What a magical place. Every few hundred metres, "Hey theres another croc" and the bird wild life is just amazing.Birds of all typres, eagret, herons (few different types), Whistling ducks (they do not quack, just whistle), magpie duck, magpie geese, sea eagles, spoon bill, jabiru, pelican, whild horses, buffalow and so much more. Add to that the different plant life.
Our driver stopped the boat where two rivers met. 2 smaller crocs stalking small fish, and so many different species of bird life all trying to have a meal of small fish / crustanceons or inspects. Watching a spoon bill stick its head in the water / dirt and then do circle work trying to find food. I could have stayed there all day just watching. So tranquil.
The crocs have no fear. Don't care about boats or people near them. They are the true top of the tree predator in this area.
I took over 100 pics and with about 20 min left, my camera batery ran out. It was fully charged when we left home so after all this time, loosing only 50% power, I thought it would be fine for a 2hr trip. Obviously not. I will not be making that mistake again.
What pics did I miss out on? A jabiru caught a snake and was beating/ tenderising it, then gulping it down. We watched for about 3-4 minutes. Would have made spectacular film footage.... oh well.
Croc did not care a big boat and 20 people looking at him was only a few metres away.
Pictures don't do this justice. He was a big fellow about 40 years old.
Water lilies everywhere. I love the clear water droplets on them. And this bird (forget name) had such large feet he could almost walk on water.
Pics below is the area where two rivers met. Feeding frenzy for the various animals.
I had intended on staying at a town called Batchelor. It's at the start of the Lichfield National park. I refuled at Adelaide River and noticed a horrible sound coming from the bike. Bugger!! What to do? It was only 99km to Berrimah (suburb in Darwin) where there is a Yamaha dealer. So I headed there, fingers crossed nothing broke and holding on tight in case the engine/gearbox siezed which would cause the rear wheel to lock. I made it and am staying at the Hidden Valley Tourist Park.
It's only (wait for it) $50 per night camping ($49 for unpowered $50 for powered). Gulp, but it is only 750 mtrs from the yamaha dealer. I have Total Care with RACV and I decided to call them. Glad I did as I will be getting my accomodation paid for and a hire car until the bike is repaired.The only catch was the bike needs to be towed the 750 mtrs from caravan park to Yamaha dealer and in NT, it's a public holiday today. So they will be doing the tow first thing in the morning.
The public holiday in NT is called Picnic Day. The day commerorates the freeing of the Chinese Coolie indentured labourers who built the Darwin to Larrimah North Australia Railway. In a reversal of the existing policy, the Chinese workers were given the right to stay in Australia as free settlers, and provided sufficient money for a steamer fare to Hong Kong. Instead they chose to go to Adelaide River for a picnic.
4 of the 6 campsites are waiting for car / motorcycle / pushbike stores to open to either service or fix 4wd's. Behind my camp area is Gary and mate. They are from Sunshine / Gold coast and are best mates. They are on a 6 week trip and are both avid gamblers. So when heard they were going to the casino after having a feed at the Mindil Beach sunset market, two activities on my Darwin bucket list, I asked could I get a lift and join them. The market is great and so multicultural. So many different nationalities here visiting Darwin. Plus most of the aboriginals dressed up and looked the goods.
Gary plays the pokies and he walked away $3000 richer at 4am. I left around 10:30 after walking around the tables. No bets so no win or loss. Cab back to the caravan park.
There is a huge contigent of RAAF personnel here with a base in Darwin and Katherine. As it is a long weekend, the RAAF are conducting live fire exercises in the desert, departing from Darwin. We are only 2-3 kms from the airport and this morning we had about 25-30 fighter jets take off and fly over, over a 2-3 hr period. The noise was great.....LOUD!! Reminded me of the air force demonstrations at car races etc.
Whilst the cost of the caravan park is extorsion, I must admit, this is the best caravan park I have stayed in.
Due to my bike issues, RACV total care have kicked in for a tow, rental vehicle and paid accommodation. I'm happy!! Below is my stead for the next day or few.
After picking up the red corolla, with all excess removed!! I went into the wharf area of Darwin. Huge customs boat and nice bay area.
I thought this was a navy vessel, but no, just the customs boat. Massive!!
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