About time to catch up on things, as we wait in Kupang [Indonesian Timor] for a ferry this afternoon to the next island, Flores [volcanos and Komodo dragons await us!!].
Our trip aboard the Kathryn Bay was wonderful fun…. except while we were vomiting. Captain Lino and his crew of 12 treated us as special guests. We were the first passengers they have carried. Kathryn Flynn [after whom the ship is named] would be proud of the spirit they carry on board. I first met the Flynns in about 1983, and over the years it was always a thrill to catch up with them in Darwin or in Melbourne. Tragically Kathryn contracted MND and all too recently died. Her spirit lives on, in many ways - one of them by sailing the high seas! A large photo of her watches over the bridge as she keeps an eye on things aboard the ship named after her. Read the rest of this entry »
The East Timorese are such beautiful, striking people. They have a pronounced facial structure, high cheekbones and their smile is intoxicating and infectious. The constant white flashes from the Timorese immediately makes one feel welcome. After all that they’ve gone through you have to admire their ability to smile with such warmth and be so welcoming.
The other night over dinner we learnt that illegal cockfights were a popular source of entertainment in Dili. So of course, we organised to go. The cockfights are one of the only sources of entertainment in very poor Timor Leste. Average annual wage is only around $1000US and at these fights there can be thousands of dollars bet on a single fight (that only lasts 30-45 seconds). Read the rest of this entry »
Tomorrow morning, 5 am, when the tide is right, the Kathryn Bay will slip away from Darwin Harbour towards the sunrise with two stowaways. I’m not quite sure how we did it but we have managed to get a ride on a container ship from Darwin to Dili. We have been generously welcomed aboard by the friendly Filipino crew to whom our presence brings a break in the monotony of portholes, containers and karaoke. Amazingly, there is no alcohol, drugs, or even smoking allowed on board. So much for the ‘drunken sailor’…
Hi Jon and Jack
This is the said Hitchhiker Carl here. Remembered you had a web site so I thought I’d check it out and see how your trip’s going. I have to say, it’s a bit strange having a discussion about me going on. Was there a disclosure form I was supposed to fill out….? Just jokes.
The wedding was fabulous, had about 50 people camp out in the creek bed that night after the wedding. Including the bride and groom. Swag city!
You guys were a very welcome relief from the tedious dusty wind of the highway in coober pedy. I’d had enough of throwing pebbles at the tin can on the side of the road and was keen to get moving. As tedious as it is though, waiting for such lengths of time, I think hitching does a few great things for me. It forces you to rely on the others, which we spend so much time trying to avoid - desperately wanting to be totally independent, and it allows you to get to spend a little bit of time with and get to know a bit about a total stranger, which I have to say is always rewarding. Each lift I got was with an equally unique person or people, on vastly different journeys and despite different people’s quirks, there was a generosity and willingness to have a chat that made each lift rewarding. One of those little things that is slowly diminishing unfortunately.
Thanks again guys. All the best with your travels, Maybe I’ll see you at the Katoomba skyway some time.
Carl
………….and the same day we also got this post:
I won’t pretend to be a bush kid. I’d like to be, but I’m not. I’d love to be one of those practical people who can survive in the middle of nowhere for weeks with a hair-dryer, a packet of Gummy Bears and a spork, but I’m hopeless and extremely jealous of practical peoples’ relationship with nature.
Read the rest of this entry »