Willis's Walkabouts Newsletter 101, April 2019 — Changing Trips
A strange year. We had great bookings in our off-season trips but, except for our most expensive trip where demand was so strong that we had to run two trips, our normal peak is very weak. Read on and find out about our special offers, including one amazing discount that we'll never be able to repeat.
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Restricted content. Articles marked * or ** are on restricted websites Click for more info.
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In this issue
- Willis's Walkabouts May Specials
- The End of Western Civilisation?
- Willis's Walkabouts June — Last Chance
- The Person Who's Best At Lying To You Is You
- WW Overseas — Last Chance
- Protect Yourself
- WW July Onwards
- China, America and Australia
- Facebook, Google and Amazon
- Travel Tips
- Your Health
- Bushwalking Ideas
- Hot Times
- Photos, Videos & Just For Fun
- News About this Newsletter
Willis's Walkabouts May Specials
2019
There have been some major changes since the last newsletter. The following trips are still available. All are definite departures.
New Trip — Special Offer
Carr Boyd Special: 5-18 May
Definite departure. Price: $1395. This is less than half the price of our normal Carr Boyd Explorer. No other discounts apply.
It visits some great waterfalls in areas we don't visit on any other trip. A boat to the start then two sections with helicopter transport between them.
Guide: Sébastien Heritier
Two other trips are still available
- Kakadu Highlights No. 4: Koolpin to Waterfall: 19-26 May
Definite departure. At the request of those who had booked, we made major changes to the original itinerary in order to run the trip. It now gives you more time in which to explore one of the most beautiful areas in the park.
List price: $1795.
Special offer. This is a very small group. $200 off for each of the next two to book. After that we need another vehicle.
Guide: Cassie Newnes - Gregory Explorer: 19 May - 1 June
List price: $2450. Section 1: $1595. Section 2: $1550.
Definite departure. A landscape unlike any other we visit. Little known Gregory is the second largest park in the NT.
Special offer 1. I can't do the first section but I am so keen to do the second that I will drive down and join the group so those doing one section will get free transport in both directions.
Special offer 2. $200 off for the next three people to book the full trip, $100 off for booking either section.
Guide:Rod Costigan Sec 1; Rod and Russell Willis Sec 2
2020
I am trying to organise a special one-of-a-kind Kakadu Circle trip for May 2020. Watch for updates.
The End of Western Civilisation?
Two articles that should really make you think.
- End of days: Is Western civilisation on the brink of collapse?
History tells us all cultures have their sell-by date. Do political strife, crippling inequality and climate change mean the West's time is now up? - Was agriculture the greatest blunder in human history?
Read it and see what you think.
A few more to show how things are or could be falling apart
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The Weaknesses in Liberal Democracy That May Be Pulling It Apart *
Populist backlashes, growing more common even in very different countries, suggest they may be something more than a one-off wave. - A Perfect Target for Cybercriminals *
"America's water supply is increasingly digitized, and increasingly vulnerable." Try to imagine what would happen if someone managed to turn the water off in a large part of the country. -
New U.S. Weapons Systems Are a Hackers' Bonanza, Investigators Find *
"Authorized hackers needed only hours to break into weapons systems the Pentagon is acquiring, and in many cases teams developing the systems were oblivious to the hacking." Scary stuff. Maybe we'll get a North Korean finger on the US atomic button. -
The jobs no one wants
In America, "There are now more job openings than people unemployed, reports Axios. Many of the industries struggling to recruit millennials, in particular, pay well and offer excellent benefits — but they're physically or mentally demanding, if not both."
That's in a land where there isn't much of a social safety net. What's it like here. My auto repair place is desperate to hire a decent mechanic but can't find one who will work to an appropriate standard. What happens if we run out of people to fix the essentials that keep our society going? -
The Hidden Automation Agenda of the Davos Elite *
"In public, executives wring their hands over automation's negative consequences for workers. In private, they talk about how they are racing to automate."
When it's all automated, who will be left to buy the products?
