I'm a sucker for touristy things. I enjoyed going to Sherwood Forest and was disappointed that the kiosk for sales was so limited. Nottingham t-shirts, or one that said, "I AM Robin Hood" would have been fun to buy. The whole area with the castle and the caves... I enjoyed visiting there in 1982. But more stuff, that's what I wanted then.
When I went to Singapore the first time (now it's old hat), the merlion and the statue of children jumping into the river were worthy of the visit and of course, all the photos from all the angles possible. And the old colonial buildings captured my attention and the rolls of film we used to purchase and develop as well.
In 1998, my family and I moved to Australia, and even though my wife and I had visited in 1995 and I had returned a few other times to consider the big international move, it wasn't until I was driving in various areas around the eastern part of the country that I found Big Things. And stopped and took photos. I'm a sucker for touristy things.
What's a "Big Thing" in Australia? David Clark is a Sydney-sider who lives in Sydney's southwest and is an author of sports items. He wrote a book in 2004 about the iconic scene-busting statues (of sorts) which abound in the Australian landscape. Noel McKenna has also joined in the documentation. His mapping and videos help add to your understanding of the locations and the icons.
Others focus on WA or NT, and of course, the tourist-loving Queensland government knows a good (big) thing when they see it. They made maps and signs to help you get there.
I started a Flickr album of the sites I'd seen including the Big Ned Kelly and the Big Strawberry, the Big Guitar and the Big Merino. Then I thought, someone should start a tour agency that helps international visitors go visit the Big Things in Australia. I've mentioned it to others, but nobody has seen fit to embrace my idea. Make it a bus tour, let people get out and buy the tchotchkes in the kiosk or attendant shop, and take their photos. Some do that with the Taj Mahal. Why not the Big Banana or the Big Pineapple? Seems a no-brainer to me!
When I went to Singapore the first time (now it's old hat), the merlion and the statue of children jumping into the river were worthy of the visit and of course, all the photos from all the angles possible. And the old colonial buildings captured my attention and the rolls of film we used to purchase and develop as well.
In 1998, my family and I moved to Australia, and even though my wife and I had visited in 1995 and I had returned a few other times to consider the big international move, it wasn't until I was driving in various areas around the eastern part of the country that I found Big Things. And stopped and took photos. I'm a sucker for touristy things.
Others focus on WA or NT, and of course, the tourist-loving Queensland government knows a good (big) thing when they see it. They made maps and signs to help you get there.
I started a Flickr album of the sites I'd seen including the Big Ned Kelly and the Big Strawberry, the Big Guitar and the Big Merino. Then I thought, someone should start a tour agency that helps international visitors go visit the Big Things in Australia. I've mentioned it to others, but nobody has seen fit to embrace my idea. Make it a bus tour, let people get out and buy the tchotchkes in the kiosk or attendant shop, and take their photos. Some do that with the Taj Mahal. Why not the Big Banana or the Big Pineapple? Seems a no-brainer to me!
Maybe you want to take the David Clark book and the Noel McKenna maps and make this happen...what do you think? The tourists who love their photos and their checklist... this might just be an entrepreneur's dream.
Here are some of my shots:
If you take my idea and create a Big Things Australia tour, will you let me know? I'll promote your venture well. It will give me a (big) sense of satisfaction. And you will earn (big) hugs and profits.
1 comment:
Clark's book is called Big Things: Australia's Amazing Roadside Attractions
By David Clark
Not sure where you can buy it.
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