Darwin, You Weird Little Gem (and My Quest for the Perfect Flat White)
okay, so darwin. i didn’t plan to end up here, honestly. a last-minute gig fell through in melbourne, and my mate suggested i hop over. i’m a touring session drummer, you see, and sometimes the universe just throws you a curveball shaped like a flight to northern australia. i just checked and it’s drizzling a bit, a sort of damp, persistent hug from the sky. hope you like that kind of thing.
and wow, the vibe. it’s…different. like, a beautiful, slightly chaotic blend of laid-back aussie charm and a surprisingly vibrant arts scene. i’ve been wandering around *Larrakia Country (important to acknowledge, right?) and just soaking it all in. the humidity is real, though. you feel it clinging to you like a second skin.
I’ve been hunting for a decent flat white. seriously, a drummer needs his caffeine. i’ve hit up a few places - you can check out some reviews on TripAdvisor, but honestly, take them with a grain of salt. someone told me that “the coffee at that place on knox street is like drinking dishwater, but the pastries are divine.” which…is a very darwinian review, i guess. i’m still searching.
“Apparently, if you ask for a ‘long black’ here, they’ll look at you like you’ve grown a second head. just stick to flat whites or lattes, mate.”
I spent a good chunk of yesterday exploring Fremantle - it’s only a short ferry ride away, and it’s got this amazing colonial feel. The markets were buzzing, and i picked up a ridiculously oversized straw hat. Don’t judge. I’m embracing the darwin aesthetic.
I’m staying in a little Airbnb near the Esplanade. it’s pretty basic, but the location is perfect. if you get bored, Katherine is just a short drive away. I’ve been trying to sketch some of the local wildlife - mostly just pigeons and the occasional cheeky possum - but my drawing skills are…questionable, to say the least. I’m thinking of hitting up a local art supply store tomorrow. maybe i’ll find some inspiration.
“Don’t even think about swimming in the ocean without checking the jellyfish warnings. seriously. people have ended up in hospital.”
I stumbled across this amazing little vintage shop on smith street - “Retro Revival” - and spent way too much money on a sequined jumpsuit. it’s probably not very practical for drumming, but it sparkles. you can find it on Yelp, if you’re interested. https://www.yelp.com/biz/retro-revival-darwin.
I overheard some drunk bloke at a pub last night saying, “darwin’s got a weird energy, ya know? like, it’s trying to be something it’s not.” i’m not sure i agree. i think it’s just…authentic. a little rough around the edges, maybe, but undeniably itself.
“The sunsets here are insane. seriously, set an alarm and go watch one. you won’t regret it.”
I’m thinking of checking out Litchfield National Park next week. apparently, the waterfalls are incredible. I’ll need to rent a car, though. public transport isn’t exactly a thing here. I found a decent rental company online: https://www.hertz.com.au/darwin-car-hire/.
I also need to find a decent rehearsal space. my drumming skills aren’t exactly improving with just practicing on my lap. I’m checking out some local music boards for leads. https://www.facebook.com/groups/darwinmusic/.
Honestly, darwin is a bit of a surprise. i wasn’t expecting to like it this much. it’s got this weird, magnetic pull. i’ll probably be here longer than i originally planned. and i’m still* on the hunt for that perfect flat white. wish me luck.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/rome-a-whirlwind-of-whispers-and-weather
- https://votoris.com/post/chasing-light-through-mexico-citys-back-alleys-a-sleepy-shooters-diary
- https://votoris.com/post/nalchik-nights-chasing-shadows-in-the-kabardinobalkarian-republic
- https://votoris.com/post/parisian-pandemonium-footwear-failures-and-foggy-corners
- https://votoris.com/post/rio-de-janeiro-after-midnight-ghost-hunters-spooky-guide