Nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~George Washington Carver

In contrast to the previous visions encountered, how do I now place into words the feeling of tranquility, of immense natural beauty, of the music of the water as it flows around you, of the silence of the immense cliffs that loom above you as you gaze at the night sky ablaze with stars, of the full moon casting illuminated shadows over the deep dark water which encompasses you throughout the non-existent timeline you are standing within.

Words cannot describe what we have seen these past few days.
The water below your boat is smooth, not even a ripple. The shadows of the day are slowly lengthening as the sun starts to sink lower in the sky. We are sitting in a small boat on the waters of the Katherine Gorge, slowly winding our way around the two gorges, a commentary being given by our host as he steers the vessel on these calm unruffled waters. We change boats to enter the next gorge walking the 500metres around the rock face to climb into the next boat and continue our journey into the more striking part of the gorge. As our journey meanders around the waterways of this 2^nd natural gorge, of its sheer cliffs, small sandy freshwater beaches, waterfalls and rock pools we are presented with Nature in all its glory. Now watching the shadows lengthen even further, the sun lowering itself in the sky which reflects on the water as it prepares to rest its shimmering heat on the earth below.

Once more we amble back to the first boat for our return journey and what a sight meets our eyes. Instead of lined tourist seats, a luxurious setting is placed of white tablecloths , silverware and candles; instead of the ‘captain’ of our tourist boat,  a chef clad immaculately in his white coat stands next to two hostesses, each holding a glass to us where a hibiscus floats within the pink champagne . This completely altered setting welcomes us as we stepped into this beautiful open air dinner for our voyage home. The food offered was exquisite and more food eaten than we have both partaken in the last few days. But now, the social chatter and bantering of guests we had not conversed with over dinner now all receded into the background as I once again gaze over the waters. The moon is rising and with its full moon glory lights the deep waters around me. The boat sways sashays and floats on the gorge, drifting on the water alone, for the moment with no human guiding it and I turn to the waters beside me. Tuning out from the noise I breathe in the moonlight, the water, the beauty, the peace, the calmness of these natural surroundings and think…if only we could take it home! Such pure images of tranquility!

And it did not end there. Tranquility flowed into the next day. A short trip (in Northern Territorial terms) of 115 kms took us to Mataranka. This is the area where the Roper River meanders through waterholes, tumbling over rocks and natural dams. This area is referred to as the land of the Never Never after the true story of Jeannie Gunn who wrote about her life of living here in the outback in early 1900’s. This is where, after visiting in the heat of the day the replica of the house she lived in and imagining the harsh life of a woman and the shock and contrast from her home in Melbourne, you take the opportunity to surround yourself in immense tranquility of a thermal pool fringed by paperback and palm forest and bubble at a constant temperature of 34 degrees. This was our arrival at Bitter Springs.

How do I describe Bitter Springs? I cannot imagine why the word ‘bitter’ would even be part of the name, or in any sentence associated as the experience we had of these waters was simply sensual. Stepping into the constant warm water we were enfolded into the embrace of a natural pool of sparkling green and blue water which contrasted with the darkness of ferns and water lilies and other aquatic plants edging these waters.

Can you imagine yourself lying in these waters, floating on the only man made item (apart from the steps into and out of this natural surrounding) on a noodle? Feel the warm water as it laps around you, over you, under you, as you inhale the serenity of this amazing water world so unlike anything experienced before. Now imagine laying back, your eyes to the sky, your body completely immersed in the water and floating gracefully in this warm spring fed water as its gentle current glides you along its windy path. After its slow circulating direction, you rise out of the waters to walk the short 50 metre path to return once again to the waters and gliding into the water, the ambiance of where you are commences once more. As the words of the song’ I see ‘skies of blue and clouds of white’ come to mind, it really does only depict a small part of this ‘wonderful world’.

What is interesting is that as the many busy noisy travellers come to these waters, peacefulness hugs all who float in these gentle waters of Bitter Springs, the conversations of those embraced within are now quiet, harmonious, singular and at peace…all one with nature as countless hours ‘float’ by. And reluctantly, as the short twilight descends as day gives way to night, wet, wrinkled, waterlogged but at peace you re-enter the normal world.

To think that people pay exorbitant prices to attend a day spa to attempt to replicate in a short amount of time what the tranquility of nature at Mataranka and Katherine Gorge gave us for many hours for free.

I know which one I preferred!