April 27, 2009
April 24, 2009
April 22, 2009
Tuk-Tuk
I wont have the chance now...
But if I ever return to Thailand Im going to buy a tuk-tuk...
Park RIGHT IN FRONT of the first Tuk Tuk driver I see who got some passengers and is ready to drive off; Lets call him Rahmed.
Me: "Hello how are you do you need Tuk Tuk?"
Rahmed: "No thank you, I am a-"
Me: "I show you all the temples, what you wanna see? Angkor wat,wat phramad, wat suharassy, the markets and elephants?"
Rahmed: "No,"
Me: "I show you 8 temples for special price. Special prize for you, just for you, 800 Baht."
Rahmed starts looking angry... and just a slight touch of red...
Rahmed: "I call police now ok?"
Me: "Aaaah, you from Thailand, I hear your accent... I love Thailand, BANGKOOOOK!! Thailand is my friend and special friends get special prize.... 700 Baht for 3 hours temples"!!
Silence...
Rahmeds passengers start murmuring...
Me: "Hello my friends! Do you need tuk-tuk?"
Them: "We are in one allready, if you cou-"
Me: "He is no good driver! Last week I saw him drive over a cute puppy... and he didnt even wear his seatbelt."
Them whispering to each other.
Me: "And... and his mother does it with PIGS!"
Ahmed starts walking towards my tuk-tuk.
I slowly, slowly drive backward keeping just, just out of reach of Ahmed.
The passengers get out of his tuk-tuk and walk off.
Ahmed: "Look what youve done! Customers gone! What are my children going to eat now?"
Me: "Rice bitch, like every other night."
Ahmed drives off, of course I follow him, to his house, so I know where he lives...
Ringing on his doorbell at 4 am: "DO YOU NEED TUK-TUK?"
Because there are more tuk-tuks out there then I can herass alone I would need to start a tuk-tuk business. Hiring some staff for 20 baht an hour. Then go driving with groups of 3, completely surrounding the first tut-tuk you see out there.
Me: "Sir, sir, you need tuk-tuk?"
By now they know me...
Noote: "Get lost, I am IN a fucking tuk-tuk."
Me: "Yeah, but you kinda cant drive to anywhere, youre sort of stuck..."
Noote: "That is because YOU are in my way, get lost."
Me: "Are you sure you dont want a tuk-tuk? I have cheaper rates then you."
Anyway... enough day dreaming.
Songkran
Songkran, like I said, is the Thai new year, celebrated greatly throughout the country with water fights. I find it really really good. Celebrating with the whole city on the streets for four days. Mile after mile where people stand near the river getting buckets of water to throw over each other. Sometimes adding big blocks of ice for the "chill" effect and everyone is (forced) to join in. Either you get a water gun and get your revenge or you are a passuve bystander, you will get wet.
There are as much people throwing water from the back of vans, trucks, 4wd, and scooters as there are standing on the street and it starts from early to about 6 pm. I spend most of the 4 days roaming around Chiang Mai with a watergun, "wishing" everyone a good new year, hehehe.
But if I ever return to Thailand Im going to buy a tuk-tuk...
Park RIGHT IN FRONT of the first Tuk Tuk driver I see who got some passengers and is ready to drive off; Lets call him Rahmed.
Me: "Hello how are you do you need Tuk Tuk?"
Rahmed: "No thank you, I am a-"
Me: "I show you all the temples, what you wanna see? Angkor wat,wat phramad, wat suharassy, the markets and elephants?"
Rahmed: "No,"
Me: "I show you 8 temples for special price. Special prize for you, just for you, 800 Baht."
Rahmed starts looking angry... and just a slight touch of red...
Rahmed: "I call police now ok?"
Me: "Aaaah, you from Thailand, I hear your accent... I love Thailand, BANGKOOOOK!! Thailand is my friend and special friends get special prize.... 700 Baht for 3 hours temples"!!
Silence...
Rahmeds passengers start murmuring...
Me: "Hello my friends! Do you need tuk-tuk?"
Them: "We are in one allready, if you cou-"
Me: "He is no good driver! Last week I saw him drive over a cute puppy... and he didnt even wear his seatbelt."
Them whispering to each other.
Me: "And... and his mother does it with PIGS!"
Ahmed starts walking towards my tuk-tuk.
I slowly, slowly drive backward keeping just, just out of reach of Ahmed.
The passengers get out of his tuk-tuk and walk off.
Ahmed: "Look what youve done! Customers gone! What are my children going to eat now?"
Me: "Rice bitch, like every other night."
Ahmed drives off, of course I follow him, to his house, so I know where he lives...
Ringing on his doorbell at 4 am: "DO YOU NEED TUK-TUK?"
Because there are more tuk-tuks out there then I can herass alone I would need to start a tuk-tuk business. Hiring some staff for 20 baht an hour. Then go driving with groups of 3, completely surrounding the first tut-tuk you see out there.
Me: "Sir, sir, you need tuk-tuk?"
By now they know me...
Noote: "Get lost, I am IN a fucking tuk-tuk."
Me: "Yeah, but you kinda cant drive to anywhere, youre sort of stuck..."
Noote: "That is because YOU are in my way, get lost."
Me: "Are you sure you dont want a tuk-tuk? I have cheaper rates then you."
