THE SHEEP WAS HERE

Monday, 6 July 2015

A Bit Of Time 'Living'

Darwin, Northern Territory

Backpackers will at some point find a place on the road to bunk down for a while, often for want of employment and that fabled second year visa. I on the other hand am one of those people who needed a stint back in reality, so to speak; Darwin was where I opted to spend a bit of time ‘living’, but this inexperienced choice was made back when I was getting used to the whole independent thing, but by no means is this regretted. The top end was a good stay, even with the ups and downs, but that’s always going to happen. Think an old woman who wouldn’t accept my accent for Australian and who kept insulting select minorities. I know, lucky.

Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

2011 was the year I had my first and only stay in Darwin, it being in the middle of my ‘over the top end’ odyssey. Before reaching this point some had told me not to spend too much time there and that I could see the place in two hours; keeping that advice somewhere in the back of my mind I went ahead and booked two weeks at the YHA on Mitchell Street. After my first day I realised that this decision could’ve been made a whole lot better. However, this chapter of my travels taught me an important lesson; to challenge my asocial side. It’s one worth learning.

Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

The most northern and smallest capital city of Australia, Darwin, was first settled by the Larrakia people who to this day are the traditional custodians. The city itself, originally a pioneer outpost, was established in the 1830s and was named for Charles Darwin by Commander John Clements Wickham of the HMS Beagle. Its placement creates many an opportunity for the would-be traveller; Darwin stands close to Kakadu, Litchfield and Arnhem Land and is quite conveniently near Indonesia and the rest of Asia which is a major drawcard. The population itself is quite diverse so ethnic fusion is in abundance.

I came during the dry season so sunshine was guaranteed but in my foolishness I didn’t take advantage of the before said opportunities; in my defence I didn’t have my passport back then and I still had a month of travelling to consider so my one day tour had to be chosen carefully. With this and other factors weighing me down I pretty much made my time a homestay experience (could’ve chosen a better hostel though). Timing proved most beneficial because the Greeks were holding their Glenti festival where there was much consumption of baklava.

When it came to the people, each one was very different from the last; some had more than enough potential to make it into some written fiction of mine. There was a Canadian who taught me just how serious his countrymen were about ice hockey, a Taiwanese girl I was claiming stalked me (she had a sense of humour about it) and an Irish guy who I now consider a friend for life. Normally I would rely on a tour group for befriending others (remember, asocial) but this was a more than positive step in the right direction. I was learning confidence.

Highlight wise, here are a few things that can take up some of your time; most of which is in convenient walking distance of the city centre. The waterfront is easily reached and is a good spot to lie back and get some sun on your skin; mellow and not over crowded is what it was to me so be sure to add it to your bucket list. It’s enclosed and close to help if needed; Darwin’s waters are famous for attracting crocodiles and box jellyfish.

Darwin Waterfront, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

Another quiet spot to consider is Charles Darwin National Park where much a reading was done on Tim Winton’s The Riders and Alexis Wright’s Carpentaria. The trees and the views come with a very fresh atmosphere.

Charles Darwin National Park, Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

Another stop made was Crocosaurus Cove where you can get up close with massive estuarine crocs (I’m implying that after stepping into a cage they’ll drop you in with the bloody things, thus providing an always appreciated adrenaline rush). This I didn’t have the funds to do but a friend of mine did it recently and gave nothing but praise (I was able to get a video off of her but it's decided not to be cooperative. Many apologies).

Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

Whilst I would be willing to give it a try, by that point of my travels I was already accustomed to seeing crocodiles in the wild. Crocosaurus Cove is still a good couple of hours that the kids will enjoy, as is Crocodylus Park outside of town. On display are some exotic species also, which were a nice change.

Crocodylus Park, Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

Trivia nights are a favourite pastime of mine and the pub, Shenanigans where 'racing's in the beer lines', held a good one. Irish guy, Canadian guy and I checked it out and competed as the ‘Dole Bludgers’ but we were bested rather easily; I also dabbled in some dry suds which I wasn’t complaining about.

