tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137169312024-03-24T05:22:52.465+11:00Bowling for Illidanboy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-13076249583093597812007-11-28T11:30:00.000+11:002007-11-29T12:04:29.402+11:00Cairns and the Daintree (August 07)Far North Queensland is the closest you'll get to another country without leaving Australia. The first thing you notice are the local endangered species.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYBtOgeejTYGYuDshVXTHe4tVZzpzhgHjPEZ3NGeAL1MYxPzBf88NPiowF8aKnOEPug6qL_Y7lMCxYmIh0bGRp1d6gOA6Rr_JEVLQxF2AAPS62dPqjBCyabqBnSeuxX-8n0Pz/s1600-h/IMG_0916.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124739544109311106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYBtOgeejTYGYuDshVXTHe4tVZzpzhgHjPEZ3NGeAL1MYxPzBf88NPiowF8aKnOEPug6qL_Y7lMCxYmIh0bGRp1d6gOA6Rr_JEVLQxF2AAPS62dPqjBCyabqBnSeuxX-8n0Pz/s400/IMG_0916.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Cairns</strong> aspires to the full range of urban pretensions, like this art gallery behind the beachfront string of backpacker dens. No original Picasso here, though there's one on Magnetic Island down south. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVaLQtSPYmWZ7DBbTKI79W11N3HVuezdEyxxC7OOBU4lKx0bUH0vS-LDlkn0f_JP5AOwBCxlWKXr6Lm2jwu0hj_FMyfeqJeGgTsK8AE17PpgcoufjvFZ6XvuK27R0OSfOo4Dh/s1600-h/IMG_0928.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124739552699245730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVaLQtSPYmWZ7DBbTKI79W11N3HVuezdEyxxC7OOBU4lKx0bUH0vS-LDlkn0f_JP5AOwBCxlWKXr6Lm2jwu0hj_FMyfeqJeGgTsK8AE17PpgcoufjvFZ6XvuK27R0OSfOo4Dh/s400/IMG_0928.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Once you've sampled the culture, you can get on to the town's strengths...<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekI7HgB4w7w8xAHcEN4UQeJshvy8-5MUhgY8XP91K4qZb_uHBA4OCdbZh23AgsdaQNPZ8pl7pdKXVpORfwsYt5UczbuARZJ9JWZhALyfPUeAgSTUHhFUvUKGiwzL_8W3MipDu/s1600-h/IMG_0943.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124739556994213058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekI7HgB4w7w8xAHcEN4UQeJshvy8-5MUhgY8XP91K4qZb_uHBA4OCdbZh23AgsdaQNPZ8pl7pdKXVpORfwsYt5UczbuARZJ9JWZhALyfPUeAgSTUHhFUvUKGiwzL_8W3MipDu/s400/IMG_0943.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>The Woolshed</strong> is the backpacker sink of the backpacker capital of Australia. Incidentally every hostel in Cairns gives out meal vouchers for them. Still, it's a rare independent traveller who turns down a $10 steak with sides.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124739556994213042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbQviMeP7rTwCuFe8hI993g_INc8onuO1bIgcQpiHczQdnD3Mo0GAy8rErStcM2mvlKNcEm7MhQaJ3ogG8yK6BdBMgiKKy_N8kbMFrz_APEwc-TCGYxtspBX273F2lEIpL5E4/s400/IMG_0942.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The <strong>Kuranda cablecar</strong> is the local novelty trip, taking you up into the hills inland. The view's not great on rainy days, but they have their charms.<br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124741545564071122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP97lOkHp0aCGSGHEgK5pVhmMPen8kO10eaiGZy9ODbE_qmWvOqAi0KRWWmoliCF6GZR24GN32CbxjfYOU2rfunESnmToUfQNnhIWRod55rXR_SZvTV2C1kT_cKTu8-0iv8CqZ/s400/IMG_0955.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124741549859038434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnUJ0mzmL944s0mqrlRUYFrk-QJewFZvugkN1mIcbaadl-34vgr0eukticvC8QDfK0gayqa_b1o_tDTJkwBbiS-DEuyEM6OVUzL8IoFKBrgikuTT5ZbtkX3jligj5da7ib-2d/s400/IMG_0971.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137822594610050594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY1MlDpOrR0JDPDV5V6rgc3WCRkoct84yOayzQroWUk7mAgtCEQgCQ7UqtlxKdQFAedPl3GXi3p-92lSGiTD0G_lH4mPcr2dbreyq0sbFmqKXz1SaGycjDySfKEUgq9xpLJ0_/s400/IMG_1032.jpg" border="0" />Advertised as a 'rainforest village', Kuranda greets you with waves of suffocating Australiana. Fight past the Japanese vendors and hordes of squalling kids though and the town has its share of attractions, with tourist-friendly signage. </div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124741554154005746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yXQlZvQy7Df5J8rgH17os-urJDBoAQbEZX8R577ZPVdsCUur-KPBWgvZQHSduOufNQDj9vPeScigw_P89OOBk9QVxWxr0rIa8b43rZ3NGGz1aAcuWh3XAXm9x9GxC3oXj4-S/s400/IMG_0987.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124741562743940370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AhBkZsVkzoXLt5JLxU2wSCUlLEYsaLkxh6t26wUt5t__YjiwrV8S8JnC8D0LvxVnqL0Dd_7ilwRukoH863gNrH1TsQ3OQqbcyOVUJudogCPWLKrd8l2Qvz519M-SNLnhSrnP/s400/IMG_0990.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div align="left">Scorpions naturally glow in the dark, you're assured by the 18 year-old guide. The snake collection speaks for itself, with placards detailing the tens of thousands of mice slain with one bite. This place also has Queensland's equivalent of a Memphis shrine.<br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124744217033729314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfPIlPLSgHRtEJytwhT8oeIiM756h84b3A967VHweGKGqLvhwyTD9gjpfREMGvJL2DIDb8nqLQItkgujiGriLJm03s3HUvbNs74maSWbx-UbmDh41tbSBquNUHFlj9dnzJH6l/s400/IMG_0993.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Kuranda also boasts the world's largest butterfly house. Be sure to wear white. </div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124744247098500418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_ucGJqYlvbW5QTbuzAEw6L_sRAcLMT8dStXYM1805_5V7gx2h9PyY7fEed5KlVkhRl3hxtBrpAbj4hM1gjeG2acJcnSX4sjXrUeBnp-IXi9aXveETW-VWhhx76e-6yG3sNai/s400/IMG_1018.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124744225623663922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WczeDMuPZL56zB7KVxZNyafwhRx154p4Id3ioOdnfICPue9hwu1NpgNno_w2x5zMIZ2rNuHED1yvj0vtz6Ih2OkJiUKJzNVoKFsqn2pw7YdFSvA4ZiqCjb1Rv2o5WUG_8VFW/s400/IMG_1011.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Most return to Cairns by the 'scenic railway', an overgrown logging track with occasional three-second photo opportunities. Other than the stop at Barron Falls, that is. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124746708114761074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXvqxA1OOneax1Y9aaOXNeOiUvUvabfOauvudX1x5VGV3NJkWNZHnh3uLIxQbFsPnJAMvNVEiH_f-36qFaly6lnKKmM4-cHMmxiFmYIOZAh2nyi2WrsnwD-t8qbdW30McdzvS/s400/IMG_1044.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124746720999662978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnY_f1d0DPp2yQothKmJKf8dPAYdQEJsD6_Yqp5KCt9QswzjHLVcHzJp59jtmm8tt9UU0V4QeuKGtuPyphdBAbT7O1GnkGRItIuwzXkIw5b_uNtnILLNPO2spVFB9Bbw4erB5/s400/IMG_1049.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Further down the Barron there's white water rafting. The guides are the usual cast of 20-something males from everywhere but Queensland, under orders to tip you out at the last rapid if you haven't yet fallen off. Point your feet downstream and you'll be fine...</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137415560559408658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXgGqz_J24NT_LyjHyX8K6KmDAAWcsFRvXBZbU1xWB7fBdrFSkqFZjo1Mvpvd4Vh5otqMrfi8c79cxlgTxwP2ZDx42dqD6Fxirp4K-vxkn2FtC8_NKE1Mahk8yJIr1A4KNcw5/s400/raftingBarron.JPG" border="0" /></div><br />Back in town, you slip seamlessly into the floating population of the young and underemployed. Cairns is Australia's gateway for the youthful legions who come to spend a year boozing their way round the country or pretending to learn English. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124746738179532194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfVFCvv5d1ByUFeKhwt8kYWoY-gwBMCCDwwi_HVdGcIieCZel4_IHmM69QANypvXKl8Kh5u4vYIUbZqkWeXo003CnhxK4ns6R8bJrzLMtdCOwXPHzu_Yom6AQ9x1q7U55pXQi/s400/IMG_1065.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124746729589597586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLwOg8oAN2-hrDygRHpmz5dH0u0QZGy_sqYHY_-u1zM1HgZDO9EOcfZ2Qb7ynXw_ILlYhiCoV3bN-4-hit7ehgQQNYYyfprgny_E0eBPEE9uDDDrHSEAaTCdCZXVYQJXHLsmg/s400/IMG_1059.jpg" border="0" /> </div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>You can't visit Cairns without hitting the Reef, even if you did that <a href="http://bowlingforillidan.blogspot.com/2007/01/to-reef-and-back-31-dec.html">eight months before</a>. Don't pick a choppy day though, or you'll get a 3 hour lesson in hating catamarans (and another on the way back). Once there I chose the one scuba group that the photographer missed, so there's no picture of me feigning cheerfulness 30 feet under water. But each trip has its silver lining.<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OdIZ6LmmorE" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xIynVTgQv4o" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br /><br /></div><div><div><div><strong>Port Douglas</strong> is a famous haunt of Hollywood bigwigs. The current tourist draws are Hanks and Spielberg, filming the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/12/2002670.htm">Pacific equivalent </a>of <em>Band of Brothers</em> in the vicinity. With the talk of backpackers getting bit parts, I was tempted to find the recruitment office and enlist as Japanese Soldier #753. One take of me being shot by US Marines wouldn't have thrown out the itinerary. </div><br /><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124752446191068610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqi6jscsMao8Ei1jqIU0njl7BXeS-dQALwSlqEWPjhgKb39uRQOj8jzUyf-sydY4b6dU-YlLV4J_RN-kicWzGQX-9nNLRUn3gHHwXYwmMXtLgFRWn7xSr3ddn3wXG7OkpbPcp/s400/IMG_1103.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Nestled in cane country is sleepy Mossman, whose main attraction is 2 hours' walk out of town under the Queensland sun. But since the road only goes to one place, hitchiking is an option even for the single Asian male.</div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124752450486035922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_0IuVh_b5T0GcazsCvKolj-r-XiJb7_FxoG2s3zX99KKOujVWzHeNj3Uz8l4oDX2DnmzwWg8OsKTIqLjnp-mgBz-YZH4m7vCjz4rYxE_p0Qfr7a8i2-OAdnXM1EkIy8NNdlQ/s400/IMG_1106.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><strong>Mossman Gorge</strong> is an outlier of the Daintree, which means it hasn't changed much since the Cretaceous. It evokes contemplation, mostly on why you spent money seeing 'rainforest' attractions around Cairns. </div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124752454781003234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVeD6clrQekxmdtoew5mYLh6DCym7MRzvfJF-A5VBlUgF1J3kE9mTydZXJ4JZtxuDXxvrbf3Ac1ti3aG42ecFmo6uKkQD69WWzlzd0wxUbZMY6wNlintJzjYJSQ0-4vhuaOt6/s400/IMG_1128.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Civilisation , defined by a power grid and mobile phone coverage, ends at the <strong>Daintree River.</strong> Across lies the world's oldest rainforest, with a sprinkling of rugged freeholders, cashed-up tourists and backpkacker proletariat. </div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124752467665905138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsTHbYFTEsLl3qojKQmJDkPsQu86jisyCRiaj9CxH8swmwn6m_NFXCcUwtkm1vB0yX6b5aXYr51FV8AwgSfDWvQYdx5jlP3tYbwQngvoB4hhLqaSGxxnlNae45A2hS4bRPaS3/s400/IMG_1168.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><strong>Night walks</strong> in the Daintree are good fun, with a decent guide. If you're in Cow Bay look up 'Possum', originally from Geelong but gone convincingly native. He does marvels finding the animals, given pouring rain and 30 tourists with flashlights blundering in tow. </div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124752476255839746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf4oby9GtnWEpWzYmUs_fsBz0iwamx7R0-CZbVQOmNwjWnyEpzFT3nSynd4Chu2vN0M-rfVyKhmPc5jkQmCU3n-fi5UK24yj_LQhyphenhyphenrbNp0WMbftXjgWJ5-ujjWMjheuixomSA/s400/IMG_1177.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124756440510653970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wl_v02cWhvPHhBeqRTDEch9jUSD8_WKqmCPf4F7RmFUQwOBgYT0iR8P3OIqfBdZCOq88IT3LSBsrrfiie26J5YtdPa0vLmBnAkQ_AJQl77U7VN3BtCgOk0Z1gNDhD43I7AN2/s400/IMG_1187.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>If you won't splurge for a hirecar, the resorts rent pushbikes at proportionally extortionate rates. Even in August it's sweaty work, but an icecream pitstop gets you by. That, and the views. </div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124756453395555874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEZi1ggqRJKmG2e5rawnJlfHDhUxByfDSFDTtOqNyw9vzujjB86eARL7EdT28Utadpbm9Y8wyRKXdRzNlslWyO8GzZNVsIhjSr1qul_xi7Y9RLxzkXpehkGTQUYVIsApxSDvC/s400/IMG_1198.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124756466280457778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cXyHM3_5vvVL_Qwx8SUtduMqxTDHhGQX2GkP0Ygs41PCxoNKHjyau-jHV18IHKUuyOTuvAp4znLIoEGDT2gRLb59b6DCTUK0CIO86B_It_QG_l5bNJ-Q_iiMSjIvgY0XN17e/s400/IMG_1209.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong>Coopers Creek</strong> is the spot for a mangrove cruise, perhaps the only one in the world with a mountain backdrop. The boat leaves every 2 hours, but don't wait by the water's edge...</div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124756474870392386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDFa7tOna68fDrUARi8UR4w7FN7XuyHGURiqfHSaPwaZBFlL0SXIzVXraMDQmdmFC6vyx7bOo6Ia2kbU72OmC_W-XU7ed8o4rrYl1YaT92qUiqo0XHq5UkUC9d19vEpawStAT/s400/IMG_1226.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137855893491496498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9g-rl1M4sqTgklB2JkoMWm5q5WPgyywSQKooyRi3m8sPghl_CZPPXPR9vi-7ag6z1fvz4xwvWzYxFH0LTnELUNCzi2LL8px0Ln6j39XflfgQ3hMoo36GmicR8Qv4A1K_i7GZ/s400/IMG_1236.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>The only guaranteed croc sightings are at Harvey's Crocodile Farm down the road, but mid-afternoon there's a fair chance of finding one hauled up the bank, sunning itself and ignoring the tourists. If you're really lucky you'll see one swimming - hope for the big male that found its way back after being relocated to the far side of Cape York.<br /></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124758905821881954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQHPVO25-FMhgpVsdSOeeK1hHLnQTqJTGVzLPkQX3iH-n80vGRYNbx83ZjcaIAUJgPhDmOiNQgT4CsVtHSZbN-HzbHls3aFwL608RSSOyw8-cT1g-7foQF8ivna-kud8JC_1H/s400/IMG_1242.