Sunday 3 June 2018

Attempting to wean off good, inexpensive food in Indochina and avoid the emotional shock of prosaic yet pricey fare on return to Darwin, we found a French restaurant serving small portions of artistically presented food complete with decent Bordeaux, one red, one white. Although excellent, after getting accustomed to less than 10 US for food and beverage, paying $95 was a bit too helpful. This morning: Chakchouka. It's Tunisian, but at least not standard Aussie where every sandwich is a burger, all meals are served with chips and Vegemite is a delicacy.

In an ecstasy of schadenfreude, pleased to note that The Donald isn't the only one screwing citizens by restricting trade. Australia, notable for laws, rules and policies that make goods and services particularly expensive, is attempting to further cut off residents from better alternatives offshore by adding GST, paid by seller, to even small imported purchases after 1 July. Amazon, for example, announced it will avoid the tax by discontinuing shipments from the US and directing customers to its brand new, overpriced, under-stocked local site. As is usually the case with these little gems of bureaucratic rapaciousness and control this will reduce competition to the big retailers, nick the small guys and violate customers. Aussies, who are finding it ever harder to get from one paycheck to the next, will no doubt be delighted by an imposed opportunity to pay their "fair share". Regretfully, by leaving within three weeks of its initiation, we will be unable to defer buying to take advantage of this civic homage.

Fortunate to have stayed dry (not counting the buckets of sweat) until now, we took off from Phnom Penh in rain. Unfazed by wet season, Darwinesque heat and humidity during the trip it will be a shock to find crisp 17 C (63 F) on arrival at 0510 tomorrow. Haven't seen jackets around the scow for awhile, but pretty sure a diligent search can locate a couple. Expect our bodies, accustomed to conserving water, will become sloshing bags of over-hydration until re-acclimatization.

Four and a half hour layover in Singapore awaiting standby flight to Darwin allows dinner and even excess grape derived beverage as seats are already assigned and arrival home assured. No synaptic activity will be required for some considerable time so a soupçon of unconsciousness on four and a half hour flight will be welcome.

Thus ends a rampage of vacationing (six three-week trips in six months) from the permanent holiday of living aboard. Yachting related activities will now constitute the bulk of engrossment (real word) until arrival in South Africa sometime November at which time large beasties will pry attention away from boat maintenance, which will inevitably be required.

Jack