PART I: QUEENSLAND I landed with a thump on a Quantus long-haul flight, back when smoking was allowed and drinking encouraged, like a character out of a Bruce Chatwin novel. I was ineffably in error while reading my Lonely Planet guidebook on the plane--thinking that “Cairns” was pronounced with an “r” in it, when to local “Aussie” cobbers (not “Ozzies,” a common mistake both of Septic Tank Yanks [Americans] and Bloody Pomes [Britishs]), it … [Read more...]
The New Year is Coming: Favorite Destinations for Travel in 2015
With 2015 fast approaching (seems like I just wrote this in regards to the start of this year!), there are a few places I would like to highlight as being high on my list of places to visit in 2015. I chose these in particular because of the range of experiences offered, inspiring natural beauty and diversity of foods or cultural activities. I have been fortunate to have visited each of these more than once. I love the freedom of independent … [Read more...]
Conversation, Margaret Lehmann – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley
Recently during a visit and exploration of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, I had the opportunity to sit down for a short chat with Margaret Lehmann at her home. She is one of Barossa's food and wine pioneers, a champion of its preservation and was an integral part of the growth of Peter Lehmann Wines. Conversation invariably was about food and wine - over a glass of Semillon from Peter Lehmann appropriately called "Margaret". With … [Read more...]
Exploring Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Waking up late at night and stumbling out of our Yurt we were overwhelmed by the clarity and brilliance of stars in all directions - the Milky Way stretched nearly from horizon to horizon and millions of little lights shone so clearly without any distractions of nearby cities. Earlier this year we saw the same awe inspiring sight from the Outback of Australia but here the brightness of the galaxy was even more clear because of the high elevation. … [Read more...]
5 Tips To Prepare For A Holiday of a Lifetime to Australia
Travelling to Australia truly is the trip of a lifetime for many, an experience never to be forgotten. Here are five tips to help you prepare for a holiday to Australia and to make your time spent there go as smoothly as possible. Visa and Vaccinations Everyone who visits Australia, even for a short stay needs to get a visa before travelling. There are a number of different options available, depending if your reason for visiting is for a … [Read more...]
A Sea to Sky Journey, Vancouver to Banff with Rocky Mountaineer
In 30+ years the Rocky Mountaineer has created a memorable experience incorporating some of the Rocky Mountain's finest scenery. A trip on the rails is one to enjoy, savor and spend quality time with loved ones - a chance to truly escape from the hectic fast paced life of the "real world". Few train rides on the planet can deliver such inspiring and jaw dropping vistas as the Rocky Mountaineer. The train follows historical railways to and from a … [Read more...]
Adventures in France
Check the weather and temperature for Arras: 6 - 13 degrees with fog. Definitely pack the gloves and put on thermal top and nylon half leg stockings under socks!! It is cool walking to Gare Du Nord, along the dirty streets. The cleaners have a huge job ahead of them. The fat pigeons can only help so much to clean the rubbish up. Gare Du Nord is awash with all varieties of travelers, the workers, business men, holiday makers, and day trippers … [Read more...]
The Weight of a Human Heart by Ryan O’Neill
This is a collection of fictional short stories by creative writer, Ryan O'Neill. The stories are fiction but you wonder how much Ryan draws upon his personal experience in writing these based on all his time lived abroad. He has called Africa, Europe and Asia 'home' before moving to Australia where he now resides. Words are his literary playground and creative outlet. Some of the stories are exercises in linguistic extremes such as "seventeen … [Read more...]
The Stranger Side of Travel
See dem hills? I live in dem hills… The man pointing at the blue-green hills in question was talking to my mother. He looked like Billy Ray Cyrus -- if Mr. Cyrus had less teeth and a meth-addiction. We were in rural Australia, and this young man with an uncanny resemblance to a junkie version of the popular country singer was doing his best to woo my mother. My teenage sister and I were highly amused. Over a decade later, we still … [Read more...]
Australia Adventures: A Bed In Bondi Beach
Dreaming of Sydney. Very few of my friends can say that they have traveled across the globe to one of the happiest countries in the world, second only behind Iceland. I'm talking about Australia, and I would have to say that I agree, wholeheartedly with that statement. When I first flew into Sydney, I couldn't help but notice the picturesque view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It is such a romantic city, yet it's so far away … [Read more...]
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