Day 1:
Our tour guide Juno, who Emma and I had met the other night, picked everyone up outside Haven hostel at 5.20am!!! Our first stop was at the Adventure Tours office to check in. Shane came and banged on the window to say goodbye to me and Emma :) Scared the crap out of me though cos it was still dark outside! Then Juno drove us all to the Tropic of Capricorn, we stopped for a few pics and then headed off to Barrow Creek Pub. This pub was awesome, the walls were covered in souveneirs and merchandise from all over the world that visitors had left for the guy who works there. This guy was a legend, he knew everything about all his souveneirs, he showed me the new oyster card, which had a picture of Prince William and Kate on it. Crazy!! As if he'd seen it before I did! So, I left him and english stamp as a souveneir.
We then looked at Barrow Creek Telegraph Station, which was just next door. I fell in love with the building that were here, it looked like a really old farm house with a courtyard in the middle. I want it!
Our tour guide Juno, who Emma and I had met the other night, picked everyone up outside Haven hostel at 5.20am!!! Our first stop was at the Adventure Tours office to check in. Shane came and banged on the window to say goodbye to me and Emma :) Scared the crap out of me though cos it was still dark outside! Then Juno drove us all to the Tropic of Capricorn, we stopped for a few pics and then headed off to Barrow Creek Pub. This pub was awesome, the walls were covered in souveneirs and merchandise from all over the world that visitors had left for the guy who works there. This guy was a legend, he knew everything about all his souveneirs, he showed me the new oyster card, which had a picture of Prince William and Kate on it. Crazy!! As if he'd seen it before I did! So, I left him and english stamp as a souveneir.
We then looked at Barrow Creek Telegraph Station, which was just next door. I fell in love with the building that were here, it looked like a really old farm house with a courtyard in the middle. I want it!
We drove for ages, stopping off at various roadhouses along the way. One was called Wycliffe Well, which is the UFO capital in Australia. It was so funny, the whole place was alien themed, the walls were covered in UFO sightings in the area, newspaper articles etc. It was pretty cool.
Eventually we got to the Devils Marbles. It was really fun, we had a climb and took some funny pictures, it was so much fun. It was so hot as well, so we spent a bit of time chilling in the shade. Afterwards, Juno drove us to look at a tree that had been planted by explorer John McDouall Stuart, who was the first guy to explore central Australia. There wasn't much left of the tree, it was kinda just a big stump with a big 'S' carved in it. Juno was pretty funny, building up the anticipation for the tree in a sarcastic way. Anyway, after all that excitement, we drove to our campsite near Tennant Creek. There were actual beds inside the tents, it was sweet as! We didnt do much in the evening, just washed a bit of bush telly (the fire).
Day 2:
I only just got up in time and all that was left was the crappy cereal, Juno packed up the brekkie just after I got some food. This young french couple came in and Juno told them that they were too late and to get up earlier next time if they want breakfast. It was so funny, they just stood there cos they thought he was joking. Anyway, our first stop for the day was at Daly Waters. It was lunch time by the time we got there, so we had a little bbq. Daly Waters was so cool, it was to smallest town ever, one pub, a little souvenier stand, a rundown tennis court, a police station and a telegraph station and a few houses. Thats it. Emma and I made a mock tour video of the town, we walked around the whole place in about 5 minutes. It's such a quirkey little place, there was a wall inside the pub which was covered in number plates, a tree covered in flip-flops, and the inside of the pub was lined with underwear, and other items of clothing. It looked cool though!
After this we drove to the Pink Panther Pub, which as you can imagine was pink panther themed. This pub had a mini free zoo, we saw crocodiles and exotic birds, I was even able to hold a snake!
We then drove to Mataranka. Emma and I had been rotating the front seat of the bus throughout the journey and I was infont for this bot of the trip, it was soooo hot! I thought I was gonna die! Luckily, we went swimming in the thermal pool at Mataranka. It was amazing! It was a natural pool in the middle of the national park, the water was really warm, I could've stayed here all day. Afterwards, we went for a swim at Bitter Springs, which looked like a swamp. It was really nice, we had to be careful of freshwater crocodiles, watersnakes and fish in the water though. It was ok though, I only came across algi. When I swam to the end, Emma and Juno were throwing algi at me and I got it in my eye :( lol.
We then drove to Mataranka. Emma and I had been rotating the front seat of the bus throughout the journey and I was infont for this bot of the trip, it was soooo hot! I thought I was gonna die! Luckily, we went swimming in the thermal pool at Mataranka. It was amazing! It was a natural pool in the middle of the national park, the water was really warm, I could've stayed here all day. Afterwards, we went for a swim at Bitter Springs, which looked like a swamp. It was really nice, we had to be careful of freshwater crocodiles, watersnakes and fish in the water though. It was ok though, I only came across algi. When I swam to the end, Emma and Juno were throwing algi at me and I got it in my eye :( lol.
