My Travelling Companion: Oceania

Showing posts with label Oceania. Show all posts

Thursday, June 24, 2010

A taxi ride on a holiday

This is a very simple story, but enough to make you realize that even for a ride on a holiday, it can be enjoyable with things at their simplest.

Read on!
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Taxi ride most memorable

One cabbie, two passengers, six days in Western Australia

GOING on a road trip doesn't make one a celebrity, but the Singaporean winners of Tourism Western Australia's Extraordinary Taxi Ride contest, 33-year-old Ong Jing Yi and her brother Jason, 35, got a taste of stardom when a film crew followed them around during their road trip in Western Australia. They even got to meet the mayor and attend a radio interview at Geraldton town.

"No matter where we went, people waved and talked to us. I was really happy. I felt like a VIP," said Jing Yi.

In April, the siblings embarked on an all-expense paid road trip in a taxi driven by gregarious Australian taxi driver Doug Slater, a mini-celebrity himself after he was selected via a nationwide voting contest.

During the six-day tour, they visited destinations including Lancelin, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia and Shark Bay. At the end of each day, they blogged about their experiences and uploaded photos. A highlights video was also posted on the Extraordinary Taxi Ride website, www.extraordinarytaxiride.com.au, at the end of the trip. The siblings talk to Today about their experiences. Terence Lee

What were some of the most interesting places you visited?

Jing Yi: The town of Geraldton is actually the lobster capital of Western Australia. There, I got a chance to go down to the dinghy to collect lobsters.

Jason: The Pinnacles is a very special place. The vast landscape consists of piles of limestone, and over time, the wind will change the surface. A couple of years from now, it might not look the same.

Jing Yi: We even took out a Singapore flag and took a photo with it. The landscape is like the moon!

Was the taxi driver helpful?

Jing Yi: He's like a walking encyclopedia! He knows the country well, having travelled all around Western Australia for more than 20 years. He's wary of kangaroos jumping onto the road because knocking into one could destroy the car's engine. He told us to keep our eyes on the side of the road and look out for places where bushes are sparse, since kangaroos are more likely to jump out of those.

What did you learn about Australia on this trip?

Jason: We try not to drive around at night, especially in the rural areas. Many wild animals come out to roam then, so it's dangerous.

From TODAY, Travel - Thursday, 10-June-2010
Taxi ride most memorable
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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Australia: Soft rocks

Down under, you'll get to enjoy yourself, either in the city, or in the outback...

As the TV ad says: "So, what are you waiting for?"
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Soft Rocks
by Lance Ng
travel@mediacorp.com.sg

IF YOU'RE not already relaxed when you reach Sydney, a day in The Rocks area will ensure that you see a different side of this busy metropolis.

Morning

Start your day with breakfast at The Rocks. The site of Australia's first European settlement fringing Sydney Cove not only has historic charm, it offers fantastic views of the city's most famous building, the Sydney Opera House.

Many cafes are housed in historical buildings or set in courtyards. Vintage Restaurant (R2 Nurses Walk), decked out in a fusion of historical and modern styles, offers delicious breakfast items that include eggs benedict, pancakes, sandwiches and omelettes.

You can have a lighter breakfast at Tara Tea Rooms, which is situated in a cosy courtyard behind Irish Design Shop (33 George Street). It's well-known for its scones, which come in 10 flavours.

After breakfast, walk to Circular Quay for a Sydney Harbour cruise on Captain Cook Cruises. The Harbour Express option departs every 45 minutes and takes about one-and-a-half hours to complete. You'll get a hop-on, hop-off day pass that allows you to stop at seven harbour attractions. A guide will explain the history of each attraction, giving you an overview of Sydney Harbour while the city's famous landmarks, Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, glow in the morning sun.

Noon

Have lunch at Pancakes On The Rocks (4, Hickson Road, Metcalfe Bond Arcade), well-known among Sydneysiders. The eatery serves Western/Mediterranean items, though it's famous for its crepes and pancakes.

Portions are substantial. My favourite is the chicken and mushroom crepe topped with a crunchy coating of parmesan cheese.

