free day in darwin - no plans, no commitments, no expectations
tomorrow is 5 day mission kakadu with a small campervan booked
first stop today is tourist information to get unbiased advice
natalie is super-helpful with info for kakadu and also locally
breakfast - head to the waterfront and take the lift down - sure
and what a lift with panoramic views over grass, water, buildings
the irish bar recommended for breakfast and so that is taken - fine
a chance to pour over multiple tourist brochures and make some plans
saildarwin spotted and offering a sunset cruise - phoned and locked in
multiple hours to kill and this city not in any hurry and nor are we
the harbourside high-rise apartment buildings and shopping inspected
so, so quiet though - we are out of season or they are ahead of time
nonetheless we like it and already plans for a return visit hatched
we find the city mall and again are baffled by the lack of people
mid-winter for us but mid-dry season for them and great weather
certainly there is vacant retail space but others are welcoming
a disquiet about the future of strip/mall/centre shopping resolute
in a sense it seems natural but the punters do not seem to follow
we do our little bit with some required camping attire purchased
a wander to our nearby hotel (everything is close) to gear-swap
our sunset sail departs in 4 hours in a not too distant place
we head to portside to take in a walk towards the ferry terminal
history intervenes with compelling displays of weapons and monuments
world war 2 visited this place significantly with australia attacked
it's a known fact but time taken to take it in now is not wasted time
there's a sunken american warship out there still - many lives lost
that's about as close as i want to get to war so let's move it on
a realisation that a walk to cullen bay is silly in this 30+ heat
we stumble on a bus-top, check the timetable - and wait, and wait
an agreement we could be anywhere in the world at this time and place
all is good - especially when number 14 shows up with a friendly driver
he drops us at the cullen bay ferry terminal and a-wandering we go
the place is deserted and has a very affluent feel to it as well
lola's bar found - complete with merry-go-round horses as decor
it has an outdoor seating area overlooking an expansive marina
good choice and a few hours killed there waiting for departure
we clamber on to saildarwin's catamaran with about 20 others
the master (gary) his young wife and toddler son welcome us
kite is all of 2 and a half but there's a wisdom beyond that
motor out onto darwin harbour then watch the sail cranked up
as we head west the 'champagne' flows - brand seaview is flowing
the finger food of offer is of a known standard - ms gary at work
the cruise is scheduled to last over 2 hours leading up to sunset
a great view is had of our now latest favourite city as we sail past
and still the drinks and food flows - these people know their stuff
feed 'em and fuel 'em - a simple but effective formula is at work
it's all quite intoxicating actually on this very balmy evening
a gentle and warm breeze on the face as we sail into the sunset
the sun she sinks and the cameras are now out clicking crazily
we spot a waterside restaurant that suggests a visit real soon
there are also other boats out with lights suggesting tourism
understandable too with a great confluence of factors at work
balmy night, water, sailing, holiday, food and bubbly flowing
the timing seems perfect as we dock, step ashore and depart
taxi - thanks - the city is close as we are hotel-bound
yet another superb day in a city we now rate highly...
