Frontier landscapes

[Tom dinning]

The Northern Territory is considered as Frontier Territory to the rest of Australia. Darwin, the capital city, is included in that perception. Over the 23 years I have lived here I have developed a love/hate relationship with the place: I love to hate the place.
In the process of always looking for another place to live, I have made considerable effort to photograph the place I detest so much. In doing so, I have almost talked myself into liking the place.
Photographing Darwin isn't an easy task if you want classical landscape beauty or rustic old buildings or drama in the street. This place is flat, boring and the people are far too complacent to get excited about anything other than drinking and fishing.
Yet my files are filled with images of this place. So much so, I feel a lot of them need an outing so the rest of the world can see what it is like to live in a sauna surrounded by a mote full of crocs.
If you have the patience, I'll share with you some of my favourite images from my least favourite city.
I'll give some explanation from time to time. This isn't going to be a tourist brochure. Nevertheless, if you ever visit, feel free to drop by for a cuppa and a chat. I'll even show you around.

We should start with the sea. Darwin is surrounded by it. There is only one road in and out of the city because of the presence of the ocean. Having 7m tides and mangrove doesn't make for wondrous coastline but it does have its moments.

_DSC0014 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

Between coasts is a typical modern city of about 100 000 people loving as most do, in the burbs with their well manicured lawns, wheelie bins and barking dogs.

_D300857 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

Darwin Harbour is an industrial port and a shelter from the ravages of the cyclones that pass through between December and April. It's big enough not to notice the traffic but not big enough to hide from the crocs of which about 200 are removed each year and used for hand bags.

_D3S9576 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

The great thing about the cyclones is it gives a bit of excitement to the place and some surf for us old dogs to dust off our boards.

_D300825 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

To be continued

[Asher Kelman]

Tom,

This is a whole new adventure you're giving us. Do the tourists caravans reach to and violate the waters with modern boards they can't handle?

Asher

[Jarmo Juntunen]

Well Tom, you certainly got me listening/watching! Keep them coming, I like the beginning of this guided tour.

[Tom Robbins]

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Darwin, Tom. My sole source of information about Australia is from Bill Bryson's "In A Sunburned Country", and he is from Iowa.

[Tom dinning]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

Tom,

This is a whole new adventure you're giving us. Do the tourists caravans reach to and violate the waters with modern boards they can't handle?

Asher

The Grey Nomads turn up in their droves this time of the year with their children's inheritance in tow. Their kit is a variation of a 4x4 with caravan, boat and motor bike. Fortunately most of them can read the warning signs that are scattered along the coast suggesting they try the council swimming pool to avoid the crocs and Irukandji jellyfish, stonefish, sea snakes and occasional dose of e coli. Us locals are immune to all such things, especially if the surf is up.
Tom

[Tom dinning]

Originally Posted by Tom Robbins

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Darwin, Tom. My sole source of information about Australia is from Bill Bryson's "In A Sunburned Country", and he is from Iowa.

...and my only source of information of The US is equally from Bill Bryson's book 'Made in America' and he now lives in England, which says a lot about Iowa.
Tom

[Tom dinning]

Originally Posted by Jarmo Juntunen

Well Tom, you certainly got me listening/watching! Keep them coming, I like the beginning of this guided tour.

Take your seat, Jarmo, this could be a rough ride.
Tom

[Tom dinning]

I'll start with the CBD, for what it's worth. Trust me, the economy of Australia isn't dependent on what happens here, although a few politicians give a thoroughly bloated perspective of even the smallest event.
The CBD was designed by the same architect who animated old Bugs Bunny cartoons. Its build for tourist. Locals head to the Burbs for their shopping. On any day it would be unlikely to hear an Australian accent.

_D3S2635 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

It takes all of about 3 minutes to walk the Mall and even that confuses some.

_D3S6174 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

There are some southern trends that seem to have caught on here including alfresco dining. God knows why anyone would want to eat in the stifling heat with the flies and the possibility of drenching rain without notice. Still, it seems to keep some happy.

_D3S6178 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

Buskers and snake charmers frequent the shade of the shops during the tourist season (May to September - is that a song title?). They usually stand near the open door of a shop to keep cool. No fool them. They also have another job like bank president or lawyer. No-one makes a fortune from tourists here.

_D3S6189 by tom.dinning, on Flickr


_D3S6194 by tom.dinning, on Flickr

[Jerome Marot]

Originally Posted by Tom dinning

Nevertheless, if you ever visit, feel free to drop by for a cuppa and a chat.

Well... a meetup around the 13th of November could be attractive, but Cairn is a better place for it.

I like the association of the first and second picture.