A boat docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village.
A tourist complimented the local fishermen on the quality of their fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
"Not very long." they answered in unison.
"Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?"
The fishermen explained that their small catches were sufficient to meet their needs and those of their families.
"But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"We sleep late, fish a little, play with our children, and take siestas with our wives. In the evenings, we go into the village to see our friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs.
We have a full life."
The tourist interrupted,"I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."
"And after that?"
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring more fish, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City , Los Angeles , or even New York City ! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."
"How long would that take?"
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years." replied the tourist.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the tourist, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the fishermen.
"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."
"With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what we are doing now. So what's the point wasting twenty-five years?" asked the Mexicans.
And the moral of this story is:
Know where you're going in life....
because you may already be there....
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Brisbane Monday 19th April
We stirred early as the family were off to work and university etc and we were off to see "ol' Crikey!", for today was Steve Irwin day and the famous Australia Zoo!
We waited until the morning traffic had subsided and headed off on our journey after a round of goodbyes.
An hour out of Brisbane, we got reached the zoo, just in time for the 11am feeding time show.
Amazing how the animals were trained and fantastic acrobatic displays from beautiful birds, snakes and crocs.
The zoo was one of the more impressive that i had been to and although i do not like the concept of caging wild animals, they provide a brilliant way of educate people who would not necessarily be able to see these animals in the wild and does a lot for cultivating conservation.
I could not help but feel the immense loss that was felt by everyone when Steve Irwin died. He truly was a terrific ambassador for wildlife conservation albeit slightly unconventional. Fortunately the zoo continues his work and there are tributes to him everywhere.
All i wanted to do was hug a koala! That was my goal at the zoo. Unfortunately the best i could do was pet a little fella. They were amazing fluffy creatures.
We saw loads of 'roos and wallaby's, crocs, Emu's and loads of other ozzie wildlife.
It was then off to Mooloolaba. After driving through it, I could clearly see why my parents had originally planned to move there. It has all the hallmarks of a lovely little place that still had the infrastructure and lifestyle that would have appealed to the crusties(parents).
The waterways with yachts moored just out side of houses. Modern developments all around for well heeled holiday makers. Just magic.
We did not stay long and headed to Noosa for a drink and booked our Fraser Island trip before driving to Hervey Bay.
We got in fairly late and so had a drink in the rain before settling in for the night.
Fraser Island tomorrow...very exciting!
We waited until the morning traffic had subsided and headed off on our journey after a round of goodbyes.
An hour out of Brisbane, we got reached the zoo, just in time for the 11am feeding time show.
Amazing how the animals were trained and fantastic acrobatic displays from beautiful birds, snakes and crocs.
The zoo was one of the more impressive that i had been to and although i do not like the concept of caging wild animals, they provide a brilliant way of educate people who would not necessarily be able to see these animals in the wild and does a lot for cultivating conservation.
I could not help but feel the immense loss that was felt by everyone when Steve Irwin died. He truly was a terrific ambassador for wildlife conservation albeit slightly unconventional. Fortunately the zoo continues his work and there are tributes to him everywhere.
All i wanted to do was hug a koala! That was my goal at the zoo. Unfortunately the best i could do was pet a little fella. They were amazing fluffy creatures.
We saw loads of 'roos and wallaby's, crocs, Emu's and loads of other ozzie wildlife.
It was then off to Mooloolaba. After driving through it, I could clearly see why my parents had originally planned to move there. It has all the hallmarks of a lovely little place that still had the infrastructure and lifestyle that would have appealed to the crusties(parents).
The waterways with yachts moored just out side of houses. Modern developments all around for well heeled holiday makers. Just magic.
We did not stay long and headed to Noosa for a drink and booked our Fraser Island trip before driving to Hervey Bay.
We got in fairly late and so had a drink in the rain before settling in for the night.
Fraser Island tomorrow...very exciting!
Friday, 25 June 2010
Brisbane Sun 18 April
We had a very enjoyable night listening to the pleasant sounds of an inebriated individual molesting a bongo drum till the wee hours.
Washing day today! Nicole diligently set about washing everything, including the bedding. Personally i would have left that and just done the clothes but that's one of the perks about travelling with a woman. Clean little creatures!
Off to visits yet more of Nicoles friends in Brisbane. This time a family of fellow South Africans who had emigrated to Oz a few years prior.
Diana, Eric and their 2 boys Carl and Cliff live in Brisbane and used to live in Durban. We met them for lunch and headed to Brisbane via the ferry to see the sights and sounds.
Magic city. Very aesthetic and reminded me of London in many ways as you have this large business district on the river.
It was interesting to hear about what could have been the Trompeter's lives had we left SA all those many years ago and moved to Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast.
Eric and family had left SA a few years earlier and lived in a great house in a friendly neighbourhood with no fence and where cars are left on the street at night.
After spending the rest of the evening on the porch, sharing stories and sipping wine it was off to the comfort of the blow up mattress. I had by now learnt the fine art of levitating on a bed of air at night.
