My Father was a great influence when it came to new cultures and accepting people on who they were as an individual rather than their cultural differences. Dad took everyone at face value, but if they did something that went against his beliefs he did not forgive easily.
In Late 1986 Mum and Dad went on a world tour, I believe this was the only time Dad travelled overseas, Mum had been to New Zealand before she married. When going through some papers that Mum had I found this type written piece and it took me some time to realise it was written by Dad. But here it is I believe something that should be shared. Oh! and all spelling and formatting copied.
SOME EYE CATCHING EVENTS FROM AUSTRALIA TO HONGKONG
Realalisation that we were going into something that weeks prior did not seem possible, all the goodbys behind us, sitting in our Jumbo Jet out on the tarmac at tullamarine, engines pulsating, (ME TO) and away we go.
Alas a stop over in Sidney, this has to be the milk run.
No, a great opportunity to do some duty free shopping, was already done a few minutes ago in Melbourne, (DONE AS IN MONEY)
On hour sitting in a lounge waiting for something far greater than our holiday.
Soon our Jumbo was flying out to sea, I knew it we are going to NewZealand, no, alls well the pilot does know where to go.
Still over Australian soil looking done on this great continent three seems to be waves of growth for as far as the eye can see, if it is natual it was my first look at a great natual phenomena, if man made it was a great preservation effort.
At last the announcement Hongkong in 3 minutes, down we came all that was visible was water, a sit was dark, then lights appeared still over water left, right, lights looks like a wet landing but the the bump as we hit the hongkong flight deck.
Leaving the terminal was a advent to remember HONGKONEES everywhere millions of them, all looking like brothers and sisters, (slept well dreaming of Chinese)
Next day our on to the streets this great hive of industry taking us along like a river of people, but going both ways in slightly orderly fashion, Monica looked on all of this as her birthday and every day in this oriental paradise was the same (you would think they could get cheesed off, not her)
Little old me went shopping for a printer for the computer asked all the relevant questions to all the oriental gentalmen who answered yes to all my enquiries so to keep them honest I asked if the printer has a ink well "yes, yes" ... Very good yes men, but no one to discuss my problem to
"HIGHTLIGHT" our trip to China via Mackow, an hours trip in the hydrofoil did not see a thing a think mist covered the boas as we traveled. On arrival mackow a lot of faces looking towards us to buy their assorted goods or even give to poor and all hongkonees.
China a world apart, , frizzing on the won side of the road, everyone related, a kind
smile will get ou a similar action in return, the guide was very good, spoke english, glad of that, , visited a commune and invited to come into their house, simple clean and functional
the wheat was laid out on the road for us to walk on this removed the husk then the wind blew the husk away
On to an oaks of a place where you go and do you duty free shopping China style, multistory shopping and a restarant you have to see to know, mutt roomed with dozens of buses all with the one idea food.
In a few minutes of sealing down to the table we had Chines girls all around our table, first to wash our hands with hot towels then the food ..7.. Seven great delicious courses of chinese ? ? ? ? ? ?
Back to HONGKONG.
A trip on the bay is a must two hours of views you will not see only from the water, the boat people a little city apart from everything else. The mountains in the back of the mountainus buildings holding mountainous numbers of Hongkonees.
The trip up the mouton in the cable car, the buildings like the tower of pissa (leaning) make your head spin
A trained trip under the bay is a must, down the back end of the train you all the to the front if the train turns right you turn right, , two minutes later.
Last ny no least a taxi ride, Adrenalin pumper and how ... The driver was SHANK I SHEK'S great grandfather, skin like parchment bones like ,,,, bones.. Hongongs first settler no teeth by cline and friendly, in the whole picture a great place for a holiday
ROB. J. JOHNSON
P.S........WE DID PAY
TWO VISITS TO THE BAHA'I CETRE SITUATED INA 4 ACRE BUILDING ONLY 4 ENTRANCES EACH HALF A KILOMETER APART AND SEVERAL FLOORS HIGHT BUT DID NOT FIND ANY ONE HOME
ROB.
My grandmother, Vera Barwise (nee Murphy) used to often bake. Maybe something that came from living on the farm or would it have been from living through the depress?
