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Post Info TOPIC: Australia
Cupie


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RE: Australia
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jimricho wrote:

No point in travelling overseas if one has no desire to but I believe it is very beneficial to do so. It is a valuable experience to be the foreigner, the one who talks with the strange accent, in some cases looks different and speaks a foreign language. We become more understanding and less xenophobic for the experience.

It gives us a better perspective of where we really stand on the world stage, being only one and a half percent of the world's economy and a third of one percent of its population. We do not get much coverage in the world media mainly because, as travel writer Bill Bryson has pointed out, "We behave ourselves" (we don't start wars or stage revolutions)

While there is some wonderful sight-seeing in this country (our beaches are without equal) other places also have some truly awesome scenery, USA for example with its Alaskan wilderness, the thermal regions of Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Canyon, the gobsmacking beauty of Yosemite, the majesty of the Grand Tetons, to name just a few.

That said, I point out that I'm as proud an Australian as any member of this forum.

 Spot on.  My thoughts as well.

We have done a little bit of O'Seas ..  West Europe & British Isles, Singapore, North East US & some Canada.  Currently planning a brief look at China.  Only a brief glimpse of them.  It would take a lifetime & a large fortune to get a real feel for them.

Done just enough to get a different perspective on global affairs, to realise what a wonderful & diverse world it is  .. and how good it is in the familiar predictable place you call home.

Adds to the enjoyment of vanning Oz.

ps.  Not so sure about Bill Bryson ... have tried reading him a few times but didn't take to his style immediately.  I'll have to try him again.



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Firefly


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biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

Its at least close to our size ay mate.



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Dougwe


Chief one feather

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I'm still in Aussie Land. That's it. No need to go overseas now, next all of the world will be here.

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ozjohn


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The trouble with the US map is that the shape is too different to try and fit Australia in.
The Continental USA (Lower 48 and DC) is actually a bit bigger than Australia.
If Florida was cut off then they would be pretty well the same size.
In round figures:
Continental USA is 8,080,000 Km2  (No Alaska, Hawaii or other islands). 
Continental Australia including Tasmania is 7,687,000
(Lord  Howe, Christmas Island etc not included).

Ozjohn.



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Cruising Granny


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I reckon those Aussies who travel os can be great ambassadors of this great country.
If I could afford to go os I'd be there in a shot, cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia, Alaska and Canada, and exploring the old parts of the world like the castles and ruins.
Australia has only been settled for a little while, and everything here is new, and if they keep knocking down some of our old buildings with historical significance, it will keep on getting newer all the time.
We live in an amazing country. I've always believed we need to see it first so we could be informed ambassadors when we go os.
I still believe it, but if I could, I'd get a passport and travel beyond our shores.
I have done NZ, but I haven't done Tassie yet. What sort of ambassador would I be if I don't do Tassie first?

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jonathan


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I'm still in Aussieland too, enjoying Tamworth .. (which was covered by Bulgaria for those that were confused ..)



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Beth54


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I have no desire to go OS. I've been to NZ, that'll do me.

Not that I don't take an interest in what's happening in foreign countries, and in their customs etc, I'd just rather experience our own backyard.

My family includes an Irish s-i-l, a Japanese s-i-l and a Ukrainian n-i-l, so I've learnt a bit about those countries. Not that Ireland is so very different to Australia, but certainly Ukraine and Japan are totally different.

 



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03_troopy


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Cruising Granny wrote:

According to that map I travelled from Spain to Poland in a week.

 We did from Turkey to Belgium via Southern Italy and back in 22 days.



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