Willis's Walkabouts Newsletter 99, December 2018 — Christmas Special
Anyone who travels should find at least one good idea in the Travel Tips section. There's plenty to make you think, lots to simply enjoy and a couple of chances to get discount vouchers.
Press on Regardless, the first video in the Photos, Videos & Just For Fun section is from a couple I first walked with in 1992. One of my dreams is to still be going as strong as they are when I get to their age.
If you are viewing this on a mobile, the newsletter and many of the links should work better in a horizontal format.
Restricted content. Articles marked * or ** are on restricted websites Click for more info.
.
In this issue
- Willis's Walkabouts Wet Season 2019
- China vs the West
- 2019 Trips — Special Mention
- WW Facebook Competition
- Christmas Thoughts
- Your Health
- What The Dutch Can Teach Us About Wildfires
- Cassie's NVC Retreats
- Germany — What Happens There Will Affect Us Here
- Travel Tips
- Our Prices
- WW Overseas
- Hot Times
- Photos, Videos & Just For Fun
- News About this Newsletter
Willis's Walkabouts Wet Season 2019
- Never before, maybe never again. New Year in Kakadu: 27 December 2018 - 1 January 2019
We like walking in the Wet SO much that two extra guides have decided to join this trip simply because we know how good it will be. At the moment the guides and their families will probably outnumber the paying clients on this trip. "Stop guessing and start doing" — now might be the time to find put why we like walking in the wet season so much. - Kakadu Light: 10-23 February
Last chance. We still need three more to guarantee departure. We'll confirm or cancel one week from the date this newsletter goes out.
If you like what you see on the link above, please make sure to click the link to the detailed trip notes. - Kimberley Coast Explorer: 17 March - 6 April
One of the most spectacular trips we offer. Two sections, either of which can be done on its own.
So near and yet so far. We still need two more to guarantee the departure.
Guide: Cassie Newnes
Finally, I strongly believe that the information about walking in the Wet season on our Wet Season web pages is better than anything you can find anywhere else. If you disagree and can show me another website with better and more comprehensive information, I'll give you a $500 discount on any trip we offer.
Our first wet season page links to two additional pages giving you all the information you could possibly want about walking in the Wet. Note. These pages are best viewed on a large screen, not on a mobile.
China vs the West
Interested in China and how it affects you? (There is no question that it does affect you.) The NY Times recently did a massive five part series. For someone seriously interested in China, this alone is worth a short-term subscription.
- Part 1. The Land That Failed to Fail *
"They didn't like the West's playbook. So they wrote their own."
There are many different links which give you far better insights than I've found elsewhere. - Part 2. How China's Rulers Control Society: Opportunity,Nationalism, Fear *
- Part 3. Money and Muscle Pave China's Way to Global Power *
- Part 4. China's Economy Became No. 2 by Defying No. 1 *
- Part 5. The Road to Confrontation *
2019 Trips — Special Mention
Walking With Children
- Bungle Bungles and Osmond Range: 7-27 April
Two sections, either of which can be done on its own. Visit the Bungles when there is still plenty of water for swimming. See just how different the nearby Osmond Range is.
A family including a ten year old boy has booked the Bungles section of this trip. Cassie is considering bringing her children along as well. If you'd like to show your children this magnificent area, this would be an ideal time to do so. - Kakadu Family Walk No.1: 13-19 April
Have a look at our Walking With Children in Kakadu page to get an idea what it's like. There are four short videos at the bottom of the page that say far more about how the kids enjoy the trips than I can do with mere words. (Click the bottom photos to see the videos.)
We have bookings but not yet enough to run the trip. - Prince Regent Nature Reserve: 23 June - 14 July
This walk is so spectacular and demand so high that we are offering two 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.
Russell's Special Mentions
- Centralian Highlights; 22 April - 12 May
This is based on a trip I did two years ago. If I weren't going to be overseas I'd do it myself. It's the easiest Red Centre trip we offer.
Probable guide: Rod Costigan - Kakadu Circle No. 1: 5-26 May.
If someone told me that I could only do one more trip in Kakadu, this would be it. None of those who have done it can understand why it isn't more popular than the shorter Kakadu Circles 2 & 3. We've got bookings, but not yet enough to guarantee departure. - King George: 5-18 May
Fly in, fly out and enjoy a cruise between sections as you visit some of the most spectacular scenery on the Kimberley Coast.
Filling fast. Probable guide: Cassie Newnes. - West Macdonnell Ranges: 9-22 June
Those who never get off the Larapinta miss some of the best bits of the West Macdonnells. - Prince Regent Nature Reserve: 23 June - 14 July
Two trips, both definite departures.
As above, guide Cassie Newnes will bring her family on one; the other will be adults only. - Drysdale River No. 2: 30 June - 13 July
We use a float plane to get access to one of the remotest national parks in Australia.
WW Facebook Competition
We've been running a quiz on our Facebook page. There is still time to enter. Scroll down for all the questions (some may be finished). First prize is a $200 voucher, second is a $100 voucher, third is a $50 voucher.
We're thinking of doing something similar with bigger prizes but we need some ideas as to how to attract more entries before we do so. Any ideas?