Anyway... enough day dreaming.
Songkran
Songkran, like I said, is the Thai new year, celebrated greatly throughout the country with water fights. I find it really really good. Celebrating with the whole city on the streets for four days. Mile after mile where people stand near the river getting buckets of water to throw over each other. Sometimes adding big blocks of ice for the "chill" effect and everyone is (forced) to join in. Either you get a water gun and get your revenge or you are a passuve bystander, you will get wet.
There are as much people throwing water from the back of vans, trucks, 4wd, and scooters as there are standing on the street and it starts from early to about 6 pm. I spend most of the 4 days roaming around Chiang Mai with a watergun, "wishing" everyone a good new year, hehehe.
April 12, 2009
April 10, 2009
Thailand
The flights
Were exhausting, with 2 stopovers, no sleep the day before...
I spend some time at the airport, because I arrived at 23:50 and didnt want to get stuck in the city not being able to find a place to sleep. So after drinking some coffee, some reading and 2 hours sleep I took the bus to Bangkok where I arrived at 6:00.
Bangkok
Is great; I expected it to be a world of difference compared to Australia and it is. It is huge; while it would be allmost impossible to get lost in Australia, I could get lost in Bangkok for the reason that I dont read and speak Thai, and a very very small amount of the Thai people I met so far is able to utter a few words of Engrish.
Further it is a lot of opposites, beautifull buildings and temples as well as poor buildings with tinnen roofs. Beautifull water and parks as well as garbage piled up at a lot of streets. A lot of 4wd and other expensice cars, tuktuks, busses, taxis... I think you dont need a drivers license here to get on the road. Crossing the road feels like frogger; great fun... too bad you have only one life.
Markets
Everywhere, really everywhere are markets; Im glad Im not here with my mother and/or sister... hehehe. It is that I dont really need anything and can walk past allmost any stall without standing still, but there are So Much Stalls... labyrints of them... all selling cheap, really cheap cooked food, fruit, watches, clothing, alive fishies, lots of meat... its fun even for me just to walk around.
I was reluctant to try the food on the streets but Im getting the hang of it. Alltough Im not sure if I eat more healthier then in Australia; alltough all the food is fresh, Im not allways sure what it is that is fresh.... But so far no problems :) Actually, so far all the food really tastes great.
The only thing annoying here
Is that Im white... Ive walked past a few places where I felt just a little out of place, being the onlz white face and some people staring at me a little... what are zou (btw, when I tzpe a y on the kezboard I get an z, and vice versa, so from now on a y is a z and a z is y, ok?) doing here? But im having fun and im still alive. Wheeeee!
And suddenly I have lots of 'friends' with me being the walking ATM... can get a bit annoying when they try and try and try and try.
I bought a train ticket
After a day of walking randomly around in Bangkok I just picked a place on the map and bought a train ticket to it (about 30 euro cents for a 1.5 hour train ride... damn) I choose Ayutthaya. Alltough it is beautifull; a city surrounded by water and about 20 temples... I encounter here what I tried to avoid in Australia: Tourists, theyre just like flies, allways there where you dont want them to be annoying you. If I would stay a bit longer I would make sure I was able to travel indepently to get out of the tourist scene, but...
Chang Mai
13 to 15 april New Year is celebrated here, and apparantly the place to be (and the place Ill be) is Chang Mai. So Im choosing another city to go tomorrow, and the day after I want to arrive in Chang Mai to partaaaayyyyy....
Were exhausting, with 2 stopovers, no sleep the day before...
I spend some time at the airport, because I arrived at 23:50 and didnt want to get stuck in the city not being able to find a place to sleep. So after drinking some coffee, some reading and 2 hours sleep I took the bus to Bangkok where I arrived at 6:00.
Bangkok
Is great; I expected it to be a world of difference compared to Australia and it is. It is huge; while it would be allmost impossible to get lost in Australia, I could get lost in Bangkok for the reason that I dont read and speak Thai, and a very very small amount of the Thai people I met so far is able to utter a few words of Engrish.
Further it is a lot of opposites, beautifull buildings and temples as well as poor buildings with tinnen roofs. Beautifull water and parks as well as garbage piled up at a lot of streets. A lot of 4wd and other expensice cars, tuktuks, busses, taxis... I think you dont need a drivers license here to get on the road. Crossing the road feels like frogger; great fun... too bad you have only one life.
Markets
Everywhere, really everywhere are markets; Im glad Im not here with my mother and/or sister... hehehe. It is that I dont really need anything and can walk past allmost any stall without standing still, but there are So Much Stalls... labyrints of them... all selling cheap, really cheap cooked food, fruit, watches, clothing, alive fishies, lots of meat... its fun even for me just to walk around.
I was reluctant to try the food on the streets but Im getting the hang of it. Alltough Im not sure if I eat more healthier then in Australia; alltough all the food is fresh, Im not allways sure what it is that is fresh.... But so far no problems :) Actually, so far all the food really tastes great.
The only thing annoying here
Is that Im white... Ive walked past a few places where I felt just a little out of place, being the onlz white face and some people staring at me a little... what are zou (btw, when I tzpe a y on the kezboard I get an z, and vice versa, so from now on a y is a z and a z is y, ok?) doing here? But im having fun and im still alive. Wheeeee!
