Aussie update

Well, it's now Sunday afternoon and tonight we are going to the Burnett Heads Yacht Club for dinner with all the other rally participants. We've got British, Canadian, South African, Swedish, and all sorts in between. All great people - except we missed some excitement last Friday a week ago. Apparently a Spanish couple had sailed in and had been watched all the way across the Pacific by Customs in various countries. They had been to Columbia and had 400 kg. of Cocaine aboard - worth over AUD300 million on the street. The catalyst for action came when some locals arrived and were observed removing suitcases ashore. Federal Police and Customs moved quickly and intercepted the "cargo" and arrested the individuals who are likely to spend some considerable time in prison. In the meantime the yacht has been removed from the water and is in an adjacent hardstand area from where it will be sold by the Aust. Govt. Although whether it will be worth much after it had been literally pulled to pieces being searched for more drugs is debatable. As far as we are concerned the book should be thrown at scum like that given the effects on countless and mostly young lives that they cause. The death penalty as exists in most SE Asian countries should be mandatory. We'd happily pull the trigger!
This morning we went to the Sunday market in Bundaberg and bought luscious mangoes and other fresh fruit and veg. The marina puts on a free shuttle bus to take cruisers to the market. They also operate into the City on weekdays which is a great service. The marina office has merchandise for sale as well as an ATM machine - all very service oriented. Totally unlike NC and quite unlike NZ as well.
Yesterday we set off on foot to Burnett Heads and hadn't gone 100 metres when 2 locals offered us a lift. It's only 2-3 kms but the lift was welcome in the heat. The driver announced that he was married to a Kiwi and Jean countered that that sounded brave! Some more banter and we arrived at a modern (IGA) supermarket where we purchased some necessary items. IGA offers a service where they take you back to the marina gratis. Again something NZ could definitely learn from. Service is tops here and so often we have heard criticism from other international cruising yachts about NZ in that regard. As regards New Caledonia it's even worse - but then one can forgive the French almost anything! Certainly once they get to know you they change somewhat. We had an enormous lunch at the Lighthouse Hotel in Burnett Heads (creamy prawns and lamb shanks)and it was excellent and reasonably priced. But sooooooo many overweight Australians - we can see why and don't want to end up like that!
Just removed the engine battery so that the electrician can get into the hot water cylinder tomorrow and now a shower before walking along the road to the Yacht Club. Wot a life!!!!!
Cheers and lotsaluv again from us..........
P.S. Shannon - we'll be here at the Port Bundaberg Marina at least until the end of the month so if Neil is in the area we'd love to see him.

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