somewheredownthecrazyriver

exit Darwin, 4 days / 3 nights through the big parks.  it was a wonderful time – brand new big tour-mobile – great guide – a small – great group of people.  had the best tour ever.  memories to last a lifetime.  a lot of driving – the highlights are hours apart – and some places were inaccessible – too much water.  conditions change daily with the rainfall – the waters rise and fall by many meters in a short space of time.  learned a lot.  loved it all.

first stop was the croc feeding river cruise.  so many crocs swimming out to the boat – they seem happy to perform for a mouthful of buffalo.  lots of photo ops !  other stops to hike and view aboriginal art, or waterfalls, or to swim beneath a waterfall – to high spots for panoramic views of Kakadu and the Arnhem escarpment in the distance.

this was one of the last opportunities to view many sites before they are closed for the season – inaccessible in ‘the wet’.  so – very fortunate.  must return sometime in ‘the dry’ season – i am sure the contrast would be amazing.

the ‘permanent camps’ were very well done.  lot of frogs and toads – the night chorus.  the landscape was – everywhere – a brilliant green.  waterfalls in full flow – many closed to swimming – the flow too strong. 

this part of Australia is so unique – worth seeing any season i am sure.  don’t miss it.

magnificent views from the high points – across Kakadu to the Arnhem land escarpment.

looking back – I did beat a rather hasty retreat from Hanoi.  some nagging health concerns made the decision for me.  not physically up for the challenge of Laos and maybe reached my sauration point too.  maybe another time.  opted by fly to Darwin to get myself sorted out – and have now added a bad cold to my list of complaints.  so will happily hang out here until I feel stronger – at least another week.

it was a huge change – arriving in a modern – green – orderly – slow-paced city.  seems like the wet is here to stay – though no-one is really sure – i think it only becomes clear in hindsight.  there is an ‘almost’ cyclone nearby – to the west – and so there is a lot of rain now – on and off but mostly on.  it is strange rain here (well, for me) – the raindrops are so fine and light – its just that there’s a lot of them.  but not like the heavy rain we get back home.  and what a contrast there now – in the grips of a deep-freeze – ice and snow – while here in Darwin – it’s all enveloped in grey clouds and warm soft rain.  so green and tropical.  no need for the sunglasses now.  headlines about a big croc in a city drain (i think that’s par for the course).   check this link for a ‘gander at the local goss’ : http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/ .   (this link has some great links to photos of the N.T. – great croc shots by the locals, lightening storms, etc.)

 i might have just hit a very comfortable season.  missed what is described as the unbearable ‘build-up’ to the wet.  now is the ‘wet’ – which the locals seem to love (i think it has arrived a bit early).  and then there is the opposite season of the ‘dry’ – when the red dust rules and tourists are here en masse to see Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge.  right now i have to say it is very pleasant and comfortable – happy to be here.

i'm still here . . . in old Hoi An - charmed by the gentle rhythms of life by the river.  it has been ... [Continue reading this entry]

Hoi An is a small, beautiful old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site ... [Continue reading this entry]