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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

Travel - Australian Traveller

Radio humour

October 11th 2007 11:00
We travel overseas to South Africa for a little radio humour - everyone enjoys a good laugh, Whackhead is a classic prank caller on a Johannesburg radio station. ENJOY!












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Southern African Adventures

September 16th 2007 23:40
As we continue our adventure through Africa we move to the southern countries that make up the continent. Unfortunately Africa seems to be one of the least likely continents to visit according to most people that I have come across. i cannot understand why as it offers such diversity and such incredible landscape that you would be hard pressed to find anything comparable. Hopefully I can try and persuade you otherwise!

Our first port of call will be Namibia. These countries are in no particular order so you will need to peruse a few travel websites to find that offer an intinerary which includes places you would like to visit.


The capital of Namibia is Windhoek (pronounced Vind-hook). The Nama and Herero people have two different names for the city but both have to do with the hot springs that were once part of it. Dutch settlers first arrived in the area in the mid 1800`s, but by 1890 it had been taken over by the Germans. World War 1 saw the end of the German occupation here and in 1915 the South Africans occupied it on behalf of the British. 1990 saw yet another change as the country gained independence and the Republic of Namibia was born.

The rich red dunes of the Namib Desert would be enough to make any traveller happy. However, if you are looking to be blown away you should make your way to the Skeleton Coast. Bushmen call it 'The Land God Made in Anger' and sailors 'The Gates of Hell', so you can imagine it is a stunning place! The beach is literally covered with the skeletons of creatures and ships that have met their demise here. The icy Benguela Current makes conditions rough, the year round fog that settles over the waters makes visibility near impossible and the inhospitable climate makes it a place where only the tough survive. There are a range of animals to see here, it being home to one of the largest seal colonies on the planet. www.africanodyssey.co.za recommends around two weeks to fully enjoy Namibia.

Next on our adventure we will take a look at Zimbabwe. Formerly known as Rhodesia it now makes the news headlines for its tyrant President who has ruined probably one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. However, if you are in the area it is definitely worth the trip. Victoria Falls lies in the country’s West and at
‘1 708 meters wide… it [is] the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.’
Scottish missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, named it after the reigning British monarch at the time, however it is known by locals as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' or 'The Smoke That Thunders'

Victoria Falls part of the mighty Zambezi River, the 4th longest in Africa. If you are a fishing enthusiast you will fall in love with this place immediately. If you are a nature lover you will suffer the same fate. If you are a living and breathing person you will be doomed... your heart will be unable to tear itself away from here. Home to thousands of crocodiles and hippos, other animal and bird species and the most amazing sunsets the area is teeming with natural beauty on a massive scale. You will not be disappointed!

South Africa is the most Southern country in Africa. It is so diverse in culture and landscapes that you would think several countries have been crammed into one. There is so much to see and do here you would need a dedicated post just for this one country. Obviously attractions like Cape Town`s Table Mountain and the wildlife at Kruger National Park would be high on any travellers list of places to visit, but one special place that I can highly recommend to any visitor is to stand on the Southern most tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas. Although the actual meeting point of the two oceans (Indian and Atlantic) changes according to the currents you can still enjoy the spectacular scenery and enjoy the meandering walks along the coastline. It is well worth the trip.

There are many more countries in Africa to visit that offer such a wide variety of sights and sounds to make every traveller salivate. So take the time to wander the dusty trails, soak up the majestic coastlines and enjoy the diverse cultures on offer. You won`t be disappointed!


Photos and Information courtesy of:

www.africanodyssey.co.za
www.skeletoncoast.org
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
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Overlanding through Africa

September 8th 2007 03:18
So now you have made your way across from Australia to London, had a peruse through Europe and need to get back home again? Flying is the boring option when you consider you can make your way down through deepest, darkest Africa and have another adventure before returning to reality.

You have a few options for doing this and browsing through most adventure travel websites will give you a good idea of what you can expect. It all depends what you want from it, so this is just a few of the options available to you. (See the bottom of this post for some Adventure Travel companies).

