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The crocs in Kakadu...

Diterbitkeun: 26.10.2018

On the next morning, I wake up very early - the night was okay, but restless - the air conditioning was quite loud... Without breakfast, I head towards Abirre - a large group of Kakadu's bid me farewell from my hotel.

Bye, bye they seem to shout to me...
Bye, bye they seem to shout to me...


After about a 40-minute drive past beautiful rock formations where many Aboriginal drawings can be found - just before Abirre (in the north of Kakadu) - I see a sign that says 'Cahill Crossing' - our guide had told me about it the day before.

Great rock formations...
Great rock formations...


He looks like a guardian...
He looks like a guardian...


It is a crossing that is also used by cars during the Dry Season, where there are said to be countless crocodiles - even on land. The current problem is that the crocodiles hardly come on land, because - just before the Rain Season - the water is so warm that they reach their comfort temperature of 31 degrees without lying in the sun...

Signs like this warn everywhere about the crocs
Signs like this warn everywhere about the crocs


And indeed - I go down a first path and already I see several crocodiles in the water - one of them seems to have just caught prey and I watch as it swallows the huge fish in the water.

Through the rainforest it goes down...
Through the rainforest it goes down...

...and as soon as I come down the path to the water...
...and as soon as I come down the path to the water...

...I already see my first big crocodile...
...I already see my first big crocodile...

Wow, now there
Wow, now there's action...

...to see live how a croc devours a fish is a special experience...
...to see live how a croc devours a fish is a special experience...


A smaller colleague watches...
A smaller colleague watches...


At the actual Cahill Crossing there are lots of crocodiles - I see up to 6 crocs in the water at the same time - cars drive through, often without taking notice of the crocs. Even large trucks thunder through... Finally one of the crocs takes pity and lays down in the middle of the crossing - it hears the next car long before I do and then immediately disappears back into the water...

The Cahill Crossing...
The Cahill Crossing...

...there are also huge trucks thundering through - of course only in the Dry Season...
...there are also huge trucks thundering through - of course only in the Dry Season...


Crocodiles everywhere...
Crocodiles everywhere...


...and their shadows...
...and their shadows...


One is also in full glory...
One is also in full glory...


One peeks out of the water...
One peeks out of the water...


And finally one goes straight into the Cahill Crossing...
And finally one goes straight into the Cahill Crossing...


...and basks there...
...and basks there...

When it hears the car coming, it disappears back into the deeper water...
When it hears the car coming, it disappears back into the deeper water...


Then I decide to drive a little further and make a stop at a remote boat jetty - at first I think there are no crocs... but then - when I look more closely on the other side of the river - I can't believe my eyes - there are 8 crocs in the shade... Each one bigger than the other...

Endlessly curved curves...
Endlessly curved curves...


Nothing to see at first...
Nothing to see at first...

But then...
But then...

Crocodiles everywhere on the riverbank...
...Crocodiles everywhere on the riverbank...


They enjoy the shade...
They enjoy the shade...


What a big boy... ;-))
What a big boy... ;-))

It is very hot and then I decide to retreat after about 1 hour. I drive back to Jabiru, where I have a very modest snack in the supermarket - unimaginable for us - not even a café for hundreds of kilometers...

Great rock formations again and again...
Great rock formations again and again...

...and long curved curves...
...and long curved curves...

...and rocks...
...and rocks...

...and even more rocks...
...and even more rocks...


It's 2:00 pm and I head south to take the alternative route (a gravel road) back to Darwin. In the 3 hours, I only encounter one car... ;-) This is probably the real wilderness of Australia - even the 2 points marked on the map do not appear. Instead, endless road and partly burnt soil. Luckily, I refueled in Jabiru...

Endless straight stretches of road...
Endless straight stretches of road...


...I pass bridges and swamp-like waters again and again...
...I pass bridges and swamp-like waters again and again...

And then only sand/stone tracks for over 100 km...
And then only sand/stone tracks for over 100 km...

...and very bizarre, partly
...and very bizarre, partly 'burned' soil...


When I finally see the highway, I'm not unhappy... It wouldn't be so great to have a breakdown out here... Shortly before 6:00 pm, I happily arrive back in civilization in Darwin.

It was great to be a guest of Crocodile Dundee :-))) !

Let's see what awaits me tomorrow on my last day in Down Under in Darwin.


Waleran