Life-a learning experience: The top end way of life

We arrived to Darwin without a hotel or set plans for our time in the Top End; embodying the true spirit of backpacking. The brutally hot sun of the wet season made it difficult to comfortably maneuver Mitchell street, the main thoroughfare, with our packs in tow. So in an effort to divide and conquer the heat, Jon and I parted ways in pursuit of lodging and entertainment for the weekend. Less than an hour later we regrouped to review our options and then secured a room for the next two nights and booked ourselves into a three day camping and hiking tour into the outback.

After dropping off our bags we made our way into Darwin to explore for a bit. The Wet Season is Summer here in Australia and the heat is hard describe. Neither Jon or myself has ever appreciated a cold beer even more then the one we had with our lunch, in an air conditioned restaurant, on our first afternoon here.

As the Capital of the Top End, Darwin is a bustling little city where local industry and aboriginal culture converge. The city is home to employees of the local uranium mines (Australia produces 15% of the global uranium supply) and those supporting the tourism industry. The city serves as a jumping point for tourists interested in visiting the local national parks and the majority of the activity takes place outside the main town.

Some of the local aboriginal people will venture into Darwin to go on a bit of a bender and escape the laws of their tribe. Since alcohol and drugs are banned on tribal lands, many of the aboriginal people you see wandering Mitchell street are here for a few days to experience a chemical escape of sorts. Jon could have used a bit of a chemical escape himself after he came across an aboriginal woman, scantly clothed, who flashed her breasts to him as he walked by. The aboriginal culture does not believe in eye contact like much of the western world, but apparently making tittie contact is fully acceptable.

So what does one do in Darwin exactly? Ah, that's easy....as long as you like crocodiles. Although you have the option to swim with a crocodile in the protection of an acrylic tank...Jon and I opted for more docile crocodile experience.

With our day passes in hand we visited Crocodaurus Cove, a crocodile world of sorts. After meeting some of the resident replies and watching their morning feeding, we made our way over to where they kept the big crocs.

Burt, the crocodile from the Crocodile Dundee movie was next up for feeding. The sheer power of his jaw as it snapped down on the helpless half chicken and shut tight was a sight to witness. What powerful creatures crocodiles are.

In need of a little TLC after witnessing the feeding of the big crocs, we made our way over to hold a baby crocodile. Until a croc reaches the age of approximately 9 months old they are too small to determine their sex. As a result, they are referred to with gender neutral names in captivity. Our photographer and guide for our baby crocodile experience was Alana. She introduced Jon and me to Fluffy, a 9 month old crocodile who was given the name because of her softer than normal under skin. Despite being a baby, Fluffy was still a crocodile and had quite a bite...her mouth was even banded shut to protect us from her quick movements.

After our day exploring the world of crocodiles it was time for dinner. Chicken and seafood were obviously off the menu for the evening, so we sent out in search of some red meat. Jon quickly crossed Istanbul House, a kebab joint, off as a potential dinner spot when he saw an Asian couple preparing the Turkish food. It didn't seem authentic enough for him. Yet right next door, at the Charcoal House and Pide Grill, Jon found the authentic Turkish food he was craving.

We went to bed well fed that evening with plans to set out for our outback adventure the next day.

Burt getting his morning feeding at Crocodaurus Cove.