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Published: August 20th 2010
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PA & MALI
WHAT A BEAUTY OF A PHOTO After Darwin we said goodbye to Dad and headed for KAKADU National Park. Completed an amazing walk up to a place called Urbiru with incredible views over the wetlands. A ranger talked about some of the rock art and the lesson and law behind some of the artwork which was very interesting. We slept amongst the howl of Dingo’s every night concreting the fact that we really were out in the sticks.
The magic of Kakadu slowly crept up on us, it wasn’t immediate but looking back on the experience witnessed some of the most beautiful scenery on the trip. The mixture of palms, ferns, gum trees surrounded by wetlands, loads of different species of birds chattering early morning, the billabongs with crystal clear emerald water and the waterfalls all connected up to bring about the magic that is Kakadu.
We cruised ‘Yellow Water’ on sunset with about 50 other people. Seen Jabiru’s up close (which apparently is rare) and many crocodiles. Two hour Cruise and as Mali could only sit for around 10 minutes made friends with half of the boat including a little five year old girl.
Next stop was MATARANKA on the Stuart Highway (with its claim
KAKADU
CHECKY BOY to fame the thermal springs and the Australian classic ‘We of the never never’.
We did go for a lovely swim, Mali loved the warm water and it was our chance to get clean. We left feeling refreshed and calm and went to the bistro for dinner.
I hate talking about this next stage and don’t think I will visit Mataranka any time soon (maybe never). I get a terrible feeling in my gut and of course very glad all turned out well. So, the story goes Mali stepped and fell down three concrete stairs and hit his head. He screamed at first then fell unconscious for a couple of seconds, twice. He had a blank look on his face went limp and then tense at which time I screamed for some one to help. People came running from all directions, an ambulance was called and Mali was monitored by some of the people with medical experience. Mali screamed and then cried and cuddled into me for what seemed like an eternity waiting for the Ambulance, which then took Mali and I to the clinic in town. Colin followed us in his car.
It was then advised by a Katherine
YELLOW WATER
CRUIZIN THE BILLABONG Hospital Doctor that Mali be transported by ambulance to Katherine for further observations, 110km’s north. He also stated that Mali will need to be put in a head and neck brace and strapped to the bed with a canula inserted into his vein in case medical intervention was needed on the trip.
Well the Ambo tried inserting the canula twice with out any luck and then the head and neck brace went on and for the next hour up to Katherine, Mali screamed like never before. What needs to be understood is Mali is the last child to be strapped in; his need for movement is extreme. It was the worst thing that could have been done to him, and it nearly did him in (and me). He vomited just as we arrived at Katherine and was rushed into emergency with an over stressed nurse compounding the situation. A very sensible women doctor quickly realised the stress on Mali and immediately took the brace off. He instantly stopped screaming and everyone felt sudden relief at the silence. All three of us slept in the children’s ward that night for observations. Next day while we waited for the doctor all morning
the nurse hijacked Mali, and showed him around the ward. Everything turned out and around lunch time headed for Tennant Creek.
Stayed for a week in TENNANT CREEK, which went quickly. Checked out the various old mines around town during the day and went 4WDriving, Colin in his element. Dad was our tour guide and I would have happily paid good money for the experience. Dad took Mali off for short walks telling him stories of the old days, while Mali listened and communicated with the occasion grunt.
We put up our tent at the ‘Outback Caravan Park’ paid for one night and mentioned the possibility of more. Every couple of days Colin would go in and pay for more nights. The last time he went in the receptionist response was “Oh, what’s happened have you had car troubles” She couldn’t quite understand why we would stay for so long. Oh, she also suggested we move our tent as the grass underneath would die off (we didn’t). When we told Dad, he was horrified and said that Tennant Creek got a lot of shit-stoppers not realising there is much more to see in town (sound familiar ??).
The other
CRUZE
MALI STOLE A GUYS HAT & LOVED THE CHASE good news is the government is releasing 54 land blocks for future house development in September at auction, it hasn’t happened in 30 years and Dad is set to buy, hopefully all goes well.
So we said a sad goodbye to Dad, see you at Christmas time.
Love to you all; the saga continues.
Hope you are enjoying the read. Next stop the gem fields and Arltunga, east of Alice Springs.
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