More Kakadu

After a night in an extremely basic lodge (there was a dingo roaming around outside when I got up for a pee in the night - and we were warned to beware of snakes!) we set off on another longish drive to the rocks at Ubirr. This by way of the Ranger Uranium mine - from a comparative distance. This is one produces some 7% of the worlds uranium supply... Evidently well run and more eco-aware than many other mining projects: their waste water is actually cleaner than the town supply!

The rock paintings I saw both days reminded me somewhat of those I have seen in France, but then I suppose there is a stylistic simlicity about a lot of primitive art that seems reminiscent... Also, the very rocky landscape was not unlike that of Corsica (also a very prehistoric place).


The figure here is a 'sickness' figure, with joints swollen, warning people of sickness in the area. It's interesting that these figures are found at sites where it is now known that uranium is in abundance in the rock...


There was another boat trip in the afternoon, but with less wildlife to look at (apart from crocs). But we did get a demo of aboriginal spear throwing. Their spears are very light and 'wobble' in flight. This has particularly nasty consequences for the prey at the wobble makes the spear blade slice into and through the body most effectively! Also, aborigines do not punish their youngsters (well, only very rarely); they punish the PARENTS if the child misbehaves as it is the parents' fault the child has not been brought up properly. What an estimable idea!!!

The temperature up in Darwin was blissfull: about 30/33C during the day and 23/24C at night. Now THAT's what I call a comfortable temperature!