Hey there guys n gals! Been pretty busy here in Darwin since returning from our road trip ... well apart from the one day that I had a mighty hangover (true Laura style) and didn't venture any further than the bathroom until about 6pm! We spent the first day shopping and saved ourselves for a night out. It wasn't supposed to be a big one but after having a $1 barbeque at another hostel we ventured further up the street and found ourselves dancing the night away at an Irish bar called Shenanigans. It was great - Wednesday night and the place was bouncing because the US Navy & Marines ships are in town! The following day was not pretty but I managed to drag myself out in time to go and meet Michelle and Christine at the night market at Mindel Beach. This market is pretty much 'the thing to do' in Darwin and it was great! I managed to blag myself a few true Aussie souvenirs which I am looking forward to getting home! The following day I wandered round Darwin city following the heritage/historical trails. It turned out to be quite an interesting and cool day. I was on my way over to the Cenotaph war memorial when all these Navy helicopters appeared and began landing on the ships! I watched that for a bit, listening to the troops who were passing explaining what was going on. Then I headed up to State Square which has the NT Parliament, which also houses the library, and the Supreme Court. So next thing I know I am sitting in Court Room 4 watching a drugs trial taking place! Not something you do every day, eh! (The woman was definitely guilty, but not so sure about the guy!) Later that night the 3 of us headed down to the Deckchair Cinema for another unique Darwin-style experience. The cinema is out in the open, just off the beach and you sit watching the film in a deckchair underneath the stars! It was cool, and the movie - an Australian film called Peaches - was really good too!! Think we may be going back there on Monday night to see a German film about Hitler! Today I had another busy day and I definitely got the most colour I have had so far. Although unfortunately I think I am gonna be more red than brown, aagh :0( !! I went to a market in Parap this morning with Michelle. It was ok but pretty small so I left and went to see some more of Darwin's sights. I went to the Fannie Bay (I swear that's what its called ... oh, and there is a d*** Ward Road too?!?!) Gaol, the NT Museum and Art Gallery, to Kultura - part of the Darwin Festival - at the Botanic Gardens, Mindil Beach and Cullen Bay!!! I am exhausted just telling you about it as I done so much walking! I topped off the day with a 20 minute snooze on the beach at Cullen Bay, but as I had no towel or anything, I was totally covered in sand so as soon as I got back I had to jump in for a shower to get it all off!! We are now having a couple of cans of Tooheys in preparation for another night out tonight! I'm not sure where we're off to but apparently there's a really good gay club in town which is 90% straight folk! I guess we will see where we end up. Ciao for now xx P.S. only 5 days left in Oz, agh!!