Shenanigans, Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

Another notable place is the Thai restaurant Nirvana which has an inviting music scene, as well as free finger food when the guitars start playing. Before realising the meaning behind the name choice (see the Bangkok post) I was convinced they’d fused the cuisine with the rocker’s name.

Adding to the night time endeavours I’m happy to say a few words about the indie Deckchair Cinemas down by the water. At the invitation of… the Irish guy, I went along to see the 2010 flick The Way Back (starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris and Saoirse Ronan) which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Deckchair Cinema, Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

I’ve come across some other tales set in the Russian/Mongolian sector, to which I’ve also developed a liking for so that trip to the cinemas certainly opened a door. They provide dinner and drinks (alcoholic too) but what I valued most was the night sky hanging over us.

Now for something that I insist everyone should check out, and by ‘insist’ I mean ‘DO IT!’, the Mindil Beach Market. On every Thursday and Sunday during the dry season the market invites all to taste the flavours of Darwin. I made the trip… three times, all of which I enjoyed very much.

Mindil Beach Market, Darwin, Northern Territory (taken 2011)

Performances are frequent and the stalls incredibly diverse; I do remember having a corn cob on the stick and some skewered octopi (it had an Asian taste to them) which I was liking a lot. Some I know don’t care for octopi (these are people lacking Greek heritage I will add) but I find it brilliant. Those skewers were a welcome change from calamari rings. Next to that, the beach is a good spot to end the day. If you’re done with the stalls and bright lights, park yourself on the sand and watch the sky change colour. Just call it one pleasant way of ending things.

Mindil Beach, Darwin, Northern Territory (taken by Camila Bertolazzi, 2015)

Done for now, if you’ve got the opportunity, make the trip. There’s so little to argue about with this top end.

Links: www.tourismtopend.com.au, www.crocosauruscove.com, www.crocodyluspark.com.au, www.deckchaircinema.com, www.mindil.com.au, www.shenannigans.com.au, www.nirvanarestaurantdarwin.com

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

When We Stray Upon Stray Memories

Halls Gap, Victoria

More than once in our lives we’ll stray upon memories we never thought existed. One of these experiences I had in 2014 when my cousin and I stopped in Halls Gap, the gateway to the Grampians, or ‘Gariwerd’ (in the indigenous language). We were on a tour coming home from Adelaide and the Grampians (which will one day have a post of its own) was included. Unfortunately, bushfires were on the go and we were taken to Halls Gap instead. Understanding of the decision made, one could even call this a ‘happy accident of a trip.’

Halls Gap, Victoria (taken 2014)

Humbled, the town stands surrounded by clean bush air. It was founded by Charles Browning Hall in 1841 and is, today, a tourist favourite. The traditional people include the Ngamadjidji Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung tribes, their presence dating back to 17,000 BC. At first sight I liked the place, but it wasn’t until after a closer look that I realised the same trip had been made years before as a child.

Northwest to the Victorian capital, it’s about a three hour drive by car (253 km). There is a public transport route which includes buses and trains, but if you’ve got wheels I recommend you use them. The bigger walks are easily accessible this way. This little stint only lasted a night but we were able to get some bushwalking in and a trip to the cultural centre, which was where that hidden memory surfaced.

When it came down to eating and sleeping our tour guide took us out for kangaroo souvlaki to the Basecamp Eatery on the main road which had a rustic feel about it. Other eating points worthy of mention are the Black Panther Cafe Bar and the Livefast Lifestyle Cafe. Sleeping wise, our guide at the time had us down at the Brambuk Hostel which was in walking distance of town; comfortable sleep was had, despite the 4AM wake up. FYI for nature junkies, the local birdlife was on display and they weren’t camera shy. On the most recent stay (in 2016) it was Tim's Place, a humbled little hostel that's right next to the local oval where the kangaroos like to gather at sunset (watch out for the roodoos on the ground).

