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Australia
Monday 08-11-2010
We had arrived late evening. A few
questions at custom and immigration, and
within one hour we
were in the taxi to Sydney
downtown, Dead
tired, to fall into bed and sleep at a "rundowner"
hotel in one of the main streets.
Tuesday
9-11-2010
Here we
are in Australia, the final leg of our
around the world journey. 240 year after the
first Brits arrived at Sydney harbor.
It was the
19th April 1770 when the landmass, this
unchartered country was seen by the
British ship Endeavour. Sailing along the
East coast the first time. Later when the
sailors waded ashore, they were challenged by some
Aborigines with spears,
but their muskets held them at bay.
Capitan Cooks ship was sailing under order
and finance by the British Royal Society, as
such the ship's passengers were
scientists,
botanists, astronomers and alike, now all
delighted by the new plants seen around, It
was what is known since then
the "Botany
bay."
Sailing along further south he reached Cape
York; and on "Possession Island" he
claimed the eastern half the continent
for
King George III. The western coast was
visited by Dutch for around 200 years
already and Cook knew it as 'New Holland" .
When
they left, the Aborigines hoped not to
see them again, but in vain. In 1788, 11
ships showed up at Botany bay, packed with
supplies and 751 convicts, soldiers and
their wives.
In this harbor, where today stands the
Sydney opera house, around the Bennelong
point, in the land of the Eora people,
they
established the first British penal
settlement...
The Aborigines were shattered by the lost of
land, many died on smallpox, alcoholism and
despair..
Another penal colony followed in 1803,
Tasmania, the Aborigines were decimated by
bloody conflicts, the "black wars".
The English drove them to the brink of
extinction..
Farmers
expanded into the interior, word had reached England of cheap
and fertile land, hence, adventurous migrants
arrived
in masses in search of fortune.
Melbourne and
Adelaide were established. The Melbourne
location was chosen by a guy, Mr. Batman, who
traded with the
Aborigines 250.000 hectare
land for a crate of blankets. knives
and sort.
In 1851 prospectors discovered gold in
central Victoria and in the following years
boatloads of Chinese showed up, disliked by
the whites, resulting in ugly race riots.
On 1 January 1901 Australia became a
federation. Isolated from the world
they were in the dominion of the British
Empire, and
send their young
men into wars fought in Europe on the side
of the British, naturally. The killing
fields of Europe had cost lives
of 60,000 young men, in a land
on the other side of our planet.
In recent
times, under John Howard, the country grew
closer to the USA; joining the 'soldateska'
in Iraq.
Wednesday
10-11-2010
We had rented a car and were on
the way to our forwarder who had good news.
"The ship has docked today" said Melanie.
We
left contact and went in search of a
reasonable priced hotel on the outskirt of
Sydney.
Nothing much had happen as we were
tiered and needed a rest.
Thursday
11-11-2010
This morning we go to Sydney back, to get a first
impression.
The town of 4.5
million has glorious weather and sunny
beaches, and "the best natural harbor
in the world" so they claim.
Sydney
Opera house
Harbor bridge
The Opera house,
Australia's most recognized icon, adorned by
millions and opened in 1973.
First stone laid on 26-3-1925 view of the Sydney skyline
The harbor
bridge, completed only in 1932. The steel
structure is held together by 60 million rivets.
Tourist boats cross frequently the harbor
waters, including water taxis, build on the basis
of an inflatable rubber boat;
searching for clients yes we are in Sydney
We are forced to wait for
JAMBO, which, so we hope will be out of
customs by coming Monday.
Friday 12-11-2010
JAMBO would not be out of customs before Tuesday. We we had a
boring weekend ahead of us and therefore
decided to visit the
fish market. Over 15 million kg of fish is shipped here through
annually.
A
few sailing boats and lots of fishing
trawlers. Antonio was busy hammering the
corrosion away when we approached him to
ask.
"I'm Italian from a village near Brindisi. and I came here 7 years
ago doing now fishing". " How is business
Antonio? Plenty fish?"
