Darwin, Australia

Two sea days had passed after our stop in Benoa (Bali), Indonesia. During that time, we had sailed southeast across the Lombok Basin of the Indian Ocean. After passing through a group of shoals named Fantome Shoal and Jabiru Shoal, the Diamond Princess entered the Timor Sea. From there we cut an easterly course towards Australia. Early Sunday morning on November 9, 2014, our ship approached the Darwin Harbour passing Charles Point Patches off the Cox Peninsula. Once we entered the channel, we passed Elliot Point and Emery Point on the port side around 6:30 a.m. At approximately 6:38 a.m. we came alongside our berth at Forthill Wharf located at the waterfront in Darwin, Australia. 

Wow, we were in Australia! I was excited to step foot on Aussie soil for the first time. 

After our ship cleared customs around 7:00 a.m., we were eager to go ashore. Passengers were warned about heat exhaustion and advised to bring plenty of bottled water on their ventures off ship. The sun was fierce and it was very humid. The temperatures were already around 87F (31C) but expected to climb quickly and by mid-day, the heat index would take it to 100F (37.7C).

The Darwin Waterfront was a mix of modern residential, retail and commercial venues. There was a convention center, a salt water wave lagoon safe for swimming and a salt water recreational lagoon complete with "stinger" nets (yellow and red floats can be seen below where the net is strung across the water). 

  

Hmmm, I just mentioned "stingers" and some of you may be thinking "what are they"? "Stingers" are jellyfish and Australia is home to a variety of these venomous creatures. Between November and May, northern tropical Australia (Darwin) hosts flotillas of an almost invisible guest known as the box jellyfish (or affectionately called "boxies" by locals). The nets are made of 25mm square mesh that descends to the ocean floor and is weighed down by chain. It is designed to prevent larger types of jellyfish from drifting into the enclosed swimming area by entangling the tentacles or creating an impasse. This doesn't keep the smaller ones away, though, like the "boxies". For such a small creature, it gives a deadly punch through the sting of its tentacles. Australia has more deadly animals in the waters such as crocodiles and great white sharks, to name a few. Many beaches and swimming areas have nets to protect bathers from these dangerous animals. Some swimming spots are just too dangerous and signs like this are posted.

Town center was approximately a one mile walk (20 minutes) from the pier. We strolled through the lovely wharf area to a glass elevator located on a bluff overlooking the waterfront/port area.

The glass elevator took us up to the top of the bluff. Then we crossed a pedestrian catwalk.

Then a walk up some stairs took us to the outskirts of the city centre. 

It was still early and so quiet. Enjoying the shade trees, we walked under their canopies and admired the Mokuy, or spirit figures, carved in wood. Based on ancient spiritual beliefs, these were set in place by the Creator Beings and Ancestors, through epic journeys and events during spiritual lives.

  

Darwinians are known for their resilience and progressiveness. It could be that their past had something to do with it. Inhabitants of Darwin have survived numerous setbacks such as cyclones and Japanese air raids during World War II, flattening most of the city. The most recent natural disaster came in 1974 from Cyclone Tracy which leveled Darwin with over 170+ mph winds. Inhabitants consistently return and rebuild and don't give up. Most of Darwin's historical buildings and landmarks have been destroyed with some restoration. 

Darwin is 43.25 square miles (112 km squared) making it rather small in size. It had a lazy, laid-back, quiet groove to it. There were some shops and restaurants with sidewalk cafes. However, any outdoor dining wasn't attractive due to the heat. There was a botanical garden and some museums showcasing artifacts and art of the Aboriginal people, the history of the city's development and rebuilding efforts, unique seafaring vessels and even a stuffed crocodile named Sweetheart. There were also a few parks.

Speaking of crocodiles, they are a part of Australia, good or bad. Tales of famous crocs exist, like Sweetheart and Brutus. Sweetheart, who was stuffed and displayed in the Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences, was a 14 foot long croc that attacked boats. Brutus still lives in the Adelaide River and is said to be 50 feet long and missing a foot after a fight with a shark. The Adelaide River is famed for its jumping crocs who literally jump out of the water and into the air in order to grab their meal. 

As we walked through the centre of town, we passed a representative from the Crocodylus Park. My friend Lyn got to pet a baby croc that he was holding. 

  

Did I mention it was hot, hot, hot? We were "melting" and nothing but air conditioning and cold liquids looked good.

  

The idea of stingers didn't entice us to want to swim. So we headed back to the ship to escape the heat and cool off.

Onwards to our next stop...Port Douglas, Australia...and snorkeling in the Asia and Australia 2014 (click on the link).