9. Katherine, Nitmiluk NP

Our first day on tour took us to Nitmiluk National Park, where we hiked up to Edith Falls to take a refreshing swim in the water.

Well, some of us did. Others of us didn't quite prepare properly (bathing suit was buried in my luggage in the back of the truck), so I found some rocks in the shade and lived vicariously through my tourmates experiences. Lesson learned.

My less than stellar kick-off to the tour extended itself when we arrived at our camp & started setting up. This evening would be my first exposure to "swag" camping. We had googled this before our trip, but didn't quite understand the logistics, and since the tour description said tents available, we didn't pay it much attention. Apparently swags can vary a bit, but ours were basically oversized canvas sleeping bags with a built-in cushioned mat, into which you stuff your own sleeping bag & a pillow. The head of the swag is larger & looser so you could pull it over your head.

So, no tent? No.

No privacy? No.

Where do you put your bag & your stuff? On the ground next to you. With the ants & spiders and other unidentified creepy-crawlies. Those of you who know my arachnophobia can imagine, (and probably have a good laugh over) my horror.

Where do you change your clothes? In the shared bathroom facilities (if they exist), or in your sleeping bag, or, once you get frustrated enough, you just change out in the open. Ain't nothing to see that any of us hasn't seen before. Vanity & modesty have no place with this style of travel.

I wasn't quite prepared for this, but, when everyone else is doing it, you just do it too. Swallow hard and SMILE.

Swag camping. A new "first" for me!Read more