Darwin, Northern Territory, AustraliaHow did we end up in Darwin?
After five unplanned, yet amazing months in Cloncurry living as a blended family, we sadly and tearfully bade farewell.
We will never forget this magical time. (Yes, we still have many more of our Cloncurry adventures to share with you all; they will come in good time. We have just been so busy living life and having fun!)
The coronavirus pandemic was still far worse down south, so when we were offered an opportunity to rent an apartment in Darwin, one of our favourite Australian cities that we have visited in our travels, it was an opportunity too good to refuse.
We packed our folding bicycles and went north to hot and humid Darwin.
When friends and strangers learned that we were heading to Darwin in December, the majority thought we were mad. Cloncurry was hot, but we were told that Darwin was another level.
If that didn't scare us, then the news that the air conditioning wouldn't be working in our apartment that first night should have!
Despite the dire warnings of heat, humidity, monsoonal rain and no air-conditioning, we were still excited to see our new abode in Nightcliff and to explore our new neighbourhood.
We were delighted that along with the ocean glimpses, our apartment came with a sea breeze. This helped offset not only the lack of air con but the constant beeping of the smoke alarm for our first night.
Exploring our new neighbourhood was our top priority. We love the safe off road bicycle pathways connecting Darwin. The Nightcliff foreshore coastal path starts literally on our doorstep and was immediately a favourite. This 5 km ride is spectacular as it hugs the coastline around Nightcliff. This pathway continues along the coast to Casuarina, which is also home to Darwin's largest shopping centre.
We have no shortage of local markets with the Nightcliff market every Sunday morning practically across the road from our apartment. Fresh tropical fruit, exotic vegetables, clothing, homewares, and assorted odds and ends can be found at this market, together with food vans serving up delicious treats, such as laksas, crepes and coffee.
If you want an even larger selection of tropical fruits and vegetables, the weekly Sunday morning Rapid Creek markets are the place to go. We love sampling all of the locally grown tropical fruits. You can find some bargains too as Abigail purchased two cucumbers for forty cents! You also won't go hungry with plenty of Asian fare being served here too.
We stayed in touch with our Warm Showers host family since our stay with them in July. They suggested we catch up over pizza at our new local pizza bar. We enjoyed both catching up and the wood fired pizzas.
They also introduced us to another cycling family who live in Nightcliff and who also have children the same age as us. We have already enjoyed play dates with them!
The City of Darwin loves cycling so much that they host an annual Santa on Wheels. You can cycle, scoot or roller-skate along the Nightcliff foreshore. Everyone was dressed in their Christmas best as we rode along the foreshore and back to the Nightcliff Pool. Elves from the City of Darwin also handed out surprises along the way. Then it was time to roll out the picnic blanket and listen to the Darwin Arafura Wind Ensemble lead the Christmas carols. Overlooking the ocean, feasting with friends, listening to Christmas carols: it was a perfect pre Christmas event.
We celebrated a lovely Christmas together; in fact, it was Darwin's coldest Christmas ever, with a high of 27'C thanks to the rain and wind bought about by ex-tropical cyclone Seth. We were sad to be apart from family, but blessed to be in another magnificent part of Australia. We have experienced just some of Darwin in our first few weeks, including our first earthquake in Darwin, and we can't wait to discover even more!
As yet another unprecedented year came to a close and we celebrated the arrival of 2022, we reflect on how lucky we have been to experience another amazing year together, especially our time as a blended family with the Smiths in Cloncurry.
We also need to say a HUGE THANK YOU to our marvellous family, friends and neighbours back in Echuca who have enabled us to continue our adventure by looking after our house, garden and pets.
Belated Christmas greetings and happy and healthy 2022 wishes to each and every one of our friends and family around the world.
Kylie
2022-01-11
What an awesome Christmas to look back on!!!
Melissa Williams
2022-01-11
It all looks fantastic. Much better than my 12 hours shifts at the hospital with not a day off in sight.