Jumping Crocodiles

Today's adventure was heading out to the Adelaide river to go on a cruise on the Adelaide Queen to see some of the crocodiles that live in this area of the river. Within 2 minutes of setting off from the jetty we had crocodiles heading towards the boat for a snack of a pork chop. Apparently crocodiles can actually live on as little as one chicken per month, but a long as food is there they will keep eating. The first couple of visitors were young males, I was very excited as I have only ever seen one croc before in the wild and that was a fair way in the distance. Shane had  done this cruise before and there was a huge croc named Bogart, he had one of his front feet missing residing in this part of the water, but he hasn't been sited for quite a while and the cruise owners think he may have died. That is the reason the young males have now taken up residence. As we headed down the river we then came across a few females, they were a lot quieter. Just about as all hope was almost lost we sited the other big male living up river. Hi name is Agro, weighing in at 1 ton and the measurement of 2 metres around his belly. He doesn't like to jump (to big to get up high in the air) and he prefers to walk up onto the bank and get his pork chop. I enjoyed the cruise a lot more than I thought and now know that I definitely won't be going any where near the water!!

AGRO !!

AGRO !!

Thursday Night at Mindil Markets

After another fairly relaxing day we headed out to Mindil Beach for the Mindil Beach Night Markets.
I had heard a lot of positive comments about the markets and was really looking forward to going - I love a market. And I am glad to say I wasn't disappointed with the markets, great variety of food or the once again amazing sunset. Here's a bit of a rundown on the Mindil Market website.

In 1987 six people's vision to bring a taste of Asia's night markets to Darwin came to fruition. Mindil Beach Sunset Market supports over 300 small businesses, provides employment for more than 1000 locals and contributes more than $15 million to the Northern Territory economy each year. The Markets are renowned for the magnificent sunset over Mindil Beach and the relaxed, stunning tropical setting. Visitors can experience this in a vibrant, friendly and stimulating environment. On any given Thursday & Sunday throughout the dry season market patrons can enjoy the tastes of five continents, with over 1200 different menu items, and an extensive array of handmade craft including crocodile products, indigenous art and jewellery. Every week a variety of live entertainment is offered including live bands, street performers, cultural dance, acrobatics and fire shows.

 

 

After leaving the markets we went and had a look at Darwin's SkyCity Casino. Now I am not a gambler by any stretch of the imagination - but I won $63.00 which is huge for me!!

 

WW 11 - Darwin History

Today started of with a lovely breakfast at Darwin's Waterfront with Shane, Morry, John and Matt before Shane I headed back to Myrtle and the three boys jumped on a plane back to Melbourne.

After bidding them farewell and hugs and kisses as we won't see them for quite a while Shane and I decided to have a look around the waterfront. As with most cities on the coast that the beaches are unsafe (Darwin beaches are inhabited by crocodiles) there is usually a man made beach. Darwin's beach is very nice and they also have a Wave Pool which looks a lot of fun.

Then we walked to the historic WW11 Oil Storage Tanks. Purpose-built at great cost as an alternative to the aboveground oil storage facilities at Stokes Hill, the eight oil tunnels at Kitchener Drive were ultimately never used. In theory, the tunnels offered the ideal solution to the oil storage problems faced by Darwin; namely, that the aboveground tanks were far too susceptible to enemy bombing. Yet circumstances conspired to reveal their impracticality. Tunnel No. 5 looks much as it did in 1945. 

Housework

Today was a day was housework and laundry. Yes even though I am on my Aussie Adventure I still have to do the housework and laundry!!! Although my house to clean isn't very big at all. In the afternoon I was on a mission to get a new handbag as the zipper broke on mine. I am pretty fussy when it come to handbags and my search wasn't looking to promising until the last shop I went into my perfect bag jumped out at me. 

Late afternoon was spent sitting around the pool - very relaxing - and then for dinner we (Shane, Morry, John and Matty and I ) hit Mitchell St. that was really buzzing and ended up at Shenanigans for yummy Garlic Prawns with Rice. 

I am now sitting back in my little home listening to another interview on my iPad from the Hay House World Summit. I have listened to some fantastic interviews with some the eclectic authors and experts, speaking on everything from the spirit world, to diet, to business success. 

