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Published: September 17th 2014
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New Species Discovered!
Our knowledgeable Horticulturalist, Mal identified this strange specimen as, Homotourismo Canadadiensis - variety 'Cameriensis Davisio' After our fantastic cruise down the Yellow River, and a great breakfast, we piled into the SUV and went in search of another place to explore. An hour later, we found Nourlangie (or Burrunggul – I challenge you to say this 10 times!). We walked up to the top of a large rock formation where David took some photos.
Our next stop was Bukbukluk (Mal & David did say this more than 10 times, 10 different ways -- you should try it anytime you want to stand out in a crowd, or annoy your friends), a short walk up to a lookout through a dry forest which had been burned in the not too distant past. The black rocks, burnt scrub, and plus 37 degree weather made it feel like a furnace. Luckily, the car was not far and the air conditioning worked.
In the small community of Pine Creek, we stopped to have a rest from the car and a drink at a place called ‘The Lazy Lizard’. It was an indoor/outdoor restaurant – no real need for a totally enclosed building here as rain would be rare and sun a near constant condition.
The décor was what I would call Australian Outback – photos of men taming wild horses, old saddles and painted water buffalo skulls on the walls, and wagon wheels as frames for the glassless windows. In Alberta we have similar establishments with full windows and walls, minus the heat.
Eventually, we returned to Darwin and our home for the night, the Sky City Hotel, or as we affectionately named it, ‘Sin City’ – it has a big casino attached to it that we chose not to visit. Our room had a beautiful view of the ocean (forgot to take a photo).
A little about the food – we’ve eaten very well (and will probably need some rehab when we get back.) Tonight, however, the meal was a disappointment. We ate at a lovely restaurant called the Cove in the hotel. We ordered a seafood platter for two. The presentation was fabulous, but the food itself was a lacking – no, lacking is not the right word. There was actually too much in some of the selections -- like the innards – YUCK!! (I try always try to view these things as part of the
travel experience and not let the bad taste stay in my mouth too long.)
Mal & Judy decided to return the car that night instead of the morning to make sure they were ready when the bus for the Ghan arrived at the hotel the next morning. This should have taken about a half hour … two hours later they returned looking totally bewildered. After circling the block where the Hertz Car Rental was a few times, they located the ramp. Their documentation from Hertz said they were to leave it in the 4
th floor, but as they ascended the signs for Hertz pointed them up and up until they finally arrived on the 8
th floor. Here, they searched, but were unable to find the drop box for the key, so they took the elevator down to the 1
st floor where the rental office was located. Exiting from the elevator they found themselves locked in a small windowed room that looked out onto the street (and some rather rough characters looking in). They attempted to go back onto the elevator, but they were locked out from this as well. Considering their next move, they contacted Hertz on
the phone, but there was no response. So they called security, and after explaining their situation, were promptly hung up on. Fortunately, a well-dressed young man who worked in the building arrived and released them using his access card. He also pointed out the large green button with the words FOR EMERGENCY ONLY that would have unlocked the doors. They had noticed this, but were worried it would be an alarm that would alert the police, (and more of the rough looking characters outside.) After a short taxi ride back to the hotel, they gave the keys to the hotel front-desk who assured them they would hold them for pickup by Hertz. It was a frustrating experience for Mal and Judy, but I think they would be a smashing success on Monty Python! You really can't make this stuff up.
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
HOT
Have a cool beverage and stay in the shade