chook and wentzell around the world: Darwin Region

After another 24 hour train journey we arrived in Darwin. If you look on a world map, you will see that Darwin is closer to Papua New Guinea than it is to Adelaide, so the degree of change in the weather was enormous. Suddenly, we where in shorts and vest tops again, soaking up the rays!
The biggest attraction in this area is the well known Kakadu National Park. One of the largest in the world, with a rich background in Aboriginal culture. What they don't tell you is that its bloody expensive to get there and have any sort of adventure. So what a lot of people do, is visit a much closer National Park called Lichfield. The cost difference was in the 100's so this is where we decided to go.
After doing a little research, we discovered it cost around the same price to hire a car for two days + share accommodation, than it was to get a seat on a one day rushed around tour. We also managed to get another person involved in sharing the cost. We met a lovely french girl called Annalise, who we met on the Ghan on the way up to Alice Springs, who in turn, ended up catching the next train up to Darwin on exactly the same day as well. So we ended up chatting alot with her, due to seeing her around here and there in Alice, then also on our journeys.
So after a few days in Darwin (including a trip to the cinema to satisfy a very exicited annoying squeaking Emily to see Indiana Jones !!, and then also a trip to a massive Market to do some shop..shop..shopping!!!!!) we set of on a little independent adventure in our own car.

Litchfield National Park was really easy to get to, with only an hour and a half drive to get there. obviously with the extra time added for the beer crate stop over. We dropped all of our stuff off at the place we where staying for the night, which so happened to be a MAHOOSIVE house all to ourselves. It slept about 18 people, and it was gorgeous, with all the mod cons and cherries on top, which I happened to procure for around 100 dollars less than what they should of charged us, due to a newbie receptionist that quoted me the wrong price over the phone.
We started early so there was plenty of the day left to explore. We had a little talk with the people that owned the place we where staying at, and discovered that the real attraction of Litchfield was the many wonderful watering holes for swimming. There where 3 main ones that you could swim in without any worry of Freshwater Crocs, so that day we decided to get our togs on and go for the furthest one away, which turned out to be the most secluded and prettiest.

Now what you must understand is that we originally wanted to do some really good treks, but when we got we suddenly realised that it was impossible. The Heat of this place was like nothing I have ever encountered in all the countries we have been to, it was ridiculous. We had to walk for maybe 40 minutes to get to this first pool, and I felt more tired and drained than any of the long 5, 6 hour walks that we did in New Zealand. When we got to the cool flowing waters of this amazing place we couldn't wait to strip down and jump in.
After we had done this, the beauty of this tranquil, spiritual area took your breath away. The pool you see us soaking in below, was at the top of a waterfall so you had all the views of the surrounding area in front of you, but the place was still so private, due to the fact that it was in the middle of nowhere. I think that because this particular one was a hike to get too, where as the others we visited the next day, had great big bloody car parks only less than 200 metres away, so all the crowds of the...shall I presume to say "older generation" that arrive in the coaches and hired caravans, can hop in and out with no problems, it turned alot of people off.

That night we had an amazing BBQ with Kangaroo Steaks and Kumara Salad, with lots of beers and plenty of games of shit head (which we taught to Annalise, and she loved it).
The next morning we packed the car up and got straight on the road to explore the rest of what we had planned, including two more amazing swimming pools with waterfalls, and another hours walk in between. I really cant explain how lovely these little oasis's where. Found in amongst all the harsh scorched Australian bush that we trampled through. so Ill let the photos tell you.

By the end of the day we where exhausted, but we had one more stop before we got back to Darwin. The Crocodile Farm. We made it just in time to feed them some Chicken Heads! Amazing, they just jump out of the water with their heads snapping away. Really powerful animals. Then we got to hold a baby croc, Which as you can see has had its mouth taped up below, which I wasn't really 100% sure I was comfortable with, but I must admit was over that quite quickly as I was just awed by the fact I was holding a croc ! COR BLIMEY MATE !!

This wonderful picture was snapped by Jamie at the Market we went to in Darwin. Its always held in the late afternoon, as its right next to the beach, so at dusk everyone gets what they want for dinner from the many different food stalls, and sits on the beach to watch the sun go to bed, wrapped up in its many sheets of oranges, blues, purples and reds.

It was quite an occasion, the beach was full of people all appreciating this amazing spectacle. Everyone smiling and eating.

You really felt in the air just how happy everyone was to share the moment. I love to see the special places in the world that inspire complete strangers to smile and talk to each other, to forget ourselves in these moments and to feel unafraid about the people around you is a great feeling. Its amazing how much magic there is in a natural phenomenon.

The Biggest Termite Mounds I think I will ever see in my entire life! Unbelievable!!

This was the Rock pool on the first day. The most peaceful place to my memory, and I shared it with some amazingly wonderful people too. What more can you ask for.....A beer I hear you say ? We had them too!