And suddenly I have lots of 'friends' with me being the walking ATM... can get a bit annoying when they try and try and try and try.
I bought a train ticket
After a day of walking randomly around in Bangkok I just picked a place on the map and bought a train ticket to it (about 30 euro cents for a 1.5 hour train ride... damn) I choose Ayutthaya. Alltough it is beautifull; a city surrounded by water and about 20 temples... I encounter here what I tried to avoid in Australia: Tourists, theyre just like flies, allways there where you dont want them to be annoying you. If I would stay a bit longer I would make sure I was able to travel indepently to get out of the tourist scene, but...
Chang Mai
13 to 15 april New Year is celebrated here, and apparantly the place to be (and the place Ill be) is Chang Mai. So Im choosing another city to go tomorrow, and the day after I want to arrive in Chang Mai to partaaaayyyyy....
April 8, 2009
Thailand
After 3 flights I arrived safely in Bangkok.
And after sleeping for 13 hours Im 热阿 。/
Eggrr, Im ready to go explore, bai :)
And after sleeping for 13 hours Im 热阿 。/
Eggrr, Im ready to go explore, bai :)
April 5, 2009
Away from this hell-hole
Not converted, yet
Don`t worry guys, I`m still converted to Krishnaity.
In fact...
I`ve been "kicked out"... hehehe
After a few weeks at the Krishna farm with regular trips away to beaches other backpacker places, party`s and Byron Bay I was asked to leave. Mooooooo
The reason was to make room for other backpackers to give them a chance to visit the farm as well, but I also overheard some arguments about "playing non-deviotional music" (fe: Pink Floyd), "the backpackers not paying any rent" and me not wanting to work for someone who wanted to organise to wwoofers. Anyway, I was welcome to come back anytime and saying goodbye to a few people I spent a lot of time with was nice, so it wasnt that bad. I really enjoyed my time there.
Brunswick Heads
The last couple of days I spent in Brunswick Heads, a non-tourist town next to the sea. I visited Siegfried and his SAE schoolmates, playing a lot of music, ping pong, chess and simultanously enjoying the huge amount of rain.
Thailand and Home
And now I`m in Brisbane, waiting for my flight to leave to Taipei, then a one hour wait, and then I`m in Thailand. Alltough I`ve been in Australia for allmost a year it doesn`t feel that bad to leave. I`m looking forward to traveling in Thailand for two weeks and also looking forward to being back in the Netherlands again. Alltough I still don`t know how it will work out when I get back home; I`m sure it will.
I don`t have any travel plans for Thailand yet. I`ll just arrive there, put all my excess luggage into storage for two weeks and then start traveling with only a small backpack and my guitar (if it arrives in one piece...)
Don`t worry guys, I`m still converted to Krishnaity.
In fact...
I`ve been "kicked out"... hehehe
After a few weeks at the Krishna farm with regular trips away to beaches other backpacker places, party`s and Byron Bay I was asked to leave. Mooooooo
The reason was to make room for other backpackers to give them a chance to visit the farm as well, but I also overheard some arguments about "playing non-deviotional music" (fe: Pink Floyd), "the backpackers not paying any rent" and me not wanting to work for someone who wanted to organise to wwoofers. Anyway, I was welcome to come back anytime and saying goodbye to a few people I spent a lot of time with was nice, so it wasnt that bad. I really enjoyed my time there.
Brunswick Heads
The last couple of days I spent in Brunswick Heads, a non-tourist town next to the sea. I visited Siegfried and his SAE schoolmates, playing a lot of music, ping pong, chess and simultanously enjoying the huge amount of rain.
Thailand and Home
And now I`m in Brisbane, waiting for my flight to leave to Taipei, then a one hour wait, and then I`m in Thailand. Alltough I`ve been in Australia for allmost a year it doesn`t feel that bad to leave. I`m looking forward to traveling in Thailand for two weeks and also looking forward to being back in the Netherlands again. Alltough I still don`t know how it will work out when I get back home; I`m sure it will.
I don`t have any travel plans for Thailand yet. I`ll just arrive there, put all my excess luggage into storage for two weeks and then start traveling with only a small backpack and my guitar (if it arrives in one piece...)
March 11, 2009
Krishna`s
Flight details
So, I`m not in Thailand yet, because of having a lot of fun at the Krishna`s I postpned my flight for two weeks; I`m now leaving the 8th of april to Thailand, and the 22nd of april to the Netherlands. It is a lot more "hectic" then the last time I visited, but I like it. Here are my flights...
DATE FLIGHT AIRPORT FROM/TO TIME CLASS STATUS
7APR CI 54 BNE-BRISBANE 1035 M CONFIRMED7APR TPE-TAIPEI 1735
7APR CI 643 TPE-TAIPEI 1840 M CONFIRMED7APR BKK-BANGKOK 2340
22APR CI 65 BKK-BANGKOK 0225 M CONFIRMED22APR AMS-AMSTERDAM 0910
Making garlens
PJ is the one who taught and is still teaching me guitar, besides playing we go to Murwillumbah once in a while, went to the rainbow temple with him and Michael. I also helped making garlens... (flower necklaces) for the Deity`s. Basically that involved standing on top of the roof picking flowers at night without being seen by the people that live around it, and me on top of the roof while PJ driving, very cautiously of course... very cautiously.
