Some photos from a couple of cemeteries in Townsville. We didn't find any relatives in the first we visited, but then discovered the grave sites of a number in the more modern cemetery.

The more modern cemetery had some of the most insane tombstones there in the new section. I won't put up any photos of them, because they're so unusual that they'd be easily identifiable and that might be insulting to the families of the dead.

But for goodness's sake! These things were like some sort of enormous block, covered with tiles, enough decorations to make you worry that the lid would cave in on the dearly departed, along with some statues of Jesus and Mary. Too much money and too little sense perhaps..? The heat and humidity got to them? Who knows.

I much prefer the older style of tombstones and grave markers, like those in the photos. Yes, I guess some of them can be a bit oversized or imposing, but at least they aren't tacky. There's a bit of romance and skill to them, which is why I like them so much. In some ways, it's sad to see tombs untended and overgrown, with broken stones and cracked grave tops.