Day One of Road Trip

Turns out that Doug and Fellette DID manage to get online in Katherine. Here's their description of Day One...
Craig

Lazy start at 10 am. Off we go, heading south on the Stuart Highway. The first stop is Adelaide River where we visited the war cemetery prior to a bite to eat in this crazy bar/restaurant/motel/campsite. It is a watering hole for all people heading up or down this hot and formidable area. A stuffed water buffalo sits on the bar!



Next stop Pine Creek, a newly revived Canadian Gold mining venture bought the population to 600 from 200. I think it might have been hotter still. I hope the people living there want to be there, it would be terrible to have to be there against your will.


Next stop is Katherine. Now this was the most interesting of all. It appears to be an aboriginal centre. They seem to do what they have done for 40,000 years, sit about and wait for something??. It is a bit intimidating to walk by a group of them, men women, babies, youths etc. They, however, are not the least bit concerned about us. Maybe the white mans time in their area is just a little blip in their history, who knows? I found it very interesting. The merchants and shopkeepers are aware of how tourists look upon the town. I talked to a few, they are here because they fit in and love it. [My opinion.] This town was wiped out a few years ago by the river that rose 60 meters after surrounding areas received heavy rains. Around 5 we arrived at the Katherine Gorge for our Dinner Cruise. After a short boat ride we 'portaged up through a 600 meter canyon for another boat ride.



It was spectacular, it was a bit like Sedona in Arizona, with water, times 10. A walk back down the canyon to where our dinner boat was pulling in. Next we were served and spoiled with a fantastic dinner, with champagne etc. The native captain stopped the boat and for the next 1 1/2 hours we ate and talked in the most special of places as the sun went away and we were in silent darkness on the river. A magical moment Ian.


A short walk to the coach in pitch darkness and to our beds for the night that really looked beckoning. Knotts Crossing Resort. [Motel really.]

A fantastic day, made better by our tour leader Louis and expert driver-commentator, Kevin.


443 K's travelled. The weather was around 35c. [very hot.]