21 – 25 June. 15251kms.
Larrakia Country.
Darwin! The big smoke of the Top End. It felt exhilarating to be in a city. A campground on the edge of town, squishier than we were used to, fake grass, jet plane practice over head, but we made it work! Nothing a couple of incredible water parks couldn’t fix – Darwin has them in spades. We celebrated Sal turning 5 with Nutella pancakes and a day down at the Darwin harbour. Milkshakes at the Marina, hours of wave pool action, and a hurried dinner at a trashy waterfront cafe to appease starving children!
Birthday cake enjoyed picnic styles, on the grass at Mindil markets. Music and presents, playtime and shopping! We reconnected with a fellow campervanner met a year ago at Ellery Big Hole near Alice Springs, Jenny the jewellery maker! The girls thrilled to have held our word over the course of the year, devouring her designs and handmade treasures. Inwards through the markets, thousands of happy shoppers, a stunning evening, our group split into to in order to better navigate crowds. We met back up down by the beach as the sun was setting, showing off purchased goods. But wait, where’s Santi? OMG. Hearts stopped, Roxy bolted. Talia ran after. A miscommunication – each group thought he was with the other. Thank good ness for premade plans for a safety spot should anyone get lost. There he was, by the live music stage. Had been there for 45mins. Agh. Fear, anger, tears, relief. All at once. He was safe. We escaped that one. Dinner of dumplings to the sound of live tunes. Exhausted, we stumbled home, Rox, Mum and co now at their fancy resort, we four back to the campsite.
Final full day with the crew, we wake up to news, more drama – Sal has Covid! Poor little guy, fevers and sweats. Day plans changed, RAT tests exchanged, and our little fam head to the Museum of the NT solo. Incredible exhibits, a photographic essay celebrating 50 years of economic independence for Arnhem Land, an interactive insight into Cyclone Tracy, fossilised birds and butterflies, and a taxidermied giant croc, once 780kg and named Sweetheart.
Back to the crew and noone else has tested positive. We sneak a swim in their fancy lagoon pool with swim-up bar. The cocktails taste divine as the sun sets. We farewell Rox and Santi, and Mum joins us for an evening at deckchair Cinema for the documentary River. A wild and emotive exploration of the rivers that are the earth’s lifeblood, poorly treated we suffer the damage. What a setting though, give me a film there any day!
And so ends our adventures with the Marinos clan. A foursome once more, we travel onwards!