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Every resort in the Daintree bills itself as a 'jungle village', but <strong>Crocodylus</strong> is the closest they get. It's a set of huts in the forest, with the added comforts of a restaurant, swimming pool and $2/minute broadband. After a day out you're grateful for such a bastion of civilisation, since the rainforest can go quickly from holiday entertainment to Rivera's Green Hell. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124758910116849266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgSR_CKoVjQ9t1hSsU7ZkrUYKeUwY-FxlX8-BGQoxoaxVF3LMq09NyR-SzB2Z6ykSQv1v3vh288ToyhjAXpJ_PuRst2AWD5hNT2mwyy2qetdzEBUAIBG4Lj_GoCA4t8nlbaRj/s400/IMG_1258.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>A must-visit is the <strong>Daintree Discovery Centre</strong>, which lets you see the forest at every level. Audio-guides and numbered placards bring you up to speed on 40,000 years of rainforest lore. The forest-floor paths are frequented by cassowaries, which sounds charming till you hear about one ripping out a tourist's stomach at Mission Beach last year.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124758923001751186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfB9eUzQdqmr83jQ_79438Jy9sDivZCINIhHyuZS81doe8hoVJICbDNFCczJmDQYrMVGHypeuPNjkJWcdHPgEsfmeHrgCSU4u0xVasPSDRvil6-cs28OlO4SfP8Lzi0DmWckZ/s400/IMG_1292.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124758927296718498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi15HNyCnSQY-aQbvwz8n3LFVNb0dkH5UylrAVgB7UxhDYOSJozXiibEB-y5uiOKM7TGL6BKvDJKi7JtZa8DnycS2LLLWRGLnY6aQRmJdr27n8y6KwI34QOpDe3oInCEll8m0/s400/IMG_1297.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div></div><div>Between the 4-star resorts, this is a very DIY holiday destination. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124761435557619378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkhviGDqslS2G-eFAz1JguZQNOE6k3sQovZbupw2F63SEBu9W9BNK0WvYPYaEVIZg5TzJ6zX7ZYd6qy82IdPs65sQ9xEYEQ5DxQhD-ZdePcyiN7e9b-kXf7Gmook-CrG_OpQ/s400/IMG_1299.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div><div><strong>Jungle surfing</strong> is the term coined by an enterprising local for pushing tourists out of trees and charging for the privilege. Like most Queensland adventure sports, it seems to have no age limit. </div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124761448442521314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmRyafB1aVpwFxzFHRDsBJ3zhKtzUeMOYAg90ass8oXxTn0gy0_dNj-Xo61iSE66eCJc8CzSMEiUiNTiRKHdT9108ztE7tSnRJP3dw9-i1_ln2oOPOqDxLHOC4JsLTnNhVMAq/s400/IMG_1360.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124763978178258690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhIiTpSEHlaJHe1t9mJg39-oJ8sajAvl49Ia4YQTGCtfmtv3o3x6eD5PAC_GoxUtozWMH2UqJOFHwbDP-IzXx9OMHRHsidx-RWQAdhIX0yCCSoXXys55k4BAwi7GaooJ9cn_z/s400/IMG_1372.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124761452737488626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBW_RatwVv3qpU4lpxap6FctZpBcqlMAcBMDEEfV_a_4dIMC5TiAeWFiZ_IrV_kHwhOGiDeRRBARXwaBG_FI_TZHxf_ZMcqBlwtaWjQqyL_2Dt5qiYOwpedtkd0MMSP2LBP7-/s400/IMG_1367.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>One of the Daintree's quirks is how the rainforest comes right down to the sea. A stroll down Cape Trib beach reminds you why you came as far as sealed roads go in this country. </div><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124763995358127890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFdCFyTKRCRKZ5inJG7V5l05AYsnuaEWyRTUMNy3ATAswSeMEg5dEd3bd9Q7vUtWf4A1Ejiz1q0y9b7xGsXNFeBk_bSQZv7GOJ6okUScy9epxrodMFoXgnEEuF3g70oAi70r2/s400/IMG_1391.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124764008243029826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2syGob83GcR4WCJ4Le9t-F1R3DLKEgvltCJqsjYRrxN2Hs9JTIjT1_Gb_tpUCwkvjJFe593EMiQfulbDLr2RmnFkGh2V3iWAk7d0_TrvKjQ7zeJ0XrpgEr-OHnr1VJkGeL9m/s400/IMG_1405.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124764003948062514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohEOiS7ewkwONapWFnfztimHXiap1Z8SR6cJcaNf9GgS7q6KifTHsLaHWn-fzR2yq8pk15Jg-pS3qJXMjxP-oTS7lYNVrzSbJqHlquK9h5wkgXCQ-Kgsapyzn5EtE6coGwJaU/s400/IMG_1403.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div><br /><div></div><div>The laissez-faire approach to tourist safety is alarming at first. But you soon cease to think about it, beyond pondering whether to buy one of those 'I survived Cape Trib' t-shirts. </div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124763999653095202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TrAr2LP41JZvMw3O3u9y_wA1sqU13q4LDVE12z4twMqLjuuEzfXJNV33FAk5WUgg8zWVWUOHwv7la3xMIX8KLmhZy6uZ3xZP8UtOmrp4eQBuxlWLxeYe4mWM27Uu5n6wC3vE/s400/IMG_1400.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137415534789604866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikss_oPQkpm78a9wJrWIdTkFtM4X5y8tSsEaBg4JsyVydjhIxBq11APzejCT_kIfMh9snXQuODZ6pdvSOwzEawYvFbNd5NQvpCFk9PwukaCJ3uwT7vGSMCE9k8M4VFDOFBQzNN/s400/IMG_1398.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124792243358033842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGEaS3kdtV92VqU_Ip3CCUqB7cF-Yed4qFZdRPQcNp1MqlOT463UehUFcwsu9g2OfgXQn4MOnq6S6g-WyJr87yRRA7A4UO61Eb4MtXEHv9j9HyScoCb_exJgOZmxsfx0fBuSs/s400/IMG_1409.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Lethal fauna aside, this is the closest Australia gets to tropical paradise: white sand, velvet sunsets, German med students. </div><div></div><div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124792243358033858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL4Hovu7cOklB-WxVsVgZZCKAJusjfAe7rZwevV5dgvcp7hcp2Y4p2UZnPYfIF0Lg649dsAWJ7VVz8owWSlw-y2ClnXnUVzCqvz00f-8X_ojsIdKeFOrqftj1l5qnpqXzPqus/s400/IMG_1412.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>The best patches in the Daintree (i.e. those that escaped the logging companies' attentions) are private land. Of the guided walks I'd recommend the trek up <strong>Noah Valley,</strong> allegedly the oldest bit of forest on the planet. </div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124794476741027842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S4ZWzug56FSp-IJHwf1z_3KVkPh2p4LvSBfAmfVQ2wjmWYtg5dao92fUD56xhDwAf2O1V06bcegB5W3d5zg2eisC5tUoVZnWohVJ__KioDvYcImQuwU_uPMSwlZyh2AuUlQk/s400/IMG_1434.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124794463856125938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdREkjNUdqWanFwswg4iCxCLJ6sTa3mcIwFPVz8z-e6bGxO1oI9zYo8vEWem18ahMJX-cIa-OsiySBAV588F6gkcAKWjLA0UhrHkEAbKpKFXXESuvbaPgTQnGr5FpAa6I4Nml/s400/IMG_1430.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Besides the billy tea and scotch fingers, our akubra hat-wearing guide carries artefacts on loan from local aboriginal elders, like this granite pestel with thumbprints worn by generations of the Kuku Yalanji. The whole area being Sacred Women's Place, a dress code applies. </div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124792247653001170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3cRWahpDU7CHCJCp3HZPf2Kb0Ys9MF88hEVo70jCTuR2TPdth9Q1PERzyBajLq3Ul6b3gHvIidlHu2y-cl5J94mHoHEqA5wOHY07GJ1T6vriNp3fYDkcY4u1kYxMUfl5fJaR/s400/IMG_1422.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124792251947968482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGRRFQlDn8fWVgo1NXFSASH1r1IIfWbevxeh8eonhao0nOQyPSxzFN1ImV4OdQjfjj_C8rSsrdP6bDyHzfs8uDr6Nln1WZfPeE01OdJIXGHqSGDGCmyx5BacGZFNszNc1d271/s400/IMG_1423.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>A rainforest swim tops it off, for those who don't mind needle-cold water and sharp rocks. Best visit during the dry season, so you can cut yourself without fear of being a walking laboratory the next morning.<br /></div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124794481035995154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUVfJbuOSdF0KVIQwkmhT-qtEAye4ocAKd_HeS0LueKS19L-x0BkZTBxIHR4cz99SBuf3Ou-L6RqfvCCFlwjCPgPK7ish5PVlClQPJn0MvkAdMHi35cD1sI2d9zlVvgDHI08v/s400/IMG_1444.jpg" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-91483942563744284522007-11-28T10:14:00.000+11:002007-11-29T03:02:00.304+11:00snapshots<div align="center">Graduations are a family affair...</div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn8lC_DADOVVo1nNGyO2I5X8bUIxKmZRB8EfloXsQv3TmalI5Ivs_Z-dGH_xpd6P6GACGBuGyuwAEFrFtvd5gnmLJFMm7ji2dGQkMdjKgotV9s7b3HLQkDWt3xJQ8vI9XfcUY/s1600-h/lawschool.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125064912119011794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn8lC_DADOVVo1nNGyO2I5X8bUIxKmZRB8EfloXsQv3TmalI5Ivs_Z-dGH_xpd6P6GACGBuGyuwAEFrFtvd5gnmLJFMm7ji2dGQkMdjKgotV9s7b3HLQkDWt3xJQ8vI9XfcUY/s400/lawschool.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center">so don't wait for nephews</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125065994450770434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDwAMepCSXcc3-I1yjuSSeyihyphenhyphenDh97V911wkDimT5aut-AEOoufjyX0yshbVoyqqKQl0Mo0WUEuohTi5bRchOUPHPHb1K27Uz3VpWMux3uR2HjQ0ZMJfZ5FhEvVNJA2UmGUBQ/s400/streetfighter.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">now <em>why</em> did I change jobs?? </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg4uSX__Htt1kbexApwqQZX175ZfVzSjKHdaTS_sZKkb_r2rSEHkHPGAdeIriS6-CG4PABvDdsYkZMDhUNrYP5XK82xkgnOMVhZ6A7aL3k67oplOpEvR3DDl36c6C9g4msZkU/s1600-h/allgirls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125061776792885586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg4uSX__Htt1kbexApwqQZX175ZfVzSjKHdaTS_sZKkb_r2rSEHkHPGAdeIriS6-CG4PABvDdsYkZMDhUNrYP5XK82xkgnOMVhZ6A7aL3k67oplOpEvR3DDl36c6C9g4msZkU/s400/allgirls.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125064903529077186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8jjnrX1n3NJ0LOrCHRt9PrKe7yRFTDUHK0qafxX-EQP4VMRS1pBv2I3IaRfXBPom3uaFooDE7Ba2-nOVK0aEHH8v-KVJcT5M3ozohXzuhxU-G4pxmWXKJbbtO-h3UR6-SyKG/s400/jensen.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125064899234109874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAMqWkAoIc8C5kScXTH_JzwiXrzG3GeqjurzSLK6HeI8OwaEZiTdhqYwxCfA9pNkm3RG5DrgVei3E7bmvNaGRKuA53Is27qCtXFC4sxYo7hHUIttsT5pXOCtnbTDZtzi2CdWW/s400/IMG_0894.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">how to look old at 25<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMNXZATuG8Njqmzm6pQARjIvL5tUJOLvYUe0e75O30jPkYV_eKWBuyqYoPc1jYT5wK97Bg51qEheIn_nvtXP6CerEstjt9XG6_NVV0ASvarHM3w6AC5eVGaplzsh-p9ZvlDNa/s1600-h/Braidyn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125061789677787506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMNXZATuG8Njqmzm6pQARjIvL5tUJOLvYUe0e75O30jPkYV_eKWBuyqYoPc1jYT5wK97Bg51qEheIn_nvtXP6CerEstjt9XG6_NVV0ASvarHM3w6AC5eVGaplzsh-p9ZvlDNa/s400/Braidyn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFl6bN1Ae63jWXg3CpN3J-ipRAQqCdxvpxzhAxYy32oogQQBuwWGXZYX2_ZpQBEUexutUsGN5yqCjP6Nej-vVesEDT7R40e7Nma35oACxBj6i-7R9FZxkzksTdOfIutgGjBZ4/s1600-h/Cheryllyn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125061802562689410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFl6bN1Ae63jWXg3CpN3J-ipRAQqCdxvpxzhAxYy32oogQQBuwWGXZYX2_ZpQBEUexutUsGN5yqCjP6Nej-vVesEDT7R40e7Nma35oACxBj6i-7R9FZxkzksTdOfIutgGjBZ4/s400/Cheryllyn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">Canberra has its charms - for two weeks in September </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125064890644175266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpRoHVY8sqScQ1U04lW7PUYgKGw_LNf6yB_EUrCqutiqWWnjixHsOSE73qw3D9-U5LQ19sriObUhvSTU0P8_ZlcMcnloldX1AgKber3kNqgG-UalMhIwwzzHBUR6nFBd-7y3i/s400/floriade.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125066003040705042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4bg7PTFa1i-nJxa-55XxAwzRnYNiFfSU8pPYxh5imcct8DyYqPEYU00tKtfqFTFOzA-c0zkGI002BAgxUMGRC6sFOx9SWifZF2PFP6qDlXuRlbAyRdlTynGSY9ZLvZEO2EvP/s400/warmemorial.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">But people still need convincing</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125064916413979106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuGeoRPmAplU3Ja4M0IoQCF7Pur0NewtGqsHOjCY5JkzHOpOj-X1lOQIyvlGjHzowT2TNqw57yGQ3Hcbu7thCzN1tAnmJKmtHjypPuGLpeZB2Wkwr6dfn2KrxZSIXkva66b0i/s400/liveinCanberra.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Still, there's bushwalking...</div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125065985860835826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR7ykgVKYH3daDYQZVtvVApGFQatKJGy0p9kDi_A6kR9XUWOvOiAjCRLb0lFaKqKWDzBQ3VmxpEpnmtsZXwNeUlAqBOnOTsCPaoY1N0Eyh9zGvgYovugIUzge2eo5zRPwK6Pf/s400/mulligansflat.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">... overpriced ANU colleges ...<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cLKG2fuehk9JKyI7-kbBvZQtfqdwrdUuezJRF_xGoR58K6XBz2DJkrWrHu-e3K7OyTlG5gqcApGzkAqMgJaL89jk0F9YMTogTEIciZ_yG7zLmlhby9L3H-lfKscf3a9a9Ok_/s1600-h/fenner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125061811152624018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cLKG2fuehk9JKyI7-kbBvZQtfqdwrdUuezJRF_xGoR58K6XBz2DJkrWrHu-e3K7OyTlG5gqcApGzkAqMgJaL89jk0F9YMTogTEIciZ_yG7zLmlhby9L3H-lfKscf3a9a9Ok_/s400/fenner.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><br />... and sleazy O'Connor bars</p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125061785382820194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41WEOgoYI8StdfgHwlUBidCI0l3RPGW306nf6oEpZMTvFj0DQtcebfaRJBxMougTATl5YR8J0MH-luRd0oz58Ja4gimDan5oayIBmHiQlVK-XE8X6EtLJZQGjQInKjDG_zQWL/s400/amy.jpg" border="0" /> </div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-56672496182947868652007-03-25T23:02:00.000+10:002007-03-30T01:07:17.926+10:00Scrapbook: Feel the Thunder Downunder!Got my <a href="http://www.airshow.net.au/">geek rush</a> down at Avalon on Saturday. Standing for 7 hours in wind and rain with a $2 umbrella before heading to laser wars with the kung fu club isn't everyone's idea of a good time, but it has its kicks.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwwMQLUwmOoRNO6VKkNSERidfDlBHL0RnjS0ExSN2YDBRGMor52zafoxtVseXRh9LDYN8z8nS2ZGWUUVWNvDULbHTRxZbRVQV5ZUhCJ8D4xbyuwJQp7E-vK8bzUuZjS-Vti9P/s1600-h/kidgun.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwwMQLUwmOoRNO6VKkNSERidfDlBHL0RnjS0ExSN2YDBRGMor52zafoxtVseXRh9LDYN8z8nS2ZGWUUVWNvDULbHTRxZbRVQV5ZUhCJ8D4xbyuwJQp7E-vK8bzUuZjS-Vti9P/s400/kidgun.