Darwin

 A day off today really but we still found a couple of interesting things to see and do. 

First was a pig out at the (included) buffet breakfast. ( at least one of us did and it wasn’t me!) RT.  The best breakfast we have had for some days. 

We then wandered about the CBD and I managed to get an overdue haircut. 

Feeling great after the haircut! 

We visited 3 art shops and somehow managed to resist the temptation to buy. Not quite sure how we managed it but the ones we really liked, we have nowhere to hang them and a new house is not on the agenda. 

We headed to the Wharf precinct which had bars, wave pool etc. It was a bit like the Viaduct basin in Auckland where cruise ships come in. 

After a refreshing visit to a juice bar we retreated to the hotel for a planning session. We are aware that the next few days are remote and it is also school holidays so we have booked ahead for the next few days. 

Lots of buildings have large murals painted on them. 

About 4 o’clock it was still very warm but we set off for 2.5 km walk to Mindil Beach and the night market. The beach is beautiful but with the usual warnings about crocs and stingers and despite the provision of yellow and red flags and a lifeguard there was no one swimming!

The market was very busy with every kind of food you could imagine and the usual array of stalls selling everything from thongs (jandals) to hats and everything in between. We settled for an ice cream and sat in the shade listening to a girl with a guitar and a nice voice. 

We retraced our steps amd wondered at the wisdom of jumping on a Beam scooter but common sense won the day on that score.

A quick freshen up at the hotel then out again to a nearby Vietnamese restaurant, it might be the last decent feed of vegetables for a few days. 

We have really enjoyed our time here and could easily stay longer but the clock is ticking and it is getting hotter and more humid all the time. 

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