The Distribution of Pain
This one needs its own section.The Distribution of Pain, Redux
- "People don't like pain. They change their behavior to avoid or relieve it. People in pain will vote for politicians who say they can help, regardless of whether they actually can. And if those who suffer see you don't share their pain, they will wonder why not and want whatever advantage you possess. Then it gets ugly. That's not a moral statement but simply a fact-based observation of human nature."
- The Two Economies. "It is a serious mistake to think you can analyze or understand 'the' economy because we now have two economies. Wealth and income are so skewed between top and bottom that 'average' indicators no longer reflect the typical person's experience or living conditions."
- Leveraged Stress. "A big majority (59%) think we are now at "the lowest point in our nation's history." To me, that seems a stretch, given that we killed each other in staggering numbers in the Civil War. And the crash of 1873 and its aftermath wasn't pretty. Neither was the Great Depression. But then, people didn't watch the fighting on their phones. Now we do, and it fills us with anxiety."
- Working Class Versus Service Class. "There is a distinction between what we have seen as the 'working' class and what I am coming to see as the 'service' class."
• "A working-class person is somebody who has a trade, and because of that skill, can generally command a decent income."
• "The service class — bar and restaurant workers, retail salespeople, general manual laborers, and so on — is almost plug-and-play. It is not that the greedy restaurant owner doesn't want to pay his staff more; it's that competition generally won't let him do so and still make a profit. So he holds his labor costs down — and he can do so because in today's market, there are typically more people available for these jobs than there are jobs."
Willis's Walkabouts June — Last Chance
Except for NE Gregory, every trip listed below is either a definite departure or needs three more bookings to run. They will all have to be cancelled or confirmed one week after this newsletter goes onto the website or two months prior to departure if that is later.
- Northeast Gregory: 9-15 June
This is the second section of our Litchfield-Gregory Explorer. Section one will not run this year.
List price: $1495. Needs one more booking.
I am so keen to do this trip that I'll run it for as few as three people. We already have two.
Probable guide: Russell Willis - Kakadu Super Circle No. 2: 9-30 June
List price: $4195. Our longest dry season Kakadu expedition. Two walks, either of which can be done on its own.
- Section 1, Koolpin to Twin: $2495. Definite departure.
- Section 2, Twin to Gunlom: $2695.
- Drysdale River National Park No. 1: 16-30 June
List price: $4695. Fly in and out with an amphibious aircraft. - Kakadu Highlights No. 5: 23 June - 6 July
List price: $2895. Two sections, either of which can be done on its own.- Section 1, Waterfall-Barramundi: $1895.
- Section 2, Twin to Jim Jim: $1895.
- Prince Regent Nature Reserve: 23 June - 14 July
List price: $7495. It's expensive because you fly in and out with light aircraft and helicopters.
This walk is so spectacular and demand so high that we are offering two overlapping trips this year.
Guide Cassie Newnes will bring her partner and children (all experienced walkers) on one of them. If you have children who are EXPERIENCED bushwalkers, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Both groups are definite departures. Both groups have limited space available. - Drysdale River No. 2: 30 June - 13 July
List price: $5695. We use a float plane to go in and a combination of a helicopter and light aircraft to leave. This gets us access to one of the remotest parts of one of the remotest national parks in Australia.
The person who's best at lying to you is you
The person who's best at lying to you is you
"I always thought I would learn more as I grew older. In fact, the opposite is happening: The older I get, the more I realize how much I don't know."
"Our questions differ, but we're all seeking answers. Our digital technologies, led by search, theoretically make it easy to find answers, but they aren't necessarily the right ones. This is a growing problem. Whatever crazy thing you want to believe, a quick internet search will turn up some 'expert' to confirm you're right."
Two more that go with the above
- Spurious Correlations
If you look hard enough, you can find statistics to show almost anything.
An amazing set of graphs which some would take as proof of some very strange ideas. - List of cognitive biases
There are many things you have probably never thought of which can unconsciously influence your decisions.
Well worth at least a brief look.
WW Overseas — Last Chance
Deadline 7 May
Two of the following have bookings. None have the bookings we need to run it. The following will be cancelled at the end of the first week in May unless we have the bookings we need to run them.
- New Caledonia: 2 or 3 weeks in September-October
We need a French speaking guide on this trip so we need to know way in advance so we can organise it. - Madagascar: 4 weeks in September
Maximum of only nine plus our guide. We've run this trip three times. No one else offers anything like it.