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047349800656228642" border="0" /></a>Fun for all the family<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZyyO7L9I8P6MIBWxowymDrmcwPpnBRWLZ8Md501vCTT8yqrizhPHG8XhhGJwQCK2wnKtBbCqiNAx4KRxf4R8uwzDw5etfRXz_eUKVlFLe7X9uLpJolBvXaEcTddZcxyNqmuN/s1600-h/USAF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZyyO7L9I8P6MIBWxowymDrmcwPpnBRWLZ8Md501vCTT8yqrizhPHG8XhhGJwQCK2wnKtBbCqiNAx4KRxf4R8uwzDw5etfRXz_eUKVlFLe7X9uLpJolBvXaEcTddZcxyNqmuN/s400/USAF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047346862898598130" border="0" /></a>After all, it's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usaf">birthday</a> party<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hsjpNJeRF6zA8uHP2D-w0RRa8zqJoOTPRFqKWX43MOeQa3ZLSGd12Hgu1khJaAEBwL3pz2rTVcSAJKmctMsLh86wKg-Xm4xWxtz0FRnTgIT1uKaw1bHIBNWBvkRoyWEUMLuv/s1600-h/bandits.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hsjpNJeRF6zA8uHP2D-w0RRa8zqJoOTPRFqKWX43MOeQa3ZLSGd12Hgu1khJaAEBwL3pz2rTVcSAJKmctMsLh86wKg-Xm4xWxtz0FRnTgIT1uKaw1bHIBNWBvkRoyWEUMLuv/s400/bandits.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047349289555120402" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Aother act pushing the line between 'cool' and 'insane'<br /></div><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GL90YpQdMaE"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GL90YpQdMaE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-52">Old soldiers</a> never die...<br /></div><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xA0Zo1th5f8"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xA0Zo1th5f8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> ...they just<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-111"> flame away</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KgJ0U8_oxaE"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KgJ0U8_oxaE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-18">Good things</a> come in twos<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTzeDgAW4jQuXACQQIzjpaj8EO9PKAl061ZE5w2Z45uGSETOBLyhZKzIiUVm-EBcE2USGWvAxFbxBqG4Ni-4f_JR0UVGXSkrWVBPDQZoR0b-ub5GLB-amQ9uQb3tk74XXfPCi/s1600-h/dc3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTzeDgAW4jQuXACQQIzjpaj8EO9PKAl061ZE5w2Z45uGSETOBLyhZKzIiUVm-EBcE2USGWvAxFbxBqG4Ni-4f_JR0UVGXSkrWVBPDQZoR0b-ub5GLB-amQ9uQb3tk74XXfPCi/s400/dc3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047345651717820626" border="0" /></a>Strategic lift <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC-3#Specifications_.28DC-3.29">then</a>...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxN57V-5NPJkoGG3Z_uG1f-YpKPtU5Hdz3Pn0d7M_DE8waAVnHFoOQdySdWfGXoAPEhyphenhyphen98dvTajZNANxuN-c8O58W1k-5vTCHNBMJEBmobPrlgWvcd1j9E6wKNvHpYdU7rDlD/s1600-h/globemaster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxN57V-5NPJkoGG3Z_uG1f-YpKPtU5Hdz3Pn0d7M_DE8waAVnHFoOQdySdWfGXoAPEhyphenhyphen98dvTajZNANxuN-c8O58W1k-5vTCHNBMJEBmobPrlgWvcd1j9E6wKNvHpYdU7rDlD/s400/globemaster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047346858603630818" border="0" /></a>... and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-17_Globemaster_III">now</a>...<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-6155749684116359372007-02-25T21:43:00.000+11:002007-02-26T00:12:30.506+11:00Good CopyIf there's a greater military sin than reinforcing defeat, it's starting another war by the side. Small wonder that the thought of George 'Warrior' Bush stoushing off with Iran even as he pours more troops into the black-hole of Baghdad has set off <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21284150-31477,00.html">rumblings</a> in the Pentagon. If his plane <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21284161-601,00.html">makes it back</a> to the US in one piece, Dick Cheney can look foward to recalcitrant generals who also consider 'all options on the table'. Fortunately for Cheney, in America this means that <span style="font-style: italic;">they</span> resign, showing a better grasp of the rules in a democracy than the current White House crowd.<br /><br />Tehran for its part has been busy <a href="http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5031">joining</a> the 500-mile high club, starting its own <a href="http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-02-22T141836Z_01_HAF146127_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAN-WOMEN-ISLAND.xml&src=rss&rpc=22">reverse-Temptation Island</a> and <a href="http://mathaba.net/news/?x=551238">cultivating</a> powerful friends. On the last point, there's a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/China-Iran-Ancient-Partners-Post-Imperial/dp/029598631X/sr=1-1/qid=1172403782/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1313829-5677536?ie=UTF8&s=books">new book out</a> on the long tradition of Sino-Iranian relations - which includes Persian rulers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran-China_relations#Sassanid-Tang_relations">bolting to China</a> after a thrashing by foreign invaders - catering for the post-9/11 history-as-politics vogue. Witness the <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21278077-31477,00.html">latest effort</a> by a right-wing politician to beat the War on Terror into an ill-conceived analogy. Of course we can't expect them to canvass the possibility that perhaps, just maybe, this shouldn't be thought of as a <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21275402-7583,00.html">war at all</a>.<br /><br />Closer to home, the pundits are <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/get-smart-get-beaten/2007/02/24/1171734070332.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1">still trying</a> to convince us that Kevin Rudd is too smart for his own good. Rudd has perhaps been a bit too 'full of himself' these past two weeks, giving Howard an <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21260967-2702,00.html">opening</a> for the sort<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>of <span style="font-style: italic;">ad hominem</span> battle in which he floored the last two opposition leaders. But I stick by <a href="http://bowlingforillidan.blogspot.com/search/label/Oz%20politics">my optimism</a> that the voting public will judge their alternative leader on his policies before his poindexter looks.boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-3579558127475909042007-02-18T23:03:00.000+11:002007-02-18T23:24:21.975+11:00Gongxi, gongxi, gongxi ni...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaOJ5l3WCs-g7PTZm7btccw6uaWdO5oGDTp3_tezuJOyuBwm01aVCoqN3fQTgjeJeUp23XE9bgvStEThP-ubc65lgN46MuhAwEXynkB1Ke-uy3jMoeyF8JTVokwiJbyLSZaHt/s1600-h/newkid.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaOJ5l3WCs-g7PTZm7btccw6uaWdO5oGDTp3_tezuJOyuBwm01aVCoqN3fQTgjeJeUp23XE9bgvStEThP-ubc65lgN46MuhAwEXynkB1Ke-uy3jMoeyF8JTVokwiJbyLSZaHt/s400/newkid.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032846746252957554" border="0" /></a><br />Chinese New Year has come and gone with the usual cultural significance - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yee_Sang">tossing noodles</a> in a bowl and playing<span style="font-style: italic;"> SuperMario Strikers</span> with the cousins. Plus the plagearised gif from China History Forum (tradition is tradition). <br /><br />And no, BFI isn't ending its days as another sterile travel blog. Redundant current affairs commentary will be back shortly...boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-47121544260780913242007-01-31T20:54:00.000+11:002007-02-03T18:03:16.190+11:00ReflectionsI've never been punctual with holiday memoirs. But three-plus weeks chained to a Melbourne desk is good motivation to sketch some thoughts on my fortnight in the Whitsundays and Townsville/Magnetic Island.<br /><br />North Queensland is where frontier meets tourism. An economy that revolves round monied city-slickers is run by men who have spent their lives on farms or boats. My Airlie Beach hosts have lost four dogs on their property over the years: one to a snake, one to a poisonous tick and two to feral dogs, which tried to grab a third pet under Rosalind's nose as she sat with it on the porch. She herself has twice been bitten by paralysis ticks, while in the month before my arrival Magnetic Island saw two near-fatal encounters with a death adder and a jellyfish respectively. You have to don a stinger suit just to get in the water - saltwater that is, since the fresh stuff has crocodiles in it.<br /><br />The greatest health threat is the ferocious sun. The locals are deep-tanned, no soap opera buff but a tough, leathery quality. Tour guides claim without humour that their soft-skinned charges are the best insect repellant, and a fortnight of watching mosquitoes and march flies pick out Europeans inclines one to believe them. In those two weeks I witnessed two cases of heatstroke, and went so brown myself that dad nearly drove past me at the airport. The Townsville ferry terminal runs ads on loop exhorting you to stay in shade between 10 and 3.<br /><br />It's a great place to be aware of human frailty before nature, whether you're swimming against a current on the endless Reef or halfway through a bushwalk in 30 degree heat. You get a sense of nature encoraching on humanity rather than the other way round; island resorts have wallabies bounding down their lanes in the middle of the morning, while the regional metropolis recently had to remove a crocodile from its beachfront. The rhythm of daily life, human or otherwise, is dictated by the merciless sun. Townsville, a city of a 150,000, is practically a ghosttown before 5pm. This languid pace carries into the hours of darkness, when the heat retreats but the humidity stays; Townsville's main shopping street is deserted before eight on a weeknight. Half the bus routes don't run on Sundays.<br /><br />If it's starting to sound like a poor holiday destination, be assured that North Queensland pays in spades for the discomfort. Jump into the ocean almost anywhere and there's coral, with everything from clownfish to turtles swimming in front of your nose. An hour's hiking may take you through a half-dozen types of forest, with a postcard view of green islands and blue sea round every corner. It's a place that rewards the adventurous, with a cast of colourful characters to boot. The New Zealander who led our kayak tour did water safety for <span style="font-style: italic;">Lord of the Rings</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Baywatch</span>. The first mate on our yacht claimed to have worked in every Irish pub in Amsterdam. The closest thing Airlie has to a museum belongs to a guy who hauls 15-foot sharks onto motorboats for a living.<br /><br />There's a whole culture in motion on the Queensland coast, comprised of 20-somethings from across the First World following the backpacker route down from Cairns or up towards it. Most are on a 12-month working holiday visa or the nearest thing they could get to one. Many are travelling alone, but the trail is so well defined that familiar faces drift in and out of an existence marked by communal transport and zero-privacy resorts. Over two weeks I managed to chat with English, Irish, French, Germans, Swiss, Swedes, Belgians, Mexicans, Norwegians, Canadians, Japanese, Koreans and (most common) Kiwis. The hospitality industry sometimes seems run by foreigners, for foreigners: boat crews, waiters and desk jockeys speak in a kaleidescope of accents.<br /><br />All in all, the Deep North makes a great trip for the energetic, and for those keen to glimpse what a wide and fascinating continent this really is. Don't take my word for it though, have a look for yourself (travel link below), or on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18486271@N00/sets/">flickr</a>.boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-47377840064817318082007-01-13T23:17:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:28:48.178+11:00Homeward Bound (Jan 7)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-6fGkawSy74yNdxDbOP_0EEHTd5fG3E7relHnzKy8ADTYnpSVlov5_hNCIONNE4hLR2iZngAr6lWUMIcXyvfv2ucTBEqdjtitmq_dwgqTWgpHi2z491XBbankzRADII0S6XN/s1600-h/sundeck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-6fGkawSy74yNdxDbOP_0EEHTd5fG3E7relHnzKy8ADTYnpSVlov5_hNCIONNE4hLR2iZngAr6lWUMIcXyvfv2ucTBEqdjtitmq_dwgqTWgpHi2z491XBbankzRADII0S6XN/s400/sundeck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019489667693070754" border="0" /></a>Maggie is the land that time forgot<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO01FXtH5yulBrPw-Gd34m_-cwpcEMoRUASsNCi2n-or08cvooOU0ajAURA-QsTDwNf3QpKuQEEhaalD50tjhlNQpUpwLJ7jZDL9n4SRDlnIroGty9stVOtYPFRMveIS2KBVM/s1600-h/terminal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO01FXtH5yulBrPw-Gd34m_-cwpcEMoRUASsNCi2n-or08cvooOU0ajAURA-QsTDwNf3QpKuQEEhaalD50tjhlNQpUpwLJ7jZDL9n4SRDlnIroGty9stVOtYPFRMveIS2KBVM/s400/terminal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019489667693070770" border="0" /></a>Save for travel schedules<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi501jvBUk_aZMuLtH91TKHgfPPNY8jSkeI5zINuPZdcohgyMcDCmAHxoru5qrKI2oLoWVa1c-sJ1HF1CaLFl9gnZK1MC6xfHielH999vzGfsLMzBUpyQRKo0HDZyiznfnNXV5R/s1600-h/basebackpackers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi501jvBUk_aZMuLtH91TKHgfPPNY8jSkeI5zINuPZdcohgyMcDCmAHxoru5qrKI2oLoWVa1c-sJ1HF1CaLFl9gnZK1MC6xfHielH999vzGfsLMzBUpyQRKo0HDZyiznfnNXV5R/s400/basebackpackers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019488920368761170" border="0" /></a>What fool leaves paradise...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEvAsbRYY2QIsTWvfFXHDpCN18iEGfph4-PkXQCg2QYrdIA03D6RrMOdabR8D3PnYSPKR8tT8LKi06MGK95dd5LaNkF5P-z1MNDahWQ7B0eVaLKoJKJeYjR9Qk0_R5rxDkchu/s1600-h/townsville.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEvAsbRYY2QIsTWvfFXHDpCN18iEGfph4-PkXQCg2QYrdIA03D6RrMOdabR8D3PnYSPKR8tT8LKi06MGK95dd5LaNkF5P-z1MNDahWQ7B0eVaLKoJKJeYjR9Qk0_R5rxDkchu/s400/townsville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019489671988038082" border="0" /></a>... for civilisation?<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSobBxa7J3kdxCt4SnVC0J4aj3KtnjAR3B4sRyobv17TqmvgMHSg-G7cLFbYyN889C3nPbnd4-eom7Dia9YE8rhm6Oyk2W9vjXjXTv3lmdXmSJBpiS1z6BWUSytUQYxRojAeHG/s1600-h/market.