When overlanding you are going to be on the road with the same group of people for long periods of time. Everyone is expected to pitch in and help with the cooking, shopping and general duties around the campsite. It will be like a small community so make sure that this type of travel suits you before you start booking. I would highly recommend, to get the full African experience, to use this type of travel. There is no point in going to see the stunning landscapes, watch the wildlife and breathe in that energizing African air if you are going to flit from hotel to hotel and stay on the tourist track. You will miss out on so much!

The first thing I would recommend looking at is to be at the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater for the wildebeest migration, which occurs around Dec-Mar depending on the rains. If you think you have seen something spectacular before, stand back for this one! Having seen wildebeest move across the savannah before (not even close to the scale of this migration though), I can say it is an utterly spectacular sight. safari.go2africa.com probably describes it best...
The Wildebeest Migration is a dramatic story. It takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is the greatest wildlife show on earth. Between the open plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to greener pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and death continues.

Any trip to Africa would not be complete without going to see the Gorilla's. Sadly they have been murdered throughout the years by local poachers which saw their numbers dwindling rapidly. As a result visits are now restricted to around 45 minutes and only 6-8 people per expedition per day. Most people will be familiar with the story of DIan Fossey who lived in Rwanda studying these great animals and fighting to save them. Her murder in 1985 still remains a mystery to this day. She was a fascinating woman, born in America and travelling to Africa where she fell in love with the place, as so many do. The final entry in her diary reads...
"When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate on the preservation of the future."
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, which is still in operation today, was set up by this remarkable woman in 1978 and can be viewed here. Make sure you keep an eye out for that Silverback!

We are all aware of the cloud of mystery that surrounds the ancient land of Egypt. You would need a lifetime to explore this place, and with so much to see and do from Pyramids to vibrant markets to sailing down the Nile you would have a difficult time deciding. One adventure which should not be missed is described by WorldExpeditions as such,
The mountain wilderness of the Sinai have inspired since the time of Moses. This short trek explores the granite peaks and rugged wadi`s in the company of our Bedouin guides. A dawn ascent of the steps of repentance to the summit of Mount Sinai is a fitting conclusion to this trek in Biblical land.
Now if that does not make you want to go and pack your bags right now then I don`t know what will! Because of the harsh climate of the desert the nomadic Bedouin are extremely hospitable people. They have a huge respect for the land, only using what is needed and moving on to allow it to grow again. Territory is very highly regarded amongst different groups - and any lack of respect in this area is not easily forgotten.

This post will follow on with more information on other African Adventures, moving to the Southern Countries next.

Some advice for travelling in Africa -

* make sure that whatever shots they tell you to get before you leave YOU GET! The healthy systems in some African countries are not the best so you want to make sure that you are as healthy as possible.
* keep a watchful eye out on your belongings, especially when you are in crowded areas. Most places you visit will be poverty stricken and everything and anything will be seen as a luxury.
* perhaps take some items such as pens and pencils along with you to give to street children if you can. They will be very appreciative of this and it is just a nice gesture to give a little once in a while.
* do not be afraid to barter. Try and get a rough idea of the cost of things before you get to a place. It may seem cheap, but trust me nine times out of ten you are being ripped off.
* be aware that you should exercise a higher level of awareness for your personal safety in most places. Although this should not put you off going to Africa just be a little more focused on what is going on around you and try not to wander off into unknown territory. As with any countries there are areas that should be avoided - make sure you get to know which places you should keep away from.

Websites consulted, Adventure Travel Websites and photos courtesy of:

www.safari.go2africa.com
www.kumuka.com
www.gorillafund.org/index.php
www.gifttrap.com
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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


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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


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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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Visiting deserts

July 22nd 2007 12:59
Nestled deep in the heart of every person on Earth is a desert... a barren land with sweeping sand dunes and the most beautiful desolate landscapes imaginable to humankind. Every now and again, particularly after a few days of having no water the traveller begins to see mirages in their desert... hazy sights of flashing neon, watering holes of complete simplicity - it is different to each, unique.