As with New Caledonia, we need a French speaking guide, probably Sébastien Heritier
Check out some of the info on our website to find out more.
• Video. Madagascar - Part 1 — highlights from the first three days of our trip.
• Video. Madagascar - Part 2 — 5 day trek in Isalo National Park
• The notes refer to our 2018 trip. 2019 will be much the same. - Japan - Honshu: 20 October - 2 November
Guide: Rod Costigan. This would follow on from the Hokkaido trip so the two could be combined. - Japan - Hokkaido: 29 September - 12 October
Guide: Rod Costigan. Rod has made several visits to Japan and has made this a trip we can be proud of.
We need four more bookings by May to run the trip.
Deadline 1 June
- Northeast South Africa: Kruger & More: 4 Weeks in October-November
This is very much a first draft. Those who express an interest early on can help finalise the itinerary.
Definite departure, almost full.
- Patagonia: 4 Weeks in December-January
Definite departure. Only one place left. At least one of those who has booked may not be able to make it so we'll take a wait list.
Probable guide: Russell Willis
2020 — Spain?
On our recent trip to Europe, we collected a fair bit of information which could be used to create a trip to Spain, half of which would be based around visits to rock art sites. The other half would be based on hut to hut walking. If you think there is any chance you might be interested in a trip like that, please please send us an email and let us know so we can begin working on a detailed itinerary.
Protect Yourself
- Are Targeted Ads Stalking You? Here's How to Make Them Stop *
Online ads have always been annoying, but now they're worse than ever. You can make them go away but before you try to exorcise targeted ads, it helps to understand what's going on behind the scenes. -
Spam has taken over our phones. Will we ever want to answer them again? **
Estimates that by later this year more than 50% of all calls in US will be spam. It's not as bad in Australia, but the problem is increasing. - The latest technology that could help protect vulnerable Australians from scammers
The article has some good links to other resources. Very worth while. -
Are Your Children Racking Up Charges From Mobile Games? Here's How to Fight Back *
Parents are often surprised by unauthorized credit card charges. The culprit: Bait apps, which lure children into buying virtual junk online. Preventing these purchases isn't easy, but it can be done. -
How to Do a Data 'Cleanse' *
New year, new you, right? You may be headed to the gym, but what about the health of your phone, computer and all your precious data? Here are some tips to get your digital life in order. - The frightening new cyber crime that can steal thousands using just your mobile number
- Car dealers are gouging buyers with 'worthless' insurance policies: ASIC
"Australians received $144 million in claims for the $1.6 billion they paid in car insurances add-ons in the three years to 2016. That's a dismal claims ratio of 4 cents in every dollar, compared with 50 cents/$1 typically paid on car and home insurance."
Getting insurance from a dealer when you buy a car would seem to be a very bad idea. - How to check if you’re being secretly filmed in your Airbnb
I've used AirBnB a few times and found it excellent. The possibility of being filmed never crossed my mind. But the story shows that it can happen.
WW July Onwards
Our advance purchase discounts remain available on every trip from July onwards.
Cassie's NVC Retreats
We gave a description of these special trips in our February newsletter. Both now have bookings.
- Kakadu Retreat: 28 July - 5 August
Definite departure. This trip is already more than half full. - Kimberley Retreat: 11-20 August
Regular Trips
Every trip listed in our regularly updated PDF trip list remains available. Here are four that deserve a special mention.
- Bungle Bungles: 7-15 July
List price: $2695. I revised the itinerary so we could drop the price.
Special offer. We can now offer a free ride from Darwin to Kununurra before the trip and a free ride back afterwards. - Mitchell Plateau No. 3: 11-24 August
List price: $3495. Driving in one or both directions makes this our least expensive Mitchell Plateau trip. - Kakadu Short Overnight No. 1: 25-31 August
List price: $1995. One of our easiest Kakadu trips. - Kakadu Short Overnight No. 2: 1-7 September.
List price: $1895. On the two short overnight trips, you carry packs for limited distances & have more than one night at each camp. On No. 2, you finish with two nights in Jabiru and a day at the Mahbilil Festival.
