I see the 3 Belgian backpackers who phoned triple zero and started a ground and air search forgot to let authorities know that they had rescued themselves and were travelling again. I'm certainly glad they're safe but not letting authorities know is unacceptable. what do others think? Dave
pretty much par for the course of backpackers.
Them first, everyone else second.
Generally nice enough kids but inconsiderate and ignorant of a whole bunch of travelling no-no's.
Like not taking a spade for a walk.
It can happen to anybody and they were probably totally stuffed when they found civilisation. Part of the article says:
Weve just been kindly contacted by Robyn at Surfside Backpackers in Apollo Bay, saying Belgian backpackers came in last night at 6pm, covered in mud, Sen-Sgt McSwain said.
They had apparently stated they got lost in the vicinity of Kennett River and Mount Sabine.
Weve since spoken to the backpackers who are on their way to Adelaide and told they had contacted emergency services after their car got bogged, and apologised for inconvenience they caused.
Possibly the people at Appolo Bay could have put 2 and 2 together and followed it through.....you'd imagine they would be aware that there was a search and rescue operation going on in their area.
Pretty much par for the course of backpackers. Them first, everyone else second. Generally nice enough kids but inconsiderate and ignorant of a whole bunch of travelling no-no's.
Same goes for quite a few grey nomads as well.
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Cheers Keith & Judy
Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
if they Irresponsible in the call outs. or get back and don't notify.
Present them with part of the bill.
Backpackers. You have their names.
freeze tickets at airports till they arrange whatever.
The Taxpayer has enuff rubbish to pay for nowadays.
without adding more to it.
Same as these "underage" kids etc
Go to kids court. and have an order made
that when they get OF age and start work or go on the dole.
Restitution is made through whatever income they get.
By Law.
It's waaay past the point when people should be made to pay for their actions.
After grey-nomadding for 2 years now, I'm finding backpackers don't have a good reputation. Leave rubbish everywhere behind them, always seem to be smoking wacky-tabacky despite no one else is actually smoking, sneaking into van parks to use showers, toilets, kitchens without paying. One park we stayed at had high security. My first impression it was to keep out local thieves. Turned out it was to keep out freeloading backpackers.
you will find in people what you seek, for me, I would rather sit and talk to a backpacker than a lot of the old farts I have met while on the road. They have there faults, but don't we all
cheers
blaze
you will find in people what you seek, for me, I would rather sit and talk to a backpacker than a lot of the old farts I have met while on the road. They have there faults, but don't we all cheers blaze
Give me the old farts any day ,I find some of the backpackers quite friendly but most of them are grubby campers...
Keep in mind that most backpackers are young people (less than 25) and are in a foreign country. They are not seasoned international travellers and in my experience have *zero* concept of the size of Australia, our low population density and harsh terrain/weather.
If you have been born and brought up in a country 2.5 times the area of greater Sydney with three times the population the concept of becoming lost and isolated in a way which may be fatal is quite alien.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
oh well, unless they carry a mobile or sat phone with them in future, they wont be able to use a Telstra payphone anyway as the Productivity Commission has this week recommended they all be taken out. Too bad for the Mum or kid who has just been bashed in the home and can rush to a payphone to call emergency services. Just like our Aust Post mail boxes that are few and far between nowdays
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
I tried to use a public phone box when I lost my mobile. It just didn't work. Cashless and needed a pre-paid card. Not something I carry. Ended up in a Bank and asked if I could use their phone. They obliged.
