Darwin and Home!

Guess I should put Darwin and Home in the same post... as it was technically the same day (two nights sleeping on a plane). We drove up to Darwin and walked around. It was even more Florida like than Cairns. I have to admit I was a bit distracted for the morning.... the amount of mozzie bites I had I was afraid of going into shock. But we walked around the government buildings, the town and watched Glen struggle in the BIG CITY (130,000 people) with its parking structures which was amusing. Glen even got into Parliament House with his steel cap boots even though they set off the metal detector! (why even bother?) Finally we got some numbing oitment and I was brought back to the living. We walked around one of the Darwin beachs and then went to the yacht club to watch the sun set. Was a pretty iconic way to end my time in Australia. But since my flight wasn't until 1:40 am we went back to his Aunts house. Since the airport is so small (and super chill) Glen even came through security with me (which baffled me to no end... seemed like an act from a time long gone).

Then it was onto the plane with me... arriving at Sydney airport at 7am... for a 1:50pm flight to LA. My mom had set it up that after I checked in, I could go to her lounge at Air New Zealand and shower. However ,upon landing I found out I couldn't check in until three hours before my flight. I didn't even have bags to check. Not going to lie.... I sort of freaked out (esp with the bites swelling up... sorry mom). However, I ended up walking around the international terminal, buying some Tim Tams and Vegemite (though I lost my huge batch to a gate mixup). I even ran into a Pharmacy. After I explained my situation and my frustration with the Paw Paw and numbing cream, he informed me of some things that would show more results. I even requested an anti-histamine that would knock me out for the flight. Then Drama happens..... all you need to know is that I ended up getting bumped from a United Flight to an earlier Quantas flight (upgrade!). It was the best flight of my life. That pharmacist was not kidding about results... I fell asleep on the tarmack 15 min after taking the pills he gave me. Woke up at only at 8 hours left and for breakfast. LA! I was home! Cheese its, Data, a mattress pad, Netflix! To culminate the day, my mom had bought me tickets to see my ALL TIME FAVORITE band Belle and Sebastian in Concert. So after dinner with my grandparents, we headed over. I was wide awake even at 7pm (thanks pharmacist!)  It was a great concert (finally got the t-shirt I've always wanted). Even though I didn't know every song they played (turns out I'm missing their first cd... and it was an oldies day) It was great! Best Coast Opened.   

Best Coast

We're Excited!

And That's all folks! Will give a last update on my return in a couple days. 

Kakadu

Crocodile Dundee style we went camping in Kakadu National Park. We started with a very steep hike up to the rock pools and then swimming in the swimming hole (assumed only shower opportunity). It was really an amazing place! Camping was quite the adventure, making pasta over a camp fire with Indian Chicken sauce, finding out there were showers and myself getting bitten up by mosquitos (despite the fact most of the camping time was spent in a mozzie proof tent.... but making dinner). I finally got my swag on... and some serious swag at that! (Swag = australian sleepingbag)  We then went on a guided tour of the Yellow River which was really amazing. We saw huge crocodiles and many other animals before getting back in the ute to drive back up to Darwin. Assume all pictures of yours truly were taken by Glen.

yellow river... a bit out of place

random lookout at a small town on the way

classic aussie. Instead of removing wrecks, they are left until they eventually become part of the landscape. This one in planned, but many rust on the side of the road 

Rock Pools

Yellow River!

On the Road again

The Top End! The beginning

So very early in the morning I began my zig zag back up to Darwin (near Cairns.... Totally other side of the country from Melbourne) to meet up with Glen and begin my adventure in the "real Australia". Landing in Darwin was one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen. The winding roads, red soil, paper bark trees right next to bright light blue ocean. Seeing clouds floating above purple sky (it was quite early) Unfortunately all electronics had to be turned off.  I met his parents and eventually him in the tiny 24 hour one room Darwin airport. And off we went on the three hour drive to Katherine. It was the third tourist Australia picture in all its entirety (Opera House Pic, Koala Pic, Road with trees and red soil... now check!). When we finally made it to his "shed" it was quite a trip for this city chick. Open air,  no people. Quiet. It was crazy! The family had a bunch of friends over for a welcome home party for Glen with a classic camp fire. I even got real damper (sorry APH). That night I saw more stars than I even thought possible. They were right. It was like a freckled face, stars layered upon stars. I even saw the milky way galaxy! I thought it was the case, but told myself it had to be a funny looking cloud... but it wasn't. His house looked like an airplane hanger, complete with a welding studio, sewing room and a drinking platform all built by his dad. This is what you saw from his "driveway"

Creeper Status.... some pictures

The famous drinking platform

The wallabies come right up to the front porch!

Anyways we then explored the town of Katherine (in a Ute... I'm pretty hardcore)! The river, high school. Watch out, it even has a supermarket (10,000 pop). We even road around the dirt roads on a motorcycle (though I was petrified at first!) 

The biggest hill in town

Thanks Glen for these pics (and for all following pictures of myself)

This one is so cool!! 

And some of the surrounding nature.

The only picture we took! lol

Flying foxes.... not dead leaves I found out... they are VERY noisy. 

Kakadu next