A goanna we nearly ran over, Aboriginal traditional food
Having just arrived in Darwin we spent a couple of days searching for things to do and ways that we could possibly fund raise whilst in a heavily populated area for the first time since leaving Brisbane. We heard of a popular weekend market just outside Darwin centre and called the market manager to see if she would allow us to pitch up for free. Wendy was more than willing to help our cause and asked us if we could turn up bright and early so she could allocate us a space.
Our stall at Parap markets, eveything was given away for free, well for a donbation
The Parap Village Market is one of Darwin 's longest running markets and is a vibrant and colourful place to spend a morning, the atmosphere is busy but relaxed and there is a wide range of stalls selling food, arts and local crafts.
Our stall contained a strange mixture of donated goods including boxes of loofas and car belts
As we had done previously at a couple of other events we set up an eye catching display in an attempt to get peoples attention. Markets are always a good way of us lightening our load, as we can offer up any items that people have donated to our cause. In return we ask for donations and explain to people what it is we are attempting to do and how. We seldom have a negative response, indeed most people after learning what we are attempting to do around Australia, donate more than the item is worth. We left our first morning at Parap with over $250 dollars and an invitation to a barbecue the following day Andrew and Deb, a couple who were browsing the market as they had just moved to Darwin from Victoria. Thinking that we might be hungry they offered us a feed at their new home. We were overjoyed.
Andrew and Deb, a perfect example of Aussie hospitality and kindness
A good old Aussie barbie is a wondrous thing to behold. Having already been lucky enough to have sampled a few, we have found that they usually entail the eating of a mountain of perfectly cooked meat, washed down with a multitude of stubbies, and a good time is always had by all. This was certainly no exception and we returned to the city centre late at night relaxed, refreshed and very glad of their hospitality to complete strangers, sending us off on our way with a bag full of goodies and smiley faces.
Aboriginal guys singing poems and songs at Parap markets
Wendy invited us back to the market another two times. Each time we did the markets we raised a little more in funds than the previous time, especially after finding ourselves on the front page on the NT News. This was very handy and we milked our celebrity for all it was worth. After all, we didn't want to be pointed at in the street by strangers who shouted 'Look! It's the naked bin bag people', for nothing. We made valuable money for the charity and other stall holders always made sure we weren't going hungry.
A lady doing traditional Aboriginal painting
Wendy had a contact at Nightcliffe Market a little further out of town, so we headed there the following morning. Established in 1996 it has now become a weekly community event. It was here that we met Michael Allen, of NT Sailing and Adventures who offered us a sunset cruise that evening after passing our stall and deciding to give us a tour of the harbour.
We took him up on his exciting offer and at half five the same day we were leaving the pier on Daymirri 2, a luxury 10 metre sailing catamaran. NT Sailing and Adventures offer a variety of different tours depending on the season. Michael is a great entertainer, telling stories about Darwin and imparting delightful little titbits of sailing knowledge. Learning a lot about the area and the history of Darwin from Michael, we were intellectually stimulated and in addition overjoyed to be provided with food and drink too.
Michael Allen of NT Sailing Adventures
During our stay in Darwin the film Australia was showing, of which we were lucky enough to have been donated three complimentary tickets by Harry at Greater Union Cinema. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the film in Darwin, where the film was set. The Aboriginal casting was fantastic and who doesn't want to see Hugh showering with his jeans on like that? We enjoyed the light hearted comedy and excitedly compared our own experiences of the awe inspiring scenery, and although it wouldn't normally be a film of choice, it was great to see it whilst we were actually in the Northern Territory capital.
Greater Union Cinema donated tickets to the film Australia
We asked Michael what he thought of the film, Australia. He was annoyed about factual untruths. It seems that Baz used a bit of cinematic licence, the Japanese never actually landed on Australian soil and there was no Mission Island, nor magical cattle station called Faraway Downs. Michael was also not the only Australian we met who thought it ridiculous to give the drover the name 'Drover', ''it’s like naming a carpenter 'Carpenter' or an engineer 'Engineer'.
We chill out on Daymirri, ejoying the sunset views of Darwin harbour
We are well looked after by Darwins many cafes and restaurants
Wandering around Darwin you come across so many wonderful graffiti art pieces
At Parap markets we met a wonderful lady called Mette, who invited us to her home for a BBQ, gave us vouchers for her clothing store to raffle in a fund-raiser and filled us with a tank of fuel. She went out of her way to help. In many ways we owe a lot to Mette and her gorgeous daughter Tilly.
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