It is Sunday now and we have been home for 2 nights and a day. We are slowly coming back down to earth and will be back at work tomorrow. It all seems so strange and almost unreal but it is nice to be back in a comfy warm bed that you don’t have to climb into and I am slowly reintroducing myself to the kitchen and the pantry. So much space!! Our pets Ellie and Rosie were very glad to see us and us them. We really missed their companionship which was evident everywhere we met animals along the way. Our thanks go to Mum, Dad, Andy and our neighbours who looked after the animals and kept watch over our place, they look better than when we left.
In the end we travelled over 10,000km and stayed in 14 different places (Katherine and Kununurra twice at different points). We put the van up 15 times and down 14 times and are certainly experts at it. The kids even managed to put it up on their own once!
Many thanks for the feedback and comments that I have received regarding the blog. It has been a good way to record and share our travels with you which has been a very special experience and time for our family.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 34 Darwin and HOME!!
Last day today. The packing up has started and I do not know how I am going to fit everything that I need to take home in the suitcase that Mum and Dad have brought for us to pack up in. Typically, the kids have found friends to play with and spent the morning with them in the pool. Bags did eventually get put together and being still too early we had some lunch together and went for a quick drive into Charles Darwin National Park, where we learned more about Japan and America’s involvement in World War Two. There is a great lookout over Darwin from the park and it was a good place to reflect on all the things we have done here.
Quick trip to the supermarket for plane snacks and back to the van for a final change(it will be very cold in Melbourne) and it is hard to believe that it is all over. It seems very strange to be walking (well, flying really) away from the things that have housed and transported us so well for the last month. Someone asked me during our trip how we were coping being in such close confines with each other for such a long time. My response was that you live your reality. The car and van were our reality for 5 weeks (the visit to Bill’s place notwithstanding) and I never felt claustrophobic in either. Most days that we had stopped we were sightseeing, walking or swimming in the pool. The days we were on the road we had to cover huge distances in some of the most vast and open places I have ever visited.
Quick trip to the supermarket for plane snacks and back to the van for a final change(it will be very cold in Melbourne) and it is hard to believe that it is all over. It seems very strange to be walking (well, flying really) away from the things that have housed and transported us so well for the last month. Someone asked me during our trip how we were coping being in such close confines with each other for such a long time. My response was that you live your reality. The car and van were our reality for 5 weeks (the visit to Bill’s place notwithstanding) and I never felt claustrophobic in either. Most days that we had stopped we were sightseeing, walking or swimming in the pool. The days we were on the road we had to cover huge distances in some of the most vast and open places I have ever visited.
Day 32 and 33 Darwin
We knew that there would be a lot to do Darwin and we weren’t wrong. Our first stop was meant to be the Qantas hangar and the home of the Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club of the NT collection of classic and vintage cars, motorbikes and trucks. Problem is that we had quite a bit of trouble locating this place and we ended up heading up to East Point and we visited the Military Museum there. We learned a lot about the Japanese bombing of Darwin, something that we were aware of but had no idea of the devastation that occurred here over the months towards the end of World War II.
We did eventually find the Qantas hangar and then went into town (Darwin really doesn’t feel like a city) for some lunch. I treated myself by trying on a $135,000 strand of pearls at Paspaley Pearls. The afternoon was spent marvelling at the sheer size of the B-52 Bomber that is housed in yet another hangar, this one purpose built for displaying this mighty beast and a number of smaller aircraft.
The guide here was extremely knowledgeable about the B-52 and he talked for ages which would have been boring except it was so interesting to hear what these planes were used for and how they actually fly. It seems impossible that they could even get off the ground.
Next visit and second last for the day was to Aquascene Fish Feeding. We had heard a bit about this place and it was a bit daggy but to have wild fish of many different varieties swimming around your feet was very exciting. Some of the fish even came to the surface and took the bread from our hands.
After watching the sunset from the wharf we went to my Aunty and Uncles for a BBQ dinner and to meet Mum and Dad who are bringing the car and caravan home for us.
Thursday we did some more sightseeing around Darwin with Mum and Dad. We spent a few (free) hours in Darwin’s brilliant (airconditioned) Museum with its Cyclone Tracy Exhibit and another hour or so in the wave pool on the waterfront after having lunch at Stokes Hill Wharf. The museum is a must see in my opinion, it is every bit as good as ours here in Melbourne, just on a smaller scale.
We didn’t save much energy for our evening, however which we planned long ago to spend at the Mindil Beach Markets, something we have been looking forward to for some time when we realised that we would be in Darwin for the first Market of the season. What we were not prepared for was the seething mass of humanity that we came apon. We found a car park not far from the market but the sheer volume of people was truly amazing, even by Melbourne Show or Footy Finals in Melbourne standard. We did make a few special purchases and found dinner. Justin had lots of turns at the whip cracking and it would appear that he has quite the knack for it.