I walk off my lunch with The Rocks Walking Tour (23 Playfair Street). Knowledgeable guides dispense intriguing nuggets of history, such as how The Rocks got its name (an abundance of sandstone was used for the construction of buildings) or the material used to pave the streets (culled from the ballasts of ships).

The tour winds through shaded cobblestone alleys among sandstone buildings, so you can easily appreciate the district's old charm - a sharp contrast to the state-of-the-art skyscrapers just a stone's throw away. The daily tour starts at 12.30pm and 2.30pm, and is priced at $30 for adults.

After having gone under the Harbour Bridge during the morning cruise, climb to the top of the bridge with Bridge Climb Sydney (3 Cumberland Street) to experience the "Climb Of Your Life". Those who do not exercise regularly will find the three-and-a-half hour climb a bit of a workout, but the panoramic view at the peak of the bridge is worth the sweat. On a clear day, you can see past the cityscape, all the way to Blue Mountains. The climb costs A$198 ($245).

Night

The Waterfront (27 Circular Quay West, Campbells Wharf, Campbells Cove) serves a luxurious seafood dinner while allowing diners a precious view of the Sydney Opera House. The restaurant is located across Sydney Cove from the landmark. If you go during Vivid Sydney, the city's annual light-art festival held from May 27 to June 21 this year, you will see the Opera House's sails splashed with colourful patterns in an eye-popping light show.

Spend the rest of the evening at one of the welcoming pubs at The Rocks. The pub at Observer Hotel (69, George Street) offers fantastic live musical performances and beer at only A$5.50 per pint.

From TODAY, Travel
Soft Rocks
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

AUSTRALIA: Two sides of Sydney

Sydney Harbour and Port Jackson displaying Syd...

Image via Wikipedia

A sparse land with not big a populace, Australia is a welcome place for a vacation, especially for those whose second nature is nature itself.

Be enthralled. Be amazed. As the TV ads says, "So what are you waiting for?"

Read on...

Two sides of Sydney

Pick a side and be pleasantly surprised

by Mark Malby
traveller@mediacorp.com.sg

"PLEASE walk on the grass!" invites the park sign, with trademark Aussie affability. "Smell the roses, hug the trees, talk to the birds and picnic on the lawns."

This is the kind of comforting welcome you'll get in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens, a 30-hectare swathe of greenery alongside the harbour, bordering both the downtown and the iconic Opera House. As for roses, trees and birds, you'll see plenty. Sometimes, hundreds of white cockatoos fill a single tree.

The Gardens make for that sort of green, quiet respite you may need, given the frantic, fun-loving pace of a city visit Down Under.

For the traveller who has already checked off the trademark tourist tasks: Gawked at the view from atop Sydney Harbour Bridge, snapped requisite shots of the Opera House, stood nose to nose with sharks in the Sydney Aquarium and bared (or ogled) bikinis at Bondi Beach, the time comes to look for other, less well-trodden paths in the city.

The Rocks

Just a short stroll from The Gardens and not far past the Opera House, you'll find The Rocks, a pocket of historic Sydney which narrowly escaped the wrecking ball last century and was gentrified instead. This area of former warehouses and residences is now a vibrant stretch of restaurants, shops and pubs (two with competing claims of being the oldest in Sydney.)

Weekends are good for open-air markets - starting with the Farmer's market on Fridays, where food stalls boast an array of local delicacies, from barbecued salmon to lamb kebabs and paella. On Saturdays and Sundays, more than 200 stalls exhibit everything from housewares and linen to pottery and jewellery, along with plenty of good eats.

Oh yes, and the views of Harbour Bridge are spectacular.

Kings Cross

On the other side of The Gardens, just up the hill, you'll find a seamier if no less vivid side of Sydney life. This is King's Cross, the city's de facto Red Light district. It's not for everyone, but most tourists wander through it at some point, if only to see how another side of Sydney lives.

King's Cross is also the centre for budget accommodation in the city. Some sections, like Pott's Point, have gone positively upscale in recent years. Trendy cafes have also sprung up between the naughty bits, attracting a more wholesome sort of clientele. You'll still want to be on your guard, however, and touts outside the adult clubs can be particularly annoying.

