Day 8

Day 8         

Yesterday we sailed into Darwin Harbour as the sun's rays, peaked out over the city's tall buildings as it rose. Up on deck the breeze kept the temperature down but by 30 minutes after the sun's appearance, we could feel the warmth increasing to the expected 30c for the day. We saw a couple wearing fur trimmed parkers and wandered how long it would be before they had to take them off!

We hired a Tarago from Avis rent a car and 6 of us headed off for the day. Firstly, a tour of Darwin and its local environs, then off to Adelaide River and the 'Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise'. We had great weather for the day, blue skies and a slight breeze off the water which kept the mozzies and humidity away. Just before boarding the little observation boat we waited under a covered veranda area having a cup of coffee, listening to the corellas squawking in the trees lining the river and felt the cool breeze coming off the water. 

We had been on this cruise previously in December with our lovely American friends when we saw quite a few crocodiles, however yesterday there were completely different crocs spotted. It wasn't long after leaving the wharf, a big 8 metre male crocodile, estimated to be 100 years old, slide off the river bank from where it had been sunbaking and swam towards the boat. It stayed alongside the boat, with its top part of its head above the water as it studied all of us on board. Quite an eerie sensation. The attendant on the boat hung some meat from a pole and tempted the crocodile. It eventually jumped twice on our side and they swung the boat around so it was positioned on the other side and on the second jump it took the meat and swam away satisfied. We saw 5 crocs. In all before the boat headed back to the wharf.

On the way to Darwin we stopped off at the Humpty Doo Pub, noted for its Territorian hospitality. Here we met up with Gloria and Kim and Grant and Sue, our 4x4 friends from Adelaide. It was a special time for us having the opportunity to catch up with these friends.

Back in Darwin we did a little shopping, including a couple bottle of bubbles. We were questioned about bringing alcohol on board when we went through security and warned not to bring any more onto the ship in future ports as it is not allowed. At our sail away party with other Cruise Critic friends, we discovered some had their alcohol confiscated by the ships security but later handed back on the proposal no other alcohol is to be brought on at later ports.  Hmm…

We finished our day with a spa before heading off the bed while others went to see either a Juggler, the movie 'Black Swan', poker in the casino, Jazz in one of the bars or other music and dancing in another lounge.

Today the ship sailed west on its course to Singapore. The seas have been slight and the wind from the west has only been 8 knots. Another reasonably calm sailing day. We worked out at the gym and finished with another spa and swim before getting ready for dinner. After dinner we saw a Neil Diamond show performed by an Irish Singer.