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The flight into Jabiru always provides an interesting overview of the Kakadu wetlands and Arnhem Land plateau. Aerial views of the Arnhem Land wilderness invoke strong feelings, and we have yet to see a more rugged environment. Its powerful sense of timelessness is enhanced by the fact that the landscape has for so long remained unchanged due to the harmonious co-existence of the indigenous peoples with this place.
Our initial introduction into Arnhem Land was at Mt Borradaile, the site of a safari style camp set up next to the floodplain. There a series of amazing indigenous art sites are hidden in the natural catacombs within the rocks. Even without these spectacular galleries with their history of human occupation extending back over 50,000 years, the stunning rock formations still amaze.
The local Aboriginal people recognize six seasons in the Kakadu region, and our frequent visits to Borradaile have provided us with plenty of opportunities to witness them. The environment is all the more interesting because it is continually changing. We have found ourselves seduced by the magic of Arnhem Land ever since, and feel fortunate to have explored such incredible areas.
Recently we flew around Western Arnhem Land with Lofty Nadjamerrek, who loved helicopter flight! At the time of writing,
his death at the age of 83 has just been announced. Lofty was one of the few remaining Aboriginal elders who grew up in the stone country in an environment of traditional Aboriginal practices. His skills as an artist were acknowledged worldwide, and his intimate knowledge of the land, its language, culture and history, was recognized as an invaluable cultural resource. |