The First Day of 2005

The story must be told and I am not quite keen on re-write the 2400 words story every single time when a friend ask. So I decided to borrow one copy that I have written to fox earlier this morning, and share it here. It reads: ... ...

On the last day of 2004, South-West, three hundred kilometres away from Sydney. A remote, one lane airport was expecting 34 passengers to arrive on a SAAB engine - powered aircraft. ‘Wagga Wagga,’ Bohan is excited to visit such town with a ‘funny name’, he thought himself. The aircraft stayed in the air for merely fifty minutes, fair wind, smooth ride. After landing, you can just walk out of the airport, just as easy as if you are walking out of a bus stop.

The sun is high in the air by the time Bohan landed Wagga together with Kosol, a good friend, the other wedding photographer. Minutes after, they saw the groom, Brad Hall, a dedicated man who is working at CSE development office, ‘tirelessly’. The true destination of this journey did not reveal till the moment Bohan and Kosol met Brad.

Ardlethan, where Brad grows up as a teenager and where his father’s farm stands. Another 100 kilometres away from Wagga Wagga, North West. Together, the trip formed an uneven shaped ‘V’, where Sydney sits on the upper right corner of the V, and Ardlethan sits on the mid-left.

Like many country side in Australia, the road is hardly smooth on the way to Brad’s Parents farm. Men need tools to conqueror such land. Toyota Parada is one of the four wheel drives that Brad’s family uses to manoeuvre around the dry land. For some reason, Brad like to distinguish four wheel drives with Jeep. For, JEEP, THERE IS ONLY ONE. Knowing Brad grows up in the farm, not hard to understand his choice of ‘Jeep’ in a urban city like Sydney. With dual climate control inside the Parada, the trip to Ardlethan is hardly hot, the suspension is superb, as well as the scene of dry land. ‘We are in drought for four years now… … We use to get 18, 20 bags per ache, this year we only got four.’ Brad’s parents are apparently not happy with the draught. Trees look dead-ish, less Majestic than those appear on American Beauty. Though, staggering 10,000 trees have been planted around the farm, still, looks dry.

Two weeks ago, while Bohan is still anxiously waiting for his results. Mammi, the bride, together with Brad have drove to the farm in preparation to the wedding. Bohan started to wondering, how on earth can people live in such dry land, its hot weather didn’t impress Bohan much even though he is warned and mentally prepared.

‘how big is the farm?’
‘about 5k by 3k.’ Brad gave an approximation.
‘gosh, that’s bigger than new south.’
‘yes, bigger than new south.’

The vast land owned by Brad’s parents are surely impressive, especially when you use to live in urban. Even though the land is much cheaper there, owning the land seem to be a fascinating idea to Bohan. The colour scheme is clearly oz styled red and yellow. On the way, he can see few sheep and cows. Despite the slight bumpiness in the car, Bohan can’t leave his eyes from the book, Da Vinci Code, the one that captures his heart since a week ago. The story happened at night in France seems totally irrelevant to the summer of country Australia. But Bohan enjoyed the writing skill by Dan Brown and his engaging plot. “Bohan, put down the book.” The Parada slowed down, finally stopped in front of a green lawn, a highly ‘contrasty’ object in the farm landscape. With the rest surrounding being deserted and dry. The land in front of Bohan and his friends are, Oasis-like Greenland, not his La La land. He is amazed by the colour of the lawn, green, the colour of life. The house is well watered, the garden is full of life. And an Australian Flag is flying on top of the flag pole which situated in front of the house like those you would see from the embassy. ‘A little paradise in the desert.’ Bohan thought in his mind.

In such weather and land, understandably, all guests need to take off their shoes before entering the house. The house is dusty-less. Bohan was thinking of the word ‘Country side Mansion’, but later being corrected, as Mansion is normally bigger, has few more layers. Nevertheless, the house is an impressive object. Well decorated with antique style furniture as well as high tech gadgets where ‘Traditional’ meets the ‘Modern’. The walls are covered with pictures frames of photos trace back to Brad’s Mum’s Mum and a unique family tree that is stitched by hand. Upon entering the house, cool breeze blow within, the central air conditioning maintain the house around 24 Celsius where outside is dry 35. Hurrying to the tab, Bohan is thirsty, the weather dries everything fast out there. The city tab water cannot reach the remote farm, the house roof would collect the rare rain and filter them then stored in a huge tank back of the house. ‘Taste great.’


