- AMAZING KAKADU -

(The 3 of us @ Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP)

The DAY we got back from Bali, my mum flew in from Perth to join us on a trip through Litchfield NP and the long awaited visit to KAKADU. So you can imagine getting organised was pretty full on! We finally got everything together and the following day we set off for Litchfield, taking mum to all to the popular Waterfalls and rock pools. It was absolute heaven, and will always remain one of my favourites!!

(Mum & I enjoying a refreshing swim)

We entered Kakadu the following day with our first stop @ Gunlom Falls (which is featured in the famous Crocodile Dundee movie) it had almost dried up, and like most waterfalls in Northern Australia would look mighty impressive in the wet season!! We camped here the night & mum and I decided to do the walk to above the 100m falls… the view was awesome! (Bren unfortunately got a dose of the Bali Belly, and didn’t feel too good.) We continued onto Maguk Gorge, also known as Barramundi Falls, this would be the last place we could swim before heading further into the park…

(Above Gunlom Falls, Kakadu.)

We then visited Nourlangie Rock, home to some of the Australia best preserved Aboriginal Rock Art. It’s amazing to see up close! Paintings depicting the dreamtime and creation, the spirits, and of course the food source of kangaroo’s and barramundi!

(Rock Art, Nourlangie Rock, Kakadu.)



The next day we visited Jabiru, and Mum spoilt us to a 1 hour flight over the National Park!! It was truly amazing!! Just makes you realise the sheer size of the Park and how much remains untouched, unexplored. It truly is BLOODY HUGE!! The flight takes you over the Arnhem Plateau, following the South Alligator River and almost out into the Arafura Sea!!

(Ubirr Lookout.)

After the flight we headed out to Cahill’s Crossing on the South Alligator River to Spot wild Crocs!! We sure did find what we were looking for! We then continued onto Ubirr, which also has some spectacular Rock Art and views also featured in Crocodile Dundee!

After another fun filled day of adventure, the next day would surely not disappoint! We began the day checking out the Mamukala Wetlands, which was a hive of birdlife activity. Then we exited the park and stopped off at Adelaide River to join the ‘Spectacular Jumping Crocs River Cruise’. I wasn’t that NT crocs are especially unique and do miraculous tricks. Fact is if you hang a slab of meat out the side of a boat any croc is sure to want a feed, even if it means launching more than half their body weight out of the water!! It was impressive!! And gave us an “up close” look at these impressive dangerous monsters.

We then travelled back to Darwin and spent the next few days chilling out with mum, showing her around. We finished off with a delicious dinner at Pee Wee’s on the Point, in Fanny Bay, Darwin, which I highly recommend if you ever decide to visit the Top End.

- BALI -

(Bren with local dancers on Legian Street.)

We’ve just returned from an amazing 8 days in Bali! We stayed at the White Rose Hotel, Legian, just behind the Bali Bombing Memorial. (Which by the way, is beautiful and a very popular place for both tourists and locals).

(Bali Bombing Memorial)

We jumped into the market/shopping scene and learnt our bartering skills VERY quickly… with keen locals trying to sell you anything and everything @ “special morning prices”. We slipped fairly easy into the Bali atmosphere, with cheap amazing food and Bintang!

On the third day, we headed out to Waterbom Park to see if our inner child was still game enough to face massive waterslides! One, called the Boomerang, sends you in pairs down a steep tube to increase your speed, then down a chute… just when you think its all over it sends you hurtling towards the sky at 45 degree angle… only so you can FREE FALL backwards into the pool below! Smashdown was another good one. Where you climb 8 storeys of stairs and brace yourself for the 60 degree straight down slide…. You’d probably reach a top speed of 70km per hour… not to mention the major wedgee at the bottom. It was an awesome day out!

(Bren coming down the "SMASHDOWN" Slide at Waterbom park)

We also took a trip out to the Bali Safari Park, which was amazing!! We went on a half hour safari trip to see tigers, hippos, zebras etc. Then watched an Elephant Show, Bren had photo’s taken with a Baby Orang-utan and I got to hug a huge Lioness!!!

( ...Say Cheese!!)

The next day we took a tour, complete with our own guide & driver out to see more of the country side & Culture of Bali. First up we watch the traditional Barong Dance. Then we visited woodcarvers, painters, silversmiths and a Batik/weaving factory, learning from the artist how they create their masterpieces. We also visited a waterfall, visited the sacred Elephant Temple ,rice terraces and The Sacred Monkey Forrest in Ubud. We also visited a coffee plantation and spice farm, where we tried different coffee’s and fruits etc. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better we had a Buffet lunch on the rim of a volcano (well almost)!! It was an unforgettable day out and not bad for only $36!!

(Rice Terraces)

We had an amazing time, especially Brendon as it was his first time overseas! Now back in Darwin, we are now preparing for our next Adventure… KAKADU!

(Bren & I enjoying our last dinner in Bali in our own private bungalow!)