Rainbow temple
Like I said we went to the rainbow temple as well. A non-religious temple (everyone is welcome). A wooden structure of 4 floors in the middle of the rainforest with lots of levels, wooden stairs, open spaces; beautifull! And what made it even more better is the people that stay there; a lot of people play a music instrument. There I also met Or and Sheron. I went to the markets with them, helping them setup their store and basking a little with Or. Good fun.
Krishna work
On the Krishna Farm I help mostly around the temple, cleaning a little, dishes, or if the weather has been dry working in the garden. Not too hard, not too much, just the way I like it ;-) And all the people are still as talkative as 10 months ago (even some new peopel who are even worse...)
Festivals
Also two girls came to the Krishna`s to WWOOF; Sandy and Louise, both eat only raw food and get by with it. Went to a didge party in Uki with them and Harmony Day in Byron Bay, both great, both. Lots of fun to hang around with.
No good stories or pictures this time, but at least you know where I am ;-)
So, I`m not in Thailand yet, because of having a lot of fun at the Krishna`s I postpned my flight for two weeks; I`m now leaving the 8th of april to Thailand, and the 22nd of april to the Netherlands. It is a lot more "hectic" then the last time I visited, but I like it. Here are my flights...
DATE FLIGHT AIRPORT FROM/TO TIME CLASS STATUS
7APR CI 54 BNE-BRISBANE 1035 M CONFIRMED7APR TPE-TAIPEI 1735
7APR CI 643 TPE-TAIPEI 1840 M CONFIRMED7APR BKK-BANGKOK 2340
22APR CI 65 BKK-BANGKOK 0225 M CONFIRMED22APR AMS-AMSTERDAM 0910
Making garlens
PJ is the one who taught and is still teaching me guitar, besides playing we go to Murwillumbah once in a while, went to the rainbow temple with him and Michael. I also helped making garlens... (flower necklaces) for the Deity`s. Basically that involved standing on top of the roof picking flowers at night without being seen by the people that live around it, and me on top of the roof while PJ driving, very cautiously of course... very cautiously.
Rainbow temple
Like I said we went to the rainbow temple as well. A non-religious temple (everyone is welcome). A wooden structure of 4 floors in the middle of the rainforest with lots of levels, wooden stairs, open spaces; beautifull! And what made it even more better is the people that stay there; a lot of people play a music instrument. There I also met Or and Sheron. I went to the markets with them, helping them setup their store and basking a little with Or. Good fun.
Krishna work
On the Krishna Farm I help mostly around the temple, cleaning a little, dishes, or if the weather has been dry working in the garden. Not too hard, not too much, just the way I like it ;-) And all the people are still as talkative as 10 months ago (even some new peopel who are even worse...)
Festivals
Also two girls came to the Krishna`s to WWOOF; Sandy and Louise, both eat only raw food and get by with it. Went to a didge party in Uki with them and Harmony Day in Byron Bay, both great, both. Lots of fun to hang around with.
No good stories or pictures this time, but at least you know where I am ;-)
March 5, 2009
All good!
I`m too busy and too little near a computer the last couple of days to do a good posting.
But in short;
- I sold my car!
- For allmost double the price I bought it for...
- I endured the bus travel from Brisbane to Murwillumbah.
- I`m back at the Hare Krishna`s.
- Was great to catch up with the people I met 10 months ago.
- The guy I had guitar lessons from at that time said I improved nicely, and we started playing again.
- My birthday was Great; I spent allmost the whole day playing keyboards with 5 other musicians, jamming and rehearsing songs.
Later....
But in short;
- I sold my car!
- For allmost double the price I bought it for...
- I endured the bus travel from Brisbane to Murwillumbah.
- I`m back at the Hare Krishna`s.
- Was great to catch up with the people I met 10 months ago.
- The guy I had guitar lessons from at that time said I improved nicely, and we started playing again.
- My birthday was Great; I spent allmost the whole day playing keyboards with 5 other musicians, jamming and rehearsing songs.
Later....
February 3, 2009
Townsville to Brisbane
From Townsville to...
When I left Townsville I had bad weather for 2 weeks; allmost continues rain and a lot of small floods. I dont mind the bad weather, it is still warm enough to be comfortable and even seeing places and walking in the rain isnt that bad in these temperatures. Also, it is really a lot of fun to race through deep puddles of water with 80k`s an hour with my car. I can`t say that I try to avoid those pools of laughter. A lot of times it felt like driving over a big long dyke: both sides of the road being underwater. Which, funnily enough, was abused by aussies parking at the sides of the highway and fishing from the road...
And surely... 60 k`s after Townsville I encountered a lot of cars... the road was flooded.
After making myself comfortable in my car; a nice book, King Crimson as background music and sitting here for about 4 hours the road was cleared. When I started my car, no wait; when i tried to start my car it didnt work! After trying every trick I know as mechanic (I turned the key 90 degrees mostly) some other stranded people helped me push my car to the side of the road where I had a good night sleep. (seriously, no sleeping problems here)
After waking up (not before) I pondered allready about the possible costs... towing truck, mechanic, parts needing to be replaced... but after I tried to start it, it worked! To be sure it won`t happen again I went to a mechanic who asked me if I had driven through water. Me: "Not through deep water, I might have catched some spray here and there though, cough".
