Friday, November 25, 2011

Wish List: Maria Island Walk


We did the Bay of Fires Walk in Tasmania earlier in 2011, and it was a wonderful experience. Just you and 12 other people on an isolated beach, alone (or relatively in today's world) with nature.


Recently I stumbled across another great walk of Tasmania, the Maria Island Walk. We looked at doing this walk at Easter 2012, but it's so popular that it was already booked out!


On their slogan is "four days that will last a lifetime". The walk covers 34 km, on a small Island off Tasmania. There are different accommodation types for each night, with extraordinary food along the way.


So who's coming with me?

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Wish List: Istanbul

I seem to be doing alot of daydreaming lately of wish list locations. I don't know if it's because it's getting close to the end of the year, becuase of our next trip and it's a case of the travel bug, or I'm just a girl who love to dream! But a reoccuring daydream is Istanbul, Turkey. Specifically drinking coffee and eating baklava overlooking the Blue Mosque.


I'd love to rent an apartment for a month, and absorb the sights, culture and food. In a city where east meets west, is a month long enough?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Wish List: Wilson Island

Another one for the wish list....



Wilson Island is a small coral cay that is the Great Barrier Reef, about 72 km off the Queensland coast. Wilson Island is a national park, with nesting green turtles and loggerhead turtles as well as bird life are key attractions.


But the key for me is getting back to nature in relative isolation, with only 12 guests on the Island at any time. As the website states it is truly "Shipwrecked in Style".


You might have noticed I like good food, and fine food on the beach is another major attraction.


So when are we going? It's a tropical island, its not like you need to pack much....

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Top Islands: Been and to go

I'm lucky to have been to a few Islands (living on one of the largest in the world helps), but there are so many more that I haven't made it to yet. So here's my list of Island recommendations and Islands to go.

Been
Rarotonga, Cook Islands


When's the next trip?

Waiheke Island, New Zealand


A short ferry trip from Auckland, a great place to spend the day or the weekend.

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

A stunning location, once again makes you feel like your all alone in the middle of nowhere.

Lord Howe Island, Australia


Also now one of my favourite locations to fly into. It's hard to believe that it's not a much more popular destination.

To Go
Torres Strait Island


Above the most northern tip of Australia, so close but so hard to get to.

Rapanui/Easter Island


Will soon be a "been to", looking forward to it seeing it's been on my wish list so long.

Tonga


One of the few places in the world where you can swim with the whale sharks, and relatively untouched by mass tourism.

Samoa

Notice my preference for Pacific Island nations?

Kangaroo Island


Another wish list location, that only recently made it on the ever growing list (and quickly pushing it's way to the top).


Friday, November 4, 2011

Dubbo, NSW, Australia

December 2008

We visited Dubbo as part of a birthday trip in 2008, and it was the first time I had been since my much younger childhood. The main reason to visit Dubbo was the Western Plain Zoo and we were not disappointed.

We spent the day driving around the zoo (if it's not so hot and your more adventurous you can bike around) and then made our way to the Zoofari Lodge to book into our luxury canvas tent before starting one of the many interactive tours with the animals.



There are three main tours, the afternoon, the evening or dusk and then the morning feeding tours.



The animals aren't the only ones well feed, with all meals included in the main house.