Christmas Thoughts
Buying Something Special for Christmas?
This was a publicity stunt, but it does have a message for us all.
'They had us fooled': Inside Payless's elaborate prank to dupe people into paying $600 for shoes
"But the prank also points to a reality about the human mind: Consumers are not capable of discerning the quality and value of the things they buy, said Philip Graves, a consumer behaviour consultant from Britain. Slap a fancy-sounding European label on a pair of $30 shoes, and you have an illusion of status that people will pay an exorbitant amount of money for."
Spend, Spend, Spend — or ....
I Highly Recommend Joining This Cult *
• "I am slashing my spending and rethinking my bourgeois ways. You should, too. Is this a movement whose time has come?"
• There is a "growing concern that our stressed-out, debt-ridden consumer culture is unsustainable."
• "In Australia, we have some of the highest levels of household debt in the world, and with no sign of a big increase in wages any time soon, many Australians are having to learn to rein in their profligate ways."
• "after four months of learning from the thrifty and living more frugally, the unexpected consequence is that it has not just reduced my spending but has also improved my quality of life and satisfaction with life."
Your Health
Sleep
- Neanderthals didn't give us red hair but they certainly changed the way we sleep
- We asked five experts: is it possible to catch up on sleep?
"If we don't get enough sleep, can we catch up later? Experts are divided." - Why Do You Keep Dreaming You Forgot Your Pants? It's Science *
"Where your brain goes when you're asleep helps you when you're awake."
Detox?
What you should know about 'teatox' as a way to detox **
Coffee
How Coffee Activates Your Body's Guardian Angel
• "Up until a few years ago, mainstream medicine was convinced that coffee was (mostly) bad for you. But in recent years, we've seen a slew of studies that prove the opposite may be true."
• "coffee is the single best weapon against Alzheimer's disease that we have today."
The article above cites several different scientific papers. Well worth a read.
Global Germ Bank
We Need a Global Bank of Germs *
With modern medicine killing off whole categories of bacteria and viruses — including benign ones that promote health — scientists propose a way to preserve microbes that may save us one day.
"The key to understanding the proposal is that not all germs are bad. Some bacteria and viruses aid digestion; others regulate immune systems. But modern medical, dietetic and hygiene practices have put many on the endangered list."
Amazing Tech
Once Paralyzed, Three Men Take Steps Again With Spinal Implant *
"An experimental, pacemaker-like device offers hope for treating spinal injuries."
What The Dutch Can Teach Us About Wildfires
What the Dutch Can Teach Us About Wildfires *
"The Dutch live below sea level and plan accordingly. We live in fire prone areas and should plan accordingly." For the most part, we don't. The article is from America but applies at least as much to Australia.
Cassie's NVC Retreats
After the tremendous success of this year's NVC Retreat, Cassie and Kate have decided to offer two in 2019. While based around bushwalking, these trips are very different from the rest of our trips. Here is a brief description from the trip notes.
"Nonviolent Communication (NVC), also known as Compassionate Communication, was founded by Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s. It is grounded in consciousness, language, communication skills, and uses of power that enable us to remain human, even under trying conditions. Nonviolent Communication contains nothing new; all that has been integrated into NVC has been known for centuries. The intent is to remind us about what we already know — about how we humans were meant to relate to one another — and to assist us in living in a way that concretely manifests this knowledge."
"During the retreat we will spend time living and moving together as community, connecting with all of life — our surroundings, ourselves and others to tangibly experience our interdependence. This moves us beyond our ideas of separation, habitual thinking of who is right and who is wrong." Now the details.
Germany — What Happens There Will Affect Us Here
Germany is the fourth largest economy in the world, not far behind #3 Japan. Of the top ten economies in the world, it is by far the most dependent on exports. As a percent of GDP, Germany exports more than twice as much as China. What happens in Germany inevitably affects the rest of the world. Here is a small collection of stories about Germany, interesting things that seldom get mentioned in the popular press.
- Germans Quietly Pass an Equinox of Unity, but the Walls Remain *
"The Berlin Wall has been down as long as it stood. One generation lived with the wall, one without it. But in many ways it is still a tale of two countries." - Merkel's Twilight Arrives
"Angela Merkel's legacy may not be all she hoped for — but her successor won't have it much easier." Thoughtful analysis of the problems facing Germany. - One Legacy of Merkel? Angry East German Men Fueling the Far Right *
"Germany is again divided between east and west. To understand why, it helps to look at eastern men, who lost their jobs, their country and their women." - Greens Thrive in Germany as the 'Alternative' to Far-Right Populism *
"The former protest movement has become the second-most popular party by sticking to its principles: pro-environment, pro-Europe and pro-immigration." - 'Already an Exception': Merkel's Legacy Is Shaped by Migration and Austerity *
"She was a catastrophe," said Mr. Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister, "and she will be missed, because who comes next will certainly be worse."
