Day 36

Day 36 Saturday

Nice little sleep-in for my birthday before rising and packing up to move on to Jim Jim Billabong. Setting up camp quickly we jumped back into the car and headed for Jim Jim Falls which was about 50 k’s along a corrugated dirt road before becoming a sandy 4wd track for the last 10 K’s. Arriving at the carpark we grabbed our bathers and towels and started the 1k walk to the falls, now 1k doesn’t sound far and distance wise it’s not but when you have boulders the size of cars and trucks to climb over it takes a bit of time but in the end the trek was well and truly worth the effort just to see the magnificent scenery and waterfalls that dropped into crystal clear pools below with a nice sandy beach on one side. Changing quickly we hopped into the very chilly waters of Jim Jim pools. At Jim Jim there are 2 major pools one being the sandy beach one and then you swim, climb over boulders and across rocks to get to the main pool at the bottom of the falls. This is rumoured to be over 70 metres deep and it’s no rumour that it’s bloody FREEZING..... The pool is almost a perfect circle.  It is surrounded by 100 metre high cliffs for about 290 degrees and the rest is where you get in, which is huge boulders.  It sits at the bottom of a waterfall that is over 100 metres high! It is a spectacular sight to just take in the enormity of it all. Mitch having no sense no feeling still swam the 60 or 70 metres across to the bottom of the cascading waters.  We spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing in the perfectly clear but cold water, before making our way back to the car. 

We arrived back at camp just on dark and had tea.  The boys climbed into their swags but left the tops open to look at the stars.  We sat by the car listening to the Hawks on the radio while enjoying being under the stars.

Billabong at our camp

Day 35

Day 35 Friday

Awaking at a reasonable hour we rose to have brekky and Tony complaining that he went to bed too early as he was in bed when the Bat episode happened. Thomas convinced “Uncle Pete” to take him to the Billabong to see if they could see a Croc! 2 minutes later they came running back calling for a camera! Down we all went to see a 5.5 metre Croc sunning itself on the opposite bank with a waterbird slowly wandering into its path. We silently waited and mumbled to ourselves “Don’t go that way Mr Bird you’ll get eaten” after some time Pete tossed a rock into the water and we watched as our new found friend slipped quietly into the water and disappeared. By this time we decided that the waters edge was not a good place to stand and headed back to camp to finish packing up.

Heading into Jabiru to camp we set up our site, had a swim in the pool and a general relax. Thomas in the meantime had snuck over to Pete and Teresa’s and baked me a birthday cake for the night to come. BBQ for tea and birthday cake for sweets topped off the night with a few drinks before bed.

Day 34

Day 34 Thursday

Climbing out of bed we had some brekky and pottered around the camp waiting for Pete, Teresa and the Goninans (the 2 Tony’s) to arrive. We received a text message to say they were still an hour or so away. We decided to go to Jabiru for groceries and back to the park info centre and have a bit more of a look around whilst we waited for them to arrive. Once the others had arrived and set up we decided to go for a drive to Nourlangie and listen to the ranger talks and see the Aboriginal art which was quite interesting.

Pete waiting for his Bat Shit shower

From there we headed back to camp for a feed of Homemade Pizza. Yummmm. We then went for a waltz down to the billabong to see if we could spot a Croc with the torches but this was to no avail so back to camp we went. Sitting around chatting came the highlight of the night, listening to the Bats screech above us Pete jumps up with a screech of his own “Bloody Bat just Shit on me” this had us all in fits of laughter except Pete of course, Jumping around trying to wipe Bat shit off himself  he was most devastated..... LOL. I set up our camp shower and Pete refreshed himself while we tried to calm ourselves. Off to bed we went before anyone else copped it.

Day 33

Day 33 Wednesday

Up early again to the sound of a text message coming through on my phone, It was from Shane and all it said was there is a story on the front page of the paper that may interest you. I jumped on the internet on my phone to the NT News website to see the headlines “Croc Attacks Woman at Berry Springs” OMG it turned out the croc that we were swimming around was a Saltwater one!!!! Luck may have played a part that it wasn’t one of us that got attacked and that woman who I said was silly just happened to be the one that got bitten. If we had of stayed another ½ hour we probably would have seen it happen. I have kept all the paper clippings of the story. Packing up the van we headed for Kakadu.  On the way we booked a Croc jumping tour on the Adelaide River. Arriving early for our tour we sat and had a game of UNO that the lady at the tour company provided for us to fill in the time. 11.00 oclock came and we were ushered onto the boat by “Harry” our guide for the trip. Well this bloke made Steve Irwin sound like a foreign tourist and was as ocker as they come but he was just what you wanted as a guide as his personality really made the trip worthwhile.

