We just about melt in Darwin’s wet season Christmas! (2011)
But Darwin still manages to stage a Carol show between downpours…
Litchfield National Park – beautiful pools but swimming not allowed during wet season – due to crocodiles!
Before a rain storm – and 3 hours later! Notice where the swimmers were!
On our way to Kakadu National Park for a Christmas/New Year break – we liked this in the middle of nowhere.
A tour operator specialises in river trips to feed the crocs… We chose not to encourage this!
Kakadu – one of the largest wetlands in the world – under water in the wet…
You can even get fresh buffalo mozzarella in the Northern Territory…
Outcrops tower above the Kakadu wetlands…
There are many sites sacred to the Australian Aborigines.
The wet season regularly closes roads for months at a time.
Keith tries to catch a barramundi – despite all the warning signs to beware of crocs…
… and REALLY pushes his luck with the crocs – and still doesn’t catch a barra!
Emily organised a special treat from the kids for Keith’s birthday – quite a feat, thanks Em!
We finally managed to get a photo of a Jabiru – unique to this part of the world.
After studying while we cruised up Queensland, Christine passed 5 exams in 4 days in February and started her new job in Darwin.
Keith enjoys the Wet Season Sailing – races can only be held every two weeks due to the tides – and are cancelled in the event of a cyclone!
Finally the rains end – and Darwin starts to party – beginning with Symphony in the Park…
… we really enjoyed The Wetlands Suite composed for the Darwin Youth Orchestra by Cathy Applegate.
Darwin is not a large city – more like a big town, but it has a great atmosphere. View of the city foreshore…
… and looking the other way.
Keith gets his Australian Citizenship – a year earlier than we expected! Now we have a choice of countries to live in!
All dressed up to attend the AHA (Australian Hotel Association) Awards (courtesy of her job). Pretty good for a yachtie!
Then there’s Ladies Day at the Races (also courtesy of work)…
… doesn’t every female yachtie have a fascinator on board?
We take a break from all the socialising and re-visit Litchfield. They clear the crocs out for the dry season so people can swim!
Darwin has a large Greek population and they hold an annual Glenti festival – lots of Greek food and entertainment.
We are invited aboard the starting boat for the Darwin to Dili Yacht Race – courtesy of Keith’s work.
… Keith is looking after Toll’s Dili operation – and organised to transport some moorings for Dili Harbour.
The iconic Dinah Beach Yacht Club joins in the silly season by organising a Viking Funeral …
… once the tide comes in, the boat is launched, complete with corpse, and set alight.
Of course, it’s really just another excuse to party!
Meanwhile, circumnavigating yachts from all over the world gather for the Sail Indonesia Rally…
The Rally organises the visas, paperwork and permits required by bureaucratic Indonesia for the 140-odd yachts taking part.
… and the partying continues – the Turf Club Ball provides another opportunity to dress up!
The Ball is held under the stars on the lawns of the Casino, with live entertainment & buffet dinner for about 2000 people…
… complete with inflation of the Carlton Mid Hot Air Baloon – followed by fireworks at midnight.
Christine’s fascinator gets another outing for the Darwin Cup (yet another event courtesy of her job).
Race Week is another dry season excuse for Darwin to party!
The dirt race track is sprayed with used engine oil to stop the dust – but makes for very dirty horses and jockeys!
Keith spotted this bird nesting in the base of a flower pot at the Botanical Gardens.
We took a trip to Katherine (about 4 hours south of Darwin) and this statue honours the stockmen who developed the Northern Territory.
Katherine’s Hot Springs were only luke warm (thankfully since air temperature is usually above 35 degrees), but the water was crystal clear.
We enjoyed a boat trip up the Katherine Gorge…
… they don’t clear out the crocs here – this one is about 4-5 metres long…
… and there are Fresh Water crocs as well – but they have smaller mouths so aren’t quite so dangerous!
Katherine is Darwin’s nearest neighbouring town and we enjoyed the break after such a busy dry season.
