Mangoes Make Memories

“Google Google on the wall, which is the fairest café of them all?” A modern age technological morning routine. With plenty of locals seeking refuge from the deluge in Mackay’s Dispensary Café, we get well caffeinated, drenched from crossing the street and immediately sweaty. Cranking up the aircon, the GPS is set, and we reconnect with Bruce. Fields wrapping the roadway envelop us in endless green. Low lying clouds, teeming rain and upcoming weather shroud with grey. Yesterday was bushfires, today aquaplaning. “Haven’t you had…

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16/01/2019

australia / blessing / Experience / RAMBLINGS / road trip / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Coconuts and Coal

“Just slow down, slow down. Holy crap, that’s scary”. Surrounded by smoke, front and rear vision blocked, uncertain when the road would appear; driving through a bushfire was not part of the original list of experiences. Travelling along the Bruce Highway from the volcanic coastline of Yeppoon and Capricorn National Park, the heat source shaping this part of the hinterland landscape was a grassfire. Appearing suddenly and out of nowhere, we were somehow always going to meet the same fate as Thelma and Louise. We’d just…

4 Comments

13/01/2019

australia / friendship / RAMBLINGS / road trip / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Bananas?

Rising at the crack of dawn, we’re getting ready to meet Ludwig. Coffee being the best approach to any new introduction, the OK Milk Bar located near the statue of the champion race horse must be a winner, looking more like a hipster Brunswick hangout than a country café. The coffee experience is enhanced with positive quotes on the counter and on coffee lids, ‘Believe in yourself.’ A good reminder for the next 712 kilometres. I reckon we are ready to meet Ludwig. Named after the intrepid…

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08/01/2019

australia / Experience / RAMBLINGS / road trip / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Pineapple Pyjamas

“Which way?” I ask. “Not sure. Put it into Google Maps and check the options” she answers. The itinerary is scratched on a shopping receipt shoved in the side door pocket and lists five overnight destinations. “The GPS is melting down, it wants you to turn right,” I direct. “I can’t, there’s a concrete median strip, the entire length of this highway” she replies. “I think that was an illegal U-Turn.” I add constructively. “I know. I didn’t think we’d make it with our turning…

6 Comments

04/01/2019

blessing / Experience / Germany / hiking / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized / walking

LEAVE IT AND TAKE IT

There are stories here of ancient times, deep concealed caves, underground lakes, Jurassic Dolomite outcrops, bloody battles, wayfarers, pilgrims and faith transformed. Peoples have peregrinated through the valleys of the Franken Jura, this Fränkische Schweiz for centuries. We connect with their footsteps and weave our trail in its magnificent history. Beneath rocky limestone outcrops we leave laughter. On fortress peaks we leave awe. Along rivers windy we leave stories. In deep caverns we leave intrigue. Across rich green fields we leave gratitude. At town squares…

5 Comments

25/10/2018

joy / RAMBLINGS / The Netherlands / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Holy Sloot

The Netherlands -A modern day Atlantis, where Mulga Bill meets Willy Wonka. Bikes, sweets and self- confidence pile on top of dykes and delicacies while locks and levees protect this wet corner of the world from a sinking wet demise. Renowned for its liberal views, masochistic artists, boys with fingers in dikes, longstanding trading smarts, Ajax Amsterdam and the 17th century Golden Age; the country’s love of innovation, progression and unorthodoxy is refreshing. Stoic signs of Calvinism, reformational rebellion, protection of liberal freedoms and irreverent humour…

6 Comments

16/10/2018

Experience / joy / perspective / positive thinking / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

IMPRESSED

Bold expressions. Overt undertones. Contrasting canvasses. An arresting awareness of things optically, orally and aromatically atypical. An absorption of, immersion and participation in, the manifold encounters of cultural consonance and dissonance. I’m pressed to consider the new I’m pressed to adopt the unfamiliar I’m pressed to adjust periphery I’m pressed to admire I’m pressed to accept and embrace I’m pressed to understand I’m pressed to listen astutely I’m pressed to look deeper I’m pressed to learn richly I’m pressed to laugh I’m pressed to enjoy immeasurably…

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10/10/2018

Germany / hiking / joy / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized

Schnitzel with Noodles

The soothing symphony of cowbells settle in the soul, The crisp sharp lines of mountain peaks deliver a sense of whole. Crystal lakes like diamonds shine glaciers ancient and old, Dazzling days and freezing nights the best of warm and cold. Herds in celebration mark a season turned, As shepherds drive their cattle down a winter break they’ve earned. Festivities of traditional dress, brezen and beer daze, A livelihood from cheese and milk of Hirten and Berg ‘Käs’. Balconies billowing red geraniums bright offset against fields…

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28/09/2018

blessing / hiking / joy / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Rhode to Riches

The I-95 takes us out of NYC via New Jersey on a drive that crosses 5 States in one day. New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. A drive through heavy industry; old manufacturing towns reformed, shaking old images, creating new economies, right through to quaint oceanside Newport. Where the history of commerce and trading runs deep, from slaves, to cargo and in later years gladiatorial yacht racing trophies. Richness runs wide in Newport Rhode Island. A town where opportunity and beauty have intertwined for…

4 Comments

18/09/2018

blessing / RAMBLINGS / TRAVEL / TRAVEL RAMBLINGS / Uncategorized / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A Bite of the Big Apple

A trip into New York City for the uninitiated is similar to a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ novel. Multiple options to select; path, characters and ending unknown.With the juxtaposition of introductions from 'gangster rappers' such as Jay Z, 50 Cent, Biggie and good old classic Blue Eyes Sinatra, an emulsion of expectations loom large and anticipation shines neon bright. Leaving the verdant parkland bordering right up to the mega metropolis, crossing the George Washington bridge over the meandering Hudson River into New Jersey, we were greeted…

3 Comments

13/09/2018