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Published: August 18th 2006
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The top-end of down under...a place like NO other!
As the big red-orange ball slowly sets on Australia’s Top-End horizon, it sinks and gradually dissolves out of sight. The warm tropical sea breezes blow the coconut tree palms softly as families picnic nearby on the northern foreshore by the Timor Sea.
Darwin Australia - the top-end of the land down under. Also known as the Gateway to Asia, Darwin is located on latitude 12 south, meaning it’s very hot 9-months of the year, and just right for 3-months, or better known as the wet and dry season.
Cyclones out in the sea bring the tropical rains & flooding. I’m hearing down south there is drought and fires, and they are much hotter than we are at times. We usually have our temps in the 30’s Celsius with 80-100% humidity in the buildup from Sept till Jan…which is the unbearable part of the tropics.
Christmas holidays brings the Aussies out to the beach for barbeques and swimming. We live 2 minutes from the beach, but can’t swim in the waters because of the crocs and box-jelly fish. I’m originally from Colorado, so bringing me out of snow
country and plopping me in the tropics for Christmas was not pleasant. I lived in Darwin 3.5 years and still hate the heat and humidity but absolutely love Australia.
The summers in Darwin are very hot…bringing out the huge goannas that are the size of dogs and snakes. We have heaps of little geckos that are so cute and we love them as they catch our mozzies and they make a little chirp sound when they are talking to each other. The geckos are almost transparent and come pretty close to you...they love lights because of the incects. Mango, banana and coconut trees are every where with the different types of palms. Beautiful birds all around and the green tree frogs croaking loudly!
A little history for you: Darwin (formerly known as Palmerston before 1911) is located on Larrakia land. Australia’s most northern capital city is in the Northern Territory at the utmost northern tip of the island continent. This active cosmopolitan city is a backpacker’s paradise without big-city billboards and has been rebuilt after two devastating events.
In February of 1942 during WWII, the city was shattered by Japanese bombs and 243 people lost
their lives. Devastation once again came to the city on Christmas Eve in 1974 when Cyclone Tracy thrust her strength and flattened the city. There were 69-lives lost in only six-hours. But now the modern day Darwin is a very multicultural city and a leading exporter of Mango. (mmmmmm!)
During the wet season, it’s also cyclone season. Cyclones out in the sea bring the heavy tropical rains, flooding, and very high gales of wind. When the south part of the island is in a drought that is accompanied by fires, the Top-End is enduring cyclonic conditions which can be deadly with heaps of flooding. I've seen red lightning in the Timor Sea and it seemed to jump up out of the ocean to meet the stormy sky. I really didn't like all the thunder and noise. The group Men At Work came out with a song entitled, "Down Under" and some of the lyrics are, "Did you hear that thunder? You'd better run for cover!" Well they aren't kidding!!! If you hear thunder in the NT you'd better run for shelter because the rains come and come hard! Temperatures stay in the 30’s Celsius with 80-100% humidity during most of the wet season, which is the nearly unbearable part of the tropics.
The Wedge Tail has a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters and it is the largest bird of prey in Australia. It soars and glides in the air currents for up to 90 minutes at a time and can reach altitudes that can go beyond 2000 meters.
The indigenous people have a very strong presence in the Northern Territory, with 25% of the population and owning over 50% of the land. The Northern Territory has the strongest presence of Aboriginal People in Australia.
Also a common sight in the Top End of Australia are the termite mounds of dirt.
A funny little story here: In the Territory, the Aboriginese that have been thrown out of their villages come up to Darwin to party. They hang out around the shops and usually walk everywhere or take public buses. Probably 80 percent of them stay intoxicated and about half of those beg for money for grog or for the bus fare. Well one afternoon down on a main road not far from our flat, a couple was arguing. The woman was hitting on the man, then the roles reversed. After a while the man lifted the womans dress clean over her head and off it came...in broad daylight and on a busy roadway. The man took her dress and began running away! There she was stark naked without undergarments or anything. She started running after him and they ran out of sight. It was hillarious!
There are signs posted throughout Darwin and the NT against swimming in the Timor Sea because of the crocs and deadly box-jelly fish. But even with all the signs, it doesn’t stop some tourists from making the late evening news at least twice a year.
Christmas time arrives in the middle of wet season and is very hot. The huge goannas are the size of small dogs and snakes are common. Little geckos chirp sounds when they are talking to each other and eat mossies. Banana and coconut trees are plenty with a large variety of palm trees.
Beautiful birds are everywhere and the green tree frogs croak loudly! We saw sulfer crested cockatoos and black red-tailed cockatoos, and also some wild dingo.
Christmas holidays usually bring the Aussies to the beach for swimming fun and prawns on barbeques...down south that is. Up in the NT we have the deadly boxed jelly fish and crocs to keep us out and away from the waters. I'll never forget decorating the Christmas tree in very little clothes and sweating! Miss the snow!
There is a lot of wildlife to enjoy and if you are adventuresome, you can get to the wetlands within an hours drive. You can take the Adelaide River Queen and see crocodiles in the wild and other wildlife.
Darwin is the only capital city of Australia with only 2-seasons - Wet and Dry. The worst of the wet season is a constant build up of moisture from September until January, then the cooling tropical rains come and relieves the heat of the tropics. Once the heavy rains stop, there is steam off of the roads and pavement. Darwin is at it’s loveliest straight after a good heavy rain.
If you head a little south into the outback, you can visit the monstrous termite mounds that tower over your head. Termite mounds are so massive and some stand 30 feet tall. They are known as "cathedrals of the north."
One of the best things about Darwin are the markets! A must see! Especially the Mindell Beach markets...every type of food booths that you can imagine, and heaps of crafts and activities to intrigue any tourist and local alike. Lots of Asian and Greek flair! It's a great experience on Thursday evenings along the shore with the sunset as a backdrop. Fantastic!
If you want a real 'last fronteer' experience of Australia, visit Darwin and the Northern Territory. You'll never know if you never go! For more info and photos, go here: http://www.kookaburrablue.com/itchy-feet/Darwin.html
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