Kakadu: Day Nineteen (7 November)

We were travelling to Kakadu by minibus so we were only allowed to take one bag. (We left the rest of our luggage - and Zippy and Gerald - in the hotel in Darwin). Behind the minibus was a trailer with all the food for the trip because we were going camping. (We thought the travel agents had booked for us to stay in lodges but that turned out not to be case. I was worried because I don't like English creepy crawlies very much and Australian ones are poisonous).

We stopped at an interpretation centre outside Darwin and then drove for a long time to reach Kakadu National Park where the first thing we did was go on a crocodile cruise. I was very nervous as the French tourists in the group did not stay seated or keep their arms in the boat as they were told to and I thought it might capsize. Crocodiles can also leap a long way out of the water. Then a big male crocodile blocked part of the river and we had to wait for him to move before we could return.

The aboriginal rock art at Ubirr Rock was much less scary but it was dark by the time we got to the campsite. It was a bit of a shock after staying in 4* hotels but at least the tents were permanent ones with hard floors and proper beds and mattresses.

There was a big thunderstorm that night so I didn't get much sleep.

Barnaby

Our guide, John, a Scot who has lived in Australia for years but still has a broad Scots accent, did all the driving and cooking as well as telling us about everything. We were the only British people on the tour: the others were Danish, Dutch and there were eight people from France