A short tour of New Caledonia

One of the many bays around the island

Part of the mountain ranges of New Caledonia.

View of the city from the main port.

And more photos...

Now where did I park the thing this time...

Native tongue...

Finally have the chance to start posting some of the photos from the cruise. (My Kingdom for a Broadband connection!) This is the first installment of many, but I thought I'd start off with something a little different to your normal holiday happy snaps.


Among the islands of greater Vanuatu the common dialect is known as Pidgeon English. Most of which is easy to decipher in that it often makes sense when read or spoken. This sign was at the front of The Office Pub in Port Vila, Vanuatu (one of our "Tastes of Vila" destinations).

Note the translation for anyone improperly dressed (speak slowly, you'll get the idea).

Don't vote for Howard - He wouldn't vote for you...

For those who don't know, on Tuesday this week (15/11) national protests were held over the Howard Government's "Rights at Work" reforms. More people attended marches across Australia than the peace marches of the Vietnam era. What was our Prime Minister's response to this - well, nothing. Nothing of any real substance at least.

My personal campaign is to convince everyone possible not to vote for the Howard government in the next election. This is the one government in Australian history that has successfully shafted everyone with an annual income less than 20k (apologies to those who do and still feel shafted but I am making sweeping generalisations). There is no more middle class - you either get by or are well off. Can any one else not see the problem with this? Our Universities are constantly under funded, as is the health system, greater education system, public transport and emergency services. This user pays system is measuring peoples worth on their financial position alone.

I could easily get carried away here, but I would like to leave you with this thought: Try and find one person that actually believes they're better off under this government, or will even admit to voting for him at the last election. John Howard is the man (If unfamiliar with this concept please refer to Jack Black's lesson in "School of Rock"), if you genuinely want a fair system for all - don't vote for Howard - he wouldn't vote for you.

I'll get off my soap-box now.

Missing Links Part II...

Hey All,

Finally got around to putting links on this page to other friends blogs, some who are overseas now and others who are about to go.


Here's to old times.

Cheers to you all.

The missing link...

I have decided to start posting my written works on another blog. If anyone is intersested you can find it at ...

http://anothercunninglinguist.blogspot.com

Cheers Everyone :)

Smells, Songs and Memories...

Here is a thought - Do you notice how memories are always so much more vivid when they are associated with the senses? Like the smell of the frying fat at the local fish and chip shop you went to when you were a kid, or those strange smelling seed pods that you used to pick off the tree in the front yard to peg at your little brother.

For me it is songs or music that can make a memory, just this afternoon I started to hum the tune to an old Custard song. This reminded me of when I first met Ness way back when... then you think, shit, that was over eight years ago.

And now, because I heard the damn song at least a dozen times, everytime I hear Icehouse's "Electric Blue" I think about the cruise. The memories are great but getting that song stuck in your head can piss you off.

Here's one for absent friends...

"I'm a 21st century digital doy..." - B.S.

Regards all.

Some more photos from the cruise...

"Let's go away for a while, you and I, to a strange and secret land..."

Weezer

Ness and I living it up in Ouvea

Ocean life at Wala

The magnificent coral reef at Wala

This shot is of the point where the ocean floor seems to drop away into nowhere (Wala)

More photos to follow...

If you can't get your act together just act like you've got it together.

"Why is there a Scenic Tours bus out the window?"

Firts day of the cruise, the first thing we spot out the porthole is a Scenic Tours bus (sorry, Phil - Coach)...

Amanda and Myself at the bar, funnily enough

View of Centrepoint from the rear deck of the Sun

[These are the 1st round of photos from the cruise, hope to put on more later.]

"When you haven't got anything good to say don't say anything at all, or furrow your brow and look like you're so deep in thought you appear intelligent rather than stupid" - Anon.

Cheery-O