Day 164 - 166 26th July - 28th July 2012

Day 164 Thursday 26^th July 2012.

This “journey” is not just about seeing the sights of this great country of ours. To me it is experiencing it and the “people” in it. We have been very fortunate to have met some really lovely down to earth people whilst seeing some magnificent sights

Last night was a very, very simple night; HOWEVER the simplicity of it all was absolutely fantastic. The caravan park put up a twilight movie night in the open under the stars. So what is so great about that you may ask? Simple, seeing “families” there with mum and dad sitting in camping chairs or on the ground and young “kids” rolled up very comfy in sleeping “gear”. Even the family dog had a presence.  It was great to see strangers come together and mingle so easily and friendly.  With my poor hearing I occasionally (more often than not) lost the plot of the movie and simply stared into space. Stars and more stars. Absolutely beautiful. This is what life and this “journey” is for me.

OK, now that you think I have gone absolutely “troppo” (after all I am in the tropics) let me say that we have booked for another 3 nights here at the caravan park. Vania (and I) both need to recharge our batteries (sounds silly, but true).

We went to the “Berry Springs Nature Park”. Basically this is “swimming” area where there is a small “waterfall” and two “pools”. All are connected by crystal clear “warmish” water. Vania is still not here “bubbly” self and could not take a plunge. As for yours truly I spent quite a while under the “waterfall” getting a neck, shoulder and back massage. Beats hands on massage.

We went to Mindil Market with all the other throngs of tourists. It was actually great; Most of the stall holders had very, very good quality “things” and the selection of food vendors were incredible. Market starts about 5.30PM and finishes about 10.00PM. After we did the circuit round the market we went over the sand dune and sat on Mindil beach, with all the other tourists as well, to watch the sunset. Amazing to see so many people enjoying nature’s beauty. 

After the sunset / market we went for our compulsory “drink.

Keep you posted.

PS The movie we saw was “War Horse”.

Minil Beach Market. This is very early on at the start. Later you could hardly move due to the millions of "tourists".

Sunset at Mindil Beach. Can you see the 2 sailing yaughts near the horizon?

All the "tourists" on Mindil Beach. Probably just as (if not more) popualr than Cable Beach in Broome.

More sunset photos. Note young girl jumping in air.

Yhis vendor was actually selling  "merchandise" made out of crocodile skin. Lovely stuff. I thought the skelton heads was good as well.

Day 165 Friday 27^th July 2012.

Today Vania and I drove into Darwin wanting to do a bit of “banking business”. Much to my surprise the streets of Darwin were very empty. Unbeknown to us today was a public holiday in Darwin. Darwin show day.  All banks were closed.

Not deterred by this we drove round Darwin seeing the sights and ended up in the “wharf precinct” where, yep you guessed it, we had some drinks and a lovely meal. I wasn’t an alcoholic before this trip but I will certainly have to dry out when I get back “home”.

Our campsite at “Tumbling Waters Caravan Park is approximately 65K’s from Darwin city so each time we drive in it is at least 130K’s.  Don’t regret not staying closer to Darwin as this caravan park is great, pretty and half the price of the caravan parks closer to Darwin.

Looking anto Darwin City from the wharf precinct.

Coast guard has a presence in Darwin. Wonder why? So does the army and RAAF as a matter of fact.

View back into Darwin city from "Fannie Bay". True!

Two tug boats in the wharf precinct.

Lot of "pearl lugger" boats for charter.

Looking back to Darwin City. Darwin has a small popullation of between 68,000 - 75,000 people. There are some lovely "suburbs" around Darwin. "Fannie Bay" is on the waterfront whilst "Palmerston" is about 20K's inland. Palmerston has a population of 25,000 and is rapidly growing.

Day 166 Saturday 28^th July 2012.

Slow start to the day.  We intended to drive back to Darwin and sort out our “banking business”. However, other more important matters arose. By the time we had finished these “other” matters it was too late for the banks again.

We will probably move on towards Kakadu tomorrow.  Vania received a text message from her friends (Bev and Brian) who were leaving Gippsland today and were coming up to this part of the world. We have made tentative arrangements to meet at Mataranka at the hot springs.  We need to work out some “itinerary” so that we can meet in Mataranka.

We have stayed around Darwin now for 6 nights. Have seen what Darwin has to offer and seen some of the “touristy” things as well. On the days we haven’t done much it has been great simply to “veg” out. It is good NOT to be “busy” every day.

Fellow “bloggers” it is almost time I handed back the responsibility of “publishing” the blog back to Vania. I will however offer to do some of the “housekeeping” tasks (eg download photos, compacting photos, photo selections (if she wants me too) etc….) to take some of the pressure of Vania. Believe it or not it can become “stressful” in preparing the “blog” especially when there is no communication for numerous days. So can I honestly say that although I was a bit reluctant and apprehensive at the start I am “sort” of enjoying it now. Vania will no doubt give a lot more “detail” of where we have been and what we have seen.  Vania is exgtremely good at remembering “names” of places. We have different styles of communicating and you will “learn” a lot more about this wonderful country from Vania’s descriptions.

So, take care all. Cheers from Vania and Oscar.

PS We have been on the road now for 5.5 months. I will try and publish some “stats” on our journey after we have completed 6 months. Things like distance travelled, amount of fuel purchased, vehicle consumption, cost of camping, cost of food, etc…. Some of you will find this totally boring, so to those I simply want to say “bad luck”. To others this will be very interesting and it will give some insight to what is involved in a trip like this.  Keep tuned.

PPS. Sorry no photos today (or at least one's that I could publish - just joking).