I think I might have managed to get a few pictures up. But lots of backlog which will have to wait till Darwin I think. Then they will come in a rush, as we have seen some amazing stuff!
First stop in Kakadu was at Cooinda, where we took the Yellow Billabong boat trip - magical! 280 species of birds - I don't think we saw then all but we did see a lot - including the magpie goose (which is a duck), the black necked stork (which has a green neck), the blue winged kookaburra (didn't hear it laughing), and the white-bellied sea eagle (it does have a white belly its at the top of the tree).
And estuarine crocodiles, otherwise known as saltwater crocs. Somewhat ironically on the South Alligator River (another excellent mistake by the Brits - there are no alligators in Australia). 8m was the longest one we saw, up close and personal - I think Nareesa has managed to post a picture on FB.
We managed a walk through the monsoon forest as well, so it was two tired campers who late in the afternoon completed the final 50km to Jabiru (which is a black necked stork), where we booked into the campsite and succumbed to the lure of barramundi for dinner, sat by the pool, quaffing a cold beer and generally feeling that the world is OK. Except I lost at cribbage again of course!
The following day, we packed up early and headed first for the Jabiru town centre for fuel. Now when I say town centre, we are not talking major conurbation here. The largest settlement in the Kakadu has a population of about 1000, and that is largely because of a nearby uranium mine. But it did have a coffee shop (just as well), pleasantly sited in the Bowali Visitor Centre, which also contained an informative display, which unfortunately was receiving virtually no visitors, due to its location in the centre and its almost total lack of signage. Pity - as it was well worth a visit.
We went on again from the there to rendezvous again with the South Alligator River, only further north. Managed to find a forest walk, through dogged determination and even asking people (yes, I know, I don't do that easily!), how to find the start. Again we were rewarded with a 4km walk through the forest and around another billabong, teeming with bird life. And nobody else there! Whilst I have rejected previously on the physical and cultural link to the land the Aboriginal people have, Kakadu is run somewhat like Nitmiluk as far as I can tell, and so it seems a shame that some experiences are not effectively promoted. The camp ground in Jabiru was packed (we couldn't even get into the one in Cooinda), but I cant get over the feeling that many are spending a lot fo time round the pool, rather than getting out and enjoying the countryside. Some of course are, but I think there could be more. and there endeth today's sermon!
Once we completed our walk, stoped for cold drinks and ice-cream, we headed out of the park on our way to Litchfield National Park, which some locals say is even more beautiful than Kakadu - we will see. as I write this evening, we are just parked up in a site by Berry Springs, just outside Litchfield. No powered sites available so we gloriously alone in a field at the end of the camp. Lets hope the battery holds!
So that is me up to date with words at least. Darwin in a couple of days when hopefully wifi will allow me to populate some galleries.