Nov 22: Oz (6 - 10) Darwin

Sunday 6 November

Brisbane to Darwin (late flight)

Day 1 Darwin

Actually our last day in Brisbane but leaving late in the day and arriving in Darwin in the early hours so counting it as first day in Darwin.

Up and organised so off we went with the hire car to Mount Gravatt Sunday market. 

Seemed more like a car boot when we got there but Mike still managed to buy a hat and a belt!

And we managed to find the most delicious breakfast- made by Romanians!

So we munched on that whilst listening to live music 🌄😁

Then to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Cute koala overload 💕

Kangaroo selfie.

More kangaroos.

Little joey peeping out.

More birds and animals.

Then back to the airport to return the hire car ready for our next flight.

Late flight to Darwin so managed to sleep a bit - and another time zone change.

Out into the humidity to get a taxi to our accommodation.  

Travel: 1,760m

Monday 7 November

Day 2 Darwin

Out for an explore. These signs tickled us 😂

Lovely flowers in the tree.

Very hot and humid so hard work walking - kept popping into shops for s bit of air con.

Found the sky walk way.

Walked down to Wharf to confirm our dinner cruise as no answer to email and by phone.

Decided that as it was nearly midday we'd stop for a drink and a snack.

Walked back a different way so no sky walk escalator but lots of steps.

Went past the WWIi oil tunnels but they were closed - just as well as they looked a bit claustrophobic.

Another shower needed when we got in - humidity very high and temperature in the mid thirties!

Locals said it was unusually warm and humid for the time of year.

Decided to take a taxi down to the wharf for the sunset dinner buffet cruise.

An interesting commentary as we went out of the harbour.

Then we were free to wander round so Mike went out to take pics 

Long, humid walk home when we couldn't find a taxi 😁

Tuesday 8 November

Day 3 Darwin

Up at 6am for the Kaduna NP tour.

First stop after an hour at C for the loo. Nice shop - bought a hat!

A further two hours to reach the wonderful cave art.

Lots of stories behind the art.

This area had been closed for the past week due to bush fires - some controlled and some unintended.

One of the local birds - nicknamed the fire bird - hangs around the fires to hunt all the small animals trying to escape the fire. And it will also take a burning twig to drop somewhere else to start another fire!

A walk to the look out point.

Short drive to lunch then hopped on a boat for a yellow river tour.

Visit to the cultural centre but no photos allowed.

Wonderful sunset on the way home.

39⁰ heat and nearly 80% humidity

Wednesday 9 November

Day 4 Darwin

Luisa's birthday 🎂🎉 🍸💕

We decided to walk to the Sailing Club to confirm our evening meal reservation - and also to see where it was.

Much cooler today - only 33⁰ and a mere 58% humidity!

First stop was Mindil beach.

Absolutely deserted!

Nice chat with a man called Kevin who was of aboriginal and South Seas descent. Talked about the takeover of the aboriginal lands - interesting.

He said he always keeps a cigarette in his pocket in case he is asked for one. And he always has water in his truck. But no alcohol.

Strange hanging seed balls or something on the trees 

Mike found a piece of coral.

Then we went to the Botanical Gardens.

Loads of beautiful plants and flowers.

Plaque in the gardens.

Eva's cafe in the botanical gardens.

Keeping up the fluids 😁🥵

More flowers.

Fountains, ponds and waterfalls.

Lost?! Never..🤣😁

Crocodile sculpture.

Darwin Sailing club.

These pics are for Sue whose uncle Fred Salt led the Anzac parade here each year. Think I've got that right - I'm sure she'll tell me if not 😁

Anyway a few pics of the club.

We decided to stop for a drink and a snack - even though we we had booked to go there for an evening meal. Had a little paddle in the sea - very warm!

We had walked from our hotel down to Mindil beach then across to the Botanical Garden then on to the Sailing Club.

It was only about 4 miles but it took us nearly  5 hours - including a couple of stops for drinks.

We took a taxi back to the hotel 😁

Later on after another shower and another change of clothes we took a taxi back for an evening meal. 

Happy birthday Luisa 💕

A lovely place to watch the sun set.

Thursday 10 November 

Packed and ready for our next flight.

Left the luggage downstairs and went off for a walk. 

More by luck than good planning we wandered onto the esplanade and walked along there reading all about the bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942.  Really interesting.

More nice plants and flowers.

Parliament and Government House.

Cenotaph. 

Cathedrals.

Wall art.

Saw an occasional flash of lightning and heard an occasional rumble of thunder from across the bay. 

Got a bit cloudier so not quite as hot and humid - was going to have a swim in the pool when we got back so we could have a shower but didn't need to and we decided to go straight to the airport and wait there in the relative cool of the aircon 😁