After that I drove to Mackay without any problems.
Mackay revisited
Seeing the people I lived close to for two months was really fun. I spent a whole morning listening to storm stories, cyclones, floods, people dont giving a fuck about the environment, plans of living in a van and in New Zealand... still fun.
In Mackay I enquired about floods around; there being none I decided to travel inland. I traveled to Nebo (Couldn`t camp here because the road was flooded)
Mackay to Brisbane
Mackay to:
--> Clermont (Dam camping)
--> Emerald
--> Springsure
--> Rollestone (I better fuel up here...)
--> Carnavon National Park - picture 2
--> Injune
--> Roma (With the windmill being the only tourist attraction - because I made a picture of it)
--> Miles
--> Chinchilla
--> Dalby
--> Bell
--> Bunya National Park
--> Maidenhill
--> Nanango
--> Goomeri
--> Gympie (Being on familiar ground from here)
--> Pomona (Revisited the Vipassana centre for 2 days)
--> Brisbane... covering about 2000k`s in a little more then a week.
The driving was terrific, having finally good weather again. I can imagine it being boring if you are a trucky going along the same road continuesly, but I didn`t mind driving at all. You can drive for 50 k`s without having to steer; one long road with little greenery on both sides of it. Only a lot of green-yellow grass and patches of trees.
Photo album of above linked pictures: CLICK
When I left Townsville I had bad weather for 2 weeks; allmost continues rain and a lot of small floods. I dont mind the bad weather, it is still warm enough to be comfortable and even seeing places and walking in the rain isnt that bad in these temperatures. Also, it is really a lot of fun to race through deep puddles of water with 80k`s an hour with my car. I can`t say that I try to avoid those pools of laughter. A lot of times it felt like driving over a big long dyke: both sides of the road being underwater. Which, funnily enough, was abused by aussies parking at the sides of the highway and fishing from the road...
And surely... 60 k`s after Townsville I encountered a lot of cars... the road was flooded.
After making myself comfortable in my car; a nice book, King Crimson as background music and sitting here for about 4 hours the road was cleared. When I started my car, no wait; when i tried to start my car it didnt work! After trying every trick I know as mechanic (I turned the key 90 degrees mostly) some other stranded people helped me push my car to the side of the road where I had a good night sleep. (seriously, no sleeping problems here)
After waking up (not before) I pondered allready about the possible costs... towing truck, mechanic, parts needing to be replaced... but after I tried to start it, it worked! To be sure it won`t happen again I went to a mechanic who asked me if I had driven through water. Me: "Not through deep water, I might have catched some spray here and there though, cough".
After that I drove to Mackay without any problems.
Mackay revisited
Seeing the people I lived close to for two months was really fun. I spent a whole morning listening to storm stories, cyclones, floods, people dont giving a fuck about the environment, plans of living in a van and in New Zealand... still fun.
In Mackay I enquired about floods around; there being none I decided to travel inland. I traveled to Nebo (Couldn`t camp here because the road was flooded)
Mackay to Brisbane
Mackay to:
--> Clermont (Dam camping)
--> Emerald
--> Springsure
--> Rollestone (I better fuel up here...)
--> Carnavon National Park - picture 2
--> Injune
--> Roma (With the windmill being the only tourist attraction - because I made a picture of it)
--> Miles
--> Chinchilla
--> Dalby
--> Bell
--> Bunya National Park
--> Maidenhill
--> Nanango
--> Goomeri
--> Gympie (Being on familiar ground from here)
--> Pomona (Revisited the Vipassana centre for 2 days)
--> Brisbane... covering about 2000k`s in a little more then a week.
The driving was terrific, having finally good weather again. I can imagine it being boring if you are a trucky going along the same road continuesly, but I didn`t mind driving at all. You can drive for 50 k`s without having to steer; one long road with little greenery on both sides of it. Only a lot of green-yellow grass and patches of trees.
Photo album of above linked pictures: CLICK
February 1, 2009
Pics
Sweet!
I`m in Townsville now, and leaving it today.
Traveling South goes a lot faster for me then north so far...
And... I got my camera back!
That tattoo on my forehead was going to be a surprise when I get back to the Netherlands, but now i might upload some pics before that time... ;-)
Bai
I`m in Townsville now, and leaving it today.
Traveling South goes a lot faster for me then north so far...
And... I got my camera back!
That tattoo on my forehead was going to be a surprise when I get back to the Netherlands, but now i might upload some pics before that time... ;-)
Bai
January 27, 2009
Soda Springs
Cairns to Lakeland
Seeing an add in Cairns:
I decided to take a look and give it a go.
(It later turned out the light work wasnt light work... and the snorkelling was in a river which was 2 metres deep at most and the only way to see your hands under water was to put them on your face... so much for snorkeling...)
The coastal drive from Cairns to the north was beautiful; you drive with rain forest right on your left side and the sea right on your right side; right. Lots of beaches with huge boulders and palm trees around it, little waterfalls and more. After about 100 k`s I went inland to go to Lakeland. Went over a couple of mountains, across a lot of hills and then finally after about 200 k you end up in the middle of nowhere; Lakeland. A really small town if you realize it`s got nothing close to a town 80 k`s next to it. The only 3 shops are a bar, a fuel station and a internet cafe... eerie.
