Keeping me busy With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing us to stay at home, slow down and live differently to what we’re used to, it's apparent we're turning to activities that we never seemed to have found time for in our pre-coronavirus ‘busy’ lives. I’m now ‘finding’ myself sitting down to actually read a book from the stockpile on my bedside … [Read more...]
Top End magic – there’s plenty of adventure culture and history in Darwin
As the capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is renowned for fun and adventure, but an interesting mixture of history and the slightly obscure is found in the Top End - when you know where to look. Darwin’s unique charm and character is a by-product not only of its geographical location - history and a couple of natural events played a role. … [Read more...]
Darwin lights up for tropical summer
Darwin is in perpetual summer mode. It's a place where winter attire is a rare requirement. But a noticeable change occurs when November 1 rolls around and the wet season rains appear heralding the start of ‘tropical summer.’ Dramatic thunderstorms bring a welcome respite from the heat and at dusk sunset lovers observe radiant golden colours as the … [Read more...]
A popular day tour to the Tiwi Islands
Meeting Tiwi locals and learning about their island culture Passing the island’s southern coastline from the open deck of our SeaLink ferry, I see nothing beyond the dense thicket of trees hugging the white sandy shore. As we enter Shoal Bay, I spy multi-coloured corrugated rooves peeking through the trees indicating the first sign of civilisation … [Read more...]
Seattle and its love of literature
Seattle lays claim as being the city that gave rise to 'grunge' music - an actual rock music genre. Bands like Malfunkshun (1980), Melvins (1983), Soundgarden (1984) and Green River (also1984) kickstarted the Seattle grunge music scene. They pathed the way for bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana whose epic rise to superstardom is well … [Read more...]
The best things to do in Bangkok when you’re on a budget
In a city of almost ten million where the streets hum with a constant flow of people moving to and from their destination, imagine finding a little slice of serenity. Would you think it possible? I flew to Bangkok with a group of writers and bloggers from Brisbane. We flew with Air Asia - the low-cost airline that recently added direct flights … [Read more...]
Cruising Nitmiluk Gorge
A memorable Northern Territory experience There are numerous ways to get up close and personal with the impressive scenery and wildlife in Nitmiluk National Park. Traditional Owners, the Jawoyn and Dagomen people allow visitors access to the park and one morning in the middle of May, I'm taking a boat cruise on the first two of the thirteen gorges … [Read more...]
Why not climb a mountain?
Hiking Mt Maroon Good Friday might be a day of rest for some, but for me, it was a day to hike a mountain. I’d responded to a media call out to join the epic Moonrise on Mount Maroon on Friday, April 19. The requirements: A writer/journalist who is fit enough to hike the seven-hour return night hike Available to depart at 2 pm on Good … [Read more...]
Hong Kong for writing inspiration
Another side to Hong Kong Don't think Hong Kong is only about food, shopping and the lights on Victoria Harbour. I’ve written about some of the new discoveries I made in Hong Kong during my trip in January 2018. I also visited the Man Mo temple and quietly asked the God of Literature for support and writing inspiration for 2018. I think he was … [Read more...]
A quintessential Hong Kong experience
A line of customers stands patiently outside a nondescript shop in the Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po district. In the northwestern section of the Kowloon peninsula, Sham Shui Po is one of Hong Kong’s most authentic neighbourhoods. This shop is brightly illuminated, thanks to a row of fluorescent lights embedded in the ceiling - highlighting the shop’s … [Read more...]