Halls Gap, Victoria (taken 2014)

Bushwalking in these parts was refreshing and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. The scenery is its own reward, but make sure you have some comfortable shoes. It lasted for about two hours, give or take, but it was enough to get in the local flora and fauna. Kangaroos and emus were ever present, along with a laughing kookaburra and an echidna lying amongst the shrubs. I wouldn’t doubt finding a snake though so take care in where you tread. The views were picturesque so have your camera on hand and a bottle of water also. We went in the summer and the Victorian heat can get high.

The bushwalking all started from Brambuk, the National Park and Cultural Centre, a stop you should make. With award winning architecture (which one could lose themselves in), the cultural centre has a focus on education, primarily about the land and aboriginal presence which stands out amongst others in the state. Many activities are on offer and they have a dreamtime theatre which was where my hidden memory surfaced. Delighted I was at the experience, despite said memory featuring me jumping out of fright.

Halls Gap, Victoria (taken 2014)

The Gariwerd creation story features the giant emu, Tchingal. The good people at the centre sent me a link in which to relearn the story and I’ve come to the conclusion that Tchingal was a trickster, much like Loki from Norse mythology (I studied Myths and Symbols so I’m programmed for this). Anyway, it was in my youth that I first learnt about this giant emu that all present day emus are descended from, and upon my second visit to Halls Gap everything started coming back to me.

Standing in the dreamtime theatre is a large and possibly life-like replica of Tchingal (myths are open to interpretation) that at one point in the past scared the hell out of me, much to the parentals amusement. What I will say (and remember I’m prone to traveller’s regret) is that I failed to get a photo of the replica on my second visit, but there is an image in the links below. That said, upon the 2016 return visit I did learn that photography inside the cultural centre is a big no no. Was I bummed... maybe.

Halls Gap, Victoria (taken 2014)

Knowing my time in these parts was brief (now wishing it had been much longer so that's why you need to bring your own wheels), I would happily make the trip again; I’ve since learnt that there’s a zoo up there also with both native and exotic animals on display. With a bit of everything in the mix, Halls Gap caters for all.

Links: http://www.brambuk.com.au, http://www.visithallsgap.com.au, hallsgapzoo.com.au, www.timsplace.com.au

Friday, 5 June 2015

Pearls, Crocs and Rajah

Broome, Western Australia

Winter has officially cometh and for us Melbourne-types, it effectively means we’re screwed and be wanting of hotter climates. Fortunately I happen to know of a rest in the north-west that can solve this problem quite easily; the coastal town of Broome. Thanks to some stories told by the travelling auntie and uncle I’ve since made the trip twice, first in 2010 and then in 2011.

Broome, Western Australia (taken 2011)

Founded in 1883, Broome’s a place that’s got a lot going on. Known as a gateway to the Kimberley, the town has a rich pearling history and isn’t shy about its ethnic fusion; Aboriginal, Japanese and Dutch, just to name a few. Broome is situated on the traditional lands of the Yawuru people.

In getting there, there are several means so choose wisely; the flight from Melbourne (with a stop in Perth) lasts about 3-4 hours but I’m told there’s a direct option on Thursdays. That’s a choice I’m happy to explore given where I live. However, if coming from Darwin the drive will last for 1871 km (leave your fruit, veg and honey at the border crossing), but if coming north from Perth it’ll be 2240km. There used to be a Greyhound service Tim Winton described as the ‘death trip’ (I think) in his novel Dirt Music; having regretfully done this but in parts, I was happy to learn the bus service was no longer running. If you are coming from Ningaloo though, fly from Exmouth (which’ll last an hour at least) or do a detour via Karijini which I’m told is very rewarding.

