We will miss the Tosomeen’s hospitality and especially their banana bread which provided us with countless “kilojoules” of sustenance. I could stay in Evans Head and play in the surf for the rest of the trip, but we have other places to see.
Here are some passing thoughts on Australia
Australia is the size of the United States with a population less than that of Texas. Most Australians live within 20 miles of the ocean. As an island country, with the exception of petroleum, Australia seems to be relatively self-sufficient. International affairs beyond southeast Asia are not a priority. Its economy appears to be based primarily on mining and agriculture and to a lesser extent on tourism and services.
Australians understand socio-economics or at least the media provides a high level of dialogue. They support equal opportunities and infrastructure for all, whether they be in Sydney or the outback. Children are recognized as an investment in the country's future. Schools are state run and appear to be well funded with little disparity between shires.
In Australia, most everything closes at 5 or 6 which takes some getting used to. There is a minimum pay rate (award) for most every job description. After hours work is paid overtime (time and a half). This explains early closing hours and higher prices. With permission, kids can get jobs at age 13. This combined with no tips may explain sketchy weekend service (pleasant, but not highly motivated). Australians have a high standard of living. If there was poverty, I didn’t witness it. People “on the dole” receive $35,000 annually.
Australian living space is as much outdoors as in. Traditional residential structures are hardwood-framed (gum) with fiberboard (asbestos) panels inside and out (typically no insulation). Roofs are metal or tile. All domestic electricity is 220-240 volt which makes short order of heating water in an electric kettle.
Australian like a good game of chance. We had opportunities to enter raffles for "chooks" (chickens), meat platters (yum!), wine (Craig won some), $100 and a bunch of electronics. The Sydney Opera House was paid for by a lottery despite extreme cost overruns. Although there are a very limited number of casinos, pokies (slot machines), off track betting and pull tabs are all readily available.
Australians have character and encourage individualism. They are a sarcastic lot and like to pull your leg. It's always good to double check their stories. Our bike tour guide in Sydney offered the kids a lolly for each fib they caught him in. If they had taken him up on it, he would have needed a trailer full of lollies.
Australia is full of bizarre and interesting flora and fauna. It just goes to prove what isolation does for evolution. What we consider exotic plants, birds and reptiles are commonplace in Australia.
The variety of car choices in Australia is staggering. I can't imagine how they support the parts supply and maintenance.
Photovoltaic panels, solar water heaters and rainwater harvesting are commonplace in Australia. Most homes have cisterns to catch roof runoff. Harvested water is mostly used for irrigation, but also for toilet flushing and clothes washing.
Roadways infrastructure is less developed than American standards (e.g. the main east coast highway where most people live is mostly 2 lanes), but adequate for the traffic loads and even remarkable considering distances spanned and population densities. Despite wifi having been invented in Australia, internet telecommunications is lacking. However, there is a national plan to bring fiber optics to all neighborhoods in the near future.
The main sports are rugby, Australian football (like rugby, but without touchdowns or scrums and played on a cricket pitch), soccer and cricket.
I could go on, but that is about it for now. I recommend you visit Australia and find out for yourself. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
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