Goodbye Asia.. hello Australia.. First week in Darwin - Kakadu/Litchfield Park

So my time in Asia came to an end and I made the flight from Singapore to Darwin, Australia..

Tues 30th Sept 

After meeting Esher at the hostel in Singapore we made the flight together.. a night flight with Jetstar Asia.. we take off from Singapore Airport at 11.30 and land in Darwin at 5.30am with an added 1hr and 30mins to the time difference.. yes 30mins..? After clearing immigration.. with what seemed like a lot of interest regarding the different stamps/countries I've visited.. we take the shuttle bus to the hostel in Darwin. Suddenly we are in pricey pricey land.. a shock to the system from Asia. With the added early morning/night flight after affects our first impression is not a great one and we are soon talking about booking flights back to Asia! One night is 34$.. NOT including WIFI! plus key deposit and cutlery adding an extra 30$.. this place isn't back packer friendly! We crash by the pool for a few hours before heading to the supermarket to buy food for breakfast/lunch. Next door there is a travel agency.. Peter Pans.. so we head there and can use the internet for free! We find out about some of the tours/costs. In the evening we cook dinner and then head out for some drinks with Michael, my roommate (A German traveller who has some how ended up only living in Darwin for the past 3 months.. to the astonishment of me and Esther! But a funny guy and a good night)

Weds 1st Oct

Me and Esther have found a 3D/2N tour to Kakadu and Litchfield Park so after breakfast we book this up and sort out a free nights accommodation in the hostel where we book the trip. In the afternoon me, Esther, Michael and Alex (Swiss roommate) head to the Waterfront (where you can swim.. unlike Mindil Beach where due to the Crocs its not advised to swim..). We chill out/swim.. then head back via the beach front/park. In the evening we head out to Monsoons once again.. with the Peter Pan Travel (Free pizza/drink).

Thurs 2nd Oct - Kakadu Day 1

Up early to get picked up and set off on our trip into the outback.. At 7am we meet Camille and Jessica also waiting for the minibus, then upon its arrival we meet Jacob (our Aussie tourguide/driver) and an Aussie family (Petra/Simon/Joey/Sam) and Abhi. We are soon on our way to Kakadu ..

The next couple days are filled with seeing wildlife/trekking/scenery/aboriginal art work .. hot hot hot sunny days and very humid weather..  

Fri 3rd Oct - Day 2 Kakadu 

 

Sat 4th Oct - Litchfield Park 

We leave Kakadu and head to Litchfield where we visit the termite mounds and then two waterfalls to chill out and swim/relax, in the evening we all head out for a few drinks.

Sun 5th Oct - Final day in Darwin 

Today is my final day in Darwin, after sorting out some washing me, Esther and Camille meet up and head to the Sunday Markets by Mindil Beach. At the markets we meet Abhi and then stroll around looking at the different stalls. We then head to see the beach and walk up the hill to see the view down to the beach. We chill out listening to the live music.. before sitting on the beach and watching the sunset, tomorrow I will fly to Cairns. After an initial bad impression I have enjoyed my first week in Australia.. but without doing very I'm much having to keep an eye on the budget!