DARWIN NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIA

DARWIN

NORTHERN TERRITORY

AUSTRALIA

1 July 1978 was the beginning of a new era for Darwin and Northern Territory.It was a day of establishing a self rule and independence from Commonwealth Government of Australia. A big day, a proud moment that is being celebrated ever since.

The beginnings of Darwin go back to 1839 when the Beagle sailing to do a survey of Australian coastline discovered a natural port. The settlement called Palmerston since 1869 was renamed Darwin in 1911. The history is rich in pioneers' achievements and their resilience surviving bombing by the Japanese in the WWII and natural distraction caused by Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

The Government House is a grand building opened in 1871. Over the years it hosted royalty and distinguished guests. It is surrounded by magnificent gardens.

Darwin has golden sand beaches and azure Arafura Sea which, although invite for a swim, also attract dangerous crocodiles so swimming has to be restricted to swimming pools. The spectacular sunsets bring visitors to the beaches. It has warm climate and is surrounded by natural wonders like Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park. It also has rich indigenous culture. Darwin is a great place to visit.

VAN DIEMEN GULF NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIA

VAN DIEMEN GULF

NORTHERN TERRITORY

AUSTRALIA

Van Diemen Gulf is located at the very top of the Northern Territory, just north of Darwin. It is surrounded by Melville Island and Cobourg Peninsula. Sailing past Cape Don to enter Arafura Sea can be slow or quick. That depends on tides and the current. The Gulf is full of overflows and strong currents, the depths differ greatly. Sailing difficulty is compensated by fabulous coastal vistas.

Port Essington was a try for the brave settlers. It still is a remote place inhabited by snakes, crocodiles and wild animals. No wonder early settlers gave up the effort.

Crocodiles, closely related to dinosaurs but not extinct, were being culled for the sake of safety for people till the 1960s. Finally people realized that they should join crowded, noisy and polluted city dwellers and let animals live in peace in their natural environment. So now crocodiles are plentiful.

Cobourg Peninsula is teaming with fish, being remote it does not attract many fishermen. It is home to few indigenous people who enjoy the natural way of life. Also an occasional yacht stops on its passage to enjoy fabulous scenery and quiet of the anchorages. Just a shame it is not advisable to have a swim, crocodiles and sharks are here. Sea and sky colors are amazing though.

Sailing into the sunset , leaving the colors of land and sky behind one can only wonder what other surprises are waiting in this remote area.

DARWIN ARAFURA PEARL JEWEL OF AUSTRALIA

DARWIN

ARAFURA PEARL

JEWEL OF AUSTRALIA

Darwin, a remote, tropical paradise on the banks of Arafura Sea, often called Arafura Pearl, is the capital of the Australian Northern Territory.

The Parliament House is a definite landmark since its completion in 1994. It is a grand building sharing the People's House with the Northern Territory Library. The library is a host of an exhibition, The Territory Story. It describes the beginnings of Darwin and its people and celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the Parliament House.

The courtyard has a pleasant refreshing atmosphere with a fountain and palm shade, cool drinks available from Speaker's Corner Cafe. It also offers spectacular view over the turquoise waters of Arafura Sea.

Strolling through the markets, listening to local music and meeting friends became a tradition in Darwin over the years. Definitely a place to visit. In fact quite a number of visitors made Darwin their permanent residence.

KUPANG WEST TIMOR INDONESIA

KUPANG

WEST TIMOR

INDONESIA

Kupang is a capital of West Timor. It had Portuguese and Dutch masters for centuries. They were fighting among themselves for control over lucrative sandalwood trade. The Portuguese built a fort which ruins still stand today. Eventually they moved to East Timor that was theirs even after West Timor became part of Indonesia back in 1949. The Christian faith introduced by the Europeans is still visible in Kupang.

Kupang is a port, quite famous for Captain Bligh's arrival in June 1789 in a small open boat all the way from the Pacific after the mutiny on his ship The Bounty. Kupang is a sailor paradise with many comfortable and scenic anchorages leading to town. The town itself offers excellent shopping for supplies needed by yachts.

Kupang and West Timor offer exciting cruising and are worth visiting.

SOLOR ARCHIPELAGO NUSA TENGGARA INDONESIA

SOLOR ARCHIPELAGO

NUSA TENGGARA

INDONESIA

Nusa Tenggara, a province of Eastern Indonesia, consists of a multitude of islands. The bigger ones like Solor, Andonara, Kawula and Alor create a picturesque chain of islands.

There are rocky hills and volcanoes on land and sand cays and coral reefs at sea. Fishing is main occupation in the area, the fishermen are friendly. Their children are cute and eager to learn to fish.

The archipelago has a rich history. Pulau Solor was the fist island visited by Portuguese Missionaries in the early 16^th century and Catholic faith spread from here to Flores.

The sunsets are enchanting, the ocean breeze is fresh and pollution free. 

MAUMERE PULAU FLORES INDONESIA

MAUMERE

PULAU FLORES

INDONESIA

Maumere is a seaport and one of a very few bigger townships of Flores Island. Back in the 17^th century it used to be a Portuguese center and it still is a catholic center established by the Portuguese Missionaries in the biggest Muslim Nation of Indonesia. Maumere has been destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami in 1992. Now rebuilt it still is a natural harbor and seaport.

A nearby fishing village is very much part of Maumere. Its inhabitants are Muslim. It is great to see Christian and Muslim population living together in harmony in Marmere.

However, it is not just the town that has an impact on visitors, not just the wonderful people that experienced the tragedy of an earthquake and tsunami, not the people that lost loved ones in that tragedy.

The scenic beauty of the north coast of Flores that leads to Maumere is unforgettable as well as its history. It is a coast of bays, hills and mountains, of colors on the water, amazing coral reefs teeming with fish. Every anchorage along the north coast of Flores offers excellent snorkeling.

The color splendor continues with spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Maumere is a starting point for a trip to Kelimutu Volcano where a color splendor continues with Three-color crater lakes.

Flores is truly a picturesque island above and below its waters.

PULAU FLORES INDONESIA

PULAU FLORES

INDONESIA

Flores, island of flowers, named so by the Portugese in early 1500s is an island of divers terrain accommodating many volcanoes and amazing coastline of coral reefs. In fact, the rout to Flores from the west has many islands famous for the diving sites, Pulau Padar with its natural Pyramid being a popular diving spot.

Labuan Bajo is the entry to Flores. It has a natural harbor with a multitude of boats, many take visitors to Padar or Komodo or Rinja that has a Nature Park where Komodo Dragons can be seen. There are many islands scattered around Labuan Bajo making the harbor a safe anchorage.

The coastline of Flores is scenic, mountains, rocky or full of vegetation hills and

valleys and sandy beaches. Some offshore islands are surrounded by coral reefs. Thus sailing is slow and with care. However, anchorages are well protected and snorkeling fabulous.

Flores extends over some 200 nautical miles and sailing along its coastline is a pleasure.