Position 12 25.5S 132 52.0E

In a park camp site called Merl.  We have been warned that the insects are really bad here so will wait and see what it’s like later on before we commit to staying more than one night.  Got this great shot of some sort of kite (I think) down from the border shop at the boat ramp on the East Alligator River.

In the afternoon we went on the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the east Alligator river. 

Billed as a ‘unique tour’ with an ‘aboriginal guide’ providing ‘insight into their culture – local mythology’. $%*^^$(& is all I can say.  We were on one of two cruise boats, one snaffled by a tour group and presumably with the knowledgeable aboriginal guide.  We had a young aboriginal who obviously didn’t know what his a^&* from his elbow and who was more interested in listening to his I-pod.   The two boats were supposed to be travelling together, but our chap just drove us up and down the river saying that the other guy had a lot of stories to tell.  Shame our guide hadn’t learnt them.  Got a great croc shot though.  Just like dogs they have to keep their mouths open to pant.  One of the ways you can distinguish between a freshwater and estuarine crocodile is that the later have their teeth overlapping jaws, not all the mouth.

Lots of debris in the river.

And up the banks from the previous wet season floods.

Great roots.

We stepped off in Arnhem Land – you can’t go there without a permit, but because we were on the ‘tour’ it was OK.

Paul standing in Arnhem Land.

This is a green ants nest – see all the leaves tied together.

We were also supposed to be treated to some gathering implements.  Going from L to R, spearhead, ironwood makings of a spear head, cutting tool, grinding stone.

Me getting hot.

Very hot.

And Paul

The other guide posing behind two throwing sticks on the left, and spears on the right.

Our guide is slouching behind.

About to demonstrate spear throwing.

His turn, can he remember what to do?

Bit of action from our chappie, he remembered to hang onto the spear thrower.