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More Photos of Darwin
Australasia
Darwin after Europe - More Photos of Darwin
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- Written by: Richard_McKie
- Parent Category: Travel
- Category: Australasia
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In August 2025, after a seven-year absence, Wendy and I returned to Central Asia. This time, we would visit the less well travelled 'stans' Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. In part, our choice of Central Asia was governed by a desire to be away during the worst of Sydney's winter. As we don't speak Russian, nor either of the local languages, we looked for a guided tour. As it turns out we were the only two who booked the package, so we had a personal guide and driver, together with a large Toyota 4-wheel drive for most of the trip.
This morning Miranda had an inspiration - real candles! We'll have real candles - made from real beeswax and scented with real bergamot for my final party as a celebration of my life and my death. This brief candle indeed!
In other circumstances she would be turning 60 next birthday. With her classic figure, clear skin and dark lustrous hair, by the standards of last century she looks half her age, barely thirty, the result of a good education; modern scientific and medical knowledge; a healthy diet and lifestyle and the elimination of inherited diseases before the ban on such medical interventions.
It's ironical that except as a result of accidents, skiing, rock climbing, paragliding and so on, Miranda's seldom had need of a doctor. She's a beneficiary of (once legal) genetic selection and unlike some people she's never had to resort to an illegal back-yard operation to extend her life.
Most informed commentators agree that Australia needs a better mix of energy sources. We are too dependent on fossil fuel. This results in a very high rate of carbon dioxide production per capita; and this has international and domestic implications in the context of concerns about climate change.