A lazy, slow start to what was going to be one of the
highlights of the trip. The sort of day you reminisce about for years
afterwards. But hopefully not a once in a lifetime experience. I want to come
back…
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| Our campsite with as much shade as possible... |
It was so nice to just loiter around camp for a couple of
hours in the early morning, rather than packing and driving, or rushing off somewhere.
Still, we had to get weighed for the helicopter flight back and get the safety
brief. Then at 11:30 we started the 3.4km walk to the falls. We didn't need to
rush as the helicopter wasn't booked until 3:45. But by the time we took every side
track to marvel at ancient cave art (truly awesome), then slowly dawdled and
scrambled along the track, it was 2:15 by the time we got there. Plus, there was
the time admiring Little Mertens Falls, Great Mertens Falls (impressive) and then
there were Mitchell Falls. Oh wow. Much marvelling was required until the need
to jump in cool water nudged us towards the swimming hole. I jumped in with all
my walking clothes on. That got some stares from the oldies, but not as many as Jen got
for how she put on her bikini top. Maybe that's why they buggered off so soon
after we arrived..?
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| Track to falls clearly marked by Wandjina |
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| Jen admiring the view at Little Mertens Falls |
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| Great Mertens Falls |
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| Pond behind Great Mertens had loads of lillies |
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| A small Water Monitor enjoying the sunshine |
Anyway, time flew by far too quickly and soon we had a short
flight back to camp over the falls. Helicopter doors were removed so you could
lean out to get good photos. But almost as soon as it started we were back in
camp with nothing to do except deplete our alcohol stocks before heading to
Kalumbaru tomorrow… It's a hard life we lead!
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| Mitchell Falls and Great Mertes Falls as seen from the helicopter. |
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