Darwin, Top End!
Darwin, Top End, Northern Territory, Way North. Yup. Made it to Darwin. 7500 Kilometers done (that sounds so much farther than 4500 miles huh?)!!Lets see where was I. Oh yes the Road from Hell was done and I was back on tarmac, sweet tarmac. :=) Actually the road wasnt as bad as I have made it sound (except for that sand/bull dust part), it was mostly the stress of being out there alone, especially after seeing so many signs that said dont travel this road alone. I KNOW what you are thinking and I am guilty! :=) I reached the Stuart Highway where I turned north once again. Daly Waters was right there. It is a VERY historic town. I know this because the sign said so.
It actually was a very cool little place with the Outbacks first traffic light.
I ask the mayor what triggered it to turn green. He said when I remove the lens and put the bulb down at the bottom, but I dont do that often because we like folks to stop. I saw a bit on TV about Daly Waters and they were bowling, right in the middle of the road. The reporter asked him what happened if a car came along. He said they have to wait till the game is over! I liked the place but moved on north to Katherine. Stayed there a couple of days. Headed north again toward Darwin with a little side trip into Litchfield National Park.
Some great roads, nice swimming holes, (even the "designated" areas made me nervous! :=)
and very different termite mounds.
These termite mounds were different than I had been seeing (and you of course).
They were very thin and all ORIENTED TO MAGNETIC NORTH!
Hey, I am only telling you what they told me! :=) See if you can read the sign.
On to Darwin. I usually like the smaller towns but I had been in the outback so long that I was looking forward to Darwin. :=)
Oriented myself (to magnetic north) :=) and booked a sunset cruise of Darwin Harbor. It was very nice and I needed the relaxation.
Again for my friends in the Ventura H.O.G. Chapter, I saw this place down the street from the hotel in Darwin.
My question is do you go there to get rid of Helmet Hair or to get the Helmet Hair look?" :=)
I have a couple of days to wind down then Corey will be here and we will start the second half heading a bit farther west and south toward Perth (but first another 500 mile dirt road (Gibb River Road) and some great beaches again around Broome). More later. Many more pictures here if interested.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4659871_pddif//381849450_MuqW4