Monday in Darwin

After a nice night at the Darwin Sailing Club last night (although the meal was pretty ordinary) I decided to stay in the city at the hotel where Shane is staying. Update: Shane is staying in the city for a week on his boys week away, as per the past 7 years. After a late night swim I had a very comfy nights sleep (air conditioning)! This morning I was up bright and early and after breakie and two more swims I headed of the check out some things in Darwin. I am now sitting back at our little camper Myrtle for my first night ever staying here alone. Where we are staying is quite close to the Darwin airport and Darwin RAAF base (Royal Australian Airforce) although the sound of the planes is not a bother at all. Royal Australian Air Force's Base Darwin is one of Australia's main forward operating bases. Located slightly north-east of Darwin, the runway is shared with Darwin International Airport. Today while driving home three RAAF fighter jets of some sort were doing manoeuvres above me, and quite low I must say. So low in fact I could see quite a bit of detail on the planes.

Here's a little bit of Darwins military history thanks to Travel Australia on www.news.com.au

For anyone keen to experience a bit of Australia's military history - to put a poppy on a headstone in a military cemetery, or stand on the spot where a trooper won a medal for bravery - don't need to book a trip to a far-away land with a significant battlefield located right here on home soil.

Australia's Top End was the frontline during the darkest days of World War Two, when Japanese forces occupied so much territory to our north and focused on Australia in an effort to keep our troops occupied at home. Travellers can take a step back in time to the years when air-raid sirens regularly rang out over Darwin.

The Northern Territory capital was a staging post for units bound for the European and Pacific theatres, with every branch of our military building bases in and around Darwin, and the men and women in uniform lived beside those civilians that called the remote settlement home.

Warships of all shapes and sizes dropped anchor in Darwin Harbour, air force fighters and bombers used runways cut into the scrub beside the Stuart Highway ( we actually saw quite a few of them on our drive up), big guns occupied concrete bunkers along the coastline, and clusters of barracks accommodated troops posted to the Top End.

Darwin became a battlefield on January 19, 1942, when 240 Japanese aircraft arrived on a sweltering summer morning to bomb the settlement in what was the first of many aerial attacks that happened right across northern Australia during the next two years.

At least 243 people died that day - including postmaster Hurtle Bald, his wife Alice, their 20-year-old daughter Iris, and most of the post office staff - and Darwin was all-but abandoned with anxious civilians going south and many military units retreating down the Stuart Highway to Adelaide River.

"This is the only place in Australia where you can easily stand on a battlefield," Darwin Military Museum director Tom Lewis explained.

"The Japanese attacked Darwin because it didn't want Australia harassing the Empire - Japan wanted to push us out of the war, hoping that if we were defending we couldn't go on the attack - so the harassment raids were scheduled to tie up men and materiel.

"Darwin was at war for two years, there were 64 raids on the Top End during that time claiming lots of lives, and every Australian should be proud of the men and women in Darwin during that time because they fought hard to defend the place."

It's something about Australia's history that I never knew very much about. OK this is weird - As I sit here outside the van in the dark typing my blog the three fighter jets that I saw today just flew over my head again - it's a pretty eerie sound when it's dark!   

I have only taken one photo today and that was my lone dinner tonight so I will just share that one with you. 

Spaghetti Bolognese, nice cold beer and a citronella candle to try and keep the mozzies away!!

Melbourne to Darwin

As I sit here at Melbourne airport with tears running down my cheeks I can't believe my visit back to Melbourne has come to an end already. It was so good to spend time with Rachel, Luke, Clare and Mikayla. I'd just like to let the world know I have the best daughter in the whole world. She is a great Mummy and a pretty cool daughter. As for Clare and Mikayla they are just the best. Clare is now a real little lady and my heart melts every time she calls me GaGa. Mikayla is so adorable and just the best little baby. But even though it hurts I have to its time for me to get on with my Aussie Adventure. But in the meantime I will start planning my next visit home.

Arrived in Darwin safely. Having dinner at the Darwin Sailing Club - get a load if this sunset.