My father Eric was born 21 March 1912 at “Hillside” Raymond Terrace, Brisbane Australia to father Stephen Thomas Grice aged 19, practicing at that time as a Jeweller and Engraver in Brisbane, and Phyllis Ann Ida formerly Robertson, but known as Anderson, also aged 19. The big news at the time was a nationwide tussle between government and clergy over the evils of mixed bathing. … Continue reading Eric
“We’ll be landing in approximately twenty minutes.” The voice of the co-pilot trailed off as he switched frequencies to listen to the conversation between pilot and air traffic controller at Mumbai international airport, in what was then known as the city of Bombay. Back in the rear of the plane I joined other passengers who were making last minute entries on immigration forms. The line … Continue reading VISA PROBLEMS
We were just beginning to emerge from that initial culture shock all experience when setting up house in a new country. We’d only been in India for a couple of weeks, and everything was so different to the way things were done in Australia. Georgine having lived in Hungary and Germany before immigrating to Australia was taking it all in her stride and all her … Continue reading PAO ROTI
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out if you’re getting it right or not. This thought was going through Jack’s mind as he looked around the cabin in one of those moments of boredom one experiences on a 17 hour flight. He glanced at his daughter who’d been staring out the window for some time at clouds far below. It looked like boredom was mutually felt, … Continue reading Getting it Right
Dust of falling towers fills the sky, In disbelief the people stand and stare, While others in a distant land pass by The ruin of their village, stark and bare, The hooded young their weapons hastily fix While people turn their heads in case they see, All human, though they’re not inclined to mix Confirmed, forever enemies to be … Continue reading Compassion
It was in the year 1986 I made my first trip to Japan. In preparation for the trip I’d read several books. I needed a cultural crash course hoping to avoid the kind of stupid mistakes expatriates customarily make when they discover a new country to visit and carry their own cultural mores with them as they travel. I’ve learned over the years no matter … Continue reading The Oriental Test
For an explanation of peculiar bush Australia expression see comments at the end. With a hearty stretch and stifled sigh I emerged from covers warm, And eyed the rays of the rising sun As I thought of my neighbour Norm. Now Norm was a man of the hardy kind Who are out at the * crack of dawn, If you walk with him you will … Continue reading Norm’s Quiet Revenge
“You really need to visit the Indo-China region.” Rob made this casual remark getting up from his chair to leave my office. Indo-China was part of his administrative responsibilities, and it was my job to care for the financial needs of the whole Asia-Pacific area so we often had occasion to sit and talk business. It was … Continue reading Laos
In 1986 I made my first trip to the Indonesian territory Irian Jaya. This was a long and tortuous journey by air involving stopovers in Jakarta and Manado, or the alternate route through Manila, Davao and Manado. I decided to make my first entry through Jakarta as that was the closest entry point to Indonesia from Singapore. So I presented myself at the Indonesian Embassy … Continue reading Jayapura
We could scarcely afford to make this trip as a family, but after spending entire lives in Southern Asia our children needed to see exotic Nepal before finally saying goodbye to the sub-continent 1985 and heading to a new assignment location in Singapore where they would further their education. Our small aircraft taxied into the Katmandu airport; noses of our two children pressed firmly against … Continue reading Nepal
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