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Published: November 8th 2009
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20th October 09 - 01 November/ 04 November 09
Darwin
Arh Darwin, I have grown rather attached to this place. For a city, it's really more like a big town! Easy to navigate, not too many people, gardens and open spaces, and the most amazing sunsets you will ever see. I have nearly a whole memory card full of just sunset pictures!
I have been mainly relaxing here in Darwin. I have spent a good majority of my time here in the Parliament House Library working on this blog and sorting out my million photos. Parliament House is lovely with a gorgeous garden terrace overlooking the Harbour. It's nice and peaceful in the library and a good way to escape the heat of the day.
I have made sure to see the sights of Darwin. The Australian Pearling Exhibition was really interesting for me as a diver. The weight of that gear they had to wear would have been insane. I am looking forward to getting to Broome to find out more about the pearling. I am quite intrigued by it, however I don't think I would be cut out for it (good money through)!
A
highlight for me was the Deckchair Cinema down by the Harbour. What a fananstic idea and really well done. I could easily see one of these in Mission Beach or Byron Bay. I loved it! You can watch the sunset, have a glass of wine or beer, grab a cushion and then kick back under the stairs on these really comfy deckchairs and see some really interesting flicks. I saw the doco/film 'The Cove' on the uncovering of the mass dolphin slaugther that takes place in a tiny Japanese cove. Truly moving and upsetting if you are an animal or nature lover. I strongly recommend it.
I have also visited The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Cullen Bay Marina, East Point Reserve (military relics), the stunning Lee Point Casuarina Coastal Reserve and dipped my toes in the Timor Sea! I have enjoyed just walking around and taking it all in. The Wharf Precinct is nicely done, with Stokes Hill Wharf (good place for some fresh fish and chips) and a huge wave pool down by the harbour. While I didn't go into the wave pool, it looks like heaps of fun. To cool off in the
Lee Point
Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin NT city, there is a lovely lake near East Point, Lake Alexander, which is great for a swim and to watch the sunset (surprise surprise). The birds didn't think through cause they kept on die bombing me!
Around the Darwin headland are some really interesting memorials about the bombing of Darwin in 1942. Now I don't know about you, but I had no idea that Darwin was bombed in WWII! As you walk along the Esplande, you come across quite a few memorials. The U.S.S Pearly was a particularly sad story. The ship went down with 91 onboard, one of the first to be bombed in the attack and she went down with her guns still firing. Darwin has suffered some devastating times in the past. The Cyclone Tracey exhibition at the museum is scary. They have this sound booth with an actual recording of the cyclone. It was horrible. I couldn't stay in the room by myself.
Everybody loves a good market and I think Darwin has got the markets down pat! The famous Mindil Markets were as predicted, awesome! I just love markets and I wasn't disappointed with the Mindil Markets. It's obivously abit crowded and I
have never watched a sunset with so many other people before. You know, usually you find your own little spot to peacefully watch the sun go down. The beach was packed, but the sunset was lovely. There is a guy that plays the didge (5 in total). Absoluately fanastic! It's drum and bass with the didge. Really funky tunes. Picked up a cd. If you are heading to the Blues and Roots festival in Byron next year look out for them because they got a gig there! Pretty cool! I was in Darwin for nearly 2 weeks in total so I got to check out the markets a few times. I was at the last Mindil markets for 2009 and the fireworks marked the end of the market season.
Another market that was fun was the local's Saturday morning markets in Parap Village. Alot smaller than Mindal, and it's all about food here. Fresh fruit and vegies mostly and then a dozen or so food stalls. The fresh fruit juices are great (can I recommend orange, apple and ginger fresh juice - yum)!
The only down point of my stay in Darwin was the parking meters. I bloody
well hate the buggers! Yes as you may have guessed I got a parking ticket. Twenty minutes over, twenty minutes over! That's all I was and I got a ticket. The car next to me was 30 minutes over and guess what, no ticket!!!! Where is the justice? I hate parking meters!
The reason for my long stay in Darwin was due to a few factors. One, I was just enjoying myself. And second, I had some rather expensive van issues to deal with. Two new tyres, some electrical problems with my fridge, and an oil and filter change. I thought for a moment there that I was fridgeless after the invertor blew. Even went out and brought an esky. By the way, anyone interested in a brand new esky??? Going cheap!
Darwin was awesome. I really enjoyed my stay here. The camp ground, Shady Glen, was lovely and I got to know the town pretty well by the end of my stay. Looking forward to the big drive south now. Feel rested and refreshed.
I think I might have timed my stay up here in the Top End just about right. The wet season is kicking
in with storms and short, drenching rain showers becoming a daily event. Mind you, it's nice to see the rain again. It's been awhile! With rain, comes humidity, and it's getting sticky hot up here. Hoping for finer weather down south...
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