I called the airport the first thing in the morning to see if we could go for a flight, and we went back on the plane.  Even though we did a B-line to the falls we were able to get another good look at Kakadu since the falls were at the furthest point of the flight tour.  The weather was much better today and we were able to see Jim Jim and Twin Falls in all their beauty.  The flight is a definite must in Kakadu during the Australian summer months since there is no access to most sites.  The flight was the highlight of Kakadu for all of us.

Jim Jim Falls

Twin Falls

After the flight we drove down to Cooinda, had lunch, and went on the Yellow Water River Cruise.  There are 2 entrances for this cruise one for the summer and one for winter, because of the varying water levels during these two seasons.  On the cruise we were really able to see the sheer amount of water.  When we went by the second dock only the handrails were peeking through the water.  This cruse is very different in the summer and winter.  During the winter the main attraction are crocodiles, which we unfortunately did not see. Now the river was too wide and the water was spread out.  Since crocs like to be near dry land they go to the edges of the river, and therefore, they can be seen during the winter since the river is much narrower and they have to be near water to survive.  The flooded landscape, though, is very beautiful and to see the difference between the seasons (since it was obvious to see where the river was in dry season) was the most fascinating for me.

The flooded land and railings

There were also many different and interesting birds such as king fishers, darters, sea eagles, and jacanas or as most people like to call them, Jesus birds, since they seem to be able to walk on water.  We also saw a Jabiru’s nest which was huge, but no Jabiru.

A Darter drying its wings

After the cruise we noticed that large green ants had tried to take over our car but luckily it was bigger than they were so we quickly got in hoping they wouldn’t get inside and drove off.  We drove south through the park towards the other exit and those ants clung onto anything they could find.  Many found refuge from the wind in the side mirrors.  We stopped at the Bukbukluk Lookout and after just getting out of the car it started to rain.  My dad turned back, but Hendrik and I decided to go to the lookout since it was only a short distance from the car park.  Just as we reached the lookout it began to properly pour and we were soaked in no time.  The rain felt nice in the humid weather since it was warm and at least we got to physically experience the wet season.  Of course, there was nothing to see at the lookout because of the storm.  When we came back to the car, it had stopped raining and some of the ants were still there crawling on our car.

Ants on our car

All throughout the park were huge termite mounds which were really impressive because of their size and the number of them in Kakadu.  Close to the exit of the park I took a picture with one.

Then we drove back to Darwin.  It was a very quiet drive on a straight road and we hardly passed another car.  That evening we saw the most spectacular sunset in the abandoned wilderness from the road.

Today was an early rise to get to Kangaroo Island. I was excited about this trip because a part of December Boys was filmed there and it looked absolutely amazing in the film. Hendrik’s parents had booked SeaLink’s one day tour of Kangaroo Island Highlights. The day began well with a coach transfer to the ferry.  On the way I took a nap but also saw lots of kangaroos in the fields. The ferry ride was long and boring but I knew the best was yet to come.

When we got on our coach on Kangaroo Island I was a bit disappointed to see that 95% of the people on it were over the age of 55 and the only seats available were way in the back so we took the last row so we could all sit together.

Then the tour began. Our guide, Les, was born and raised on Kangaroo Island and he used to be a farmer so he talked a lot about canola, the crop that grows on Kangaroo Island. He pointed out every single yellow field and said that’s canola. He also talked about Kangaroos and said the best way we could get close and personal to one was if the driver ran over one and hopefully we would be able to do this. Luckily we saw no Kangaroos on Kangaroo Island, and therefore, the bus didn’t have to hit one. Hendrik, his parents, and I were completely stunned. We were tourists and were hoping to see plenty of the jumping critters on Kangaroo Island, that’s the name of the island, but apparently Les had already run them all down. Then he continued to talk about the feral cats and the problem they cause to farmers and described how the farmers kill the cats in detail. He said he would love to give us each a gun and set us off to kill the cats around the island. I was completely in shock at this point.

The group slowly making its way down to the beach

Our first stop was Seal Bay where we could go down to the beach with a guide; at least it wasn’t Les, to see Australian Sea Lions so it was interesting. The only problem was that with such a huge group of old people it took about 10 minutes for everyone to get off the bus, and we were last. Then they walked at a snail’s pace down to the beach. I’d never seen sea lions in the wild before so it was a cool experience.