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSobBxa7J3kdxCt4SnVC0J4aj3KtnjAR3B4sRyobv17TqmvgMHSg-G7cLFbYyN889C3nPbnd4-eom7Dia9YE8rhm6Oyk2W9vjXjXTv3lmdXmSJBpiS1z6BWUSytUQYxRojAeHG/s400/market.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019488928958695810" border="0" /></a>Sundays are roaring in Townsville<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftFPW5SO-rYOIOAuCiYcDK_-jT70bEc_6XL97MWSu4HFUWkqRKkBYDWS3uPGQyw1U8rUtj86R7yDVkW3HlEnMhr_-BMCkMryfc9hT1gNjMItabnTdY9kmUoaqItCVhpNZKu7W/s1600-h/neptune.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftFPW5SO-rYOIOAuCiYcDK_-jT70bEc_6XL97MWSu4HFUWkqRKkBYDWS3uPGQyw1U8rUtj86R7yDVkW3HlEnMhr_-BMCkMryfc9hT1gNjMItabnTdY9kmUoaqItCVhpNZKu7W/s400/neptune.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019489663398103442" border="0" /></a>Closeups of the RAAF base are easy to get<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85_HuAB_JyDrNdOEWIz__ICyImTG-_1e-yXdHVHiBG2jFl7U-fdFazjCoiliQF8mF44lscxgkj-gPrYK2gXbsA6GcN-QI-lh5xR0vRfGaxIW9M47EdkKmjKyVdjd9QECY_hlj/s1600-h/base.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85_HuAB_JyDrNdOEWIz__ICyImTG-_1e-yXdHVHiBG2jFl7U-fdFazjCoiliQF8mF44lscxgkj-gPrYK2gXbsA6GcN-QI-lh5xR0vRfGaxIW9M47EdkKmjKyVdjd9QECY_hlj/s400/base.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019488916073793858" border="0" /></a>If you look more like a Japanese tourist than a terrorist<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NBed2tkshdcTVPahkuIs_oB-Ja8aJYjiYGsFlHkRwqVLtJ2Ll33XDoaCLmeUiIZMH7_v1LagttIp_-RJj6mFrVHsI_HQYD6FQ0OcLJtsJQXTj9CguAEx2arBaMf4QOS9Luaa/s1600-h/leaving.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NBed2tkshdcTVPahkuIs_oB-Ja8aJYjiYGsFlHkRwqVLtJ2Ll33XDoaCLmeUiIZMH7_v1LagttIp_-RJj6mFrVHsI_HQYD6FQ0OcLJtsJQXTj9CguAEx2arBaMf4QOS9Luaa/s400/leaving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019488924663728498" border="0" /></a>All good things must come to an end<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbiEa4lcaPAeHT0vRRDIoQWJ0LiUHsE1rQgLgwpCRCJ7pM4PGImNOfOoesHd_l5bAAN_PoJXElnCqO4_gsOCAcHqpJmgsv94NakhnjI3TPEgfaqVA-CDE_S1UfKCcmB2yVimT/s1600-h/checkin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbiEa4lcaPAeHT0vRRDIoQWJ0LiUHsE1rQgLgwpCRCJ7pM4PGImNOfOoesHd_l5bAAN_PoJXElnCqO4_gsOCAcHqpJmgsv94NakhnjI3TPEgfaqVA-CDE_S1UfKCcmB2yVimT/s400/checkin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019488920368761186" border="0" /></a>And in Queensland, it's a quiet one<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-29696545635698673532007-01-13T22:34:00.001+11:002007-01-31T23:30:07.687+11:00Walks and Wildlife (Jan 6)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrUlgLeOETiz5okI4HOTAk6jvAkTOsKs5v3uq2juNnEUDbn96tPkM1ndWkNisnvwEMT8zx1YNdj7L-XwLNHpLtrI7SLL17RAGexCLqIwMboigbvC4xztBbe8GxdrI-xK5oj2V/s1600-h/dorm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrUlgLeOETiz5okI4HOTAk6jvAkTOsKs5v3uq2juNnEUDbn96tPkM1ndWkNisnvwEMT8zx1YNdj7L-XwLNHpLtrI7SLL17RAGexCLqIwMboigbvC4xztBbe8GxdrI-xK5oj2V/s400/dorm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019492648400374290" border="0" /></a>Accommodation at Base is... basic<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKpPG1p5l1OD87y_j2zl26TV7F11RUJTX22oSsefs8gvB_cjN3yoHy3iT6DTzSUPrnDWJl0zi2RRnezezXNGE75HeugQuozgqvp3SpzFNfMOI4Ch6dmCWr7vnW29jiscxZssM/s1600-h/busstop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKpPG1p5l1OD87y_j2zl26TV7F11RUJTX22oSsefs8gvB_cjN3yoHy3iT6DTzSUPrnDWJl0zi2RRnezezXNGE75HeugQuozgqvp3SpzFNfMOI4Ch6dmCWr7vnW29jiscxZssM/s400/busstop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019492639810439666" border="0" /></a>On Maggie, one takes the bus...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9z3bV5NwUIr6Sd-cfsRzhprRorXAEVZE305kCdpBgbjM-hiuS5XOFnklzIkg7wYx1nt1mU5zSvNSRhnN-5MX8tknTGgRAqK9DEsbTBmFOsolicrHewm8_8XIPpZQjptqsraK/s1600-h/starttrail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9z3bV5NwUIr6Sd-cfsRzhprRorXAEVZE305kCdpBgbjM-hiuS5XOFnklzIkg7wYx1nt1mU5zSvNSRhnN-5MX8tknTGgRAqK9DEsbTBmFOsolicrHewm8_8XIPpZQjptqsraK/s400/starttrail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019494306257750658" border="0" /></a>... to walk.<br /><br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHk_ELciHqJADnTMYGXMQJOuHdoBjiIMUxB016_j5cxGwMDwusMYcoYAnQ016-pCARptOMDvorbVSeWXcq_5K-yIlMxKe2NDGnAYvAr6OKTUM_W3Y3DXHyD1ul7wI1cSdfKibv/s1600-h/skink1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHk_ELciHqJADnTMYGXMQJOuHdoBjiIMUxB016_j5cxGwMDwusMYcoYAnQ016-pCARptOMDvorbVSeWXcq_5K-yIlMxKe2NDGnAYvAr6OKTUM_W3Y3DXHyD1ul7wI1cSdfKibv/s400/skink1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019493584703244898" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">You'll see skinks...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblQdXZjee_oeufolvdvPZwILMdasx6gcHQHcQsNSoWM0EuUHmUAWOhuAwhgDl7griHYjKPpyj02Hjmk7NMB1RCG8Xjv9z86Vi6ItZQppSDUouuypSQ7QqOh0aeCZ3GtC9G0K9/s1600-h/skink2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblQdXZjee_oeufolvdvPZwILMdasx6gcHQHcQsNSoWM0EuUHmUAWOhuAwhgDl7griHYjKPpyj02Hjmk7NMB1RCG8Xjv9z86Vi6ItZQppSDUouuypSQ7QqOh0aeCZ3GtC9G0K9/s400/skink2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019493588998212210" border="0" /></a>... more skinks...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlss8yltnctQ8Dxr2yssAbw2RDf0jGjToWLUNmOntFFLvq9lk-saCgBXNpTvptU6EFl_gy5Rb4vgJc3pi0git6ygyCi5j4vvfLjGHiF1njr1YlFiG46q3JStQ9LmOG8Ciq1Vvl/s1600-h/hopper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlss8yltnctQ8Dxr2yssAbw2RDf0jGjToWLUNmOntFFLvq9lk-saCgBXNpTvptU6EFl_gy5Rb4vgJc3pi0git6ygyCi5j4vvfLjGHiF1njr1YlFiG46q3JStQ9LmOG8Ciq1Vvl/s400/hopper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019493576113310258" border="0" /></a>... and curious flying hoppers<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IM0hI9Y2Uz0ju0oTorSnAPyafynEzkH3tBXZDWB0JQbp63CimTTbFWEm2AVwwDvTI_KQHQg9vOrcL9WSSSxULCjOmmG76IZkcXjgsEvf8Fjbp1iN0h1mXqcq67H3fxwqoNMp/s1600-h/firebreak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IM0hI9Y2Uz0ju0oTorSnAPyafynEzkH3tBXZDWB0JQbp63CimTTbFWEm2AVwwDvTI_KQHQg9vOrcL9WSSSxULCjOmmG76IZkcXjgsEvf8Fjbp1iN0h1mXqcq67H3fxwqoNMp/s400/firebreak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019492652695341602" border="0" /></a>Don't take a wrong turn<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-mxLCtG9R7VXoNZPTzqHwbz99rUL53seV0HhyMyjMmokH66c2rEDV6ggFxBsvR6RnwaBwy9skW7IH7zjU8hTD4L4WWJ4a9u-2PCUYkyhw1t2xk_XglkJJwvctDd4f5tiE7j6/s1600-h/walking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-mxLCtG9R7VXoNZPTzqHwbz99rUL53seV0HhyMyjMmokH66c2rEDV6ggFxBsvR6RnwaBwy9skW7IH7zjU8hTD4L4WWJ4a9u-2PCUYkyhw1t2xk_XglkJJwvctDd4f5tiE7j6/s400/walking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019494310552717970" border="0" /></a>Unless you really like the company<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WG_MeiupK4ejzGlSbG0o-SZ5xitLKd-9XtjKXOBazuFfrsHdsYlhFi9tDzmGGLkRoN5QaI2QXpfp264iekdVlkDCBh-sqwwzrYkx6_WQtG1Hz2uDkVEH402uIqjIuqSmio49/s1600-h/squirt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WG_MeiupK4ejzGlSbG0o-SZ5xitLKd-9XtjKXOBazuFfrsHdsYlhFi9tDzmGGLkRoN5QaI2QXpfp264iekdVlkDCBh-sqwwzrYkx6_WQtG1Hz2uDkVEH402uIqjIuqSmio49/s400/squirt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019494314847685282" border="0" /></a>Koalas are less exciting in the flesh<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IiWqOEZHZY70K54MQE3hXxUrLbyhaZ7ftZnlFBiR3XfrDdYIDGDToimxE9LHWudsg1rqKdlB45BFvyZiPbUX_k0LQVPHAYB79C0239n6xaxmj2rpxI9v38SQu0gBwsh2rvg3/s1600-h/bluetongue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IiWqOEZHZY70K54MQE3hXxUrLbyhaZ7ftZnlFBiR3XfrDdYIDGDToimxE9LHWudsg1rqKdlB45BFvyZiPbUX_k0LQVPHAYB79C0239n6xaxmj2rpxI9v38SQu0gBwsh2rvg3/s400/bluetongue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019492635515472354" border="0" /></a>The reptiles are more personable<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99vibVZhQgIlf5EOMx9tHP-DnECg3vtpXoX_FD20ZpjpiRCTWhhGHhtSoch2r2Hz1e4KCxvq3jobI7uk5DAJO6gC20yNSyEnvMdD8epAjDK_hadh9VPaO9EntPdHiq5ia8-sT/s1600-h/lizards.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99vibVZhQgIlf5EOMx9tHP-DnECg3vtpXoX_FD20ZpjpiRCTWhhGHhtSoch2r2Hz1e4KCxvq3jobI7uk5DAJO6gC20yNSyEnvMdD8epAjDK_hadh9VPaO9EntPdHiq5ia8-sT/s400/lizards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019493580408277570" border="0" /></a>If you can find them<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMx9m-OcIG2qHaitiikKxiff_x7KpgdGcW3L3Cl0-gzS02O3xDD75yZYKZKm4TFT8D6voOnHrd0xl6V2ZQxNBOz3SsWR_4tSTyxoXapSDCMkTz7Jco_v8TwCb_4SNiFwmQqi7/s1600-h/python.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMx9m-OcIG2qHaitiikKxiff_x7KpgdGcW3L3Cl0-gzS02O3xDD75yZYKZKm4TFT8D6voOnHrd0xl6V2ZQxNBOz3SsWR_4tSTyxoXapSDCMkTz7Jco_v8TwCb_4SNiFwmQqi7/s400/python.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019493584703244882" border="0" /></a>And if you can stand them<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheO824HybQh6JvrxzyiYEqWZZr-lnVTKNx8B_S25W47Wmr12gtID3V2a7M7LzuWzbs2EUxdfwyuAJQxJ-y3pQYL-cvyz0DSYfIbHQ3iO1-NUlnvNSOPEOoeJv0N5aCtidlXNj5/s1600-h/curlew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheO824HybQh6JvrxzyiYEqWZZr-lnVTKNx8B_S25W47Wmr12gtID3V2a7M7LzuWzbs2EUxdfwyuAJQxJ-y3pQYL-cvyz0DSYfIbHQ3iO1-NUlnvNSOPEOoeJv0N5aCtidlXNj5/s400/curlew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019492644105406978" border="0" /></a>With birds, you're lucky if you get this close<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-76688973214469762272007-01-13T22:34:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:30:32.451+11:00Koala country (Jan 5)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_FmKqaJNKH5m2b6QxHeDUqCrdfUc3VB3yLJ3OfZniNA49OCfo04kGPwlLCYOlfBBEVtBJ9i-YAd0XgD-TtLZEOHmYNojr_CIoNd2RReP_SNFALcNfwJ4fJy26NoUjfeVBmc1/s1600-h/rocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_FmKqaJNKH5m2b6QxHeDUqCrdfUc3VB3yLJ3OfZniNA49OCfo04kGPwlLCYOlfBBEVtBJ9i-YAd0XgD-TtLZEOHmYNojr_CIoNd2RReP_SNFALcNfwJ4fJy26NoUjfeVBmc1/s400/rocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019479870872668114" border="0" /></a>"There's a nice picnic spot!"<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9MOYLLW0348Wg82gboqs7s74VJFUJLxnikzerIY6gz1xYxAuoGByLrUx8fMkzvj8ejwMRqNsjD-EGbomccP8at5nTjk1w9aDEcSOGSfRYVvpOMOwa8hfdEkhyoSxpVnGDI6X/s1600-h/ayami2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9MOYLLW0348Wg82gboqs7s74VJFUJLxnikzerIY6gz1xYxAuoGByLrUx8fMkzvj8ejwMRqNsjD-EGbomccP8at5nTjk1w9aDEcSOGSfRYVvpOMOwa8hfdEkhyoSxpVnGDI6X/s400/ayami2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019478045511567186" border="0" /></a>Seek...<br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC77YgJmDTZS_YafkY7v5PKzrrR1gWIRCNyaZ_eBFbXaQ-w4liC3l3C2dq7w_3wjsvFw1Yomq7fvoGoUbfLruKanavGCQ3UUcCfVt6LUo9jkOeVoBZ2Ho14LF3O1sViVEZpsL/s1600-h/koala2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC77YgJmDTZS_YafkY7v5PKzrrR1gWIRCNyaZ_eBFbXaQ-w4liC3l3C2dq7w_3wjsvFw1Yomq7fvoGoUbfLruKanavGCQ3UUcCfVt6LUo9jkOeVoBZ2Ho14LF3O1sViVEZpsL/s400/koala2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019479870872668098" border="0" /></a>And ye shall find...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixluY-D2PIydLFtHya-tm5tQI0gHE1NSzD0VP1ZuZvxlm6RwH889hZ6kOgy-hIjqzLKAwbCLV9_6KFfV6JFMW0mMckd6FH7i1CEajtEmy7XEu9YSzSRyjpbbQDX_o-0qccq5f3/s1600-h/koala.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixluY-D2PIydLFtHya-tm5tQI0gHE1NSzD0VP1ZuZvxlm6RwH889hZ6kOgy-hIjqzLKAwbCLV9_6KFfV6JFMW0mMckd6FH7i1CEajtEmy7XEu9YSzSRyjpbbQDX_o-0qccq5f3/s400/koala.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019479145023195058" border="0" /></a>The wildlife varies, from narcoleptic marsupials...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthEbJr8MaxVb18-40oK3qRACeEYmXFk3nRUGQ1YBZ6ccoSiViYgyWWi9OfuZUwO6AR2ZoUM_hUJP1jf_UOYCzInIzRKO7fLFHbkPn-NlQ0BBhyVE_lOUD4-xRLfdzl5casjul/s1600-h/ayami1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthEbJr8MaxVb18-40oK3qRACeEYmXFk3nRUGQ1YBZ6ccoSiViYgyWWi9OfuZUwO6AR2ZoUM_hUJP1jf_UOYCzInIzRKO7fLFHbkPn-NlQ0BBhyVE_lOUD4-xRLfdzl5casjul/s400/ayami1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019478041216599874" border="0" /></a>... to Japanese models...<br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgu32tgGUhf1zJ21imAOIh2VXoI3oivHCX4wOEE0DRme20-xwFpG685wZLhmhGCFekeXMrU5BKBqhioyadwm-ZnCNedk5sWTH278CH_sO2unneWmsdQZPDfP70a8qO1xq1P1L/s1600-h/topoftheworld.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgu32tgGUhf1zJ21imAOIh2VXoI3oivHCX4wOEE0DRme20-xwFpG685wZLhmhGCFekeXMrU5BKBqhioyadwm-ZnCNedk5sWTH278CH_sO2unneWmsdQZPDfP70a8qO1xq1P1L/s400/topoftheworld.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019480107095869442" border="0" /></a>... to foolhardy Melburnians<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLgcd7EI4eX7v7oAdhZ9g1uFwPxUmJOooZpseunKWUSFx5PfzXySU00CupW-0-P78TDl18NwP61ijO3uzpzYM3Q89k5wvcN60TBL2owaqfLNOX6zMYfVKiJPM6RFKxjpC1M_n/s1600-h/ayami3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLgcd7EI4eX7v7oAdhZ9g1uFwPxUmJOooZpseunKWUSFx5PfzXySU00CupW-0-P78TDl18NwP61ijO3uzpzYM3Q89k5wvcN60TBL2owaqfLNOX6zMYfVKiJPM6RFKxjpC1M_n/s400/ayami3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019478049806534498" border="0" /></a>It's a good place to sit and think<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibRg4Lo765UueGyjbSnFspA2Nt6KWVaFMy1IPv11gvxrPqJFv4_u7cACKINtcmmRrljz2LY1GWONI7Ho_AFMKythaRBQKTEUB1x7W2Ar2M7AU5SI48_A6MPtthZtrBAdal8p8/s1600-h/shipahoy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibRg4Lo765UueGyjbSnFspA2Nt6KWVaFMy1IPv11gvxrPqJFv4_u7cACKINtcmmRrljz2LY1GWONI7Ho_AFMKythaRBQKTEUB1x7W2Ar2M7AU5SI48_A6MPtthZtrBAdal8p8/s400/shipahoy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019479875167635426" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Or try to spot your house<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITT4bOiV16aV7JYuzXh9Wt25BN6d1kEcoGS1Kvv-XnBnuV0aupL9n5FBjLirYBgXWUt0OuHwbgcxBP9x-bucq16uZLrnux0WaxWiUUIUaEc46EqTtgIGROEPRPidsJWCC9fb9/s1600-h/gunemplacement.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITT4bOiV16aV7JYuzXh9Wt25BN6d1kEcoGS1Kvv-XnBnuV0aupL9n5FBjLirYBgXWUt0OuHwbgcxBP9x-bucq16uZLrnux0WaxWiUUIUaEc46EqTtgIGROEPRPidsJWCC9fb9/s400/gunemplacement.