Day 54 - Perth To Darwin, Australia
Downsizing !!!!!!!!!
So we were up at 05:30 and through the bathroom in record time. We paid the bill and stepped out into the rain to the taxi. It was raining in Perth when we left so we both think that we have been lucky with the weather whilst we were there. The day on the river and in Fremantle had been great and given us more than a flavour of Perth although the taste of the hospital we could have done without!
There is an hour and a half time difference between Perth and Darwin and the flight took just over three hours.
There was no customs at Darwin as we flew internally so it was straight in a taxi and off to collect the monster van!
After sorting out insurances and learning how to clean out
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Trevor & Jonathan’s World Trip 2010
the chemical toilet (the rule is only to be used in dire emergencies!!) we were on the road giggling as we went!
Our first stop was Coles supermarket where we stocked up on beans and pot noodles and water. It did take us about an hour to find the supermarket though despite the girl at the camper van office telling us it was just down the road, her directions were less than accurate.
Next it was off down the Stewart Highway towards Darwin searching for the campsite that the lonely planet guide said was cheap and the closet to the centre of Darwin. The Leprechaun Motel & Caravan Park is our temporary garden for the next three days. As we made our way to our pitch we finally got to explore the van.
Now the van looks huge but when it came to putting everything away it got smaller and smaller until it popped but we managed it, just.
We had been so worried that the van would be too big, actually its just about right as you can move around, yes we could have got a smaller one and it still would have been great but hey, we will only do this once!
The van has a sleeping area above the drivers seats like a big double bunk (this is where we will be sleeping) and then two smaller sofas with a table as a dining area downstairs and a further single bed sofa. We have a TV and DVD and a four ring gas hob, fridge and sink along with a shower and toilet and sink. The best part is that it has AC as Darwin is HOT and we felt like we were in an oven for the first hour or so.
There is no doubt that it is going to take some getting used to but we will and we are both still smiling and excited about the next 48 days!!!
It’s amazing how quickly we reverted back to type with Trevor at the stove making spaghetti bolognese (its been a long time) and Jonathan going off to get all the washing and drying done at the laundry. Just like home !!!
We settled in for our first “home” cooked meal since we left home and both looking at each other without saying a word knew that we both were thinking it’s crazy but it’s so going to be fun.
Our last thought is for Joe (Jonathan’s nephew) you were right about the van, when we pulled into the campsite we stood out like a grape in a bowl of strawberries, I guess we are a bit posh after all !!!!`