100 days to Darwin

Well, according to my blog, we have now been on the road for 100 days (since we left our home) and have spent a fortnight in the Darwin area. As we been to Darwin twice - 20 years ago and 10 years ago - we have been to the main attractions so we didn't do too many tourist things but still found plenty to occupy our time.

We arrived the day before Territory Day (1st July) - the one day of the year when fireworks are legal to purchase and let off - and Territorians did it with gusto. Fireworks were exploding from about 5pm (not dark - such a waste) until the early hours of the morning. We went down to Mindl Beach where there were food stalls and entertainment, waiting for the fireworks display at 8pm on the beach. A very pleasant afternoon/evening chatting to various people who shared the table we sat at. They were mostly caravanners like ourselves. At about 5pm the airforce did a flyover with 4 or 5 F-35 jets. The noise, the speed ... such an adrenalin rush ... it was awesome, but unfortunately I was too slow to get my phone ready so you'll just have to take my word for it. We wandered over to Mindl Beach for the fireworks display and there was another surprise. The Beach was packed with thousands of people. The fireworks were great too.

We went to Aquascene where they feed fish on the incoming high tide. It was OK but the fish were mainly mullet and some catfish plus a couple of other bigger fish but as it was not a particularly high, high tide, the barramundi didn't turn up.

Went to the deckchair cinema and watched Black Bag (Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender) a thriller movie. Great atmosphere, really enjoyed it. We wandered around Stokes Wharf and the Esplanade; visited East Point military museum (had been here before but it has been improved - well worth visiting); had dinner at the Jetty buffet restaurant (food average but location superb); saw How to Train Your Dragon (exactly the same as the animation but the live action version - very enjoyable); Brad had a game of bowls (synthetic/carpet green with huge shade covering - essential in this climate).

As it has been hot (mid 30s every day) we have been using the pool most days as well as one day down at Berry Springs. That about wraps up Darwin and we have enjoyed our time here. We leave on Monday slowly making our way further west.Læs mere