Round Australia Road Trip #2
Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, in the part of Australia more fondly known as the Top End. It’s a laid back kind of place with a tropical climate and a relaxed lifestyle. We lived in Darwin for more than two years in the 1980s and it was still in rebuilding mode after being devastated by Cyclone Tracy in 1974. This was my first time back in the city and after 30 years I expected to see some changes.
In some ways, Darwin is very different. There are many new buildings, roadways and many more shops and businesses. In other ways it seemed as though very little had changed – the people still have the same easy going attitude to life and they are as friendly as ever.
The biggest change is the trees. In 1984, the landscape was dominated by new homes with new gardens. Now, there are trees – big trees – in every garden, on the footpaths and lining the highways. It’s green and lush, with tall palms, banana trees and spreading poincianas filling the skyline.
It’s definitely a change for the better.
The poincianas must look wonderful when they’re in bloom. I do like the Parliament building.
They are glorious. I heard that the Parliament building is nicknamed The Ice Cream Cake!
Your lovely photo of sunset on the beach really caught my eye – I loved the sunsets in Darwin when I visited, so much so that I based a whole post around them!
( http://travelplacebo.wordpress.com/2015/04/30/seaside-sunsets/ , if you’re interested)
I enjoyed your post Bec. Thanks for sharing.
The sunset looks magical. I had to Google poinciana to find out what they look like and I can imagine, now, how wonderful the place would look when they are in bloom.
I love that sunset over the beach – glorious! 😀