The Atypical Adventures of a Valley Girl Down Under: 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!)