A few weeks ago I took the Sealink from Cape Jervis in South Australia to Kangaroo Island. Most of the passengers came from Europe, were all snugged up for the sea crossing and had an inherent interest for the outdoors, wildlife and adventure. Visitors on the Sealink can either drive in their own vehicles or join group tours operted by Sealink itself. Some stay overnight or longer on Kangaroo Island, others take the fully packed and time tight day tour on a circuit round the isle.
I joined the one day coach tour operated by Sealink itself. The lunchtime caterers for a sit down meal were friendly and food served was within our expectations for that kind of location. Around 1200 people currently populate Kangaroo Island, which has no industries but lots of land, wind and native or introduced animals. Human tourists can watch animals roaming mostly free in the habitat rather than in cages or fenced off areas. My best experience on the island was the effective and friendly interaction provided by the so-called wild bird demonstration in a clearing in the bush. The birds are not truly free, but seemed happy and well fed.
Time was already running short for one day trippers who chose the Sealink tour package and yet it was wasted in two significant ways.
Takeway food was not pre-packaged and made available on board to coach passengers as part of the ticket price. Why have a group of fifty people queuing and huddling in one small cafe with passing rain falling outside? It induces unnecessary tension on both the cafe providers and customers who were obviously in a hurry. This was especially critical in the hour before the Sealink ferry was scheduled to go back to the mainland in the evening.
Many felt the effects of unnecesary petty bureaucracy in requring the Sealink coach driver issue small laminated cards to disembarking or arriving passengers (for both the ferry and mainland bus services). These are customers who have already fully paid in advance and confirmed as valid clients of the tour service. Why not have the necessary passes issued to them when they pay upfront? It turned out that our coach driver even ran out of the laminated cards for the full busload of passengers in our coach.
Eco-tourism has to be balanced with not treating the group tour passengers in a condescending way. Some passengers of my Sealink coach tour realised that they had to make their way to the Adelaide central bus depot by themselves in the wee dawn hours, whilst others had the privilege of being picked up from their hotels. This was a very un-Australian way of doing things - you must treat all customers in the same manner if they are charged at the same ticket price.
In addition, going forward, the variety of the one day tour program could be reviewed and made more flexible, instead of having to drive through all of the major circuit road around Kangaroo Island. There was a lack of time allowed for passengers to relax in any one outdoor spot, when they could otherwise stroll freely with a better schedule and itinerary.
This Sealink, in another State and part of Australia, brought back some memories of my experience on the Spirit of Tasmania that operates from Port Melbourne in Victoria to Davenport in Tasmania. The Spirit, even on Boxing Day evening, lacked festive fervour, closed its food and drink facilties early like a dour convent head and a couple of individual staff on board did not welcome passengers even in the most basic way. Even before dawn, cabin passengers had their doors knocked and told matter of factly to vacate their rooms fast for cleaning. Most things were done from the perspective and comfort of the staff and not so much of the passengers. I think of my other sea crossings in Greece, Japan and the English Channel - and recall them with fondness.
Both Australian carriage operations mentioned above are monopolies and run in relatively remote parts of the world. Could this be linked to the potentially lack of business on both operations?
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Friday, 30 October 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Passing Thoughts Around Richmond
The narrow roads contrast with the expanse of the plains surrounding the Hawkesbury as the river meanders down from the foothills of the Blue Mountains. The intense aroma of fresh grass finds its way to my nostrils. A various range of buildings, from brick through wood to tinshed, dot the landscape. Young gum plants are lined up in rows to ensure a food source for koalas. The Blue Mountains are not far away, but retain a plateau-like presence on this rather amicable day, and yes they do indeed have this tint of blueness for colour.
Tucked in the north-west, as far away from the Big Smoke centre of Sydney, but still included in its greater area statistics, lies Richmond, part of New South Wales Governor Macqaurie's inland drive from Sydney Harbour more than a hundred and twenty years ago. I had been to Windsor in recent times, but not this other major centre only fifteen minutes by car from Windsor. Nestled not far from the main road to the Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens (one of the trio of significant gardens for Sydney), its low lying topography does not detract from its charms. A noticeable oval sits in the centre of the town, a neat collection of shops and residences encircling its inner core. As expected, its long time base of agriculture lingers on, with equine breeding centres, groups of dairy cattle and shorn sheep all dotting the late spring scenery.
