A Walk in the Park

With our program launch on Wednesday it's all systems go at work which is just what I love. Still there's been so much I've been wanting to share so here goes. (I'll try to be relatively brief!)

After a few hours of indecision as to when to leave we left for the park on Friday night at 21:00 and arrived at the Merl Campsite, East Alligator at about midnight. We would have gotten there earlier but I was looking for a different camp site. If you're wondering how we made it there that quickly, the 130km speed limits certainly helped.

A few hours of sleep and the sun was rising so it was time to get up. I was not particularly keen on this concept but there was plenty to see and do.

The smoke from the various controlled fires made for a beautiful sunrise.

The morning was spent at Ubirr which is a gorgeous rock art site that overlooks some flood plains. Stunning sunsets from what I've been told but we were there at the wrong end of the day. Still, spotting the thylacine rock painting and looking out from the top of a really big rock and seeing the terrain change from bush to flood plains to rocks to semi-tropical forest was just amazing.

In the afternoon we headed towards Jim Jim Falls where the roads had just been graded making them much more passable for newbie off roaders like me. The falls were a 900m scramble over rocks that was vaguely marked with orange pointers that were often few and far between. It felt like we'd been scrambling forever until we rounded a particularly large rock and discovered a beautiful sandy beach area. It was worth the hike.

On the ranger's advice we camped at the falls (camping in Kakadu is very civilised. There are hot showers and actual toilets) and woke up early to head to Makuk (Barramundi) Falls where there was said to be good croc-free swimming.
After more scrambling over rocks (an extra 100m) we made it to a gorgeously cool plunge pool with a spectacular waterfall. After a bit of coaxing I made it into the cool (cold) waters and swam to the base of the waterfall to relax in the sun just underneath. Possibly having had a bit too much sun I decided that I really did want my camera to take photos of what it was like under the waterfall. Only problem was the lack of waterproof camera gear. This was the solution.





The rehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifsults?


The rest of the photos can be found here:
Zoto Album
or you can find in my Facebook album.

After a morning of swimming and not dropping our cameras in the water we headed to Gunlom Falls to experience the rock pools at the top of the waterfall. Spectacular views yet again.

I can't even begin to describe how beautiful Kakadu is. Everyone should go and experience it. It was quite a clamber up to the top of Gunlom but well worth it in the end.



So after plenty of sun it was time to head home.

We stopped for diesel at the Mary Road Road house where we watched the Territory Day fireworks (and stomped on the small spot fires that were caused by said fireworks) before heading back to Darwin. It was a good drive home with only one suicidal kangaroo, who we missed, and a rather large bush fire we were advised to ignore. Life's a bit different up here but it's great.

Wish I could send you all a big parcel of sunshine!

Almost There

I'd like to think that I've adjusted to night shift but in reality I think I've just adjusted to shorter sleeping hours and more adrenalin.

For those of you who might not know the Closing Ceremony is tomorrow night for us here in Doha. December really has flown past. I have no idea where the time has gone. Admittedly I'm strugging to remember what day of the week it is so that doesn't help! I love the nightshift. It suits my nocturnal habits and general love of darkness. It does make it hard to track time though because you arrive in the evening, finish work in the morning and come back the same day you finished. I love it!

Off to do a coffee and biscuit run while there's time. Anyone in Oz who wants to check out the show should tune into SBS on Saturday at 1300 (1pm).

Not long to go until it's all over and I wander about the world feeling lost until the next show... at least I'll be wandering about in a new place with two of my best friends :)

Middle Ground

One down, one to go.

The Opening Ceremony went well despite the inclement weather. It rained for much of the day of the show and proceeded to drizzle and rain through most of the night. The show still looked amazing from the few parts that I was able to watch. Nura looked amazing on the huge LED screen and the fireworks, well they were pretty too! Photos from the night are mainly centred around City of the Future because that's when I was on the field. Nick took some great shots of the final fireworks display. There's going to be the usual trading of pictures among workmates and I'll be sure to bring them all home.

I was lucky enough to work the first overnight shift of the bump-out (transition to sport) which we were expecting to get rather wet in the rain. We were not surprised to find this the case. What did surprise us was the golf-ball sized hail that fell in the wee hours of the morning. Talk about random desert weather! We've officially seen it all in terms of weather in Doha. From extreme heat to ice. What can I say? That's Doha for you.

After leaving work in the morning I headed back to work that night and was happy to find it no longer raining. The temperature however had dropped to a cool 16˚C. I was very grateful at having left my QR55 100% PVC Matrix-esque jacket at work from the night before.

