Cairns - Monday 28th September 2009

G’day Folks,

Sorry this edition is a little late, but I have been laid low with a very bad cold.

Well this is Cairns, which has changed out of all recognition from those many years ago; it is now a City that totally caters for the Tourist Trade. They are in the main Japanese and Chinese, who represent about 50% of the population, although the broad span of the Worlds population are represented, with native Australian’s being the minority. That is Cairns today.

However, wandering around visiting the Art-galleries, Libraries, and other noted places of interest, there is still an essence behind the scenes of the Old Cairns; it is in the Old Buildings, mostly Art Deco and the Housing which is inhabited by the many Islanders, (not Tribal Peoples) who have come down over the years from the Torres Islands off Cape York.

Yes! There are the indigenous Australian Tribal peoples, but they are in the minority and seem to have adapted to City Life, they are well mannered and Grog (Liquor) seems to be not as visible, nor abused, like the many other places I have been.

(Ooph’s I stand corrected on the Bus out of town today, a very large Tribal woman set about a small defenceless Tribal man; she gave him a straight “Kappow!” and split his lip open).

I now also understand that there are very strong animosities towards the Torres Island people, by the Australian Tribal peoples. (Methinks it is about who gets the biggest share of the Pie attitude!)

I have caught a very bad Cold and boy! it is bad (Not one of those Mans Colds I can tell you!) laying me low for about 7 days, problem is I cannot take any old pill, not even the elixir of life, so I have to suffer in silence!! (I have since learnt that the chap in the next Caravan has had it for 2 weeks already and that is where mine came from!)

Once I am fit and well (The first instance of illness on this trip) I shall be looking at the Tours that are available. Met a South African family who are doing all the tours, and they have kindly kept me fully informed of what is deemed “Value for Money”, so far looking at the wide range of tours, there are many that fit the bill.

Surprisingly, it has rained nearly everyday, it comes either in the morning or through the night and beats your brains out! However, when it clears, it clears quickly.

To quickly contradict what I have just said, the weather has turned bright and sunny and has been like an early spring day for the past 4 days.

We have been assailed, as you will have read, by a Dust Storm that has thrown 175,000 tonnes of Red Dust every hour, from the Simpson Desert across the entire Eastern Sea-Board, from Adelaide in the South to Cairns in the North. This has caused many problems with breathing, and the sale of mouth masks have soared, if this a fore-taste of the Nuclear Winter, then we will have a serious problem.

Had the opportunity to visit Port Douglas (Deckchairs!) which I did say I would give a miss. Unbelievably, what do I encounter – Deck Chairs! - At A$25 a throw, but they were very large sun-loungers (plastic) with Umbrella at A$10 and about 50 available for hire.

I have now given up all hopes of sending for my Deck-Chairs from Saudi Arabia and will just pocket the nice profit I made on selling them to an Australian, he was trying to sell them back to me for £400 (My profit on the original deal - £700) so it is a thanks! but no thanks! situation.

Transportation: Buses run very well, around every ½ hour, with fares into what they call the Transit Mall (Centre of Town) at A$5.60 return (£2.80), again you can hop on or off as you like, the ticket last 24 hours, and you do not even have to stand at a noted bus-stop all you do is raise your hand and they stop! Great!

Funnies: The Campsite that I am staying at was due an inspection by the Tourist Board on what number of Stars they would be awarded, well! It happened to be the Day that I was leaving to do the Rotary Club – Sightsavers Int’ presentation, there I was dressed to the nines and popped into the office to buy my newspaper, they did not recognise me out of my “Beach-Bum’s” outfit and were quick to question me on who I was?

My immediate remark was to confirm that I was the Tourist Inspector they were expecting, and apologised for being early, to watch a note of total alarm come over the Ladies face, you can imagine, so I had to beat a hasty retreat and tell them who in fact I was, very amused to find that the focal point of the Camps jungle-drums was my escapade, they took it all in great spirits!

Reminded me of when I was in the same position in a fish & Chip shop in Halifax, again dressed to the nines, I spotted a notice that said that the local newspaper was sending inspectors out to find the “Best Fish & Chip Shop” in West Yorkshire.

The Boss commented on my mode of dress and I instantly replied that I was the Fish & Chip Inspector, before I could laugh it off and tell him the truth, he went about serving me the largest and freshest portion of Fish & Chips in the World, (Who am I to spoil his impression?).