What jumps out in captivating attention is the RAAF base in Richmond. I noted it before as a vital link in the supply chain of resources and troops from Australia to involvements oversea, with Darwin as the other noted connection. Political leaders flying from overseas can land in Richmond if they do not want to use commecial airports. The configurations of the airbase are bigger than my expectations, and I was delightfully surprised how the harsh realities of air defence can blend nicely with the residences of its staff and support facilties like hospitals. This has resulted in a self-contained suburb or campus with full length runways. Although understandable and necessary, the continuous fence around the base is a little jolt to my perceptions of Australian openness and design. There was a whole range of aircraft lined up on view for us travelling on its publicly accessible boundary road - a sight that will more than provide a flutter of excitemnt in the imagination and heart of any budding pilot in a ten year old. I could not help thinking of the former RAAF base in Butterworth across the channel from my home island of Penang.
The university campus in Richmond offered remarkable experiences. Groups of deer sat in committee-like posture in a paddock. A heritage building now is livened up as student residence. Faculties are referred to as colleges.Almost every building does not have a second storey. Numerous and clear signs and maps make it easy to locate specific buildings. A friendly student asked Carmel and me if he could help us, as we stood in front of the community notice board wondering what "HAC" stood for. Teaching buildings looked more inviting and not like entrances to overly commercial set-ups. I had a penchant for the window designs in Mark's office -they offered protection and good views of the outside, whether in sunshine or rain.
Tucked in the north-west, as far away from the Big Smoke centre of Sydney, but still included in its greater area statistics, lies Richmond, part of New South Wales Governor Macqaurie's inland drive from Sydney Harbour more than a hundred and twenty years ago. I had been to Windsor in recent times, but not this other major centre only fifteen minutes by car from Windsor. Nestled not far from the main road to the Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens (one of the trio of significant gardens for Sydney), its low lying topography does not detract from its charms. A noticeable oval sits in the centre of the town, a neat collection of shops and residences encircling its inner core. As expected, its long time base of agriculture lingers on, with equine breeding centres, groups of dairy cattle and shorn sheep all dotting the late spring scenery.
What jumps out in captivating attention is the RAAF base in Richmond. I noted it before as a vital link in the supply chain of resources and troops from Australia to involvements oversea, with Darwin as the other noted connection. Political leaders flying from overseas can land in Richmond if they do not want to use commecial airports. The configurations of the airbase are bigger than my expectations, and I was delightfully surprised how the harsh realities of air defence can blend nicely with the residences of its staff and support facilties like hospitals. This has resulted in a self-contained suburb or campus with full length runways. Although understandable and necessary, the continuous fence around the base is a little jolt to my perceptions of Australian openness and design. There was a whole range of aircraft lined up on view for us travelling on its publicly accessible boundary road - a sight that will more than provide a flutter of excitemnt in the imagination and heart of any budding pilot in a ten year old. I could not help thinking of the former RAAF base in Butterworth across the channel from my home island of Penang.
The university campus in Richmond offered remarkable experiences. Groups of deer sat in committee-like posture in a paddock. A heritage building now is livened up as student residence. Faculties are referred to as colleges.Almost every building does not have a second storey. Numerous and clear signs and maps make it easy to locate specific buildings. A friendly student asked Carmel and me if he could help us, as we stood in front of the community notice board wondering what "HAC" stood for. Teaching buildings looked more inviting and not like entrances to overly commercial set-ups. I had a penchant for the window designs in Mark's office -they offered protection and good views of the outside, whether in sunshine or rain.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Close- Ups
Credit for Images above in this Snapshot: J Cheam
Credit for Image above: D Campbell
Credit for top Two Images: J Cheam
Monday, 19 October 2009
Passing Thoughts Around Adelaide
The cuckoo clocks in Harndorf village looked like they just belonged there. From miniature setups to those that reminded me of grandfather clocks, the wood was resonant of the Black Forest, its ambience and tales of its shady corners. Imported from the northern climes, they have settled in the Antipodes. It was fascinating how a German community recreated a previous but well loved lifestyle and tradition on a new land. In so doing, they contribute to the richness of their chosen abode and weave a new tapestry on to an ancient land.
