26 fun facts about Australia

1. We invented the pavlova – a highly contested claim but I’m sticking with it. Marshmallowy base topped with whipped cream and fresh berries delicious!
2. The biggest property in Australia is the size of Belgium!
3. Australia was the second country in the world to allow women to vote.
4. Australia is very sparsely populated: The UK has 248.25 persons per square kilometre, while Australia has only 2.66 persons per square kilometre.
5. There were over one million feral camels in outback Australia, until the government launched the $19m Feral Camel Management Program, which aims to keep the pest problem under control.
6. Australia is home to the longest fence in the world. It is 5,614 km long, and was originally built to keep dingoes away from fertile land.
7. Australia was one of the founding members of the United Nations.
8. Before the arrival of humans, Australia was home to megafauna: three metre tall kangaroos, seven metre long goannas, horse-sized ducks, and a marsupial lion the size of a leopard.
9. The Great Barrier Reef is the planet’s largest living structure.
10. Before 1902, it was illegal to swim at the beach during the day.
11. The average Aussie drinks 96 litres of beer per year.
12. If all the sails of the Opera House roof were combined, they would create a perfect sphere.
13. The wine cask (goon sack) is an Australian invention.
14. The closest American state in population is New York, which has 19.6 million people, yet Australia is more than 53 times its size.
15. Australia is home to 10 of the world’s 15 most poisonous snakes as well as a disproportionate number of venomous spiders.
16. Australians developed a fake animal to scare tourists. The drop bear was purported by mainstream institutions including the Australian Museum to drop from trees and attack tourists. There is no drop bear.
17. Australia has more than 10,000 beaches.
18. World champion beer drinker for a prime minister.
19. 10,000 species of Australian spiders.
20. We have a bright pink lake in Perth called Lake Hillier.
21. Australia’s first police force was a band of 12 of the most well behaved Convicts.
22. Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the Australian coat of arms for that reason.
23. Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.
24. More than 80 percent of Australians live within 100 kilometres of the coast.
25. It has 16 world heritage listed sites.
26. Kangaroo meat can be purchased from the supermarket or butcher.

My 2016 dream list

It is true what they say, that the more you see the more you want to see. Suddenly one trip turns into a hunger for another three and you’re left trying to find time and money. If you’ve been thinking about a trip, take the plunge and go. Set yourself a goal, save some money and dedicate what time you can to experience a new culture and immerse yourself in a new place. Where I want to go this year is a loooong list, but topping them are:

1. Being a Sydney-sider I have always wanted to go to Melbourne and somehow never found the time. While it is not far and may not be a huge cultural difference being in the same country and all, it is still somewhere I have never been and therefore, different.
2. Hunter Valley. Again it’s somewhere ‘local’ being that it’s only 1-2 hours from where I live, but it’s known for its wine (and cheese) and a relaxing weekend spent overlooking grassy hills and listening to nothing but the wind sounds too good to pass up.
3. Mount Everest. After watching the film Everest, a small spark was ignited to see this immense and incredible piece of land. To be able to say I climbed to Base Camp and saw the majestic Everest will be an incredible adventure. Albeit exhausting.
4. Angkor Wat has been calling my name for what feels like months now. I want to wander through these temples and learn of the immense history and hear stories of others’ lives.

What are your travel goals this year?

8 ways to travel more

The start of a New Year brings new chances and new opportunities. A chance to re-do and start afresh. Stepping outside your regular life and seeing more of the world allows you to reboot, expand, grow and develop. Maybe it’s a two week vacation spent sipping cocktails poolside, maybe its trekking to Mt Everest Base camp or maybe this year you plan on eating French croissants, Italian pizza and chowing down on a currywurst in Germany. Either way there is plenty to see and do! Here are my seven tips to get you out and about:

