End of Day 6, and days 7 and 8

adding this stuff as I can...

END OF DAY 6, TERRITORY DAY

We took at taxi down to Mindil Beach for the special Territory Day celebration. As you might infer, Territory Day celebrates when the Northern Territory gained their independence for their own governments. The legendary Mindil Beach markets normally only run Thursdays and Sundays, but they were running one on Saturday especially for Territory Day. Territory Day is also the ONLY day all year Territory citizens are allowed to shoot off fireworks; in fact, they are the ONLY state in ALL of Australia that allows fireworks for that one day. So you can imagine, the crowds came out in droves to eat and celebrate, and watch a fireworks show from the beach.

The markets had many, many, many food booths full of delicious foods – anything Chinese, Greek, Thai, Italian, French, Malay, Indian, even Aussie food like Kangaroo burgers. We walked all the way up and down the strip before deciding what to feast on: Cajun chicken and avocado crepe for Jay (7.50AUD), and prawn dumplings and noodles for Emily (5.50AUD). We settled on the grass to eat our treats, watching the people bustle back and forth, families relax and children play, and the hungry consummation of food. We, of course, had to have dessert with the many options available. We got our treats and this time settled onto the sand in preparation for the fireworks, food in hand: I had a banana, nutella, and whipped cream crepe (heaven for 5.50AUD) and Jay had boysenberry ice cream (3AUD). Just delicious. While all of the Territory Day-goers were anticipating fireworks, for us, the main attraction was watching the stunning sunset. Beautiful dusky roses, oranges, blues—reflecting on the glistening sand. The most gorgeous sunset I have ever seen. THIS felt like a honeymoon to us.

The fireworks came in two sets: the first was set off by amateurs on either side of us on the beach, a sort of precursor to the real stuff. Around 7pm, the fireworks set off by the NT Government started, set to the dance music of the local radio station. Some of the best I’ve seen, especially the finale, which almost filled the horizon.

It’s worth noting that it was 88* today, in one of the “coolest” months of the year (June and July) with the lowest humidity. This was the tropical weather we’d been anticipating!

Day 7

Jay and I walked to Cullen Bay around 12:30 (it’s interesting; Northern Territory “time” is kept like we do in the U.S.; unlike Sydney which is on the internationally preferred Military Time), after Jay finished watching the American Pepsi 400 (for those who care, Tony Stewart won). The Bay felt deserted; it was quiet. The time, we ate at Buzz Café (where we’d seen a crowd dining yesterday)—again, on the water. We had a neat triangle-shaped table squeezed on the boardwalk walkway. I had an Aussie beef burger (and chips) – an interesting meat mixture with chopped onions and other unknown fillings mixed in. Very tasty. Jay had beer-battered barramundi (just ‘barra, as they call it), one of the chief dishes of the territory, with chips. The portion was so huge, Jay could not finish it. He also had a Victoria Bitter; quite enjoying his Aussie beers here and there. I had another expensive Coke—and no refills, even though it’s fountain!

After lunch, we walked up to the “beach” area of the Bay, and onto the sand. I searched for some more shells (I plan on labeling and displaying jars filled with finds from each Australian beach we’ve visited) and Jay played around with the water patterns and flow of water in the sand. Very relaxing, with the sun hot on the water. We then rested about 15 minutes under the shade of the palms, looking out on the bay. The heat was stifling; we really felt it today. It was probably 90*. We have been doing our share of walking each day, a couple miles at least, and so we thought it worth it in the heat peak of the day to call a cab to take us to Mindil Beach, around 3:30. The markets were to start around 4pm, anyway.

The Sunday tents were in greater number that the previous day’s—tons more arts and crafts tables. Many types of wares—especially jewelry--or jewellery, as is the British spelling used in Australia. You have to wade through the junk, but you can find some neat things. I bought a handmade necklace—a star pendant made from polished coconut and hung from wax cording. Only 10AUD. Upon arrival, Jay and I cooled off with an ice cream in the palm shade—boysenberry (again) for Jay, and lime swirl for me.

People watching is at its best in this environment; so many sights, sounds, tastes to interest the senses. Lots of music playing; from the not-so-good singer-songwriters, to the very cool traditional aboriginal music played on the ancient digereedoo. For dinner, I had a fresh mozzarella and basil pizza made to order in a brick oven (perfect crispy, crusty, bubbly goodness) and Jay had Chinese—honey chicken and fried rice. Yes, eating comprises a lot of our time here in Australia, but we have been enjoying each other, soaking up the atmosphere, and eating some good food.
We each bought a hat at the market, partly in preparation for our Katherine trip. Jay got a “Crocodile Dundee”-esque straw hat (he can wear any hat well), and a floppy pink hat with a wide brim for me. We talked for a few minutes with the vendor, who had lived in Atlanta (attended several Braves games!) and had friends in Myrtle Beach (who own one of the T-Bonz franchises there. Small world, nice guy. He even recommended a restaurant to us, saying only somewhat cheekily “it’s fine, silver service dining—so put on your finest shorts and thongs!” Only in the Territory!

Day 8, Our trip to Katherine Gorge, was absolutely FANTASTIC. Details to be posted soon.