Gateway - the Final Frontier?

Advantages: Great characters and cleverly structured
Disadvantages: The domestic violence bit sticks out like a sore thumb

...Gateway, by Frederik Pohl, is very much in the grand tradition of 'hard SF'. Whereas much of what gets put in the science-fiction section of bookshops is actually little more than fantasy with lasers instead of swords, Gateway is part of the Arthur C Clarke, Bradbury and Asimov school that seeks to extrapolate fantastic worlds from real current science, and examines how science and technology could affect the peoples of those worlds. In the future, Earth is massively over-populated - and starving. Food is synthesised from hydrocarbons, and there's not enough to go around. Life is brutal and grinding poverty is everywhere. For the bravest, however, there's an incredible opportunity - Gateway. A relic of a vanished super-race, Gateway is a huge space station filled with alien ships. Huge amounts of money are promised to brave...

Olly_Plimsoll 22.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of Gateway - Frederik Pohl

  Vintage Australia

Advantages: Attractive countryside, attractive wines
Disadvantages: Creeping urbanisation, and industrial-scale production

...Adelaide, capital of South Australia, is a pleasant place, but, as so often with cities, some of the best places to visit locally are found outside the city itself. To the east, Mount Lofty and the Cleland Wildlife Park offer good walking and spectacular views across Adelaide to the ocean beyond. To the south, long and almost deserted beaches stretch past the mouth of the Murray River towards Kangaroo Island. And to the north-east lies Australia's most important wine-growing area, centred on the Barossa Valley. Under the guidance of our Australian friends, my wife and I saw - and enjoyed - all three during our short stay in Adelaide. Among them, though, I would without hesitation recommend the Barossa Valley as providing the best combination of cultural and scenic interest, as well as the tastiest refreshment along the way...

torr 06.07.2005 · Read review
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Review of Barossa Valley (Australia)

Australia - Some Highlights!

Advantages: So much to see
Disadvantages: Such a long flight away

...I have not long returned from a gap year away where I spent most of my time in Australia working. This is definitely a country, which has lots to offer. I spent 6 months here and you could definitely spend longer. Below are some of the highlights of my trip: **SYDNEY** There are lots of things to see and do here, the Opera House being the most obvious. We paid to do a tour inside here, which I would recommend as you can see inside the theatre and its running. You can climb in Harbour Bridge but it's not for the faint hearted though as it very high up. If you take the boat to Taronga Zoo you can see the Opera House from the water and the views of Sydney skyline are amazing from the zoo, plus there are lots of different animals in the zoo to keep you entertained all day. Blue Mountains is a must see, it is two hours out of Sydney but...

DeniseKelly40 11.07.2008 (04.09.2008) · Read review
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Review of General: Australia

The real Australia!

Advantages: Scenery, wildlife, beaches, lovely towns - pretty much everything!!
Disadvantages: Long drives to see anything (but in a way makes it good as not crowded)

...Having just had a 2 week holiday in Western Australia I thought it only right I should share it with you all! This is more an overview of the places I visited rather than an opinion on the whole state because even though I covered more than 2500 miles in 7 days I didn't cover hardly any of the state when you look on the map because it's that big! Western Australia covers 2.5million square kilometres and constitutes about one third of Australia, is well over half the size of Europe and yet it's population is a mere 1.6 million. Getting anywhere is a long drive, and hours upon hours staring at perfectly straight roads without seeing another vehicle is not uncommon. This is what adds to the character of the state though and I actually loved it because it feels so untouched and un-touristy compared to the East coast of Australia. If...

Allyalcock 09.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of General: Western Australia

Rubbish Australia!

Advantages: Nice & Warm, some impressive scenery
Disadvantages: Expensive, nothing apart from the above to recommend it

...', there are always a good few idiots around, wherever you go. Not only is this true of the big towns but also of smaller places such as the Whitsundays. Perhaps its because I am just not a lagerboy that i didn't appreciate them being around all the time. If I did want to see drunk teenagers from Croydon being sick on the street, i wouldn't spend £700 on a plane ticket to do so. If I wanted a guarantee of sunshine for the..erm...view, then I could buy a ticket to Ibiza for a fraction of the price. I dunno. I hate to be so negative, clearly a lot of this is due to me having a bad time there, but its honestly my opinion and its about time somebody said this******* Australia is a popular holiday destination with most of us Brits. I wonder why? Is it the decent exchange rate? The sunshine? Is it the fact that it is about as far away from grimy...

bergmcberg 04.03.2005 · Read review
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Review of General: Australia

Amazing chance to meet Australia's Animals

Advantages: Very interactive!
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!!

