2011 Darwin Festival - The Lighthouse Commission

Artwork by Tangentyere Artists in Alice Springs

"Tangentyere artists are known for their figurative depictions of Town Camp life in Alice Springs. In these murals, the artists depict the many different camps (both town and bush) that each artist calls their own. Town camps, the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges and beyond are inspiration, comfort and joy for Tangentyere artists." ―Darwin Festival 2011



When I strolled by these murals last weekend, I thought to myself two things: 1. "Kool! These artists are from Alice Springs, and I've been to Alice Springs! 2. "I miss being creative, sheeeeitttttt! Working and travelling just aren't conducive to staying creative. But that ain't an excuse, sheesh. I've been thinking... I love art/design 'n all... I always will... but maybe, just maybe, I'm more passionate about Travel? Shall I hit the books and study Journalism once and for all?

Sexy Garlic Bulbs

Awe-struck, I felt compelled to take a snapshot. Dang I've never seen garlic bulbs look this brilliant! Furthermore, one bulb cost a mere fiddy cents! Cop these beauts at the Rapid Creek Sunday Market.

Istanbul Cafe Darwin ― Spinach/Feta Pide

I'd been watching this pide from time... and I finally decided to try it while in Darwin last last weekend. The folks at Istanbul Cafe heated it up for me real nice (check the lovely black scorch marks), but overall, I can't say I felt it was worth $8.50 AUD. There could have been way more spinach and feta inside, and the texture of the pide was unpleasantly chewy. Shmeh. A disappointment, to say the least.

Homemade Coconut Milk Ice Pops

The best homemade coconut milk ice pops can be found at Rapid Creek Market only 15 minutes away from Darwin in The Territory. I was in town just last Sunday, and as I strolled the aisles of the market, picking and prodding at different types of Asian veg, a little sign caught my eye. In scraggly writing, the sign announced, "coconut milk ice pops, only oneeee dolla." I nearly squealed in excitement. Nothing's as cheap as $1 in Oz, nothin! Calmly, I asked Mr. Man in a Striped Shirt if I could please try one. He smiled, lifted the lid of this huge cooler thingy, slid a translucently white-ish ice pop out of its socket and handed it to a very happy Shelley.

Boy, was this ice pop ever refreshing! Not too creamy and not too sweet, I was actually pleasantly surprised. In fact, the ice pop was like a frozen state of 50% coconut water and 50% coconut milk. Yum, trust! I loved how it was al dente-ish, too. I mean I know this term's used to describe pasta but don't you love when ice pops are sorta firm to the bite? It's hard to explain. But anyhoo... directly across the little booth that sells these fantabo cocomilk ice pops, there's this "SARI-SARI" store where one can buy Sky Flakes and hopia and Mama Sita ulam powders! Hoorah for feeling closer to home when encountering Filipino-ness in Oz!

99PBLMS but a *bleep* ain't one!

We partied it large in Darwin last weekend. It's just how we does in The Territory. Just as we were about to embark on the 2.5hr journey back to Jabiru, I spotted this license plate not two cars away from us, in the carpark at the corner of Mitchell and Bennett St. Naturally, the first person that came to mind was my bestie, Bondz. Young Hova, ya heard?

Chase down ur passion...

This isn't a stellar example of expressive typography, by any means. I'm irked by the "ur" and the "its" lacking an apostrophe too, trust me. Still, upon initially seeing this message, a smile managed to crack 'pon my face. Haha @UglyassWriting and @MashedUpHappyFace squished in the corner! There I was not 4 weeks ago, staring at this message board of some sort (along Stuart Highway in Darwin, NT), conjuring up happy Tdot memories of the dreaded 165D bus at Wilson Station. Ha. Ultimately, in all this sign's cheesy glory, I still support its overall message and I strongly encourage you all to continue "chasing down ur passions." After all, if ur passions don't motivate you, then what does?

[DAY 253] SHELLEY IN OZ

Dear Darwin,

Thanks for being so good to me. I mean, we only spent one week together, but still. I couchsurfed for the first time with you... and boy, was that an awesome experience! Who knew that couchsurfing could be such an interesting cultural exchange? It's a concept many people don't quite understand. I like to say "try everything at least once!" You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

After couchsurfing for two days with you, Darwin, the day immediately after that, we found a flat together! Hoorah for Gumtree! Thank god I didn't have to end up paying $30/night staying at any of the unfriendly backpackers on Mitchell St, sheeit. So back to deets about this flat... the place was centrally-located (10 mins walking distance from the CBD), and I shared it with four other truly genuine people. My stay at 1/140 Smith Street was short and sweet, but I'm glad to have met this multicultural bunch. India, Taiwan & Canada in the house!

I went on an intense job hunt with you, Darwin! Wow, was that ever frustrating! There are wayyyy too many backpackers looking to work with you during the Dry Season, it's absolutely bananas. I'm lucky to have found such a sweet gig! Guess perserverance always pays off :) Backpacker Job Tip: NT News Classified on Saturdays + Backpacker Job Centre Shop 20/69 Mitchell Street.

How can I forget our food-y moments together? I loved Parap Market because there were more locals (it seemed) than tourists, and the food at each food stall looked soooo gooood. I would have definitely tried some of the food if it wasn't 9am in the morning! Mindil Sunset Beach Market, on the other hand, is saturated with tourists, though the veg curry puff and the fresh Vietnamese BBQ Pork Roll I had there were decently satisfying.

Don't forget me, dear Darwin. I'll only be gone for a minute. I'm not done with you yet, dammit! I still gotta go for a jog with you along the water's edge in Bicentennial Park. We gotta go swimming at the mini-beach at Port Darwin again. And if nothing else, we must (MUST) share 5 pieces of baked coconut ($2) at that little food stall in Parap Market again! Don't forget!!!

I just learned that you're Australia's only tropical city. How kool is that??! No wonder I've fallen for you. You're so different from Perth and from Melbs and from Sydney. In actuality, though you're deemed a city, I feel like you're more of a big town. You have a chill, small-town vibe about chu. And I like that. You're not too slow, not too fast... you're just my type! So we must meet again. Perhaps during your crazy mango season? Who knows. In the meantime, keep doin' you! So long and stay fly!

Best,
Shelley