Darwin, Australia

 

   This morning we arrived in Darwin bright and early, just as the sun was coming up. Fortunately I was up early to get my cardio workout in, eat breakfast, and shower before docking. Therefore, I was one of the first off the ship! Thank goodness, 'cause I was starting to get a little ancy. 

   The town is of course named for Charles Darwin and rightfully so. It is known for it's access to nature and wildlife. Although, now that I've spent quite a bit of time in Australia, it seems like anywhere outside of the major cities is full of flora and fauna. I went for a nice walk around the waterfront and learned a lot about it's history. 

  At first glance, the buildings and city seem very modern. However, that is only because Darwin has seen a lot of destruction over the years from multiple Cyclones and being bombed by the Japanese during World War II. 

  Sitting at the very north of Australia, Darwin was a strategic port. In the 1870s, ships from the "motherland" (UK) laid underwater cable all the way from London to this very port. This enabled the two countries to communicate via telegram. During WWII, tunnels in the mountainside were used for oil storage.

   I did not do a ship-sponsored excursion because I like exploring on my own and I'm glad I did. I feel like I learned a lot more than just going to see one thing. My favorite part of the day was finding the Damoe-Ra Pathway. A beautiful, scenic walk dedicated to the women of the Northern Territory. I walked it in honor of my mum!