Geo: -25.2451, 130.986Well here we are in the middle of May. May 16, 2016 and Mac is 60. Yipee. Like all good 60 year olds he has been celebrating all month so how could this day be any better.We continued our commitment to sunrises and after a quick little rip and tear of the birthday paper, Mac was greeted by Lewis and the group with warm birthday wishes. Another sunrise this morning, complete with a little cloud cover to add a bit of variety to the show. There were group poses and yoga poses as we hugged the side of the road for this morning's light show that encompassed the horizon as well as the reflections on both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.The real adventure however, was just around the corner. The 10 km complete base walk. ... read more

Geo: -25.2451, 130.986So, yesterday was about minimalist David but today was about loquacious John. Every twist and turn, rock and rubble, waterfall, tree or animal had a story. The 380 km journey just disappeared under the rhythm of his voice.We did hear the same departure joke about "the Todd River being so crystal clear you could see the sandy bottom" but that was the end of the similarities in commentary.And have to say we do lap up the stories and facts. Although, continue to think that we need to be mindful that there are versions of the "facts" and some elements, like the 28 kg feral cat, could be whoppers gone into overdrive.John arrived dead on time which was handy because it was 6 degrees outside and we could not believe our luck. We were first ... read more

Geo: -23.7004, 133.881Was it the best night's sleep ever? Not really but so much better than our China train experience. And the luxury of the sunrise from our own viewing windows was worth it. And to be honest, there was another bunk above the 3/4 bed, but I had rejected that one out of hand just to have the fun of making the one bed option work. It was a little bit funny at 2.30 when I had to clamber over Mac for the nightly toilet run, but with a bit of a giggle and a stretch it all worked out.We had to repack everything ready to disembark after breakfast at Alice Springs. We are getting good at this light weight overnight option. The total trip on The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide is a three ... read more

Geo: -13.1567, 130.77On the road again, actually on the "same" road again, but this time in a smaller 21 seater AATKings coach. A very intimate little squeeze to get us out to Litchfield National Park via Northern Territory's tidiest town in 1999, Batchelor. (It does make you wonder who has been the winner for the last 16 years.)Our coach captain today was Cameron and he looked 12 (with a beard) but says he finished high school 8 years ago and is a born and bred local who grew up in Palmerston. Unlike his peers, he has not "escaped" from Darwin, preferring to stay in the top end. He did a great job and looked after everyone and provided some "local" perspective on stories including telling some "whoppers" just to see if we were listening.Distance, distance and ... read more

Geo: -14.4657, 132.264Another classic day at the top end. We are big fans of Kakadu. Saw it yesterday from the air and today we joined a cruise of the Alligator River to get up close and personal with the wetlands before heading off to Katherine. Not a bad pair of book ends to celebrate Mother's Day.It was a 7.45 muster at the bus and agedMac had trouble with the time again and we only just made it by the skin of our teeth. But make it we did and our 17 fellow travellers were seated and ready to go for our first stop at Nourlangie Rock for a look at the second collection of Aboriginal art in the rock gallery. There are only three viewing sites open to the public in Kakadu and we have visited ... read more