Alex Boucher's blog

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 136 (Darwin) 31st May 2002

ALEX: Well, the air-con works. Got a bit cold last night. Up first thing to catch a bus to Casourina, for souvenir shopping – only found a couple of things, got the rest in Darwin. Was totally unsatisfied with the books I was reading so I changed them. Undecided with where to eat, so tried Raffles who had a free Barbie.

MEGS: ended up having a few games of pool at The Pub Bar – very quiet so you are guaranteed a game! Then on to Rorkes drift again for dinner al fresco of fish n chips and jacket potato – good value, lovely food, wicked pub all round! Didn’t bother going back to The Vic. On the way home, hand fed some lovely possums a banana and stroked them – fucking brilliant, doing it again tomorrow! Had my haircut whilst Alex surfed the net at Global Gossip. Tried the Bundaberg Rum with coke. Threw both glasses away – hideous.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 135 (Darwin) 30th May 2002

MEGS: Slept until 9.15, not even the sound of the Greyhound buses awoke me! Then realised we had to pack up and check out by 10. That we did, and moved into out last hostel in Australia, Globetrotters. For 4 dollars more we get a double room with air con, fan, shower and toilet, and a fridge. Tried to blag a TV from another room, but the maid freaked out! Darwin TV channels are shite anyway so no big loss. Photo’s are done – not very good ones to get enlarged (free toothpaste thingy offer) Took out stuff to send back tom the UK, hope it makes it, the box was quite small. Big search for a good restaurant to eat at for our last night in Oz. Went up to Mindil Beach, 15-20 minute walk from hostel, very nice beach, almost deserted. Stayed until 5ish for the sunset market, wich mainly had lots of lovely smelling food; we shared possum satay – tasted like pork.

ALEX About 6 months ago, if someone had asked me if I’d tried Possum Satay, I wouldn’t have realised it existed! Its really been a trip full of culinary surprises. Anyway, just as the hordes were filling up Mindil Market, we headed back and paid a visit to the local backpackers bar, The Vic. We had free meal vouchers, and thankfully it wasn’t the half-hearted slop we got in Cairns; an all you can eat Barbie no less! Very good and best of all, very free! Went back and stopped on the way at a tree full of possums! We’ll be back tomorrow with the camcorder and some nuts.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 134 (Darwin) 29th May 2002

MEGS: Up at 7 am, woken by our tour guide Nez (3 months on the job) and lots of Kookaburra’s. Nowhere to wash ourselves, looking pretty grubby! Had brekkie, packed up camp then off to Twin Falls – we had been warned that it was a bit of a swim there. After a bumpy drive, arrived at car park, then got boogie boards out and put all cameras and wallets in a waterproof canister then off we swam. The sun wasn’t hitting the water, so it was pretty cold, also spied a few croc traps – apparently they’ve all been caught.. Swam for around 20 minutes, then over some craggy big rocks, more swimming and we made it. A lovely beach and waterfall into a lake, with no one there except our group. Very cold though. The sun did finally come out and it was bliss, as more peope started to arrive. Stayed about 2 hours then back the way we came – a lot nicer now the sun was out. Back to 4X4, and for lunch at a marshy place near Nourlangie Rock.

ALEX: Second last stop was a quick look at some aboriginal art round Nourlangie Rock – so authentic that they they colour in the images that are faded, with one picture only being possible from the top of a ladder. A curious sort, the Abo’s. The van is pretty cramped so by now its rather uncomfortable for those in the back. We check out some termite mounds and one huge one, during an amazing sunset showing off deep reds, oranges and purples. After that its just another hour back to Darwin to the organised chaos at Chilli’s reception. They’d lost the 2 Canadian girls wallets, and you should’ve seen the storage room..Then next door for a crocodile and buffalo yiro. Pretty good, but too much like other meats. At last a shower and 1 more night in room 4A at Chilli’s.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 133 (Kakadu National Park) 28th May 2002

ALEX: Damn alarm clock broke so a bit of a restless night. On the street by 7ish to join the others, who all turn out to be female, including the tour guide! First stop is the Adelaide River for an impressive show of crocs heading for the boat and trying to grab some meat, some even propelling themselves halfway out of the water for a bite. Then more driving, down to Jim Jim Falls in 4 wheel drive. Very bumpy. 800 metres worth of rocks and a bit of a trickle where the waterfall should be, but nice weather, sand, clear and cold water.

