All Over Australia - A Story from Robert R Matthews, Aberdeen, Scotland.
From: ROBERT R MATTHEWS in Scotland - Some strongly recommended places to visit (leroca@lineone.net)

Subject: FAIR DINKUM COUNTRY

HI! I'M BOB MATTHEWS FROM ABERDEEN SCOTLAND AND I'VE HAD A FASCINATION ABOUT AUSTRALIA EVER SINCE I LEARNED OF MY FATHERS FAILED IMMIGRATION PLANS.

WAY BACK IN THE FIFTIES. I ALWAYS WONDERED HOW IT WOULD HAVE TURNED OUT IF I HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP IN OZ. WELL I FINALLY MADE IT OUT THERE IN 1993 AT THE AGE OF 42 AND HAVE SINCE RETURNED TWICE,BEING ACCOMPANIED ON THE SECOND TRIP WITH MY SON WHO, AT THE TIME OF WRITING, IS NOW IN AUSTRALIA ON A YEARS

WORKING HOLIDAY.-- I GUESS HE MUST HAVE ENJOYED HIS FIRST TRIP. I HAVE PLANS TO RETURN WITH MY WIFE NEXT FEB. TO CELEBRATE OUR SILVER WEDDING. WE HAVE NO RELATIONS IN AUSTRALIA BUT THE PEOPLE MAKE US FEEL SO WELCOME WE

JUST HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK. MAYBE ONE DAY I'LL WIN THE LOTTERY AND COME TO STAY FOR GOOD.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THREE TRIPS ARE NUMEROUS :--

SIGHTS TO SEE, SYDNEY HARBOUR FROM A MANLY FERRY,A WALK ACROSS THE BRIDGE, A PICNIC ON THE NORTH HEAD,FROM THE TOP OF THE GPO TOWER.BUS TOUR OF MELBOURNE, FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY STATION ARCHITECTURE ,BALLARAT'S SOVEREIGN HILL, CANBERRA, PARLIAMENT BUILDING,THE PERTH SKYLINE FROM THE SOUTH ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, AYERS ROCK,AND THE WIND WHISTLING THROUGH THE ROCKS AT THE DESERTED DEVILS MARBLES, A CAMPERVAN TRIP ACROSS THE N.T. FROM DARWIN TO ALICE SPRINGS.

AH! ALICE,ENJOYING A DRINK OUTSIDE ON A WARM DESERT NIGHT WATCHING PORT LINCOLN PARROTS FLIT FROM TREE TO TREE.

THE PINNACLES AND BEACH AT KANGAROO POINT W.A.,SEDATE ADELAIDE, AND THE BAROSSA VALLEY,THE BEACH AT GLENELG. THE LIST IS ENDLESS.THE

VARIETY OF FOOD AND RESTAURANTS IS AMAZING WITH PRICES TO SUIT ALL POCKETS.

AND TO THINK I'VE STILL TO VISIT QUEENSLAND AND TASMANIA!

CAR HIRE IS CHEAP COMPARED TO THE U.K. AND AIR PASSES GREAT VALUE IF PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. I CONSIDER AUSTRALIA TO BE THE GREATEST HOLIDAY LOCATION IN THE WORLD,WITH THE NICEST PEOPLE YOU COULD HOPE TO MEET AND I FEEL VERY PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO CROSS THE WORLD AND ENJOY THEIR COUNTRYS HOSPITALITY,---BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD TRY IT YOURSELF--- GO FOR IT NOW!

P.S. ONLY ONE COMPLAINT,-- I STILL HAVEN'T SEEN KANGAROOS IN THE WILD,BELIEVE ME ITS TRUE!

A short editorial note: anyone wanting to see kangaroos in their natural state (and not wanting to travel into the outback) should consider going to Durras on the New South Wales south coast (about 4 hours drive from Sydney) where there are literally hundreds of kangaroos living permanently on the beach. See the Durras site on Walkabout for more information.

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