1. Buy yourself a nice thermos mug and some homebrew coffee and stop buying coffee out. You’ll get the same kick and save yourself anywhere from $3-6 a day. Instead set up an automatic bank transfer from your normal account to a savings account and deposit this $6 in every day. After six months you’ll have $1,008. Enough for return flight to Asia from Sydney!
2. Enlist a friend or two! No better motivation than a friend who wants to do the same thing. Start talking, planning and booking.
3. Get outside more often. Travel doesn’t have to be thousands of kms away in a foreign place where you can’t even pronounce the name of the main city. Find some local waterfalls, hidden beaches and untrodden paths.
4. Just say yes. It seems so simple but sometimes you need someone to remind you to take the plunge. Maybe you’ve already done it, maybe your friend gave it a bad review or you’re feeling tired – ignore all that and just give it a go.
5. Do what you scares you. Maybe hurtling down a snow-covered field makes you nervous, or jumping out of a plane makes you turn and walk the other way – whatever it is, book it and don’t think about it again. It could be one of the greatest adventures you go on this year.
6. Create a budget. If money is always a concern, then create a budget. Yes it may be mundane and boring but once you see where your weekly pay goes, you’ll be more inclined to cut down and start saving. And once that savings account starts going up, you’ll be more motivated to plan a getaway.
7. Learn another language. It’s exciting and stimulating to be able to speak more than one language, and it also makes travelling a lot easier! It might make you feel comfortable when exploring South America, or ordering food in Indonesia.
8. Volunteer. Travelling and helping others? Yes please! You’ll walk away from this trip feeling inspired and good about yourself. And you’ve also seen another part of the world and been involved with new customs and new experiences. Winning!

 

Coping with the dormitory life

At first the sound of dorms may seem exciting: so many friends to meet and night-time adventures to be had. Then the reality sets in and it’s 3am and that guy in the bed opposite you is snoring like a train. You finally manage to fall asleep and then loud, very loud, alarms start going off. You check the time and it’s only 5am! Suddenly dorms are not so fun..

While there is no denying dorms can be awesome, I have met many friends and had some incredible adventures some of which are highlights of my trip from dorms, they can also be super annoying. So when you feel like chucking a tanty because you can’t sleep and someone smells bad or snoring like a train, try my tested tips to get you through.

1. Thick headband. I cannot sleep with ear-plugs in they drive me crazy! An alternative is to have a really thick headband you can wear to bed. It will help quiet any noise and is a lot more comfy!
2. Night masks. They may look stupid but when there are no curtains and the sun is up at 5am those extra few hours of sleep can make a difference to your day.
3. Take a bottom bunk. So much easier.
4. Make friends with your roomies. As soon as you walk in, say hello to people introduce yourself and strike up a conversation. Don’t be shy, everyone in hostels wants to make friends.
5. Go near the window. If it’s too cold, or too hot or the room smells funny, being near the window gives you control over it.
6. Put your alarm on half volume. No-one likes being woken up for nothing, if you need an alarm don’t put it as loud as it can be. You’ll wake up if it’s under your pillow.
7. Be as neat as possible! Keep your stuff packed away in a corner and small things on your bed – not the floor. It will encourage others to do the same and free up some room for people to walk around.
8. Find something good. Go searching, look around – you never know what you’ll find. Rooftops are always a good place to start, just because your room isn’t flash doesn’t mean the view won’t be. Make your own food and enjoy a rooftop picnic.

 

My worst hostel experience was in Bergen. The room was fine but two of the guests snored like crazy! One would breathe in as the other would breathe out and vice versa. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. It was like two trains rolling in simultaneously.

What are your tips to get you through crowded hostel dorms?

My favourite Italian treats

Having spent an amazing two weeks in Italy and eating more than I could ever of imagined, I now imagine myself as a bonafide ‘foodie’ or at least someone who will go to great lengths to find the perfect Italian meal. Luckily I was doing a lot of walking otherwise I could have been rolled out of that country… If there is a place to splurge and throw calories to the wind, it’s Italy. Here are 5 of my all-time favourite treats:

1. Pizza in Naples. Maybe cliché but it has to be done. On the main strip in Naples, via tribunali, is the most amazing pizza from a restaurant called Ginas. It is insane how good it is and yet so simple. Trust me you’ll be licking your fingers and polishing the whole thing off in seconds. A margarita pizza will set you back a mere $3.30 euros.

2. Lemon Sorbet in the Amalfi coast. Ever seen pictures of those gigantic lemons that are the size of your head? Welcome to the Amalfi coast where citrus fruits are in abundance. On a hot afternoon, cool down with cold tangy lemon sorbet. Your tastebuds will tingle with delight!

3. Gelato from anywhere. From all the cities I’ve been to in Italy, gelato never disappointed me. It is unlike the stuff you get at home. It’s decadent yet light and the flavour is so creamy and just plain delicious. In a bid to try as many flavours as I could manage, my diet consisted of a scoop (or two) a day.

4. Cannoli in Rome. Crisp wafer shells with soft creamy filling and crumbed with pistachios. One thing not to miss, is a freshly made cannoli. Mind-blowingly good.

5. Seafood, pesto and focaccia in Cinque Terre. I couldn’t decide on a favourite so here are all three. The pesto is amazing, so fresh and packs a punch. Cinque Terre is the birthplace of focaccia and rightly so they make a delicious slice. All the towns sell single slices that put Sydney focaccia to shame. And the seafood… Since its on the water youd expect good seafood but it goes above and beyond. Try a cone of fresh seafood for $5 euros, or indulge in a seafood pasta. The best seafood pasta I have ever had was in Manarola.

 

How to plan the ultimate trip

We’re all guilty of seeing an epic photo on Instagram and instantly wishing we could there. We want to re-capture that same photo and have that same experience because it looks incredible. While it’s not wrong, doing some research and making a plan can ensure you choose the best trip for you. But where do you start? From wishing to doing it can seem a little complicated, but really all it takes is one step in front of another. Here are my tips to planning the ultimate trip:

• This is a no-brainer, use the internet and talk to friends. Find out who has been where, who loved it and who hated it. The highlights and lowlights including people, climate, things to do, experiences and their feelings towards it. Research how expensive the city is, airfares, visas, climate, festivals during the time of year you want to go etc. This will give you knowledge of what to expect.
• Look at alternate options. Maybe your friend got an incredible shot of New York in summer time, but you can only get time off in their winter and you hate the cold. Why not look at somewhere that’s hot and get an equally incredible photo of something else.
• Do your research again.
• Are you going alone or with someone? Sometimes a trip alone is just what’s needed to hit your reset button. Nothing is more rewarding than navigating yourself around a foreign country, but maybe you want to share your amazing experiences with a friend or partner. Talk to them and see if they want to join!
• Make a draft itinerary. Choose what cities you want to see, parts you want to explore and allocate enough days to see it all. Then chuck in an extra few days for contingency plans.
• Book your flight! If you’re planning way in advance, don’t worry as often the earlier you book your ticket the cheaper it will be!
• Apply for a visa, if you need one.

Now all the major parts of your trip are taken care of and you know where you’re going and your airfare is booked, you can get down to the fun stuff! Use your draft itinerary and expand it. Make a list of places you want to experience in each city/place – this is the most exciting part!

• foods to try
• festivals to join
• religious sites/temples to see
• ruins to explore
• mountains to hike
• beaches to swim in
• buildings to see
• type of accommodation (hotel, hostel, homestay, air bnb – the list is endless!)

Now that the planning is done, you’ll be feeling super excited for the trip! Start putting away every penny you earn and top up that holiday account. Being able to join in an experience over there is worth so much more than a dinner out at your local. Focus on what you’ll soon be doing and saving won’t seem so hard! There is nothing worse than going home to find out about something you should of done, so make sure you read, read, read and read some more on the local history, culture and experiences to be had. Last but not least, enjoy every moment, including the ups and downs!

The three cities of Germany: part three

The third part of our soon-to-be-ending journey was in the gorgeous Cologne. To say I can’t get enough of Germany is an understatement, I love everything about this country and finishing it here was icing on the cake. There’s great food, great beer, lovely people who all speak English and great weather.

Again, it may not be on Berlin’s level of utter amazingness, but Cologne is an interesting and worthwhile place to stop, explore and discover. This 2,000 year old city lines either side of the Rhine River and is a major cultural hub. Be amazed at the gothic architecture, art masterpieces in galleries including works from Picasso, pop in a bit of shopping and to-die-for food and Cologne is a place to remember.

