We rose at 4.30am to facilitate an hour long drive to a boat journey at 6.30 am on the Yellow Water. It was still dark and there were a huge number of frogs or toads on the road, which we painstakingly tried to avoid. Later we found out that these were cane toads which have decimated the local wildlife in Kakadu – we should have driven straight over them.
The river trip was glorious. We saw countless esturine crocodiles, but it was the richly varied and plentiful bird life and the tranquillity of the setting that made it so spectacular. The trip included a very welcome hot breakfast – the first decent one we have had since leaving England in August!
On the way back to the Aurora, we went on a walk to view some Aboriginal Rock Art. It was, by this time, unbearably hot, but armed with hats and water, we set off. The rock art was more a series of tutorial pictures to explain the dreamings and to also to enforce culture, which made them all the more fascinating.
A further walk took us to a sacred area which looks like the rocks used in the finale of Crocodile Dundee 2, when Wally accidentally shoots at Mick; it is the most beautiful location.
Pete, by now, was really suffering in the heat, so after a cool down and an ice lolly at the information centre, we returned to the Aurora and spent the afternoon in the pool.
At about 4.00 pm, we walked down the waterhole trail at the back of the hotel and discovered where the fruit bats roost. The walk through the forested areas was so interesting and full of parrots and other exotic birds. The waterhole had eroded sides from water buffalo and horses which is another problem Kakadu is experiencing. Mosquitoes were also plentiful and despite using deet, we came back with numerous bites.
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