Journey 7 – Townsville in OZ

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The Journey

Next up was Townsville (obviously named by someone devoid of all imagination). It was Sunday and most shops were closed up. The main drag was typical Oz with shop fronts reminiscent of the Wild West – with verandas and awnings and some street art and murals. The natives were extremely friendly.

We wandered the waterfront promenade spotting lorikeets and black cockatoos, sculptures, and sprawling fig trees with dangling roots and branches, and stared at the empty cool sparkling sea bedecked with warnings about death from stingers. It looked so alluring with empty yellow sand and cool sparkling water, like a tantalising mirage.

It was apparent that the sea was a death trap. Not only were the crystal clear waters inviting but they were also deadly.  Below their surface lurked a millions deadly creatures with fangs and venom and stings all waiting to pounce. Even the sand was duplicitous. One step onto it and you were bombardment with sufficient UV to set up a dozen melanomas. There were signs about that too. We settled for a pleasant stroll in the shade and torpid heat with cooling breaks for iced coffee and beer.

Bearing in mind our experience at Hamilton we scaled the mountain (well 12 metres short of a real mountain) but this time in a shared taxi, which was a lot less strenuous, to see the great views over the sprawling city and out towards Magnetic Island (so named because Captain Cook’s compasses all went haywire when they sailed close – a feat that nobody else has been able to repeat) on one side and the mountains on the other.

Then it was a stroll through the botanical gardens with incredible birds, one with vivid blue markings, and great trees and plants, before heading back to the seafront for a last beer and hopping back on board.

It was a bit like being in suspended animation. I did not feel that the trip had really got going yet – not until we’d finally cleared the shores of Oz and were heading out into less familiar places. Townsville was fine but nothing outstanding.

The Journey Pt. 5. -OZ – Sydney and the start – photos

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OZ – Sydney and the start – photos

Posted on  by Opher

The drive to Sydney was a sad one. Staying in the plush apartment of friends, overlooking the bay we played music, watched a couple of episodes of Mr Gormley and breakfasted beside the docks. Then it was over to Cockatoo island with ne’er a cockatoo in sight, a look at the old prison, docks and machine shops and back on the ferry.

We walked along the shore and gazed over at the city, shared a last beer in a tavern.

With tear streaked cheeks we dragged ourselves away from the warm embrace of Pete and Trude. Like orphans bereft and forlorn we resolved to face the future with fortitude and determination. We were foregoing the luxuries of the pampered life of landlubbers for the adventure of the waves. No longer cradled in the warmth and safety of our dear friends we were facing a pitiless world. But thus it was.

With cutlasses between our teeth we swung fiercely on knotted ropes with blood curdling shrieks to invade the masts of our mighty craft. Fearlessly, leaving all hope in our wake, we fought our way to our cabin and from there to our muster stations through fearsome reams of bureaucracy. Against all odds we overcame the mighty forms and procedures and were ensconced as masters of our destiny.

Unpacking and settling into our surprisingly plush and voluminous quarters we contemplated the future, still tinged with sadness at what we were leaving behind.

We had a day in Sydney to contemplate and visited the areas we had not yet seen – the wharfs, the Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens and old parts of the city.

Then a walk under the Bridge and past the Opera House and back to the ship.

The day was strangely overcast and stormy, lending it a sombre feel as evening came and we slipped our mooring. We slid under the Bridge and waved to those climbing up on the girders. We watched the Opera House and city slide by.

There were fearsome beasts to confront and obstacles to devise plans for the surmounting. We girded our loins, gathered all the strength we could muster and went to taste the second of our sumptuous feasts.

Our odyssey to the ends of the universe had begun. We were now buccaneers on the oceans at the mercy of the elements. What sights were looming to make us gasp? What great adventures were to unfurl? What majesty and wonder awaited us? Seventy days and forty magical stops lay ahead.

We sat on our beds and contemplated breakfast! The journey was beginning.

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The Journey – 2 Abu Dhabi – Photos

Posted on by Opher

Around the world

Journey – 2  – Abu Dhabi

The first impression was of warmth. We stepped off the plane into a pleasant sunshine. The grey cloud, cold and drizzle had been replaced with blue sky and warmth.

We had arranged a day’s stop over so we could see what it was about. We wanted to see the sights. That meant we spent a good part of the day in an open-top bus, jumping off to have a look at places, get a bite to eat and see the people and wild-life. You can’t see everything in a day or experience the full spectrum of possibilities. You get a flavour, an impression and an insight. Most people were in Western garb but there were a good number in robes with some women in the full works. I still find that uncomfortable. In that heat to be smothered from head to toe in black while the men wear more practical white?  

Talking to the locals they assured me that women had rights. They were permitted to drive and the burqa was optional. I do not agree. There is a cultural expectation if nothing else. The burqa looks like a costume of slavery to me, a product of a misogynist society. But it was evident that the majority of women did not succumb to its dubious benefits.

We went out to the cultural village, obviously newly constructed for tourists to walk round, and looked across the water to the city. It was beautiful. The palm trees and sand. A group of school-kids came down to play in the water – all dressed up in their headscarves and long clothes. It looked a bit absurd but they were kids and enjoyed the paddle, shrieking with delight.

There were many pretty birds around, as well as the ubiquitous crows, mynahs and pigeons, and a striped squirrel ran along the wall.

The Etihad skyscrapers, and other architectural delights, were interesting, reaching up into the blue with their glass and concrete canyons, fingers of a giant hand clutching at infinity. 

The Grand Mosque was beautiful with its white marble and inlay.

Millions had been spent on its white marble, precious stone inlays, huge chandeliers and stain glass. It was built to impress and that is what it did. Who could doubt the basis of the religion when so very much was put into something like this – one of the ICBMs of Islam, designed to put people in awe and gain converts.

             We donned our gowns and walked around greatly appreciating the wonder of it, the beauty of it, it’s mosaic designs, colours, architectural delights, minarets, lavish patterns carpets and reflections. Despite its massive size and splendour we were not converted! It takes more than that.

Our day was shot. We’d seen enough. It was interesting but not enough to go back to. Back to the hotel and an early flight. We were up almost before we’d gone to bed.

Then on to Oz and Pete and Trudie!