Litchfield National Park

First stop was the Territory Wildlife Park. Here we were able to get up close to snakes and saltwater crocs. I think I had just asked H to stop tapping on the 4.5metre croc's glass when the animal started snapping wildly. H's confident reassuring words as the rest of us instinctively flinch..."Don't worry! He can't bite me!"

After sleeping in an air-conditioned apartment in Darwin while several bursts of monsoonal rain bucketed onto our roofbag of bedding, we were a little nervous about opening it up to camp at Litchfield. We need not have worried though. The contents were dry. At least until the rain came and stayed for half a day solid. Three of us selfishly read our books while Hamish threw his little foam aeroplane around the tent. We all gained some insight into the experience of going 'troppo'..
When the rain finally cleared we walked over to Wangi falls. This beautiful spot was the scene of near disaster as a tourist from Japan started going under, then bobbing up for some exhausted swimming, then going under again for longer periods as a crowd of people gathered to watch (including the drowning guy's tour leader, who was angrily, and unhelpfully, hurling verbal abuse at him)! Will helped by giving his lifejacket to Matt, who swam over and successfully rescued the poor guy. Another worthwhile investment from our Occupational Health and Safety Officer.

The next day was spent at the natural playground of Buley's Rockpools at the top of Florence Falls. Hamish and Will had a wash in the waterfall, and we met a big lizard for lunch.. I mean AT lunch!