The Blues

NT: Introspection

On May 30, 2011, in Australia, Travel, by Rosie

Travelling is a privilege not a right. Sometimes, I forget this.

It teaches us so much more than simply the facts about the places we visit, doesn’t it? It reminds us how inconsequential we are in relation to space and time, how basic some of our problems are compared to the struggles of the past, how fortunate we are to have been lucky at birth.

The Northern Territory of Australia is a spiritual place. It has ‘spirit of place’ and a history of human occupation that can be dated back at least 40,000 years. It’s so vast, you can travel for hours and still be in the bush. It has alien creatures from the planet of weird insects and arachnids that can cause panic, but mostly want to be left alone. Either spinning a web the size of the MCG or lounging about in your dunny until you flush the freaking water and disturb its P & Q.

Travelling teaches us a lot. Coping skills. Mapping strategies, patience, diplomacy, a deeper understanding of environment and history. I learnt that our northern-most capital city, Darwin, was bombed with greater frequency in WW2 than the Australian public was lead to believe. I discovered that Cyclone Tracy was predicted, but that a previous cyclone had popped through Darwin a few weeks beforehand, and had hardly touched the sides. The Christmas crowd in Darwin thought that Tracy would simply blow itself out like that one …

I realized that when you lose someone close to you, you’re more likely to take any chance to travel because you appreciate that your loved one would have jumped at the opportunity, had she/he had it. I remembered that all individuals travel very differently — some like to bluster through the day without a break, some need a siesta and want to party into the night, others wish they were home. It was noted that there are two particular types of ‘trip’: A tour and a holiday. A tour is more tiring than real life, involves getting up early, meeting buses, getting on dawn cruises, relocating baggage and tickets and making aeroplane times. A holiday is about being a sloth, although you don’t have to stay up a tree with your arms hanging over the sides of a branch.

Unless that turns you on.

We were fortunate enough to meet with an indigenous guide in the back blocks of Arnhem Land. Without much common language, ‘Tony’ lead us on an amazing hill climb and showed us the rock paintings that aboriginal tribe members had created so long ago. We were lucky enough to have a drink with a member of the NT police force and an interventionist social worker, and the issues and problems facing the indigenous of our country were discussed while the Arnhem Land experience was fresh in our minds.

The children were with us on the trip (although not involved in the police convo). I felt they were fortunate to be able to experience a small part of indigenous life in a traditional setting, while still being made aware of some of the troubles that confront the group within the confines of the city.

The kids preferred time at Crocosaurius and the Wave Pool, but hopefully they gained some insight from the blending of facts and fun on the holiday. If not, there’s always the memory of boogie boarding in the middle of Darwin.

Travelling is not an inherent right. When we visit other places, we need to tread lightly, observe quietly and ponder. The NT trip allowed a great balance of contemplation and relaxation, natural environment and city sights. How very lucky we are in this country of ours, and knowing it better will only enhance our understanding and appreciation of the world.

It grows smaller every day.