That was yesterday morning I think. Today I've been given a luxurious day off and I'm struggling a little. After all I've had a decent amount of sleep albeit at the wrong end of the day. I'm moving back into a slightly more day-oriented shift now. My brain has no idea what to do with itself.

The day started with the sound of running water. By running water I mean gushing water. The pipe to the bidet downstairs had burst and the downstairs bathroom had started to flood into the stairwell and was making a good effort towards the front door. Gene got up and helped me move the beer out of the water flow and then the cleaners and maintenance guys came and fixed the pipe. I knew it was going to be a good day. So far so good. A bit of shopping for tomorrow and a quiet evening at home hanging out with Nick. It's just like being in Melbourne only not.

Tomorrow's looking to be a pretty good day too. Lisa & Dave have given me a half day and then there's the party at Bayti which has proved an excellent night in the past. I doubt the party will help me reset my body clock but at least it will be fun! I'm baking cookies to bring as promised in the wee hours of the transition.

I doubt I'll recognise the stadium tomorrow when I get into work. There will be grass there. Crazy sporting event. In fact, I doubt I'll be allowed near the stadium during the sports so it'll be a good day of paperwork.

My willpower is a little lacking today. I think I'll have a quick nap before Nick arrives to hang out.

Foilled! Or saved depending on which way you look at it. Nick's here so I'm going to run off and be sociable.

Soon

It's 3:52am and I'm just waiting for the next bus home. The Opening Ceremony is in just over two days time and I doubt I'll get a chance to post for a while as we'll be flat out.

The days have been a bit up and down. I think it's just my body's way of settling into a different rhythmn. Happily I've settled down a bit. Admittedly the weather has changed quite a bit in Doha. Gone are the 30 degree days. Instead we've had 20-25 degree days and light rain.

Monday was a luxurious day off for some of us. Laundry was gratefully cleaned while we stocked up on groceries and other items. Gene, Nick & I spent our day at City Centre where we enjoyed a variety of take away foods for lunch and purchased the odd piece of clothing for the upcoming Europe trip. Gene bought me a watch as I think he finds the Baby G a bit big on me and also because he's been wanting to buy me a watch for a while at least until we get home. He also got a G-Shock watch of his own which he loves.

I'm having trouble getting to sleep at the moment. Again I think it's to do with the different rhythmns and also just the excitement of the ceremony being so soon.

It's interesting to note that 8 months to the day on the Closing Ceremony of the Asian Games, we were Opening Melbourne's.

See you all on the other side of the Ceremony!

Confirmations

Accommodation for the last two weeks in Europe as been booked. Just about to pay the deposit and we're all set for the end of the trip!

Didn't get much sleep last night. Not much of an appetite today either. Busy day though which is good. Will definitely try and make my bus tonight and get some sleep. Am finding it a little hard as the only person in the villa who's not on night shift. C'est la vie.

Four Seasons booking confirmation came through today too which was great. I can't wait :)

Progress

First booking for the Big Trip (working title) has been made. I appear to be working backwards. Our one night of luxury in the Four Seasons Doha in a Standard Room is all set for the 8th-9th February. I think it will be a much appreciated treat after our whirlwind tour of Europe.

Actually I'm in the process of trying to make it a little less whirlwind to make sure that we come home with something in our pockets! As such I've made a booking enquiry for our final European destination in the South of France and we'll try and stay there for two weeks. It looks like an amazing house (I may have posted the link earlier, if not I'll do so when we get confirmation of the booking). It's a great price for the accommodation as well as being in a great place... Here's hoping we can get the booking!

I took a video today of the view from the shuttle to work just for kicks and it was a perfect day to do so. Our bus went almost all the way to the stadium to discover that the road to the stadium had been closed so we drove almost two thirds of the way back to the accommodation before we could get on to the other road to work. Fab! Not to mention the off-road coach driving. Every day has a little excitement in Doha :)

We received word today that SBS will be broadcasting the Opening Ceremony at 3pm EST in Australia so any of you who are interested should be able to watch it!

Okay, must running away to do stuff now.

Lists

Flight details have been received and I think it's starting to sink in a little just how much packing I possibly should have done by now!

Lists are being re-written in an attempt not to forget things.

Today's list includes vaccinations (scary twin barrelled needles... icky) and a hat for modesty's sake.

I depart Melbourne at 2130 and will arrive at 0540 on Saturday (Qatar Time). Then I'm off to my first day of work! Eeek!

Okay, have to run and do stuff. More later because I'm excited. Yay!