It's going to be somewhat more-so of a summary than my previous entries as I've been here two months already! I'll do it in two instalments, though, to keep your appetites whet.
Darwin:
First stop - Darwin. At the top of the Northern Territory.
This "city" is very small, and was pretty nondescript, notable mainly for it's perpetually drunk Aboriginals, Irish and Will. I lounged around here writing music and basking by the pool, until I took a day trip up to the Adelaide river to see some jumping crocodiles. These beasts are incredible; up to six metres in length and bursting with cunning and brutish strength. We tempted them with chunks of buffalo on a line and they powered out of the water - using their tales to propel themselves - snapping at the morsels. Apparently they are unchanged since Dinosaury times, and I can see why: They are top of the food chain so no need to evolve. They really do look like dinosaurs. I found my self wondering a few times who would win in a fight between a shark and a croc. I decided it was unknowable, and left it at that.
I Then booked a five day tour around Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks (plus a day at Katherine Gorge).
This is where Australia REALLY begins! The outback is exactly as I imagined: camping under the stars in a bag, building fires, avoiding crocodile infested billabongs, all within vast, VAST spaces. The tour was a 4-wheel drive 19-man truck, commandeered by our Ozzy guide, Brett, who looked and smelt like Worzel Gummidge. Still, he is a top bloke, and the five days were full of adventure, getting up at 0600 everyday, trekking and swimming in huge waterfalls. We also attended an Aborigine craft class in which we (tried) to learn how to play digeridoos and throw spears. We did go to an Aborigine culture centre afterwards and it was really interesting to learn about their history and different customs.
n.b. We saw some of the places "Crocodile Dundee" was filmed. This is ace. Fact.
This is a termite mound....there were hundreds this size.
This was graffiti on a building site sign in Darwin. It made me laugh as I had watched the film "300" about two nights before. Why the huge penis, though?
Cairns:
Next I flew to Cairns, as the prospect of a three-day journey through desert in a car appealed somewhat less after 5 days driving around a wilderness. Cairns is a small City, geared largely for the backpacker crowd; i.e. lots of drinking, lots of partying. I stayed here two weeks and wrote the track that's just about to be released ("Gotta Get Through"). I met a few really great people who I'd like to stay in contact with, one of whom is a Marine from Plymouth (Bees) - my drinking chum, and a damn good salesmen for the marines! I was very tempted me to join, but then I realised I don't want to kill people or get killed. Sorry mate. I convinced him it would be a good idea to do a skydive, and after pussying about, he did it and realised it's the best thing ever in the world. To everyone who hasn't (and doesn't have a weak heart) DO IT!!!
The best aspect of Cairns is the man-made lagoon the council have installed down at the esplanade (you can't swim in the sea. Well, you could, but you'd get stung to death and then eaten by a shark). Surrounding the lagoon there are gas barbecues and kitchen surfaces installed for anyone to use at anytime. This is brilliant, and to top it off there is a band-stand too where every night there would be different live music (jazz, acoustic rock, stuff like that). I wish we'd have free community things in England (apart from STDs and muggings). Actually, to be fair, London's parks are really good, but it would be great to have more free little events.
I took a whale-watching boat one day, and the next went scuba-diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Whales and scuba-diving are great! Baby Hump-back whales drink 130 gallons of their mum's milk EVERY DAY!
Then, after two weeks in Cairns....Greyhound bus to Mission Beach. Next instalment in 7 days, baby.
