Pearls On Wheels

The serene scenes are our reward for our early morning ride from Jabiru to Cooinda, Yellow Waters. Come on the boat with us and watch the birds among the wetlands of floating buffalo grass, pandanus, lotus flowers and water lilies. A basking saltwater croc. The lumps on his back - highly vascularised osteoderms -  are his solar panels. Brolgas in the distance, egrets, and whistling ducks in this bird sanctuary. The cormorant and the sea eagle are having better luck fishing than the men on the boat. This sea eagle is airborne with his catch. The men have a remote controlled electric outboard at the front. Apparently it is so quiet the fish can't hear it. We are surprised to see fishing in this national park - but it is legit so long as they use a lure. Barramundi daily catch is limited to 5 fish with a minimum length of 55cm. Barter bird drying out after his fishing. The Indigenous flag. Indigenous people from various tri

Another glorious day in the Northern Territory. Just the day for the  Guluyambi  tour of East Alligator river... beyond the savannah grasslands beside the East Alligator River which is the border between Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land. The warning signs about crocodiles. All aboard.  Downstream to the only vehicle crossing on the river. This is the border crossing from Kakadu to Arnhem Land.  Gentle little side streams - who is lurking there? The rugged escarpment of the Arnhem plateau in the distance. It is great to see these from the river after having flown above yesterday. We saw 41 crocodiles today. Some were sleeping, some were on the move and some were smiling. Our very informative guide for the day, Neville. We are safe in his boat.  Ah, another one.  We come ashore on the Arnhem land banks of the river. There is an amazing sense of peace.  Look carefully and you will see the wiggle of a crocodile

My driver has returned from New Zealand.  Mella is wearing new 'shoes'. Farewell to Dave and Judy and to Darwin.  Hello Jabiru,  Kakadu National Park.  Places names amuse us. Humpty Doo is on our route to Jabiru. Clear skies, eucalypts and very little traffic. It is early Saturday morning.  A small scrub fire alongside the road. The flames are working their way through the undergrowth and tidyng up the forest.  The eucalypts and ferns are well adapted to this annual event. These interpretation panels at the Bowali National Park Head Quarters explain the purpose of forest fires to the Gukberlerri (aborigines)  But first, let's get airborne. I am co-pilot for this sunset flight.  To our right very close to Jabiru township is the Ranger Uranium Mine. The mine company owns the airstrip and contributed to the cost of building the Jabiru township.  The mine was set up as the the national park was established in 1978. It seems stra