11 March 2016:-AUSTRALIA & NZ :- Jabiru>>Darwin Airport

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND :- Jabiru>>Darwin Airport

6th Day  : 11.03.2016

I woke up around 07:30 and prepared my luggage. I put them all into the car. I gave the key back to the reception and left my Kakadu Lodge. Those who look for luxury they might feel themselves unhappy in the Kakadu Lodge. But do not overestimate Jabiru. There are maybe 3-4 accommodation possibilities there and the other best looking one is the so-called “Crocodile Hotel” and I think is almost similar.

I drove to the town. As per the suggestions of the guy at the reception I stopped at the Kakadu Bakery. I saw there a lot of people from my Lodge. This bakery is very good for the breakfast.

They make toasts with bacon, egg, cheese, and they do have also some other premade stuff like

Croissants, sausage rounds, éclairs, bakes with cheese and olives etc. There is also a big area in the front yard where the customers can eat and chat under a protective shade of a tent.

Kakadu Bakery, Jabiru:- The only place to have breakfast

I made a small round tour with my car in the town. There is a small lake and houses around it.

I did not see any people. Jabiru is a secret town for me. I need to understand the situation there.

There should be Aboriginals but they are not easy to meet. Driving in one of the streets of the town I saw a sign: “Restricted Access-For authorized people only”. I think that this street ends up where there the Aboriginal Community. Interesting! Such a restriction in such a country where there is freedom and variety of people living under democratic rules and relations. I feel that there is invisible wall in between the native people of this country.

After finishing the tour in the town I headed to the Kakadu HWY. My aim is today to use the south route which is 2 times longer than the northern route. Today I will make two edges of the triangle

(look at the map!) The first part is around 230 kms up to Pine Creek and then I have the other edge on the Stuart HWY which is around 250 kms.

On the way to Pine Creek I drove into the Nourlangie Rock area. I climbed up the rock. It something around 60-70 meter in height and easy to climb. Took around 10-15 minutes to the top.

At the Nourlangie, 25 km from Jabiru

           

Wide are of Nourlangie, Jabiru

At the top of the short climb, Nourlangie

After having some pictures of nature and the surrounding rocky sites I came down to my car.

It is as always hot and humid. For those who are interested in this trip they should take a few

T-shirts to change during the day.

I drove further. My next stop is at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center. It is a place about

4-5 (?) km outside the route. Film and photography taking is strictly forbidden. There are three halls in the building. The first two is decorated as a gallery for Aboriginal Arts works and genuine products. The pictures and the habits of them is explained in both languages, Aboriginal and English. “Ginga” means “salt water crocodile”, and “An-Yum (?)” means “good food”. So far, I understand there are a lot of “g” in the Aboriginal language.

In the last hall there is a shop for the art works and pictures. Too expensive, but.

I drove further in the National Park in the direction to the Pine Creek. From time to time kangaroos are crossing the way. They are jumping on their powerful rear legs and tails. It is impossible to take picture of them because they are running away immediately.

The surrounding trees and bushes are everywhere same. Since the beginning of the Kakadu National Park I see (?) trees and bushes. All green but mostly with their black stem. These is very typical for this area which is in water when it is “Wet Season” (between November and April).

To have a refreshment drink I stopped at the Mary River Roadhouse which is exit of the NP.

Later on, I arrived at Pine Creek. It was 12:30 and I had to stop for the lunch. I drove into the town and bought some fuel for the car and also some “fuel” for myself. I ate at Mysson (?)

Steakburger and small cup of fried chips. I drank also half a pint beer. All cost 20.-AUD.

It is very typical for a moderate lunch of this kind someone should consider 20.-AUDs.

1 AUD is equal to 0.75 USD (roughly).

After the lunch I stopped in the town Adelaide River. This town is at the river of Adelaide and there is also a war cemetery. To see it someone must drive approx. 1 km away from the main road.

Just to see the view at both sides of the road, the nature, the trees, the flowers and lots of families of kangaroos it is worth to drive there.

 

         

Then I came back to the Adelaide Lodge (?) located just beside the main road. I bought a “long” café in order to get rid of my sleepiness. After ½ an hour rest I was again on the road heading to Darwin Airport.

I arrived at the “short term” parking lot at the airport. 2 hours earlier thou. We had agreed with the Bargain Car Rental Company for 19:00 o’clock. I changed my clothes at the side of the car and re-arranged my luggage and checked carefully inside of the car. Because I had been instructed for leaving the car there and with the key and parking ticket locked in the glovebox.

As I entered the Departures Hall of the airport I recognized that the flight is delayed 2 hours. As usual with the flights all over the world. This is a good opportunity for me to work on the travel log.

We have been taken into the air plane around 21:50 and the flight is shifted to 22:05 instead of 20:15.