Special offer. Do both short overnight trips and you pay only $3395 (less applicable discounts and you will get a free night's accommodation in Jabiru between the two walks.
China, America and Australia
China — We don't get it.
- Engineers of the Soul: what Australia needs to know about ideology in Xi Jinping's China
We just don't get how alien the Chinese establishment way of thinking is to ours.
The Australian economy depends on China. It's a bit long but it is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the country. It's the best I've seen. - Censoring China's Internet, for Stability and Profit *
Thousands of low-wage workers in 'censorship factories' trawl the online world for forbidden content, where even a photo of an empty chair could cause big trouble. - Millions of Chinese glued to their phones, under pressure to win top score in new game
Tens of millions of Chinese workers, students and civil servants are using Study the Great Nation, often under pressure from the government.
It is part of a sweeping effort by Xi to strengthen ideological control in the digital age and reassert the party's primacy, as Mao once did, as the centre of Chinese life.
America vs China
Maybe we'll all be losers.
- How the Trade War Could Backfire and Cost America Its Economic Security
Washington's model of capitalism and liberal democracy is being challenged by Beijing. - China Is a Dangerous Rival, and America Should Treat It Like One *
Enough with the endless talks and handshakes. We need to untie the American economy from China. - Trump May Revive the Cold War, but China Could Change the Dynamics *
Trump's decision to dump a missile-control treaty seems to end an important period of arms control — which did not include China. But Europe is not happy. - A Tiny Screw Shows Why iPhones Won't Be 'Assembled in U.S.A.' *
Apple decided several years ago to produce a high-end Mac in Texas. The problems that surfaced illustrate the challenges of domestic manufacturing. - China Is Confronting New U.S. Hostility. But Is It Ready for the Fight? *
As the acrimony intensifies, Beijing's immediate worry is how the Chinese public will handle the trade war and what impact it might have on domestic stability. -
'America First' Has Won" *
The three pillars of the ideology — isolationism, protectionism and restricting immigration — were gaining popularity before Donald Trump became president and may outlast his tenure.
Australia — Where do we fit in the big picture?
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Australia's Geopolitics
"Australia, like the United States, was born in the course of the British Empire's creation. Both were occupied by indigenous peoples when the English arrived. In each, the English settlers created states that were eventually united into a single nation. The two countries share significant cultural similarities, not least their common language. But there are dramatic differences in how Australia and the U.S. behave within the international system."
Short & well worth the read. - The Nothing Beyond
Australia is due for a recession. Talks about our housing bubble & China dependence. -
The Trump Vibe Spreads Down Under *
At the bottom of the world, Australians engage in topsy-turvy politics, infected by the specters of Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch.
Is this how we want the world to see us?
Facebook, Google and Amazon
Under Attack
- Elizabeth Warren Proposes Breaking Up Tech Giants Like Amazon and Facebook *
For non-Americans, Elizabeth Warren is a senator and one of the contenders for the Democrat presidential nomination. - Social media laws clear Parliament in rush
"Under the proposed measures, social media executives could face a jail sentence and companies would be breaking Australian law if they did not take down footage of terrorist acts immediately." - Google Is Fined $57 Million Under Europe's Data Privacy Law *
France penalized the company for not properly disclosing to users how data is collected across its services to present personalized advertising. - Facebook's Three Big Problems *
The social media company is facing plenty of issues. Kevin Roose wonders how many of its executives understand that Facebook has more than just a P.R. crisis.
