Hey again!...
From Katherine it was on to Kakadu...
Kakadu National Park covers 20,000 square km's and is managed jointly by the Aboriginal traditional owners and Australian National Parks.
It includes Savanna woodlands, Monsoon forests, Southern hills and ridges, stone country, floodplains and billabongs,tidal flats and coast....
Traditional burning of the land was in progress in different areas we travelled through.
The Kakadu highway, which is the main road through the park is sealed but many of the roads to the more 'adventurous places' are unsealed and corrugated...great for those who can 4wd and get away from the day trippers and those in 'normal cars'.(Not that we had to put it in 4wd!)
Went out via one of these tracks to Gunlom - the attraction here being a waterfall...still flowing but only just, as the dry season is taking its toll...with a beautiful deep plunge pool below.Kids and adults were taking advantage of 'safe' swimming...even though there are warning signs wherever you go regarding Estuarine croc's and alligators.

Gunlom Falls

Saw the characters above as we travelled along...not often you see wild asses/mules anymore!

The adjacent camp ground was full of all sorts of 4wd vehicles,trailers,tents etc...Too crowded for us, so went back and found a camp area with only a long drop composting toilet...no water ...but places to have our camp fire which we reckon you 'can't do without'.
During the night the wind picked up big time...the tarps covering our hammocks were flapping wildly all night and dust blew endlessly round the camp!
Moved on to Maguk - pronounced Mar gook....to see the attraction there...another beautiful waterfall and plunge pool...and en route stumbled across another camp area that was absolutely beautiful...Ironically I had said to Hans that morning.."wouldn't it be nice if we could find a great place to camp with grass underfoot, tall shady trees, privacy from other campers, a plentiful supply of firewood that we could make our home for a few days and just relax and enjoy, and set up a more permanent camp for a few days"...and lo and behold that's exactly what we drove into!
See... what you think about does become reality!
So this was our base for the next 3 nights...

Camp Maguk

Preparing dinner...



The day bed, or "chaise lounge"

Princess through the fly screen!

We did a 4km return walk to the waterfall...the waterfall area was as usual chocka with tourists, but we found our own 'little piece of heaven' to have a beautiful refreshing dip.

Maguk Falls

Nights in the area were very cold and we were always grateful for a bloody good campfire!...
Had a cinema in the bush night....Watched a DVD starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine...an oldie but a goodie...
Bush cinema

That night just before bed, Hans heard the grass around the camp rustle close by and with the torch , captured the eye shine of a dingo...probably roams the campsites at night looking for food.He didn't hang around when he knew he'd been spotted, but funnily enough the next night he was back, but skirting the camp from the other side....thinking we hadn't noticed him....then he sneezed 3 times!!!...he'd blown his cover!
Second night we set up the camp shower and had the luxurious experience of washing our hair and the dust of the body....amazing, how living simple, allows you to appreciate gratefully, the things we normally take for granted ...like a shower!
Woke up to another minor 'hiccup' the next morning....a slow leaking flat tyre.

Flat tyre caused by a nail.

Tyre changed and on our way again this morning....Visited various sites and features in the park including aboriginal paintings....this 'evil spirit' struck me as 'very well hung!'....he apparently attacked women with yams and then ate them!!!!

And now we are in a motor camp in Jabiru....Had to find a place to wash the clothes as we were running out (of clothes)...those duly washed and I am sitting here with Sarongs blowing around me (now our camp signature),washing on the line,dinner cooking in the pot and getting this blog up to date again...all is well....life is great....It's cool man!... :)