"Oh yea mate, this is the country to raise a family. Back in Italy
lots of taxes impossible for Mama to stay
home. Here my wife is
with our kids and if one works, the income is good." And he
continued to hammer, obviously the
conversation had ended for him.
The fish market is filled with restaurants where one finds all
types of sea creatures nicely presented
fresh on Ice, or grilled already
lined up for hungry eyes to see. Who can resist? The prices for a
fresh small meal are for our standards
rather high although seafood
is available in abundance around the continent.
Lobsters and mud crabs, mussels and fish, you just name it. And
bravely the boy sticks his finger into a
long dead mackerel not
sure if the fish will not snap.
During lunch hour all tables are full with visitors, locals ad
tourists alike. Money spenders (ATM) are
readily available for the one who
still has some Australian Quits in his account, or perhaps eat the
meal already on an overdraft. A fancy
hairstyles is just as hard to
maintain as surplus money in a commoners Bank account.
Guess what? All restaurants we saw were run
by Asians, mainly Chinese. They cook and
grill, they serve and collect. There was no
unhappy face to be seen. Fish and cash is king.
Saturday 13-11-2010
We went to a Koala park just to get away with the waiting time. One
for children. Difficult to satisfy our gusto
as we have been chased
by elephants and Hippos in Tanzania, escaped thieves and bandits in
DRC, drove slalom in the hinterland of
Angola just to avoid buried
landmines. Standing here one feels to be on the wrong place. But
what to do?
Some "domesticated" young Kangaroos, waiting
to be fed, a few Koala sleeping in the
branches, parrots in cages, there was not
much more to be seen.
Koala; cute but
sleepy during daylight. They feed in the
night.
Sunday 14-11-2010
Boring. We planned to go to Blue mountains, but it was raining all
day. Confine a group of lion into a cage;
they will be restless. Just
as we are. The waiting takes it tolls. We had contacted our Embassy
in Canberra and their reply was swift. What
a difference to
USA. We intended to talk with the travel agents association, maybe
we are able to enhance some tourism for my
beloved country and
talk to some media. We got to wait and see.
Monday 15-11-2010
Early we were on the way to our forwarder OSS. The container
stood in the yard, JAMBO in it, as you can
see on the proof.
We were happy.
Our car door window open, we hope not something disappeared on the
way.
The custom will come to inspect the car on Wednesday morning. That
was the best "OSS Worldwide Shippers" could
do.
We had planned to drive West to Perth, but now get second thoughts.
If RBA would sponsor us a return ticket,
yes we come to Perth. Otherwise perhaps it is better and cost
saving, if we go South to Canberra and
Adelaide, turn then into the
continent proper and drive via Alice Springs and Ayers
Rock, these Aborigines lands up to Darwin,
to ship JAMBO from there home.
That would compete the "Around the world expedition".
The airfare is much cheaper from Darwin too. The hotel stay bites
into the wallet. We got to look at our
budget.
Raining all day,
we are
in no mood to drive around
the good news of the day; JAMBO in Sydney
Tuesday 16-11-2010
Julia the OSS Office manager called. "Custom will inspect the
vehicle on Wednesday morning, then you might
be free to go."
Now we can start our planning. We leave Sydney afterwards and
arrive on Friday morning in Canberra to see
our High Commission.
But first here was still something we needed to see.
"6000 visitors a day?" Come on madam that must be a greatly
overestimation." we refused to believe the
words of the information
booth.
"No mate, this is fact; the entrance tickets are proof. Minimum
1000 visitor show up on a bad day." "And all
is run private you say?"
Yes; just drive to the Blue Mountains and see yourself.".
That is what we did. In a two hour travel distance from Sydney
there is this spectacular wilderness area, a
series of hills and dramatic
gorges, with cool climate relief and exceptional scenery. 500,000
hectare wilderness, the Wollemi National
park. Bush walking
opportunities, cable cars, waterfalls, (small though for
European/Canadian standards), restaurants,
souvenir shopping, attract a never
ending tourists stream coming private or by busloads.
 .
