The time is 'right' to visit the Northern Territory before it gets too hot. On the cusp of the dry season, here's five new must do’s for Darwin. This was my second visit to Darwin, I’ve shared some other favourite experiences from my first trip. Tiwi Islands The Tiwi Islands are a chain of nine islands 80 Kilometres (50 miles) north of … [Read more...]
A history tour of Darwin
Tour Tub Darwin City Explorer From my high school studies of Australian history, I knew a little about the bombing of Darwin in 1942. And my recent visit to the Tiwi Islands, 80 kilometres north of Darwin educated me further. It was on the smaller of the Tiwi Islands - Bathurst - that Father John McGrath on that fateful day of February 19, … [Read more...]
Sweet discovery in the Northern Territory
The dull whirr of the floatplane’s engine makes conversation impossible inside the cabin, but the captivating view over Darwin Harbour requires no commentary. I'm with a group of five all squeezed into a Cessna 208 Caravan. Sitting directly behind the pilot, it's probably a good thing my regular "oh wow" comments remain unheard over the noise. The … [Read more...]
The best of Brisbane’s weekend escapes
Winter in Brisbane is all about warm days filled with sunshine and blue skies. Want to know where I'd recommend you escape to if you're a local or a visitor to Brissie? Check out my story from the Upsider on four of my suggestions (And it was hard to write about only four!) Open beach on Moreton Island … [Read more...]
What’s not to love in Seattle
Seattle is a city that pulses with an energetic vibe. And that’s not just because it is the headquarters for two of the largest corporations in the world: Amazon and Microsoft. Nestled in between two imposing mountain ranges - the Olympics and the Cascade - which help to bring the precipitation Seattle is renowned for, this city is blessed with … [Read more...]
A Texan town loaded with charm and a couple of characters
The North Texan town called Grapevine, located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, possesses a unique history, charm and character. Add in a dash of Texan southern hospitality and you have a place worthy of a stopover, whether it’s for a few hours or a few days. What's great about Grapevine? Savouring the last sip of my frozen margarita, I … [Read more...]
Solo traveller exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi
A pitstop in Abu Dhabi and Dubai The sparkling lights from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa dominates the view from my hotel window. I’m perched on the sofa in my 15th-floor room in the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai waiting for my large bath to fill. It’s been a hectic couple of days since my early morning arrival in Dubai … [Read more...]
Saigon – my five insider tips
Nestled adjacent to the Saigon River, some 80 kilometres from the South China Sea – Ho Chi Minh City is the main commercial and economic hub for Vietnam. With nine million people and over six million motorbikes bursting onto the city streets at all hours of the day and night, Ho Chi Minh City is a mesmerising chaos, filled with hole in the wall … [Read more...]
SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD BLOGGERS AWARD
THE SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD BLOGGERS AWARD I love how the blogging community reaches out and awakens bloggers from our contented slumber with a challenge. I am a blogger guilty of NOT posting regularly – I’m more of a random blog poster. But I am a consistent reader of many incredible blogs and feel connected in countless ways sharing our … [Read more...]
Travel Bug Within shares her 10 Travel Tips
Sharing Ten Travel Tips This is something I've been contemplating blogging about for a while - friends often ask what they should take when travelling to ....... destination. So here it is: a collection of my 10 Travel Tips - which contribute to making this travel bug's trips smoother and happier! 1. Tools for Sleep I don't care what anyone … [Read more...]