Day 30 Kakadu - Ubirr, Cahill Crossing and Mamukala Wetlands

 Last night was another long night for us, with heat and humidity keeping us awake and uncomfortable. The downside to not being plugged into power, and no breeze to speak of, coming in the windows. At one point of tossing and turning, I glanced out the window and saw a beautiful starry night, but I was too tired to take the moment to enjoy it. Sleep did eventually come, but because we had kept the blinds up to let air through the windows, we were awake at sunrise.

After breakfast, we headed back out to Ubirr to enjoy the Indigenous rock art, and the stories they represented. Not far down the road, we explored Cahill’s Crossing, the water crossing for the East Alligator River into Arnhem Land. Due to recent rains, the crossing had water cascading over the road and rocks next to it. This didn’t stop a big semi driving over the crossing. This wasn’t the kind of situation for the crocs to swim in and catch fish, which is the spectacle that you come to see there. We did the walks along the river near the crossing, but no croc sightings for us. My mum was pleased about that. But we did see a rather fearsome looking king skink lizard that gave me a threatening look, before deciding i wasn't worth his time.

We returned to the campground for lunch and a nap, before heading out again to the Mamukala Wetlands. We ventured out on the bird walk beside the wetlands, but only succeeded in spotting 2 bin chickens and a few egrets. We saw more wallabies, butterflies and dragonflies than birds, ironically. We headed into the bird observing platform on the wetlands themselves, and were able to enjoy watching a family of Lotus Bird chicks with a parent. These small birds have long green legs and a tiny body, with long toes and can walk on lily pads and lotus leaves.

 We headed back to Ubirr for another attempt at viewing the sunset.

On arrival, as Matt pulled into the coach parking area, the driver of the AAT Kings coach already there, was filming us. Matt went and had a chat and it turns out this guy used to work with Matt’s boss from Fantastic Aussie Tours, Darrell. Matt has observed that lots of people we have met know Darrell. As Matt was on the phone to Darrell, another bus load of Italian tourists arrived, the whole busload then proceeded to take photos of Bridget, and one lady in particular kept coming over to take photos and despite Matt clearly being on the phone, and then later clearly occupied as he did my IV care, and she was calling out and wanting our attention. Now, I know Bridget is one of those ‘look at me’ vehicles, and some days I don’t mind the attention she gets and all the questions and photos; but some days, today being one of them, I just felt over the total disregard to us and that we were ordinary people trying to have a holiday.

the photo the driver took then was bounced across the country to Katoomba , and then back to me within the next 15 mins via Darrell

Eventually, we were able to escape and get out and up to the sunset viewing escarpment, and enjoy a much better sunset than the night before, so worth the hike up the rocks and all the effort. Matt had an amazing  blue butterfly land on him and later a dragonfly as well, he felt a bit special, but I was too slow to photograph the moments. Yes Bradden i am a bit special, and specifically the butterfly landed on my bare toe as i had taken off my shoes, and no Bradden, it didn't instantly die. it tickled.

this afternoons sunset was better, this is untouched colour exactly as it was.

  We waited to let the tourists and other sunset viewing people go ahead, so we could quietly get into Bridget; and so the mozzies would eat them instead of us, but alas, as we reached the carpark, we hear this boy calling out to his mum and sister about the really cool bus. Ok, so I don’t mind hearing that. But as we neared the coach parking area, we noticed the bus driver and tour guides taking heaps of selfies in front of Bridget. Then others raced over to do the same; cars leaving the carpark were stopping to take photos as well. We stayed away, waiting patiently as we got eaten alive by midges and mozzies. And just when we thought it safe to approach her and jump in, another car full of girls asked to take photos. Eventually we were able to drive away, but I still do wander what happens to all these photos of Bridget? Are they all on Instagram tonight?

Anyway vent over, it’s a bit cooler tonight and we are exhausted from clocking up lots of walking, so hoping we get some sleep and I can face being in a vehicle that is a celebrity for another day!

it was a day of creek / river crossings too some very pretty spots that would be great swimming holes if they weren't full of teeth...