In Kakadu National Park, a broad expanse of changing scenery and geographical wonders. We decided not to go for the tours to Jim Jim Falls or Twin Falls (too Idaho sounding) or to make the trek to Bukbukluk or Yurmikimik, but instead to go to a lesser known, more accessible spot called Maguk (or Barramundi Gorge), supposedly with fewer people and fewer crocodiles. We walked in over a boardwalk, past a crocodile trap, over the river, and down the sandy bank, arriving at the end of a beautiful, clear lagoon. A waterfall cascaded down the rocks at the end of the pool, and steep cliffs rose on either side, tapering to a stop where we stood. Croc jokes were abundant, and for the first little while we stayed pretty close to shore, shallow-diving off the rock, and getting right back out.
The fish would scatter with our impact, then return. Catherine had the good sense to poke around the banks with a long stick before jumping in, and our heads were on swivels for random air bubbles. After a bit, a tour arrived, and we the guide confirmed what we had heard - that there were few crocs at Maguk, and that they were freshwater crocs, anyway, which won't hurt, maim, or kill you unless you really piss them off. They're only 3 meters long at the most, anyway. Crikey. So we decided to follow out an intrepid couple further into the depths of the pool. It was amazing. Clear, as aforestated, this shimmering teal, with dark sand colored walls, and warm as, well, warm as crocodile piss. Tim and I jumped off successively higher spots, and considered trying to climb up to the top of the waterfall until we started wondering just how we might get down. I suggested jumping as a last resort, a notion he balked at, and that was that. Maya and Catherine were much relieved, as they think we're already idiots to begin with, without adding ever more stupid boyish notions to the mix. We all basked beneath the waterfall for a spell, and then headed back. It was really quite something.
