We enjoyed a visit to the war museum at East Point and the underground oil tunnels in the city. When Darwin was attacked by the Japanese (64 times in a 21 month period) a key target was the oil tanks used for re-fueling ships. A secret project was started to build underground steel tunnels to hold oil. The project cost five time the original budget and wasn't completed till after the war ended. The tunnels were never actually used to hold oil. It was kept secret, with no possibility of review. A project like this was an inspiration to me as an IT contractor.
We were interested to learn that it was during this time that the government began to construct the Stuart highway to Port Augusta, much needed for war-time transport. The Japanese continually bombed the road works, but the project was completed successfully. When in Darwin, you realise how close Asia is, and how unsafe the population of 2000 (rest evacuated) felt in February 1942, when the first and worst bombing raid occurred. National newspapers vastly under-estimated the deaths; this was deliberate, to forestall mass panic and fear of invasion. e.g. Paper said 16 killed, actually 200.
The war museum had been put together on the site of the old naval gun emplacements, with lots of photos and relics. Some government money's gone into the project, but the bulk of the work has been done by dedicated volunteers. Their dedication shows.
An interesting day: Yesterday I tried to extend our stay but the park's booked out for the Darwin Cup this weeekend. A chap across the road told me that he was cancelling and that if I hurried, I might get his site. My request was met with great indifference and when I reappeared the next day (as instructed) I was told that the site had been booked and I was out of luck. A conversation with the manager was successful, however, and we can stay for the weekend. I didn't even have to contact the caravan park ombudsman.
I decided to finally open the mail I picked up three days ago. Imagine my delight when I found my phone bill, instead of being its normal ~$100 per month had $5,059.40 in new charges. It turns out that Telstra had never put the data plan ($60/ month) and instead was charging me $22 per megabyte for internet usage. The bill included only half-a-dozen sessions in Coober Pedy and Alice Springs so next month's bill should really be a whopper. Rang Kevin (son and Telstra employee) who indicates he'll sort it out.
We decided to celebrate life with dinner at Stokes Hill Wharf. Found a nice restaurant at the end of the wharf and had really, really good barramundi while overlooking the water, sunset etc. Occasionally, dolphins would make a splash and we watched one dorsal fin slowly following the path of a returning sail boat. We even heard dolphins, chirping away. The wharf looks back on the town, but it's not like Southbank in Melbourne or Circular Quay/ Darling Harbour in Sydney. It's really quiet and not all lit up. Nice sunset, too.
The war museum had been put together on the site of the old naval gun emplacements, with lots of photos and relics. Some government money's gone into the project, but the bulk of the work has been done by dedicated volunteers. Their dedication shows.
An interesting day: Yesterday I tried to extend our stay but the park's booked out for the Darwin Cup this weeekend. A chap across the road told me that he was cancelling and that if I hurried, I might get his site. My request was met with great indifference and when I reappeared the next day (as instructed) I was told that the site had been booked and I was out of luck. A conversation with the manager was successful, however, and we can stay for the weekend. I didn't even have to contact the caravan park ombudsman.
I decided to finally open the mail I picked up three days ago. Imagine my delight when I found my phone bill, instead of being its normal ~$100 per month had $5,059.40 in new charges. It turns out that Telstra had never put the data plan ($60/ month) and instead was charging me $22 per megabyte for internet usage. The bill included only half-a-dozen sessions in Coober Pedy and Alice Springs so next month's bill should really be a whopper. Rang Kevin (son and Telstra employee) who indicates he'll sort it out.
We decided to celebrate life with dinner at Stokes Hill Wharf. Found a nice restaurant at the end of the wharf and had really, really good barramundi while overlooking the water, sunset etc. Occasionally, dolphins would make a splash and we watched one dorsal fin slowly following the path of a returning sail boat. We even heard dolphins, chirping away. The wharf looks back on the town, but it's not like Southbank in Melbourne or Circular Quay/ Darling Harbour in Sydney. It's really quiet and not all lit up. Nice sunset, too.
The Darwin underground oil tunnels are an inspiration to all us contractors. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete