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| OUR BIG TRIP MARY & OLI GOING AROUND AUSTRALIA |
TOP END - Page 15
10 August 2007, Friday
Today we had our first full day at Kakadu and went West and North to Mamukala and Ubirr & East Alligator including the
World Heritage Rock Art at Ubirr. This was also one of the 80 Treasures around the World we saw on the DVD we bought
(BBC Series of Around the World in 80 Mankind created Treasures - well done buy it!!!). First we saw the wetlands of
Mamukala and saw a Whistling Kite fishing a sick or dead bird out of the floodplain. After that we went on the Bardedjilidji
Walk at the East Alligator River before heading to Ubirr for a first walk around the Rock Art sites and the lookout onto the
floodplain. We would come back later to listen to the Ranger talks about the Dreamtime (Rainbow Serpent) and the cooking
menu which is painted in the Main Art Gallery at Ubirr. Quite interesting talks, just a shame that it was done by a white Ranger
and not by an Aboriginal - but she was good. After that we headed up again to the lookout to enjoy the sunset with a few
hundred others before heading back to camp. Lots of photos to follow. Besides the activities of the day I (Oli) am looking at
comparing our own drive to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls or booking a tour - well now you are saying isn't that the only
interesting 4WD track in the NP and he wants to book a tour? Well, we will see, you have to cross 1.1 m of water to get to
Twin Falls and I think I might want to avoid the electrical disaster that could create and two days of drying the vehicle on the
inside. Let's hand on and see what happens during the next few days. We might even extend a couple of days because here
there is so much to see.
10 August 2007, Friday
Today we had our first full day at Kakadu and went West and North to Mamukala and Ubirr & East Alligator including the
World Heritage Rock Art at Ubirr. This was also one of the 80 Treasures around the World we saw on the DVD we bought
(BBC Series of Around the World in 80 Mankind created Treasures - well done buy it!!!). First we saw the wetlands of
Mamukala and saw a Whistling Kite fishing a sick or dead bird out of the floodplain. After that we went on the Bardedjilidji
Walk at the East Alligator River before heading to Ubirr for a first walk around the Rock Art sites and the lookout onto the
floodplain. We would come back later to listen to the Ranger talks about the Dreamtime (Rainbow Serpent) and the cooking
menu which is painted in the Main Art Gallery at Ubirr. Quite interesting talks, just a shame that it was done by a white Ranger
and not by an Aboriginal - but she was good. After that we headed up again to the lookout to enjoy the sunset with a few
hundred others before heading back to camp. Lots of photos to follow. Besides the activities of the day I (Oli) am looking at
comparing our own drive to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls or booking a tour - well now you are saying isn't that the only
interesting 4WD track in the NP and he wants to book a tour? Well, we will see, you have to cross 1.1 m of water to get to
Twin Falls and I think I might want to avoid the electrical disaster that could create and two days of drying the vehicle on the
inside. Let's hand on and see what happens during the next few days. We might even extend a couple of days because here
there is so much to see.
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Huge amount of Whistling Ducks in the floodplain - all
over and this large flock was just taking off - maybe a
croc?
over and this large flock was just taking off - maybe a
croc?
Three of the ducks flying close to viewing platform.
Lots and lots of them around and always something
happening.
happening.
The Magpie Geese flying over - they all (maybe all 2
Million of them) come to this place later in the dry
season when the food elsewhere is gone. Not many
here at the moment.
Million of them) come to this place later in the dry
season when the food elsewhere is gone. Not many
here at the moment.
Australian Dexter or Cormorant - not sure but quite big.
Dexter drying his wings after fishing.
Mamukala Floodplain - wetland, a heaven for Birdwatching - if you are earlier than us - OOPS we slept too long - we are still in NT mode I guess.
Whistling Kite after the first attempt already failed
looking again for the bird underneath the water - was it
just sick and is now drowned after the first attempt or
just a dead bird in the water?
looking again for the bird underneath the water - was it
just sick and is now drowned after the first attempt or
just a dead bird in the water?
Got it again - but can not lift it out of the water...
O.k. lets take a rest...
Finally, got it out and good for Brunch (that was about
the time...)
the time...)
Egret flying low and looking for fish - very unsuccessful
today - or at least while we were in the area.
today - or at least while we were in the area.