TOP END - EL PUNTO FINAL

Saturday, Sue, Dave, Peggy and I drove to Rocky Point, a 40 minute drive although the distance as a crow flies it is only 25 km, using a Toyota 4 WD. This is the place where you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The scenery is just amazing, most of the roads are there because of previous bauxite mining. The sorroundings are full of eucaliptus trees. All the areas that have been mined have been rehabilitated with seeds of previous vegetation, in this case eucaliptus. We saw Dingos, wild dogs, and fresh tracks of Buffalos. After 40 minutes of driving we suddenly come up to the beach and the ocean. In front of us is the ARAFURA SEA, on our left is a river dicharging to the sea. Dave advises us not to go in the river's water because of the crocodile population. The sand is fine and almost white, the water an aquamarine color, clear. Bob the dog inmediatelly gets out of the car and runs to play in the water. He likes to chase sticks, however when I throw a stick to the water the sticks sinks and Bob can not find it. We get back in the car and drive along the beach towards the south east. The topography changes, a cliff appears in front of us, again the view is fantastic. We drive down to the beach and make camp for a picnic. We set up a nice wine, cheese and grapes. A wonderful Sauvignon Blanc, The Crowded House, from New Zeland. This wine can't get any better, nice bouquet, taste of pears. Then to swimming, It is safe to swim in this area, no crocs!!. Bob is real surfer, Dave puts him on top of a surf board and Bob goes into the ocean. He really enjoys it. I soon find out that he also is the lifeguard because when I start swiming away from him and deeper into the ocean he starts crying and barking. He does the same for anyone of us. After swimming for a while, Dave pulls out a kite. I have not flown a kite in years, this one is far more advanced than the kites I used to build back in my childhood in Ecuador. Made out of fiberglass, it is strong, and made to be flown in this type of winds. It takes a while to learn to control this kite and it is good exercise. I enjoyed it, I ask Peggy to add this toy for a father's day gift. A nice wish, maybe I'll get one. It is mid afternoon, we leave the beach and start our travel back to town through the bush. The Northern Territory has a lot to offer, this area is known as the TOP END and not the OUTBACK by the Australians. I can understand why the aborigines want to protect the area from tourism. We would not have had the opportunity to see this virgin land if it would have been filled with hotels, shops etc. You just have to see this area with your own eyes to appreciate the beauty of mother nature. THANKS DAVE AND SUE!!!