It reminded me at once at our Temburong
National park; we are in 980 m height
Wentworth falls seen from a viewing point
sandstone cliffs
This is it! This is the moneymaker. See the
cable car crossing slowly the abyss? 300
meter to this side, 300 m back, Cost 16
Australian quits per frightened nose. And the people line up for
it. We can do it in Brunei! Near Belalong
over the Temburong river!
the
gondola
the waiting tourists
a cable car down to the valley floor
and the waiting tourists
Cost another 24 Australian quits! Or you buy
the daily ticket for; I believe Aus$ 48.-.
The concept is thoughtful but simple. The tourists arrive at the
highest area by bus or private car. Here is
the restaurant, the souvenir
shop with all the overpriced "kiki", a restaurant, a café,
with a large viewing platform. Here are the
toilets and the rubbish bins.
From here a cable car decent into the valley. After a 7 minutes
ride, down there the tourists can wander on
elevated walkway just as
we have it in Sabah.
The other alternative is as seen to cross over the 300 m wide
ravine is perhaps frightening for the one or
other, but the ride provides a
spectacular view.
part of the souvenir shop. Note; all are
Asian tourists
a gondola arrives from the valley floor,
another load is waiting
There are additional activities. Abseiling, canoeing, rafting
(which is done in Belalong). One does not
need to be a mathematician to
see the potentials.
This are first class tourism facilities for Brunei. Rising China is
practically on the doorsteps of our Nation.
It cannot get better.
A professional feasibility study will consider the following:
To reach the national park begins with either one or more fast
catamaran (capacity up to 100 passengers)
cruise to Temburong or
perhaps a passport/visa free swift transit could be negotiated with
the Limbang authorities, in the "green
heart" concept involving
their side too. A win-win situation.
What is needed in principle?
Power lines to Belalong.
A narrow gauge railway, a diesel driven mini train with 4 wagons,
sitting capacity 200 people. Two train
stations, one in Batang Duri
the other near Belalong up on hilltop.
Such a scenic ride over 12 km will take about 45 minutes.
Naturally, trees are cleared along the
rails, that they may not fall and block.
The end station must be on a cleared hill top, or elevated area, of
which there are many. The tourist must have
a view of the land.
Leveled educational walkways (with view!), flower gardens,
Restaurant, souvenir shops. Gondolas cross
from one mountain hill offering
spectacular views. Or down to the river and up again as in the blue
mountains. The gondola operates over the
treetops. Hence they
cannot be damaged.
We copy what the Aussies did in Blue Mountains and adjust to our
suites.
No shortcuts, rather a thoughtful concept followed through. No
cheap substitutes or neglects. No chairs and
tables falling apart within
3 month. Nothing of this kind.
If the private sector or the Government or
both are able to generate these required
funds, Brunei rises into the forefront of
quality Eco
tourism.
Gentlemen and decision makers, we have been
in the Blue Mountains on a Tuesday. How will
it be on a weekend?
Suddenly the 6000 tourists are not that absurd after all.
In Brunei, it will take some time until word spreads. Two years
perhaps or three?
But- how much is an entrance fee of, lets say B$ 40.- and
1000 tourists a day?
What would that be in a month?
What are the expenditure involved ?
Our rough estimate:
train/rail, 2 stations and power line 14 mio
Constructions, platforms, restaurant,
shops, accommodation
10 mio
gondolas and cable cars 12 mio
landscaping
3 mio
all is Family owned; since 1945
the rotating wheels of the cable car
That ended the Blue mountain visit. Tomorrow
we hopefully get JAMBO; then we are on the
road again for the final part of our
"Bringing Brunei to the world." expedition. We look forward to the
Australian outback. Eagerly! But first
southbound.
On Friday we meet our High Commission in Canberra.
Wednesday 17-11-2010
By 10:00 am we were at OSS the "worldwide mover" Custom came a
few minutes later. the inspection was
serious but swift.
Within 30 minutes all was over, the carnet chopped and JAMBO free
to move.
Our shoes and chairs had to undergo a rigorous jet cleaning
exercise. Tomorrow comes Quarantine to
verify the cleanness.
Thursday 18-11-2010
at 11:00 am we picked our remaining stuff and after a final picture
with Julia the boss and Melanie, we directed
JAMBO out of Sydney
towards southwest.
This is the right time to advise all
tentative overland travelers landing in
Sydney. If you bring your car, make sure you
go with OSS.
(No, they do not pay us commission). It was
just the reasonable price and the efficiency
of Madam Julia and staff, which make us to
say that. It seems we were lucky again.
These are the efficient "mates" from OSS
Cruising on the highway to Canberra in sunshine, left and right
rolling hills, meadows, cows grazing and
wineries, little traffic. Until we
hit this
minibus guy in front; He slowed us down
and all vehicles behind. Why? He wanted a
date with the chick in the saloon car.
She
was a learner and steered slowly. No
problem; but the Kombi lined up next to her
and stayed that way for about 10-15 minutes.
The guy rotated his arms like an old
Dutch windmill. She got insecure and slowed
down more, but obviously looked at him. He
too
drove slowly still parallel to her, in
the face a smile of hope and imagination.
Behind us the one or other driver got impatient and honked, it did not
bother him. And so we all followed, until
he was sure that the
girl understood what he
wanted and maybe even agree. Then he paced
off.
Fine highway, fast progress...
...until we these two
In Australia everyone must be very rich. The
prices are 30% above European standards.
Look at this cabin, 20 km outside of
Canberra.
They wanted A$ 150.- for a night.
They take
what they can get
we stay in "Hotel del la JAMBO",it cost us A$
29.-
Friday 19-11-2010
The drive to the High
Commission was short. We knew
where it was as we had checked it out
yesterday afternoon, moreover the GPS
directed us.
Dear and honorable reader you know the
feeling one encounters when arriving home
after a long journey? The happiness?
This is
what we felt. The last time we had a
welcome, was in Morocco. Since then many
month have passed. Many miles travelled, a
few moments of sakit kepala (Headache) we
mastered in-between. Our Embassy welcomed us
professional. Not only his Excellency
and the very able staff was present but
Brunei makanan (food) too. No wonder, Harun
ate, as if it would be his last chance for a
good
meal. And then, they packed for us what was left...
In the evening on the way to Melbourne, we finish what we started to enjoy in our High Commission. The
chicken bones wandered
into the
garbage cans much to the joy of some waiting crows,
which had found a hole and access.
The
welcome photo
His Excellency Hj Adnan Jaafar
memorable pictures; Idariana, me and Dk.Amal
Two hours passed fast. A final picture in
front of the High Commission and JAMBO
rolled again south west towards Melbourne.
Left is
our "thank you" for the reception your Excellency, thanks to all
staff and last not least the cook of the
fine food.
The farewell in Canberra in front of the
Brunei High commission
Unfortunately we had missed the planned press conference for
several reasons, nor worked the Tourism
meeting out. We advised our
High commission too late of our intentions. That was the major
cause. Nothing much we can do now.
This is the plight of a web site. She has to be young and fresh. No one looks after events which are
already a year old. Up to date she
must be, just as
a newspaper, that is what our readers
rightfully demand. What wonders when we
write into the night?
because of the readers...
Towards Melbourne
Saturday 20-11-2010
Last night we reached late a camping ground, not that far for
Melbourne. As in the morning after one hour
or so, we could see the
skyline of this city.
Good morning sunshine breakfast
high risers of Melbourne
We looked at the possibility to cross over to Tasmania as the
lonely planet guide had a A$ 100.- ferry
price mentioned. Something we
could afford. "But now is peak season and therefore the return
ticket for two is A$ 1200.-"said the counter
lady.
She had to sail without us
along the great ocean drive westbound
Well, we drove on until we found a camp
ground and a place for us to stay a night.
It is cool, almost cold here. Only 17 degree
centigrade; and that should be summer. JAMBO ended in a camp on a
small stream, surrounded by geese and ducks,
which we had
chance to observe. A good life they have indeed. Pick fresh green
grass until the belly is full, triple down
to the stream to drink, then
start grooming and cleaning themselves until it is time to sleep.
What a fine life as long as one does not end
roasted on a dinner table.
Sunday 21-11-2010
Our journey continued as you can
imagine, dear reader. Along the coast for
the whole day towards Adelaide. Somewhere
near the
"12 Apostles" a costal; area with islands we came over a tragic
story of a shipwreck, surly not the only one
in these treacherous
weathers. It was the
Loch Ard which wrecked here on June 20,1878. Out of all crew and passengers, only
two survived.
Stormy Sea
Here wrecked the Loch Ard
from a graveyard stone near by
the story of Loch Ard
dangerous
shores
Washed out sandstone formations
as beautiful as the coast is, so scary was
she for sea farers
Icy water; This lunatic is Harun
sunset on the Kingston camping ground, where
we put up for the night
a picture book sunset in front of our
camping place
Monday 22-11-2010
By 7:30 am we were already on the move,
Adelaide only 300 km away, we reached by
noon. After a meal we
went northbound until
Port Augusta, where we
put up for the night in a camping place. We
have to reach Darwin on or before the
2-12-2010. The ship with
JAMBO will sail on
the 5/12.
Adelaide town we saw by noon.
A town spacious with lots of green and parks, but nothing of
cultural significance, with the exception of
an Afghan
Mosque.
Hidden behind a red brick wall rose
four minarets into the blue sky. The
Adelaide mosque is the oldest permanent
mosque in Australia.
She is of national
significance as she is the remain of Afghan
immigration to South Australia. In her form
she is unique Afghan.
And dates back to the years of 1888-1889. The four minarets were
added at a later stage. Unfortunately there
was no one around to
get more information.
The Afghan Mosque
the prayer hall and Kiblat, decorated in
pinewood
dead rides with the windscreen The
Brunei and Malaysia visitors
Tuesday 23-11-2010
Then we hit the Steward Highway towards North and Darwin, As you can see,
for many insects our windscreen became the
transfer
point to their afterlife. Nothing one can do. They just fly in.
The shore camping ground in Kingston was our
overnight stay where we
were approached by a
few other visitors from Brunei and Malaysia. Their
excitement was great, "From Brunei? Around
the world?"
 
a ground dove
this saltpan was once a lake
honest
population sign
typical outback vegetation
Somewhere we hit the Glendambo settlement,
which was fair in their statement, but
they underestimated the fly
population as 1 mio
were around our car already.
Further up, the Stewards Highway north,
passes through Cobber Pedy. Suddenly the
barren land is filled with hips of soil, dug
out
holes and machinery. The reason is OPAL,
found here. Are you adventurous ? Have
strong arms and the will to succeed? Perhaps
A$ 50.- to spare? That cost you a digging
license. Then you are among many who think
here is the place to strike rich.
The village living of OPAL
The commoners hand-dig "hope for richness"
every pile has its hole from where it came
from
bored hole to check for opal deposits
machines to separate the dirt by vacuum
We looked a bit around, turned some stones and found one, which has
some shine. We see in Brunei if that is
something valuable.
Sooner than later we continued our journey until evening, when we found a place to
stay the night. The flies were on mass, we
had to
put up our mosquito netting, to have
a bit of peace.
Hiding behind mosquito net
a road train
Wednesday 24-11-2010
These Road trains usually drive at night.
Then coupled with 4 trailers, the
train is 60 m long. The truck has 1250
horsepower. However,
the one in the picture had two trailers only.
Two persons steer such a train, their route
is from Adelaide to Darwin and return.
It takes them 4 days. We talked to the
drivers:
"Would you tell us how much is your salary?" He
smiled. "We do not load or offload. The pay
is A$ 1200.- per week".
"For 4 days driving you get A$1200.- each?
That's is only 16 days work and 14 days free in a
month, for A$ 4800.- in the pocket.
Sir, that is no
small thing." He smiled and left.
Our
"road train" JAMBO rolled north with us, his
valuable freight in it. We headed to ULURU
better known as AYERS ROCK, turning
off the
Stuart Highway at a point called Erlunda and
followed the Lasetter highway westwards for
another 244 km or so.
The driving, because of tarred roads is
boring. After a while the Mt. Connor comes
into view, otherwise only bush land, left
and right.
Kilometers measured by the
hundreds
The Mt. Connor table top mountain
Since the whole continent
interior is just simple flat, there no
wonder that every rising rock has some
spiritual significance for the
Aborigines. "That must be home of spirits and alike." The Mt.
Connor they call Atila.
Driving on, we
arrived in the afternoon at the park. paid
A$ 50.- entrance fee and got the first
closer look of that Ayers rock, rising out
of
the desert. Here, Tourism is king. Bus
tours, camel tours, cultural tours, dining
tours, sunset tours, sunrise tours,
motorcycle tours,
you name it. Bus by bus
tourists arrive. Planes bring those for whom
overland travel is troublesome. All, because
of the Ayers rock.
And the travel books
praise it: Nothing is comparable... outmost
spiritual significance.. towering rising...
.while it is about 350m high,
that's all.
Pardon us please Australians but is the "Tobawahubu"
made around this rock not exaggerated?
" No, not at all; just see
ULURU in its various colors
radiating during sunset. It is a must". So, we lined up with hundred other
spectators at a ready available
viewing
point to wait the time out. In-between
we made our memory photo, with the flag of our
beloved Nation.
our symbol flying on Ayers rock, central
Australia
Colors of ULURU
(Ayers rock)
But why travel people from all over
Australia to see this sandstone boulder???
See one time the Hoggar mountains in the
Sahara or the "Alti Plano" of Bolivia,
then compare and judge
But we guess, that the Ayers rock is in
itself unique in these square miles of
emptiness. That is why.
Details of
sandstone washouts
the
leaning rock needle
rain leaves his marks in hundred of year
Aborigines
cultural center (no photos allowed)
Aborigines painting
JAMBO, the
ROCK and the Brunei HERO
Resting while waiting for the sunset
"web site works" under mosquito netting
On the web site we work usually in the only
free time, that is evenings. And as it is
hot, one sleeps rather badly in the car, just
to
drive the next whole day again, and that every day since over a
year.
The Journey draws slowly to an end. We are exhausted and happy to
return home. Details have still to be worked
out when we are in
Darwin. But it seems the Christmas holidays will be celebrated in
Brunei. With interruptions though, we are 17
month on route and
drove JAMBO safely through 30 countries. So far 84,000 km. Deeply
grateful we realized: The ALMIGHTY'S
blessing was with us; all
the time. To HIM belongs therefore all our devotion.
Thursday 25-11-2010
Last afternoon we met two
Austrian. A young couple eager to explore
Australia, they purchased a 1985 Land
cruiser for 8000.-
Australian quits, so they told us. But now the brakes are very soft
and almost do not work... And the engine
power is not there, every
hill we use the first and second gear. "Can you check the brakes?
They asked Harun. "We have no idea of
mechanics."
Harun did not tell them what he thought.' That you should have
hired a trustworthy mechanic to check before
you make the deal. Fifty
bucks for such a guy are well spend." They are asking for trouble
in their adventure, right from the start."
In the morning we looked for them, they were not in the camping
ground, and so we left, to pace again along
with 100 km/h over tarred
roads, left and right shrubs and bush. Every hour or so on the
roadside a kangaroos carcass, run
down by a car, as seen all along
the way and crows picking on them, otherwise nooooooothing.
To Alice Springs it was 425km. We arrived early afternoon.
Friday 26-11-2010
a town in nowhere
afternoon scene; deserted streets, it is too
hot...
There was nothing to see in Alice
springs. Travel agents and some restaurants,
all luring the in-flown tourists. It runs a
shiver down the
spine of an European
youngster, knowing that he is in the heart
of Australia and yet, all is organized to
perfection. Just, what a world
traveler does
not want.
Anything for leisure
Lofty dressed; she looks art the ULURU
advert
3 days ULURU A$295.-. One day driving there, one day back,
ok. but what does one do the second day
there?
See the "Olgas"? Another group of stones not
far away?
Restaurants aiming at the tourists with
prices, one wonders how rich the Australians
are. Some with better food, others with the
worst
for our taste. Then, there was this
Afghan mosque, unfortunately she was
closed.
The first telegraph line was installed by
mostly Muslim from the middle East who had
arrived here with camels. And people from
Afghanistan. Hence the Mosque name. The
railway up north to Darwin is called in
honor of their achievement "Ghan" (Afghanistan)
This was
no time for a prayer; door closed and no one
around
Saturday 27-11-2010
We had decided to stay another night in
Alice Springs and used the day to drive 80
km west to a gorge where rock
carvings of
Aborigines are plentiful, said
the book. It looked to us as a suitable day
journey, to get away from organized city
life. Soon we reached
a tourism sign to
Corroboree Rock and we drove in.
Well what to say? "It is of Spiritual
significance to the Aborigines...". But wait
we fail to understand why one should be
moved seeing
the rock, even if he has a
"soul or is guardian of the land" or
whatever is claimed.
Then we could finally turn away from tarred
road towards N'Dhala Gorge, the "open air
museum" as the signboard claimed.
At last; some
tracks which JAMBO likes
part of the gorge
Left and right reddish rocks, a few water ponds, lizards, snakes and
spiders, a group of parrots, and me in
slippers. That I should not
have done.
Proper shoes is a must!
see my "kasuti angin?" on the tree watching me,
Pink Kakadoo
Then there was the stone with some marks
made long ago by tribesmen.
rays
radiating out with ladder type
engravings
a hand?
many holes;
undefined?
a sort of circles (sun)
An hour later we left the gorge and returned
to Alice Springs. We knew Australia is a
young country and there is nothing coming
from
the old; like in many Middle East,
China or European countries. Therefore to
promote aborigines art, no matter what and
how far away,
is a necessity, otherwise the
tourists get soon bored by endless roads
flat land and bush. It helps also to
preserve the "culture" of the
locals.
When the Almighty formed humans to his
liking, on the very day the Aborigines were
made, the angel in charge of beauty and
proportions, must have been absent. We
decline to commend much as it is in general
not their fault as they appear. When one see
them in towns, sitting under trees, or
waiting until the spirits store open. They
appear lost, not belonging to here. Many
women go
bare foot on the hot surface,
feeling nothing. From others drift a scent
as if not washed for a week. Apart from a
few obscure photos
we kept the camera away and the pictures
small, as we do not want to harm.
They have been treated badly in the
past, but now the government has returned
large areas of Australia to them and made
laws to
respect their traditions and
believes, giving money every month and let
them be themselves.
Whether that is again the right approach,
only time will tell.
Sunday 28-11-2010
We drove north as now several days already
and reached Wycliffe roadhouse, the
self-proclaimed "UFO capital of Australia."
endless, boring
Stewart Highway
the UFO station
The owner was
smart; not that there was ever an UFO seen
(except by him maybe) it became a reason to
stop for refueling and have
an "Aliens
burger".
The night we slept again in "Hotel de la JAMBO" in a camping ground along the road.
Now a new phenomena appeared.
Termite mounds left and right, like
graveyard stones.
our last night in JAMBO some of millions "gravestone" termite mounds
Monday 29-11-2010
There was only 500 km left to Darwin and we reached the town by early
afternoon, to drive down to port to our
forwarder.
We have a ship for JAMBO on 6-12-2010, out
of Australia. Then we searched for the
Brunei meat export company. We liked to see
the cattle ranch. Unfortunately the Bruneian
overseeing the operation, Mr. Ghadafi, is in
Brunei, and there was no one else around.
Tuesday 30-11-2010
The Islamic community was also formed by
Afghans and these days the mosque caters for
about 1000 Muslims in the region. Again it
was quiet, no one around. It was the last
Mosque we saw in Australia. And here we saw
the poster "REVEALED RELIGION"
to be read by everyone trying to stir trouble
between religions. These are wise words here
indeed.
In the Darwin Mosque yards
wise words
Wednesday 2-12-2010
on Darwin's shores
We have reached the North end of Australia. From here JAMBO can only sail.
And that is precisely what he will do.
In a
20 ft container to Kota Kinabalu, for us to
drive him home to Brunei. He must long for
it, as we do.
To be back where he once left,
with his Gadong registration Number
KK3549, to
circumnavigate the planet.
