Our first stop
on the trip down to Alice Springs is the quite spectacular Katherine Gorge where
we check onto a 5 star campsite (complete with showers, washing machines and
hairdryers!) and take a Canoe out for the afternoon.
Justin
Gordon (nickname Flash!) is a dab hand here, having done this a few weeks
previously - and we make like Hawaii Five-O up the first Gorge.
The next section gets tricky however, we have to cross a section of rapids to
access the second gorge where the Rainbow Serpent rests. This proves to 
be
a riot - I get dunked numerous times while Justin tries to work my camera
between fits of laughter - he, lucky sod, is walking over rocks as he's
forgotten his reef sandals.
However, the drenching is worth it, its warm and I dry out quickly anyway by
the time we reach our goal - a stretch of gorge which reaches off into the 
distance
where the Rainbow Serpent is said to be resting nearby. This creature is
an important contributor to the creation of the world in Aboriginal
culture. He's chosen one hell of a resting place - its beautiful here.
When we return, the rapids drama is 
twofold
- we're nearly rammed by a huge German bloke and his diminutive girlfriend and
end up shooting the rapid backwards - not, I can tell you, a good idea...
The canoe goes under stern first and we're flipped out into the stream.
Great fun!
We
get back safely and marvel at the flying foxes (bats) which have made a home of
the trees nearby before clambering up to a lookout to watch the sunset.
That night we camp nearby and are surrounded (literally) by scavenging
wallabies which hop around the campsite feasting on the remains of camp
meals. Katherine is a must visit place if you ask me.
