LAST UPDATED  AUGUST 2022

 

TRIP TO AUSTRALIA

 

 

Arrived in Australia some time in 1959 on a migrant ship "FLAMINIA"  I had been provided 30 AU Pounds in order not to arrive broke in Australia.

( this was the equivalent of about 3 weeks wage at the time)

I boarded the ship in Italy where it sailed to the port of Athens, then Malta, to pick up further migrants.

We had to wait our turn to sail through the Suez Canal while in Pt Said. Pt Said was a duty free port near Cairo and I took the opportunity to purchase a transistor radio for about 10 Pounds. We had been warned not to deal with the locals on any level - too risky and life threatening if you had any money on you.  I ignored that!!

I also took the opportunity to visit, the absolutely great, Egyptian Museum in Cairo, free at that time.

While in Pt Said, I was approached by some entrepreneur inviting me to drive through the Sahara desert from Pt. Said to Suez to meet my ship again.

I obviously ignored this warning as well and after visiting the Great Pyramids at Giza, and a ride on a Camel,  joined the VW bus for the trip through the Northern Sahara, to Suez.

I really enjoyed this venture, even though it took the second third of my total funds. I do not remember what we ate, however, the coffee was strong enough to hold up the spoon!!  NO BEER!

The sea voyage on this rather small vessel across the Indian Ocean was quite a trip. Rough weather most of the time, everyone one on board was throwing up. They put up pictures in the toilet to demonstrate the use!  many on board had never seen a western toilet before, there was no common language either!

Luckily, good weather as we crossed Equator and the traditional crossing ceremonies were a lot of fun. Dunked into the ships pool and baptized with a new name by Poseidon himself !!       forgot my name??

The entire trip from Suez to Australia took about four weeks. Passing the time we played cards including Poker.

THERE WENT THE ALMOST LAST POUND OF MY TOTAL WEALTH !  This was my lesson not to gamble with money you can not afford to loose!

We landed in Fremantle, the Port of Perth, then sailed on to Melbourne. I was then transported to Bonnegilla, a migrant camp some 200 m from Melbourne.

 Here is where the rest of my stay in Australia started:      (click  HERE  for the next 10 plus years)

 

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