I feel very privileged to fly over the eighth wonder of the world (Great Barrier Reef, in case you're australian) on a weekly basis. Yesterday was one of those exceptional flights when due to heavy weather we had to go round a quite a distance & by doing so were treated to a spectacular view of the very outer edge of the reef.
This experience was utterly spoiled by the fact that we had several seagulls (Public servants) on board who kept reading their novels whilst all this natural beauty went by only a thousand feet below.
Maybe I am just too appreciative of natures beauty but to witness this utter indifference or lack of appreciation is just beyond my understanding. Is this the mentality of the future ? Are these the people who scream climate change ?

Yes but perhaps they were only the bad ones. I can't see what point you are making other than a dig at public servants.

What makes you assume that all public servants would not wonder at the beauty of the reef or that they agree with climate change? It is governments that make decisions on policy. Many of this government's influences regarding climate change have been scientists and commentators outside of the public service.

What an odd post. I find it hard to imagine how one passenger's appreciation of the view from an aeroplane window could possibly be spoiled by the fact that other passengers were reading novels.

Mind you, an altitude of 1000 feet seems very, very low. Maybe the other passengers were concealing their nervousness by burying their heads in books?

I can't see what point you are making other than a dig at public servants.
Pelican,
I'm a PS myself & this wasn't an islolated incident, I just mentioned this because I've observed it on a number of occasions. Too bad you don't appear to get the gist of the reason for the post which is that many PS's i.e. seagulls, go to rural & remote communities crap all over the place & after the mess is made they go back to their offices. I'm stating a fact not just some whimsical pet whinge of mine. We get people who have no interest even less concept of people who live in the country because of lifestyle & yet they're dictating to us. Why do think things are not as good as they easily could be ? Because of an incompetent Public Service manned by collective indifferent individuals called the masses. The same kind as on this aircraft. Don't you watch the news or current affairs ? Perhaps you don't get gist of those programs either.

individual,

I think it was a very pertinent post.

Transporting ourselves in sealed capsules is normal these days. We search for our wonders on the screen. Actual physical or mental contact with the world we pass through is, in many instances, a thing of the past.

Never mind, there's a good chance that those who missed the wonder of it unfolding in front of them would probably jump at the chance of owning it on DVD....ridiculous, isn't it.

I understand it totally. I live in Far North Queensland and the nature here is unbelievable. I am not how many places on earth you get so spoilt for choice, like natures chocolate box full of goodies.

Yet tourist after tourist just comes to sit on a beach. The beaches being not that great really. They moan nothing do do blah blah and restaurants over priced. So up in Cairns they say lets build a water theme park. This is true! There is the major water wonderland called the GBR with an enormous diversity of activities from flying over it, to cays, outer reefs, fringing reefs, snorkel, fish, dive or cruise. Waterfalls everywhere nestled in rainforest, cool rivers, white water rafting plus Lake Tinaroo for water sports and the crater lakes for peaceful picnics. Ah nothing to do so they build plastic waterworld.

Plus all the other things to do like Undara Lava Tubes, Chillagoe marble and limestone caves, Cape York Peninsular, Mount Mulligan and the more greeen than green (usually) Tablelands complete with historic cute villages.

I really do wonder.

I think western man has a tendency to only value that which he pays for.

Therefore, is he has access to a "theme" park, he is more than happy to pass his money over the counter. He is so used to having his leisure catered for. It is neatly sealed off from the natural world and sold back to him at a price.

It is for this same reason that doting parents transport their children to so called "fun parks", then deposit them in a large vat full of coloured balls.

TheMissus,
I can understand your incredulity that many tourists don't seem to be capable of experiencing the natural beauty of the world beyond the cloisters of their pre-packaged resorts.

I empathise, Individual.

