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Published: January 25th 2007
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Top End Sunset
The beginning of the Sunset. This is the worst of the two sunsets that I saw. I of course didn't have the camera with me on Day 1. Well, the family portion of the trip has quickly come to an end. It was probably the quickest month that has ever passed me by. We didn't waste any time. We had almost two weeks in New Zealand, sandwiched by one week on either side in Australia, where we experienced two very different sides of the country. We saw as much as anyone probably could have during our stay, and we all probably agree that many of the places that we visited deserved more time. But, given our desires as to what we wanted to see and the fact that this may be our only trip down here, it was the only way to do it. We're not exhausted, as we had enough rest periods to recharge, but we certainly didn't do much relaxing. I feel for Mom, Dad and Adam as they will be thrust back into their busy lives when they return home. As for me, I'm still going to escape from my responsibilities, at least for a little while. The bulk of my time on my own will be spent in Southeast Asia, but I'm using Darwin as a jumping off point to that part of the world,
Top End Sunset
The middle of the sunset. Look at that orange on that top cloud. so my personal adventure begins there. Alice Springs Airport is very small, so many of the Qantas domestic flights actually share the same gate, so we were able to stay together right up until my plane boarded, which was only about 15 minutes earlier than everyone else's. We said our goodbyes and I boarded my flight. As I was seated on my Darwin-bound plane while they were loading the luggage, I saw Mom, Dad and Adam making there way out to their plane, bound for Brisbane. I know they couldn't see me, as I was tucked on the opposite side of the plane from the windows nearest them, but they were waving. It is really nice to feel loved. My family is really loving, and we are very close. This is a big reason why it has been so hard for me to journey anywhere on my own. In addition to family, I've always enjoyed the company of my close friends, so it is also strange to be travelling without them as well. I, definitely more than most, enjoy the comforts of my usual surroundings, but have never thought this to be a negative trait, because I do find these
Top End Sunset
The end of the sunset. As I said, the first night was spectacular, but I felt I needed to include some sunset pics. These aren't bad though. comforts to be truly satisfying. However, I do consider myself to be an aware and knowledgeable individual, but I am obviously lacking in worldly experience, and I don't ever want to feel that my contentment with my usual surroundings is based on ignorance. Also, anyone who knows me is aware of the wealth of geographical knowledge that I possess. Well, now it is time to acquire some real world knowledge and experience to complement this memorization of maps and facts. I want to get to know people and experience cultures. I know the world is a large place, so it will take a great deal of time for me to see all that I want to see and do all that I want to do. I'm sure that accomplishing all these things will be a work in progress throughout my entire life, but the journeys begin now. I am definitely out of my comfort zone, but it has been a long time since I've challenged myself. It definitely feels strange flying alone on a plane to a destination in which I know no one. But this feeling is also accompanied be a new feeling of excitement. I look forward to
I'm in Cyclone Country Now
I guess this is the first time that I've visited an area prone to cyclones. Cyclone Tracy wiped out Darwin on Christmas Eve of 1974. seeing what is in store for me in the couple of months ahead as I challenge myself and visit new and exotic places on this horizon-broadening journey of self-discovery. It is fitting that my first destination on this journey is a place called Darwin.
Now back to the boring facts. Darwin is an interesting city. It has a population of 100,000 and is the capital of the Northern Territory. It has a little more of an Asian influence than other cities in Australia, and is actually located closer to Singapore than Sydney. Also, the city is fairly new. It was able to survive 64 air raids during WWII, but Cyclone Tracy wiped out the community on Christmas Eve in 1974. After settling into my hostel (a new environment for me that will take some getting used to), I went for a long walk/run to get a feel for what was around. I walked downtown, along the Esplanade Parkland and ran to the botanical gardens and Mindil Beach. It was 88 degrees and extremely humid, so I was getting a taste of what it will probably be like in Asia. If how I'm sweating now is any indication, I'm probably
Esplande Parkland
A view of the Tiwi Islands from the Esplanade Parkland. We're actually looking at the Timor Sea, which is technically an arm of the Indian Ocean. So, this is the first time that I've actually viewed the Indian Ocean. going to need to buy a sweat towel and do my laundry every other day when I'm there, and all I've been walking around in thus far is my small backpack. Wait until I throw another 35 pounds on my back. I am going to be a dirty and sweaty backpacker. Before I knew it, it was late evening. I then decided to catch the famous Top End sunset from Lameroo Beach. It was impressive. The colours went from yellow, to orange, to pink as you looked skywards over the water, and the clouds behind my back were a purpley blue. It was gorgeous, and not the least bit diminished by the fact that I was alone. Well, actually I wasn't totally alone. When I walked back up to the Esplanade Parklands there were a few other solitary people sitting and enjoying it as well. It was nice to share it with them. I wish it was a sunrise, because that would be a little more symbolic for the beginning of this trip, but the sunset will do. It was a beautiful sunset to mark the beginning of my journey.
As for Day 2, well that was my opportunity
One of My Roomates
A gecko that I shared my room with. It's about 3 inches from my pillow in this picture. to get my taste of Darwin in the Wet Season. Lucky me, eh? In the morning as I was walking down Mitchell Street, I felt the thickness of the humidity in the air. It was stifling, and yes, I was sweating again. You gotta love it when your days starts of with this heat (It's worth noting that one night I checked the temperature at midnight. It was 90 degrees, but over 100 with the humidex). Well, this stickiness worsened during the day until finally the clouds couldn't take it any more, and they released two-hours worth of steady rain. It wasn't a pleasant day to enjoy the town, so I used it as an opportunity to do some of the housekeeping things that I've been needing to do anyway. Anyways, after the rains the temperature was much more pleasant and I was able to enjoy the town and say goodbye to Australia in a nice, relaxing fashion that included. Warm weather, swaying palms and live music. It was a pretty nice evening. My trip is definitely taking on more of a laid back pace than the family trip did. I'm sure that that will change in Singapore, my next stop, as I'll be back into the big city way of things.
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