One of my best girlfriends rushed off to Perth to attend to very sick family. I think all is slowly improving there, but Di, if you are on line, this picture of Laura Liney is for you. It's the nicest I could find. Thanks to starmedia.com.
I wrote this next piece a month ago and haven't quite got around to posting it, till now...
I’m back from Phuket Island, Thailand. Did you miss me?
You should have if you are sitting here for the second freezing cold windy “Spring” day here in Melbourne. Lucky if its 12 degrees outside, less with wind chill factor. Much Brrr sounds are occurring here in my room. And right after I’ve said “***ing ridiculous” for the 900th time.
In Phuket it was around 30 degrees most days, 22 or so at night. They just put me out on a few rocks in the morning to bask and brought me in at night – warmed through and still grinning. The catch for some folks is that it was 1,000% tropical humidity. Not a problem for me but not everyone likes it I admit.
It’s a strange place. So many people, many more than the 350,000 the last census there indicated. Coming from Australia where there isn’t people everywhere – city or country – it’s a culture shock and makes you wonder if there isn’t 1,000,000 on an island the size of Singapore. It’s remarkably cheap for tourists and the fresh seafood was glorious.
The number of folks that are constantly in your face trying to flog you stuff ain’t to good, bloody annoying after a while actually. Nor are the various gastric bugs doing the rounds and laying people out for a few days or more. When you live off anti diarrhoea it can’t be all that good for you. But it wasn’t to big a deal. You live with it.
Here’s couple of pictures including the endless line of Tuk Tuk [taxis]. These used to be converted motor bikes but are now baby vans. They take you around for 3/5s of 5/8s of bugger all dollars with a screaming 2 stroke engine. There’s well priced hotels that are a sanctuary from the infinite number of truly annoying street traders. There’s stereo typical tropical beaches, with baby elephants, gorgeous; and lots of rubbish on them. There's lots of tourists to be catered to, mostly average folks but a few embarrassingly ugly ones and it hurts me if they’re Aussies. And of course Ronald McDonald, in Thai pose, for the kiddies.
You should have if you are sitting here for the second freezing cold windy “Spring” day here in Melbourne. Lucky if its 12 degrees outside, less with wind chill factor. Much Brrr sounds are occurring here in my room. And right after I’ve said “***ing ridiculous” for the 900th time.
In Phuket it was around 30 degrees most days, 22 or so at night. They just put me out on a few rocks in the morning to bask and brought me in at night – warmed through and still grinning. The catch for some folks is that it was 1,000% tropical humidity. Not a problem for me but not everyone likes it I admit.
It’s a strange place. So many people, many more than the 350,000 the last census there indicated. Coming from Australia where there isn’t people everywhere – city or country – it’s a culture shock and makes you wonder if there isn’t 1,000,000 on an island the size of Singapore. It’s remarkably cheap for tourists and the fresh seafood was glorious.
The number of folks that are constantly in your face trying to flog you stuff ain’t to good, bloody annoying after a while actually. Nor are the various gastric bugs doing the rounds and laying people out for a few days or more. When you live off anti diarrhoea it can’t be all that good for you. But it wasn’t to big a deal. You live with it.
Here’s couple of pictures including the endless line of Tuk Tuk [taxis]. These used to be converted motor bikes but are now baby vans. They take you around for 3/5s of 5/8s of bugger all dollars with a screaming 2 stroke engine. There’s well priced hotels that are a sanctuary from the infinite number of truly annoying street traders. There’s stereo typical tropical beaches, with baby elephants, gorgeous; and lots of rubbish on them. There's lots of tourists to be catered to, mostly average folks but a few embarrassingly ugly ones and it hurts me if they’re Aussies. And of course Ronald McDonald, in Thai pose, for the kiddies.
Geelong won it’s second premiership in 3 years but a couple of goals – 12 points. The sentimental St Kilda learning there is no prizes for coming second. Does that matter to me? No not really. Did I think Paul Chapman should have won the Man of the Match? No – I’d have parked that honour on Harry Taylor who kept one of the AFLs best (Nick Rewalt) in check most of the day.Woofiest man for me was Max Rook. Here on the left is the big, often woolly, man with now retired Capt Tom Harley. Thanks to the Geelong Advertiser for the pic.
