I am currently in Perth killing time until my flight to Singapore this evening. The end of my Australian adventure! I'm pretty upset to be leaving Oz but trying to get excited for Asia.

I haven't done much in Perth. On sunday I wondered around the city which didn't take long as there isn't really much to see. Yesterday I went on a say trip to The Pinnacles which is a series of limestone pillars created by erosion of thousands of years (its more interesting that it sounds!). This trip also included sand boarding and some 4WD driving on the sand dunes which was quite fun.

The real reason for this blog is that I realised I had only updated you all up to Alice Springs. After Alice we boarded the Ghan Train for the trip up to Darwin. The train was quite nice - plenty of leg room and the seats went right back (the trip was overnight). In the morning they stop in Katherine and organise some trips for everyone on board. I wanted to do the kayaking down Katherine Gorge but unfortunately all water based activities were off as there had been a crocodile sighting! So we just loitered in the town till we could get back on the train! Onwards to Darwin. There were threee people on the train who had also been on our trip so we all decided to get a taxi into the city rather than the shuttle bus as it would be cheaper, and this was advice given to us by the bus people. One and a half hours later we were wishing we hadn't listened! As was everyone else waiting for a taxi. In the end a woman who worked at the station had to phone the one and only taxi company and demand that they sent some right that minute. So we eventually made it into Darwin but not before I had got bitten to death by sandflies. My feet and legs are still scarred so I think my modelling days are well and truly over. After dum,ping our bags Tim and I decided to get some food. The nearest place was the casino so we headed there. Only to be told you weren't allowed in while wearing flip flops. In Darwin!!!!! Bizarre especially as Crown Casino in Melbourne is a lot flashier and they have no such problems. So we walked into the town, decided on a restaurant to be told they had stopped serving food already (it was 8pm!). Went to another one where there was an hour and a half wait (no wonder if everywhere else closes at 8pm). By this point I was already moaning that I absolutely hated Darwin. We eventually found a bar at a hostel that was still serving food.

The next day we "explored" Darwin which took about one hour as there is nothing there. So we went to this place called Crocodylus Park which is home to lots of crocodiles. It was quite good and we got to feed baby crocs chicken off a fishing rod. I had fun teasing the crocs with the food.

Next day we picked up our campervan and headed to the beach to see the Darwin Beer Can Regatta - a regatta of boats all built out of beer cans! Unfortunately the race wasn't on until the afternoon due to the tides but we still could look at all the boats. We then headed off to Kakadu National Park. Crossing the entry signs for the park and over a bridge we spotted our first wild croc! Quite exciting. We headed to a campsite and set up for the night before taking a walk along to the river through the bush. The river marks the border with Arnhem Land - traditional Aboriginal land and where you need a permit to visit. We couldn't have gone there anyway as you need a 4WD to access it. We didn't spot any crocs.

We headed back to the van, had some tea and I got eaten alive AGAIN! I clearly have very tasty blood.

Day 2 in Kakadu and we headed to a an area which has some good Aboriginal artwork and the rangers were giving talks which were quite interesting. We then climbed up this big rocky hill to get a nice view of Arnhem land. A whole busload of OAPs were there and Tim had to help three old ladies down!!! The next few days were spent mainly doing a few little walks, looking at cave paintings and being eaten by mossies. We also went on a Sunset rivercruise which was great and we saw loads of massive crocodiles. Also birds but they weren't really as interesting to be honest!

We left Kakadu and went to Mary River where I had read you could swim in the river and through rocks and things. However we were kind of put off by the crocodile trap with the kangaroo head hanging in it so we gave that a miss and headed instead to some natural hot springs. And they were hot!! Met some friendly people there who had quit there jobs and were travelling around Oz now there kids had all left home.

We spent the night there before heading to Lichfield National Park, which I much preferred to Kakadu. We could swim in lots of natural pools and lakes. One of the pools had only just opened again after being shut for a week due to a crocodile! After two days at the park we headed back to Darwin and our flight back to Melbourne.

More photos are here for you if you are interested! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2467260&id=61410081&l=e96b4323bc

And thats it - no more Australian updates. I will speak to you all from Asia

Kiera x