One of the many warm-lit rooms in the middle of deserted land. Note the height of the ceiling, some expert suggest living in high ceiling houses can reduce pressure for grown ups and it helps children to grow up better. Something, yet to be proven.

Bohan particularly like the lounge room, the spacious feeling makes him feel comfortable. Four enormous looking sofas with fine leather upholstery. Look antique from the outside, lift the armrest, he found a remote control for massage and heat (neat in winter, I would guess). Next to the kitchen, there is a radio, not the one we would see in urban area, a radio ‘walkie-talkie’ station, powerful enough to cover the farm range. Enable the house to communicate with the Jeep that is on the ‘field’. Funky and Cheap to operate. Kitchen is large in size as well with four fridges, Bohan thought they would never run out of food. Step in the back garden, a gazebo has already set up for tomorrow, the first of Jan of 2005.

New year’s eve looming ahead, the gang decided to spend the night at the pub that Bohan would be staying. One obvious benefit is that, if drunk, all can bunk, on their own beds instead of streets. The pub is fairly close to the farm, approx twenty minutes drive away. Without any signs, it took a while for the rest to follow Brad’s Parada to learn the path.

After few drinks, near new year. Bohan and Kosol decided to do something ‘intellectual’. I later regretted such move as Bohan lost 4:0 to Kosol just before the new year bell strike. 2005 is finally here, the year of roster. ‘I am not 24.’ Bohan was trying to calm himself down, ‘I am not 24, yet. Not until September at least.’ The country style pub offered him a four-metres-tall-ceiling-room, though Chen felt it’s bit like the RING, at night. After all, he manage to sleep straight to the next morning.

Driving back to Brad’s farm, that’s where the farm tour took place. With great interest, Bohan went together with few others. On board, a new Holden Commodore, Brad’s the driver this time. Driving on the red soil is a cool. There is a RUN WAY built within the farm, where cars can race each other. The competitor is Yoshi, the handsome Japanese boy and his girlfriend. Familiar with the farm, Brad hit the petal. WE ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM. Look behind, Bohan for the first time, realising what does ‘EAT THE DUST’ mean in real life. The dust is enormous behind the Holden. ‘They can’t see anything.’ So we win the race by, ten seconds.

To further demonstrate the coolness of the farm, Brad’s successfully mimicked the Holden Ad. Hit the petal, Spin the car completely 360 degree. We created twister from the red soil, the dust is everywhere, at some stage, nothing can be seen inside the car. ‘And that’s what I am talking about.’ Shanon Noll’s hit single instantly played back in Bohan’s head.

Next stop, they stopped at the wheat filed. Gold anywhere within sight. Brad walked to the field and told the guest, wheat is their main product, walking few more steps, he picked something from the ground. The ‘head’ of the wheat. He put it on his hand, gently roll it, peel off the skin. Grains are seen. ‘you can eat them’. Among others, Bohan picked up few grains, put in his mouth and chew. ‘it taste …’ he thought, ‘just like Uncle Toby’. Yes, later on the trip, it has been confirmed, Uncle Toby does buy grains from the farm. There is a grin on Bohan’s face, “Natural Goodness, that’s great.”

It’ nearly lunch time, 1st Jan. Brad decided to show us his ‘toys’. A three wheel Honda motorbike. He ride it just like a little boy, with a bigger bike. The bride maid is the only one who wanted a ride with the bike, proven to be fun. Later we have been shown the gigantic tractors on the back of the house. The wheel itself is as tall as grown up man. The new red tracker shines with complicated connections on its back. Being described as fully ‘computerised’ modern tractor, it’s equipped with air conditioner, CD player… … Brad simply said, ‘it’s amazing’.