Croc farm
Half on the way I visited a crocodile farm... they farm altogether over 3000 crocs. The place is divided into the farm and the zoo where they keep crocs you can watch and other animals as well. I saw... lots of animals that day and a show where they feed a croc and toy around with it, telling some of its features and reply questions (If a dolphin would fight with a crocodile, who would win?) and later on a snake show. Was goooood.
Soda Springs
So after driving for a long while I arrive at the farm called Soda Springs, meeting aaaaallll the people there: Nena, Kevin and Noel, with Nena being the only other backpacker and Kevin and Noel living there permanently.
The location is awesome, from the house you have a view over a few mountains, allways lots of cattle in sight and at the moment everything is blue, ehr... i mean green. Though that changes a lot if you arrive in the other season. The house itself... lets say it is good I lived on my own for a few years to prepare me... A lot of small vermin (I`ve never seen so much flies clustered together), everything is unclean, the towels used to dry the dishes with I wouldn`t use to clean my car, and for the rest just general mess lying everywhere. Too bad they misuse such a beautifull place to live.
I wont tell too much about working there, because... well, it sucked. What a world of difference compared to the Hare Krishna`s... I was working (at least) 5 hours per day, and doing definately not light work. And the Hare Krishna belief that you look like and act the animals you eat... I still don`t believe it completely, but after seeing Noel eat so much pig... huhm... (Meeeeaaaannnn!)
And then you would think or hope that you would learn something when you work at a place like that; something about animals, trees, machinery, or whatever. But I dont think i learned that much there, at least not while working. I think it might have something to do with the kind of work I did...
- Picking weeds
- Moving hay from one of the paddocks to the garden
- Hammering on one piece of oiled gear for over an hour, really
- Picking up metal parts, left there like 2 years ago
- Rockpicking... really, rockpicking...
Even that kind of work can be worth doing sometimes, but at least 50% of it could have been avoided if they either clean up their mess after they`re done with it (I sound like my mother... huhm) or if they actually plan something in advance. The other thing; I dont think I`ve heard a "please" or "thank you" in any sentence uttered by Noel, ever. I could write a lot more of those niceties, but I`ll write the fun parts instead ;-)
Horse riding
So after doing about 5 hours of work Nina and I got the whole afternoon free to do whatever. so after a few days there I had my first day of horseback riding. After one afternoon in the paddocks to test my ribs out we went into the open fields. Riding around there is great; you got a view over the mountain range and riding around trees, cows, sheep and roos; ducking below branches and crossing creeks.
The creek crossing was pretty exciting; the horse wants to get over it as soon as possible and starts moving pretty quick when its almost over. I mean; how would you feel when you cross a small river walking through sand and water with 80 kilos on your back urging you to hurry?
On the last day she told me that at a riding school it usually takes 6 months before they let you cant (gallop). Eep.
Guitar playing
So to "trade" for the horse riding lessons I taught a little guitar; actually a farm is a bad place for that... the only positive comments were from me; cows booing; chickens chuckling, sheep meckering... But still a lot of fun.
Cooktown
After a couple of days work we took a day off, went to Cooktown. Alltough it was Australia Day (National holiday, all shops are closed...) it was still very good. Did some walking through the town into the rainforest and across the beaches and visited Hilly Grass Lookout, a 360 degrees lookout over the ocean, Cooktown itself and a lighthouse.
After that went to look for a swimming spot; the days are hot here; it can be over 35 celcius in the shade... swimming isnt a bad idea with those temparatures... After some driving we came across the Lions Den, so we went for a feed instead. And... they had a piano... I couldnt resist :) After playing (and getting compliments, positive ones! (Is that a pleonasm?)) we found a good place for some swimming and rockhopping; Anna`s Gorge.
And another plus side: Nina had a camera, so if all goes well I`ll upload some pictures soon.
Christmas stories
So far I only wrote my own stories (makes sense, doesnt it?), but this one is too good not to mention;
While Nina was there for a good 6 weeks, Christmas was getting closer, and because Kevin was celebrating with his family she and Noel were the only two on the farm.
So when the day finally arrives:
Nina: "Merry christmas Noel".
Noel: "Christmas is just another fucking day".
Sweeeeeeeeeeet.
Mossman`s gorge
After saying goodbye I was off south again... going slowly back to Brisbane where my plane leaves the end of march to Thailand where I stay for about a month.
Arriving at Mossman I went to visit Mossman`s Gorge; World Heritage National Park.
Did the walking track there and a lot of swimming. The water is perfect for swimming on hot days; alltough it comes from the mountains it isn`t ice cold, it`s nice cold.
Seeing an add in Cairns:
Food and accommodation in exchange for light work on a farm -
You can hike, snorkel, horse ride, swim!!
I decided to take a look and give it a go.
(It later turned out the light work wasnt light work... and the snorkelling was in a river which was 2 metres deep at most and the only way to see your hands under water was to put them on your face... so much for snorkeling...)