...If you want to experience the wonderful wildlife that Australia has to offer then a trip to Australia Zoo is a great way to do it! I have to say it was one of the highlights of my trip. The Australia Zoo is very well known as it was created by the wonderful Steve Irwin, Steve has sadly passed away but his good work for conservation is still going on and he is has certainly not been forgotten. Price: Adult Ticket: $52.00 Pensioner Ticket: $41.00 Student Ticket: $41.00 Child Ticket: $31.00 Child is 3-14 years (Child Under 3 FREE!) - Family discounts are also available. Opening Hours: 9-5pm 7 days a week Location: The Australia Zoo is located in Beerwah, this is close to Brisbane but closer to Noosa. Complimentary bus services run from Noosaville, for more information on pick up spots and times please see...

LIZKEMPO 08.11.2008 · Read review
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Review of Australia Zoo

Australia - a country with it all!

Advantages: Anything you could possibly want in a holiday all in 1 country!
Disadvantages: Far from anywhere, long way to get anywhere

...Australia is popular with all travellers, from budget backpackers to luxury holidaymakers, and it isn't surprising considering anything you could possible want to do on a holiday, you can do here. If your idea of a perfect holiday is sunbathing on the sand and the most energetic thing you do is walk to the cocktail stall you can do it here, if you perfect holiday is skiing or snowboarding you can do it here, if your perfect holiday is shopping in the big cities you can do it here, if you enjoy sightseeing, bushwalking, hiking, camping, adventure holidays, getting close to nature and seeing extremes of climates and landscapes you can do it all here! Australia is the 3rd biggest country in the world but the smallest continent. It has a population of around 20 million - more people live in London and it's surrounding suburbs then in...

Allyalcock 03.07.2006 · Read review
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Review of General: Australia

Crikey its Australia Zoo!

Advantages: The croc show! Its a great zoo all the animals look happy!
Disadvantages: Steve irwin wasnt there!

...CRIKEY ITS AUSTRALIA ZOO!! ****History**** Australia Zoo was first opened by the parents og the famous Steve Irwin in 1970 (Bob and Lyn Irwin). From an early age Steve helped manage crocodiles, reptiles and looked after animals calling the zoo his home. In 1992 Steve and his wife Terri took over management of the zoo. They believe in "conservation through exciting education." The message throughout the park draws on the importance of conserving our precious wildlife and their natural habitats. ****Getting to the Zoo**** Admission into the zoo for a Family 5 Ticket (2 adult and 3 children)$160.50, for a Family 4 Ticket (2 adult and 2 children) $146.00, Single Adult Ticket $49.00, a Pensioner Ticket $39.00, a Student Ticket $39.00, Child Ticket: $29.00 (Child is 3-14 years) and children under 3 is free. You...

DeniseKelly40 23.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Australia Zoo

Gateway to trouble

Advantages: Tech support
Disadvantages: Poor customer support and delivery

...SEE END FOR UPDATED SECTION I got this new computer a couple of months ago; I decided to go with Gateway because they have a better reputation than most. I also looked at Novatech, but as I didn’t know much about them chose Gateway, as the prices for the spec I wanted were almost similar. When I was first looking a getting a new PC, I was looking at gateways, £999.99 deal, but was persuaded to buy the one I now have for 1180 (ish). I didn’t need much persuading as the system had nearly double the spec for only £180 pounds. For the money I got 1Ghz athlon processor, 256MB RAM, 40Gb hard drive, tnt2 32MB video card, creative labs digital sound card, 17 inch monitor, printer, scanner and all the usually e.g. free software mouse keyboard etc… OK this service was great, from the Gateway store in Crawley, but what...

Please_believe_me 17.06.2001 (19.06.2001) · Read review
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Review of Gateway (Shop)

A must see destination in Australia

Advantages: amazing lakes, sand dunes, brilliant camping experience
Disadvantages: get dirty and smelly but that really doesn't matter when you're having such a great time!

...Fraser Island is a must see destination in Australia. You can get to the island from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach which on the Sunshine Coast just above Brisbane, although Hervey Bay is closer and offers a larger variety of tours to choose from. Different tours are available - you can either go on a guided tour where a guide drives you round and does most of the stuff for you or there is the self drive tour which I have to say I think is the better choice. On the self drive tour you are in a group of 10-12 people and are left to do everything by yourself. Although this might sound a bit daunting it really was one of the best things I ever did. If you are 21 or over and hold a driving license you are able to drive the van but if you'd prefer not to you don't have to. The road are bumping paths through the forest or the long beach which is...

frankiefromings13 17.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Fraser Island (Australia)