Paintings @Kakadu

We have enjoyed the last few days exploring Kakadu. We quickly worked out that any outdoor activity is best done before 11am and after 4pm when the heat is not as intense. In the middle of the day we sat in the shade and did school work or played games and tried to stay cool.

The park rangers give talks about paintings or other info at various sites in the park which we really enjoyed hearing.
The first site we visited we saw a drawing of the rainbow serpent at a site used for educating girls in early adulthood. Emily has written the story down for future reference.
The next site was a rocky overhang traditionally used as a school room. Oliver enjoyed the story about two sisters who played string games by the river and were eaten by a croc- a story told to warn children that crocs can be in any water. He got to hold a crocodile skull too.
There were great 360 degree views from the lookout over the wetlands. It must be quite a sight at the end of the wet season covered in lilies.

Later that day we went down to the Alligator river for a touch of croc spotting. The growth along the river was like a very dense rainforest. It was quite spooky as the trees were full of Flying Foxes making an enormous racket! There were also lots of colourful butterflies and mozzies! We spotted lots of crocodiles as they headed up river for feeding time at high tide- they were very big!

We started one morning with a visit to the crocodile shaped Holiday Inn for buffet breakfast. Kids ate for free and ours certainly made the most of the opportunity. We all laughed when a very full Abigail asked, "If I do 100 jumps will there be room in my tummy for some grapes?" as she began jumping.

Bruce and Oliver went on a Yellow Water cruise yesterday and saw lots of birdlife and more crocodiles up close. Bruce took lots of great photos too.

Today we visited some more rock galleries and saw paintings of people dancing, animals, The Lightning Man and others and heard some more stories about the results of breaking tribal laws.
It has been great to see and learn a little of the history and culture of Kakadu.