Local Boy Jake Weatherald Shows Teammates How It's Done In Darwin And Tucks Into A Prawn Laksa At Lunch
CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT It may be 32 degrees in Darwin today but that won't stop the locals
CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
It may be 32 degrees in Darwin today but that won't stop the locals from indulging in their city's favourite cuisine.
As Australia cops a surprising hiding from the Bangladeshis in day 1 of the Darwin test - the catering at Marrara stadium has also shocked the Aussie players.
All except for the local boy Jake Weatherald, who didn't think twice about sitting down and consuming a litre of coconut milk and curry paste blended together with wontons and prawns.
After being bowled for 23 this morning, the 31-year-old hometown hero at least has this to look forward to.
Because the Northern Territory Capital is also widely regarded as the Laksa Capital.
This is owing in part to it's close proximity to the Southeast Asian spice hubs of Borneo, Malaysia and Indonesia and the Straits of Malacca.
However, it's not just the geographic that makes the laksa a go-to feed in the Top End - it's also the people.
Only a truly troppo population would power through the boiling hot and extremely spicy contents of a curry soup when the humidity is already at 70% and the mercury sits at the mid-30s in the shade.
While the rest of Australia associate this meal with cold winter evenings and blocked sinuses, the Territorians view it as delicious way to get even sweatier.
Initially introduced to the Darwinese as 'a spicy coconut noodle soup' - the increased cultural diversity of the city has since resulted in this dish becoming a standard local cuisine. It's not so popular that he city hosts the annual Darwin International Laksa Festival every October to celebrate it. That is a whole month dedicated to this particular meal.
That's why Jake Weatherald isn't really that bothered by what's being served up
"Nah you boy's gotta try Aunty Mary's Laksa. They didn't skim on the grub here" he tells his teamates, as he slurps his Thirsty Zac's bubble tea.
"Get the seafood special I reckon"
"Proper Darwin job that one"