North Queensland has a fantastic natural environment. As well as the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, we’ve got the Wet Tropics WHA right next to it. There's Hinchinbrook I, Mt Bartle Frere, Atherton Tablelands, Cape Tribulation, all manner of national parks, wonderful rainforest, ancient Gondwanan plants, cassowaries, mahogany gliders, musky rat kangaroos and lemuroid possums, lava tubes and volcanic craters, limestone caves, sandstone gorges, etc, etc.

Over the last 26 years I reckon I have been into this natural wonderland to as great an extent as anyone could have been.

As a long-time PS (21 years), I can say that I’m pretty damn disgusted with most of my colleagues. I wouldn’t call them seagulls that go around crapping on people, but I would say that there is a blasé attitude towards the natural environment, and a real lack of concern about achieving a balance between people and natural values.

I have found it very hard indeed at times, to try and be proactive in striving for a better overall management regime, a genuine people / environment balance and a better level of environmental protection, amongst people who I would have thought would be sympathetic to and accommodating of such efforts.

Alas, it just hasn’t been the case…at all.

----

<< I live in Far North Queensland and the nature here is unbelievable. >>

It sure is, TheMissus.

individual
I am not against criticising the PS or public servants if legitimate. Your opening post left me wondering what is the point of your message. I agree that many public servants are armchair observers of the issues they have direct influence on in terms of policy. This does not necessarily mean the policy will be bad but it could be for other factors as well.

It is also true that at times public servants go around tweaking policy and programs with good intentions (or money saving intentions) and are blissfully unaware of the effect on those peoples whose lives are affected. It is usually a case of a monumental stuff up or failure to assess the risks properly.

I am going off on a tangent. However I would not let the attitudes of a few seagulls ruin your own enjoyment of the reef. Perhaps I misinterpreted your message.

Ludwig

"genuine people / environment balance"

Summed up there. There can be un-necessary protection at times yet gross invasion of the environment at other times. Without being mentally immersed in the natural world people cannot see the wood from the trees. People should be part of it however at times total off limits is wise. The Indigenous had this practise. They had instinct built from many years of first hand knowledge.

btw. You are the plant man. Is it true they allowed private development and the logging trails at Cape Trib Daintree section because they thought the vegetation was exotic? This was not that long ago. Scary how ignorant we can be if that was the case.

Poïrot
"Therefore, is he has access to a "theme" park, he is more than happy to pass his money over the counter. He is so used to having his leisure catered for. It is neatly sealed off from the natural world and sold back to him at a price."

Yes true. There are times when money can be well spent. There are some access costs up here for some remote areas and of course if you choose a scenic flight it is high dollar. However there does seem to be a sense that if you pay for something then it has to be better than free stuff. Not always true for nature.

ok Pelican, cheers for that,
It's just that it really gets to me when on one hand a whole election appears to be won because of people being concerned about the environment. On the other hand , for want of a better description, has to witness this utter blase' mentality of people who get to see these places for free & don't give a hoot about it whilst others appreciative of nature's best can't afford to see it. I have seen Qld Health housing being exploited for free holiday accommodation by people who are only interested in taking as much fish as they can.
I clearly remember a nurse once after I had described a place of incredible serenity & her reply was "wow, what a place for a rage". That is the mentality I'm on about.

It's like that old Leunig cartoon of the man showing his kid an image of a sunrise on TV while the real sun is rising just outside the window. We are so used to having things framed for us, put in front of us, sanitised and glorified for us, that we tend to lose the ability to make our own decisions.

I took the QANTAS paddock hopper down to Rocky last year, stopping in at Mackay. Cruising at 14,000 feet or so, we had the most amazing view of the southern end of the reef, of the Whitsundays and of the beautiful landscape just outside. I have flown a great many miles in my short life, but that flight always sticks with me. It was one of the few flights that had me plastered to the window.

As for the unseen wonders of NQ - I've seen quite a few of them, and hope to see a lot more. It's a kind of selfish desire, though - I want to experience all of this but at the same time I want to keep it secret. I've spent so much time in tourist hotspots that I loathe the idea of people 'appreciating' the world around us. Abbeys housing silent orders of monks in hidden Provencale valleys have been spoilt by loud American tourists, gushing streams have been sullied by tourist litter . . . there should be a course for 'respectful tourists' to keep the world's treasures intact.

