Welcome to the land of “the hard living and hard drinking” – “where men are men and women are tough” – Australia!  Darwin might be one’s introduction to this laid back country.  Named for Charles Darwin, who explored here, did research here and ultimately resided here, it is the capital of the Northern Territory and sits on the northern coast of Australia.  After the various jam-packed countries of Asia it is a welcome relief.  Darwin has a population of only about 200,000 people, no scooters, no traffic and lots of beer!  In fact – it is dubbed “the Beer Drinking Capital of the WORLD”!!  So, let’s have a brew and head up to the Adelaide River and watch 10’/2,000 pound saltwater crocs jump at us for food;-)

We’re going in that?!?

Keep swimming dude.

Thank goodness – the larger crocs can’t get as high out of the water…

…as the younger smaller ones.  Weeeeee – this is FUN!

This guy was a pretty good jumper – for a BIG guy.

Guess what these teeth can do?

It’s not all about the crocs.  There is a lot of wildlife in the area – particularly birds.  And, lots of them.

Lots of corellas, a subgenus of the cockatoos (no yellow headdress).

These masked lapwings are native to Australia.

If on a cruise, the dock is right at the Darwin Waterfront where you can eat at one of many restaurants, catch live music, swim, shop and have delicious gelato.  It is also a very pleasant one mile walk to the center of town for galleries, more restaurants and shopping.  Most of the downtown area has been rebuilt since 1974 when cyclone Tracy completely wiped out the city.  A very quiet community but a good introduction to Australia.  However, as always, one must move on – –

Another goodbye with a beautiful sunset (complements of the bush fires in the area).

Excited to get more glimpses of Australia!  Unfortunately, we hit Thursday Island on a Monday and they turned us away;-). (Actually, the seas were too rough for the tenders.)  So – bring on the Great Barrier Reef.

E & G – eager to check a few more sights of our list