On that Saturday morning, I was recommended to get lunch at a shop calling itself Belly Pot, and the lamb version I chose did not disappoint - chunky, wholesome and full of flavour. The outlet was not cozy in setting, but what mattered was what it produced. I wondered about the name of the business, but realised that the pies they made were indeed belly pot sized.
The cured spicy pork salami at A Taste of Harndorf was of Spanish inspiration, peppered with spice and deeply ingrained with less streaky whorls. Dark on the outside, but when sliced, its inner brightness was matched by an intense taste and aromatic give away. I thought of the Cantonese lap cheong, Italian sausages and Amercian hotdogs, but obviously this salami was so different.
June from Port Macquarie was very careful about what she ingested whilst on tour, but she was open to sipping and sampling the honey mead wine at this Italian inspired boutique wine producer at Chateau Dorrien. Transparent but aromatic, it did pack a little punch, especially when it was heated up before consumption. To my amazement, the spicy mead tasted more mild on the lips. Really old songs played from the stereo but they did add to the atmosphere, especially when this was the third stop in wine tasting and contrasted so much with the commercial feel of the Chateau Yaldara. We were all gald that Meg was driving and not us.
A cyclist had knocked into a stationarily parked car just in front of the house handcrafting Haighs chocolates.We had just come out of the former residence of the Haigh family, but they left long ago, even if the fireplace was still intact when you passed by the entrance. In this age and time, this South Australian business still made chocolates by hand. The legend goes that a grandson of the business founding Haigh was asked to teach the English language to a traveller from Switzerland, and in exchange, the young European showed him how to make chocolates. The visitor was from the Lindt family. The rest is history.
In the Matthew Flinders National Park, koalas and kangaroos co-existed, the former high up on gum tree branches and the former hopping occasionally on the open grass. The island was called Kangaroo, so it was natural that we expected to see them, but as the evening progressed into passing showers and a turn up of the ocean winds, they could have gone into hidden shelter. The kangaroos are native to this island, but surprisingly the koalas were introduced from mainland Australia.
On that Saturday morning, I was recommended to get lunch at a shop calling itself Belly Pot, and the lamb version I chose did not disappoint - chunky, wholesome and full of flavour. The outlet was not cozy in setting, but what mattered was what it produced. I wondered about the name of the business, but realised that the pies they made were indeed belly pot sized.
The cured spicy pork salami at A Taste of Harndorf was of Spanish inspiration, peppered with spice and deeply ingrained with less streaky whorls. Dark on the outside, but when sliced, its inner brightness was matched by an intense taste and aromatic give away. I thought of the Cantonese lap cheong, Italian sausages and Amercian hotdogs, but obviously this salami was so different.
June from Port Macquarie was very careful about what she ingested whilst on tour, but she was open to sipping and sampling the honey mead wine at this Italian inspired boutique wine producer at Chateau Dorrien. Transparent but aromatic, it did pack a little punch, especially when it was heated up before consumption. To my amazement, the spicy mead tasted more mild on the lips. Really old songs played from the stereo but they did add to the atmosphere, especially when this was the third stop in wine tasting and contrasted so much with the commercial feel of the Chateau Yaldara. We were all gald that Meg was driving and not us.
A cyclist had knocked into a stationarily parked car just in front of the house handcrafting Haighs chocolates.We had just come out of the former residence of the Haigh family, but they left long ago, even if the fireplace was still intact when you passed by the entrance. In this age and time, this South Australian business still made chocolates by hand. The legend goes that a grandson of the business founding Haigh was asked to teach the English language to a traveller from Switzerland, and in exchange, the young European showed him how to make chocolates. The visitor was from the Lindt family. The rest is history.
In the Matthew Flinders National Park, koalas and kangaroos co-existed, the former high up on gum tree branches and the former hopping occasionally on the open grass. The island was called Kangaroo, so it was natural that we expected to see them, but as the evening progressed into passing showers and a turn up of the ocean winds, they could have gone into hidden shelter. The kangaroos are native to this island, but surprisingly the koalas were introduced from mainland Australia.
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