As you walk in the sand, watching each foot step one in front of the other... do you ever imagine your opposite? Get a globe and see what is exactly on the other side of the world to you... and imagine that another you is stepping as you step, however they see a different world to you and as each dawn breaks you take turn in seeing which side of the world you tread on


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Victorian Cricket Day

June 28th 2007 13:30


If you are fortunate enough to be in Alton, Hampshire (England) this weekend or anywhere that is close enough for you to get there make sure you head to the Butts for the annual Victorian Cricket Match. My word this is the biggest laugh


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The Dreaming Festival

June 10th 2007 09:39
Woodford Hills
Who would think that behind these tranquil green hills a three day celebration would be rocking the trees and rumbling the hills? The Dreaming Festival is now in its third year and according to Organisers, is 20% up on ticket sales from last year. It attracts both local and international audiences in a massive celebration of Indigenous Arts on the site of the annual Woodford Folk Festival. Disabled facilities are available and children are seen having just as much fun, if not more, as the adults.

Anita Heiss was the first speaker I saw. What a hilarious woman! She read from her various books and had some rather profound statements - one which has stuck with me -
there is no such thing as an Aborigine. That is simply a name that settlers gave us.
A story that also stuck in my mind was of her once being on a plane to LA from Melbourne and overhearing a conversation where a woman proclaimed her pride at being a FOURTH GENERATION Australian. She turned to her colleague and asked what they would think of her being a FOUR THOUSANDTH generation Australian! In making reference to the Cronulla riots and placards that were raised stating WE WERE HERE FIRST she laughed and announced, 'Well, we would not expect them to say "WE WERE HERE SECOND" '. If you can get hold of any of her books I would recommend the read, even better if you can catch her in person


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Experimental Travel

June 1st 2007 14:36
With more places opening up to the intrepid explorer (unfortunately normally to the detriment of the local area) and even pleasure trips to the Moon being scheduled, travel has never been as exciting… or has it? Imagine what it was like travelling into the unknown with only the stars as your guide. Monsters lurked under every wave and dread beat in every heart with the uncertainly of when your ship would simply drop off the edge of the Earth. Now, in our hi-tech, busy world we become consumed by thoughts of our plane being hijacked or our train derailing. Ever run out of fuel on a dark moonless night or had a flat tyre on a hot summer day in the middle of nowhere? Travel definitely has its ups and downs and everyone has a story to tell.

Be thankful you were not part of the first pleasure cruise hosted by Englishman Richard Hore in 1536. The Portuguese and Spanish were roaming in their ‘Voyages of Discovery’, exploring and developing new trade routes. This was the start of globalisation. It had been 39 years since an English expedition had ventured out and after this one it would be quite a while until the next.

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What with everything changing...

May 31st 2007 08:36
... and us perhaps losing our blogs I think I will have to start posting to this site again because I don`t really want to lose it..... so keep your eyes peeled for further travel adventures being posted in this space... as time permits....

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Intoxicating India...

January 16th 2007 11:14
I have always wanted to go to India. A friend of mine went last year and said it was an amazing, life changing experience. They came back a totally different person. Another friend is going next month.......

I have also lost a lot of family members to the dreadful Cancer disease that plagues our planet today. I would not wish upon my very worst enemy the punishment of watching a loved one die to this disease


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Confusion

January 13th 2007 21:58
If confusion is the first step to knowledge, I must be a genius

Larry Leissner
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Why do something when you know the outcome is going to be a disaster?

January 10th 2007 06:33
We are interesting creatures, us humans. We will do something, knowing full well the outcome of it and then stand there scratching our heads in amazement and wonder why when things go pear shaped!
We will drink those tequila shots and then wonder why we spend the night curled around the toilet and wake up the next day with a thumping head and body wobbling around like a huge pot of jelly.
We will touch that wall with the big sign on it that says “Wet Paint” and then curse ourselves when we have a nice big green stripe up our finger. Or touch that iron, just to see if it is hot and then complain because we have burnt ourselves


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