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Let's face it...that long haul flight is certainly worth it.

Not only that, any Australian will gladly tell you that there is so much more to see and do than what you just see in the brochure!

That's why it's so important to get your travel plans sorted out properly - whether it's Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, or even the Great Barrier Reef - Australia has it all!

Title : The Rough Guide to Australia (Rough Guide Travel Guides S.)
Author : Margo Daly
Rating : 2 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A brief outline...

This book gives a brief insight into many areas but, tries to do too much and fails miserably. The content is generally ok but in some cases outdated. You will not find the information that you need to plan your itinerary in this guide

Title : Xenophobe's Guide to Kiwis (Xenophobe's Guide S.)
Author : Christine Cole Catley
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Nostalgia and Laughs!

As a critical kiwi I thought this was a fantastic book, was a a real treasure! I had no idea there was so many mannerisms and thoughts I have that are so particular to the kiwi way of life! Felt very nostalgic at times and felt homesick, but laughed just as much! Could not put it down, will make sure my English friends and family read it so they understand me better!

Title : Down Under
Author : Bill Bryson
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Very informative, telling you many things no ordinary travel book does

Bill Bryson is best known for writing very humorous travel books, and "Down Under" is indeed a funny account of his travels in Australia. Those who love Bill Bryson's books for their humor won't be disappointed.

But unlike most people, I like Bill Bryson best when he's NOT trying to be funny, and my appreciation of this book is mostly due to the great amount of very interesting information presented.

Bill Bryson amazes you with loads of information about the geology, the animal life, the plants and insects, the history, the statistics, the folklore, etc., etc. The many dangers: poisonous snakes, poisonous insects, poisonous jellyfish, crocodiles, sharks, and rip currents - they're all out to get you. The inhospitable deserts, the beautiful beaches, the huge distances; Bill Bryson gives you a feeling of what it's all like.

The book goes into detail about many aspects of Australian life that are fairly unknown, including the discovery (and re-discovery) of Australia, the settlement by British prisoners, the early expeditions to explore the interior, the gold rushes, the outlaws, and the devastation caused by rabbits and other imported animals and plants. Bill Bryson talks about the many unusual animal species found only in Australia, including giant earthworms that grow up to 1 meter (and can be stretched to 4 meters) and the platypus, a cross between a reptile and a mammal. He talks about Australians and the Australian society, and the situation regarding the native people, the aboriginals.

Bill Bryson doesn't cover all of Australia from the geographical point of view, and the parts he does cover are somewhat random. But that doesn't matter because he captures the spirit of the whole country based on the parts he does visit and the general information he includes.

A very positive aspect is that Bill Bryson makes it clear that he loves Australia. The feeling is infectious, and it makes you want to pack your bags and head "down under" for a long leisurely trip so you can do your own exploring.

If I were to mention two things I was less happy about, it would be the occasional excessive attempts to be funny and the lack of contact with Australians. One of the best parts of the book is about his traveling together with an Australian couple for 3-4 days, but other than this passage Bill Bryson is mostly playing the typical tourist, with little or no contact with Australians. And despite a fairly long discussion about the aboriginal situation he does not ever get into contact with any aboriginals. Why not?

A final note regarding the unabridged audio version of the book, read by Bill Bryson himself: Most authors are poor readers, but Mr. Bryson does a very good job here, almost on a par with a professional reader. Recommended.

Rennie Petersen

PS. "Down Under" has also been published under the title "In a Sunburned Country". It is exactly the same book.

Title : Down Under
Author : Bill Bryson
Rating : 2 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Not his best

Bill Bryson concludes 'Down Under' by emphasising (for about the fiftieth time) that Australia is an interesting country. It is, undoubtedly. However, you wouldn't know it from reading this book.

Remarkably, in a country that is packed with things to do (try scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, try Croc watching in Darwin, try partying in Sydney, watching Aussie rules in Melbourne) Bryson spends most of his time pottering around on his own - his inability or unwilling to actually talk to people is quite unrivalled in a travel journalist - and peering at exhibits in out of the way museums. Each day on his travels seems to have the same shape: rise with a hangover, drive a long way on his own, look around another museum and arrive at a hotel to drink quietly on his own. Is this interesting? Is this giving us an insight in life 'Down Under'?

There are so many examples of Bryson coming across as a rather introverted ninny it's hard to pick one, but here goes. On the Great Barrier Reef, where he musters the courage to take a pleasure cruise (after about a chapter of fretting at the dangers of sharks, jelly-fish, groupers (!) etc...) After finally taking the plunge, he decides to extract himself from the water without actually seeing anything because he mask continually fills with water and he feels uncomfortable. Perhaps even more unbelievably, he goes to Adelaide and stumbles upon (yes, stumbles upon ... does he do any research?) an Ashes Test Match. Rather than actually go, by begging, borrowing or stealing tickets he decides instead to sit on his own in a bar and ponder what might be happening.

Put this lack of content together with his infuriatingly limited vocabularly which covers the full gamut of adjectives from 'delightful' to enlightening' and back again and you have the makings of a thoroughly dull read. One wonders whether this was a project foisted upon him by his over-eager publishers as it is striking how weak his pool of historical anecdote-cum-factoids are (which is his usual forte). Did we really have to hear about the Aussie Prime-Minister that managed to drown himself in every chapter?

In summary, it might be an exciting read if you like the Daily Mail.

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