Australia. To Americans, it is perhaps one of the most exotic locations one can travel to in the English-speaking world.
Populated by a millenia-old Aboriginal people with a rich cultural history, it became a penal colony for the British Empire,
much as the state of Georgia in the USA started out as. Australia as we know it was federated as an independent national
in the British Commonwealth in 1901. Much like the U.S., Australia has struggled on the issue of race. Like the U.S. in
the 1960's, Australia saw a racial integration begin that is still an on-going, and somewhat painful process.
Overall, however, Australia is one of the greatest nations I have ever visited. Be it in Cairns up in Queensland or the
middle of the Outback at Uluru (Ayres Rock), both the Aboriginal people and those of European or Asian descent were
open, welcoming, and generally fun to be around. Rarely has a country seemed to have such a positive spirit as the Land
Down Under.
I traveled from my duty station in Guam to spend a week camping and touring a small, small piece of this geographically
diverse nation. My best friend, Mike Ventura, joined me on this expedition...and did all the driving in the Outback (which
suited me fine as I was able to do all the sleeping!). In one week we went from snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef to
climbing Uluru and sleeping under the most incredible sky you can imagine. And yet, these diverse points of life we
experienced cannot even begin to truly capture this remarkable land. We hope to do a return expedition sometime in 2005.
Only time will tell....
Populated by a millenia-old Aboriginal people with a rich cultural history, it became a penal colony for the British Empire,
much as the state of Georgia in the USA started out as. Australia as we know it was federated as an independent national
in the British Commonwealth in 1901. Much like the U.S., Australia has struggled on the issue of race. Like the U.S. in
the 1960's, Australia saw a racial integration begin that is still an on-going, and somewhat painful process.
Overall, however, Australia is one of the greatest nations I have ever visited. Be it in Cairns up in Queensland or the
middle of the Outback at Uluru (Ayres Rock), both the Aboriginal people and those of European or Asian descent were
open, welcoming, and generally fun to be around. Rarely has a country seemed to have such a positive spirit as the Land
Down Under.
I traveled from my duty station in Guam to spend a week camping and touring a small, small piece of this geographically
diverse nation. My best friend, Mike Ventura, joined me on this expedition...and did all the driving in the Outback (which
suited me fine as I was able to do all the sleeping!). In one week we went from snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef to
climbing Uluru and sleeping under the most incredible sky you can imagine. And yet, these diverse points of life we
experienced cannot even begin to truly capture this remarkable land. We hope to do a return expedition sometime in 2005.
Only time will tell....
Paul Barnes, the photographer on board the Reef Quest, took this
photo of myself (left) and Michael (right) our first day snorkeling the
reef. The Reef Quest is one of the many dive boats you can take to
explore the reef. If you are willing to spend a bit of money, you will
get on a very modern and clean boat with a crew who is more than
happy to either teach a novice how to snorkel or compare notes on
places like Guam with those of us who are more experienced. I do
personally recommend the Reef Quest if you can get it.
Most photos on this site are simply screen-res only for viewing on
the page. I'll let you know which few you can click to a larger image
to look at. Keep in mind: by Australian law all images of Uluru
(Ayres Rock) are *NOT* to be used for anything but personal
enjoyment unless you get the permission of the Australian
government. I offer them here for your own enjoyment and
education. If you want to do more than look at them in your own
home, you will need BOTH my permission and that of the Australian
government!
photo of myself (left) and Michael (right) our first day snorkeling the
reef. The Reef Quest is one of the many dive boats you can take to
explore the reef. If you are willing to spend a bit of money, you will
get on a very modern and clean boat with a crew who is more than
happy to either teach a novice how to snorkel or compare notes on
places like Guam with those of us who are more experienced. I do
personally recommend the Reef Quest if you can get it.
Most photos on this site are simply screen-res only for viewing on
the page. I'll let you know which few you can click to a larger image
to look at. Keep in mind: by Australian law all images of Uluru
(Ayres Rock) are *NOT* to be used for anything but personal
enjoyment unless you get the permission of the Australian
government. I offer them here for your own enjoyment and
education. If you want to do more than look at them in your own
home, you will need BOTH my permission and that of the Australian
government!
| 16 April 2004 -Cairns- |
We arrived from Guam at midnight.
Mike's here at "The Chapel
Resturant" for breakfast and coffee
before setting out.
Mike's here at "The Chapel
Resturant" for breakfast and coffee
before setting out.
Exploring Cairns ("Cans"), Mike and I took
the time to wonder about aimlessly and just
revel that we were finally in Australia, a
life-long dream for both of us.
the time to wonder about aimlessly and just
revel that we were finally in Australia, a
life-long dream for both of us.
However, I caught Mike here displaying a look of
total indecision on where to go and where to start!
How do you start exploring a whole country in five
days?!
total indecision on where to go and where to start!
How do you start exploring a whole country in five
days?!
Australia has its share of coffee shops, like "Beethoven's
Coffee Shop" (left) where we got a mid-morning snack and
coffee. Being a tourist town, Cairns has a number of
digereedo shops that will teach you how to play the ancient
instrument. (Above) Mike learns to blow at "Universal
Joint".
Coffee Shop" (left) where we got a mid-morning snack and
coffee. Being a tourist town, Cairns has a number of
digereedo shops that will teach you how to play the ancient
instrument. (Above) Mike learns to blow at "Universal
Joint".
