Page 254 - harryDEC12_clean.iba

„Not really, except the Wooden head of Mr. Weyrauch to my left!“
Customs officials have by nature little sense of humor as that is not deemed appropriate for a representative of state authority. So he answered gruffly that a little more respect was called for because after all there was an epidemic of woodworm. Thereafter John wisely restrained himself from making further comments.
“The Aussies are not like the English - still the old 'underdog' effect,"
He said quietly to me. I could only agree with him.
“What is the purpose of your visit and what is your profession?"
Asked the customs official.
„We’re Lloyd’s brokers,“
Was our unison answer. John did not bother to explain the fine distinction from a Lloyd’s underwriter. Really, the official, we were agreed, is a real dick head. That was enough the official waved us through. The name Lloyd’s had still a bearing in the whole Empire, which in contrast to a common opinion seemed not to have collapsed. At the exit we were expected by a limousine labelled „Yacht Club Australia“ and driven to the harbour. There we got into a speedboat, a catamaran, and we were told to put on safety belts. As soon as we had left the harbour we understood why: the boat was travelling at high speed through steep choppy waves. You could knock your teeth out on the beer bottle. At the end of the two-hour trip the boat turned into a quiet lagoon and the outlines of a splendid area fringed by palm trees became visible. We landed at a pontoon and staff dressed in livery accepted our luggage. Then we were led to our rooms, suites consisting of two rooms, each with a protruding terrace.
Pure luxury that did not need to shrink from comparison with any European resort – on the contrary. Our Australian hosts beamed when we made that comment as by the way.
"That is typical for underdogs, they are always insecure" said John.
At 08.00 pm we met at the bar - the beach bar. There were two others in the Hotel, a Polynesian and a European style bar. Every need had been taken care of. Fred - Crocodile Dundee – was in his element and we settled in our rooms to get a little bit of rest.
oOo
253