Link to the previous page southwest-e 
On our own behalf
We haven’t read anything from us for a very long time now. Unfortunately, Gerhard’s mother passed away on 12 January. The news and the circumstances could not reach us immediately as we were travelling in the outback and no telephone or internet connection was possible. We were very far from an international airport and travelled to Adelaide as quickly as we could and didn’t do any more sightseeing. I then flew to Berlin with the fastest possible connection in the hope of completing all the necessary administrative formalities and the funeral. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about the conditions and possibilities in Berlin. Unfortunately, it takes weeks to obtain the necessary papers. So many things are prepared, but unfortunately not done. To make matters worse, the 40-degree difference was too much in the end and it took me out of action. After this forced break, however, we want to continue to maintain our blog accordingly.
We are now spending a total of 4 weeks in beautiful Adelaide and are meeting up with our friends in Sydney before we go back „on the road“ and continue our blog.
Australias People
We have now reported a lot about the incredibly beautiful, extraordinary and spectacular landscape. There are many interesting and unusual animals, many of them unfortunately shy and elusive. Thousands of different species of birds that can fly – and do – and away – and emus that can’t fly and are often too curious to run away. We have written about interesting cities and places and shown the great landscape. Of course there was a lot missing, but we simply show „our“ Australia as we see and experience it.
But the cities are also alive with people from all over the world – Australians and us, the tourists.
The first Europeans knowingly reached the Australian mainland as early as 1606. But this was thousands of years after the original inhabitants, the Aborigines. Before that, they lived together peacefully in many individual tribes. Unfortunately, as elsewhere, the peacefulness came to an end with the arrival of the Europeans.
Australia – a separate continent with an area of ~ 7.7 million km² on which approx. 25 million people live (3.1 per km² ) with an annual growth rate of 1.8%.
Australia is a parliamentary monarchy – Queen Elizabeth of England is the head of state, represented by a governor-general. The Australian Prime Minister governs from the capital Canberra.
There are 6 territories on the mainland (Victoria – Queensland – North South Wales – Northern Territory – Western Australia – South Australia) and the independent territory, the island of Tasmania.
Australia joined the Commonwealth in 1901 and was gradually granted independence in 1942 and 1986. In 1966, the decimal system was introduced and the pound sterling was replaced by the Australian dollar. This means that 100 cents is now 1 dollar, there are kilometres and 22ft is 7m, which is important for our truck.
Schooling is generally compulsory until the age of 15. Studying is subsidised by the state for Australians and tuition fees are based on merit. Foreigners generally have to pay tuition fees. The level of education is above average, which is why it is now internationally referred to as an „educational continent“
Australia is one of the richest countries in the world and owes this to its rich natural resources (gold, ore, coal, diamonds, opals) and agriculture, most of which is exported. Tourism accounts for a considerable part of economic growth. We are endeavouring, but it is difficult for us to keep up with this growth.
For further and more in-depth information, it is worth visiting :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia
The population consists of a mixture of many skin colours and nationalities. But the English have the upper hand, which is why they drive on the left. If the kilometres are no longer displayed, they are at least allowed to drive on the left. Interestingly enough, the kilometre signs have always been on the left-hand side of the road, as you would expect. In South Australia, however, they are on the right-hand side. Should this be an indication of a change, so that the signs there no longer have to be „dug over“ in the event of right-hand traffic?
We have photographed some of our fellow human beings. Photographing Aboriginal people is only permitted with their express permission. That is why there are only a few pictures of those who have performed in public.
