From Crocodile Dundee to the real thing.  That was today's adventure.  Yesterday's walk and swim at Gunlom Falls was so good we all packed early and made our way up to the falls again this morning.  This time we ventured into the top pools which were just as spectacular.

What I didn't realise was this was the location where many of the scenes from Crocodile Dundee were filmed, in particular the scene where he pretends to tell the time by looking at the sun, them sneaks a peak at his watch.  Luckily there are no crocs up this high, as we spent the morning lazing around in the water and on the rocks wishing we could stay another day.  Everyone agreed - this took the prize for best swimming hole ever.

But unfortunately the tour had to move on making our way in to the real heart of KAK-A-DUUUUU!

Like Uluru, this wetland oasis has always been on my must do places to visit. However I have read some quotes saying "They should call it Kaka-don't. It's not worth going. Go to Litchfield. That's much better." The newspaper recently reported a significant decline in visitor numbers.  Despite this, I had to discover for my self if this place was as impressive as the postcard. And so far I have joined the Kaka-DO brigade.

Having stopped for lunch with some termites we made camp at Cooinda.  Not a bush camp but luckily we got a nice shady unpowered site in the park.

Then a sunset cruise in the Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu's most impressive wetland that is fed from a tributary of the South Alligator River.  It is interesting to note that it is called the Alligator River when we don't have alligators.  Those early explorers will confuse generations of children forever.

I was happy to just experience the prolific bird life including the most impressive of birds - the Jabiru (black necked stork) with its piercing yellow eyes, blue plumage and long legs that would make any female proud.

The kids however had one thing in mind - to see one of our most formidable prehistoric beast, the apex predator - Crocodylus porosus.  Or in summary - "a salty"!

Cruising along the mirror like water with the water lilies and swamp grasses slowly rippling in the boat wake you would catch the unmistakeable tooth ridges and 2 eyes protruding from the water - motionless - waiting for a fish, bird or an unsuspecting tourist putting their arms too far out of the boat.  Others were basking in the sun on the banks of the river mouth agape revealing large bloody teeth that would be a dentists best friend.  In total the kids counted 10 salties.

We slowly made our way back as the sun disappeared behind the wetland and the silhouette of the last birds making their way to roost passed overhead.  

What another great way to end the day.  This is the life.