We then drove to Katherine, we got a few things from the supermarket like marshmallows and chocolate. The security men at the supermarket we legends, Emma and I were having a bit of a laugh with them. I really needed a pee too, so Emma and I found this outdoor toilet that plays music while you pee. It was so funny. Juno had also left me with the keys to bus, so Emma and I were messing about pretending to be the driver until everyone came back.
We stayed at a different campsite tonight, in a place called Banka Banka. We were told to keep an eye out for cane toads, the poisonous ones, and buffalos. I didnt see any though. We all just chilled by the fire, eating marshmallows and comparing drinking games.
Emma tricked me at dinner time by telling me that we were eating buffalo, I was not impressed lol. Turns out it was just beef, but you can never be too sure! Especially seeing as we ate buffalo in Quorn on the last trip!
Emma tricked me at dinner time by telling me that we were eating buffalo, I was not impressed lol. Turns out it was just beef, but you can never be too sure! Especially seeing as we ate buffalo in Quorn on the last trip!
Today was probably one of the best days ever!
Day 3:
We got up nice and early and went to Katherine Gorge, where we went canoeing. I had a little rash above my eye when I woke up, which was irritating me all day - I reckon it was from the algi that Emma and Juno through at me lol. Anyway, Emma and I shared a canoe, it was really fun. We were racing against the Sydney boys, who were on out trip. We were told to look out for crocodiles, we didnt see any though, just crocodile traps. When we canoed to the end of the gorge, we climbed out and went for a swim in another rock pool. Fish kept nibbling me so I had to get out. We then canoed back up stream to where we started. I got absolutely soaked though for some reason.
After Katherine Gorge, we drove to Edith Falls, which was amazing! We climbed to upper waters and swam in this gorgeous rock pool with a waterfall. Emma, Amy (this american girl on our trip) and I climbed up the rocks and sat under the waterfall. It was amazing. There was a random well in the rocks that you could climb into and swim down about 2 metres, where there was a tunnel that lead back into the rock pool. It was so cool, I didnt do it though cos the water was stinging my eye rash lol.
We got up nice and early and went to Katherine Gorge, where we went canoeing. I had a little rash above my eye when I woke up, which was irritating me all day - I reckon it was from the algi that Emma and Juno through at me lol. Anyway, Emma and I shared a canoe, it was really fun. We were racing against the Sydney boys, who were on out trip. We were told to look out for crocodiles, we didnt see any though, just crocodile traps. When we canoed to the end of the gorge, we climbed out and went for a swim in another rock pool. Fish kept nibbling me so I had to get out. We then canoed back up stream to where we started. I got absolutely soaked though for some reason.
After Katherine Gorge, we drove to Edith Falls, which was amazing! We climbed to upper waters and swam in this gorgeous rock pool with a waterfall. Emma, Amy (this american girl on our trip) and I climbed up the rocks and sat under the waterfall. It was amazing. There was a random well in the rocks that you could climb into and swim down about 2 metres, where there was a tunnel that lead back into the rock pool. It was so cool, I didnt do it though cos the water was stinging my eye rash lol.
Afterwards, we headed to Darwin, stopping off at the Adelaide River Pub on the way, which had the Buffalo from Crocodile Dundee in it.
When we got to Darwin, I rang Adnveture Tours and found out that Emma and I were going to be seperated for the last 3 days of our trip, we were gutted. It wasnt so bad for Emma because she was going to be with some of the young people that were on this trip. I negotiated with Adventure Tours and they said they moved me onto the same bus as Emma, and then my phone died mid convo, so I wasnt sure if it was confirmed or not.
When we got to Darwin, I rang Adnveture Tours and found out that Emma and I were going to be seperated for the last 3 days of our trip, we were gutted. It wasnt so bad for Emma because she was going to be with some of the young people that were on this trip. I negotiated with Adventure Tours and they said they moved me onto the same bus as Emma, and then my phone died mid convo, so I wasnt sure if it was confirmed or not.
When I got to my room in Darwin, these 2 girls were like 'ohh spare bed, here you go' and just pulled all their clothes off the bed. I was really confused. Anyway, the next day I found out that these 2 girls had been camping out in this room for 3 weeks without paying! Crazy!! So one of them had been sleeping in my bed :/
Anyway, I met the rest of our tour group out for dinner and drinks, which was really good fun.
Day 4:
I woke up ridiculously early this morning to see if I was going to be on the same bus as Emma. Turns out I wasn't. I nearly wanted to cry. There was no space on her bus either. I was gutted. So I went back to bed, got up a few hours later and just explored Darwin a bit. It was a really boring day.
I woke up ridiculously early this morning to see if I was going to be on the same bus as Emma. Turns out I wasn't. I nearly wanted to cry. There was no space on her bus either. I was gutted. So I went back to bed, got up a few hours later and just explored Darwin a bit. It was a really boring day.