After the tour, Brad has to sent us back to the pub while he gets ready for the big moment. He seemed very relaxed, even though it’s only few hours away to the wedding. Return to the pub with friends, Bohan had a shower, and pull himself together. His purpose being here is about to start, the wedding photographer. Together with Kosol, they are going to operate four cameras to captures the moment of this wedding.

Guest start to arrive six o’clock at night, the weather is still, hot. Sixty white chairs are arranged at the back of the house. Some described the place are built as if ‘for wedding purposes.’ With neat casual as the dressing code, everyone looks relaxed. The groom already standing in the front with the best man await the bride to arrive. At that moment, Kosol and Bohan are waiting in front of the house, to captures, ‘Bride steps out of the car’. What Car? You got it, a Jeep. Slowly emerging in sight, the bride wore white gowns, (I hope my use of English Vocabulary is right here). Looking gorgeous and pretty. Brad’s cousin Chris hold the bride to the house.

Three minutes, later, the music starts, ALL STAND. Two little boy spread the flower petals on the ground in a traditional fashion, here comes the bride. Slowly, they all went to the front temple. The ceremony is non-religious, Brad wrote their own vows, similar to those what we see on TV, but not quite. “I do.” & “I will.” Marks the end of the short ceremony. Phew, Bohan is relaxed now, the major task is done.

The food in the snow-white gazebo are attractive, with melon onion as starter, you bet everything is going to taste nice. Chris’s host ability was great, full of laughers and fun. The speech given by the parents are well written. All of them welcome Mammi to join the Hall family. Bohan thought he saw the tears in Mammi’s eyes at some stage of the night, yes, indeed a night of great happiness. After the dinner, the DRINKING session begins. That’s where all the fun starts. Bohan checked his email a little inside, as drinking commenced. Followed by a mini nap afterwards. Being awake by a Loud “BOHAN! WAKE UP!” not surprisingly it’s Kosol’s usual tactics to wake him up. What can Bohan do, it’s a wedding night. The groom and bride certainly enjoyed drinking, by the end of the night, both Mammi and Brad look fairly red on their face. Dancing, laughing, Power-Cutting. The electricity required for all the light, external fridge (more like a cool room you see in restaurant) and loudspeakers breaks the power supply few times at the night, but come back shortly after. With no neighbour to disturb. The nearly neighbour is about five kilometres away, you can crunch the volume right up, dance, drink and rejoice. Everyone had great fun till 2am, a time when people start to leave and head back to their place to bunk. The second day of 2005 starts with so much joy.

9:30am – very surprised to see Brad awake and having breakfast with us. It’s the opening gift session, with a table full of gifts, it take them a while to unwrap them all and loaded to the back of four wheel drive which will eventually drive them back to Wagga. The breakfast is yummy bacon, egg and sausage. With the weather cooled down, the morning is spent pleasantly. Saying goodbye to parents, Brad and Mammi are going to leave. One man, I forgot to mention that is Brad’s dad, Gordon. A man that I admire during the trip, for him pulled the major responsibly of this farm, re-build the house, maintain the garden, plant wheat on 15 kilometre square spaces, working seven days a week. A hard working country man with a kind sole. Bohan can’t stop admiring that everything is pulled together by the couple. The surviving ability is unarguably than an average city bloke. Farewell, Bohan is finally on his way back home. But first, airport of Wagga Wagga.

This time, the same 34 seater SAAB took Bohan, Kosol and Bex on their way home to Sydney. Fluffy white seats is bright and calming. With knowledge that most would drive 9 hours back to Sydney, 50 minutes sound a lot more to appreciate, time wise.

What a weekend, Bohan thought on the balcony that attached to his room somewhere Ardon St. Coogee. With cool breeze from the sea, he feels refreshed and sober. It’s a great experience to start with in the beginning of 2005. Inevitably, Bohan’s memory traced back to exactly a year ago, where he can vividly remember the hotness in Manly and the wedding he witnessed on top of the cliff seven miles away from Sydney. Who’s wedding he is going to witness at the beginning of 2006?

The End.