SOME DOWN UNDER FACTS

                                    Useful Info and Trivia

The country is known as the Commonwealth of Australia, winning its Independence on January 1, 1901.  Sir Edmond Barton, the first Prime Minister remarked, “For the first time in history we have a continent for a nation and a nation as a continent.” 

Canberra, the country’s capitol, is located in the Australia Capitol Territory (ACT).  Australia is a democracy and an independent member of British Commonwealth.Canberra is the seat of several embassies and the American one is one of the nicest I've seen around the world.

Geographically Australia is the size of the United States. The country’s seven states are Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. The country is bordered on the west by the Indian Ocean, on the south by the  Southern Ocean, on the east by the  Pacific Ocean, and on the north by the Coral Sea. The Tasman Sea is between Australia and Tasmania in the southeast corner of the country. The country is surrounded by 23,000 miles of coastline and is mineral rich with coal, tin and nickel .

Europe knew nothing of Australia until the 16^th century. Dutch ships on their way to Indonesia were blown off course and referred to this land as New Holland, but found nothing to spark interest in colonization.

In 1806 Captain William Bligh became Australia’s fourth governor. He lost the post two years later during the Rum Rebellion, and was succeeded by Lachlan Macquarie. It was during his tenure that sheep farming started to play an increasing role in the country’s economy.

Governance became more democratic with power increasingly going to legislative councils, first in New South Wales and then spreading to other colonies. Until the 20^th century Australia remained a collection of distinct colonies that had greater ties to England than to each other. It was after World Wars I and II that a true national identity was established.

Most of the population lives near the coast, leaving the interior of the country basically unpopulated. All the major cities are located on the coast.

Australia is a huge country and a long plane ride away. I would suggest a minimum visit of three weeks as there is so much to do and see. Picture yourself trying to see all of the US in the same amount of time—Australia is about the same size as the US.

ENKHUIZEN ( enk=HOW-zen) HOLLAND

                    A Wonderful Visit to a Charming City

Enkhuizen is a striking, magnificently preserved town established between 1000 and 1200, and

became a city in 1355.  Prospering from its herring fishing industry and trade from the Dutch East India Company, Enkhuizen reached its peak in the 17th century when it boasted the largest herring fleet in Holland.

The thriving port sat on the edge of the Zuider Zee, an inlet of the North Sea until it was enclosed in 1932. Now, Enkhuizen sits on the Ijsselmeer, the large inland lake created by the damming of the sea outlet. The 20-mile long dam has two highway lanes on top.

With a population of 16,000, this historic city retains its old charms, and its harbors attract thousands of pleasure boats. The delightful city walking tour concluded at St. Pancras Church, where we had a lesson on its famous murals followed by a brief organ concert that ended with the Star Spangled Banner. We all joined in the singing---nice!

This Church dates back to the 15th century, with the 75 meter high tower being built in 1450. Originally, it wasn't that high, but in 1526 the octagonal section and onion dome were added. It also has a 45 bell carillon. There are paintings on the wooden ceiling dating back to 1484. Originally covered in whitewash the paintings were revealed only when the roof needed repair in 1900 and the wash was removed.  The church was restored after killing an infestation of beetle termites with temperatures of 130 degrees.

It took a hundred years to build this church. It is rectangular facing east with the entrance on the west side. The choir is in the east end and the pews line the long way of the rectangle. The wooden cross came from Norway. Originally the church was Catholic, but during the religious wars in 1572 the priest became a minister and the church became Protestant---practically overnight.

The Drommedaris is an old defense tower located at the entrance to the harbor. Many warehouses originally used by both the East and West India Companies remain.

A cherry tree by the city hall was in full bloom. It was a drizzly day but not enough to bother with an umbrella.

         In the afternoon we went a bit out of town for tea with a delightful local family. The home was large by European standards, it was also new, about 15 years old, and this family had lived here a little over a year. Dad,  a school principal of two small schools with a total of 300+ students,  came home to visit with us. Mom, a psychotherapist, worked from home, seeing most of her clients in the evenings. The older daughter was attending college in Amsterdam where she commutes by train, about an hour each way. The teenage boy has one more year of high school. Both teenagers were friendly, talkative and fun.

            The furnishings were a bit modern and stark for my taste, but had clean cut lines. The dining room was off the living room and the kitchen was behind the garage, next to the dining room. Homes come with no appliances or closets. The dining room was very light with very large windows and glass door on two sides that looked out onto a garden area that  housed a small shed to store bikes. A narrow spiral staircase led upstairs where there were three rooms and a small sleeping alcove which the son occupied.

            The son brought  his girlfriend after school. She was a delightful young lady, animated, friendly and talkative. It was interesting to converse with both the parents and the young people, few of whom are as friendly and talkative to strangers. They all spoke good English.

            We enjoyed coffee or tea and stooperwafles. We did it the proper way by putting the stooperwafles on top of the steaming coffee cups. Yum! It was a charming visit—one for the books.