Today we started our 2 day 'Kakadu Short Break' with AATKings.
The bus promptly picked us up from the resort and, with Sean at the wheel, we are away. First stop is at 'The Bark Hut Inn' for morning tea, handing out of the park passes and for some, feeding the obliging water buffalo and emus. This is only my second organised bus trip, the first was when I was in 5th or 6th class (approx. 1957), so, as you might expect, I was pretty excited. The first thing I noticed was the driver wouldn't stop every time I saw a new bird or plant but, I suppose he had some sort of timetable to keep to.
Seriously it was all good, well paced and we got to see and learn a lot about the natural and cultural aspects of this part of the country.
Our transport for the next 2 days.
Watching the passing scenery.
Maybe we could use this to replace the Camry.
Crossing the South Alligator River. There was a crocodile swimming in the
river but we couldn't stop as there was a road-train behind us.
Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie rock.
Namarrgon - Lighting Man (figure in top right).
He wears his lighting as a band around him connecting
his arms legs and head. Stone axes on his knees and
elbows make the thunder.
The mob press on.
Sandstone Pandanus (Pandanus basedowii).
Aboriginal people use it for medicines, fibre, dye and food.
The summit of Nourlangie Rock.
Sean educating us on the cultural history of the area.
This solitary boulder is the feather which Namanjolg's( The Lighting Man)
sister took from his head-dress after they had broken the incests laws.
She placed it here to show others what they had done . Later she became
the rainbow serpent.
The landscape around the lookout.
The series of three tall pillar-like cliffs (behind Lynn) along the
Arnhem Land escarpment is the home of Namarrgon the Lightning man.
It is a dangerous, sacred place ( a gjang andjamun site). Like all
djang andjamun sites, if disturbed wide trouble will result.
Also, many years ago those cliffs were 3000 metres high and snow-capped
but now they are only 300 metres high. Those cliffs were also the edge of the
mainland and where we are standing, an Island, with the ocean in between.
Funny how things change.
Another gallery at Nourlangie.
The Mimi are tall, thin beings that live in the rocky escarpment of
northern Australia as spirits. Before the coming of Aboriginal people they had
human forms. The Mimi are generally harmless but on occasions can be
mischievous."When Aboriginal people first came to northern Australia,
the Mimi taught them how to hunt and cook kangaroos and other animals.
They also did the first rock paintings and taught Aboriginal people how to paint.
The Mimi and others.
Lunch (supplied) spot at Cagudju Lodge, Coorinda.
Yellow Waters billabong cruise.
Yellow Waters billabong cruise.
Jabiru and Pygmy Geese.
I saw Jabiru closer but the bus had no brakes.
River Pandanus (Pandanus aquaticus)
Look closely and you will see the baby Jacana.
Ooohhhh, it's so cute.
A native bamboo, Bambusa arnhemica. You learn something
new every day.
A Nankeen Night Heron shakes itself after a bath.
Yes, we finally find out where handbags come from.
No, I didn't smile at it, just sat in awe that this animal could
rush the boat, drag me out and have me for breakfast.
Clockwise from top right: Masked Lapwing,
immature White-bellied Sea Eagle, Whistling Kite, Darter
and Torresian Crow.
Clockwise from top: Green Pygmy Geese, Intermediate Egret,
Plumed Whistle Duck.
A roof over our heads for the night.
Our room at Aurora Kakadu, South Alligator.
Part of the grounds at Aurora.
Yes, Agile Wallabies do it as well. Would you believe that
this is the only photo I got to take of a wallaby.
Screw Pine / Screw Palm (Pandanus spiralis).
I passed these 3 signs on the way to the billabong at Aurora,
I think I was lucky to get back alive.
The billabong at Aurora from the pontoon.
Hello my little friend.
Flowers from today: Dryander's Grevillea (red),
Yellow Kapok and I don't know what I've picked up.
