10 Short Stories

No Worries Mate (I)

In our (Singapore) media, Aussies are beer drinkers, the fattest nation in the world, racist, and would not give our Singapore Airlines the green light on the Open Skies Agreement after 10 years of talks, which prompted our Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong to say the following in the early part of 2006:

"I have always held Australia in high regard as a close bilateral partner. Thus, I am naturally very disappointed with this decision, especially after more than 10 years of protracted discussions." "Singapore has also been more than generous in facilitating the growth of Australian carriers to and beyond Singapore. It is disheartening to see that they have taken this and the warmth in our bilateral relationship for granted."

Almost certainly, every now and then we would get to read (in our papers) about Asians being targeted at in aggressive manners by the whites in (the big cities of) Australia. To me, the impression I had about Aussies tended to me more negative than positive. That was before I started traveling, BUT, I now know that the reports in the media CANNOT be taken to represent the majority. I was polarized in my views!

Kuta, Bali INDONESIA. July 2004.

I was there having a well deserved R&R after cycling Sumatra-Java-Bali. It had been a day of surfing, which I saw as highly addictive. Then, I would usually get my dinner in the alleys of the Gang 1 and Gang 2 area before presenting myself for the happy hours with the devotion of a pilgrim. With its attractive prices, at roughly an USD per bottle, if I had not been religious about my journey to the pub, it would have been a sin.

John & Mara Armstrong were, like me, having Bintangs. During their conversation, which I had no intention to eavesdrop, I came to realize that they would be flying back to Darwin soon. I was also going to fly there to continue my cycling. I then approached the couple for more information regarding cycling from the airport to the city centre and such.

Couple of Bintangs later, that the Aussies had contained in their stubbies, we were to realize that we were on the same flight! I had not asked, but John then offered to carry some of my luggage! Therefore, I had no problem with excess baggage arriving in Darwin.

It was 5am when we arrived in Darwin. John then told me to wait at the airport while he went back to get his vehicle and later drove me to his apartment which was probably some 15km from the airport. John subsequently served me coffee at 6am. I soon fell asleep in John's living room, which was overlooking the Darwin (Cullen Bay) marina, with the sea breeze enveloping me. The coffee was cold when I woke up.

The next couple of days while I adjusted to the climate of Darwin, John cooked several meals for me including abalone and emperor trout, and of course offered me lots of Victoria Bitter, which I did not see as the most fantastic in Australia. My opinion of the best in OZ would always draw comments from locals so I would rather reserve my thoughts to myself. I really enjoyed sitting by the balcony of John's apartment with a VB in my hand looking at the boats berthed at the marina and the big open sea. It was a beautiful sight; serenity.

From John's apartment, we could see his Reelistic (in the colors of VB!) berthed at the Bay. Once, John brought me to his boat where the most amazing bit to me was the two 200-litres iceboxes on the aft-deck of the boat. John had just charted his boat out for a fishing trip and the boat had returned with an obscene number (to me, at least) of unfinished beers in those boxes that I was later allowed to help myself to! The selection was just overwhelming! I love those boxes!

There were couple of fridges in John's apartment which were all adequately stocked up with VBs. The mini fridge by the balcony was just really useful when admiring the sunset off Cullen Bay.

Until this day, I am still keeping the stubby that John and Mara gave to me. It has been very useful. I am looking forward to seeing the Aussies who will be in Singapore this December 2006.