26.06. - 29.07. 2006
We finally landed happily in Darwin, after a long,
wet cruise. But, one thing after the other: we left
Vanuatu on June 29 and soon after strong winds get
us up to speed. Since the swell, with up to 2m height
comes predominantly from the south, our cruise gets
rather "moved" and the one or other wave
crashes onto deck. Also, the continuous rain and
the skies staying gray until we're almost in Australia
don't exactly make the trip more pleasant. And therefore
out main goal is too keep Antoine in the salon and
keep him busy with all sorts of toys.
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Most of the time he's in a good mood though, racing
through the salon or making figures out of play
dough - or instructing us on what figures we're
to make out of the dough. The only distractions
on this uncomfortable cruise across the Coral Sea
are some winged, nocturnal stowaways.
Since they shat all over the deck a few times,
and one of them ruined the windsock while trying
to ride on it, we had to ask them to find a different
means of transportation.
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Of course we're immediately
on deck during the few times the skies clear up, and
we do find a few new toys there for Antoine, just
like this flying fish. And although it produces quite
a strong smell it takes all our diplomatic skills
to convince Antoine to throw him back into the water.
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Brilliant sunlight welcomes us
as we enter the harbor of Thursday Island on July 12 - Thursday
Island being the northernmost of Australia's islands. Now
we're awaiting the extensive Australian landing procedures
and it doesn't take long for customs, immigration and quarantine
to come aboard. Considering all the equipment they're carrying
onto our ship, we're expecting the worst.
But in a short while Antoine has charmed them so well that
everything happens rather quick and friendly, but the paperwork
is extensive. Due to very strict quarantine laws all fruit
and vegetables are removed from board - luckily we'd already
eaten all the meat.
As they leave we agree to meet for a beer in one of the
numerous pubs, since visiting one of them is, in this otherwise
rather boring place, the main pastime in the evenings.
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After walking around a bit and replenishing our
stock - after 3 days - we continue towards Darwin.
We take a lovely stopover in a nature reserve
on the peninsula Coburg. A truly idyllic place
which beaches where we find all kinds of new seashells.
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At the ranger station they strongly advise us against swimming
though, since they have lots of salt-water crocodiles here
- and those are extremely aggressive. And the footprints
we find in the sand one morning hint at a huge size! Apparently
the 5m long croc the ranger had mentioned was not just a
story … Nevertheless its absolutely beautiful here.
On July 25 we finally arrive. In the evening we enter Darwins
harbor and drop anchor in front of the Darwin Sailing Club.
We become members (for free), in order to be allowed to
use their facilities.
More from Darwin, soon, right here!
Until then, take care!
Tom, Nela & Antoine
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