5 of the best stopover destinations between Europe and Australia
While we can all be glad a trip to Australia no longer means spending weeks at sea, long-haul travel still has an uncanny ability to make us resemble our passport photos. Long flights connecting to other long flights, are hard work for any traveller, but they do offer an opportunity to taste-test new destinations. These are my favourite stopovers between Europe and Australia. During the time I have been living in Australia I have made several trips to Europe and explored lots of other destinations on the way. I have made a conscious effort to enjoy stopovers in different locations on each trip. While I don’t have a lot of…
Land of culture, land of curiosities – Embracing Thailand
Thailand is an amazing place to visit. With its food, landscape and interesting cultural experiences, not to mention some nice beaches to relax on, it’s an intriguing place to explore. Full of curiosities, this is a country that blends cosmopolitan high rises with the farming community, fishing villages and Buddhist temples. How could a place like this fail to capture your attention? Then there’s the culture, which is wonderful to learn about and even better to experience. Of course, you have only one way to experience the country and that’s to head to the airport, board one of the many flights to Thailand and live it. The King The monarch…
Where will you go in 2014?
How much have you travelled in the past year? Have you achieved your travel dreams or do you feel like you have failed spectacularly? Don’t forget we choose to travel. If you prioritise travel over other spending it is surprising how far you can get. One method I use to work towards achieving my travel goals is to keep a bucketlist. There is some snootiness amongst travellers about keeping bucketlists but I don’t feel that way. Sure, some people mindlessly tick items off a list rather than being open to the interesting experiences that travel provides (often weird and wonderful in my experience), but that doesn’t mean having a reminder…
Thailand’s favourite floating market
Floating markets offer visitors to Asia a fascinating and unique experience. The market activity is colourful and friendly and offers many unusual sights. Who knows you might even end up cuddling a snake? Damnoen Saduak is the most popular floating market in Thailand. It is an hour’s drive from Bangkok and it is worth going early in the morning to catch the best of the market, which is open daily until noon, and avoid the worst of the heat. It is possible to walk along the banks of the river and witness all the action from dry land, but some of the sellers, and their produce, will be out of…
Tuk-tuk Tales
Bangkok is a big, crazy, polluted city, so what better way to see it than to get right in the middle of things and take a ride in a tuk-tuk? It is certainly a unique experience. Nervous about using a tuk-tuk Being aware that I would struggle to communicate clearly I was wary of accepting inexpensive tours of the city from tuk-tuk drivers, anticipating a time-wasting tour of dodgy commission-earning jewellery haunts, rather than the places I actually wanted to see. So when I got talking to a tour guide outside Wat Pho and he hailed a passing tuk-tuk and told me the driver would take me to the places…
5 Things to do on Khao San Road
The Khao San Road area is a vibrant part of Bangkok. It buzzes all day but really comes alive at night as the temperatures fade and the night sets in. It is a busy place and a notorious stomping ground for backpackers. Shop Khao San Road Khao San Road is the destination of choice for bargain hunters as all the thrifty backpackers keep prices low. Souvenirs of every sort are available from the many, many stores that line the streets in the area and it is also possible to find rows of miniature Buddhas. inexpensive clothes, fisherman trousers, Buddha hand carvings, wooden elephants, wedge-shaped Thai axe pillows, artwork, bags, jewellery,…
10 Reasons to visit South East Asia
South East Asia consists of eleven countries, spread along the edge of the Asian continent and across island nations. The area offers a variety of exciting experiences from walking with tigers in Thailand, visiting ancient temples in Cambodia, joining a small group tour in Laos and scoffing tasty noodles in Bali. Adventurers reap many rewards. Discover Asian culture South East Asia offers wonderfully diverse cultures. The origins are mainly Indian and Chinese with Arab, Portuguese, Spanish and Malay influences depending on where you go. One great way to absorb local culture is through talking with people or experiencing local storytelling. The Barong dance in Bali is an easily accessible example.…
Wat Pho
Thailand is the land of ornate and spectacular temples and no visit to Thailand is complete without taking in a temple or two. Wat Pho, which you may remember Leo DiCaprio visiting in the movie The Beach, is the oldest, largest and probably the most famous temple, and should definitely be on everyone’s must-see list. The Reclining Buddha The reclining Buddha is incredible, both in terms of size and the detail of design. He is 46 metres long, 15 metres high, made of plaster and finished in gold-leaf. The soles of his feet are inlaid with delicate images made of mother of pearl depicting the 108 characteristics of Buddha. You…
5 Reasons to try street food in Asia
Part of the joy of travelling is discovering new things and if like me you enjoy culinary adventures then Asian street food can really provide some fantastic experiences. The human experience Eating at street food stalls in Asian countries is a very personal experience. The stall holder will often smile and make friendly gestures while you point out what you want, and will then encourage you to take a seat or watch the cooking process. Adventurous eating Trying new things means you will discover new foods you never knew about before. Granted, locusts and grubs may be pushing your boundaries, but it is certainly an adventure. Is street food safe?…
Lights, Camera, Location!
It is all too easy to find yourself stuck in a routine and to slowly come to recognise that maybe there is more to life. If there are reasons that you can’t escape the routine just yet, then sit back and enjoy some armchair travel. Be inspired and plan your own adventure. These are some of the movies that have inspired me to travel. The Beach – Thailand This story follows a young backpacker who leaves Bangkok for Thailand’s beaches and discovers an island community where he realises he has a lot to learn. This is probably one of the first travel movies that ‘spoke’ to me. As an impressionable…