Captain Harry

We got to see “The Dominator” first which was a 6 metre monster of a croc and was about a metre wide. He was lazing in the mud on the bank and was not fazed that we were around until “Harry” drove the boat up on the bank and over the end of his tail!!!! Then he decided to come and see what we were all about. Harry then rewarded him with a bit of Buffalo meat if he jumped for it. He did this 2 or 3 times before Harry in his ocker drawl said ”don’t worry folks we will swing the boat around for those on the other side to get some photos   gotta make it fair for everyone” which turned out a bit of a catch cry for the trip “Gotta make it fair for everyone” along with “Dont worry mate this is real, no bloody zoo stuff out er’e” in reference to some not so encouraging media reports about “Fake” photos of Brututs the 3 legged Croc that had appeared in the paper recently. These pics went  viral around the world with American TV companies wanting Exclusive interviews etc about this big croc that jumps out of the water!!!! That morning on the Sunrise Program apparently they had shit canned the photos saying they were fake and that they wouldn’t have a croc that big jump so close to the boat.... Well Harry was not too impressed by that and was adamant that they should come and see it for real. (I totally agree as it was no fake I have seen it for myself)

The Dominator

Next was “Brutus” himself he only had 3 legs left as he had a tangle with a shark and came off second best. He was around 5.5 metres long and was very active around the boat as I think he knew what was coming, a free feed if had wanted to launch himself out of the water to get it. This he did with aplomb, helping us to get some amazing pics of this giant croc in his natural state (This is real mate no bloody zoo stuff out er’e ya know!!!!) Brutus performed magnificently for the crowd and then just disappeared without a trace leaving us with no idea where he went or where he was gunna pop up next.  Harry then moved us a bit further upstream to feed some smaller crocs and see some nests.

On the way back whilst we were cruising along “Brutus” made a surprise appearance just in front of the boat scaring the Bejesus out of some women at the front of the boat. Before once again disappearing out of sight. Along the way back Harry impressed the kids by showing them his 357 Magnum Revolver that he keeps in his bag for “Just in case” as you know “Its no bloody Zoo out ere mate this is real” “and if one grabs ya I might just be able ta save ya” Arriving back near the departure point “Harry” whistled up “Charlie” a Whistling kite that would swoop by and take a piece of meat out of the air that Harry would toss up. As we got off the boat a woman was waiting for Harry with a gift. It was the woman that took the famous picture of Brutus that has caused all the kerfuffle and she presented to him a large signed copy of “Brutus” in full flight. This is no fake I tell Ya.................

Back in the Car and off to Kakadu we found our campground (Malabanjbanjdju) don’t know how to pronounce it but thats how you spell it. After setting up we had some lunch and then went into Jabiru to the park information office where we got some info about what to see and do. We then headed for Ubirr rock for the sunset. This the place where in the movie Crocodile Dundee said to Linda Koslowski.. “Down there, that’s where he got me” it is also a significant Aboriginal site. But the best part is to sit on top and watch the sunset over the flood plains. When the sun had set we followed the Andersons back to their camp in Jabiru where we had a drink and the kids swam in the pool. Home we went to camp for sleep.

Day 32

Day 32 Tuesday

Up early and in the Car for the trip to Berry Springs arriving about 10.00 and down to water’s edge where a small waterfall flowed into a rock-pool where some grey nomads were floating around, in we hopped where the boys were intent on spoiling their peacefulness and splashed around swimming under the falls which were warmed by the earth below.

From there we walked to the middle pool as the boys swam from the first via the small stream connecting the 2. Ange and I both jumped in and were floating around on some foam noodles we had bought at K. Mart whilst the boys snorkelled around looking at the fish life, all of a sudden Mitch called out “Shit I nearly stood on a freshie” meaning a freshwater crocodile. I swam over for a look and saw this Crocodile about 5-6 foot long laying on the bottom of the pool. Sending Mitch back for the underwater camera I hovered around this creature admiring how amazing it looked. Mitch arrived back with the camera and I took a photo and decided to leave it in peace as even tho it was a “freshie” they can become aggressive to humans if disturbed.

