Never heard of Darwin, Australia? No? That would be because nothing happens here. This is a stinker of a port, literally. The ship uses this spot as an opportunity to unload sewage (be warned if your room is starboard aft) and to get some supplies. In this port you can drive 2 hours to see a water fall, drive an hour to make huge crocodiles jump out of the water while you feed them or you can walk the tiny town.
This town has been totally destroyed three times in the last 60 years. That would explain why everything looks very 1990's-modern.
No frills or locals meeting us this morning
The gun seems a bit excessive for a customs agent
A total of 3 buses for shore excursion folks
Welcome to the man-made port of Darwin. The walkway leading to the upper right takes you to the town
One available option here is the hop-on hop-off bus (there's just 1 bus for the company)
Most folks just walk off the ship, turn right and head towards the city
Boat is at the bottom of the "V", turn left, follow the path around, hit the elevator and you're in the town
The actual city of Darwin sits atop a 60' plateau so you have to ride the elevator (the glass column attached to the building)
Exit the elevator, walk across the big bridge
Keep following the signs
Remains of old Darwin, pre-1974 hurricane that leveled the town
Interesting fact, Darwin is Australia's version of Pearl Harbor. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor they headed to Australia and bombed the city, totally destroying it.
Plaque at the town's mall entrance
ww2 pic
ww2 pic
ww2 pic
ww2 pic
ww2 pic
ww2 pic
Little fact my Australian friends forgot to mention, the Aboriginal people here are vicious and will have no problem beating you to get your stuff. Had I known that I wouldn't have walked down the dark, tight path to the beach to get these pictures. But I lived! (thank you spirits for not getting me killed).
An idea how "large" this port is
The main drag
Having fun with park benches
If you look closely on the left side are some shadows. Those are the Aboriginal locals
As luck would have it a tour was late returning thus delaying our departure half an hour. Thankfully for one couple that delay allowed them to make the boat. They were in a taxi seeing the city, goofed around too long, got stuck in traffic, barely making it before the doors were closed.
Things are a little expensive here
"High security" port entrance
4:30. Time to go
Ship tour group coming in very late
A taxi, headed from the port at 5pm?
She just walked to the ship. Hubby's still missing
Gives you an idea of the plateau the town is built upon
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