What they're doing
- Delay, Deny and Deflect: How Facebook's Leaders Fought Through Crisis *
Many links in article. It shows magnitude of the problem and how FB tried to avoid consequences. -
Amazon Is Pushing Facial Technology That a Study Says Could Be Biased *
In new tests, Amazon's system had more difficulty identifying the gender of female and darker-skinned faces than similar services from IBM and Microsoft. Amazon is doing it's best to sell it anyway. -
Zuckerberg Plans to Integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger *
Facebook's chief executive has asserted control over its sprawling divisions and mandated the social network's messaging services be knitted together. - Inside Facebook's Secret Rulebook for Global Political Speech
Under fire for stirring up distrust and violence, the social network has vowed to police its users. But leaked documents raise serious questions about its approach. -
Big Tech May Look Troubled, but It's Just Getting Started *
Even as Facebook, Google and others confronted challenges in 2018, their ambitions were undimmed. After all, so much of life remains undisrupted. - Facebook Used People's Data to Favor Certain Partners and Punish Rivals, Documents Show *
A trove of internal Facebook documents was released by a British parliamentary committee as part of an investigation into misinformation and user data. - Facebook Emails Show Its Real Mission: Making Money and Crushing Competition *
Messages released publicly on Wednesday suggest the idealistic image the company promoted for years was a carefully cultivated smoke screen. - Mark Zuckerberg's Delusion of Consumer Consent *
"He said Facebook users want tailored ads. According to our research, that's not true." - Amazon Knows What You Buy. And It's Building a Big Ad Business From It. *
The online retail giant is taking advantage of what it knows better than anyone: consumers' online shopping habits. -
The Week in Tech: How Google and Facebook Spawned Surveillance Capitalism *
A new book argues that Google and Facebook created a new business model that profits off private human behaviour.
When Giants Collide
- Are You an Amazon or an Apple Family? *
Home innovations like smart microwaves and toilets could lock us into a digital caste system. - Maybe Only Tim Cook Can Fix Facebook's Privacy Problem *
The cold war between Facebook and Apple over data use and privacy is heating up. How far should Mr. Cook take it? - Apple Shows Facebook Who Has the Power in an App Dispute *
After two days of disruptions, the iPhone maker restored the social network's access to internal apps that its employees rely on in their jobs.
Opting Out
- How to Delete Facebook *
Lost faith in Facebook after data leakages, breaches and too much noise? Here's a guide to breaking up with the social network and its photo-sharing app for good.
Travel Tips
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10 things you should always do before you fly
All good ideas. I found a couple I hadn't thought of. - 'We can never beat them': How Expedia and Wotif are strangling hotels Most agreements have a clause that the hotels can't offer cheaper prices on their own websites. This is now illegal in some parts of Europe and may become illegal in Australia after the next election. It says something similar to the Dick Smith article in my last newsletter.
- 9 hacks to earn 20,000 frequent flyer — without a credit card
Your Health
Four very different stories.
- A Mysterious Infection, Spanning the Globe in a Climate of Secrecy" *
"The rise of Candida auris embodies a serious and growing public health threat: drug-resistant germs."
It's a long article but with a high fatality rate and spreading, you ought to start thinking about our possible futures. - Sunshine Is Good for You… and Not Just Because of the Vitamin D
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Scientists trial skin patch to treat peanut allergies in children
The article contains other advice. If you have young children, you really should read it. - Finding It Hard to Focus? Maybe It's Not Your Fault *
The rise of the new 'attention economy.' Some would say this has nothing to do with health but I see not being able to concentrate as a health issue.
Bushwalking Ideas
Training
How to train to carry a heavy pack
Good ideas, but I need to stress that packs in our part of the world don't need to be as heavy as they do in cooler climates.
Parks in Danger
The Scenic Rim Trail proposal — our concerns
From the NPA of Qld. "The Gainsdale Scenic Rim trail development proposal has the potential to effectively privatise a significant section of Main Range National Park."
This is one of many similar proposals around the country which will inevitably affect every bushwalker who is happy to walk as part of a non-commercial group.
Yes, we'd like your business but we'd never try and lock something up so others couldn't enjoy it on their own.
Misc
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Bush Toileting
Even with all my years of bush experience, I learned something from this article. - Tassie's new Mt Mawson shelter open for business
upgraded facilities for bushwalkers heading to the iconic Tarn Shelf walk in Mt Field National Park. - National Park to be dedicated to left handed people
I enjoyed this too much to leave it out. - Clearing works completed on Hannels Spur walking trail
The 15.5km track, which leads to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko from near Geehi Flat on the Alpine Way, is unique in offering the greatest elevation gain (1800m) of any single walk in Australia. It takes in the entire western fall of the Snowy Mountains, climbing through the full range of vegetation from heavily-forested slopes above the Geehi and Swampy Plain Rivers to sub-alpine and alpine tracts on the top of the Main Range.