Day 5: Kakadu National Park
Today I got up and got on the bus that I was meant to be on. Everyone on my bus was about 30 or over, so I felt a bit lonely. I got on well with the people on my tour though, so it wasnt that bad in the end. This guy called John was hilarious, he was just a bit of a dip stick. He sat next to me for the first bit of the bus journey and spent the first house talking about God. I just wanted to cry lol. Our first stop was for breakfast at a roadhouse in a place called Humpty Doo. We then drove to somewhere near Fogs Dam to be welcomed by the Aboriginal people of the Wulna commiunity. The guy welcoming us was a guy called Grahem, he was really nice. To welcome us, he took a mouthfull of water and spat it on our heads. It was so gross...and I'd just straightened my hair, so i had a curly patch at the front of my head for the rest of the day.
We then did a little boat cruise along the Mary River, we saw lots of unusual wild birds and a few crocodiles. I was so tired, it was interesting but I could barely keep my eyes open lol.
Afterwards, we went somewhere for a climb and to see some Aboriginal rock art. I have no idea where we were, our tour guide Lisa was a bit crap and never told us where we were. We also kept losing her on the walks too lol.
Our campsite that we stayed in was swags only, and all the electricity went out in the toilets at 9pm. It was so shit.
Day 5:
We drove to Twin Falls this morning, and when we pulled up I saw Emma and her bus in the car park, so I legged it off the bus and ran over to say hi. I was so happy to see them! We couldnt chat for long because her group were going on a boat cruise and my group were going to climb Twin Falls. The climb was really tricky, the surface was really unstable, every rock you stepped on would move. After we got to the top and took some photos, we then walked back down and did the boat cruise that Emma had just done. The boat took us to where the waterfalls were meant to be, but because it was the dry season, there was no water coming down.
We drove to Twin Falls this morning, and when we pulled up I saw Emma and her bus in the car park, so I legged it off the bus and ran over to say hi. I was so happy to see them! We couldnt chat for long because her group were going on a boat cruise and my group were going to climb Twin Falls. The climb was really tricky, the surface was really unstable, every rock you stepped on would move. After we got to the top and took some photos, we then walked back down and did the boat cruise that Emma had just done. The boat took us to where the waterfalls were meant to be, but because it was the dry season, there was no water coming down.
Afterwards, we drove on the epic 4wd track to Jim jim Falls. We climbed to the top of Jim Jim and had a swim, which was cool, then we swam again at the bottom of Jim Jim. A few of us from our tour swam over to the rocks, where there was a waterfall and a plunge pool. We all jumped in, it was bloody freezing! It was stunning though. When we swam to get out, there was a man swimming next to me and I noticed he started breathing really heavily, so I asked if he was ok and he was turning blue. I didn't want to grab him to help him swim becuase he was quite a big guy and I was worried he would drown me lol, so I kept asking if he was ok and telling him we were almost out, but he wasn't answering me. So his friend noticed, who was sitting on the rocks, he jumped in and pulled his friend out the water. It was really scary! He was ok though. When we got out, we all headed back to the bus where there were two young guys with big bushy beards who asked if we could give them a lift to the main road. One of them, Brad, asked out tour guide if she knew Juno, and she didnt, so I said I did. Such a small world, he said he used to go to school with Juno, and I explained that I'd just had a tour with him, it was funny. Anyway, once we dropped them off we headed off to Barramundi Gorge. We Climbed to the top of the Gorge and had a swim up there. I had a wardrobe malfunction when I was applying my suncream, my bikini top pinged off twice in the process. I was horrified! I dont think anyone saw anything though :s I dont think anyone wouldve cared anyway because we had a pair of Spanish lesbians in their late 50's, who kept swimming topless. It was lovely...
After this swim, we climbed back down the gorge and had a swim at the bottom too. We swam over to the waterfall and jumped off the rocks and stuff. There were loads of big fish too! It was really nice!
After a long day of swimming, we headed back to the campsite.
Day 6:
We had a long drive back to Darwin from Kakadu, but eventually we got back to Darwin. We all met for dinner and drinks at a place called Monsoons. Our tour guide didn't turn up though, which I think was really bad. Anyway, Emma, Jochen (a German guy from my last tour), Brad, Nad and Steve (the Sydney boys from the last tour) met me in Monsoons. We did a bit of a bar crawl around Darwin, it was really good fun. I also bumped into that other Brad guy that knew Juno, so we said hi. Eventually we all headed home, but Jochen stayed out parting til like 4am on his own lol, such a legend.
We had a long drive back to Darwin from Kakadu, but eventually we got back to Darwin. We all met for dinner and drinks at a place called Monsoons. Our tour guide didn't turn up though, which I think was really bad. Anyway, Emma, Jochen (a German guy from my last tour), Brad, Nad and Steve (the Sydney boys from the last tour) met me in Monsoons. We did a bit of a bar crawl around Darwin, it was really good fun. I also bumped into that other Brad guy that knew Juno, so we said hi. Eventually we all headed home, but Jochen stayed out parting til like 4am on his own lol, such a legend.
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