He withstood all
holes and bumps, overcame obstacles in 31 countries, drove in snow and ice, and then again in sandstorms
and 50
degree Centigrade in Niger, and is still in shape as those days back when he left Brunei.
His journeys started originally in 2007 from South Africa,
when he scaled Africa, Middle- and Far East
the first time,
on the road home to Brunei Darussalam.
But he did not rest then.
The 'Around the World Journey' beginning in June
2009 was a milestone for Brunei; and the
return now in December 2010 makes
history for our beloved country.
Tomorrow we load him into his
container. We hope once coming home, JAMBO
will rest in a designated place, a museum
perhaps,
surrounded by pictures of his journeys. For the public to follow
these extraordinary adventures.
There is no other car in Asia which could measure up to him.
Thursday 2-12-2010
Tied down in the container, doors locked, he awaits transportation.
We see JAMBO in Kota Kinabalu again, perhaps
in 2 weeks.
"bye, bye Darwin"
secure tied down
our extra lock
Friday 3-12-2010
The last night was terror. Until 1:00 am the doors in our corridor
were slamming, with people shouting. They
had, "wise" as the
management is, accommodated Aborigines around us. Lots of them. And
jolly good fellows as they are they shouted
to each other,
loud as if they would be at home in "kakkawooodo" in the outback.
We have nothing against them; but the white
Management would
know their behavior; why do they not settle them somewhere
they are not such a headache to other
guests?
Then in the morning we called the reception to beg for a free
extension of a few hours.
"You have to evacuate your room by 10:00." "But our flight is by
4:00pm and Darwin is hot."
"If you stay until 1:00 pm it cost you A$30.-
Please Mr. Manager this is the last hotel we stay in, make a good
impression for Australia, you just lost the
world cup bid; can you
not make an exemption and let us the tiered world travelers stay 3
hours longer for free?" " So sorry, that is
hotel policy!"
In a lengthily discussion with him and the sales manager afterwards
it turned out, that he allowed to stay until
1200; but somehow the
information did not come over the reception counter to reach
us.
The flight was uneventful and after 4 hours we landed in Singapore,
to drive straight into town and hotel
"FRAGRANCE" a wondrous
establishment indeed.
Saturday
4-12-2010
The reception indicated a rack rate of S$
220.-/night and we got it for S$129.-
through internet booking, a good price for a
31/2 stars.
Lucky was with us, so we thought. But then...
reception still legal...
the corridor
I though is the cupboard, but is the fuse
box
The corridor was narrow with one door close to the other. We enter.
Ehhh what is this? It was a room with a
window, true but
the size?
Harun could reach from one end to the other, missing 6 inches. This
cockroaches hide out of 7 ft x 8 ft is a
hotel room? And sold on
the internet as 3˝ stars for S$ 129.-? He went back to the
reception. "You have another room?"
"So sorry sir, all rooms are the
same size."
On the way up two Chinese girls joint the lift. Lofty dressed, No
Bra for their mini-zizies, in super shorts
house slippers and red
pained foot nails.
width of the room 6 ft plus...
the bed had 6 ft, Harun could not stretch
Then it was clear, what was next morning confirmed by the taxi
driver. This is a converted brothel,
designed and outfitted for a
"quickie". Men with too much pressure in their pants enough cash
and little worries of Aids and other
deceases, come here.
Permanent "China girl service" guaranteed. She does not speak
English; never mind the language of love is
international. As both
crawl over each other for a few minutes, curdled together, no
normal bed size is needed. What for a
cupboard? No space anyhow; his
dress hung on the wall; one hanger for the shirt, one for the
trouser.
about 3ftx3ft
two hangers fixed; cannot take
with you
The shower-toilet-washbasin
behind a small door was less than one square
meter in size.
We wanted to leave, but the credit card was debited. So, no choice,
but to stay. How could they advertize 3 1/2
stars for such a
room? Or did they mean the whores service?
We wonder what the Singaporean tourism board will say. we send them
an E mail. Maybe nothing; as in "Singapore
money talks"
Late evening we arrived in Kota Kinabalu.
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