As we pulled into Tumbling Waters Caravan Park, we didn't know what to expect… only that everyone we had spoken to had stopped there during their time in Darwin. A beautiful bush setting with friendly owners… a swimming pool (thank god!!) and a really nice and cheap restaurant. Our first night we thought we had better treat ourselves, everything on the menu was only $15.00 and beers were five. And it was worth every cent! The night was followed by some live music by The Marlee Tree (originally from Healesville and has agreed to play at our engagement party!!), live at the restaurant.

After a goodnights sleep, (sort of!)… Let's just say the heat started early and with that, so did the humidity, 80% at 7:30am… it was going to be a long week!!! Our tour of Darwin with Larry started with a trip to the Darwin Gallery to see the Indigenous art awards. We managed to spend a good three hours in the air-conditioned comfort, not to mention the brilliant work on display. A walk through the humidity and the mall saw us buy yet another piece of aboriginal art… we think maybe our last for a while.

Most of our time in Darwin was spent trying to keep cool and out of the humidity, if you shower you sweat within minutes, if you don't shower, you are just a sweaty mess, there is basically no end to the painfulness of the humidity. Even when we spoke to locals they were already over it. Seems that the infamous wet season and its build up may have started early… sending everyone just a little crazy.

We also managed to book a jumping croc tour. Being the end of the season we were two of just six on the boat which would make for some great viewing of these massive beasts. We were greeted by your typical 'Shazza'. Rough as guts but lovely….. "better have some bushmans, the mozzzies are f*%&ing rampant this morning"… Before boarding the boat, Tristan decided he had better relieve himself before the tour. Let's just say the toilet was pretty interesting… it basically consisted of a piece of quad gutter, placed on a slight angle. The tour guide Morgan was a really nice and informative bloke. Not to mention the crocs….Wow. They just come out of nowhere and with not many people on the boat, we got a full 360-degree view. Then came 'Brutus' a 6+ metre and 100 year old machine. You couldn't help but marvel in his size, beauty and brute power. An absolute ripper morning.

A visit to the Mindal Markets was followed by a beautiful sunset on the beach… and then the awkward bit where people started applauding the sunset, a bit strange… but it is Darwin after all...anything is possible!

The remainder of our time consisted of keeping cool. The waterholes in Litchfeld and Berry Springs were a welcomed relief from the heat and humidity and a nice way to cool off. We frequented the pool many a times, but Tristan decided to read his book not realising that the UV index was 14. Yep cooked to a crisp and then came the itching. Not the greatest experience.

The Saturday night before we flew home, we were lucky enough to be treated to a Seafood & Champagne dinner cruise on Darwin Harbour, thanks to the generous Senior School team at Norwood. We had the best seats on the boat and were rewarded with an incredible sunset and storm!

After about 8 days at Tumbling Waters we were ready for our week getaway back to Melbourne and the cool weather! After dropping Judy off at the airport (so we didn't have to lug her around), before we knew it, it was time for dinner with Sonia and Phil as a final farewell. We have had many other farewells but considering they were leaving Darwin the next day, we could only assume this would be goodbye for a little while. A beautiful dinner and catch-up, we were off to reunite Larry and Judy at the long term and for us to wait for our 2:15 am GRUELLING flight. It was however, great to see everyone back at home.

As our flights were cheap, it didn't mean that the times were all that great. We arrived back in Darwin a week later at 1:30am and decided we couldn't drive and booked a hotel room. Best decision ever. We arrived back to Larry and Judy refreshed and ready to go. Tara went to pay the bill, but upon reading the sign realised that they did a system upgrade and the weeks parking was free. Win, and the hotel room just paid for itself. Sometimes you get a little win!

Goodbye Humidity!!