Like much of Australia, Sydney has a raw and youthful energy about it. Visitors will find it easy to get caught up in the action on both sides of the park. Just don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way.

April in Sydney

Darling Harbour Hoopla, April 2 to 5 (Free)

An open-air showcase of acrobats, jugglers, buskers and comedians performing at Australia's annual circus and street theatre festival.

Winter Fashion Showcase at The Rocks Markets, April 17 and 18 (Free)

Not quite seasonal wear for Singaporeans, but check out the latest avant-garde winter collections on sale at The Rocks.

The Sydney Comedy Festival, April 19 to May 9

A gaggle of international stand-up performances descend on Sydney for a few chortling weeks. Tickets, and myriad other events, available at www.whatsoninsydney.com.au.

Traken from TODAYonline | Travel | Two sides of Sydney
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Monday, April 12, 2010

AUSTRALIA: Into the wild

Image via Wikipedia

Australia is one of those travel destinations that offer more of the natural world's unspoiled wonders compared to others. May this news article bring out that traveller's desire in you to go and venture out!

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Into the wild

Australia's Northern Territory is an adventure wonderland for the anti-spa traveller

by Nellie Huang
traveller@mediacorp.com.sg

BUSH-walking in Australia's back country, in true Crocodile Dundee style, had always been on my bucket list. I was drawn to the country's wilderness, to the idea of traipsing through its scrubland and climbing its rocky terrain, discovering pockets of Aboriginal rock art along the way.

When budget airline JetStar introduced direct flights from Singapore to Darwin, I snagged tickets immediately. Four-and-a-half hours after boarding the plane, my partner and I arrived in Northern Territory's capital, hungry for an adventure.

Day 1

Our guide Alicia welcomed us in a 4x4 packed with all the necessities for a three-day hiking trip in Kakadu National Park, 120km from Darwin.

Covering more than 19,000 sq km, Kakadu is Australia's largest national park, famed for the sprawling Arnhem Land Escarpment, sweeping landscapes and over 5,000 Aboriginal art sites, not to mention thousands of plant species, birds and freshwater crocodiles.

The tour started off easy. Our first stop was Adelaide River, where from a boat, we watched a croc expert lure the massive reptiles into leaping sky high from the murky waters.

Then, it was off to Ubirr Rock. According to Alicia, this is the best Aboriginal rock art site in Kakadu, with most of the paintings dating back two millennia.

The half-hour climb up the rocky slope to the top of Ubirr Rock gave us a spectacular 360-degree view of the lush floodplains and the rocky plateau of Arnhem Land Escarpment in the distance. Alicia pointed out that a scene from the movie Crocodile Dundee was filmed right at this spot.

Day 2

After a peaceful night, we awoke to the sight of a wild horse loitering outside our tent at Kakadu Lodge and Caravan Park. It marked the start of a journey into an Edenesque landscape.

Gubara is a 6km-walk past sandstone cliffs and thick bushes to shady forest pools and small cascades. Taking the "Castle" route, we clambered up boulders to reach a lookout point that offered a view of the rainforest below.

Nestled within it was the paradise of Wallaby Falls. There, freshwater pools had waterbeds laced with tree branches and roots, giving them a land-before-time feel.

We had the entire place to ourselves. As if that was not enough to evoke Eden, there was nook called Garden Of Eden behind Wallaby Falls. We floated in the pools, a delicious respite from the heat of the day, then slept soundly in our two-men tent under a blanket of stars.

Day 3

En route to our final hike in the southern end of Kakadu, we drove by towers of termite mounds. Some reached heights of 5m - amazing considering they were created by such tiny creatures.

Geared for our 13km-trek, we pushed through thick spear grass, crossing a flimsy hanging bridge and increasingly steeper slopes to get to a constellation of obscure waterfalls. At Motor Car Creek, water surged from a height of 25m, tumbling into a magnificently clear rock pool.

