DAY 35 – KAKADU Saturday, 6th August
Off early this morning for a ranger-guided tour of the woodlands in the Yellow Water region of Kakadu. It was really interesting and the kids all commented afterwards that if they were ever stuck in the bush, they would not starve to death! They would know exactly how to get lots of food!! From there we went on a boardwalk at Yellow Water, near to where the cruises leave, which was absolutely beautiful. Just the typical Kakadu scene – water lillies on the water, green lush surrounds and a huge crocodile in the water which Ben spotted! Must have been 4 metres – just cruising up and down the river. So beautiful to see them completely in their natural habitat. After lunch we headed to Nourlangie Rock which was absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, today was the first day Sarah has forgotten her camera (bugger it!). Particularly on a day when there was so much beautiful scenery!!! The Billabong around Nourlangie Rock was full of Magpie Geese and Egrets and Cockatoos (and probably the odd crocodile or two!). But the rock art walk around the rock was just stunning. We went into an enormous cave that apparently David Attenborough filmed in 1962 and where an archeological dig in 1981 produced a number of artefacts dating back at least 5,000 years, although they believe the Aborigines used the site up to 20,000 years ago. Standing at one of the lookouts, behind you is Nourlangie Rock and in front of you 15 odd kilometres away is the Arnhem Land escarpment, which is just spectacular.
I know tourists come here all the time, but as we stood there, listening to the ranger talk with perhaps 20 people (6 of whom were Hansens), it was so easy to think that we were in a group of select people who would stand where we were standing and look out to Arnhem Land. The Northern Territory has that effect on you – on the one hand of making you believe that you are the only people who have or who will ever walk here. But on the other hand it makes you feel so very small when you think of the 1000 or so generations of Aborigines who have walked over and cared for this country before us, of the many white explorers who have traversed this country that was so different from theirs, and of our children who will hopefully one day bring THEIR children back here.
OK, I MAY have had a glass or two (husband’s note: or 6) with dinner …. Better go and help my husband start to pack up for our trip west tomorrow!
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