In my opinion, it's the places where you can feel like a pioneer of sorts that seem truly special. A stroll through a little-known gorge, a swim in a remote creek (after checking for crocs and other nasties), a drive down a long road with no other cars from one horizon to the next and only the occasional emu to keep you company . . . these are the tourist moments I treasure. And most of them can be experienced within a few hours of home. How lucky I am!

as another FNQ person I know exactly what the OP was saying. Back in my days of "working for the woman" I in 1987 I was heavily involved in the air con installation for Skase resort at Port Douglas and living in Singapore my first view of Cairns area was approaching from the West as the dull brown land suddenly became a brilliant green as we passes over Atherton Tablelands.

This left an instant and lasting impression on me [ie similar to OP never tiring of looking out the window] that some day I would come to live here.

As things happened, the "one who must be obeyed" was already arranging her "DIP" [Divorce Investment Portfolio] so when I finally came here in 1997 it was as a very poor man, and in 2 weeks I finally get my Aged Pension to "assist" my living in paradise.

But I often reflect, seeing so many Grey Nomads in their huge expensive rigs [forever washing them rather than enjoying the Reef] that my ex actually did me a favour by DIPPING me. Seems the "closer to the ground", the more one appreciates it.

Dear Individual,

We're fortunate in still retaining
large tracts of wilderness that are
substantially free from the impact
of man. We can still find peaceful
places that have changed little in
thousands of years and their beauty is
felt by all the senses.

I agree with you that we should
appreciate and preserve the unique
beauty and diversity of this country's
natural landscape. These precious
wilderness areas are fragile and can be
destroyed. Without care, these areas could
disappear, yet they are of more far-reaching
significance for the future well-being of
us all.

Interesting.
I was going to post here but found I could not be bothered.

Last Thursday, at Six-a-side, Grandma & Grandpa(me and mine), were babysitting the kids as mum and dad and uncle and uncle were playing football. We decided to walk around the field - an Aussie Rules ground, with 4 separate pitches. In tow we had the infant, in the pram and a 3yr old and an 8yr old. What a surprise to find two mushrooms popping out of the grass. So we had a look and discussed the merit of eating field mushrooms with the 8 yr old. The 3 yr old was enchanted by the softness of the Galah feathers that lay around on the grass and the infant went to sleep. Good one Grandma! This is where our children and grand-children learn their wonder and awe, and hopefully their respect for the environment.

Too funny, Belly :)

bridgejenny - sounds sweet.

CJMorgan,
I think there's counseling available at no cost for people who have difficulty in comprehending harmony & appreciation for quality.

I have great appreciation of harmony and quality, individual - but I find them elsewhere than on commuter air travel.

As it happens, back in the day I used to fly between Townsville and Cairns, and Cairns and PNG, more times than I can remember. While I used to appreciate the view and always asked for a window seat, I was more than happy to be seated next to someone who had their face buried in a book, rather than distracting me from my contemplation of the often spectacular scenery below.

My quip about your fellow passengers perhaps using their novels to distract them from their fear of flying was actually half-serious. Over the years when I travelled frequently, I came to the conclusion that this is the major function of the paperback page-turners that are sold in airports everywhere.

I’m not sure CJ. There is plenty of time on your average flight to do both a lot of reading or listening to music or watching a movie or whatever, and take in the scenery.

I’ve got hundreds of photos taken out plane windows, of the landscape and cloud formations, from my many flights between Perth and Townsville, via Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Alice Springs. And I’ve managed to read mouthwateringly good books (like Paul Ehrlich’s ‘Population Explosion’) on the same flights ( :>/

Well.... I've managed to start reading, which has quickly made me either very sleepy or much more interested in what can be seen out the window!