Day 60 – Darwin, Australia

I’m always hesitant to count days on this cruise, but I couldn’t help but notice that today marked the completion of one-third of our world cruise – 60 days. Someone asked how we would feel after being on the ship for such a long period of time, and I can say without hesitation that I am still having a fabulous time. Time has flown by.

We docked this morning in Darwin, the cultural hub of Australia’s northernmost region, known as the Top End. This multicultural city has been devastated time after time by natural disasters, as well as bombings during World War II. This bombing remains the largest single attack on Australia by a foreign power.

Tim and I had signed up for the included excursion, “Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery,” described as follows:

Enjoy a panoramic tour of one of Australia’s most successful and engaging multicultural cities. The largest city in the continent’s thinly populated Northern Territory, Darwin is a modern tropical capital with an intimate feel, set on a harbor twice the size of Sydney’s. Its colorful past will enrich your understanding of the Aussie spirit. Meet your guide and drive to the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery. Here, you will enjoy free time to independently explore a collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase Darwin’s history. Learn about Aboriginal culture and wildlife as well as the role the town played during World War II. Discover the story behind the devastating cyclone that struck Darwin in the 1970s, and how this event shaped the future of the museum that stands here today. After your visit, you will return to your awaiting ship.

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is this region’s premier cultural and scientific organization. Although the museum is small, both Tim and I were impressed with the exhibits.

We started with “ACTION! Film and War,” which chronicled how the power of the moving image has been used to document, promote, report on, and recreate events from Australia’s military history.

ACTION! Film and War

The exhibit showed how film has shaped the understanding of the Australian experience of war, as well as the role of movies in providing comfort to those serving far from home. I was fascinated with this exhibit, and it made me think. The images and artifacts on display told this story well and reminded me of the critically important role that film and photo correspondents play during wartime.

Making Movies

“Cyclone Tracy” was a sobering exhibit that chronicled a defining time in Darwin’s history, resulting in the loss of 66 lives, the destruction of 70 percent of its buildings, and the displacement of a large portion of its population. As someone who lived through Hurricane Andrew in Miami, I was reminded of the power of Mother Nature.

Cyclone Tracy

We next passed by the museum’s most popular resident. Sweetheart, a saltwater crocodile and Northern Territory icon, became well-known around Darwin for his attacks on aluminum boats, and he became a celebrity after his accidental death in 1979.

Sweetheart, the Crocodile

Next to Sweetheart was a simulated rock art panel, created by an artist who was one of the few senior men who had grown up painting onto rock. This ancient practice declined after European contact and has been mostly superseded today by painting on bark or watercolor paper.

Rock Art Panel

These were just a few of the exhibits that captured my attention today. The museum was not only interesting, but a welcome, cool place on another hot and humid day.

Although I am sure that Darwin is an interesting city, most of its buildings date from the post-Cyclone Tracy period. That, and the heat, persuaded Tim and me to return to the ship after our tour. 

Once back at the ship, it was fascinating to watch how the huge quantities of new supplies were being loaded onto Viking Sky, one pallet at a time. Since the ship was not able to be resupplied in Queensland due to flooding in the area, this process likely occupied most of the day. I later learned that we are now fully resupplied.

Loading Resupplies Onto the Ship, One Pallet at a Time

Although I always seem to sleep very well on the ship, I must have been tired after lunch, because I napped for most of the afternoon.

I was awakened when Jayson, our incredible stateroom steward, knocked on the door to replenish our bucket of ice. Jayson’s wife Maricel, who also works on Viking Sky, was with him, and we were finally able to meet her today. What a lovely couple!

Jayson and Maricel

The View from Our Balcony After My Nap

After dinner in the World Café and a quick drink with Tim at the Living Room Bar, I stopped by to see my friends in Guest Services. Here, I ran into Sardo, who was promoted today from Guest Services to Second Purser Admin. He is now responsible for assisting the main Purser with managing passenger and crew documentation, handling immigration formalities, and ensuring compliance with port regulations. Congratulations, Sardo! You have earned your stripes!

Congratulations, Sardo

It was then time to return to our stateroom to watch the evening show on Viking TV.