A tourist information office is conventionally known as a resource where visitors can learn about the local region. Generally, these are nondescript locales that seldom merit a mention. However, during my vacation in New Zealand, the local tourist information office took on a whole new meaning for me. Owned and managed by Tourism New Zealand, i-SITE Visitor Information Centers not only offer the best information to help tourists navigate, they … [Read more...]
United’s New Houston To Sydney Route Takes Flight
If a trip Down Under is on your bucket list, take note that United Airlines launched a new Houston to Sydney daily nonstop service on January 18th. United is the only airline offering nonstop service from Houston to any Australian destination. I was lucky enough to be on board for the festive inaugural flight. Here’s the scoop on the 8,596-mile journey. Aussie Treats To Tempt The Taste Buds The party started at Houston’s George Bush … [Read more...]
A 3-Day Itinerary on Kangaroo Island, South Australia
We started our 3-week stay in Australia with 3 days on Kangaroo Island. The appeal of Australia was without surprise its rich and unique wildlife. Kangaroo Island seems to encompass many of what we looked for. Why Kangaroo Island? The third largest island in Australia with 155 km long and 55 km wide (96 miles by 34 miles), Kangaroo Island is not on the tourist trail and has stayed untouched from the big tourism. Indeed, a third of the island … [Read more...]
Discovering New Zealand: The Essential Dos and Don’ts
It may be standing at world’s end, but believe me when I say, New Zealand is a land you need to visit, at least once in your life! This proud island nation stands tall among the endless blue of the Pacific, and is just beyond beautiful. Weather you venture to Te-Ika-a-Maui, or Te Wai Pounamu (that’s North and South island for all of you not versed in Māori) you will feel like you stepped into a dream. This country of fantasy, has not only … [Read more...]
Australia, My Whirlwind Tour, West to East
Australia is such a large country, making the decision to visit a very important and exciting one. It is key that you narrow down the exact places/cities that you want to visit in order to plan your best course of travel. When I travelled Australia back in 2012, I stuck primarily to several stops - hopping off in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide over an 8 week period. Here are my top things to do in each city. Perth: As the capital of … [Read more...]
Recycling My Steps on the Riesling Trail
Of all my short trips and long wanderings, Australia has remained my favourite. It has opened my eyes to the essence of travel, the kindness of people but most especially to the wonders of nature. Not being the one to spend days on the beach, I spent my time visiting places, hiking in Ranges, going on safaris and exploring areas by bike. Coming from the European flatlands, you learn to cycle immediately once you know how to walk. Cycling is in … [Read more...]
Experience Sunshine Coast my way
When you are leading a stressful life as I was, you usually do not even realize it until it is too late. Only after some types of trauma people do start paying attention to the tempo of their lives and how much stress they truly feel. Also, living in modern cities additionally produces a great level of stress which does not occur in the county. Long commutes to/from work, long lines at supermarkets, traffic jams and too many people constantly … [Read more...]
Smell the Eucalyptus Trees
The Blue Mountains National Park is on the UNESCO Heritage List today and it attracts a large number of visitors to Sydney and New South Wales every year. It is simply refreshing to visit this delightful spot after spendingsome time in a large city of Sydney. Many would say ‘a true impression of Australia’ is what one gets after the Blue Mountains. But why are they called Blue? The answer is that eucalyptus oil evaporating releases the substance … [Read more...]
Trek Into Wilsons Prom, Australia
This year we decided our summer holiday was not going to be spent fighting impatient crowds at the airport or tourist crowds in fancy resort towns. No, this year we were going to take it slow – slow down, slow time, and live in the moment. So what did we decide to do? A 14km return walk into the Victorian wilderness. Now stay with me here. It may sound strenuous – and trust me, it was – but what a way to get back to the essentials of life, … [Read more...]
The Art of Not Doing: The Red Centre, Northern Territory, Australia
In the eager pool of morning light there rises The Rock. It is perhaps the most iconic symbol of the implacable indifferences of inhospitable landscapes, its dimensions timeless, unsummarized. And I want to climb it. There is something in the Western mindset that arouses a near irresistible urge to climb a peak. We look up, we admire, and if possible, we act. It may be related to a primal impulse to conquer a headland, to be king of the … [Read more...]
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