We decided to escape the madding crowd and not wait around for the fireworks. Maccas and 50c cones were a really good idea and then we found a vantage point not far from the market to see the fireworks, which did not disappoint.
We did eventually find the Qantas hangar and then went into town (Darwin really doesn’t feel like a city) for some lunch. I treated myself by trying on a $135,000 strand of pearls at Paspaley Pearls. The afternoon was spent marvelling at the sheer size of the B-52 Bomber that is housed in yet another hangar, this one purpose built for displaying this mighty beast and a number of smaller aircraft.
The guide here was extremely knowledgeable about the B-52 and he talked for ages which would have been boring except it was so interesting to hear what these planes were used for and how they actually fly. It seems impossible that they could even get off the ground.
Next visit and second last for the day was to Aquascene Fish Feeding. We had heard a bit about this place and it was a bit daggy but to have wild fish of many different varieties swimming around your feet was very exciting. Some of the fish even came to the surface and took the bread from our hands.
After watching the sunset from the wharf we went to my Aunty and Uncles for a BBQ dinner and to meet Mum and Dad who are bringing the car and caravan home for us.
Thursday we did some more sightseeing around Darwin with Mum and Dad. We spent a few (free) hours in Darwin’s brilliant (airconditioned) Museum with its Cyclone Tracy Exhibit and another hour or so in the wave pool on the waterfront after having lunch at Stokes Hill Wharf. The museum is a must see in my opinion, it is every bit as good as ours here in Melbourne, just on a smaller scale.
We didn’t save much energy for our evening, however which we planned long ago to spend at the Mindil Beach Markets, something we have been looking forward to for some time when we realised that we would be in Darwin for the first Market of the season. What we were not prepared for was the seething mass of humanity that we came apon. We found a car park not far from the market but the sheer volume of people was truly amazing, even by Melbourne Show or Footy Finals in Melbourne standard. We did make a few special purchases and found dinner. Justin had lots of turns at the whip cracking and it would appear that he has quite the knack for it.
We decided to escape the madding crowd and not wait around for the fireworks. Maccas and 50c cones were a really good idea and then we found a vantage point not far from the market to see the fireworks, which did not disappoint.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Day 31 Batchelor to Darwin
Today we put the van down and the up again in Darwin for the last time on this trip (weather and other disasters permitting). We have gotten into such a routine with this that we almost do it without thinking. There are some jobs that the kids automatically do on their own that are easier for them to do than us. They also got to put it up on their own once!
50km up the road, and Darwin was almost upon us. Instead we headed 30km along the Arnhem Hwy to the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Tour that had been recommended to us. I have to say that these places were not well advertised out on the highway and we almost gave up after we went past the Fogg Dam. Another 2km on a gravel road and we were wondering where on earth we were going but we eventually arrived on the banks of the Adelaide River and got on the 11am tour.
Crocs we wanted and crocs we got. As well as the droll/smarty pants guide and his ever reliable female sidekick, who I might add did all the work attracting the crocs while he did all the talking and driving. The best part was when the kites (big meat eating birds) cam down to swoop in and catch small bits of meat that the sidekick threw in the air to them. All in all it was quite fun and worth the admission price. On the way in to Darwin we were discussing which other “croc” things we might see. It was croc this and croc that. Keith cleverly suggested that all of these attractions may be a croc of s***!
The obligatory swim and chat in the pool with other travellers was had and then lured by the promise of a cheap but quality buffet dinner and the Sky City Casino, we gussied ourselves up and headed on into town. The sunset from the restaurant was spectacular and we managed to not make piggies of ourselves at the buffet. The kids even showed restraint at the help yourself to fizzy drinks station.
After dinner we had a drive around Darwin and located some places we want to look at. It was also good to orient ourselves and make sure we can find our way later. Darwin seems to be a small laid back city with pockets of nightlife. It is not a very big place and we headed back to the van with full bellies and tired heads after another big day.
50km up the road, and Darwin was almost upon us. Instead we headed 30km along the Arnhem Hwy to the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Tour that had been recommended to us. I have to say that these places were not well advertised out on the highway and we almost gave up after we went past the Fogg Dam. Another 2km on a gravel road and we were wondering where on earth we were going but we eventually arrived on the banks of the Adelaide River and got on the 11am tour.
Crocs we wanted and crocs we got. As well as the droll/smarty pants guide and his ever reliable female sidekick, who I might add did all the work attracting the crocs while he did all the talking and driving. The best part was when the kites (big meat eating birds) cam down to swoop in and catch small bits of meat that the sidekick threw in the air to them. All in all it was quite fun and worth the admission price. On the way in to Darwin we were discussing which other “croc” things we might see. It was croc this and croc that. Keith cleverly suggested that all of these attractions may be a croc of s***!
