Of all the places I've ever been, few are as inspiring as Pearl Harbor, on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. We all know the story, and we've seen the movie, but it is not until one visits the place that the enormity of what happened there really sinks in. What happened in this place changed … Continue reading Honolulu USA Pearl Harbor
Category: News and Features
News, Features, Media Releases and Comments
Goulburn Australia
Goulburn today is a world renowned fine wool area, symbolised in the city by a three story high concrete castrated sheep, but it also has a secret in it’s grand old buildings and magnificent cathedrals, which look like they were transported stone by stone from Britain. But Goulburn also holds the secrets of the settling … Continue reading Goulburn Australia
Airport Security Assists Thieves
There have been reports in the Australian media recently of the perils to travellers at Australian airports. This particular peril doesn’t come from terrorists or the like; it comes from thieves at security check in points, unwittingly assisted by airport security personnel. Video footage has been released of thieves waiting at the other end of … Continue reading Airport Security Assists Thieves
Bangkok Thailand
Bangkok is the political, social and economic centre of not only Thailand, but much of South East Asia and Indochina as well. Bangkok is generally regarded as a truly global city, and is the world’s top tourist destination. It has a unique mixture of cultures - Thai, Chinese, Indian, Buddhist, Muslim and Western - which, … Continue reading Bangkok Thailand
Child Pornography Is Not Art (2008)
Bill Henson’s claim that his pictures of unclad preteens are art is not to be taken seriously by many who say it is child pornography, nothing less, and an attempt to use established art galleries as a false veneer for respectability. The fact that the web site showing the children’s photos was based off shore … Continue reading Child Pornography Is Not Art (2008)
Millions Homeless After Burma Cyclone
The Burmese government continues to show its contempt for human life, being unable to pin down the exact number dead or homeless. This is in stark contrast to their exact figures for livestock lost - 1,250,194 chickens and 136,804 buffaloes, including three owned by the government, according to reports in the UK Guardian today.. Cyclone … Continue reading Millions Homeless After Burma Cyclone
Five Million Homeless After Chinese Earthquake
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang has issued an urgent international appeal for 3.3 million tents and temporary shelters, to aid the 5 ½ million people left homeless in China as a result of the May 12th earthquake, and subsequent aftershocks. More than 15 million homes were destroyed in the Chengdu based disaster, and these … Continue reading Five Million Homeless After Chinese Earthquake
Tax On Diesel (2008)
There has been much debate recently about tax on diesel. This tax was introduced to fund the infrastructure for natural gas, but this infrastructure has never happened. So the question arises: why do we still pay the tax. When diesel first became popular, it was because it was cheaper. It was cheaper, because it is … Continue reading Tax On Diesel (2008)
Australian Homeless Youth Numbers Double
The National Youth Commission (NYC) this month released it’s report on youth homelessness, stating that the number of youths aged 12-25 and homeless has doubled in the past twenty years. This age group now makes up one third of the total 100,000 (estimated) homeless population in Australia. About half of all homeless youths are turned … Continue reading Australian Homeless Youth Numbers Double
Sydney Australia Circular Quay
Whenever I visit the city of Sydney, the first thing I do is walk from Central station down to Circular Quay, and around the city’s CBD. The area around Circular Quay is my favourite. Sydney was the site of Australia’s first established European settlement, in 1788, when the First Fleet. This consisted of soldiers and … Continue reading Sydney Australia Circular Quay
Seattle Underground Homeless
Are homeless people living in undeveloped parts of Seattle’s abandoned underground city? From speaking with some of the locals, it would seem that, unpleasant as it is, some homeless do actually live in the underground city. I did the tour, and later talked to the tour guide away from the group. I noticed large holes … Continue reading Seattle Underground Homeless
Charities Helping Themselves
About 90% of Australian people donate an average of $400 per person to charity each year. But how much do the charities use to help others, and how much do they use to help themselves? A survey by Choice magazine last month showed some surprising results. Of the 11 major charities surveyed, all with exactly … Continue reading Charities Helping Themselves
Australian Charities Helping Themselves
About 90% of Australian people donate an average of $400 per person to charity each year. But how much do the charities use to help others, and how much do they use to help themselves? A survey by Choice magazine last month showed some surprising results. Of the 11 major charities surveyed, all with exactly … Continue reading Australian Charities Helping Themselves
Zimbabwe’s Homelessness Crisis
It looks like Robert Mugabe's reign of terror in Zimbabwe is coming to an end. While the African leader may be departing soon (hopefully), it will take years, or even decades, to make a hole in the homelessness and economic crises he created. The economic destruction of Zimbabwe is appalled by all around the world. … Continue reading Zimbabwe’s Homelessness Crisis
Seattle USA Underground City
Seattle is best known for the Space Needle, which offers breath-taking views of the city. However, beneath the sidewalks and city of Seattle, another world exists - a city which was burnt down, then rebuilt on top of itself. It is the world of the pioneers, the original settlers of Seattle. The subterranean passageways under … Continue reading Seattle USA Underground City
Are Banks Assisting Identity Fraud?