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019478054101501810" border="0" /></a>And discover jungle ruins<br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgQWjMbkuexaWfCDbHVSI5hkZ937doyG1U1Yd14SmxcVEyez2gJv5v7e4fhi65CulL2FsOAt1vhvgtA61y9PzPQDPhBfprut47tp7v4Xn0qh1mfSoNEUNOd9RFaJwlhxEJAD1/s1600-h/signaltower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgQWjMbkuexaWfCDbHVSI5hkZ937doyG1U1Yd14SmxcVEyez2gJv5v7e4fhi65CulL2FsOAt1vhvgtA61y9PzPQDPhBfprut47tp7v4Xn0qh1mfSoNEUNOd9RFaJwlhxEJAD1/s400/signaltower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019480107095869426" border="0" /></a>D-Day came late to Magnetic Island<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PyXJvAfH5DulcUjsb1puNpChY3kOKpKqmk9oXLfaGod5GJ64A6jHTo5SrBG4oDd1TdlK2WPEQmFwM4LFUXdamILjP1y1vNak9XjlntcFDc1cKLtWYhrT3AC5jSFsZq9NDAya/s1600-h/watchstation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PyXJvAfH5DulcUjsb1puNpChY3kOKpKqmk9oXLfaGod5GJ64A6jHTo5SrBG4oDd1TdlK2WPEQmFwM4LFUXdamILjP1y1vNak9XjlntcFDc1cKLtWYhrT3AC5jSFsZq9NDAya/s400/watchstation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019480450693253138" border="0" /></a>Though from the state of the defences, you wouldn't know it<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo2TmxHsIq8lToXGkprfm4-O3D233GNR6-oQj2il45T-0NUF4A3LB2lFu6uQuAuLd4qP46M3sYicOnSuBmZRWNVPT3xBLxBvJtJ1fGyCQzK_V-3Fbg7a0jcRnwacTP5y3HSFM/s1600-h/horseshoebay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo2TmxHsIq8lToXGkprfm4-O3D233GNR6-oQj2il45T-0NUF4A3LB2lFu6uQuAuLd4qP46M3sYicOnSuBmZRWNVPT3xBLxBvJtJ1fGyCQzK_V-3Fbg7a0jcRnwacTP5y3HSFM/s400/horseshoebay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019479140728227746" border="0" /></a>Ah, so <span style="font-style: italic;">that's</span> why it's called Horseshoe Bay<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufrokjz2bO_oAzpoQbdMj8rxE8hrq77u1yiYqBBdeDD-gDWofZRc6UYqoQPAOiGxT_fzvHZkPNX0rvk_l2dubRyzwKqK5Sw18QAagJL9PokKia9kQYtepiapGOioVPqTYpfpR/s1600-h/bus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufrokjz2bO_oAzpoQbdMj8rxE8hrq77u1yiYqBBdeDD-gDWofZRc6UYqoQPAOiGxT_fzvHZkPNX0rvk_l2dubRyzwKqK5Sw18QAagJL9PokKia9kQYtepiapGOioVPqTYpfpR/s400/bus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019479140728227730" border="0" /></a>Walking's fun, but you're thankful for the bus<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVHFfIoZd_PZ4e_nW5DpB7lkBU8pPkOPlcpzX3nDo5u5yeBH6yCQj50J1_gDPpe5NixG43XzltO9H0AmVcPWaMpl3PlpenvCJfnfGepx7j0pK6icU-wrnzhkvp3hSYyD8KOei/s1600-h/basenight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVHFfIoZd_PZ4e_nW5DpB7lkBU8pPkOPlcpzX3nDo5u5yeBH6yCQj50J1_gDPpe5NixG43XzltO9H0AmVcPWaMpl3PlpenvCJfnfGepx7j0pK6icU-wrnzhkvp3hSYyD8KOei/s400/basenight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019479136433260418" border="0" /></a>And for a place to cool off<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-19126380178321205122007-01-13T22:33:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:30:54.004+11:00The Deep North (Jan 3)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxmC_tzwkAMjaNLeJkQ45NZaK9tBUzJDYRbwQrzws0pWo91nhhhm-2vTNrmFccNG_EKwNiYq4zEJR_DVej5J8alDrK_l7KUYGXQep_RlnUFgV6B40vF76dHLKbMB4B6sUvzuC/s1600-h/bowenmainstreet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxmC_tzwkAMjaNLeJkQ45NZaK9tBUzJDYRbwQrzws0pWo91nhhhm-2vTNrmFccNG_EKwNiYq4zEJR_DVej5J8alDrK_l7KUYGXQep_RlnUFgV6B40vF76dHLKbMB4B6sUvzuC/s400/bowenmainstreet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019483555954608226" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It's rushhour in Bowen<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg84-xHX8AgLnaBoRyF8DuW4R9bhtZKC_5jhJ7NXnKtTL5Ne-q1wX_D-tHwbiaZ52dTxURP-pnkH1AKssUOwqbwfYGnZ5W0v44wzpdEZ7WnO25ClFknx6m0xsrBkdI8mPbqIyk/s1600-h/ww2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg84-xHX8AgLnaBoRyF8DuW4R9bhtZKC_5jhJ7NXnKtTL5Ne-q1wX_D-tHwbiaZ52dTxURP-pnkH1AKssUOwqbwfYGnZ5W0v44wzpdEZ7WnO25ClFknx6m0xsrBkdI8mPbqIyk/s400/ww2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019485703438256418" border="0" /></a>Tourist attractions are thin on the ground<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PZ22yOGk0US48M2GsHfa4cZxguLd0hr_eOydxue3E8Evc6yUasmTr67NCXImLPvSiOf0Rb73NMeGVZ4mTINu8EhYuXJk05mOhNO0oqn-1lAKocY_JgN_RuFGFLQLt2dlLV10/s1600-h/mural.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PZ22yOGk0US48M2GsHfa4cZxguLd0hr_eOydxue3E8Evc6yUasmTr67NCXImLPvSiOf0Rb73NMeGVZ4mTINu8EhYuXJk05mOhNO0oqn-1lAKocY_JgN_RuFGFLQLt2dlLV10/s400/mural.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019485419970414818" border="0" /></a>The past hangs heavy in country towns<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHUmeNjKDahSW1MyAKyxJSZhsisD5CauieEvz4V2T9Z9aCu-tki8ZX7zN1Jgy6E-x2vU-URTjquhaTDk1TBDt9lKiWMf6XrsSZq1W3owu96XsbvXWX6jrCz4k8883-9JWr6cc/s1600-h/barberinternetcafe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHUmeNjKDahSW1MyAKyxJSZhsisD5CauieEvz4V2T9Z9aCu-tki8ZX7zN1Jgy6E-x2vU-URTjquhaTDk1TBDt9lKiWMf6XrsSZq1W3owu96XsbvXWX6jrCz4k8883-9JWr6cc/s400/barberinternetcafe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019483534479771730" border="0" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">Still, old and new can coexist<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvS6AsB3zM5wuFTsQ3qXAny_e5i37UPtd0LeF_34eWd49lI8g1T18yiR6QhL5TL9VBYGYDnRGrs7dUIkldTiLtl28w1ST4Vk3GoCiV09Yw7mWwZOcpruoWydBmYOKr_11ikaKo/s1600-h/townsville1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvS6AsB3zM5wuFTsQ3qXAny_e5i37UPtd0LeF_34eWd49lI8g1T18yiR6QhL5TL9VBYGYDnRGrs7dUIkldTiLtl28w1ST4Vk3GoCiV09Yw7mWwZOcpruoWydBmYOKr_11ikaKo/s400/townsville1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019485428560349458" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Townsville is a little busier on the eye<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LjK6dqdvTy7UREVNmUBJNWhclEkLcaicNjr0J35Wk4i-ur4lA9e1lzye7-LZy_Cmh198mv_B_u_bqYE7i8X4hmww8nl6ejVkRW8TdChyphenhyphen9Ip-gmFDagdhIK98rQQ-iKWu4am3/s1600-h/lesliethielsendrive.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LjK6dqdvTy7UREVNmUBJNWhclEkLcaicNjr0J35Wk4i-ur4lA9e1lzye7-LZy_Cmh198mv_B_u_bqYE7i8X4hmww8nl6ejVkRW8TdChyphenhyphen9Ip-gmFDagdhIK98rQQ-iKWu4am3/s400/lesliethielsendrive.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019484432127936674" border="0" /></a>But still the ghost-town of the tropics<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRsdPYZt9TdHciJpYMv5Flp3LthGZ4LfrnAfL0NGuTVeaSdufiqbFQ4TDY3c7gzPQa6INfeWKll6sT3pYi4y_noqMLRixiNbQEdTxezCv7NFxlDGn5YHBFnPm_BLR7-KFAOhM/s1600-h/townsville2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRsdPYZt9TdHciJpYMv5Flp3LthGZ4LfrnAfL0NGuTVeaSdufiqbFQ4TDY3c7gzPQa6INfeWKll6sT3pYi4y_noqMLRixiNbQEdTxezCv7NFxlDGn5YHBFnPm_BLR7-KFAOhM/s400/townsville2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019487189496940850" border="0" /></a>The wildlife has been tamed, mostly<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaw-MTa9ndULIjdQjLY7SngstyFdbfaiNDXoDZhaptRn6PSNailyOXSIrk5naIGGlVOXMzj5DlPX186bS4HnLdtOGtAnCcYXlxbkxUNLoFX2yTnaNXA2yhpbwNxizneeRCvUd/s1600-h/pandoraprow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaw-MTa9ndULIjdQjLY7SngstyFdbfaiNDXoDZhaptRn6PSNailyOXSIrk5naIGGlVOXMzj5DlPX186bS4HnLdtOGtAnCcYXlxbkxUNLoFX2yTnaNXA2yhpbwNxizneeRCvUd/s400/pandoraprow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019485428560349442" border="0" /></a>And the museum is worth a look<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBDd3SGG_tlZUL2CdIyjP6yRDbRbc2LTcazYGF2ghMxBIR2Ip1pduelEy3NzJ-4JbKfBfOnWYo0kHPa-FDq_9wk9LsGEaBpIx_ggevoaZRqaHEkVr00YLTVgsz1x3hnjGpwhx/s1600-h/6pounder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBDd3SGG_tlZUL2CdIyjP6yRDbRbc2LTcazYGF2ghMxBIR2Ip1pduelEy3NzJ-4JbKfBfOnWYo0kHPa-FDq_9wk9LsGEaBpIx_ggevoaZRqaHEkVr00YLTVgsz1x3hnjGpwhx/s400/6pounder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019483525889837106" border="0" /></a>Especially for history nerds<br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-vlS8hu9c4yW1_e0qFQVF5Ji5QihQ6GwzqVLjqDBAGkA-uVCzAqgyqWAksNSTMOPHjVdkRWsbCMcJ4eybEaocHPk5OAdXEbY7YAMcnQ4LfNM1dq3l0icQSuITRvjkdLlb1NF/s1600-h/memorial.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-vlS8hu9c4yW1_e0qFQVF5Ji5QihQ6GwzqVLjqDBAGkA-uVCzAqgyqWAksNSTMOPHjVdkRWsbCMcJ4eybEaocHPk5OAdXEbY7YAMcnQ4LfNM1dq3l0icQSuITRvjkdLlb1NF/s400/memorial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019484440717871298" border="0" /></a>Though it's a hobby with a touch of sadness<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjSHZIh-5XcZFPnk8H8j_pueRL6ytJc8Twz8zCtZ4WiYbHR2FFheJTg0eFlT3hKOKrqGvNoYsY7YmVuOQAf_q8iCyghAytYg3MXoo_wxCye0EvFgyO0laNpR3Y21WhpspJwkp/s1600-h/mutineers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjSHZIh-5XcZFPnk8H8j_pueRL6ytJc8Twz8zCtZ4WiYbHR2FFheJTg0eFlT3hKOKrqGvNoYsY7YmVuOQAf_q8iCyghAytYg3MXoo_wxCye0EvFgyO0laNpR3Y21WhpspJwkp/s400/mutineers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019485424265382130" border="0" /></a>And harrowing for the participants<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry4KWLQ_OW7a3MKAhcNh1L9N-L0Vp4Fa2_GSEDx61YSE33X2r4o40jccFaVqj7KTPvck7F6GGQEUOYqNGMENZx9krI3BSrVFX76SED3mxHkmbCO_L7vucOR-X1nzukR0jOkv1/s1600-h/cook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry4KWLQ_OW7a3MKAhcNh1L9N-L0Vp4Fa2_GSEDx61YSE33X2r4o40jccFaVqj7KTPvck7F6GGQEUOYqNGMENZx9krI3BSrVFX76SED3mxHkmbCO_L7vucOR-X1nzukR0jOkv1/s400/cook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019483560249575538" border="0" /></a>They're proud of their Cook in Townsville<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKezX61NzkR7VPTYkBJRhzwoNLzvS2RPi32Y_ikibFyVK9caSVJn5O5o7779Jz0B-dHGxmwu4yPpVRvMIp7chF2nV8QYlLM7gEpOm5DtuFWBVqq2fcbVxSA2MIs0XRxlwLvRKB/s1600-h/anzacgardens.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKezX61NzkR7VPTYkBJRhzwoNLzvS2RPi32Y_ikibFyVK9caSVJn5O5o7779Jz0B-dHGxmwu4yPpVRvMIp7chF2nV8QYlLM7gEpOm5DtuFWBVqq2fcbVxSA2MIs0XRxlwLvRKB/s400/anzacgardens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019483530184804418" border="0" /></a>And keep nice gardens<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRqN1_6F2fGFrrPve5K6cYtqM4m2H5-faQc1-i1rKZBXM7L2Qv7bte7O8IDf1YXFNhagAuylE3D1k_-GXQi5REqNTiv8HPuSyx1Q1QujPxT5DEDIDC_Am8MbJwdASYGE-gzgs/s1600-h/coralsea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRqN1_6F2fGFrrPve5K6cYtqM4m2H5-faQc1-i1rKZBXM7L2Qv7bte7O8IDf1YXFNhagAuylE3D1k_-GXQi5REqNTiv8HPuSyx1Q1QujPxT5DEDIDC_Am8MbJwdASYGE-gzgs/s400/coralsea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019485415675447506" border="0" /></a>To give rest to the fallen<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK3lYi_bI5-wtYu6xOY6fsCRjOR9YiJX9b7EXfCcWDliLBK0Q8eI4Ufqkv1wKK0d1xMHBFCkYNiFJtWDwZ3m0cFPBRFv2kMKjL1LVgkVOCMLQBsoMhgLHb3ZDeTtNy2M8-kyz/s1600-h/maggie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK3lYi_bI5-wtYu6xOY6fsCRjOR9YiJX9b7EXfCcWDliLBK0Q8eI4Ufqkv1wKK0d1xMHBFCkYNiFJtWDwZ3m0cFPBRFv2kMKjL1LVgkVOCMLQBsoMhgLHb3ZDeTtNy2M8-kyz/s400/maggie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019484436422903986" border="0" /></a>Magnetic Island beckons<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYcBzmAaMQYigDXeAjIDkYYeEqjmBehyphenhyphenJkwJaHXuzkkfd0kHbFjJZWp4rrXs9wdwQE-CgWa4g9lXDIjRSylryz0FNUBwLMQyPeuZD2w4Pa4Tlb9E-RkHqfWuNE5OtwQ-dRpFp/s1600-h/jellyfishnet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYcBzmAaMQYigDXeAjIDkYYeEqjmBehyphenhyphenJkwJaHXuzkkfd0kHbFjJZWp4rrXs9wdwQE-CgWa4g9lXDIjRSylryz0FNUBwLMQyPeuZD2w4Pa4Tlb9E-RkHqfWuNE5OtwQ-dRpFp/s400/jellyfishnet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019484427832969362" border="0" /></a>Though swimming there isn't advised<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4PqCXfiH6-Yyu3iqKeYlsyCXQ8kiP0IV85Je3crHAYVVn6HyyfHhCC_igLzJEsWAqOVm5P8DRG9mSIfrsO3CrNee0neVop0ZeVGv-QH3vuCuuuD894jeJGCvT30TVdS-OtBS/s1600-h/flindersstmall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4PqCXfiH6-Yyu3iqKeYlsyCXQ8kiP0IV85Je3crHAYVVn6HyyfHhCC_igLzJEsWAqOVm5P8DRG9mSIfrsO3CrNee0neVop0ZeVGv-QH3vuCuuuD894jeJGCvT30TVdS-OtBS/s400/flindersstmall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019491243946068434" border="0" /></a>In North Queensland, late-night shopping isn't even a concept<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1167743952276380502007-01-13T22:30:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:31:10.581+11:00Bringing in the New Year (Jan 1)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrttHsezUv0lsZYcZGSvDWY35FpwG9PT21m01hY-JjyL8AD3iGUGUOP3eXX1u2_m6dWdjG-6NWOCTeDQbZRwrV43AKGC515zCxYp4OwbZkqHrzKX16fx1dHweWQHErnvYVDny/s1600-h/formation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrttHsezUv0lsZYcZGSvDWY35FpwG9PT21m01hY-JjyL8AD3iGUGUOP3eXX1u2_m6dWdjG-6NWOCTeDQbZRwrV43AKGC515zCxYp4OwbZkqHrzKX16fx1dHweWQHErnvYVDny/s400/formation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019470864326248114" border="0" /></a>Eight hours into 2007 and already we're racing<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKczQFqKCOfvEK1i0Mq-t99LSO3wEAYbF_kgqVXCMA6_AUIpVksk5oJ2LJwn7Ry9eSs0qYNZYgC-Woq2RuUW2SiPb_u3vB6PWGpI3oAlhol9lAtsVlhk11tToQ9itk87lvw_g/s1600-h/homewardbound.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKczQFqKCOfvEK1i0Mq-t99LSO3wEAYbF_kgqVXCMA6_AUIpVksk5oJ2LJwn7Ry9eSs0qYNZYgC-Woq2RuUW2SiPb_u3vB6PWGpI3oAlhol9lAtsVlhk11tToQ9itk87lvw_g/s400/homewardbound.