Look closely you will see the Croc

Our boys being boys were keen to tell everyone about their find and were pointing to where it was, Mitch even lending his goggles to those that wanted to go for a look......   From there we all swam from the middle pool to the last pool via the creek where we lazed around in the water on the noodles.  After admiring the scenery there we headed back to the middle pool again for another swim where Mitch proceeded to go for another look at his new pet.... It had moved to the surface by now and Ange was a very concerned parent by this time and was giving the boys stern commands to come away from it. A bit more swimming and then out to take some photo’s then to the car for some lunch. As we were leaving the middle pool I saw a woman with goggles on swimming over to where the Croc was but she had gone past the Pandanas branch that we had considered well and truly close enough to the Croc, so she would have been around 2 feet from it.... As I left I thought you silly woman!!!!

Back in the car and heading for Darwin we stopped at Reidy’s Lure factory for a look where we saw a lure in every color and shape imaginable. Returning to camp, Ange had a roast ticking over in the slow cooker so we checked on that and headed for the Wave pool in town, dropping the kids off we went to the supermarket to get some vegies for the roast and returned for a swim there ourselves. Floating around on swim tubes the waves battered us from side to side at times tipping us out into the cool water. Back to camp once again where we pottered around, had a swim in the pool and drank a few frothies while the meal was prepared.

After the lovely Roast beef we returned Shanes Slow cooker to him, had a few drinks and said our farewells to Shane and his mates as we were departing for Kakadu the next morning. Back to camp for bed.

Day 31

Day 31 Monday

Sleep in day.... up late to begin the building of the drawer unit while Ange cleaned out the boys clothes and packed up anything that was warm...

Macgyver had almost completed his massive erection before needing a few more things, Off to Bunning’s again and the boys wanted to do some shopping as well. Mitch purchased a Rubik’s cube (well that what it had on the box but Mitch decided it was a plane..... More on this shortly).    Back to the park for a swim and for Macgyver to complete his erection.

Later that night we went to the Macca’s on Bagut rd to watch the jets once more (this time at the right end of the runway) then on to Shanes for a drink. This is where Mitch decided his Rubik’s Cube could fly dropping it from the seventh storey to the concrete below, oooops Mitch it’s a cube not a plane.... Down he went to the bottom to retrieve the pieces and returned with them all; it turned out that only one centre piece had broken off and was repairable... Macgyver to the rescue once again.  Back to camp for a quick swim and a beer with the Andersons before bed.

Day 30

Day 30 Sunday

Darren and the boys were up early as one of Shanes mates had offered them his boat to go fishing, (Thanks Ash) so Ange had a lazy morning pottering around.

Thomas was the only piscatorial expert landing something that was so ugly and toothy that it was destined to go back, other than that it was a nice boating expedition for the 3 of them.

Later that afternoon we went and dropped the boat keys off and had a drink with Shane and his mates before setting off for the Mindil Beach market and Sunset. We sampled some of the market wares for tea and watched as the sun set over the water taking some lovely sunset pics.

On the way home we stopped at the end off the runway to watch the RAAF fighter jets take off, they have been training with the Americans all week and regularly took off at 7.30 each night, the only problem was we were at the wrong end as they took off going away from us so all we saw was the flames of the afterburners flying away.  Back to the park for a cooling swim before bed

Day 29

Day 29 Saturday

Darren was up early to go fishing with Shane and his mates while Ange did some household chores, Washing, cleaning and sorting in the van while the boys did some journal entries and played some games.

Darren arrived back about 2.30 empty handed.... much to his disappointment but Shane had found a drawer unit on the internet for us to look at.

We contacted the person to have a look at it and was disappointed to find that it was 2 inches too wide to fit the Pajero, but he did have a fridge slide for sale as well that would suit our Waeco fridge so we took that instead.

Boys went to the Waterpark again whilst we once again shopped for supplies.  Darren fitted a new second battery to the Pajero while Ange cooked tea then we had a swim and off to Bed.

Day 28

Day 28 Friday

After Brekky we set off into town for a look around, stopping at the TJM store to price some drawers for the Pajero, after being told it was $2800 and a 8 week wait, that idea went out the window... (Macgyver was to come to the rescue but more on that later) On to the Museum where we saw some fascinating things. Sweetheart the 5.5 metre Stuffed Crocodile, The Cyclone Tracy exhibition, Marine life exhibition as well as some of the boats that have been seized by Customs or sailed from nearby Islands (some you wouldn’t sail in Green Hill lake for fear of sinking). Departing the Museum we headed back to the park for lunch then dropped the boys off at the Water Park while we went shopping. Darren found a Bunning’s and decided that Macgyver would turn his hand at a drawer unit for the Pajero; he had a saw and a drill what more would he need...... So some timber and screws were quickly purchased with his mind ticking over as to how this creation would look completed.

