Heading South

This Indian family had come from Darwin for the Hot Springs.  Religion forbids them to be undressed (as in bathers) in front of each other and us.  So they all got in in their clothes and saris.

We are now heading down from Darwin to Katherine.  From Katherine we will make our way across to the W.A. Border.   We camped up for the night at Douglas Hot Springs.  This is a very popular place, especially for families on the long weekend.   The river itself is very unattractive.  In fact, it had only been opened to the public for two weeks when we arrived.  The water had been too high and a few freshwater crocs.  There was at least one here when we were in the water but we didnt spot him.  They stay away from you if they can.   You wonder whats all the fuss about this place?   But then you enter the water.  There is very hot water bubbling out of the sand - in some places the water is almost scalding as you cross, some waterpools are hotter than hot and then the river runs cold.   The two extremes then meet and if you sit just in the right spot, you can enjoy a hot bath, a warm bath and cold bath, all without moving a muscle.   It is the craziest sensation and we ended up sitting in the river for more than 3 1/ hrs. having happy hour drinks because we were there and felt it appropriate.   We wanted to visit Butterfly Gorge here but the road has been closed all year because it is still too wet and wont be open until some time this month.  Next time for that one.

We then took a drive out to one of the World War 2 airstrips that dot this region.  Here is the "graveyard" for many of the bombers that were bombed on the airfield by the Japanese or suffered damage during their flights.   Sadly, most of the significant aircraft were removed by scrap dealers and of course souvineer hunters over the years since the war.  But it was very interesting to just see the size of the runway and imagine how important this place would have been in the defence of Darwin by both the Aust and USA Air Forces bk in 1942.  This is us in formation on  7,200 ft long runway