Sea lion

Then it was back on the bus so Les could point out some more canola fields and also bee hives. There were many bee hives on the island and because of their purity in genes they are famous for their honey. It was great once, but I didn’t think “expert commentary” included three or four times telling us to look at an old tattered wooden box. Then we had lunch and after lunch we attended the birds of prey live show. I’d seen many bird shows before but I enjoyed this one because people from the audience were allowed to grab a glove and let the bird rest on their hand. I’d never held a wild bird so I thought that was neat and this made it the best bird of prey show I’ve ever seen.

Next we stopped at the remarkable rocks, the set for the scene in December Boys. I was disappointed when Les said we had to be back on the bus in 21 minutes. That meant by the time I got off the bus I’d have 11 minutes for a mad dash to the rocks take some pictures and then a mad dash back, and that’s exactly what it was. Yes, I thought the rocks really were remarkable and wish I’d had more time to explore them.

Me pretending to be a December Boy

Then we headed to Admiral’s Arch where we only had 15 minutes to check out the famous rock formation. I was glad that I knew that if the passengers went down to Admiral’s Arch then no way would they make it in 15 minutes so this allowed for at least 25 minutes. Some of the slower passengers took Les so seriously that they didn’t even go down the ramp and stairs to see Admiral’s Arch and fur seals.

Admiral's Arch

Then we were taken to Flinders Chase National Park souvenir shop where we were given a good half hour to make purchases which I wouldn’t dare to make and give Les commission. Our last stop was to see a koala. Koalas live on the island and we went to a spot where we were guaranteed a sighting. We drove slowly by, and I spotted a koala in a tree and shouted out that there was a koala. Other people saw it too and started yelling to stop. Les was confused and asked, “did someone see a koala?” to which the whole bus yelled, “yes!” The bus stopped and after Les finally saw it he said, “Well I found you a koala.” I wanted to punch him right then and there. At least I can say that I’ve seen a koala in the wild.

Koala

Then we had the bus ride to the airport since Hendrik’s parents booked the option to fly back to Adelaide. Les had already pointed out every canola field and bee box on the island so there was nothing left for the funny man except to tell jokes. These jokes were cringe worthy and involved old women and condoms. They were dirty embarrassing jokes that made me feel surreal. I couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. That money was paid to sit on a bus and listen to this dribble. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse Les decided to entertain us with the Aussie folk song Waltzing Matilda, and not by playing a tape on the stereo but by singing it himself. He went through the first verse and refrain where I thought he’d stop but no he continued with his painfully raspy tone-deaf voice. Now this song had 4 verses not to mention the refrain between each verse, and I was already completely mortified. So when he continued Hendrik yelled, “Shut up.” I was so proud I started to applaud and others chuckled.  Les did stop singing which was definitely good, but then proceeded to analyze and explain every word of the song all four verses of it. I understood why the tour guide next to us who was with a small group who was on our tour played his mp3 player for this last leg of the journey.

The airport couldn’t have come soon enough and once we arrived we just bolted in only to be told that the company had confused our dates and there was no airplane for us. We were blown away yet again and just went off to the lady how horrible this whole tour had been. It wasn’t her fault but we needed to vent at someone and she was very understanding and lovely. She couldn’t move us to the other company’s plane because it was full so they had to call a plane from Adelaide. While we waited for 1.5 hours in the tiniest airport imaginable, the lady gave us cookies, tea and coffee. Finally, just as the sun was setting the tiniest airplane arrived and we could finally leave Kangaroo Island.

The plane

The airplane home was by far the highlight. It was the smallest airplane I’d ever been in and only seated 4 and the pilot gave us the safety briefing outside which we all found humorous and took pictures. At least the airplane ride redeemed some of the day because it was spectacular.

Safety Breifing

If anyone reading this is planning a day tour to Kangaroo Island do yourself a favor and do not go with SeaLink. It was absolutely the worst tour I’ve ever been on and I’ve been on many. If you do go with SeaLink and your guide is Les, run.

Sunset over Kangaroo Island