Washing day today! Nicole diligently set about washing everything, including the bedding. Personally i would have left that and just done the clothes but that's one of the perks about travelling with a woman. Clean little creatures!
Off to visits yet more of Nicoles friends in Brisbane. This time a family of fellow South Africans who had emigrated to Oz a few years prior.
Diana, Eric and their 2 boys Carl and Cliff live in Brisbane and used to live in Durban. We met them for lunch and headed to Brisbane via the ferry to see the sights and sounds.
Magic city. Very aesthetic and reminded me of London in many ways as you have this large business district on the river.
It was interesting to hear about what could have been the Trompeter's lives had we left SA all those many years ago and moved to Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast.
Eric and family had left SA a few years earlier and lived in a great house in a friendly neighbourhood with no fence and where cars are left on the street at night.
After spending the rest of the evening on the porch, sharing stories and sipping wine it was off to the comfort of the blow up mattress. I had by now learnt the fine art of levitating on a bed of air at night.
Byron Bay Sat 17 April
Despite a night of heavy rain, we awoke to sunshine and went for a walk along the beach.
It was school holidays and the "schoolies" (children) were out in full force.
We watched dads and sons (and the odd daughter too) going surfing together.
Kids as young as 7 were out surfing away and having a lovely time. Great lifestyle i must say.
Fathers seemed very engaged with their children. Family values still appears to be prominent. Maybe I have only seen a subset of the culture...?
People had mentioned that Nimbin was an interesting place to visit with aging hippies even more odd than those in Byron.
We saw a number of physcadellic buses offering trips, so we had to go and check it out.
Very small community full of old hippies. Every second person offers you giggle twig and loads of "far out" types of artists who had licked one too many stamps in their youth created vivid art works and heaps of hemp paraphernalia.
Off to Mullinbimby! Nicole lead us down all sorts of off road trails and we rallied along in our little Toyota. When we got there found it to be a quaint little town and if we had blinked, we probably would have missed it.
We drove straight through and headed for Pottsville.
We had lunch at a nearby beach and watched as a couple of locals had a wedding...in the parking lot. Surfers dressed in suits and sneakers and bronzed girls in high heels stood around sweating in the midday sun waiting for her Majesty to arrive.
Very strange and quirky.
I went out for a swim and attempted to get to the backline through a farily sizey break and rip. I soon gave up and realised just how far i had come from the old days as a Surf Lifeguard back in SA.
We continued north and drove through Tweed Heads which was very pretty and then into Coolangatta and QUEENSLAND!
Headed for Surfers Paradise and were very underwhelmed! I was expecting a better beach and scene from what people had told me and what one reads about. Guess we were just not into tall buildings and loads of people and noise.
We went to a caravan park nearby and settled in for a nights rest.
It was school holidays and the "schoolies" (children) were out in full force.
We watched dads and sons (and the odd daughter too) going surfing together.
Kids as young as 7 were out surfing away and having a lovely time. Great lifestyle i must say.
Fathers seemed very engaged with their children. Family values still appears to be prominent. Maybe I have only seen a subset of the culture...?
People had mentioned that Nimbin was an interesting place to visit with aging hippies even more odd than those in Byron.
We saw a number of physcadellic buses offering trips, so we had to go and check it out.
Very small community full of old hippies. Every second person offers you giggle twig and loads of "far out" types of artists who had licked one too many stamps in their youth created vivid art works and heaps of hemp paraphernalia.
Off to Mullinbimby! Nicole lead us down all sorts of off road trails and we rallied along in our little Toyota. When we got there found it to be a quaint little town and if we had blinked, we probably would have missed it.
We drove straight through and headed for Pottsville.
We had lunch at a nearby beach and watched as a couple of locals had a wedding...in the parking lot. Surfers dressed in suits and sneakers and bronzed girls in high heels stood around sweating in the midday sun waiting for her Majesty to arrive.
Very strange and quirky.
I went out for a swim and attempted to get to the backline through a farily sizey break and rip. I soon gave up and realised just how far i had come from the old days as a Surf Lifeguard back in SA.
We continued north and drove through Tweed Heads which was very pretty and then into Coolangatta and QUEENSLAND!
Headed for Surfers Paradise and were very underwhelmed! I was expecting a better beach and scene from what people had told me and what one reads about. Guess we were just not into tall buildings and loads of people and noise.
We went to a caravan park nearby and settled in for a nights rest.
Byron Bay Fri 16 April
The Yamba mozzies had left enough fluids in us to allow us to get moving the following day.
Nicole managed to avoid the worst of the onslaught and it was just me that looked like a chicken pox victim.
We got to Byron early afternoon and drove to the local lighthouse (Cape Byron) to admire the view.
we saw dolphins in the distance and we went and stood at Australias most easterly point.
The bustling centre of Byron Bay was alive with all sorts of folk from all sorts of places. Definitely not short of the odd Hippie or ten.