A few days later, there was a story in the Newspaper that a Phoney Fish & Chip Inspector, dressed rather smartly, was cadging gigantic portions of Fish & Chips and if any body spotted him, they would get a reward (an even larger portion of Fish & Chips I wager!)

I just could not go back to that Fish & Chip shop, even if he was the best one in the County.

Flora & Fauna: I have noticed that here in the tropics there are Parasitic/Afrasitic/Fungi plants that attach themselves to the trees, (Have some great photos) you can get three enormous and combined plants all using one another in some way, as a means of Life support for each of them.

Reminds me of the “Day of the Triffids & The Alien’s” when you see how they have or are, slowly assimilating into each other.

Wildlife: There are a large number of Lizards roaming about, they are inquisitive and I believe that if I start to feed them tit-bits, they may become friendly, I will let you know, if you do not hear from me again, you will know that my belief was wrong and they have got me!

This Caravan Park has a river running through it, which is well stocked with fish but in addition, they have Turtles and they are large in size and numbers.

This is the place a Twitcher would call heaven, as there is a wide variety of Tropical Birds everywhere, Kookaburras are very large in numbers and at 5.45am they start the Dawn Chorus, you certainly do not need and Alarm Clock!!

Cairns Beach has flocks of Herons, Pelicans and Egrets, all feasting on the huge numbers of Mud-Crabs that populate the muddy shoreline.

There is no swimming allowed in the Sea this far North, due to the possibility of Sea Crocodiles (Salties) having a nibble of your toes!

Sightsavers: Have completed the Cairns Rotary Club, one of the best-done to-date. The Cairns Lions Club completed and the Cairns Lioness’s to be completed on the 5th October.

I told you that the parcel of information, brochures etc. etc that had been sent ahead for me from the UK had been sent back. Well having had sent by Airmail another parcel of Brochures, I went to the PO to pick them up, to find I have to wait 14 days for them to be cleared from customs, I think I shall use the “Pony Express” from now on!

Neighbours: I have made the acquaintance of my neighbours, (Victor, Tanya and their son Anthony), who are extremely nice Guys. Anthony in particular at 3 ½ years of age, is an astonishing young man, very wordy, expresses himself well and always, always, says thank you very much for everything, (Mum & Dad are worried that the Lemonade, Bisquits, etc will make him hyper! He does not need any encouragement; he is just a great little man!).

Followers: I have been informed by Google, that I now have 150+ followers, even the Lady from Shanghai (Remember her) is still suggesting that she is available to join me!! (I am saving up!!)

Airfares: I have been asked by a number of people about bucket shops, and how to find out about them. In particular, those friends who wish to travel to Melbourne in 2010, have a look at; andrewhawthorne@travelmood.com he will sort you out as he did me, is reliable and everything is on-line, although I have mentioned Air Tickets, they cover all modes of transport, so go on ask the question?

That is all this time folks, Keep well and Keep Smiling.

Nigel J Gauder
28th September 2009.

Monday 14th September 2009 - Cairns. Queensland

Hi Folks,

Now at Cairns – Northern Queensland, (Cool Waters Caravan Park) the furthest point North I shall be staying, I intend to be here for a little while, as there are many things to do and see, as I am now bordering the “The Great Barrier Reef” the “Daintree Rain Forest” which are both now a “World Heritage Sites”.

On the Road here I passed, at least 80 miles of both Sugar & Banana Plantations that extended not only along the road-side, but as far inland as one can see. Queensland is known throughout Australia as the Banana Republic, or the people are Banana Benders, having seen great expanses of Sugar and Banana’s I can understand that cliché!

It has been a mass migration here, the “Grey Nomads” are heading south for home, as most of them come north to escape the winter from the States of New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, so they head south as summer returns there.

It is strange to see, as in Mission Beach, Caravan Parks relatively empty and the few remaining Campers pausing, before they start to head for Home, taking up-to 4/6 weeks to make the journey! (Prices should therefore fall steeply?)

The two weeks at Mission Beach, South Mission Beach and Bingil Beach, was a true taste of Paradise, Beaches that one walks everyday and although (together) they are 20 miles long, it is well worth it.

Worth mentioning that on the very last day at Mission, I met on the Beach a Cancer Surgeon who specialised in Melanoma’s, who I persuaded to look me over, he declared that I would have no problems, as I am dark-skinned, but to be careful!