In recent weeks, I have received several calls from persons claiming to be from my bank. They have told me that I have an account with them that is overdrawn. They have then gone on to instruct me, "for identification purposes," to verify my account number, by telling them over the phone. This is exactly … Continue reading Are Banks Assisting Identity Fraud?
Australian Street Person Starts Homelessness Projects Funding
A lot of the streeties (street people) have interesting lives and backgrounds. One such guy I met, and developed a certain respect for, was Shane S, who managed to convince Queensland Premier Peter Beattie to come up with $135 million dollars in Homelessness Projects Funding.. Shane sold the Big Issue in Brisbane. He also held … Continue reading Australian Street Person Starts Homelessness Projects Funding
Huai’an China A Bad Time
Not all travel adventures are pleasant experiences. On my first trip to China, I met with some young Australians having horrendous experiences. These young people had gone to China, on their first overseas trip, to teach English, and instead, were virtually kept captive by unscrupulous Australian school managers. Caroline was already in Huai'an (pronounced Why-an) … Continue reading Huai’an China A Bad Time
Australian Government Deserts Homeless Foreigner
Walter was a foreign citizen who came to Australia to work, became gravely ill, and ended up on the streets because if the illness. He faced permanent blindness and eventually death, yet the Australian government would do nothing to help him. At the time I met Walter (not his real name), I was working for … Continue reading Australian Government Deserts Homeless Foreigner
Airlie Beach Queensland Australia
Australia is home to some of the best holiday spots and beaches in the world. Amongst the top spots, few surpass Airlie Beach, in the Whitsunday Islands. I was fortunate enough to live there for three months in the summer of 2002, and enjoyed the warmth of the water, and the warmth of the people. … Continue reading Airlie Beach Queensland Australia
Unjust Queensland Water Restrictions (2008)
The Courier-Mail in Brisbane today reports that there will be permanent water restrictions for households in Queensland, even after the drought has broken, and the dams are full again. Why do households get the raw end of the pineapple, when they only account for about 5% of all water use anyway? The pre-drought average use … Continue reading Unjust Queensland Water Restrictions (2008)
Unjust Rent Increases Force People Onto The Streets
One of the most despicable actions forcing people onto the streets are the tactics of unscrupulous real estate agents (realtors). These unconscionable people play on the fact that, with rising interest rates, many people are forced out of the homes they own. Therefore, there are now more people looking for rentals than there are rentals … Continue reading Unjust Rent Increases Force People Onto The Streets
Java Indonesia Borobudur Temple
My first overseas travel was to Indonesia, in 1977. The most memorable events of the trip was seeing the Borobudur. I was only 16, and it was also the first time I hadn't travelled with my family, or to visit other family members. I got to travel on my own, with just a group of … Continue reading Java Indonesia Borobudur Temple
Pay More, Get Less
One thing that really annoys me is the fact that manufacturers treat us like fools. They claim the prices of their products are not rising as much as inflation, but, on close inspection, it is obvious that the products they sell actually contain less than before. Take cereal, for example. A report from the Today … Continue reading Pay More, Get Less
Brisbane, Queensland Australia
A few of my fellow travellers and myself were discussing what is Australia's best city. Without hesitation, I chose Brisbane. I guess what came out of it was that each city and each town means something different to each person. Each city and town has it's own culture and personality, that suits the personalities of … Continue reading Brisbane, Queensland Australia
Craig Hill 