Despite coming here during the wet season, we had not experienced a single day of rain. We had been lucky, as Alicia pointed out, but we already knew that, having seen Kakadu at its lush best.

Tips

Getting there: Jetstar flies to Darwin from Singapore for about $500. Other airlines include Qantas, British Airways and Singapore Airlines.

When to go: There are two main seasons in Kakadu: Dry (April to October) and wet (November to March). Both seasons offer different landscapes and plant life, although the dry season means there is less water in the falls while the wet season might mean flooded roads. The best time to visit is during the transitional periods (April, May, September and October) when temperatures are not extreme, and the crowds are thinner.

Tours:

- We went on a tour by Wilderness Adventures (www.wildernessadventures.com.au). Prices depend on the season. During the wet season, a two-day tour costs A$350 ($453); three-day, A$495. Dry season rates are A$415 and A$525, respectively.

- Adventure Tours Australia (www.adventuretours.com.au) is reputed for quality service. Tours range from a day trip to a 24-day overland trip to Perth.

- Top End Explorer Tours (www.kakadutours.net.au) caters to travellers looking for comfort with its charter excursions.

- Kakadu Dreams (www.kakadudreams.com.au) is popular with backpackers.

Self-drive tours are feasible. Roads in Kakadu National Park are easy to navigate. For 4x4 and 4WD campervan rentals, check out www.australia4wheeldriverentals.com. Prices start from A$50 a day.
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From TODAYOnline.com; see the source article below:
TODAYonline | Travel | Into the wild

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Something for everyone

Image by iansand via Flickr

Breathtakingly gorgeous and filled with activities for both nature-lovers and city folks, Western Australia is a vacation spot full of possibilities for everyone.

Leaning Trees that lie parallel to the ground have become icons for the Shire of Greenough in Geraldton, Coral Coast.

Happy Family

Try a six-day tour to Perth and Fremantle which includes a farm stay - the kids will love the chance to participate in farm activities they've only seen on television. Also included is an overnight stay in the scenic Swan Valley along with a buffet dinner, plus a Captain Cook Cruise down the Swan River.

Romantic Duo

Savour fine wines, sample local cheeses, berries and chocolates; take a romantic stroll through blooming lavender gardens; and experience together the intriguing Tree Top Walk through a world-famous forest of gigantic proportions. If these catch your fancy, go for the seven-day tour to Southwest Perth and Swan Valley.

Walk amongst giant Tingle trees in Walpole.

Girly Trip

Gather your friends for a seven-day trip to Perth, Coral Coast and Monkey Mia. Eclectic markets, sprawling malls, beach bazaars and factory outlets in Perth offer plenty of shopping options before heading to the scenic Coral Coast where you'll find attractions such as stunning wildflower landscapes and endearing Leaning Trees.

Lone Ranger

A four-day Perth flexi holiday package is a great getaway option if you just want to be alone to catch your breath. It includes a day-trip to the awe-inspiring Pinnacles Desert, sandboarding opportunities and a chance to hang out with koalas. Spend the rest of your time shopping leisurely or indulging in café culture. He Peiwen

Book your 6D Perth, Fremantle & Farmstay or your 7D Perth, Southwest and Swan Valley tour package at Chan Brothers Great Travelholic Sale this weekend, Sept 19 and 20 at Suntec City Mall Level 1 Galleria Foyer from 10am to 8pm and enjoy up to $840 off per family.

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 17-Sep-2009

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Kakadu for kids

Turn the June holidays into an Outback adventure, discover the wild side of Australia's Northern Territory

Mark Malby, traveller@newstoday.com.sg

With school holidays fast approaching, many parents may be scratching their heads right now, wondering where to go. Depending on the size and age of your posse, there will be the usual destinations: The grandparents in Malacca, kid-friendly resorts in Bintan or Phuket, and for the more flush, perhaps Disneyland in Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Anaheim. It's the "safe" and mostly familiar destinations that grab the lion's share, but if you're up for something more offbeat, step off the well-worn track.

Australia's Tropical North

A Jabiru stork at sunset

What's a family vacation without a little adventure, and Australia's northern Outback offers it in droves. From man-eating crocodiles to 20,000 year old rock art to termite mounds 6m tall, the vast green stretches of Kakadu are the extreme opposite of any theme park.

