Saturday July 16th to , 2011 to Sunday July 31st, 2011
Well my time in Darwin came to an end very, very quickly but not before a few more NT experiences. It seemed like after a year, Debi and I had a whole lot of things to fit into the last few weeks. I think we did pretty good.
Saturday, July 16th, 2011
Saturday Debi and I went out with our friend Mandy and met up with a few of her friends. Mandy is getting married in August so it was time for a Stagette Party or as they call them here in Australia....a Hens Night. Mandy didn't want anything "traditional" and I think her friends managed to do just that. I had no idea what was happening and was basically just along for ride but it was a lot of fun. Of course not knowing what was going on I didn't bring a camera but I managed to get a couple poor quality photos on my phone.
Our night started with a picnic out here. A beautiful spot to have some drinks, and some snacks and share some stories. We also got henna tattoos. I can tell you without hesitation, not sure I'll ever go anywhere else in the world that has such amazing sunsets night after night after night.
A look at my Henna tattoo. I really liked it and now that I've had a test run with it, I'm thinking about getting a real one. It won't look like this but in this location.
Mandy in her cute little bride hat playing with a friend's dog. I think she got off pretty easy with just a hat and a boa.
After it got dark we headed to a place called Dinah Beach, a little beach type bar where the festivities would continue. I was told there was going to be a Viking Funeral taking place. I had no idea what that meant but on arrival it became obvious that this was in fact a viking funeral. People were in costumes and role playing and everybody was having a great time.
Not sure what a viking funeral in 2011 looks like......here's the video I made. Not the best quality but I think you get the point.
The boat burned for quite some time and made a great backdrop for a fun night that of course involved some Hen night games, a few bottles of bubbles and some amazing conversations with friends that continued well into the night. Just how one of my last Saturday nights in Darwin should be.
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
I think I have mentioned before that Scott and I (and occasionally Debi) took up lawn bowling while in Darwin. Wednesday night was my bowling night so this Wednesday marked the end of my illustrious bowling career. Now I have to say, it was a short career but it was a pretty good one, and we have a freezer full of frozen chickens to prove it (the winning team each week wins frozen chickens and Scott and I went on quite a run).
On this my final day of bowling, Debi decided to join Scott and I....not to bowl but to take pictures so we could prove to you all that I wasn't kidding.
This was the picture that Debi wanted so I smiled for her.
Now this is some expert bowling form. I have gotten many comments about my smooth and relaxed bowling action. Tends to be quite accurate as well.
Scott always looks far too serious. It's lawn bowls......it's suppose to be fun.
We got to enjoy many a beautiful sunset from the bowls club. Tonight was no different.
This is Leigh and Geoff.....the skips of my game (well Leigh is my skip). Pretty sure a couple of the bowls closest to the Jack.......are mine.
Oh and look at that.....we win again. Georgette was the other member on our team.
Perfect way to end my by lawn bowling career.......on a high note. And this chicken will be a parting gift for Debi and Scott.
Thursday, July 21st 2011
Only Thursday and my week of fun is not even close to being over. Thursday night Debi and Scott took me out for dinner.....at a surprise location. I basically was allowed to get in the car and was once again just along for the ride.
The view from our table.
Turns out it was finally our chance to sample the all you can eat seafood buffet. As you can imagine Scott was super excited about the all you can eat seafood. Debi was super excited (as was I when I found out about it) about the all you can eat chocolate fondue fountain.
Of course this was a Darwin dining experience so it wasn't without a little bit of drama and some seriously questionable customer service. It's a good thing Debi has worked in the service industry because she deals with poor wait staff very well. Turns out the guy was totally wrong and figured it out eventually and apologized with free drinks.
But forgetting the rude people, the food was great and not sure I ate again until dinner Friday night.
Never get tired of the sunsets.
Friday July 22nd, 2011
Of course dinner Friday night was also an event. Not only was it close to the time when I would be living Australia, but Scott was also getting ready to change jobs so his boss (Brian) took us out for dinner and drinks and generally a good time. We went to a place called Bogart's, where we had been many times before but never early enough to have dinner.
Scott and Brian looking "dignified" with some after dinner drinks. Dinner by the way was very good. I really hate to see what the bill looked like. Good thing Brian was paying.
Watching some of the live entertainment.
Not sure who this bike belonged to but it made a comfortable seat while we were waiting for a cab. I can honestly tell you that I have no idea what Brian was saying to me.
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
Saturday rolled around and it turned out to be a very busy Saturday. Debi and Scott had a surprise for me today. I was just told how to dress and that I needed to be ready to go by a certain time. I think I had it figured out about 2 days earlier but wasn't really sure what we were doing until we were walking there.