BCF and Supercheap Auto were next for some supplies for the car before shopping for some groceries. Back to the park for a swim, some tea and watch the footy before off to Sleep.

Days 26,27

DAY 26 – Wednesday
We packed up early, said goodbye to the Andersons and headed for Darwin, with a stop at Batchelor for ice and ice-cream.  We arrived in Darwin about 11am and found the caravan park with the fuel light glowing.  We set up camp and had a quick lunch before heading into town to get fuel and have a look around.  We found a supermarket and bought a few groceries and alcohol, then went for a drive along the coast. 
We found the free waterpark at Leanyer and called in for a swim.  It had a large pool, a fun park for smaller kids and three waterslides for us big kids.  After a few hours of water and fun, we headed back to the caravan.  Shane called in for a visit and then we had tea.  The boys went to the pool for a “midnight swim” at about 8pm and finished up playing water volleyball with a couple of German backpackers until they got kicked out at 9pm when the pool closed.

DAY 27 – Thursday

We woke up early and got organised, and drove into Darwin.  We parked in the city and headed to Crocosaurus Cove.  Darren and Mitch were booked in to do the Cage of Death at 12.30pm and were both looking forward to it.  We walked around and looked at the different fish and crocs, watching the barramundi being fed, and watching one of the staff trying to chase a sting ray out of one aquarium into another.  Then we went and watched the big crocs being fed.
Mitch and Darren did the Cage of Death.  It involved the perspex cage, with Darren and Mitch inside, being dipped into three different pools containing crocodiles.  They banged around on the top of the water to try and get the crocs interested, but to no avail.  When the cage was lifted out, they were both a bit disappointed. 

We then went over to a platform where the boys were able to “fish” for the baby crocs.  They dangled their fishing rod, with a bit of meat on the end of the line, over the edge of a platform.  The baby crocs were jumping out of the water to grab the food. 

We all got to hold a python, a frill neck lizard, and a gecko.  Then we watched a display where the keepers had a snake and they fed it a rat.  After this we had nearly had enough and we decided to go through the croc information area and look at the photos of the boys doing the Cage Of Death. 
We held a baby croc and took a few pics, and were just starting to look at the Cage of Death photos, when one of the croc handlers approached Darren.  He asked if he would be interested in going into the cage again.  Darren quickly said “yes”, and asked how much.  The guy said it would be free, and would be just Darren in the cage while he fed the crocs from above at the main feeding time.  Two of the other handlers were near me and they looked at each other and raised their eyes, and said to me “lucky, very lucky”.

We went and had some lunch and then made our way back to where Darren had to meet for the Cage of Death.  He changed into his bathers and got ready.  The other handlers came up and asked me if they could “borrow” Mitch for a while.  I said yes go for it, and they told him to bring his camera.
Darren was introduced to the crowd before being lowered into the water to begin his croc feeding adventure, meanwhile Mitch was taken around the back and into the croc enclosures where the crocs sunbake to watch the feed.

Darren was able to snap some great pics of the crocs feeding and at times was only centimetres away from their jaws with only a ¾ inch piece of Perspex separating them, at times you could hear the bang of the Crocs head banging into the plastic. Perhaps they had bigger things than a piece of meat hanging from a pole on their minds.

Darren was lowered into the 3 seperate pools for each of the feeds with each one getting wilder and more aggressive as they went along, it finished with “Denzel” a 6 metre male Croc that is relatively new to the Cove and was sent there as he dominated and fought with all the other crocs in his area. so had to be relocated to the cove to be placed in isolation from others.  This Croc was by far the most aggressive and unpredictable one of the lot.

Meanwhile Mitch was moving from enclosure to enclosure with the handlers and filming the feed from the best vantage point other than the cage. He was given a stick to hold and was told that it was more for show but wont do much if he hits the croc but tapping it on the nose may distract it, if it goes at him. At one stage Mitch wandered too close to the water and was quickly advised by them to step back a bit.... Just in case....

Once the show was over we had a look at the photos that were taken by the park people and decided to get the DVD disk for the memories.

We left Croc Cove and headed for Shane’s place and caught up with him and a few of his mates for a beer at the bar below his apartment. No kids allowed so they went for a swim in the pool at Shanes apartment building whilst we had a drink or 2.
We left Shanes place and headed to the caravan park and the boys had a swim whilst we got changed and ready to go out for tea. We picked Shane up around 7.00 and off to the Wharf area for a Fish and Chip tea. Whilst at the Wharf there were heaps of Moon fish swimming around and were eager for our scraps. After giving them a quick feed we set off for the caravan park dropping Shane off on the way.