All the way to the top! (Top end that is....)

So, I've been here one whole year and I have only JUST been able to take a work trip.  Not that I usually travel all that much for work, but compared to my co-workers, I'm practically a stone statue.

This particular trip took me back to the Northern Territory.  Darwin is the capital of the NT and is actually closer to Bali, Indonesia than it is to Sydney (or Canberra for that matter).  Because of its location, Darwin has a wet season and a dry season and often suffers from cyclones.  I happen to take this trip during the wet season.  By wet season, I don't mean rain....I mean HUMIDITY.  I got off the plane and went out to catch a taxi and felt as if I passed under a shower head on my way out the door. My glasses constantly fogged up.  It was insane.

Regardless, I don't let a little humidity keep me down so once I landed and got to the hotel, I contacted some of my local contacts and off we went.  I did some recon work before I took off so I had a plan in place.  Our first stop was the Darwin Military Museum.

Most people (and by most, sadly, I mean Americans) don't know that Darwin was the site of some vicious attacks during World War II.  Just two short months after the Japanese obliterated Pearl Harbor, they turned their sights to the south and flattened Darwin on February 19, 1942.  President Obama was recently in Darwin for the 70th anniversary of the bombings and called it "Australia's Pearl Harbor".  However, like the Americans, Australians are a very resilient bunch and didn't allow this series of attacks to crush them.  The Darwin museum has done a wonderful job at highlighting the cooperation between the Aussies and the US.  As a matter of fact, there were several US ships in port during the Japanese attacks...but more on that in a minute.

This museum is actually built in a re-purposed outpost that was used during WWII.  Some of the buildings are marked as to what their original purpose was.

A copy of the Instrument of Surrender signed by the Japanese forces on board the USS Missouri (AUTHOR'S NOTE: Signed by Chester A. Nimitz.....my FAV Admiral evah.)

This truck was a mobile workshop.  You can see the work benches and if you look closely you can see tool drawers.

Outside of the tool truck

A segment of the memorial wall dedicated to US forces

Because of the climate and the exposure on the Harbor, a lot of stuff was built into the side of the hills and mountain.  There are some fuel stores out in town (near the wharf) that are housed in old mine shafts.

Some of the oldest inhabitants of the Top End are 4-legged.  When I arrived, my mate told me not to go swimming in the harbor, even though it was very close to my hotel.  The reason?  CROCS.  Thats right, crocs.  These beasts are WILD up in the top end and as long as you stay clear of them, you should be cool.  So what did I do?  I went to Crocosaurs Cove to see these fellas up close (or as close as I felt comfortable with).  These pictures dont really do them justice as they are enormous!

This pair is called "William and Kate".

These are the "babies" which they keep in one tank till they get too big.

I felt it important that they have some gauge for what separates me from the angry beasts who think I look super tasty.

ANNNNND then I realized that the acrylic was only the width of my hand.  As a matter of fact, my middle finger is longer than the width of the glass.

 I also went to the USS Peary memorial.  The Peary was docked in Darwin Harbor when the Japanese attacked.  The ship and most of her crew rest at the bottom of the harbor today.  The 4-inch gun seen below is located on the Esplanade and points to the final resting place of the Peary.

A 4-inch gun recovered from the USS Peary shipwreck.  It now points to the location of the ship.

Darwin Harbor

Australian naval ships docked at Darwin Harbor

So my trip was completely short and there was tons more to do.  Guess I will have to go back.  Of course there were a couple fur people who missed me.  Franklin decided to ensure that I not forget him on my next trip by sleeping in my suitcase. 

I'm helping you correct a terrible over site in packing...you forgot ME!

So Darwin survived the second coming of Cyclone Tracey with far less damage than the last time.  In 1974, Darwin was once again flattened, this time by Cyclone Tracy (spelled different, but no less powerful!).  I do have to say that no individuals were harmed during the visit and there was zero damage.  :D I really enjoyed Darwin and hope to get to go back soon (well, at least during DRY season this time....)