Three things always strike me about Australia when I arrive in the country. Its birds and especially the cackling Galah. Its people and especially its young people. Finally, its trees.
They're not brilliant links, but it's difficult on a dial-up!
Posted by Joe at July 11, 2003 12:00 PMwhy do the young people strike you? seems rather unfriendly to me ;-)
Posted by: Lisa at July 11, 2003 04:31 PMROR! (Raughing out Roud)
Maybe I like them precisely because they don't strike me! It's usually the young at immigration and customs (the latter being a VERY serious thing down under) that are the friendliest and carry out their jobs with smiles on their faces. Add to that their laid back attitude and you have a winning combination - _in_ Australia anyway. They aren't my favourite tourists when I've met them abroad.
Posted by: Joe at July 11, 2003 05:39 PMIf you are into Australian trees, and eucalyptus in particular, then there is a gentle, well-written novel by Murray Bail that I would recommend. Title is "Eucalyptus" and I think it won some awards a few years back. A slim volume and therefore a quick read. Might be even better read outside with your back against a gum tree swatting flies.
ps: when I arrived in Darwin airport and went through immigration I had two stitches in my chin. The officer asked me, "You been in a bluey mate?" I had to explain that, unfortunately, I had fallen into a washing pit in Timor, but I really wished I had been in a bluey. Think the look he gave me might have been contempt.
Posted by: John at July 16, 2003 12:55 PMI'll look for the book. We've noticed there are less flies this year, so with luck I won't need it to double-up as a fly swatter.
What was Darwin like? It doesn't appeal to me. I think Cairns is about as far north as I want to get.
Posted by: Joe at July 16, 2003 03:20 PM