Page 12 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens- March '22

Page 12, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Kakadu And Arnhem Land

Walk About have developed. Many are
rare and not found anywhere
By Don Kiselewski, MCC, else, and new species
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens continue to be discovered.
Travel Leaders This harmony of culture
There is perhaps no place and nature is truly symbolized
on earth where the human in the World Heritage emblem.
race is more in tune with The inner workings of these
nature than atop the Northern two elements is depicted by
Territory of Australia. It is here a square, which represents
that the indigenous people the work of man (straight
have learned to read nature’s lines and corners), intimately
signs and to live in harmony linked to a circle that represents
with them. For more than nature, since there are no square
40,000 years the Aboriginal culture has followed these signs corners in nature.
and survived without the life-sustaining agricultural techniques Contained within Kakadu
utilized by the rest of the world. National Park are six
That portion of the Northern Territory that juts into the Van habitats, each with its own
Diemen Gulf is politically divided in two. The western portion unique characteristics. Most
was set aside by the Australian government as Kakadu National dominant are the savanna
Park, while the eastern portion, under control of the indigenous woodlands, which consist
people (the Aborigine) is called Arnhem Land. mostly of tall grasses and
Even though Kakadu National Park is smaller than Arnhem eucalyptus. Appearing lifeless Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park
Land, it’s still the largest national park in Australia. The park itself and monotonous, these areas
covers nearly 20,000 square kilometers (7,646 square miles) and actually support a greater
has the distinction of being on the UNESCO World Heritage List variety of plants and animals
for both its cultural and natural heritage. than anywhere else in the park.
Kakadu protects one of the world’s finest and most extensive At the opposite end of the
collections of rock art. These paintings are tangible reminders size scale are the monsoon
of the Aboriginal people’s long and continuing association with forests, which are only found
nature and respect for the area. It is through these paintings, and in small isolated patches. Fruit-
the Dreamtime stories, that the recorded history and culture has eating birds and flying foxes
been preserved through more than 40 millennia. keep these areas’ plants linked
Kakadu also protects the entire catchments of the South together by dispersing pollen
Alligator, a large tropical river, and examples of most of and seeds as they move about.
Australia’s “top end” habitats. From this range of habitats Plants and animals not
a remarkable abundance and variety of plants and animals found anywhere else in the
world are located in Kakadu’s
unique southern hills and
ridges. The unusual diversity
of this area’s habitat is
created by hills with broken
ridgelines that have resulted
from millions of years of
erosion. Stone country is still
another diverse area of the Tourists stand next to giant termite mounds in Kakadu National Park.
park’s east side. The Arnhem
Land plateau, which adjoins the park and Arnhem Land, is overland river, as the dry season begins when the water is not
made of sandstone escarpments that range in height from 100 replenished. As the flood plain begins to dry, large areas of water
to 1,000 feet. These formations and outcroppings form the are trapped, forming ponds and lakes that the Australians call
caves that have provided shelter to the Aboriginal peoples “billabongs.” Yellow River billabong is the largest in the park.
and canvas for their artwork over the millennia. Here is where the crocs and waterbirds gather as the dry season
Billabongs and floodplains occupy the South Alligator continues to evaporate the water from the billabongs.
floodplain. The wet season leaves the areas 8 to 12 feet
underwater. This fresh water makes its way to the ocean in an Kakadu And Arnhem Land on page 13

Home Care

You Can Trust!

Committed to Compassion
Striving for Excellence
A jabiru, one of the wetlands birds of Kakadu National Park,
Australia Serving Responsibly
Affordable Care
24 hours a day
7 days a week
Family owned & operated since 1988

OUR SERVICES
• Personal Care (Bathing, Grooming, Toileting,
Hygiene, Feeding, Dressing, and Ambulation)
• Non-Medical Care
• Companionship
• Meal Preparation
• Medication Reminders Call Today!
• Transportation Services
• Grocery Shopping and Errands (561) 888-9443
The Buss and Hernandez family taking a break • Light Housekeeping and Laundry
while at a destination wedding in Mexico.
Want to get married in an exotic location? Call us! • Assist with Exercises
You dream it, then leave the planning to us. • Assistance Upon Discharge from Hospital or Rehab
We are located at 11360 N. Jog Road, Bldg. A, Suite 102-6 Follow us on
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418 Info@PBGTravel.com • Safe transfers and Injury prevention
TravelLeaders.com/PBGFL • Anyone with Disabilities gracehomecarefl@gmail.com
(561) 694-9696 • Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care www.gracehomecarefl.com
“We help you see the world . . .”