Mix and Karrots 12 month Aussie Adventure

DARWIN THEN TILL NOW

Well it seems we have been here forever and I have not done a blog post for awhile- been too busy. So I thought that I had better post now.

We have been in Darwin since 8th June and have stayed in various places both rural and in the CBD. We have stayed in Humpty Doo, Howard Springs and Lee Point. We have both worked here to top up the coffers as fuel is so expensive and was depleting the bank somewhat. It has been good working here because we have lived the lives  of locals to a certain extent and certainly had a good look around Darwin. I have particularly enjoyed working with the indigenous kids in my classes. We have paid a visit to two of the local running clubs and met the locals. We also did a housesit in Humpty Doo so we have made friends there.

While we have been here we have been to Mindil Markets lots of times, Palmerston Friday night markets many times and Parap Market quite a few times. All good markets and very enjoyable. We have visited the Deckchair Outdoor Cinema (an interesting experience) bring a blanket it does get a bit cold and maybe a pillow the deckchairs can get uncomfortable. We have ridden our bikes to the Dripstone Cliffs (great sunset viewing area) and Fannie Bay to visit 'Cool Spot' one of our favourites for a coffee or a cold drink. We have walked all over the Casuarina Coastal park and watched many sunsets. We have been to Litchfield National Park great for swimming in waterholes and under waterfalls.

The Darwin Festival is on this month and we enjoyed the free opening night with a performance by Tina Arena, a performance on another night by Choir of Man (great group) I've never seen a bbq cooked on stage during a performance before. We enjoyed another act called 'You dance funny' which involved audience participation and lots of laughs.

We have been to Crocosaurus Cove right in the middle of town and out to Adelaide River to see the jumping crocs - great experience and you get right up close and personal with the crocs.

We have driven out to Berry Springs for a swim and listened to good music in the afternoon at Litchfield pub. We have enjoyed a meal at Humpty Doo Hotel an iconic aussie pub with great meals and heaps of it.

We have also visited the waterfront and had some good meals there and checked out the ships tied up at Stokes Hill wharf. There is also a wave pool and a beach there for a bit of fun. We also enjoyed catching up with friends Jo and Graeme from Melbourne one night here for a meal at the Irish pub.

 These are pictures we took at the RAAF open day.

Cullen Bay is a great place for a meal and Seafood on Cullen restaurant is amazing $40 for all you can eat buffet seafood - fresh oysters, prawns, mussels, calamari the list goes on and on and all delicious.

George Brown Botanic gardens is worth a look to see all the plants that grow in tropics so different to Melbourne. Darwin musuem is very good with lots of exhibits including one on Cyclone Tracy and Sweetheart a huge croc that was caught finally and put on display. Another good activity to try is Aquascene at Doctors Gully check the website for tide times and you can handfeed wild fish that come in there at these times. I really enjoyed this.

We had a great day playing Ambrose golf for charity at the RAAF base with our neighbours from the caravan park Chris and Dave.

Fanne Bay Gaol worth a look but be careful - it's haunted. Whooo...