Kakadu

White-bellied sea eagle

Jacanas

Twin Falls

Jim Jim Falls

We were up at 6am for the Yellow Water boat cruise. It was a great time to be out on the water - still a comfortable temperature, the crimson sunrise and all the sounds of the abundant birdlife. Our guide was great - informative with a sense of humor. We saw heaps of birds and a few crocodiles. When we got to the resort we all filled up at the buffet breakfast. We then got organized to go to Jim Jim and Twin Falls which is 60km on dirt road before and another 10km of sandy 4WD tracks. Access to Twin Falls was by a boat shuttle service and a walking track over boulders to a boardwalk. Rick and I remember swimming up the gorge when we were here 19 years ago. Apparently the water quality was deteriorating with the amount of people. The falls were flowing a little. We took some photos and wet ourselves under the pump showers which were provided on the boardwalk to make up for being unable to swim. It was hot. We then made our way to Jim Jim Falls which involved a 2km walk through monsoon forest and over boulders. The last section got rather difficult for the kids. It was all worth it when we got to the plunge pool surrounded by the spectacular 150m high cliffs. The falls are not flowing this time of year. We had a lovely time and best of all there were very few people around. We started heading back. At the campground two French girls asked us for a lift back to their van which they had left back at the main road 60km away. It was quite late by this stage so we would be one of the last cars heading out. I sat in the back with the kids and they both squashed together on the passenger seat. They were very thankful.  Caitlin made the observation that when the German guy asked us for a lift earlier today Dad made him stand on the tow bar to cross the croc infested river but he then let the two French girls sit in the front!