Thank goodness we gave ourselves plenty of time to get to Brisbane Airport. It took us an extra 45 mins due to an accident. But, we made it on time and on weight after a bit of reorganisation of our carry on luggage. Both 10kg exactly. The extra weight of all the zip lock bags I had packed filled with rolled oats, coffee and tea supplies, and even some laundry detergent weighed more than I thought!

Michael thought I was crazy, but I have breakfast covered for our 10 days once we buy some milk. I listened to my friend Bel who warned me of the high cost of food on these outback road trips.

Our Tiger Air flight started off interestingly. A few more weirdos on our flight than normal. We had a woman with OCD in the row next to us who packed and re packed her rubbish from one bag to a sick bag over and over. The staff knew her and kept a close watch on her. Mick was sure she was a ‘he’ and he could’ve been right. Next, just before the doors were to close, a women came from the rear of the plane telling staff she couldn’t go through with it. She got off the plane while the staff had to look for her luggage which was described as ‘large and black’. Now that was going to be easy to find. Most bags look like that from my observations at airports.

The plane was almost on time and we arrived just after 12.30 am. Darwin’s sizeable airport lounge/s were packed. 100s of people waiting to catch planes, including the one we just hopped off. According to my brother Paul, many spend the night there waiting for early flights to places north of here including East Timor where he headed a few months ago.

Another notable difference to Darwin Airport was the sight of a row of fighter jets looking quite impressive. The only other time we’ve seen fighter planes ‘at the ready’ at an international airport was in June as we flew out of Poland from Gdansk.

We caught a taxi to our hotel right in the middle of town. It is a budget hotel suited to backpackers, although I booked us a twin room with ensuite. This is our bedding arrangement.

The first night was pretty noisy but OK. I liked Michael’s comment as he rolled over to try to get some sleep….” Well, we’ve stayed in worse.”

Breakfast was interesting as the kitchen was a mess. We have bravely left some milk and butter in one of the fridges and are hoping it will be there in the morning. Michael described the fridges as being so full that a pubic hair couldn’t fit. That made me laugh.

Photos show the kitchen and the fridges and one of me near the pool. And no, that is not a real crocodile.

Off now to explore Darwin. More to follow.