The coastal drive from Cairns to the north was beautiful; you drive with rain forest right on your left side and the sea right on your right side; right. Lots of beaches with huge boulders and palm trees around it, little waterfalls and more. After about 100 k`s I went inland to go to Lakeland. Went over a couple of mountains, across a lot of hills and then finally after about 200 k you end up in the middle of nowhere; Lakeland. A really small town if you realize it`s got nothing close to a town 80 k`s next to it. The only 3 shops are a bar, a fuel station and a internet cafe... eerie.
Croc farm
Half on the way I visited a crocodile farm... they farm altogether over 3000 crocs. The place is divided into the farm and the zoo where they keep crocs you can watch and other animals as well. I saw... lots of animals that day and a show where they feed a croc and toy around with it, telling some of its features and reply questions (If a dolphin would fight with a crocodile, who would win?) and later on a snake show. Was goooood.
Soda Springs
So after driving for a long while I arrive at the farm called Soda Springs, meeting aaaaallll the people there: Nena, Kevin and Noel, with Nena being the only other backpacker and Kevin and Noel living there permanently.
The location is awesome, from the house you have a view over a few mountains, allways lots of cattle in sight and at the moment everything is blue, ehr... i mean green. Though that changes a lot if you arrive in the other season. The house itself... lets say it is good I lived on my own for a few years to prepare me... A lot of small vermin (I`ve never seen so much flies clustered together), everything is unclean, the towels used to dry the dishes with I wouldn`t use to clean my car, and for the rest just general mess lying everywhere. Too bad they misuse such a beautifull place to live.
I wont tell too much about working there, because... well, it sucked. What a world of difference compared to the Hare Krishna`s... I was working (at least) 5 hours per day, and doing definately not light work. And the Hare Krishna belief that you look like and act the animals you eat... I still don`t believe it completely, but after seeing Noel eat so much pig... huhm... (Meeeeaaaannnn!)
And then you would think or hope that you would learn something when you work at a place like that; something about animals, trees, machinery, or whatever. But I dont think i learned that much there, at least not while working. I think it might have something to do with the kind of work I did...
- Picking weeds
- Moving hay from one of the paddocks to the garden
- Hammering on one piece of oiled gear for over an hour, really
- Picking up metal parts, left there like 2 years ago
- Rockpicking... really, rockpicking...
Even that kind of work can be worth doing sometimes, but at least 50% of it could have been avoided if they either clean up their mess after they`re done with it (I sound like my mother... huhm) or if they actually plan something in advance. The other thing; I dont think I`ve heard a "please" or "thank you" in any sentence uttered by Noel, ever. I could write a lot more of those niceties, but I`ll write the fun parts instead ;-)
Horse riding
So after doing about 5 hours of work Nina and I got the whole afternoon free to do whatever. so after a few days there I had my first day of horseback riding. After one afternoon in the paddocks to test my ribs out we went into the open fields. Riding around there is great; you got a view over the mountain range and riding around trees, cows, sheep and roos; ducking below branches and crossing creeks.
The creek crossing was pretty exciting; the horse wants to get over it as soon as possible and starts moving pretty quick when its almost over. I mean; how would you feel when you cross a small river walking through sand and water with 80 kilos on your back urging you to hurry?
On the last day she told me that at a riding school it usually takes 6 months before they let you cant (gallop). Eep.
Guitar playing
So to "trade" for the horse riding lessons I taught a little guitar; actually a farm is a bad place for that... the only positive comments were from me; cows booing; chickens chuckling, sheep meckering... But still a lot of fun.
Cooktown
After a couple of days work we took a day off, went to Cooktown. Alltough it was Australia Day (National holiday, all shops are closed...) it was still very good. Did some walking through the town into the rainforest and across the beaches and visited Hilly Grass Lookout, a 360 degrees lookout over the ocean, Cooktown itself and a lighthouse.
After that went to look for a swimming spot; the days are hot here; it can be over 35 celcius in the shade... swimming isnt a bad idea with those temparatures... After some driving we came across the Lions Den, so we went for a feed instead. And... they had a piano... I couldnt resist :) After playing (and getting compliments, positive ones! (Is that a pleonasm?)) we found a good place for some swimming and rockhopping; Anna`s Gorge.
And another plus side: Nina had a camera, so if all goes well I`ll upload some pictures soon.
Christmas stories
So far I only wrote my own stories (makes sense, doesnt it?), but this one is too good not to mention;
While Nina was there for a good 6 weeks, Christmas was getting closer, and because Kevin was celebrating with his family she and Noel were the only two on the farm.
So when the day finally arrives:
Nina: "Merry christmas Noel".
Noel: "Christmas is just another fucking day".
Sweeeeeeeeeeet.
Mossman`s gorge
After saying goodbye I was off south again... going slowly back to Brisbane where my plane leaves the end of march to Thailand where I stay for about a month.
Arriving at Mossman I went to visit Mossman`s Gorge; World Heritage National Park.
Did the walking track there and a lot of swimming. The water is perfect for swimming on hot days; alltough it comes from the mountains it isn`t ice cold, it`s nice cold.
