Well we’ve been here a few weeks now and still here – which apparently is a lot longer than the last couple! We had a pretty quiet Easter here they say compared to previous years due to the recent Cyclone which dumped heaps of rain and closed most of the roads in the area.  There are lots of small bus groups coming through now though and it’s interesting to see the mix up of the tourists on these and to meet the different tour bus drivers.  Some of the ones we have met so far are real characters and give you a good laugh.  The roadhouse provides a BBQ area and tables for the tour groups who in turn purchase drinks etc whilst they are here.  We also have a Dormitory where some of them stay overnight. Don’t mind these as they are easy to clean.

In the bar section of the Roadhouse we have ‘Colin’ the Crocodile.  Colin is a real drawcard and everyone loves to check him out.  Tony (boss) obtained a licence to have a crocodile and purchased Colin 1 only to find out he was a Salt Water Crocodile.  This would have been okay except he started to get quite aggressive and attack the tank whenever anyone went near it.  So he was relocated and they purchased Colin 2. 

To get around the park we have 2 x 4wd buggy’s.  On the back of one they carry a rifle “for emergencies”.  Nice look when it’s parked out the front of the roadhouse but I hope we don’t ever have a need to use it.  We all carry 2way radio’s when away from the shop as a caution.

We’ve met 2 of the local Park Rangers so far.  Joe is a regular here at the bar and brought his wife Carol and 3 boys in last night to meet us.  Billy is the other one but not so friendly – maybe needs to change his job!    Joe was showing us photo’s last night of some of the local waterfalls which he sadly tells us we won’t get to see when the waterfall is flowing as it doesn’t flow for long and by the time they clear the area of crocodiles so that tourists can come in the waterfall has stopped.  I’m trying to work on him to take us in there before they let the tourists in..

I'm writing this now on friday and this past weeks been a busier.  My daily walks having taken a bit of a change - on Tuesday I spoted signs of buffalo hanging around and then on Tuesday night the rangers told me they had to shot a buffulo during the day as it was attacking cars.  They then told me that last season Tony had one attack him in the caravan park area.  Needless to say this has curtailed my walks to staying within the immediate area around the roadhouse.  AND that rifle I mentioned above may come in handy afterall!!

We took a helicopter flight over Kakadu last week which was amazing.  The escarpment was stunning to look at from the air.  
Firstly we went over Ranger mine which is in the process of closing down.  Then we headed out to see five of the waterfalls.  I went pretty crazy with the photos but will post only a few for you to get the idea.  The pilot told us that once the falls are open to the public (still closed due to crocodile sightings) that they cannot fly over the falls themselves so we were glad that we did it now! It was a great day out.

Enjoying the flight

Escarpment

Jim Jim Falls

Twin Falls

Ranger Mine Kakadu

Twin Falls

   

The edge felt so close

The road below