Accommodation sorted at Lee Point Caravan Park, on the outskirts, and close to Casuarina Beach.
This park is like a mini city in itself..huge. Each site has its own "ensuite" and I use the term extremely loosely. It is more like a concrete bunker where you have your last shower before being sent off to the gas chamber!!! on the up side, it actually was clean, and a real luxury to have our own shower and toilet just at the door. Considering the melting humidity, the showers were very frequent.
Bit odd having a mirror right next to the loo???
First two nights we endured our neighbours rattle and roll air conditioner going all night. So we moved camp.....
See ya!
Nice new peaceful spot. No neighbours all week!
First night we caught up with friends, Carol and Michael for drinks at the Casino overlooking the bay at sunset. Not a bad start to the week, and fantastic to see my old work buddy!
So... Darwin...we did all the main points......
Fish and chips overlooking Cullen Bay
Tide is out! The tide differs from 0.5 at low to 7.5 at high!
Coffee at the Cullen Bay Marina..
Dez checking out the fish..sadly no fishing in the marina!
We did the World War II Oil Storage tunnels..
The Defence Force Museum - very interesting.
Thought this was too funny, and typical Auzzie humour!
The sad reality of war.
We did the Darwin Museum and Gallery. This was fabulous. No photos guys. Not permitted, except for Sweetheart the crocodile. This is real, not a replica (well stuffed). She was 5.1 metres long, and weighed 780 kgs!!! She drowned during an attempt to relocate her. Sweetheart had taken to being a bit cocky with the local fishermen and started attacking dinghies back in 1974 - 1979, so they tried to move her. Sadly, it didn't work.
Don't think I would want this little treasure taking a chomp out of my little tinny!!!
Probably the exhibition with the most impact is the events of Cyclone Tracey. The devastation, yet resilience of the people leaves you speechless. Winds up to 265 klm an hour recorded before the "wind-o-meter" or whatever it is called, broke due to the high winds! Part of the exhibition is to step into a darkened room, with the sounds of the cyclone. Very scary !
Morning tea was so good at the Museum Cafe....
we went back for lunch :)
The cafe view. Not bad!
Happy Days!
We had the "day off" and chilled out in the park at East Point Reserve by the lake - where you can swim! It was so relaxing!
No crocs. No stingers. It was squishy between the toes though - eeeeoooooowww!
Took in the sights of the coastline...
From East Point looking towards Darwin city and Fannie Bay.
New Guinea in the distance? The Arafura Sea.
Nightcliffe from East Point.
The harbour at sunrise.
Buffalo Creek, just down the road from the van park. No decent fish caught here :) nice sunset though.
My hook is wrapped around that tree - waiting for Dezzi to rescue me!
A dozen oysters to start..then - chicken satays, paella, laksa, berry crepes all washed down with a mango smoothie - oh, and fruit salad to take home, along with caramel almonds! Yep, it was delicious.
Plus, a new dress and pair of sandals. A successful outing to say the least.
This paella pan was MASSIVE. The guy estimated it would weigh about 75 kg in total with pan and food. Mussels, prawns calamari, chorizo mmmmmmmmmmm!
This guy was fantastic.
Had a fabulous afternoon at the Darwin Waterfront. Hats off to,Darwin! Thisarea is brilliant. Cafes, bars, restaurants, accommodatin surrounding safe swimming and beautiful grounds.
I had several swims and relaxed under the tree while ......
Had a few beers at the Mexican Bar. Best of both worlds :)
There are even Lifeguards!
Situated right in the harbour.
Oil rig in the background was in for repair.
After six and a half weeks side by side, we finally had a morning going solo. Dez on a fishing charter, and I'm off to the Cullen Bay Day Spa. The kick off nearly killed us. The alarm went off at 5.15 am - aahh! Still dark for goodness sake. So delivered Dez to the marina and waved him off with anticipation of some yummy fish for dinner. Well...... 13 guys on board and only 3 fish caught between them. Sadly Dez not one of them. Poor love :( He said it was a nice boat ride ha ha ha!
Rods at the ready.
Yeah! Happy now...
See ya.
Bevy on the other hand wandered off for some brekky at the marina....
Followed by two hours of heavenly pampering at the Cullen Bay Day Spa. Full body scrub, massage, facial, pedicure, spa. Bliss, bliss, bliss.
But as always, there is the chores.
Washing before heading off to Litchfield.
The car all sparkly again.
Knocked a bit of the Savannah off the van.
Checked and greased the wheel bearings, and fixed the brakes properly that got broken on the Savannah Way.
Home for the week here.
Darwin had never been on our list of places to go, but we have to say, it has a lot to offer, and we really enjoyed it here. The roads are great and all wide and multiple lanes. There are parks everywhere. Plenty to see and do at either no cost,or minimal cost. Pity it is so swelteringly hot and humid!
But that's enough city, the road and Litchfield National Park are calling............