General Info
I found these sites while looking at other things. Similar sites and organisations exist in most, if not all, states.
- Bushwalking WA
The umbrella organisation representing WA bushwalkers. - Parks & Wildlife Tasmania
a real wealth of info. - Kakadu
When I googled 'Kakadu' three paid ads came first. The official site above has far more information including things you can do on your own.
Hot Times
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Miami Battles Rising Seas *
In 2017, voters agreed to finance adaptation efforts through property taxes. Now the first phase of those projects is underway.
Miami Beach where I was born may disappear in my lifetime. -
U.S. Midwest Freezes, Australia Burns: This Is the Age of Weather Extremes *
Numbing cold hit parts of the United States as wildfires raged in Australia's record-breaking heat. Here's the climate change connection. - Alaska Relies on Ice. What Happens When It Can't Be Trusted? *
"Climate change is warming Alaska faster than any other state, bringing early thaws that create hazards and disrupt long-established ways of life."
Photos, Videos & Just for Fun
Video — For History Buffs
The Great War
This is a series covering WWI week by week as it happened. There are something like 80 episodes, done as a sort of news broadcast might have been done if that technology had been available at the time.
Not sure if this might be for you? Have a quick look at the Wikipedia article covering the series. A friend of mine is very interested in history and highly recommended the series.
Video
- Kakadu — stop guessing, start doing
A great 2½ minute video of the park. We can take you places the makers of the video can't show you because we walk. - Riding shotgun: Watch as a great white shark stalks its prey through a kelp forest
You need to click a link in the article to see the video. Great whites do things we never imagined. - Blue as the Mountains
Nice short video. My first overnight walk in Australia was in the Blue Mountains. Good memories.
Just For Fun
- FlightRadar24.com
Every flight in the air around the world in real time. - Spurious Correlations
Did you know that the number of people who died by becoming tangled in their bedsheets has a strong correlation with per capita cheese consumption?
If you missed this one early in the newsletter, read it here for pure fun.
News About This Newsletter
Restricted websites. The NY Times and Bloomberg Business Week both allow non-subscribers to look at ten free articles each month. I've got more links than that in this newsletter so I've marked them with a red asterisk (*) so that you can choose which are of most interest to you. The Washington Post and The Economist both have limits but I'm not sure what the current limits is so I've marked Washington Post and Economist articles with a double red asterisk (**).
Next Newsletter — May or June. Watch for some more updates to our program.
As always, I've already got a few things ready. Hopefully, I can get a bit of feedback about some of the things in this newsletter to include in the next one. As I've often said, Suggestions welcome.
Sending the newsletter
While I now send most of the newsletters using MailChimp, I still send about 200 newsletters using a program which is hosted on the same server that hosts our website. (MailChimp Free only allows 2000. The commercial version costs too much for an extra 200 people.) In both cases, the newsletters are sent from walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au. This is the contact address on our website. If you would like to continue to receive these newsletters, please include this address in your "friends list" so that it isn't blocked.
For some reason, some servers block the newsletters no matter what you try and do. I send these in small groups from my normal email. It's not a simple problem. If anyone thinks they might have an idea how to overcome the problem, I'd love to hear from you.
Emails sent to walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au are currently automatically forwarded to rrwillis at internode.on.net. If you want to send an email to that address, replace the word "at" with the symbol @. I am trying not to put that address any place where it can be harvested by spam bots.
We don't want to add to the mass of email spam. If you don't want our newsletter, please send us an email and let us know. We'll then delete your name from our newsletter list.
Our email address is walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au.
Note. Both MailChimp and the other program we use to send some of these newsletters have an automatic delete at the bottom. Clicking that link will delete you from the mailing list on the server but it will not delete you from our main database. One of the programs will not allow the auto delete to send me an email notifying me that a deletion has been made. If you want to be sure that you are removed from all further mailings, please send an email to walkabout@bushwalkingholidays.com.au
If you know someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward it to them. The more people who get it, the more likely it is that I'll be able to run the trips which might interest you.
Best wishes to all.
I hope you enjoy reading the newsletter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Russell Willis