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019470868621215426" border="0" /></a>Though it's not much work for passengers<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdgWQnhWMqrJKgPmIiESZLse2alKf1_aO3OIjS6GrZu3mocJnX-BOmgSI28NG2g7Qb5C5lmKm6lR-ikd6n8t74OKs9D9W9FSZmO1uO1vJ1srvxrfbzp42SjL-5EnrEwznpDop/s1600-h/allboys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdgWQnhWMqrJKgPmIiESZLse2alKf1_aO3OIjS6GrZu3mocJnX-BOmgSI28NG2g7Qb5C5lmKm6lR-ikd6n8t74OKs9D9W9FSZmO1uO1vJ1srvxrfbzp42SjL-5EnrEwznpDop/s400/allboys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019470855736313490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mexicanos</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Gringos</span>, plus one<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyZfprMpyASKMFUTbbFihFf8sNg_bUBT5tFAfLmwNnkfRVTJ5E3ZNOPr6dPapRLVDFiy0Mn9TrAgJ4h5lqtqUoTy3jTCXYUbliD5eAU-e3lDACZuaX8dtGYVlyMtYTlaarwvu/s1600-h/andreas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyZfprMpyASKMFUTbbFihFf8sNg_bUBT5tFAfLmwNnkfRVTJ5E3ZNOPr6dPapRLVDFiy0Mn9TrAgJ4h5lqtqUoTy3jTCXYUbliD5eAU-e3lDACZuaX8dtGYVlyMtYTlaarwvu/s400/andreas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019470860031280802" border="0" /></a>It's good to be back on dry land<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbSwcEGmwO3EsPHUauPY1umSDJ8FY891tG9Yn4leBcHlOMUJSrqT-NmSyMVfjfBOy2gRTxXkfL9QF9FPs8QUJQqVcHMFs5C196OiJdH1ryc8h-UzH4mddPBNOJBQxKS2rJlfn/s1600-h/greatwhite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbSwcEGmwO3EsPHUauPY1umSDJ8FY891tG9Yn4leBcHlOMUJSrqT-NmSyMVfjfBOy2gRTxXkfL9QF9FPs8QUJQqVcHMFs5C196OiJdH1ryc8h-UzH4mddPBNOJBQxKS2rJlfn/s400/greatwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019472638147741426" border="0" /></a>Especially when you know what's out there<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNhTzg8p_kLRZjQ5BH7GWMIED5qiB99-NEG7Q5FVouRgE8tFiUfBdWlOwtwjKwMFY_fjvIElrA058d8m3X-4MuPpo0xGG6IXTj5Eu3dZpL7yzSrXcLg414Timiyz3cwRi47Fd/s1600-h/megalodonmaybe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNhTzg8p_kLRZjQ5BH7GWMIED5qiB99-NEG7Q5FVouRgE8tFiUfBdWlOwtwjKwMFY_fjvIElrA058d8m3X-4MuPpo0xGG6IXTj5Eu3dZpL7yzSrXcLg414Timiyz3cwRi47Fd/s400/megalodonmaybe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019474635307534130" border="0" /></a>And what you think is out there<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1n7MYmHnp786hyJWc8nmbRuwTv_m7Se_JEH6Gnjcs5VDIod_44M4IV6VPh27_wsDCh8YBAlosDNuy9qfl8QWPyVtnA1P1VNreD5PiDAcnw4m9iIs-94BrQZmTRNQQYcuNbaL/s1600-h/hislopexit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1n7MYmHnp786hyJWc8nmbRuwTv_m7Se_JEH6Gnjcs5VDIod_44M4IV6VPh27_wsDCh8YBAlosDNuy9qfl8QWPyVtnA1P1VNreD5PiDAcnw4m9iIs-94BrQZmTRNQQYcuNbaL/s400/hislopexit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019470872916182738" border="0" /></a>Though you should never take people's word for it<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjl6-k_WByVBDEBvYSF0iHr_YmLkVm_urXYP6Mjqa8dXx054CEocbrLMAr1AeeFxbLE-EPxk8N5tKMB6T3yn2HHS9C3GAzqFZQ0E2ur-uSHk8j-0KTXdC5E4yDTCFHhbFg4hD/s1600-h/lagoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjl6-k_WByVBDEBvYSF0iHr_YmLkVm_urXYP6Mjqa8dXx054CEocbrLMAr1AeeFxbLE-EPxk8N5tKMB6T3yn2HHS9C3GAzqFZQ0E2ur-uSHk8j-0KTXdC5E4yDTCFHhbFg4hD/s400/lagoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019472633852774114" border="0" /></a>Sometimes you need to sit back<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjg1ooPJLvdeb-h-F3YQAa-4U2Tc0yl-6YKTXr7-bDWmhqwuzEyzdSlP9LnxzE9u23eK5foE2kP9TnLFqBQfmCn34P2i_66gIOg5ggQllle1MSEDrW0wp1w4ZaoqAPot8XwsZ/s1600-h/moon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjg1ooPJLvdeb-h-F3YQAa-4U2Tc0yl-6YKTXr7-bDWmhqwuzEyzdSlP9LnxzE9u23eK5foE2kP9TnLFqBQfmCn34P2i_66gIOg5ggQllle1MSEDrW0wp1w4ZaoqAPot8XwsZ/s400/moon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019472646737676050" border="0" /></a>And appreciate the natural things<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuDIUTc6zSLm7ePRS1aHAf2X0-I_PSkiAAYrgImIbFXzasQjH62jcvle1dvE2plxqWxO0JUSMaC_ibXKu9ye0FvCzjY5Ode4RrH4pkmL_gUhtKg2STENqn8eJKbT6Emd_-xTl/s1600-h/goldensky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuDIUTc6zSLm7ePRS1aHAf2X0-I_PSkiAAYrgImIbFXzasQjH62jcvle1dvE2plxqWxO0JUSMaC_ibXKu9ye0FvCzjY5Ode4RrH4pkmL_gUhtKg2STENqn8eJKbT6Emd_-xTl/s400/goldensky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019472642442708738" border="0" /></a>Silence is golden<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURKZbWCMkodyBpic_ucY_ij-1BnkHyxHaEPyJ5XWUwP8EZAesh7Uxdk-Mnrsv-Dd2sZLzwD2Vc2BlQS628WQFySv78iZvch3bdOZxx8ZJah3hgszK1EkAMZBpCzQME6IMaK2/s1600-h/reefos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURKZbWCMkodyBpic_ucY_ij-1BnkHyxHaEPyJ5XWUwP8EZAesh7Uxdk-Mnrsv-Dd2sZLzwD2Vc2BlQS628WQFySv78iZvch3bdOZxx8ZJah3hgszK1EkAMZBpCzQME6IMaK2/s400/reefos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019472651032643362" border="0" /></a>But company's good too<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1167749685193147272007-01-13T22:00:00.001+11:002007-01-31T23:39:24.284+11:00To the Reef and Back (31 Dec)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXmCMYBxph32lRzhhVKvoRLC_EHYCieDB9yu5d0t07acvpegED6BWFTiNDXCJIrYH9G-FpEiznrsGdELTBvNAAN3rG5nqiLEmI5GMcZRCaPwmORFcTDh8EumnDzw-dsalIbk8/s1600-h/swimming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXmCMYBxph32lRzhhVKvoRLC_EHYCieDB9yu5d0t07acvpegED6BWFTiNDXCJIrYH9G-FpEiznrsGdELTBvNAAN3rG5nqiLEmI5GMcZRCaPwmORFcTDh8EumnDzw-dsalIbk8/s400/swimming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019463339543545314" border="0" /></a>Morning swims are more interesting on the Great Barrier Reef<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XHXIIMFdoXo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XHXIIMFdoXo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2teE-MqCQXdSUntyMWidhbLFu0ZH3rof3Aqa8OFQUm40EgP257yq4vRw0u0-u6ZwWSFft8ST08ilTG7o7LIKfDk4Q99s7VIveNo35dUg-xdNvgwLwlnLRfJ5w8bYpJTUnvAB/s1600-h/deck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2teE-MqCQXdSUntyMWidhbLFu0ZH3rof3Aqa8OFQUm40EgP257yq4vRw0u0-u6ZwWSFft8ST08ilTG7o7LIKfDk4Q99s7VIveNo35dUg-xdNvgwLwlnLRfJ5w8bYpJTUnvAB/s400/deck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019463610126484978" border="0" /></a>Even if you need a lecture before you get in the water<br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0JOucrLcOnKjtW3izwy-ck-cwmu6g5hMK2jfuDofceuXi2_YnzkXxKGNLj4ZjzsTGSY1BdJrc24BPV94WTvXX0vPklmi7NhOU1ixWCU9ep3QJxoBC_OMuzEt9YOg4T7dsPLl/s1600-h/yellowtail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0JOucrLcOnKjtW3izwy-ck-cwmu6g5hMK2jfuDofceuXi2_YnzkXxKGNLj4ZjzsTGSY1BdJrc24BPV94WTvXX0vPklmi7NhOU1ixWCU9ep3QJxoBC_OMuzEt9YOg4T7dsPLl/s400/yellowtail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019463842054718978" border="0" /></a>Feeding time is like a scene from Finding Nemo<br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cvvUQzc1clk7_24SHK1hYLTuLR4zgWq5DqezdTF6kNTuvM7TFMF_6jDBlU1j4G8SMu4JFQAuWzBuFR4peSTUKaxo24o8jRcm52VM40Eeh0fcU0XU05se8CarmE0p2OR9CrmL/s1600-h/shoal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cvvUQzc1clk7_24SHK1hYLTuLR4zgWq5DqezdTF6kNTuvM7TFMF_6jDBlU1j4G8SMu4JFQAuWzBuFR4peSTUKaxo24o8jRcm52VM40Eeh0fcU0XU05se8CarmE0p2OR9CrmL/s400/shoal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019464512069617202" border="0" /></a>It really is fish city down there<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6naJupUlni0-ZgxVG1jNsbWt86_8QoSA19PV7GnAITuRhMxxyoJIMBi4qmCDgWTBETtAnr7WRVjSzAKa-2JQMSM6zwkC32e3gVUi3lgDh159KBzRTae6oJ7Hb1OiY5dgWxgU/s1600-h/clam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6naJupUlni0-ZgxVG1jNsbWt86_8QoSA19PV7GnAITuRhMxxyoJIMBi4qmCDgWTBETtAnr7WRVjSzAKa-2JQMSM6zwkC32e3gVUi3lgDh159KBzRTae6oJ7Hb1OiY5dgWxgU/s400/clam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019465160609678930" border="0" /></a>The Tokyo 0f fish cities<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxP5QlMdwCMn9lwbmfC1dVEQFzqjQxNrN-Aq4to5rNpzj10P0zEd5SY29K1r3nnyZInjgAQAUPEeNDDZdw4c0RsDKgPcVrOe64eijM97gFlAdxBBAsnT4U6YrdcMlzri-qc4S/s1600-h/coralshelf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxP5QlMdwCMn9lwbmfC1dVEQFzqjQxNrN-Aq4to5rNpzj10P0zEd5SY29K1r3nnyZInjgAQAUPEeNDDZdw4c0RsDKgPcVrOe64eijM97gFlAdxBBAsnT4U6YrdcMlzri-qc4S/s400/coralshelf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019464018148378130" border="0" /></a>Though the real thing is less colourful...<br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3FPIHys3UdEry-7OTVTOk2mUAZO_N_6FaWqvF23VXG84IvuWI_z9GNILv-cbP7CM-ScytoQTSs5D8k8si2wjK5miFndMYE0_W8phN2QbzqL3KugevH-I3uRHX6Haf1JOJi2a/s1600-h/fisheverywhere.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3FPIHys3UdEry-7OTVTOk2mUAZO_N_6FaWqvF23VXG84IvuWI_z9GNILv-cbP7CM-ScytoQTSs5D8k8si2wjK5miFndMYE0_W8phN2QbzqL3KugevH-I3uRHX6Haf1JOJi2a/s400/fisheverywhere.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019464327386023458" border="0" /></a>... it still takes your breath away<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI2H-wlXbDJyW2By3BjumxOxr7LPPiFdDsqc06K1lR_3FG3NCT_4VkaMF13fzGAac22Lp_7raqCUZv7MyvFYBBJdVtvjOr5rbAFsGAz5-9L8hRvdFgkZL5kAl-Gx_9Sedgrxc/s1600-h/clownfish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI2H-wlXbDJyW2By3BjumxOxr7LPPiFdDsqc06K1lR_3FG3NCT_4VkaMF13fzGAac22Lp_7raqCUZv7MyvFYBBJdVtvjOr5rbAFsGAz5-9L8hRvdFgkZL5kAl-Gx_9Sedgrxc/s400/clownfish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019464911501575746" border="0" /></a>Especially when you're diving with a snorkel<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyOzfHYOnShNploijE_zNnMiEZKuxnaeRvwklGVDubf4XpIsvGcECnwVoabnS2slV0XGwr7W9fepCxvM23ft4UfTzsj2r6wzn5qpodDXinIAYMoKSx24F1x3rzbxX37iMnBTl/s1600-h/turtle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyOzfHYOnShNploijE_zNnMiEZKuxnaeRvwklGVDubf4XpIsvGcECnwVoabnS2slV0XGwr7W9fepCxvM23ft4UfTzsj2r6wzn5qpodDXinIAYMoKSx24F1x3rzbxX37iMnBTl/s400/turtle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019501766615943874" border="0" /></a>You think you can swim forever<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTJy9ZG2IYlJDh8u5tX20vil3Nh10m9ettzpB8hmRlFM6NAUJxO9abP7qo-4NYU-H9Fm0aYM1ibGtQ4Hs7QRa8vZRpPOjzH5VfdI-pB2FXOKhUYCs3fuL2aNfYGqa9m8qxSeY/s1600-h/anaconda.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTJy9ZG2IYlJDh8u5tX20vil3Nh10m9ettzpB8hmRlFM6NAUJxO9abP7qo-4NYU-H9Fm0aYM1ibGtQ4Hs7QRa8vZRpPOjzH5VfdI-pB2FXOKhUYCs3fuL2aNfYGqa9m8qxSeY/s400/anaconda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019501775205878482" border="0" /></a>But eventually, you'll be glad to see this<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvgilRKLyXIYHHKw1tnQEFQsXJSkaeXaprHYQQnPp8t40epDGLcQRymxC0ClBVMh-lCtbXmDmKtCbdbXPZo5gt0XBSd8BI6Bh4BZPC8Jit24gp6BiC_rOjlldCfrMxczapOc7/s1600-h/spankme.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvgilRKLyXIYHHKw1tnQEFQsXJSkaeXaprHYQQnPp8t40epDGLcQRymxC0ClBVMh-lCtbXmDmKtCbdbXPZo5gt0XBSd8BI6Bh4BZPC8Jit24gp6BiC_rOjlldCfrMxczapOc7/s400/spankme.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019467247963784818" border="0" /></a>Sometimes it's lonely out at sea<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZzEfqQb06SWTBY_amzgekjbGtcb2MicKZEEDe3_1BKOYMMK19pmx3uv6pVcB-WM-CZsrpelDeVNuVtXS4jLwVXKv5lkscgFvVgX78MwR4osl3Rzmyg2z8KgIrlP9CHhYYVzk/s1600-h/dinghy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZzEfqQb06SWTBY_amzgekjbGtcb2MicKZEEDe3_1BKOYMMK19pmx3uv6pVcB-WM-CZsrpelDeVNuVtXS4jLwVXKv5lkscgFvVgX78MwR4osl3Rzmyg2z8KgIrlP9CHhYYVzk/s400/dinghy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019467114819798626" border="0" /></a>Sometimes you enjoy the solitude<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YhXlPJYDM8Z8PG7kjt26tFwk65a4qr7KsGndu7BwsTP7NjUHidAn2p9Z2viYf-oG5az1KO-iSms_kuLa6n_YB1uGnyLASMQXILSWJBFxoKpls6PmJQ6jPyC-5aLXZd4IGzBP/s1600-h/party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YhXlPJYDM8Z8PG7kjt26tFwk65a4qr7KsGndu7BwsTP7NjUHidAn2p9Z2viYf-oG5az1KO-iSms_kuLa6n_YB1uGnyLASMQXILSWJBFxoKpls6PmJQ6jPyC-5aLXZd4IGzBP/s400/party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019467479892018818" border="0" /></a>And if it's New Year's eve, well...<br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1168084734869506792007-01-06T22:56:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:40:04.844+11:00More comingI did take photos after 30 December, which will go up once I have somewhere more comfy to work than a backpackers' internet cafe. Since my holiday ends tomorrow, that won't be long.<br /><br />Meanwhile there's <a href="http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/toyfare/002710592.cfm">good news</a> from the Year 3000-something...boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1167364536692354352006-12-29T14:55:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:40:26.162+11:00All at sea (30 Dec)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/53542/dinghies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/908657/dinghies.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Travelling third-class isn't advised<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/786058/whitehaven1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/827339/whitehaven1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But the stops make it worthwhile<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/998485/whitehaven2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/824692/whitehaven2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Such as the finest beach in the world<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/561087/heresjohnny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/650985/heresjohnny.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>If you can quash your ego...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/561531/fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/291197/fish.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... and stick to wildlife-spotting...<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/363432/seaeagle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/439745/seaeagle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... you'll be well rewarded<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/361999/saloonroof1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/324772/saloonroof1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>You meet a nice crowd on Whitsunday cruises<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/116234/saloonroof2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/728025/saloonroof2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Of course, they take all comers<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/857238/nightmast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/829294/nightmast.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>And you're not told about the Flying Dutchman<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Meanwhile, my brother was <a href="http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p115/Raiha04/">turning 21.</a><br />The password is "happyfeet". It says so on his myspace account. <br /><br /><br /></div></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1167363924172581232006-12-29T14:38:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:40:42.315+11:00Rainy Day (28 Dec)<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18486271@N00/sets/72157594435377870/">Flickr'd. </a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/248173/farm1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/540639/farm1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Much to tourist chagrin, it isn't always sunny in the Whitsundays<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/293890/canecountry2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/301300/canecountry2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Though the wet has its own charm<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/31602/canecountry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/556163/canecountry.