Random Thoughts on Australia

Big Termite Mound

This isn't fair at all - my perceptions of Australia, after being there for only five weeks, are incredibly simple. But often I've found that first perceptions are usually bang on. They can change over time, but it amazes me how many of them hold up.

Having an opinion on someplace you've never been, on course, is ridiculous. And traveling somewhere with a preconception of what it will be like is equally crazy. But now I feel qualified - this was a real trip staying with real people in Oz.

With all this in mind, in no particular order, are my thoughts on what I saw in Queensland, Australia.

• The people, almost without a fault, are incredibly helpful and polite. It's only when Kathryn and I arrived back in Los Angeles you notice the stark difference. Without exception, everyone was kind, helpful, generous and friendly. 
• Offers of help (like spending the night, sleeping on the floor, having a shower, doing the laundry) are genuine. They aren't "just being polite" as we would be back in Canada.
• I get a kick out of Australian toilets. I wish I took a video. They all have two settings - low flow flush for #1, and a more complete flush for #2. I couldn't tell the difference. Both force 150 gallons of water through the toilet. No "swirl" action at all - just like dumping a huge bucket of water down the loo.
• Honking your horn is never done. Everyone driving is really polite. They all wait for each other, let each other merge when it's time to merge, and never seem to get upset. The only horns I heard were buses, when somebody parked themselves at a bus stop and they pulled up behind them.
• Every single vehicle I rode in was a stick - manual transmission. I know there's lots of automatics there too, but there are many, many more sticks there than here at home.
• Their version of "real camping" and our version of "real camping" are different. They drive to every location, where as we might drive to a trailhead. Therefore, light weight isn't really a big deal because your vehicle is right there. The advanced campers like Ben and Kate absolutely love MEC because of this. They are the ultimate light campers - and are a machine to behold when they set up camp or make a meal. 
• Australia has an RV culture much like ours. More tent trailers and small travel trailers, but a handful of motorhomes and fifth wheels as well. Tents, however, are really common - and the roof top tents are something I want to pursue.
• The campgrounds and RV parks are really clean and comfortable. The washrooms are clean (because of the number of people that rely on that service) and everywhere has a shower. Cooking is often done in a common area, which forces you to know your neighbors.
• I think we're more "advanced" in primitive camping etiquette. Digging your own toilet in Australia is common, but the way the waste is handled (ie: TP everywhere) is disgusting. We tend the burn and bury here, and that to me seems a lot safer/cleaner.
• Maybe it was only the slice of people I met, but there is a very big "can-do" attitude among them. They would rather build/make/reuse/fix than buy new. We are a culture of new. They aren't.
• Their cars all have really high mileage compared to ours. You could sell a vehicle with 300,000km on it with no problem. Most of the 4x4's we were in were in the 300k range of mileage, and they did fine. Vehicles are really looked after (again, with my small sample size).
• The distances involved in getting anywhere are very Canada-like. Everyplace seems to be 1000km from every other place. The infrastructure to get there, though, isn't as advanced - more dirt/gravel roads and two-lane highways.
• Drivers are all respectful of speed limits. I never saw the aggressive driving and speed we now take for granted here. Everyone respects the "Work Zone" signs - and slows down for them.

I'm going to have several more "observations" over the next few weeks ... and I'll be posting them as well. I need to digest the trip before I can really describe it.

Will I go back?

We're going for Christmas.