Finally leaving Darwin tomorrow morning but back to Adelaide as flights are cheaper from there for some bizarre reason.
Had a good time in Darwin and glad to say that being here on my own has not changed my view on the place but enhanced it.
I've done more stupidly long walks in the heat of the day without water. Worked out that the trip to Charles Darwin National Park was about 10Ks each way. Got a bus to Coconut Grove a couple of weeks back to check out the sales in the shops there. Not much on so walked around the corner to Rapid Creek as I thought the market would be on but it was the wrong day. Walked another couple of Ks to Nightcliff for their market but it had finished an hour before so did the 8k walk back to the city. Luckily it clouded over so wasn't too hot and
made it back before the storm.
And how cool are those storms? You can tell when it's about to rain as the temperature suddenly drops, the winds pick up and it makes it pretty hard to watch TV. Have to move under the stairs although, at times, I couldn't be bothered to move so just sat there and got soaking wet.
Mindil Beach has been closed (I think, the walkways from the sunset market area are cordened off) but that's probably due to the box jellyfish although I've seen quite a few people swimming there. I decided against the risk of intense pain followed by breathing difficulties and then death. Not on my agenda!
Found there's a beach right in the middle of the city by the Esplanade (although Mindil Beach is only a 10 minute walk away). Heard about it before but thought it would just be a few rocks. It's right next to where they would have the Fire Jam on a Sunday night. Only a tiny little beach with a bit of sand but pretty cool anyway. From goon boxes spread about it appears that some of the locals have
been partying down there.
And there was an earthquake 660 north of Darwin last night. I only found out about it when one of the locals told me about it later on that evening. Apparently, it sparked some fears of a Tsunami hitting Darwin but the city is built on a plateau so pretty safe in those areas. It was even felt in Katharine 300K south of Darwin although I never felt a thing.
Been sorting out what things to send home this morning. Ended up with a bag of clothes and some videos and DVDs (complete box set of Taken which is superb sci-fi mini series. Don't think it was shown on Oz TV. Got it dirt cheap from Video Ezy). Of course, I didn't have any boxes so had to go wondering around Woolworths for some. Unfortunately, the only boxes they had were 'Fresh Apples' or 'Fresh Bananas' or 'Fresh Kangaroo' blah blah blah etc. Aaaaah, had to have either plain boxes or 'Double weave toilet paper' boxes; no food boxes. Doesn't help when Woolworths 'Fresh Food People' is a supermarket rather than a stationery store in this country. I'm sure it's the same company though as the logo is identical and it's called Safeway in Victoria which we have back home. They still call it Woolies here too which is cool.
Just my luck that the day before I leave 3 backpackers turn up in the hostel. Number 3 left this morning and there's been a Kiwi guy in my room for about a week. It was so good having a whole room to myself at one point too. He's a bit weird and doesn't talk much although when he does talk it's quite heavily political.
Oh, did I mention, Darwin is a brilliant place and I love it here. Don't think I've let anyone know that before ha ha.
|