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>And an air of mystery<br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1167205039251210172006-12-27T18:36:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:41:18.832+11:00Long Island, WS (26-7 Dec)<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18486271@N00/sets/72157594435377870/">Flickr'd. </a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/774513/clubmed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/838304/clubmed.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Long Island has the full accommodation range<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/592374/courtyard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/613621/courtyard.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>From brand-name resorts...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/470186/camp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/839626/camp.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>...to budget town...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/290522/swamp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/586089/swamp.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>...which in its favour is peaceful<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/578272/fruitbats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/635729/fruitbats.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The locals don't stir during the day<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/833149/walk1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/18412/walk1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But as for madmen and tourists...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1167023635100715122006-12-25T16:12:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:41:36.613+11:00A Whitsunday Christmas (25 Dec)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/11047/horses%28resized%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/302030/horses%28resized%29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On the first day of Christmas Santa brought to me...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/500600/pony%28resized%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/858088/pony%28resized%29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... a four-week old pony<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/690006/cedarcreekfalls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/439018/cedarcreekfalls.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Cedar Creek Falls are less impressive in December<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/440719/conwaybeach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/504186/conwaybeach.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But there's no shortage of water in the area<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/979890/conway4resized.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/700310/conway4resized.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In the Whitsundays, it seems you can see forever from anywhere<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/986416/jellyfish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/492273/jellyfish.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>If you're scared of a dip...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/812006/wilsonbeach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/534678/wilsonbeach.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... there's always croc-spotting...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/673992/greatwalk2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/310009/greatwalk2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... or rainforest walks<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/766821/fern.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/352361/fern.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>They grow them big in northern Queensland<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/272886/greatwalk3%28resized%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/885141/greatwalk3%28resized%29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>And live in style<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/801930/nightfarm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/240664/nightfarm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A sight for sore feet<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/530234/jackie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/431386/jackie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Because as any sensible creature knows...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/908090/billy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/626929/billy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... there's no place like home<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1166947696027651002006-12-24T19:08:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:41:55.330+11:00Home on the range (24 Dec)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/853053/Dave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/203660/Dave.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Day 3 and I'm already picking up backpackers<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/138449/hydroponic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/409587/hydroponic.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Welcome to the one lettuce farm in the Whitsundays<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/310815/roselok.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/636156/roselok.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Married, with children<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/140725/farming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/620894/farming.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In the Whitsundays, even lettuce is called 'green coral'<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/46194/unclelok.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/579761/unclelok.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's called hydroponic because it involves water<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/754823/chatting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/746570/chatting.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>"Yes, I support sanctions, but consider the Iranians' perspective..."<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1166880780280921782006-12-23T23:00:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:42:24.815+11:00Arrival (22-23 Dec)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/959323/coralgrove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/900289/coralgrove.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Hamilton Island airport remains under construction...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/837727/coralgrove2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/738225/coralgrove2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... but who can blame them?<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/230841/74Islands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/952912/74Islands.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>74 islands, out of the blue<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/754076/jellyfish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/340954/jellyfish.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Still, always read the fine print<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/616056/hamiltonwalk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/446450/hamiltonwalk.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bushwalking with a difference<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/487646/dentpassage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/163229/dentpassage.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Up Dent Passage...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/586765/daydream.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/313709/daydream.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... a Daydream stopover...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/458741/abelmarina.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/129830/abelmarina.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... and then Abel Point<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/112593/airliebeach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/232513/airliebeach.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A bit more crowded than Cook found it<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/674246/bewarned.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/344079/bewarned.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>For those who missed the first sign<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/265556/vichislop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/836080/vichislop.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The local fauna gets more <a href="http://www.ozmagic3.homestead.com/VicHislopSharkExpo.html">alarming</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/236719/IMG_0037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/683878/IMG_0037.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Fortunately, there are options for the less adventurous<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/763876/magnums.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/1069/magnums.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Airlie is a backpacker's town...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/345297/conveniences.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/383480/conveniences.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... with all the conveniences<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/538265/beach2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/400/667577/beach2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Whitsundays - a new angle on life<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />More desktop confessions - I've joined the herd and put these on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18486271@N00/sets/72157594435377870/">flickr</a> as well...<br /><br /></div></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1166704299665688042006-12-21T23:11:00.000+11:002007-01-31T23:42:48.885+11:00'Tis the SeasonWorking life and blogging mix poorly, and then you throw in Christmas holidays...<br /><br />Actually the posts may start flowing again once I'm in the Whitsundays and have happy-snaps to stick up, instead of pretentious commentary on some issue you've already read about.<br /><br />If they don't, well, back in the New Year.boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1165146916963316582006-12-04T21:30:00.000+11:002007-02-01T00:05:32.571+11:00And the winner is...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/125611/kevin_rudd_narrowweb__200x304.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/320/264050/kevin_rudd_narrowweb__200x304.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(c) The Age</span></span><br /><br />... the Boy from Brisbane, as anyone with the slightest nose for the electoral winds would have predicted. Of course, one would have backed the rookie this time three years ago on the same basis, and we all know how that experiment panned out. Coming a week-plus after the Baillieu flameout, I'm getting queasy from the deja-vu.<br /><br />Watching Rudd on tonight's <span style="font-style: italic;">7:30 Report</span>, it was the man's presentational flaws that came across first. He lets his intellect block his personality and has a habit of dodging questions with policy statements, important though those may be. And for a guy who did <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20867254-601,00.html">unscripted theatre</a>, his lines seem awfully rehearsed. But the more I listen to him and read about him, the more substance I find to this maverick in Australian politics - a man who chose a different party from his parents and has some experience of the outside world.<br /><br />I was annoyed to see Kerry O'Brien stoop to the harping on Rudd's perceived nerdiness. It's a <a href="http://blogs.news.com.au/news/blogocracy/index.php/news/comments/rudd_wins_but_howard_cant_lose/">patronising attitude</a> towards Australian voters, who it's assumed won't elect an otherwise qualified man simply because he lacks rugby shoulders or isn't seen at the cricket. What I see is a hard-headed social democrat with a career outside the Labor Party and a truer foreign policy lodestone than anyone on the other side of the House, including the incumbent minister. In short, just what the country needs right now.<br /><br />He still has to be a leader, though. Rudd's <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20870734-1702,00.html">talking tough</a> - in his clipped intellectual fashion - but one needs more than talk to handle a government that fights bare-knuckle and a caucus stuffed with factional prima donnas. He'll have to break some bones if he's going to be more than Latham with a nice disposition and some years in the diplomatic corp.<br /><br />For Kim Beazley, learning of his brother's death after being dumped by the party he served for 26 years, it's been what the media has with trademark sensitivity dubbed <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/beazleys-black-monday/2006/12/04/1165080849091.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1">Black Monday</a>. Condolences, Kim. I think it was the right outcome, but still a darned hard way to go.boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1164889355383481942006-11-30T23:08:00.000+11:002007-02-01T00:03:17.608+11:00Today in History - Bombs Away!