As the gateway to this wilderness, Darwin itself is a surprisingly family-friendly place. No rough-housing frontier town is this — but a pleasant, mid-sized Australian city with an easy charm and a surprising array of attractions. Even within the city limits, you'll still come across exotica such as chortling cockatoos, night-time possums, and — in the wet season — the odd crocodile in a swimming pool.

One must-see, especially for the kids, is Aquascene, where once a day masses of hungry fish ride in from sea on the incoming tide. Spectators toss bread and wade into the churning waters for a spectacle that's part Underwater World and part feeding frenzy. Nearby Doctor's Gully also offers a primeval forest home to a squawking colony of fruit bats.

For a more intense feeding experience, catch the live crocodile shows at Crocodylus Park. "Salties", as they're fondly called, are among the world's most ferocious predators — a fact that's sure not to be lost on the kids. At the Darwin Museum, they can gawk over the stuffed remains of 'Sweetheart' (a 5.4 m crocodile), who gained fame during life by trying to eat the motors off local fishing boats.

In addition to wildlife, beaches, lawn bowling, and sailing, Darwin boasts a lively arts scene. There are local theatre productions, and the memorable Darwin Deckchair Cinema offers a chance to watch movies under the stars. With the kids asleep, mum and dad can even slip off to the MGM Grand Casino, or one of the many local pubs and clubs.

Kakadu National Park

Join an adventure tour in Kakadu and try to spot a kookabura.

No trip to Darwin is complete without a visit to Kakadu National Park. With young kids, a day-trip might suffice. But the best way to explore the park's highlights is over a few leisurely days, either staying at park lodges or — for the more intrepid — camping.

Wilderness camping is not for the uninitiated, however. One excellent option is a guided camping tour through one of the 'adventure companies' based in Darwin. Not only will you see the best of Kakadu at economical prices, it will give your children the chance to wake up in a tent, swim in waterfalls, tend campfires and sample some exotic local fare. Kangaroo, crocodile, or camel steaks, anyone?

Slipping south of Darwin, one of the first features you'll notice are nature's highrises — the giant Cathedral termite mounds which can soar three times human height. This is just the beginning of Kakadu's striking landscapes, which range from the tablelands of Nawurlandja Lookout to the 200m waterfall of Jim Jim Falls.

Even in the dry season, there's plenty of water around — and the rivers and billabongs make focal points for the park's wildlife. Birds abound — so bring some binoculars and an Aussie bird book, and compete with your children on who can sight the most. It's also worth visiting the Aboriginal rock paintings at Nourlangie, which are far older than the pyramids.

The advantage of staying in the park is that you get to see Kakadu at all times of day. A sunset Yellow Water Walk, for instance offers some spectacular wildlife views — including the strangely prehistoric Jabiru stork. If it's crocodiles you're looking for, then try an afternoon's boating on the Adelaide River. You're almost guaranteed to see a few of the deceptively sluggish reptiles on the shore. Remember not to let your kids trail their hands in the water!

With wildlife and adventures, chances are, a trip to Darwin and Kakadu will linger in your children's memories more than another beach vacation or meeting Mickey Mouse.

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 28-May-2009

OK, ok, below articles does include some of the dangers in the wild of Australia. They are included, and they serve their purpose to warn anybody who dares venture in to the unknown. So parents, never lose sight of your kids. And kids, never go astray, and just stay by your parents' side. Don't play with the unknown of the wild...

My Travelling Companion

Thursday, June 24, 2010

A taxi ride on a holiday

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Australia: Soft rocks

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

AUSTRALIA: Two sides of Sydney

Monday, April 12, 2010

AUSTRALIA: Into the wild

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Something for everyone

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Kakadu for kids

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

A taxi ride on a holiday

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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Australia: Soft rocks

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

AUSTRALIA: Two sides of Sydney

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Monday, April 12, 2010

AUSTRALIA: Into the wild

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Something for everyone

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Kakadu for kids