My weight has stabilised at 13 Stone, I had thought that I had gained a little, but no! I am static and feel good for it.

NCS & I had our very first heavy Tropical Storm (“O o O’ Noah didn’t it Rain!) Awoke to a very hot 33° humid morning, but by the afternoon the rain had stopped and the Sun came out (With his hat on!) and things were much improved.

NCS came through Trumps, no leaks, no problems, and started first time when I decided to turn her over! (The motor I mean!), plus for the 1st time I had to refill the gas bottle, which has lasted 6 months, cost A$20 (£10) not bad methinks, but I have no idea how much a Gas bottle should last, or what it cost to refill!! (Idiot!)

For those looking down from Space (Google-Earth) you will be able to see what I mean about the Coastline, very long, white sanded beaches & beautiful Blue Sea’s, I trust I am tempting you to join me? If you look I have left a message written in the Sand, hope you can decipher it?

The presentations to both the Mission Beach Lions, Lioness’s and Rotary Clubs went well and I have for the 18th September the Cairns Rotary Club booked, plus I have to look for other Prides of Lioness’s! As well as The Lions.

I have decided to give Port Douglas, which is about 50 klicks North of Cairns a miss (remember the 1200 Deck chairs?) I have been informed that Port Douglas is the most expensive place in Australia, and with Hotel Accommodation at A$1500 (£900) per night; I cannot see deckchairs being the order of the day there, Can you?

Wildlife: Whilst walking the beach I came across the “Bluebottle Stinger” that will give you a nasty sting, decided to give swimming in the Sea a miss, I shall use the Camp Pool!

Saw the first drowned Wallaby, which was quite shock, but learned that both Kangaroo’s and Wallabies come down to the Sea to drink Sea Water, something about protein!

Spotted my first “Cassowary” (yes I have the photographs?) They have Red Heads, with a hard horn like growth (Crown) on their foreheads, and will attack you if threatened in any way! It is fact that the Male Cassowary is responsible for raising the chicks, so a little confusion reigns about who is in charge!

Again live Kangaroo’s and Wallabies are everywhere and seem very friendly, that is they do not scarper when we (Mankind) is about!

Passed 1,000’s of Egrets following tractors that were tilling the fields, just like we would back home see Seagulls, Parakeets are rife and also Oyster Catchers in abundance.

Miscellaneous: I have formed, here in Cairns, “The 1st Gentlemen’s Detective Agency” cos’ I have to set about finding an ex-colleague that worked for me here in Cairns 20+ years ago.

I had noted in an earlier Blog that my Diaries from working in Australia in the 80’s had been sent ahead of me, which contained all the information on all the people, Companies, telephone numbers et al so that I could touch-base with them during my sojourn!

It was that parcel that the Post Office Lost and with it all the information! That is a Bugger Folks! and believe it or not, I have just come from the PO where a parcel of Sightsavers Literature had been sent ahead for me, they have the PO that is, sent it back to the UK!!!

It has been and will continue to be, a guessing game, if I find him, then the knock on to that will be that he can point me in the direction of everyone else, I hope!

Just a thought, did you know that in 2007, 85 million campsite’s throughout Australia were occupied during that year?, bearing in mind that the population is only 21.5 million, that is a lot of people on the move and bears out my earlier impression that 50% or if the figures are right, all Australians seem to be on the move!

Funnies: Came across a Police Road-Block where they were breathalysing every single motorist, going North or South, I passed Thank God, but the Copper told me that he himself had been done 3 times in a week, I told him “He is obviously a Suspicious type”! What a giggle!

Transportation: Nothing to report, as I have been static for two weeks but Mike for you, Gas/Petrol is at £0.63p per litre.

Telecommunications: As proven many times now, there are huge holes in the coverage of Australia by Vodafone, they are useless, at Mission Beach as in many parts that I have found myself, the need to have access to a mobile signal, can be and has been in some instances absolutely vital.

I have just heard from my Mate “Tim Thomas” that his wife tobe “Jing” has got her immigration Visa, he is flying next week to the Philippines to pick her up and marry her asap. Good Lad that!

For those of you who have reacted to my mentioning “Loneliness” I thank you for your kind thoughts, what I meant was for this kind of trek you need company, it is long and arduous and in some instances lonely, to have someone to debate, argue, discuss those things that you see, would have been fun!

Love to you All.

Nigel J Gauder
Monday 14th September 2009.