MEGS: Then to our camp to light a fire and watch the sun go down at Birjeneer Point. A few tinnies and some red wine, and had a slap-up meal of marinated kangaroo, jacket potatoes, stir fried veg and toasted marshmallows and Tim-Tams to follow. Loads of other camps set up in the clearing, so we ended up sitting round someone elses campfire with 2 guys playing guitars, amusing for a small amount of time – one was really talented, the other had a voice that went out of tune a bit! Back to our campfire and sleeping bags, quite surprisingly warm and snug.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 132 (Darwin) 27th May 2002

MEGS: Changed some books as Alex is getting through them too damn quick! It was a scorchio day today, so sunbathing was a must. Souvenir shopping, looking for that perfect snowglobe. Booked haircut. Went to feed some massive fish at Aquascene – fed them by hand, got splashed lots!

ALEX: Had quick best of 3 in the Pub Bar, followed by another drink at the “Discovery Bar”. Useless barmaid, so we won’t visit again. Packed for Kakadu tomorrow, then its 4 more days in Australia.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 131 (Darwin) 26th May 2002

ALEX: Today started off ok, the regular mission for food the next day, exploring more of Darwin (the wharf –council) Planning to visit Mindil Beach and chilling in the spa. Then it rained.

MEGS: Was lovely at start and middle of day, blissfully hot, lying near the spa, reading books – then the heavens opened, spoiling all plans for the evening – was hoping to visit night markets, oh well, will have to wait until Thursday. No crocodile at food stall – so settled for a Chinese curry with rice, noodles and pork. Called BJ, seemed ok, but obviously lots to go through.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 130 (Darwin) 25th May 2002

ALEX: Today we bought a pair of trainers  -$50 for both. 2 vests, some nail varnish, new shampoo + conditioner, moisturiser, an AFL top for Dad and cinema tickets.Score!

MEGS: The film (Mothman Prophecies) was quite good, few creepy bits, worth seeing. Shopping at Casourina Complex, bought what we needed! Back via the scenic route on the bus. Showered, then onto a pool game and dinner at Rorke’s Drift – excellent Chilli Con-Carne & a Pie for Alex. Tried to call Bj, but card not working, will try again tomorrow.

ALEX: The drinks machine here makes the worst hot chocolate, its official. Saw the dutch couple from Ayers Rock as they were leaving for Brisbane. Lots of mozzies in Kakadu apparently. Hmmm..

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 129 (Darwin) 24th May 2002

ALEX: The countdown to Bali has officially begun! Went to the medical centre today and purchased some Malaria pills for our week in Lombok. Very hot today too, so had a quick hour on the sundeck and wrote some postcards, then off to the flicks for Star wars II

MEGS: Very good film – again turned up too early at the cinema, Alex is a freak. Booked another hostel for our 4 remaining days then changed my mind – we booked at Chilli’s again (‘tis the best of the lot). Went to check out The Rock climbing place ; Alex still not sure if he wants to play spiderman again. Now trying to sort out things to do and see in Darwin before we leave, a must do is to eat crocodile, maybe emu and buffalo?

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 128 (Darwin) 23rd May 2002

MEGS: Well, a very long 19 hour journey through to Darwin – the bus driver actually let us sleep through the 2.30 am stop, which was cool. Watched Independence Day, and they also played Shrek – we have seen this 3 times now, its a favourite with bus drivers! Finally got to Chilli’s at 11.15, nice room, clean hostel – but unisex loos and showers! An outside spa too. Day of organising agin.

ALEX: Booked a 2 day tour to Kakadu National Park for Tuesday, then need to decide where we are staying for the last 4 days. Loads of stuff to do – go see Star Wars Episode II, Mindil Beach Nigh Market, Aquascene, The Rock, eat some crocodile and go shopping in Casourina! But first I’m gonna get some sleep. Charlie put our visit to Bojangles on the website too, what a star!

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 127 (en route to Darwin) 22nd May 2002

MEGS: Sorted out bags and checked out, went shopping for food supplies for long bus journey. Back to hostel to watch Rush Hour 2 – again. Managed to finish my book.

ALEX: thank god for Subway – satisfies me every time. Well, bck on the bus. Not too sorry to leave the Alice. Life on the road. See you in Darwin.