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"In some ways, I think travel is about learning how to see, learning how to pay attention. It's an alarm clock in some ways, and it's a jumpstart to putting our senses on the setting where they're universally receptive. I think theoretically we could do that at our homes, and yet somehow, surrounded by familiarity and the routine we know too well, our eyes tend to close and we don't notice the things that are so wondrous for a visitor. But as soon as we physically start moving we awaken to the beauties around us." --Pico Iyer

Australian Traveller - August 2007

Looking for an overland adventure? (LINK)

August 19th 2007 01:47
Planning a trip to Europe? Why fly when you can drive! Being cooped up in a plane for around 24 hours is enough to make even the best of us lose our smile and patience. Ozbus have come up with an exciting itinerary for the adventure seeker that will see you crossing 20 countries in 3 months.

Starting off in Sydney you make your way down to Melbourne via the Sapphire Coast, which is renowned for its deserted beaches and unspoilt beauty. After a short stop in Melbourne you head off along the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide and the Barossa Valley wine region for a drop or two of some world famous wines. Next on the agenda is the outback town of Coober Pedy, famous for its opal mines before making your way through Alice Springs and on to Uluru. This sacred site has a fascinating history which you can read about in the links provided at the bottom of this post. (Out of respect you are asked NOT to climb Uluru, however the option is there for you to climb should you wish to. Base walks are provided). Your last stop on Australian soil is in Darwin, where you will get to visit Kakadu National Park and then it`s on the plane for a short flight to Timor, where you will be reunited with your Tour Bus as it arrives by sea.


Indonesia is made up of around 13 000 islands, unimagineable beauty that attracts visitors from far and wide each year. Now it is your turn to explore the land as you visit the islands of Flores, Komodo, Sumbawa and Lombok. Some great surf is available here, the odd sighting of Komodo Dragons and maybe the chance to see the changing colours of the crater lakes are just some of the experiences you have to look forward to before you head over to Bali, Java and Sumatra. Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world and boasts being the home of the world`s largest individual flower, the Rafflesia arnoldii. This flower can grow to an astounding 11kg and has been recorded with a diameter of up to 1 metre. Do not forget to keep your eyes peeled for the Sumatran Tiger. Sadly chances of spotting this animal in the wild are slowly dwindling as they fall victim to poachers and loss of habitat.


Potala Palace
Malaysia and Thailand are next on the adventure trail and if the timing is right you may be lucky enough to attend a legendary Full Moon party. After a short visit to Bangkok it is now time to head to Laos, China and Nepal. Some of the amazing sights you have to look forward to here is the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. Potala Palace, official residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, is also on the agenda. Of course you cannot miss Mount Everest on your journey!

Crossing into the colourful lands of India and Pakistan will leave you with long-lasting memories as you lay your eyes on the mighty Ganges River, take in the sights of the Taj Mahal and then head across the Balochistan desert into Iran. Iran and Turkey welcome you to the Middle East, a land known for its war zones and dry desert landscapes. I am sure that your tour guides will steer you well clear of any troubled areas so you do not need to pack your bullet proof vests and tranquilizers for this part of your journey. (Alternative routes are listed for the Tibet and Iran/Pakistan areas should any trouble arise. Just remember that any tours you go on are looking for future business and will not take you anywhere that will endanger your life or theirs. News travels fast and with modern technology you are in instant contact with the lastest updates.)

Europe is next. Crossing through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and France you make the final steps of your trip through some amazing landscapes and mysterious cultures before sailing across the Channel to England and the final destination of your trip of a lifetime. All inclusions, routes, prices and necessary travel information are available on the website. The tour is also available London - Sydney and has payment plans available. Need to get back to Aus now? Check back for the return trip via Africa at a later date!

How does the quote go? It`s more about the journey than it is about the destination? You only get one life... make sure you enjoy the ride!


The Oz Bus Website
Uluru
The Dreaming
Wikipedia article on Uluru
Potala Palace photo found here
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It`s wine therapy!

August 15th 2007 10:54
Everyone likes a glass of wine as much as the next - and if you don`t it just means that you have not found the wine that suits your palette yet. There is such a wide variety on the market and it is such an interesting process that if you dare to delve a little you will soon find yourself addicted.

A Sommelier is basically a Wine Waiter. If you go to a posh restuarant and do things right you will have a Sommelier on hand who can tell you the right wine to go with the right food. You may think that one bottle of plonk is just as good as the next, but when you really taste a good wine... savour that taste and swirl it around in your mouth... you will appreciate the price tag that is attached to it. Plus, the flavour of your food is enhanced greatly when it is accompanied by the right wine.

Andreas Larsson was crowned Sommelier of the World 2007. This may seem like a small feat , however when you take into consideration all that goes into such an award you will be forgiven for being left open mouthed.

I recall watching a Sommelier competition where a young man was presented with a wine from an unmarked bottle and was not given any further information. He was able to not only tell what country the wine was made in but was able to pin point the wine growing region within a 30km radius! Now considering how many wine growing regions there are in the world that is an amazing ability when all you have to rely on is your sense of taste and smell!

The wine world is breaking out - you are now able to go for WINE THERAPY! So when someone tells you that wine is bad for you.... you can tell them otherwise. You will have to forgive my rather rusty French translations as the site is in French, but.... here goes!

Who better than the French to make such a discovery. They already produce some of the best wine in the world and have discovered some of the hidden gems found in grapes. Located within the Bordeaux wine region is the worlds first Wine Spa. Le Sources de Caudalie boasts some great
wine therapy where you can find yourself being massaged in merlot or taking a red wine bath. They also have a lot of other treatments available - but let`s face it who would want anything else but the WINE THERAPY! (Apparently you get to drink the stuff too!)

Polyphenol is a substance found in grapes which apparently has anti-aging and healing properties. As well as this they use nutrient rich water found deep underground to assist in your health regime. A 4 day stay will cost you around 724 Euros. So if you have the money why not indulge a little?
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Creative Week, Fraser Island

August 1st 2007 22:51
Fraser Island is one of the most beautiful places you can visit along the coast in Southern Queensland. There is an endless amount of activities already available, however from the week 12th - 17th August you can indulge to your hearts content. Creative Week at Kingfisher Bay looks set to satisfy any art lovers heart with classes from photography to weaving and painting.

There are many packages to choose from including day trips starting from as little as $40pp. Check out their programme for descriptions and prices of activities. It is a beautiful part of the world and with the lovely weather we have been having up here recently you will not be disappointed.
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