I did have to agree with my parents who had been there not so long ago...Byron is a great place. Full of young back packer types and hippies (old and young). Good bars and restuarants and a fantastic vibe.
We stocked up on food and then headed to the beach for lunch.
I had my afternoon swim and could not help but think that the whole time i had been in Oz, the surf had been very small. Not the way i had imagined it.
We found the most expensive camping spot in Australia to settle down. It was also probably the best as it was in Byron and on the beach and very pretty.
We headed to town for a few drinks and to see the sights and sounds. Really nice selection of bars along the way.
In the spirit of adventure I made Nicole try an oyster. Needless to say the image of her contorted face will stay with me forever. The napkin ate her oyster and i had the rest.
Nicole managed to avoid the worst of the onslaught and it was just me that looked like a chicken pox victim.
We got to Byron early afternoon and drove to the local lighthouse (Cape Byron) to admire the view.
we saw dolphins in the distance and we went and stood at Australias most easterly point.
The bustling centre of Byron Bay was alive with all sorts of folk from all sorts of places. Definitely not short of the odd Hippie or ten.
I did have to agree with my parents who had been there not so long ago...Byron is a great place. Full of young back packer types and hippies (old and young). Good bars and restuarants and a fantastic vibe.
We stocked up on food and then headed to the beach for lunch.
I had my afternoon swim and could not help but think that the whole time i had been in Oz, the surf had been very small. Not the way i had imagined it.
We found the most expensive camping spot in Australia to settle down. It was also probably the best as it was in Byron and on the beach and very pretty.
We headed to town for a few drinks and to see the sights and sounds. Really nice selection of bars along the way.
In the spirit of adventure I made Nicole try an oyster. Needless to say the image of her contorted face will stay with me forever. The napkin ate her oyster and i had the rest.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Port Maquarie, Coffs Harbour, Yamba
Nicole dragged me out of bed for a run along the beach.
Great way to start the day.
We headed north again and stopped in at Trail Bay to see the Trial Bay Gaol.
We popped in at Coff's Harbour for lunch and went to the main beach for a swim. Then put a little more tar under the tires.
We filled up the car and I was surprised at the price of fuel. It was fraction cheaper than the UK. The price of alcohol was also exorbitant. One could argue that the old exchange rate is not great at the moment, however the cost of living seemed very high in OZ!
We popped in at Yamba for the night and got eaten by Mozzies...
Great way to start the day.
We headed north again and stopped in at Trail Bay to see the Trial Bay Gaol.
We popped in at Coff's Harbour for lunch and went to the main beach for a swim. Then put a little more tar under the tires.
We filled up the car and I was surprised at the price of fuel. It was fraction cheaper than the UK. The price of alcohol was also exorbitant. One could argue that the old exchange rate is not great at the moment, however the cost of living seemed very high in OZ!
We popped in at Yamba for the night and got eaten by Mozzies...
Newcastle and Port Stephens
After Hunter Valley we set the sat-nav and headed to Newcastle to see yet more of Nicoles family friends.
They were an old couple in their 80's who emmigrated from SA in the 60's and we had a fantastic time chatting to them about days of old in the old country.
We wished them farewell and headed to Port Stephens (Shoal Bay).
We settled in to a camping site in 1 mile beach and listened to Koalas chattering away which sounded like babies crying.
The next morning the local semi wild Wallaby came and checked us out. We got close enough to pet the little fellow who was very cute.
I went for a shower and had the privelige of a Possum peering at me as i showered. Most unnerving...Creepy little bugger.
We went for a walk of 1 Mile Beach and then to Anna Bay to see the 32 Km of sand dunes. I even climbed one and admired the view.
We went for a walk up to the viewing point (an old radar station) and saw beautiful views of the ocean, fingle bay and even a school of dolphins. I went for a swim at Fingle Bay.
We headed north on the Pacific Highway and through an abundance of lakes and pretty countryside all the way to Forster.
We went into Port Maquarie and stayed there for the night.
They were an old couple in their 80's who emmigrated from SA in the 60's and we had a fantastic time chatting to them about days of old in the old country.
We wished them farewell and headed to Port Stephens (Shoal Bay).
We settled in to a camping site in 1 mile beach and listened to Koalas chattering away which sounded like babies crying.
The next morning the local semi wild Wallaby came and checked us out. We got close enough to pet the little fellow who was very cute.
I went for a shower and had the privelige of a Possum peering at me as i showered. Most unnerving...Creepy little bugger.
We went for a walk of 1 Mile Beach and then to Anna Bay to see the 32 Km of sand dunes. I even climbed one and admired the view.
We went for a walk up to the viewing point (an old radar station) and saw beautiful views of the ocean, fingle bay and even a school of dolphins. I went for a swim at Fingle Bay.
We headed north on the Pacific Highway and through an abundance of lakes and pretty countryside all the way to Forster.
We went into Port Maquarie and stayed there for the night.
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