Categories: holidays, australia, bible
Date: 19 July 2006 05:05:41
When you talk about holidaying in Oz, actually getting to places features quite prominently given the size of this land. We're slightly smaller than the main bit [excluding Hawaii and Alaska] of the US: and yet we only have just over 20 million people: mainly in cities along the coast.
While I didn't cover as much ground as Unordered, 750 kms north and 750 kms west -- and then in reverse -- is a fair amount. Distances which often spook British friends ["What do you mean we're going for a six-hour return drive for the day?"] are things I have grown up with: as Miss Lisa commented, long drives to places are often part of growing up here.
The flights to and from Brisbane were uneventful: thankfully. I do like airports: the excitement of so many destinations; the thrill of the journey; the joy of friends and family welcoming people back: they are fun places. Sydney Airport (properly titled Kingsford Smith International Airport after the aviator) is quite unusual in terms of a major city airport: it is around 8 kms from the CBD. 8 kms! I know of no other airport so close to the city. Of course, this brings issues of noise for residents nearby: though in my uncharitable moments I tend to think, "Well, you knew it was there when you moved there."
The car trip from Brisbane to Charleville and back again was far more interesting. Plenty of conversation to pass the time and a great range of scenery: from the city of Brisbane ("a big country town" as I've heard it described: though it is rapidly becoming an international city) to the beautiful countryside and varying landscapes as we went over the Great Dividing Range and through Toowoomba, then along the Warrego Highway, passing through many towns of varying sizes, before we hit the Outback and finally reached Charleville.
Seeing the landscape and vegetation change is an amazing thing: despite being reasonably well-travelled world-wise, I haven't seen a great deal of Australia: really only the major cities. This trip has encouraged me to rectify this: it is a beautiful land; harsh, but beautiful. And the deep red dirt of the outback is something to be seen: it may be simply dirt, but it is such a beautiful and rich red.
As well as the vegetation, animals were in abundance: unfortunately many kangaroos and wallabies had met an untimely end thanks to vehicles. Especially in the Outback, they litter the road at a frightening regularity. On a cheerier note, we did see many lives ones by the side of the road, as well as emus, several Australian bustards, and one wedge-tailed eagle which was feeding on one of the deceased marsupials -- as was a wild pig we saw and innumerable crows.
On the way out west we stopped at the town of Dalby to have lunch and catch-up with a shipmate, which was absolutely wonderful: I do love meeting people and shipmates are wonderful people. We also stopped at the infamous Golden Arches (it was open) at Roma. On the return visit east we stopped at Miles for a very delicious lunch at a local hotel.
Very pleasant and enjoyable travels: thanks to the shipmates I was travelling with, and, of course, thanks to God for His amazing and varied creation.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!...
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD!from Psalm 148