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Mermaids – making a splash in the Philippines
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done on your travels recently? Ever wish you were a mermaid when you were a child? In the Philippines recently a friend and I came across a business hiring mermaid tails. It looked fun and, as it turns out, was too daft an opportunity to pass up on. Getting our mermaid on (literally) We were prepared to leave our dignity at the door as we indulged ourselves in our mermaid fantasies. It didn’t take long. The woman in the shop took one look at us both and proclaimed we would need size large. Getting into the tails was the first challenge. We walked across the…
You CAN afford to travel – here is how
Many people want to travel but hold back from accomplishing their travel dreams because they are scared they cannot afford to travel. A bit of careful financial planning goes a long way to allay these fears. Here are my tips for saving as much as you can, as fast as possible. There are that many travel options these days that I really believe where there is a will there is a way. I think the key to travelling in a way you are financially comfortable with is to do a bit of research and then have a realistic think about what you are happy spending. Don’t worry if it is…
The French Market of New Orleans
The French Market in New Orleans is the oldest marketplace in the USA. It is stuffed full of fascinating finds and lively people. It is one of my favourite markets for its diversity and spirit. It is definitely a market worth visiting. Just inland from the Mississippi River, the French Market forms the heart of the French Quarter, and arguably New Orleans. The marketplace was originally a Native American trading post, back in the late 1700s, which is why it has such a long history. Among the stalls the market also features the New Orleans Visitor Centre and several cafes and bars. All sorts of things can be bought in…
The things I love about Australia, and the things I don’t
Australia is a great place to live and work. Australia offers a great standard of living and is so vast there is a climate to suit everyone. As with everywhere however, some bits are less great. Here are the things I love about Australia and the things I don’t. Things I love about Australia ‘Fair go’ thinking Australia is a country of immigrants. Aside from the native aboriginals everyone else has come here from somewhere else and this makes Australians a diverse bunch. Australian society, as a result, is multicultural and lives by the principle of giving everyone a fair go. If you say you are capable of something you…
Bali’s Best bits
Beautiful Bali offers such a diverse and colourful experience. It is a humble and friendly island offering warm interactions, epic adventures, spiritualism and scenic surroundings. Bali is far more than just an inexpensive escape for Aussies. Balinese culture Dance plays a significant part in Balinese storytelling. The costumes and the bewitching movements that feature in traditional dance performances are fascinating to watch. A popular dance explaining Bali’s respect for both good and bad spirits is the Barong dance. Click here to read more about it. Scenery Bali is referred to as ‘The Island of the Gods’ and it is certainly worthy of the title. The beautiful island is full of…
Cycling Adventure on Rottnest Island
Never was I more grateful for being taught how to ride a bicycle than when I arrived on Rottnest Island and realised there were no private vehicles (and few public transport options). My friend said we’d take bicycles and explore the tiny island on two wheels. It sounded good. I am easily lured to places that offer an encounter with an interesting animal, especially one that is new to me and furry. Rottnest is famous as one of the few remaining places quokkas thrive, due to a lack of predators. These little marsupials look like a big-bottomed rat and I was keen to see them. As we wheeled our bikes…
Are you the reason you are not achieving your travel dreams?
Often when I meet people and they learn of my nomadic life they express interest and ask questions like ‘What was it like to live in Turkey?’ or ‘How did you become a diving instructor?’ The initial interest is usually followed by an expression of envy and sometimes regret. I often hear, ‘I wish I had done those things.’ Do you hear about other people’s adventures and wish they were your experiences? Well, they can be. More people are travelling than ever before. It is pretty straightforward to get from one end of the world to the other these days. It is also easy to travel on a pretty skinny…
A Day in Cassis
A last minute change of plans during a trip to Provence left a friend and I looking for accommodation between St Tropez and Marseille the night before catching a flight from Marseille. Where should we overnight that would be enjoyable but also within easy reach of the airport? It looked like an opportunity to explore Cassis had landed in our laps. About 20 kilometres east of Marseille, Cassis sits nestled at the foot of high cliffs and gazes out at the Mediterranean. It is a good place from which to explore the spectacular calanques (inlets) along this stretch of coast. This one-time fishing village, now a picturesque little town, is…
Kekova – Turkey’s Spectacular Sunken City
The Turkish coastline boasts many beautiful spots but Kekova is one of my favourites. From the narrow streets and ruins of nearby Simena to the picturesque mosque in Ucagiz and the underwater cities at Kekova, it is a region I find truly magical. Kekova refers to both the island and the region. Some will also refer to the underwater ruins as Kekova. The island, Kekova, is an uninhabited island from which ancient civilisations have tumbled into the sea as a result of earthquakes. Twenty years ago strict restrictions on swimming in the area were introduced to protect the ruins but these have all since been lifted or relaxed and it…
Take a Working Holiday in Australia
Australia offers travellers the chance to work casually to support extended visits to the country. This presents a fantastic opportunity to take some time to explore the vast continent and experience life downunder. It is one that many visitors take and end up having the time of their lives. According to the Australian Government department of citizenship website Australia offers the visas ‘to encourage cultural exchange and closer ties between the arrangement countries’. I think it is great that Australia enables people to live and work in the country temporarily. I have had several different and interesting job opportunities working in roles varying from journalism and recruitment to the mining…
