aboriginal rock art

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More Australian Reflections with Zeb and Eider Part II

Driving through Broome, we entered the Kimberley.   Derby is one of the major cities here.   We loved Derby but we were fascinated by the Boab Tree.   This is the Boab Prison Tree.

Prison Boab Tree

Prison Boab Tree

Legend says that prisoners we put inside this tree at night, while being transported to Derby.    That is rather scary.   Back in Broome, Cable Beach is a wonderful place.   A meal or snack at Zander’s on the beach and fabulous sunsets viewed from a camel create unforgettable memories.

So cool

So cool

At Broome’s Town Park we were fortunate to witness Stairway to the Moon.

Stairway to the Moon in Broome, Western Australia

Stairway to the Moon in Broome, Western Australia

This experience is also forever in our memory.   Australia has many beautiful national parks.  There are over 500 Australian national parks.   In Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory we gazed at Aboriginal Rock Art

Aboriginal rock art

Aboriginal rock art

and watched huge crocodiles.

A really big crocodile at Kakadu

A really big crocodile at Kakadu

Thankfully the crocodiles were more interested in the warm sun than tasting Colorado Traveling Ducks.  We rode the Ghan, Australia’s other main railroad, to the red center of Australia.   Another fascinating train ride.   We believe sunrise at Kata Tjuta was beautiful.

Sunrise over Kata Tjuta

Sunrise over Kata Tjuta

Uluru, formerly called Ayers Rock, is huge.

Not just a smooth rock

Not just a smooth rock

Scientists say most of the rock, or monolith,  is still underground.   The above ground height is 863 meters or 1,141 feet.   More than that amount is still hidden underground.   Next we took a public bus to Coober Pedy.   This opal mining town celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Coober Pedy celebrates 100 years

Coober Pedy celebrates 100 years

Inside an opal mine, the opal is beautiful in the rock.

Opal still in rock

Opal still in rock

Just waiting to be mined.     Much of this town is underground, living in cave live areas.   The Underground Serbian Orthodox Church was spectacular.

From church balcony

From church balcony

A short flight to Adelaide and we rode another bus into the wine country.   Here we saw beautiful countryside and, of course, tasted some good wine.

Wine was sampled at Henry's Drive Winery

Wine was sampled at Henry’s Drive Winery

Our time in Australia was so much fun.   Tomorrow we will finish our reflections of our wonderful vacation.

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Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory

Zeb and Eider are in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia.   This park is huge.   It is 20,000 square kilometers, or 8,000 square miles of varied Australia landscape.   First we walked

Hiking in Kakadu National Park

Hiking in Kakadu National Park

to see some Aboriginal Rock Art.

Aboriginal rock art

Aboriginal rock art

Our National Geographic guide book says humans were here more than 20,000 years ago.   This sign explains what we are seeing.

With a yam?

With a yam?

Here is some art.

We admire this aboriginal rock art

We admire this aboriginal rock art

This one is also interesting.

Aboriginal rock are

Aboriginal rock art

Now we are getting on another boat.

We love river boat rides

We love river boat rides

We love these boat rides.   There are so many of these brown, wood ducks.

So many ducks along the river bank

So many ducks along the river bank

Aren’t these flowers in the lily pads beautiful?

We like lily pads and bright flowers

We like lily pads and bright flowers

We really like them.   Kakadu National Park is home to both salt water and fresh water crocodiles.   We believe this is a fresh water crocodile.

A really big crocodile at Kakadu

A really big crocodile at Kakadu enjoying the sun.

This bird seems to be looking for a snack.

Bird seems to want a snack

Bird seems to want a snack

He caught a fish and is trying to position the fish so he can eat now.

Now, how to eat this fish

Now, how to eat this fish

Kakadu National Park has 290 species of birds and 74 species of reptiles.   There are also more than 1,600 species of plants and over 52 different types of fish.   Today we saw so many birds.   These white birds are great.

Pretty white birds

Pretty white birds

These white and grayish blue birds are also wonderful.

The beaks match the wings

The beaks match the wings

We really like their beaks.   This looks like a type of eagle.

Type of eagle?

Type of eagle?

After our boat trip, we visited the Warradjan Aboriginal Culture Center.

Cultural Center at Kakadu

Cultural Center at Kakadu

The aboriginal calendar at Kakadu shows 6 seasons.

Six seasons here. We are enjoying the dry season.

Six seasons here. We are enjoying the dry season.

The cultural center was very interesting, but photos were not allowed in many exhibits.   If you go, we think you would enjoy the center.    Before we leave Kakadu National Park, we want to remind you that no boat ride here would be complete without a pelican.

Always admire pelicans

Always admire pelicans

Australia’s Northern Territory is so wild and seems to be as it was thousands of years ago.   When you go, you will feel the difference in the Northern Territory.   We did.