Day 7

Day 7 – Darwin 22/5/12

Weather – Fine, Sunny, 21C – 30C

Sunrise – 6.58am

Sunset – 6.27pm

Clock set back 30mins during the night at 2am

Notes for future travellers – Free Wi-Fi all thru Smith St Mall. New board-walk makes it a very easy stroll into town, but there is a shuttle available for a fee.

I have had some feedback that some folk are having difficulty in being able to make comments. I will check the settings, but I thought it was set up ok.

After transiting the Dundas Strait we passed Cape Hotham at 2.30am and then entered Clarence Straits at 3.00am, leaving East Vernon Island on our starboard side. Shortly after we passed between South West and North West Vernon Islands. We approached the Pilot station on a south-westerly course, and at 6.00am the pilot embarked. We were alongside our berth at Forthill Wharf by 7.am.

We were impressed with the new wharf at Darwin, it is the first time we had been there since the area was developed. The apartments, board-walk, and retail area were quite nice. We had intended to walk into town from the ship, as we knew our way around a bit, and the new route along the new board-walk, with a lift, meant it only took about 10-15 mins to be in the middle of Smith St mall.

There was a shuttle service in to town (not run by Princess) that cost $8 each way, or $14 all day unlimited pass.

For us Darwin was always just going to be a stop to stock up on things we did not bring with our luggage, have a bit of a nose around, stretch the legs and be back on board for lunch. We had seen all the attractions on previous visits (bar the croc show, which we opted out of).

The weather was really pleasant in the morning, and made walking around comfortable. We had the netbook and iPad in the backpacks with the intent on catching up with stuff without worrying about Internet connection on board.

We had a pleasant surprise when using the iPhone in that Donna accidently discovered that all through the Smith St Mall is free wi-fi for 60mins. So with 2 iPhones, as well as the other we had 4 hours access for free if we needed it, which of course we didn't. But it was nice to catch up with Facebook, clear emails, update blog with some photos with having to worry about time limitations, and with good speed.

We were bumping into friends all over Darwin. I would have to say, this is going one heck of a trip, as we are only in day 7, and I have lost count of how many friendships, and acquaintances we have made. One of the things to do on the list today was to find a second hand copy of book 2 of Game of Thrones, as I mentioned previously I left it behind. A friend very kindly gave me her Library Card so I could download it, which unfortunately did not work. Donna found a new copy in a store, and came out with it, as well as books 3, 4, 5 and 6!!!!! Guess we know what I will be reading for the next wee while!!.

I was too slow with my camera when we got to the Woolworth Liquor store – a very funny sight. There was about 20 or people, mostly cruise folk (we are so easy to pick!) loitering outside the rolladoor, waiting for the grog shop to open to buy their sly grog.

We of course joined them, we only got a bottle of Bourbon, as Donna had already smuggled her Schnapps on board in Sydney. After loading the backpacks with supplies, and carrying 2x12packs of sugar free lemonade (to go with Donna's Peach Schnapps) we headed back towards the ship, looking for a little spot where we could siphon the bourbon into an unmarked container. We stopped at a park that did not seem to have anyone around, and did the deed. Unfortunately the unmarked container leaked, so Donna stood guard over the stuff whilst I went back into town to procure a better container!!!

By the time I had returned there a few local lads about, but no cause for concern. Another siphon procedure completed, this time successfully. We bumped into a few folk on the way back, and after some more photos, including the SHB photo for Darwin, we trekked back to the ship.

We decided we would try and not attract any attention through the screening process as we came aboard, thereby avoiding a bag inspection, and the ill gotten grog discovered. Any hope of us keeping a low profile through the screening procedure was dashed when one of the cartons of lemonade split open through the screen. The officers were very helpful in collecting the errant cans of lemonade, re-packing the carton, and we were outa there, and scrambled up the gangway, with just a few giggles !!.

A swim (Steve), spa (Donna) to cool off in time for the Sail-away. Donna also had a little pampering with a 20-20-20 (20 mins facial, 20 min massage, and a 20min foot and ankle massage).

At 4pm Sun Princess let go her mooring lines and having cleared the berth, set a north-westerly course to retrace our tracks of the morning, up through the estuary, after which a west-north-westerly course took us clear of Beagle Gulf towards Lombok Strait and Singapore.

I wish we had taken our camera to dinner tonight, we must try and remember to do so. First of all Eduardo, our waiter suggested strongly that we order the spinach and ricotta cannelloni as an entrée..which we all did, and was wonderful. Then at desert time, before anyone at the table had a chance to order, he brought out a contreau/strawberry desert topped with ice cream for every person at the table, including those of us who were not going to have desert, then he proceeded to bring out one of every other desert dish on the menu...the table just looked amazing!!