A tourist in Darwin

Breakfast is a packet of rolled oats with no bowls and no spoons. I pour some oats onto a bit of plastic and lick the oats. Taste good. The bed was good. The AC worked well.

Tourist by the pool: You can’t go out at night because of the aborigines in the streets. We walked around and didn’t feel safe. I don’t know where they get the alcohol from. They are not meant to have any and they always have some. They don’t do themselves any favours behaving like that in public.

Last night we went to buy a bottle of wine.

Lady selling wine: You must provide photo identification. Show you are not on the prohibited list.

We give a stunned surprised look.

Lady: Where do you come from?

Mrs. C: Tasmania.

Lady: Must be cool down there.

After breakfast we head for the local museum and art gallery.

Reception Lady: Did you walk. You are brave. Its hot out there. Where are you from?

Me: Hobart.

Reception Lady: Must be cool down there.  You soaking up a bit of this heat.

The people in Darwin seem to think every day in Hobart is cold.

It’s easy for us to go on holidays. We leave behind almost everything. You have to decide how to fit all your clothes in. Or buy extra when you get there.

The museum has some incredibly good animal panoramas. The most popular exhibit is called Cyclone Tracy.  It is packed with many children and adults. Quiet, curious and interested in Darwin 1974.

Many artefacts; photos; letters from the time. The museum itself was also destroyed by Cyclone Tracy. The Cyclone Tracy exhibit is very good and well curated.

I find something even better. A room containing aboriginal art. They are all unique works of art. Adjacent words give the story of the picture. The pictures all give you something to think about. They all look nice; good; beautiful. They are uplifting and full of hope. They are all full of artistic merit.

We walk back to our hotel. The heat envelopes, permeates everything. There is no joy or pleasure sitting in an air-conditioned room. The room is temporary respite. Temporary relief but we know it is out there waiting. Watching us. Getting ready to envelope us when we venture out. The heat is not going anywhere.