After a lot of hiking and early mornings we have a few days to relax in Darwin. It is very hot and humid here in the Northern Territory even at this time of year. I can’t imagine what it is like to live here in wet season. It’s definitely no climate for me!
[View from hotel room, there’s even a glimpse of ocean…]
Darwin is a very young city wih a population that consists of 4 males to 1 female mainly due to the high military presence in the area. That’s probably also the reason why beer consumption is the highest in all of Australia.
[Darwin pool]
Swimming along the beach line of Darwin is impossible due to jellyfish (stingers) that can hurt you pretty badly if not kill you. For this reason a part of the water front has been closed off with nets to keep stingers out and allow the people of Darwin to cool off and go for a swim in the ocean.
Laying there under shady trees with a nice breeze the heat becomes bearable. So that’s how we spent the day before heading to the mall in hope of being able to find a sun protection shirt for B who has the fairest skin of the four of us and has to constantly be careful with the sun whereas F and K are already turning really dark.
[Chinute Chinute, a Larrakia spiritual ancestor. Bronze sculpture by Koolpinyah Richard Barnes at Darwin Waterfront]
We haven’t found a shirt yet but walking around gave us a good tour of the city center.
Here are some impressions.
After an unsuccessful hunt for the shirt we headed back to the hotel for a quick shower. Then we were on the streets again going to Mindil market once more for sunset and dinner.
If possible the market was even more crowded than on Sunday.
The beach was packed with people waiting for the sun to go down.
We joined them with the most delicious asian food and burgers just watching the sky change color.
Even more intense:
To the most incredible red:
