On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:36:31 -0500, cshenk wrote:

> "Jeßus" wrote
>> cshenk wrote:
>
>> Sorry about that, I did misread the attributes.

Hmm. I'm beginning to notice something odd going on with this news client
I'm using (Pan). Sometimes it serves up the wrong text body to the
subject header selected, and even the attributions go funny. If I then
click on another header, then quickly return to the original, it comes
good. Strange...

Anyway, moving along...

> Public transport in
>> Australia is not the best outside the major centres, taxis and/or hire
>> cars is really the only way to go - unless you have some locals willing
>> to take you around.
>
> Pretty much the same everywhere unless they have a good trolley sort of
> lineup. Places that come to mind that are easy to get around in: Hong
> Kong, Singapore, San Diego, NY city, Pattaya Beach, (most of the
> thailand vacation spots actually but not sure of all), Manila. Those
> arent the only ones, but they come to mind as not needing a special taxi
> just to gad about.
>
>> What was your impression of Brisbane?
>
> Mixed with Townsville I'm afraid as we went to both in a relatively
> short timeframe.
>
> Mostly I recall one had a big clock and a nice downtown also a nice park
> you could walk to. Restraunts were fairly decent. The other had a big
> mall and lots of nice hotels to stay at and i had the flu and mostly
> stayed at the hotel with a good book but did wander the mall twice.
>
> I'm thinking Brisbane was the one with the tall clock and churches?

Yes, that'd be Brisbane. You would have also noticed the close proximity
of the river, and as you mention, the mall. Shame about the flu, not
something welcomed when you want to be out and about.

> Lots and lots of brick buildings and nice archetecture woth looking at
> as you strll along. Apoligies if i mix cities there. Been to both only
> once.

Nope, sounds to me like you have it right

>> I made the mistake of moving from the Sunshine Coast to Brissie for
>> about two years (2000-2002)... partially for a change of pace (not a
>> rural lifestyle), partially for work. I was so very glad to leave.
>
> Some folks arent suited to city living.

Indeed, and I'm certainly not suited to city, or even urban living for
that matter

> Vacationers normally go to such though for the sights.
>
>
>> Brissie is just plain boring, no beaches, built in an low lying, swampy
>> area - absoultely *awful* climate during summer time as well - hotter
>> and more humid that the far north of the country ever gets
>
> Got there (and Townsville) at a good weather time. I've been to Darwin
> in high summer and that's not at all fun.

I lived in Darwin and surrounding areas for about 17 years all up. There
was a time when I thought I'd never leave... but leave I did eventually.

The heat and humidity never particularly bothered me until I was almost
30 y/o, then it did begin to wear me down. We also had two consequtive
bad 'build-ups' - the period between the 'dry' and 'wet' season -
basically when the heat and humidity builds up but no relie from rain.
Those last couple of years, the 'buildup' just went on and on and on... I
distinctly recall laying in bed at 4AM, sweating away, even with the
ceiling fan going at top speed... I had an impending trip coming up to
visit my cousin in Airlie Beach (Queensland). I suspected I wouldnt
return to the N.T, and I was right. I never did return (aside from
holidays)


Even so, I reckon parts of S.E QLD has worse heat and humidity compared
to Darwin. It certainly gets hotter, it rarely exceeds 35C in Darwin,
whereas S.E QLD can and does get hotter than that, with the humidity as
well.

>> And hands-down the worst drivers in the country... why that is I still
>> don't know.
>
> Hehehe wouldnt know. Was always on foot in OZ. Never bothered with a
> taxi in and around Darwin as all I wanted to see was close enough to
> walk to.

Ever get to Humpty Doo?
I used to live there, and a lot of my family is still there.
Quite a bit more built up now than back in the 1970's thats for sure!

It was a privelege to grow up in such a place and time, absoutely unique.
Near total freedom, in the true sense of the word.
The things we did, the places we went and saw can never be repeated
again, not in the same way, thats for sure. Think of those old generic
films about Africa, and you'll get the idea. It was really like that in
the N.T back in the 1970s. No Lions or elephants, but you know what I
mean... plenty of buffalo and crocs though (which back then feared man
due to hunting).

I now live as far away as is possible to be and yet still be in Australia
(Tasmania). A very different climate, which now suits me perfectly, but
the spirit of the place reminds me of the 'good old days' in the Northern
Territory.