Wet feet again

G'day Mates!

We hired a car to drive from Brisbane to Cairns. Luckily this worked out, as my translated drivers licence was expired because the Dutch Motor Association (ANWB) only gives out a translated version valid for one year, instead of the period of the official driving licence; the cheap bastards.

Down here are some amazing traffic signs, warning for kangaroos, koalas, floodings... Note the one warning public to clean your yard, to be prepared for storms (picture). We learned a new traffic rule: while in Europe you just quickly park wherever there is a spot before it's taken, here in some states that is not allowed, ending up in a parking ticket for parking the wrong way around (picture on the rental car). A great way to start of Valentines day... As there is a signs for just about anything except this, we founded this worth a trip to city hall and complain. After filling a file, stating that we are poor tourist and so on, we hope the ticket will be waived.

We made a stop in the Australian Zoo, founded by Steve Erwin (picture) (famous quotes: "Look at this!" & "It's Amazing"). However, as our expectations where higher and we did see and petted already kangaroos and Koalas, we moved on the Whit Sundays for a 3 day boat trip.

Whit Sunday is part of the Great Barrier reef: sailing, snorkeling and diving, it was all there. Being on the east coast, it is not recommended to swim without an anti-jelly-fish stinger suit (pictures). We did spot several sting ray, big turtles and sharks when the boat mate dropped us on a small island (pictures). The view at low tide, from up the hill is just stunningly beautiful (pictures). Or what about the sun set, this time from another island (picture). The sun power here is extreme, we are defending ourselves with a 1 liter, factor 50, can of sun screen lotion (picture). The quarter liter we bought before was finished in no time.

Driving further north we encountered some very heavy rain fall, it ended up in a, on 2 occasions, 20cm water layer on the main interstate high way. As we had a fully insured car, we drove on. From Cairns we took a plain to Darwin.

Darwin is a city in the tropics, with a rain season, as we would soon find out. We did a 3 day camping group tour with a big 4 wheel truck. Speaking about water on the road... (pictures). Also the camp site road turned into a river (picture). But all this water does end up in beautiful waterfalls and on some places we could even swim (pictures). Spotted a dingo in the bush as well.

In Kakado National Park there was a boat tour. The water level was already 2 meter higher than in the dry season, leading to lots of flooded places, all because of rain fall. See for example the road sign that is now in the water. On the, in the dry season, parking space, we spotted a huge salt water crocodile (picture). Fresh water, but salt water croc? That's right, even though this was a fresh water area, a salt water croc can live there. Not 100% sure why, the Aboriginal guide had a huge Aussie accent. After seeing that, we take those warning signs about crocs (picture) much more serious. Kakado park is also home to some great rock formations, with super views (picture) and Aboriginal art (picture). Some art as old as 60.000 years.

Now on route to Perth, till the next update.....