The obligatory swim and chat in the pool with other travellers was had and then lured by the promise of a cheap but quality buffet dinner and the Sky City Casino, we gussied ourselves up and headed on into town. The sunset from the restaurant was spectacular and we managed to not make piggies of ourselves at the buffet. The kids even showed restraint at the help yourself to fizzy drinks station.
After dinner we had a drive around Darwin and located some places we want to look at. It was also good to orient ourselves and make sure we can find our way later. Darwin seems to be a small laid back city with pockets of nightlife. It is not a very big place and we headed back to the van with full bellies and tired heads after another big day.
Day 30 Batchelor/Litchfield NP
Today we visited Litchfield National Park. We had been promised much and were not sure it would deliver judging by what we were seeing from the car. First we went to Wangi Falls and even though they were closed to swimmers, we still got to walk around and over the top of the falls. It did not look far, but it was quite a strenuous walk and I kept being surprised by the Golden Orb Spiders that inhabited the cooler parts of the track and steps. Wangi is the “sacrificial” waterhole at Litchfield, the one that has been all done up with steps and hand rails to make it easy to get into the water. This being closed, we should have expected the others to be busy as it was also a public holiday. The Lichfield Café was very quiet save for a few tourists from buses and they were very quiet, this was in stark contrast to the yobbos that followed and passed us as we struggled to get close to Florence Falls. I can only imagine how beautiful this place must be when it is quiet as it resembled Aquarena (our local swimming pool) on a 37 degree summer day in school holidays. Buley Rockhole was a little quieter and more spread out and we were delighted by the water monitor (big lizard) that sat on his elevated rock above the water hole and observed the space that was most obviously his.
The kids had a round of mini golf whilst Keith and I tried to cool down in the shade of the van. Dinner at the local pub and a game of cards back at the van was a very relaxing way to end the day.
The kids had a round of mini golf whilst Keith and I tried to cool down in the shade of the van. Dinner at the local pub and a game of cards back at the van was a very relaxing way to end the day.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Day 29 Katherine to Batchelor
It’s a MIRACLE The barramundi was sensational and Shannon, after some persuasion tried it and LIKED IT! Only parents of fussy eaters will appreciate our excitement, sorry. Now to find a quality source of barra in Melbourne….
Yesterday afternoon we went for a drive around Katherine and paid a visit to some good friends of Bill’s, Doug and Yvonne. They have a wonderful house with a veranda that is almost as wide as our house and two Staffordshire Bull Terriers called Digger and Sally. So cool and comfortable. The kids were able to see their cows and feed the leaves of the banana plants to them. They ran back and forth for the best part of an hour doing that while Keith, Doug and Bill inspected Doug’s impressive sheds and car collection. Presently the sprinklers went on to the grass and the garden and our poor water derived children decided first to run through and not get wet and then to run through and get wet on purpose.
Dear Readers, Keith and I have taken our children through some of the most impressive, heritage listed sites in Australia, to beautiful waterholes and fun swimming pools. It is with some chagrin that I inform you that the place they want to come back to is Doug and Yvonne’s place in Katherine to run through the sprinklers and feed the cows and play with the dogs. Not bad eh?
The drive to Batchelor on the outskirts of Litchfield National Park today was mercifully short after spending a relaxing morning at Bill’s house. We were served café style omelettes and took Sam the dog for a walk. We met some more of Bill’s friends, these ones pulled up in a beautifully restored A Model Ford. This has been the most delightful and surprising visit!
Oh yes. We got our rain mojo back! As soon as the van was set up, the kids went for a swim and watched the bird feeding here at the park, the skies opened up and we were treated to some more wind and rain, this time, Batchelor style.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Day 27/28 Kununurra to Katherine
On our previous trip to Katherine I mentioned that we were fortunate enough to meet and have dinner with Bill, a contact we made through the car club. Now we are back in Katherine and he has further extended his generous hospitality and friendship and we are staying with him for the next 2 nights. It was lovely (if unfamiliar) to stay in a house and sleep in a proper bed for a change. The aircon and the well stocked kitchen are a wonderful bonus. The kids are ploughing their way through Bill’s DVD collection. Anyone would think they haven’t seen a telly for a month! (oh, yes, that’s right, they haven’t…)
A brief note on the (uneventful) trip from Kununurra to Katherine. We stopped at Timber Creek, hoping to get some lunch but left with souvenirs instead as they were more edible than the food on offer there. Lisa-Jane has scored here (unintentionally) and I even bought a postcard to authenticate the purchase. Victoria River roadhouse some 90km down the road was in contrast a peaceful, clean place to stop with reasonably priced and freshly cooked food.
This morning (Saturday) we have been on a four hour cruise on the Katherine River through the first 3 gorges. The scenery is spectacular and we found the cruise to be a lovely relaxing way to experience this National Park. Because we were with a small group, we got the opportunity t swim in 2 different but equally beautiful swimming holes.
We are looking forward for a quiet tour of Katherine this afternoon and Barramundi for dinner. Mmmm cant wait!
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