crocs here.  They capture them and relocate them, but it is better to be safe than sorry!

Last adventure for the day – Jim Jim Falls.  This was a short hike but took a while because we were climbing over boulders for over a 1/3 of a mile at least (I included picture of the boulders).  It was a nice swim across the pool to the fall.  Here we saw a yellow tree snake.  When it started coming down the wall, we swam to the other ledge where about 4 of our group were at.  When the snake then decided to swim over to our ledge we decided it was a good time to swim in…of course then the snake swam back to its original rock…Our guide said it was probably cold and wanted our warmth – yeah right…it was just a little bully.

Headed off this morning for Litchfield National Park. As we drove into the park, we saw Cathedral Temite Mounds.  We stopped to look at the Tombstone Termite Mounds which are unique.  They line up to the magnetic poles and they look like headstones in a graveyard.  Then we continued on our way to Wangi Falls which were quite pretty, but we didn’t swim here. 

I did see some bats in the trees though.  Then it is was off to Sandy Creek.  We had a little bit of hike to get in here, but the waterfall and plunge pool were beautiful.  We swam here for a while util two families showed up with a bunch of kids.  Then it was off to Tolmer Falls where we just looked at it and the landscape from the lookout.

Our last stop in Litchfield was Buley Rockpools.  This collection of pools was absolutely gorgeous.  Water felt good and the sun was shining.  Then we drove to Mary River where we did a crocodile cruise.  We saw a large one swimming through the water.  The saltwater crocodile is innaproppiately named since it is actualy an estuarine crocodile.  It is also not a man eater..it is opportunistic…if we are idiotic enough to get in the water near it, it knows it can get us.  As we turned off to a side tributary, we saw a 3.5 meter croc sunning itself on the beach and it let our boat get within about a meter of it.  We also saw a white-breasted sea eagle which was beautiful.  The Jabirus are also really neat to see - they are a type of stork.

From here we continued to the roadhouse where we were camping out for the night.

People are very slowly getting up…partially because of the time change (half of us went to sleep when our bodies told us to and are up earlier) while other decided to party a bit and our feeling the effects this morning.  We still have about 400 km to do today as we head to Darwin for the end of our trip.  We will stop by Edith Falls on our drive northward.