January 12, 2009
Cairns
Vengeance is mine, and I will repay
From Caleb (Who invited me for last Christmas) I got the book "the Message", it`s a new testament bible told in today’s words. So I started reading the first chapters, mostly pretty familiar; but more in detail since the last time I read it (a children’s bible). Though different text, the message still has a lot of similarities with the child`s version and other "bibles" I`ve read. Don’t do to others what you don’t want done to yourself, giving, turning the other cheek...
So I`m sitting in Cairns, sipping from my cappuccino reading a little when a bum comes up and asks for some money, for food. Thinking (almost knowing the way he walks) that the food will be in a liquid form I ask if he doesn’t get dole money from the government, or why he doesn’t work, like I did for my money... getting only murmurs and still asking for some money I thought: 'Ok, let’s try that bible thing out, as Jesus said: "If you give, you will never regret it"'. So I gave him some money, he thanks me and wonders off...
So after doing that good deed I expected, I dunno, a sign from God that he approves, a big light or something... or maybe a bigger guitar falling from the back of a truck to prove I won’t regret giving the money... nothing of that really. Instead I walk back to my car and notice that it`s been broken into (again).
Thanks...
Luckily all the thief took was some money, all my cd music (I hope he has good taste...) and my toilet bag to put the money in - he left my guitar and car radio.
Waterfalls
So after reporting that I left Cairns to do the Waterfall route - a 300 km route around the Atherton tablelands.
The first day I climb Mount Walsh, a pyramid shaped mountain. Although it isn’t even a km high (950ish) I can’t remember the last time I was that exhausted, the only "path" is that it is marked, but no stairs or pavement or anything.
Over the next couple of days I saw a lot of waterfalls. At the moment it`s the wet season here, and the good thing about that is the size of the waterfalls is bigger than just the mere trickle it is in wintertime (the dry season). At most places you can swim in the water, as long as it is reasonably certain that you don`t fall down 80 meters off the waterfall :). Whee.
Piano paying off
Still on the waterfall way I come across 2 lakes (maars), former by former volcanoes. In one of them (Lake Eacham) I take a swim, see some nice fishies and a turtle. And at the other there is a beautiful restaurant... with a piano! So after ordering my cappuccino (hopefully no beggars here...) I ask if I can play a little, and I can. Getting some nice comments on my playing (even my photo taken ;-)) I also get some free scones from the bar - finally all my years of practicing have been paid off! Was really nice.
Rock wallabies
After that I traveled around lake Tinaroo I ended up in Atherton where I saw the remains of a Chinese temple which was disappointing. I went to Tolga where I took a look in a woodcrafter which made up for the Chinese temple. After that I tried to go the wetlands at Mareeba. But as the name says; while trying to get there I come across a flowing river which cuts off the entrance... touché.
So instead I went to the granite Rocks more south of Mareeba. By now it had rained a lot for the last couple of days... the bridges that you can normally walk on at the granite Rocks are all flooded. It`s actually really beautiful to see a river flooding so hugely. I walked up the boulders, jumping over streams from boulder to boulder like a 12 year old kid, was great. I also saw some rock wallabies around the rocks, they move way to fluent, and can climb insanely... moving really fast and secure.
I found them less elegant when they woke me up at 2 am jumping on my car - not kidding.
Charlotte and 4 wheel drives
On my way back to Cairns, meeting a girl who maybe wants to travel north, it really started pouring down. I decided to camp at Davies. Arriving there with no problems I walk around a little, take a look at the waterfall, cook a little and play guitar, and then go to sleep. I wake up around 4am because of the heavy rain, thunder and wind and sadly stay awake.
So I started driving back to the highway at 6 am, but after driving just a few kilometers I see a small river. Hey! That wasn’t here yesterday... seems the rain was quite heavy. I walk out of my car; take a look at the water... "meh, doesn’t look that deep".
Though I don’t exactly have a 4WD. The only 4WD about my car is that it has 4 wheels... and it drives...
I get back into the car and started driving... pedal to the metal. Went pretty easy, and the big water movement on both sides of the car looks pretty. So I climb up to the next hill, over it, down it, Damnit! There is another one...
I can’t see the bottom of it so I wade across... almost knee deep... huhm...
So I turn on the radio, hear about Charlotte (the cyclone) raving through further north Queensland and a lot of roads blocked, drainage problems, water moving into houses, super high tides... and wait.
After reading for a hour still no car from either side passed,
After another 30 minutes still nothing,
So I gathered my nerves and just decided to try it, thinking it shouldn’t be a problem for a really heavy car only resting on 4 points to drive across a little creek. And luckily it worked out okay.
After that I drove to Kuranda, had a second look at the Barren river. Last week when I was here it was just a trickle of water... I think it was at least 5 times the magnitude - a big thunder of water crushing down for a few hundred meters. I don’t think I would be allowed (or willing...) to swim in there.
So now I`m back in Cairns, seeing if someone wants to travel north. I will be waiting for the weather to calm down a little, and then on the road again. I just heard that over the last 24 hours, over 450 mm of water has fallen...
Pen vs. camera - a thousand words
I hope the amount of text made up a little for the lack of photographs. I`m sorry I can`t show you the pictures of my face after the car break in, rock wallabies jumping on my car or a movie of me going full speed through the river...
Soon hopefully
Links:
Cyclone
Granite Gorge
Lake Barrine
Atherton Tablelands
Barren river waterfall
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