March 15: Cruising GULF OF PAPUA through TORRES STRAITS next to islands of Horn, Hammond, Prince of Wales at the top of Queensland, Australia; then GULF OF CARPENTARIA.

March 16: Cruising the ARAFURA Sea. Seas are rougher--like being rocked in a cradle. Temperature 85 degrees; surprised the sea temperature is so warm--86. Wind is 46 mph; 6-8' seas. Gray, overcast day. Not a very good day at sea.

March 17: DARWIN

The docking place was changed from the city center to across the bay at the cargo docks, which is about a 45-min drive. Sort of messed up our plans to see the city on our own because of the limited amount of transportation to the boat. Australian immigration had to check everyone onboard since we were coming from out of the country, which made for a later start. 

Got the first shuttle bus into the city at 10:00; dropped off in town center at the Information Center. Walked through Courtyard Mall, along Esplanade through Bicentennial Park, past Parliament House. Took elevator down the hill to waterfront along Stokes Hill Wharf and Wave Lagoon.

After several hours of walking in the 88-degree humid heat, the air-conditioned Precinct Tavern was the perfect place for fish-chips--the fish was called "flakey" pretty good. (found out from Australians on the boat that's what the restaurants here call shark)

Seeing the Botanical Gardens and Museum was next on the agenda. Walked to bus terminal; however, this route is only every two hours, which would not work out for us to get back to the ship in time. Oh well, maybe if we have time when we come back here on our own at the end of the cruise. Darwin is a much larger city than expected with lots of suburbs like all large cities.