Another great day in Kakadu starting with an 7 am start (our driver stayed at the same resort) and, being 2 of the first 4 people on the bus, took the opportunity to grab the front seats.
Today we visited the Ubirr Rock Art Site, cruised the East Alligator River with Robert and saw another crocodile and, with Robert, visited the Aboriginal lands of Arnhemland.
On the road early.
Information signs on the way.
A sad sign of the times.
Approaching Magela Creek.
Burdekin Ducks enjoying the conditions.
Long Spear Grass (Sorghum spp) was everywhere. Fires keep it under control.
Approaching Ubirr.
"and this is where we are going this morning"
Mourning markers were painted in respect of areas the deceased frequented.
Photos of deceased carers have been removed or covered up in respect of
cultural beliefs.
The Mabuyu gallery.
The Mabuyu gallery.
The Mabuyu gallery.
The Mabuyu gallery.
Grooves made in the rock to grind the ochre to obtain
the colours for the paintings.
Plenty more to see.
There's art everywhere.
Yep, that's where we are heading.
Nearly half way.
All the comforts of home. Keeps the rain off, flat area for
the kids to play and great views. Ceiling paintings.
The painting were on the ceiling and the large rocks were
worn smooth from years of bottoms sitting on them.
White man and his rifle painted on the back wall.
The paintings.
Still more paintings.
The walk at Ubirr.
And today's lesson will now begin, Namarrkan gallery.
Everyone paying attention.
The gallery.
Pink hibiscus adds some colour to the climb.
Lynn fell in love with the view from the top.
Crocodile Dundee territory.
Kakadu flood plains.
The bigger picture. (apologies for the bad 'stiching ')
We were both impressed.
The 'made it to the top mob'.
Descending.
The next level down.
Meeting up with the rest of the gang.
Swapping stories.
Balancing rocks. There were a lot of these features in the area.
The scene from this level.
Everyone here, then down we go.
One last look.
Pandanas everywhere.
There are some good birds here so I'll be back.
Just clicking away.
Just one last one .
Keep all body parts in the boat please. The life jackets might
stop you from drowning but not from being eaten.
Robert is our guide for the East Alligator cruise.
This part of the river is tidal, salt and 60km from the coast.
The tide was going out.
This hibiscus is used in traditional medicine.
Damage caused (I think it was) by Cyclone Monica in 2006.
How it should be.
I was surprised to see how clean the river sand was.
Arnhemland escarpment.
Arnhemland escarpment.
Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). The only one we saw.
See where the tooth is missing?
In Arnhemland, white-fella country on the other side.
A lagoon at base of the escapement.
Some of us went for a quick explore.
Wild things I saw.
We all came back in time.
Hunting equipment explained.
Tools of the trade.
"No need to go to Bunnings, I can get it all here for free".
Time to leave.
Thank you Robert, you did a great job.
The plant life around here is used for so many things.
We say hoo-roo to ET.
More paintings just above the flood line.
Robert basis his paintings on this x-ray style.
It appeared to be deeper going back.
Traffic jam at the crossing.
Lunch at the Crocodile Resort, Jabiru.
That's his eye looking down at us.
Leaving the Mamukala (Mar-moo-car-lar) Wetlands.
We were not there long as the water level was too high for
the birds.
Time to get the show on the road, Sean starts for home (Darwin).
This buffalo didn't want us to leave. He dropped his head
towards the bus a couple of times as to say 'come on big boy,
do your best'.
Not goodbye, but "boh boh", see you later.
Some of the flora from today. I'm not sure what they are.
Some of the fauna from today. Clockwise from top left:
Dingo, Green Tree Ant, dragonfly, grasshopper, Rufous Whistler,
Orb-spider, Willie Wagtail and Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
But then there was this..........................
Below are links to the movie 'Ten Canoes'. This movie depicts how the Aboriginal people would have lived in this area before the arrival of Europeans. Movie is rated 'M', some nudity.
1. Introduction
2. Interview with director Rolf De Heer.
3. Movie trailer