Travel Tips
- 15 Travel Hacks From Flight Attendants
- Travel Etiquette by Country
When I was reading the first article, I came across a link to this one. Scroll down and see if they have info about the country you are looking for. - How to Charge Your Phone Faster *
"No time to wait for your phone to charge up? No problem — these tips will get you the most battery power in the least amount of time." - Unusual European road rules could see you on the wrong side of the law
On country roads in Chile, we have to leave the headlights on. Sensible given the dust. But, how about the countries that "require you to carry a reflective jacket and a hazard warning triangle in case of emergency" or those with a 0.00 blood alcohol limit if you are behind the wheel. - Bulletproof backpacks and other devices keeping travellers safe
- You don't have to be travelling to find this one useful.
What to Do When Your Phone or Tablet Won't Charge *
If your phone just stops charging, even when it's plugged in, it doesn't mean it's time to shop for a new one. Here are a few simple steps you can take before calling the pros or opening your wallet. - New iPhone case perfect for bushwalks
With more and more people using their phone for taking photos on our walks, I thought I really needed to include this.
Our Prices
Getting quotes and updating our prices for 2019 is a slow and ongoing process. Prices shown in blue in our regularly updated PDF trip list have been updated.
Anyone booking before a price change goes onto our website will lock in the old price on a trip where we provide the transport and a price halfway between the old and new where we charter it.
We offer advance purchase discounts of up to 20% on all our Australian trips as well as past client and membership discounts. Click the link for full details.
WW Overseas
Given the work involved in organising these trips, we can't start working on the final details until we have bookings.
- 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. - South Africa and Namibia: 5-6 Weeks in August-September
Wildflowers, wild animals and rock art. We already have bookings on this special trip.
Probable guide: Russell Willis - Japan - Hokkaido: 29 September - 12 October
Volcanoes, mountains, wildlife, and autumn colours as far as the eye can see.
Guide: Rod Costigan - Japan - Honshu: 20 October - 2 November
In and around the "Japanese Alps". Spectacular high walking routes and a taste of "pilgrim trail" walking.
Guide: Rod Costigan - 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. - Patagonia: 4 Weeks in December-January
We need a Spanish speaking guide on this one. We already have bookings on one of our easiest-ever Patagonia trips. This is still an early draft. Those who express an interest early on can help finalise the itinerary.
Probable guide: Russell Willis
We also hope to offer
• Vanuatu 2019 — for the first time in several years.
Hot Times
Deadly Heat
From the New Scientist, Deadly heat: How to survive the world's new temperature extremes
Australia's latest sizzling summer presages a global future — but we're beginning to understand heat's impacts on the human body, and how to combat them."
It's almost beyond belief. Australia Heat Rise maps is blown up version of the one in the article.
Unexpected Climate Tales
- California's Underwater Forests Are Being Eaten by the 'Cockroaches of the Ocean' *
"Climate change is ravaging California's underwater kelp forests. That's caused what one scientist called a 'perfect storm' in the ecosystem. - The bubbling methane lake in Alaska that could be a hidden climate change time bomb
Includes two videos. Lakes on fire. - Only in America? I hope so.
"Verizon throttled fire department's 'unlimited' data during California wildfire."
"Fire department had to pay twice as much to lift throttling during wildfire response." - Many Major Airports Are Near Sea Level. A Disaster in Japan Shows What Can Go Wrong. *
"Airports in Shanghai, Rome, New York and other major cities, often designed before global warming was fully understood, face a threat from rising seas and extreme weather."
According to Airservices Australia, the ends of the runways at Sydney range from 2.1 to 6.0 m above sea level. - Hurricane Michael's Deadly Strike Leaves Florida Panhandle Reeling *
Old news now, but it should still give us pause to reflect. "Hurricane Michael has passed on to Georgia and the Carolinas, but it has left behind substantial damage in communities like Mexico Beach, where it hit landfall, and Panama City."
Includes good video. Here's a direct link to the video, Hurricane Michael Video *
This makes me wonder about Darwin. Cyclone Marcus earlier this year did a lot of damage. Some people were without power for a week or more. It was only Cat 2. Most official cyclone shelters are designed for Cat 4. What happens if we ever get a cat 5?
Photos, Videos & Just for Fun
Video
- Something truly special.
Press On Regardless
This is an 11 minute video/slideshow from two of my former clients who began walking together in the 1940s. Still walking but no longer with full packs. There is some great footage of places we visit on our Prince Regent trips. -
Video: How a Vortex Helps Dandelions Fly *
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh have discovered the secret to dandelion flight: a vortex of air previously unseen in nature. - A positive message about plastic and our oceans
- Simple machine that might change the lives of millions of people planting rice.
My original link no longer works. I dug around to find this 1½ minute video of the same machine. It's cheap and can save millions of hours of backbreaking work in poor countries.
Photos
- Kununurra Birds
Great photos from near Kununurra. - Why we're watching the giant Australian cuttlefish
"In May-August each year, giant Australian cuttlefish gather and mate over a narrow stretch of rocky coastline in South Australia. At their peak you see literally one cuttlefish per square metre." Great pics and good links.
Optical Illusions
- 11 Optical Illusions That Will Trick Your Eyes
- Round or square? Aussie researcher solves the gold cup illusion
It's a nice illusion but there's a better one in the second link.
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 — January or February. After that I'll be flat out travelling. Watch for some major 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.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to you all!!
Russell Willis