With the exception of last year, there are more and more things to do, places to eat, and tourism excursions to go on. The tourists seem to come from further away each year and in droves.

in my humble opinion the true measure on any tourism based economy has to be the taxi driver... the 'cabbie' if you're a New Yorker. They often know something is happening even before the conventional economic indicators do.

Last year I cut a planned motorcycle trip from Oregon to NYC down to a flight and a quick business week in Chicago and NYC. The Global meltdown thing was just starting to swing and not wanting to get hit on the head by the potential hailstorm of investment bankers doing a 60 story double gainer... rather than bear the stigma of driving a used car, I had my bike meet me here in Darwin.

Upon arriving I found the driver of every taxi I climbed into complaining of famine, doom and gloom due to the seriously slow tourist trade. It was only then that I realised we were in for a global economic ride. I reckon they should add 'The Cabbie Index' in the Economic Indices in the Wall St Journal, The Economist or the IHT.

Forget about expensive economists, in depth studies, government indices, and the rest.... just call a Cabbie in Darwin and ask how he's doing. No tourists = no disposable spending = economic problems! Done.

Fortunately this year the cabbies are happily enjoying a roaring tourist trade. Seems the global economic crises is over.

In any case I'm off to get the bike in a few hours and I'll hit the road in the morning. The next bunch of posts should be from the road. I'll be in Katherine by nightfall Tuesday night and then point myself north west into WA and Kununurra for a few days.

As for sitting and waiting for my bike in Darwin I guess I can truly say that 'I spent a year here this weekend!'

Adios for now.