Day 2

I had a good sleep, finally awoke at 10.15 only to discover that all three of my room mates were also still in bed. Youth of today... I went walkabout, going to the beginning of the Esplanade and Bicentennial Park. But before I got very far at all, I found a gym with a per visit charge with a decent cardio room and Concept 2 (you haven't heard about my rowing exploits?).

I knew, but had forgotten, about Darwin's role in WWII. There are a huge number of memorials to those who died in the Battle of Australia 19 February 1942. The place was devastated by Japanese bombs. The park runs next to the sea but they make it difficult for you to get to the water. I'm one for following paths that go off in a strange direction and they got me nearer to the sea. They also revealed something of the 'other' life of Darwin. Where people go to drink, smoke, whatever off the beaten track. There was litter, sadly but even that was interesting. Unlike at home, it wasn't bottles or cans of ridiculous strength lager or cheap cider, it was goon bags (wine boxes in English). This was helpful later on in the day.

I read all the signs and kept walking. I found the wave lagoon - an outside pool with the waves switched on permanently. Right next to it is the recreation lagoon where you can swim for free. Simply walk down and get in. It's sea water but roped off and in the harbour area. You may laugh (especially if you know my love of swimming) but I may well get myself and cossie down there. I went up to Survivor's Lookout, apparently named from when the locals looked out on the disaster burning below in the harbour. I went round to Stokes Hill Wharf which was one of those which suffered badly in the bombing. It seems to have been redeveloped largely as a place for cruise boats and eating. Sadly, not that exciting really. I did go swimming later at the hostel which has a small pool. I did lots of lengths, honestly it must have been half way to France (if you start mid-Channel).

I pottered about and had a coffee and muffin and free wifi. I pondered the day so far. Wildlife count - flat toad in gym car park; lots of butterflies; enormous dragonflies, tiny lizards - the tiniest I've ever seen; a black bird with a thing on its head (I'll look it up); some pretty fish with really shiny underbellies and, what my Aussie friend Rosie assures me was probably, a possum here at the youth hostel. No spiders. I'm disappointed to reflect that I have seen many aboriginal people here, the local people are Larrakia, but they still seem to be the underclass. Sitting on the pavement, being refused entry to the bottle shop, begging. The indigenous people have a traditional way of life that deals with the heat and the fierce conditions of this magnificent country but it seems everyone is struggling to find a good way to co-exist in these 'modern' times. It makes me uncomfortable and I look forward to hearing the views of my best friend on the subject. She is very wise.

I decided to visit Woolies (yes Woolworths survives here as a supermarket) to see how it compares to Coles and to compare prices of booze. Remember the goon bags. Now I understand. You can get 30 cans of VB (Victoria Bitter it's ok) 375ml size for $55 or you can get 2 litres of wine in a goon bag for $10. The maths on $ per unit of alcohol points heavily in the direction of the wine. Call me a student, go on! And this chardonnay is perfikly drinkable.

I'm sure there's lots more I could go on about but it's getting late. There are at least three of us oldies here at the hostel and I've been chatting as well as typing. I do have a picture for today but it's not on the right piece of technology at present.