How to impress a teenager Teenagers these days are pretty hard to impress. With easy access to instant on-line entertainment and their inherent immediate gratification attitude, it’s difficult to know what (if anything) will “wow” them. How about Sydney during the Vivid Festival? Sydney’s 2017 Vivid festival is from May 26 – June 17. Last … [Read more...]
A tough Japanese ski lesson
Snow was falling steadily at Nozawa Onsen. It hadn't eased since our arrival, four days earlier. It was after a slight delay from our shinkansen experience we finally made it to this traditional Japanese ski village, in the Nagano prefecture four hour’s drive northwest of Tokyo, I was with two of my sons, Mr 18 and Mr 13, my other Mr 13 stayed … [Read more...]
Japan Ohayo Gozaimasu
Finally Japan! My first visit to the land of the rising sun is imminent. Japan has been on my travel radar since my high school days when I studied Japanese in Year 8! As this was quite a few decades ago, why has it taken so long for me to visit? Truthfully – I’ve no idea. I’d say too many other countries in between. But a couple of factors … [Read more...]
The Mayfair Hotel in Adelaide – luxe and modern perfectly combined
Looking for a luxury hotel in Adelaide's CBD? The Mayfair Hotel in Adelaide offers 4.5 star style and modern luxury close to Adelaide’s main attractions. Housed within the refurbished 1930’s heritage listed Colonial Mutual building, this boutique hotel’s façade has been kept intact thanks to a clever design by architects JPE Design. I chose to … [Read more...]
Vietnam – mosquitoes and soft tofu
Tourists are drawn to Ho Chi Minh City because of its history and culture, but sometimes the city’s hustle and bustle can be overwhelming. I can clearly see Ben Thanh Market's belfry and clock. It’s across the road, only two lanes of traffic wide. A distance of fewer than 20 meters separates me and the market's entrance. But it may as well be … [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...]
Singapore for a stopover
A Quick Singapore Fling Take a peek at my on-line review for the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel in the Ultimate Travel Magazine.com I only had one afternoon and a night. Should have stayed longer – but Vietnam beckoned. Was an ideal way to break up my trip and the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel is the perfect place to stay for so many … [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...]
Travel Souvenirs – crazy or sentimental?
Travel Souvenirs Travel can make us do strange things sometimes. We slip into relax mode and our rational guard may be down. How often do we find ourselves on vacation and see "things / objects" we believe we just have to purchase? A "souvenir" that were we in a normal frame of mind we might otherwise avoid. I'm guilty of many of these "types … [Read more...]
Sydney, nights are warm
"Sydney - nights are warm, day time telly, blue rinse dawn I see buildings, clothing the sky, in paradise" From the Power and the Passion - by Midnight Oil Sydney turned on the balmy, warm evenings when I recently returned for a short a week-end visit. There for no other reason than to catch up with an old friend, Sydney is one of my favourite … [Read more...]