Alright, so Mary so kindly informed me that it may not be the best idea to finish a post with "oh yeah and there are these plants here that I could die from... GOODNIGHT!" LOL! Oops sorry grandma and anyone else who didn't think the croc stat and crazy flora/fauna info was as cool as I did!
Well, I didn't get a chance to post last night cause I ran out of internet time and I was packing up my stuff and making last minute plans, as I flew out of Cairns this morning and into Darwin. Yes, the town in the upper North end of Australia is named after Charles Darwin- I don't know that much about why yet, but interesting huh? Now saying I just hopped a flight and flew here is the understatement of the year... the shuttle driver was 20 min late picking me up and then we waited at least 40 min for other people, he dropped me at the domestic terminal which makes sense since it was a domestic flight but oh no... I was supposed to be at the International terminal which I was so kindly made aware of by a not very nice lady who works for Jetstar Airline who said and I quote, "Well you're in the wrong place, go out these doors follow the signs... the walk takes about 5 minutes and you've got 6 minutes until they're not taking bags for your flight anymore," WHAT? Ok, so long story short... my flight was continuing on to Singapore after dropping passengers in Darwin, therefore technically making it an International flight for everyone meaning it took off from that terminal, the baggage closed 60 min (instead of 30) before the flight, and several Aussie passengers were screwed cause they didn't have their passports and the airline wouldn't accept just their licenses! Let's just say I made it by the skin of my teeth... no help the airport staff!
I'm staying in the most commercialized hostel I ever have... there's like 500 people here... a rooftop pool and bar... it's pretty interesting. I guess this is THE most popular time of year to come to Darwin. It's really a small town in the middle of nowhere, but for the traveller and backpacker during the three months it's bearable weather, it's pretty popular! Which is why the tour of the National Park I wanted is all booked during my time here. I got my second choice, which is better than not seeing the scenery while I'm here, but I've just decided that I need to start my list of "Next time I go to Australia I need to MAKE sure to hit Ayers Rock, Kakadu National Park, etc." There just has to be a next time! This country is too darn big to do in 3 weeks! And the more I read about New Zealand, the more I know two weeks there is not even gonna come close to enough time!
I went to the BEST market tonight at a beach just North of Darwin. My evening consisted of watching the gorgeous sunset over the ocean, listening to live music, wandering around great arts/crafts, clothing, and weird stuff booths, buying a few fun things (like a kangaroo leather necklace... it really is cool and there are WAY too many kangaroos here - they say they're like rabbits or deer), and EATING the most amazing food (battered Barmundi (fish), chips (fries), fresh tropical fruit smoothie, AND and lemon and sugar crepe)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention I watched a "cool drumming monkeys" puppet show, a woman with fire torches putting on a show, and got to handle a giant snake that really liked me! Tonight was the first time I really wish one of you had been here!!!!!! Anyone, absolutely anyone, would have been had a wonderful evening at the Mindi Beach Markets tonight!
Good times and tomorrow I will discover Darwin - it's about 95 degrees or so, so I believe I will find some swimming somewhere! :)
G'night mates! Kate
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