Accommodation wise, Broome is an easy stop made by the droves so book well in advance. For my first visit (a layover before heading south to Ningaloo) I stayed at the hostel, Broome’s Last Resort, and was quick to learn that it is the last resort. The shotty conditions were enough to send me over to the Kimberley Klub on my second stay, another hostel with a tropical vibe which was a significant improvement (they do come with a lot of rules). Had a few good nights and met some people I wasn’t like to forget; there was one German girl who was forever grateful for me making her McDonald’s toy work correctly. I’ve been Facebooking with that dear imp ever since.

With those essentials out of the way I want to list a few highlights; a few days is all you’ll need to get them in. First on my list are the Chinese and Japanese cemeteries, the latter being the resting place for 919 pearlers who drowned in the pursuit. A little difficult to find (some local kids helped me out) but walking amongst the fallen did have a hallowed feeling about it which I believe is just.

Broome, Western Australia (taken 2011)

These were some of the places my aunt told me about and appreciative of foreign cultures, I made it a priority to visit. This was no regret. Add to that, every year Broome celebrates Shinju Matsuri, ‘festival of the pearl’, which brings to light the town’s Asian influences.

SHEEP NOTE: I’m only very ‘anorexic’ (aka thin) in both Chinese and Japanese so I’m hoping I’ve posted the correct photos. If I’ve stuffed up, the mistake will be fixed ASAP.

Now, my family have always been fans of camping (my youngest nephew might disagree though) and additionally, we like to watch the travel docos. The late Malcolm Douglas was a favourite of ours; his insight into the Australian wild always shut us up and we did consider him to be better than Steve Irwin (it’s just an opinion). So, I made a stop at his crocodile park which in all honesty came with its share of thrills. Some notable Aussie wildlife is on display, along with American alligators which was a first for me, but the massive apex predators are, first and foremost, the drawcard.

Broome, Western Australia (taken 2011)

The crocs on display, both freshwater and estuarine, are massive and were very much bringing back memories of watching Peter Pan as a boy. Some might snap their imposing jaws, which jumpstarts the adrenaline, whilst others will just lie around caring nothing for those who might be dangling their cameras over the fence for amusement (seriously!).

Broome, Western Australia (taken 2011)

What I found interesting was the nursery of crocs with birth deformities; there were two that could not survive in the wild because one had a messed up tail whilst the other had none at all. It was a satisfying afternoon, amongst which a feeding tour is on offer, but be sure to get your timing right. For the fans of Malcolm Douglas, this is one stop you must make.

Those done and dusted, Cable Beach is the final highlight I’d be liking to share. An easy bus ride out of town, this is where just about everybody goes for a day trip. When I rocked up they had a polo competition on (not my thing but everyone’s different) and many others going at their own pace. Having to wait for my real plan to unfold I just ate fish and chips and read my copy of Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake. Kinda blissful.

Broome, Western Australia (taken 2011)

Cable Beach is nice to walk along (crocs and box jellyfish do like to hang out in those parts so be cautious in the water and at night) and let rip with the 4WD, as some ‘woo-girls’ were doing. I for one liked the rocks that the crabs were scuttling over (added some character) and if you happen to go far enough (this wasn’t the focus of the day and no I didn’t get pictures) you might just find a few folk with their talents on display. Looking out at the Indian Ocean I did see a Chinese junk boat (dunno why I didn’t get a shot of that but you may judge), and if one comes at the right time they may witness the Staircase to the Moon cometh the evening; just another example of traveller’s regret.

Now, many a folk and some great panorama shots will tell you that riding the camels along Cable Beach are a huge must, so that’s what I did. Ships of the Desert, the company I rode with was more than rewarding, but it’s my understanding they’re no longer operating. I was upon Rajah’s hump for about half an hour and it was money well spent. Whilst the fellow backpackers were lurking about, this is very much a family affair also; the youngest riding was a toddler. The camel handlers were good conversations had and they provided photo proof of the day which they truthfully described as the ‘cheapest souvenir in Broome’. They really did give the best hump on Cable Beach.