Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Technical issues with internet have left me a little tardy when it's come to my blog posts. If there's anything left or there reading this, on behalf of Elon Musk, I apologise.

More importantly, I can confirm I have survived turning 50! And Darwin didn't disappoint.

We arrived to monsoon like conditions. It was teeming it down, the temperature was bearable but the humidity was 89%. After a couple of hours of this, the clouds parted giving way to the sun who didn't waste time in reminding us how hot the Northern Territory can get even for this time of year. Goodness knows how it must be in an Australian summer with this level of humidity. As ever, Australia gave us a friendly welcome which whilst nice, I only had one objective today, birthday beers!!!

The venue of choice was Shenanigans on Mitchell Street, home to many of the bars in town and of course am Irish bar, what could go wrong? 

The walk into town was pleasant, taking the lift up to a sky bridge which elevates you from the waterfront to the main town and past some of the more historic areas of the town.

We made a beeline to Mitchell Street and parked up for the afternoon, just across from the crocodile park..... Obviously 

Darwin just had one of those nice feels to it, like somewhere you already feel at home in. Time was kind of the essence in terms of the fact I'd built up a thirst. So straight to the Irish bar or was for a beer with a crocodile accompaniment! Deep fried croc with a spicy sauce washed down with a coopers pale ale. 

Aussie rules footie was on the TV, there was a room out the back full of pokies and keno was displayed on another of the many screens. All very Australian and I was loving it.

Em decided that she was going to mix things up a bit. Every time I turned my back another version of a baby Guinness appeared! We spent the next couple of hours enjoying the hospitality before the inevitable journey home back to the ship.

A thoroughly lovely day in Darwin, not packed with activities, just filled with the one I had promised myself. The first day of being 50, sitting in a bar in Darwin, Australia. Not somewhere I never expected to be ever! Mission accomplished!!