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...]
Tips for Crossing Australia’s Mighty Nullarbor
When you think of the classic Australian landscape, the straight, lengthy, and nearly featureless expanse of the Nullarbor Plain may come to mind. If you plan to drive between the states of Western Australia and South Australia on a cross-country voyage, you'll need to pass through this uniquely desolate region. Nullarbor means "no trees" due to the flat monotony of its landscape, which can bring to mind a trip to another planet at times. … [Read more...]
Australia Bucket List – places that make Down Under special
You've heard of the Sydney Opera House, so that's on your list of places to see. Perhaps you've decided that you will take photos from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and maybe Bondi Beach is also on your list of places to go, but why not spread your wings and see more of the country? If you've booked your flights to Brisbane, or Adelaide or Sydney and you're thinking of touring Eastern Australia, which special and inspirational places you would like … [Read more...]
Americans Have 52 Reasons to Experience Their Australian “Someday” Now
New “Someday” Campaign from Virgin Australia, Delta Air Lines and Tourism Australia Offers 52 Aussie Someday Trips for Americans to Win Virgin Australia, Delta Air Lines and Tourism Australia are teaming up to encourage Americans to visit Australia now, not “someday,” in their first joint U.S. marketing campaign, with a chance to win one of 52 trips. “I really want to go someday” is something Americans say a lot about Australia. Beyond … [Read more...]
How I Got My Glow On in St. Thomas
Three if by land, two if by sea. Sorry, Paul Revere, but you got lit up your way, I’ll do it mine. I was at Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort on St. Thomas recently, a glorious iconic resort perched high on a bluff and overlooking the capital city of Charlotte Amalie, which a few years ago did a $48-million renovation, jazzing up the spacious rooms (which start around $220 a night), and adding a fitness center, two pools, … [Read more...]
Can food broker peace? Mamnoon Restaurant, Seattle
Celebrating Syria: “We couldn’t go back, so we started mamnoon instead.” -Richard Bangs “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.” -T.S. Elliot There are so many delicious facets to this story. I first met Wassef Haroun in Zambia, at the Kafue River Camp, owned by a mutual friend who had invited us for a week-long private safari. Towards the end of the week Wassef excused himself from the Rhodesian teak table … [Read more...]
My Journey to the massive Kata Tjuta stones in Australia
Here is my personal journey, which started in Sydney and ended up in me finding the most peaceful yet mind-blowing place on Earth - the Kata Tjuta stones in the Northern Territory. Ticking things off When you go to any country in the world for the first time there are certain places you need to tick off your to-do list. In Australia those places are the Gold Coast in Queensland and of course, Sydney. The Opera House, Bondi Beach, the … [Read more...]
East Coast Road Trippin’, Australia
If you’ve been thinking about doing a road trip to see the many amazing sites of this great country, there’s one service I’d recommend you take a look at. DriveNow offer a one-way campervan relocation service; where rental companies decide to move their campervans to a different state to accommodate to greater demand in that area due to big events or seasonal changes they, through Drive Now, give the general public an opportunity to relocate … [Read more...]
My Role as one of Tourism Australia’s Digital corOZpondents
I am honored to have been selected as one of Tourism Australia's digital corOZpondents for 2013/2014. As part of being a corOZpondent I will be making a trip to this great continent for nearly a month (I was in Sydney and vicinity earlier this year for the New Year's fireworks). I'm on the road quite a bit each year - and every trip has its own merit - but there are few trips I have been looking forward to as much as this one. I already know it … [Read more...]