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/335132/B-29s_dropping_bombs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/320/550064/B-29s_dropping_bombs.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=166941">Another one</a> for your bizarro history scrapbook. In a war full of hare-brained schemes, the idea of breaking Japanese morale by dropping the ashes of their slain youth on their heads takes the cracker. Credit where it's due though for a chivalrous gesture, making up for the later decision to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Tokyo_in_World_War_II#Firebombing">roast their civilians</a> by the hundred thousand.<br /><br />And there's another <a href="http://www.news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=166947">intriguing reflection</a> on today's politics -<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">in spite of the fact that Australia recognises herself as the 49th state of America... Kawai told Japanese newspapers [in 1942].<br /><br /><br /></span></blockquote>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1164536763115529002006-11-26T20:50:00.000+11:002007-02-01T00:04:52.781+11:00Four More Years<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/1600/560085/brackswin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/223/1115/320/422066/brackswin.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There are two ways for people who care about state elections to spend polling night. You can watch the numbers roll on TV while blogging, trying to beat the professionals to some unique insight on the unfolding drama. Or you can watch them in a pub drinking beer with <a href="http://mupis.nullinator.net/">fellow politics wonks</a>. Going with option 2 proved an inspired choice, since it helped break the blogging drought I've had since the last <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_congressional_elections%2C_2006">legislative horse-race</a>. So here I am, competing with a hundred other desktop psephologists to dissect Victoria's Choice.<br /><br />It's not the thrilling stuff of US mid-terms. Granted, 'modest swing to the Liberals' doesn't have the same ring as 'Republicans get their asses handed to them on a plate'. But I'd hoped for something more than a mirror image of the 2004 federal election, with the opposition kept two cycles from a realistic bid and the incumbents left with a wafer-thin majority in the upper house. The foretold Day of the Minor Parties was a non-starter, with the Greens failing to come through, the Democrats consigned to oblivion and People Power nowhere in sight. Family First's relatively respectable polling just shows that other groups are waking up to the 'values' niche that Howard has been working for a decade. All told, the LegCo results were an uninspired outcome for the <a href="http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/newupperhouse.html">biggest constitutional shakeup</a> in the state's history. Instead this election's 'historic' character was pinned to it being the second time Victorian Labor has won three consecutive terms. My heart beats faster...<br /><br />More noteworthy was Labor's ability to hold regional Victoria, or rather the Libs' inability to gain traction there. It's the latest instance of a much-remarked trend that sees country voters drifting from the traditional conservative parties, while battling suburbia becomes Liberal heartland. The driving factor? Reaction against change - neoliberal economics on one side, multiculturalism and 'political correctness' on the other. You want tariffs and subsidised services? Don't vote Coalition. You want government that will roll back black-armband history and lock up the Muslims? Then do.<br /><br />Taking this further, perhaps the state-federal divide really is hardening into a fixed feature of the nation's political landscape. The major parties have staked out their territory, and a party trying to climb the other hill has to struggle either against urban masses fearful of their identity and lifestyle being eaten away by globalisation, or a hinterland resentful at being cut adrift by coastal metropolises increasingly linked to the outside world. It can't be coincidence that in the face of the Bracks' government's failures, country Victorians confirmed their 1999 decision to throw out the party which sank tax dollars into Melbourne landmarks pitched at city sophisticates and tourists.<br /><br />Admittedly the parties aren't helping themselves, with their penchant for eleventh-hour dumpings of seasoned leaders in favour of glamorous neophytes (think Quinn-Flegg and Beazley-Latham). Yet another lesson driven home on Saturday; Baillieu's song-and-dance routine was fun for a while, but it proved what US Republicans learned earlier this month - dominating the campaign doesn't translate into votes. It certainly can't blot out this litany of errors:<br /><br />- Refusing to shave your share portfolio, when your nickname is already the Toff from Toorak.<br />- Refusing to discuss a coalition that your party needs to govern.<br />- Promising to scrap the state's renewable energy scheme while the federal Libs scramble to deal, or be seen to deal, with global warming.<br />- Promising a river-killing dam, in lieu of said renewable energy scheme.<br />- Promising free public transport for the age-group that is so pleasant to be around on trains and trams.<br />- Trying to outbid an incumbent, in-surplus government on tax cuts.<br />- $285 million costing holes.<br />etc.<br /><br />The Libs definitely seem to be getting the worse of the talent drought, having turned over management in <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/beyond-canberra-liberals-in-a-state/2006/08/28/1156617273472.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1">7 of 8</a> states and territories within the past half-year (all 8, if you go back a full year). Coming so soon after the Queensland rout, Saturday's outcome and the Bracks-Costello sniping that followed shows what to expect from Australian politics over the next decade, assuming that Canberra and the High Court don't bludgeon the states into irrelevance: federal-state jousting as a substitute for policy differentiation. It might be a healthy balance, but for COAG's inability to get work done on health, water or indeed anything.<br /><br />Small wonder that the only cheering in the James Squire on Saturday night was for 'Four More Beers!'.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://ariontheweb.blogspot.com/2006/11/state-election-predictions.html"></a>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1162696601191940862006-11-05T23:55:00.000+11:002007-02-01T00:05:52.234+11:00Like Sheep Among Wolves<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/223/1115/1600/755447.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/223/1115/320/755447.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The GOP ascendancy has spawned an anthropological smorgasboard on the strange creatures who populate the American right. The latest offering is Andrew Denton's <a href="http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/flash.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">God On My Side</span></a>, in which Australia's least-flappable journalist tours an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nrb">NRB</a> convention to discover how these infamous Evangelicals really think. After sitting through this 90-minute parade of nice people explaining with absolute conviction that we're living in the End Times, that Islam is the devil's counterfeit and that separation of Church and State is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> part of America's constitutional heritage, born-and-bred progressives may think that Denton has done Al Gore one better on the 'scariest film you'll see this year'.<br /><br /></div>Having been raised in an offshoot of this culture, I didn't learn much from Denton's suave but somewhat bland feature-doc. I would have liked to see more time spent on the relationship between faith and politics, which is what really concerns those who aren't offended by what evangelicals believe <span style="font-style: italic;">per se</span> but do care once it starts affecting the rest of us. Australians haven't yet had to deal with drives to bring creationism into classrooms or amend state constitutions to ban gay marriage. But with federal money earmarked for chaplains in state schools and a church-based party holding the senate's balance of power, we ought to start thinking about the use of worldly power to advance God's Kingdom.<br /><br />It's surprising that Denton didn't push his subjects on this question, given the mounting evidence that faith and politics haven't mixed well under the evangelical presidency. David Kuo's <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546580,00.html">expose</a> of the GOP party machine's real attitude towards its Christian base has been followed by <a href="http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/elections/15916227.htm">scandal</a> upon <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-haggard5nov05,0,7347342.story?coll=la-home-headlines">scandal</a> among the leaders pledged to bring morality back into government. Throw in the run-of-the-mill misgovernance that has pissed off the non faith-based community, and one would expect a hint of disillusionment on the religious right with the Bush administration and the Republican congress.<br /><br />Indeed, one can discern in the polls a growing sense among 'moral conservatives' that they've been led by the nose - that the <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1543943,00.html">Republicans of '94</a> and the 'Compassionate Conservative' of 2000 have proved devoted to nothing more than the political (occasionally sexual) bottomline. Concerns have been raised that Christ's elect have gone sheeplike into the wolf-infested den of politics without heeding His caveat, viz. to be shrewd as snakes while doing so (Matthew 10:16 - as said, I was raised on the Word). We're now hearing the old refrain that the Church's lack of spiritual grounding has led it to follow wolves in sheep's clothing, who talk the talk of values while walking the political lowroad, which currently involves painting Democrats as pro-paedophile or as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UZBZ4GR8Ug">miscegenating Playboys</a>.<br /><br />So the average Republican strategist has reason to fear David Kuo's call for Christians to take a 'sabbatical from politics'. One can picture their party's base walking out through the various -Gates (Abramoff, Foley, Haggard) that have opened in the GOP edifice over the past year. The danger is not that these people will morph into Democrats on Tuesday but that they won't turn out to vote Republican, at least not in the numbers that clinched victory in 2000 and 2004.<br /><br />And yet, 48 hours out from D-Day, <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/02/1451226">word has it</a> that the Master Strategist sleeps soundly. You don't have to be Karl Rove, or to indulge in conspiracy theories about his perfidy, to understand why the GOP can still depend on the constituency that Bush staffers reportedly mock with four-letter expletives. It's fun to watch partisans of the 'moral majority' tie themselves in knots defending each new impropriety - to the point of extolling <a href="http://frum.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWZkNjE3YzhmNjhhMDk5YWQwYWM3NzMwNmMwODg1Yzk=">hypocrisy as a virtue</a> - but at the end of the day the values crowd is unlikely to accept the alternative, whatever the intellectual arguments. The tribal character of US politics is what got the GOP into power and it's the only thing, under current circumstances, that will keep them there. Just listen to the House Speaker, he of the cybersex-coverup:<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">"If I fold up my tent and leave," Dennis Hastert [said], "then where does that leave us? If the Democrats sweep, then we'd have no ability to fight back and get our message out."</span></blockquote><br />It's depressing that this bankrupt, purely partisan appeal may underpin another Republican victory. But that's the only way by which America's evangelicals will stem the tide of other-people's-choices threatening their self-conception, and fight their war against the judiciary and sundry other organs of atheistic government, notwithstanding all those Biblical verses about obeying authorities that the Lord puts over you and rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's. To paraphrase the elderly Texan speaking to a polite but mystified Andrew Denton, they know what they know what they know, and no number of scandals or mismanaged wars is going to change that.<br /></div><br />So while half of America will treat Tuesday's vote as a referendum on Iraq, the other half is likely to view it as just another battle for the soul of God's own country (did you think that was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God%27s_own_country">New Zealand</a>?). With the row over Family First preferences still <a href="http://anonymouslefty.blogspot.com/2006/10/it-doesnt-matter-what-alp-does-to-us.html">smouldering</a>, Australians could observe and learn a thing or two. But in true national character, most of us will be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_cup">watching the races</a> instead.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Postscript</span><br /><br />Of course, <a href="http://anonymouslefty.blogspot.com/2005/11/horse-wins-melbourne-cup.html">not everyone</a> approves of how we Aussies spend the first Tuesday in November.<br /><br /></div> </div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716931.post-1162123130477913482006-10-31T21:31:00.000+11:002006-10-31T21:47:42.570+11:00We interrupt this blog due to technical difficulties...<div style="text-align: justify;">Blogger is having some issues with publishing and image-uploading. So no more pretty pictures/potential copyright infringements for the time being.<br /><br /></div>boy_fromOzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354698665016613894noreply@blogger.com0