4 x 4 to Jim Jim

The next morning we joined 3 other people for our 4 wheel drive adventure to Jim Jim Falls. It took about 2 hours of driving on roads like corragated iron to get to the car park were we set off for the walk into the falls. An easy walk into the halfway mark and a beautiful spot to stop and admire the waterhole - just asking to be swam in - but this time definitely not allowed as crocodiles do inhabit the area. We were advised here of the difficulties of walking in the rest of the way and as 3 of us had possible handicaps - dodgy legs - we decided to sit by the water and admire the view (away from the edge, of course) while the others - we had combined with 2 other groups in the carpark - went the rest of the way. Once there only one person took advantage of the crocodile free water (uphill again) and swam. The falls generally do not run in the dry season but there was still some water trickling over. Back at the car park we jumped into our cars again for the trip out where we stopped at Garnamarr camp for lunch. We also got to taste some real homemade aussie damper by the old bush guide who lived there. Yummy.

A little time to relax by the pool in Cooinda and then around 4.00pm it was back on the bus for the trip back to Darwin. A stop at the Bark Hut Inn for dinner and then it was non stop to the Mirrimbeena Hotel which was to be home for the next 2 days to finish our Top End adventure.

Back in Darwin we played tourist with a look around Fannie Bay, Nighcliffe & East Point. Lovely coastline with beautiful views over the harbour. On Friday we went to the Territory Wildlife Park. We got up close and personal with some of the animals we had seen over the last few days. The park is excellent and very easy to get around with a train doing regular trips to get people from place to place. The flight deck where you watch the big birds of prey being handled by 2 guides is great and the birds just magnificent. One of them just a little bit edgy when it saw Bill's Tripod. It doesn't mind cameras but apparently hates tripods. No-one knows why. Still he moved on to another bird that didn't seem to have the same reservations about his equipment. The crocodile in the wetland area was very big and with just a sheet of glass between it & you it gives you a nervous moment when it begins to move. The Sate Govt run the park and it is really worth a visit when you are in Darwin.

So with our time in the sun at an end it was time to head home once more, filled with memories of all the amazing places we have seen. Australia truly is an amazing country.

Once home (in the cooler weather) the washing waited - the one bit about holidays I don't like. Bill went back to work on Monday and I went the following week. More time to plan our next adventures back on home soil.

What have we been up too since then, you'll have to wait until next time....................