Day 157 19th July 2012

Day 157 Thursday 19^th July 2012.    

Up relatively early as we were going canoeing for half a day on the Katherine River.

Got our gear (ie life jackets, water proof barrels, etc…) and headed up the first Gorge. Vania and I hired single canoes and decided on ½ day paddle only. 

Well there is nothing better (hmm maybe there is) than sitting in a canoe that already has some water in it. Got my arse wet strait away first thing in the morning.  Paddling against the current and into a bit of a headwind got a little bit tiring at times, especially for me. Vania on the other hand is an experienced “paddler” as she often goes out from “Franganistan” with Craig and paddles a fair bit so this was a “walk in the park” for her.

It was absolutely wonderful on the river with the sun slowly rising over the gorge cliffs. It took us approximately 1.5 hours to get to the end of Gorge 1. Some of the paddlers were doing full day paddles so they left there “yellow” canoes at the end of Gorge 1, walked to start of Gorge 2 and picked up a “green” canoe to keep going. Vania and I “chilled” out for ½ an hour an observed “tourists” on the other bank who came up by boat and were having “breaky”. Felt like “crashing” and see if we could get some breaky as well.

The paddle downstream was easy. Basically the wind and the current did all the work. This is what I call “paddling”. It was surreal to simply float along in the peace and solitude of the River.  I was desperately trying to spot any fresh water crocs, but without any joy.

Afternoon saw us back in Katherine where I topped up more LPG gas and also bought a camper chair. We have managed to break 2 so far. Hopefully this one will last to the very end.

It was quite an experience trying to find an eatery in Katherine. The first place we went too was far too expensive (approx.. $20.00 for a hamburger), the next was a pub. Well we walked in and it only took 45.5 seconds before we turned around and walked out. The place was “full” of aborigines. The  only white person was the girl behind the bar, the music was extremely loud and the looks we got implied we should not have been in there. Sounds “racists” I know but both Vania and I felt extremely uncomfortable. Something very similar happened at the Katherine Hotel as well. The security guy actually suggested we go to the Country Club for a meal.

Taking his advice we went to the Country Club and had a great feed for a reasonable price.

Tomorrow we pack the caravan up again and off towards Litchfield National Park and then Darwin probably on the weekend. So once again cheers from Vania and Oscar. Till next time, take care.

PS To the "Bocskay" blog followers, this was a bit of "Dejavu", remember.

Fantastic scenery. The peace and quiet was amazing.

Paddling up stream, into a bit of a headwind.

End of Gorge 1. This is where Vania and I and I stopped.

It is because of these rocks and rapids (not shown in photo) that they didn't allow people to paddle between Gorge 1 and Gorge 2.

Simply "cruising" downstream. Great

One of the many boats that bring the "tourists" who can afford these extra activities.

Looking up at the cliffs. Some were 60-80 feet high in Gorge 1. Apparently Gorge 2 (where we walked to yesterday) has higher cliffs.

This is the start of Gorge 2. The "green" canoes are for Gorges 2/3. "Yellow" canoes are for Gorge 1 only.

View from end of Gorge 1.

View from inside a little cave that I paddled into. It was very "cool" in there.