What's so good about Australia?
Jun 22nd 2011, 11:35 pm
#76
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,442
Re: What's so good about Australia?
Sometimes I think you forget that I'm a born and bred Londoner. I dont know of one Street in London that has as many dimensions as Sydney Rd.... Again maybe you have to live here as long as I have... circa 25 years to know what I'm on about.
38 bars along it's length for starters. God knows how many eateries from all over the world... from Ethopia to Argentina and back to Afghanistan and most inbetween. There is even a Rastafarian section..... we both know how few West Indians there are in Aus.
Once you get past that... then and imagine what it's like to live here, experience this daily and how disappointed you are with life in other places. One cannot help but compare.
It's definitely the best Urban place I've lived and I'd love to hear nominations for better Urban Living. I'm struggling to think of any in London. Some places may have finer dining etc etc... but diverse I'm not so sure.
38 bars along it's length for starters. God knows how many eateries from all over the world... from Ethopia to Argentina and back to Afghanistan and most inbetween. There is even a Rastafarian section..... we both know how few West Indians there are in Aus.
Once you get past that... then and imagine what it's like to live here, experience this daily and how disappointed you are with life in other places. One cannot help but compare.
It's definitely the best Urban place I've lived and I'd love to hear nominations for better Urban Living. I'm struggling to think of any in London. Some places may have finer dining etc etc... but diverse I'm not so sure.
Jun 22nd 2011, 11:41 pm
#78
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Jun 22nd 2011, 11:44 pm
#80
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
Re: What's so good about Australia?
I've never understood this attitude and I have seen it many times
'No other country has Kakadu or the Kimberley or the Olgas. There's natural beauty all around the world, but ours is unique to this continent.' Obviously what is here is unique to this country just as what is in many other countries is unique to theirs. The Amazon, The Galapagos, Madagascar, The Pyramids, etc etc etc. I hear all too often how something is apparently unique to Australia when it clearly isn't, I suspect they rely on ignorance to a degree.
'No other country has Kakadu or the Kimberley or the Olgas. There's natural beauty all around the world, but ours is unique to this continent.' Obviously what is here is unique to this country just as what is in many other countries is unique to theirs. The Amazon, The Galapagos, Madagascar, The Pyramids, etc etc etc. I hear all too often how something is apparently unique to Australia when it clearly isn't, I suspect they rely on ignorance to a degree.
Jun 22nd 2011, 11:58 pm
#82
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Jun 23rd 2011, 12:09 am
#83
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: What's so good about Australia?
Sure it was probably convenient for quite a few people but it made life very unpleasant for plenty more.
Jun 23rd 2011, 12:19 am
#84
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: What's so good about Australia?
I hear what you are saying, but having the majority of pubs closing at 11pm is not a good idea for a place that labels itself as a world city
Jun 23rd 2011, 12:46 am
#85
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: What's so good about Australia?
I agree. But too many "late open" licences were granted in low or zero tourist concentrated areas. Airports are fine as are hotels and areas near tourist hot spots in the heart of the city, etc.
Jun 23rd 2011, 1:11 am
#86
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,775
Re: What's so good about Australia?
I've never understood this attitude and I have seen it many times
'No other country has Kakadu or the Kimberley or the Olgas. There's natural beauty all around the world, but ours is unique to this continent.' Obviously what is here is unique to this country just as what is in many other countries is unique to theirs. The Amazon, The Galapagos, Madagascar, The Pyramids, etc etc etc. I hear all too often how something is apparently unique to Australia when it clearly isn't, I suspect they rely on ignorance to a degree.
'No other country has Kakadu or the Kimberley or the Olgas. There's natural beauty all around the world, but ours is unique to this continent.' Obviously what is here is unique to this country just as what is in many other countries is unique to theirs. The Amazon, The Galapagos, Madagascar, The Pyramids, etc etc etc. I hear all too often how something is apparently unique to Australia when it clearly isn't, I suspect they rely on ignorance to a degree.
As has been rightly stated this country couldn't sell it's culture,art,cities besides Sydney icons,a wide brown land which was rather empty of anything of much interest.
Somewhere in the early eighties PR and advertising gurus started to package Australia with all the above in mind.
Done rather a good job as it became popular as a good priced destination and safe,being a good place for "soft" adventures.
Madagascar,is as I understand,one of the most unique places in the world for flora and fauna and has far more edge to it.
But the rough terrain,disease and other possible hazards put a lot off.
Also not well pushed and poor access and almost no English spoken all make it an option for only the more hardy travellers....but agree fully far more unique at the same time.
Pyramids are pretty well exposed. Was there last year and it didn't feel so unique with so many husslers about.
I guess when the dollar does finally take a dip then Australia will regain popularity but probably more with the huge potential Asian market than more traditional ones,perhaps?
Last edited by the troubadour; Jun 23rd 2011 at 1:14 am.
Jun 23rd 2011, 1:19 am
#87
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,775
Re: What's so good about Australia?
The behaviour witnessed in UK cities(or Australia for that matter) is rarely seen in France or Germany or Spain
Bit of an Anglo Saxon/Celtic thing perhaps?
Last edited by the troubadour; Jun 23rd 2011 at 1:28 am.
Jun 23rd 2011, 1:26 am
#88
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,337
Re: What's so good about Australia?
Problem being of course is that all too many Brits are not educated in being able to drink to access and if do how to handle it.
The behaviour witnessed in UK cities is rarely seen in France or Germany or Spain.(or Australia for that matter)
Bit of an Anglo Saxon/Celtic thing perhaps?
The behaviour witnessed in UK cities is rarely seen in France or Germany or Spain.(or Australia for that matter)
Bit of an Anglo Saxon/Celtic thing perhaps?
Jun 23rd 2011, 1:45 am
#90
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: What's so good about Australia?
This is a problem that is totally overdone by the press in Australia - as it is in the UK. I've been in Perth nearly 6 years now, gone out in NB many times, and only seen it kick off twice. In the UK, if you read The Daily Mail and co, you would think that central Cardiff, Newcastle, Nottingham etc are like combat zones on a Friday night when in reality they are not. The cops in both countries make such a big deal out of this because they want to take the easy route and get out of their obligations, and to get more power for themselves.