A Speech that left us Speechless
I was totally moved recently by an 80 year old man with Dementia called David. In the middle of a recent lunchtime in the dining room at the aged care home, he stood up in front of 40 other residents and carers, as he had something very important to say. Pots were clanging, people were talking and the ambience of the room was busy and stressful. David pushed back his chair, stood up, and then loudly addressed the room. ” Excuse me everyone, my name is David for those…
Read MoreBali Highlights – Rapid Descent Down The River
We headed 2 hours north for the Agung Mountain, to join the Talaga Waja White Water Rafting Company. Our driver Wayan once again sorted us ‘ best friend’ price which we were not allowed to tell anyone else, it was so good. I imagine it was tourist pricing and actually higher than everywhere else (450,000 rupiah/ $45 AUD each). We had to buy some rafting sandals for 2000 rupiah ($2) to ensure we did not get cuts from the rocks and bamboo. Max was a bit nervous and spent an…
Read MoreBali Highlights – “Yes Boss… Bintang?, Me Give You Good Price”
Kuta Beach is the Aussie home away from home. The market stalls are full of cheap rubbish and every stall is exactly the same as the next. Local people man the stalls, some of them asleep waiting till they hear footsteps and instinctively yell out ” Yes Boss, Bintang, very cheap, me give you good price”. This mantra is echoed every two metres with stall holders trying to find new ways to engage us. The locals try to put on an Aussie accent and say “g’day mate” or yell out…
Read MoreBali Highlights – More Aussies Go Directly To Jail
Kerobokan Jail in Bali that is… This jail is considered one of the most notorious prisons in the world. Former home to Schapelle Corby, and current home for the infamous Bali 9 (minus 2). I have always had a fascination for prisons and are my favourite genre of movie. I nearly had the opportunity recently to visit Yatala Jail in Adelaide, but missed out by a few days when the person I was to visit was transferred to Cadell Low Security Prison. All the local drivers know Schapelle Corby’s story…
Read MoreEver Eaten A Centipede?
A few years ago I was asleep in bed when I was abruptly woken by the “Mother of All” critter bites! I was bitten on the face by a 5″ centipede that was huge. The pain was insane and it was such a weird feeling as I felt the poison slowly spreading through my body. I was describing to Tanya how I was feeling when I felt ‘really sick, really quick’ . I had nausea and felt faint. I was crook for 2 days in total and…
Read MoreI Had A Bone To Pick With Burglars
My night started out normally enough, but this was soon to change. I drove into town with my girlfriend at the time (Joanne) as we were going out to dinner at Stanley’s Fish Restaurant in Gouger Street. I parked my Holden VK Commodore station wagon a few streets away from the restaurant as town was pretty busy that night. We liked eating at Stanley’s as the service was fast and the fish was always sensational. I ordered my usual 2 pieces of battered whiting with crumbed prawns on the…
Read MoreMy 21st Birthday Party . . . The Untold Story!
Everyone has a milestone birthday, and my 21st party was one I will never forget. I had a ‘Hollywood Theme’ and dressed up as Richard Gere in the film ‘ Officer and a Gentleman’. The venue was the Goodwood Baseball Club and no expense was spared. The filmstrip style invitations were amazing and Mum gets full credit for these. She also lashed out on my white Naval uniform costume which was hand sewn by a local tailor, complete with brass navy embossed buttons and Officer’s hat. The uniform was matched exactly to Richard…
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