Heading back to Darwin on the Arnhem Highway we stop at a few of the famous pubs. First is the Bark Hut, which is just that, a huge shed with a bark roof. Lots of memorabilia! Had a wee drink and a good look around.
Back on the road and traveled another 50 km or so admiring the diverse views, one minute dry and bleak, the next lush and green. Next stop was the Humty Doo Hotel for lunch and then on to Darwin. Arrived in Darwin around 2.30pm and booked into the Coolalinga Tourist Park, we had a lot of trouble trying to book into any other park around Darwin as its busy with the grey nomads at the moment. The park is dusty and a bit run down but it has a nice pool and toilets and showers are clean. we ended up down the pub for tea at the Palmerston Tavern and back for an early night.
Next few days just kinda rolled past, lazy mornings and early nights. Managed to fit in The Terminator Movie, a visit to the wave pool at the Darwin waterfront,Dinner at an Irish pub in town and a wee trip to the Big shopping centre at Casuarina. I treated myself to a pedicure and Tommy bought me a nice watch.
11th July
Had a text from Lorraine & Gavin last night, to say they would be in Darwin and what park were we staying in, they are arriving soon! I caught up on my blog and they appear at our van around lunchtime. They get setup and have some lunch and we all set off in our car for a tour of Darwin. We show them the sights Pete had shown us and then we all head to Safeway for some groceries and head off separately to make our own dinner. Around 8 pm Lorraine & Gavin come across and we have a wee game of cards. They have introduced us to a game called Phase 10! At first we are hesitant as we are not big card players but once we get into it we love it! We have a great laugh and a few drinks before heading for bed around 10pm. Great wee night!
Disaster! Next day I woke up with a terrible headache and sore throat! I felt ill and ended up with 2 days in bed and a visit to the doctor! Jaw sore and neck and the doctor said to just keep an eye on it as it could be Ross River fever! Second day I managed to sit up for drinks at 5pm, but now Lorraine has a tummy bug!
Another few days pass as we recover, manage some games of cards a few nights, dinner at Crustaceans, a trip to the national park in Darwin and Tommy annoyed some green ants!
Had a text from Lorraine & Gavin last night, to say they would be in Darwin and what park were we staying in, they are arriving soon! I caught up on my blog and they appear at our van around lunchtime. They get setup and have some lunch and we all set off in our car for a tour of Darwin. We show them the sights Pete had shown us and then we all head to Safeway for some groceries and head off separately to make our own dinner. Around 8 pm Lorraine & Gavin come across and we have a wee game of cards. They have introduced us to a game called Phase 10! At first we are hesitant as we are not big card players but once we get into it we love it! We have a great laugh and a few drinks before heading for bed around 10pm. Great wee night!
Disaster! Next day I woke up with a terrible headache and sore throat! I felt ill and ended up with 2 days in bed and a visit to the doctor! Jaw sore and neck and the doctor said to just keep an eye on it as it could be Ross River fever! Second day I managed to sit up for drinks at 5pm, but now Lorraine has a tummy bug!
Another few days pass as we recover, manage some games of cards a few nights, dinner at Crustaceans, a trip to the national park in Darwin and Tommy annoyed some green ants!
On the 17th of July, Tommy & I visited the Crocodile park. Its actually a Crocodile breeding park(sold for meat, skins etc), a small zoo and also has a man made billabong full of Crocodiles!
we walked around the breeding enclosures, a concrete pen divided in two with some water in each part and of course a dry mud and grass area in each. The small crocs are the females and the big brutes are the males... scary stuff when they tried feeding them and they almost jump to the top of the fences!
Then we had a look at the zoo, lions, monkeys, emus, dingos and some others but wasn't overly large. We booked on the boat trip around their billabong and got a look at the big male crocs. Then its on to the nursery pen where they have hundreds, yes hundreds of young crocodiles in one large pool! Unbelievable! I thought I might get treated to a croc handbag, but then we saw the prices.... $3000 dollars! That would be a no!
we walked around the breeding enclosures, a concrete pen divided in two with some water in each part and of course a dry mud and grass area in each. The small crocs are the females and the big brutes are the males... scary stuff when they tried feeding them and they almost jump to the top of the fences!
Then we had a look at the zoo, lions, monkeys, emus, dingos and some others but wasn't overly large. We booked on the boat trip around their billabong and got a look at the big male crocs. Then its on to the nursery pen where they have hundreds, yes hundreds of young crocodiles in one large pool! Unbelievable! I thought I might get treated to a croc handbag, but then we saw the prices.... $3000 dollars! That would be a no!
That night we invited Gavin & Lorraine over for a roast dinner and a game of cards. Had a great last night with them as they leave in the morning.
Up early next morning to say our goodbyes and then off to the shops for me and to the pub to watch the Soccer for Tommy. I had a great time in the shops and managed to get my outfits for the weddings in Scotland. When I was finished I called Tommy and met him at the pub. When I got there he was chatting to a guy who worked at the mines and was giving Tommy advice about what to do to get into the mining trade. We had dinner and then went to the movies to see the new Jurassic Park movie! Great day out!
Another lazy day on the Sunday, just cleaning and tidying up for the off tomorrow.
Up early next morning to say our goodbyes and then off to the shops for me and to the pub to watch the Soccer for Tommy. I had a great time in the shops and managed to get my outfits for the weddings in Scotland. When I was finished I called Tommy and met him at the pub. When I got there he was chatting to a guy who worked at the mines and was giving Tommy advice about what to do to get into the mining trade. We had dinner and then went to the movies to see the new Jurassic Park movie! Great day out!
Another lazy day on the Sunday, just cleaning and tidying up for the off tomorrow.