Today we were taking a Ride on the Croc (not on a croc but on The Croc). You know.....it's one of those amphibious vehicles that drives around town and then takes you in the water and shows you the local sites and tells you a bit about the town.
This is as close as I'm getting to a real croc. Although we did have small hopes that we would see one swimming around the harbour.
We found some primo seats near the back and got ready to check out the sites. Yes, we had seen Darwin many times before....but never like this.
We're heading that way. The first part of the tour took us down Mitchell Street so we got to take a look at most of the night spots in town.
So the trip was pretty good. Scott particularly liked the part when we drove into the water. He was like a small child or something. The only thing I disliked about the trip......the wrong information the tour guide gave. Like seriously....what you tell people, tourists believe. You think they would attempt to be accurate. But it does kind of make me wonder what information I have received from tour guides in various cities and countries that may in fact be incorrect.
This is heading past the museum and on our way into the water.
And in the water.
Scott is on the lookout for any type of wildlife. We didn't actually see any.
Still looking for wildlife, but enjoying the sunshine.
Look out Scott!!!!! That crocodile is trying to bite your head off.
After the hour trip on the croc our Saturday was not quite finished. No, we headed back to the apartment to get ready for my going away party. Yes for one more time before I left we were going to get good use out of the rooftop patio.
A few of the many who showed up that night.
Mandy and Conner playing with the cheese fondue......which didn't turn out quite right but still tasted really good.
Look a giant and colourful high heel. How perfect. Almost strange that I was super excited to beat it with a stick because it was full of candy.
Yes the giant shoe was a pinata.
I do have the best sister ever.
This is seriously a lot harder than it looks. I blame the blind fold.......and the sparkling wine.....and the margaritas certainly didn't help. I can't lie, shortly after this I fell over but it was all in good fun.
Look at all the candy!!!!
Of course just because the pinata was no longer full of candy, doesn't mean we weren't still having fun with it.
Turns out it wasn't my size.
You know what's great. When guys you think are out camping show up at your rootop party.....and bring food. Sam's (with the knife) arrival was a very pleasant surprise. All the fish and stuff he brought with him was a total bonus.
Yes the night did deteriorate to this. But Conner looks pretty.
Skye and Clint. This was Skye's first visit to the rooftop (not sure how that happened) so she showed up with some amazing sausage rolls.
This is Rachael (one of the counsellors from work). Also her first visit to the rooftop. She picked a good night to visit.
Stef also made it. Always fun to see him.
Eventually the eating stopped and the dancing started. In my mind, that makes a perfect way to say good-bye to good friends.
Monday, July 25th, 2011
After our busy weekend, Debi and I had a slightly quieter week plan that involved movies and junk food and hanging out before heading into my final days in Darwin. Monday we finally headed to the Deckchair Cinema. Only open during the dry season (that's winter time here in Australia....summer time in Canada), Deckchair is an outdoor cinema that let's you see the movies while hanging out under the stars.
They don't show the latest hollywood blockbusters and you can't see things in 3D but it is a very enjoyable place to check out a flick.
They have very comfortable reclining chairs and as many pillows as you would like. We had lots of left over candy from Saturday night so we took some of that along too.
The movie we saw was pretty good. It was called "Get Low". I've embedded a video of the trailer so you could check it out.
It was a great way to spend the evening.
http://www.deckchaircinema.com.au/
Saturday, July 30th, 2011
So the rest of the week was filled with hanging out, and watching movies and fun (Scott had to go to Perth but Debi and I filled our evenings). I managed to get all my stuff packed and shipped a very heavy suitcase back to Canada before Friday arrived. We had a couple visitors for my final few days in Darwin as well. A couple of Debi's friends (Paul and Tadg...pronouced like "Tag".....it's irish) came into town. Debi knows them from one of her trips to Brazil. I met (kind of) Paul once in Calgary (apparently he slept on the floor in the hallway of my townhouse when I lived on the Mount Royal Campus....but I don't really think we spent much time together).
Debi warned me straight up about the craziness of these guys but I had no idea it would turn into a few crazy days before I left.
Debi and I with Paul and Tadg (sticking his tongue out). This is quite tame. I wish I had video of Tadg talking because seriously he is hiliarious.
Not many nights left for the 2 of us to hangout.
Sunday, July 31st, 2011
Sunday we woke up to sun....oh wait, it's Darwin......the sun is out pretty much everyday. So we took Paul and Tadg to a few places around town.
Heading into The Ski Club. Pretty sure the boys have never met a beer they didn't like.
Can't really complain about hanging out in the sun.
Now at The Deck Bar. They were handing out glasses and leis and having a party so of course we joined in.
And with Sunday my final weekend in Darwin ended. I would soon be celebrating my final hours in the city (and country) that I have called home for the last 12 months (minus 7 days). And the send off would be in perfect Darwin style.
Julie
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