Where to stay

Staying in the heart of the action and near a tram line, Black Sheep Hostel made it effortless to wander around. Plus there was an incredibly cheap café/restaurant opposite the hostel that served a schnitzel for just $4 euros, beer for $1 euro and pizza for $3euro. For backpackers on a tight budget, it’s a dream to be able to eat out for so cheap and for such good food. Not to mention the hundreds of kebab places where for $4euros you can purchase a doner kebab which is stuffed so big you’ll feel sick after finishing it. Also coincidentally a great meal before a long bus trip as you fall asleep and never get hungry!

Things to do

The park, Volksgarten, is a beautiful and serene garden with a café/bar where one can sit and enjoy a snack. A small man-made lake is surrounded on one side with big chairs which are a real treat to sit back and relax on. To the left of the lake is a gently sloping iridescent green hill where people mill about, enjoying some food or playing games. It is said under this hill are the ruins of Nazi architecture and the park was built on top to remember better things.

Of course a special mention to food, as it has to be one of the greatest joys to eat in a foreign country. While it may not be a German speciality, sometimes there’s nothing like a meal from home and we were promised a locals-only burger shop served a great burger. Excited and hungry we walked down to order a cheeseburger with bacon, because it is the best combo ever, and were not disappointed. It was arguably one of the best burgers I’ve ever had – ask around and find this gem of a place. Or stick to the German specialities and fill yourself with sausages, kebabs and any manner of meat. And try a hot pork roll from any small store tucked away in alleyways – soft fresh bread, sweet juicy pork and crisp crackling. You can thank me later.

Cologne is also home to a number of museums, one in particular was extremely moving, National Socialism Documentation Centre. It’s actually an old Nazi prison and inside is a book of real stories about the people who came through it. It is a moving tribute and one I completely recommend. And for art buffs, stop in to see Museum Ludwig.

Walk over Hohenzollern Bridge to see the city from a new perspective, or check out the love padlocks which citizens and tourists alike have affixed to the bridge. Climb the KolnTriangle for panoramic views of the whole city, including a gorgeous view of the intricate Cologne Cathedral. I recommend climbing up this power as opposed to Cologne Cathedral as then you actually get to see the Cathedral! And, then later go walk around the church and take in the detail. It’s mind blowing how amazing it is.

Of course there are many beautiful buildings to check out too. If you’re short on time make sure to visit the Cologne Cathedral and Old Town Hall – stand underneath the sculptures on the wall and look up, you may see a naked bum!  

The three cities of Germany: part two

On our quest to see Germany, Hamburg made a great second pit-stop after Berlin. As we were heading towards the Netherlands, we stayed at the top of Germany and avoided going south towards cities such as Munich. Not knowing what to expect, Hamburg could have been in a completely different country from Berlin. Berlin is eclectic, whereas Hamburg felt much more traditional. Tree-lined canals, quaint cobblestone streets, perfectly aligned trees, swans and gorgeous water features are just some of the features you can expect to see. Rich in history, a free walking tour from Sandemans was a welcome insight into the city, not to mention a great way to get our bearings.

Hamburg is lush and green and with wide walking paths lining major canals, it’s a beautiful place to take a stroll, or use one of the many benches to enjoy a picnic dinner. Sitting there with some takeaway salad and cold German beer it’s a picturesque evening with bikes whizzing past, groups of joggers and families walking dogs. Not to mention it’s a great way to burn off that delicious German food.

St. Nicholas Church is a must-see attraction as a memorial to World War II. The city of Hamburg was relentlessly bombed and the church stands half-burned. The spire reaches up into the sky and stands as a reminder of the tragedy that occurred. Restoration works were going on, but the spire can be climbed for a magnificent view of the city. Under the burned ruins is a museum, and for a mere few euros is a great place to absorb some knowledge, or escape the rain as we happily discovered. 

Little bakeries selling fresh sandwiches and sweet cakes are everywhere and are worth stopping at for lunch. Lured by a golden flaky cake with white icing I couldn’t help myself and before I knew it, I was holding a brown paper bag and making my way down to the major canal on the edge of the city. I have no idea what it’s called but there’s soft, sweet fluffy bread with a cakey-crumble like topping that it sweet and buttery with a white sugar icing on top. It is huge and extremely rich and is perfect shared for two. Throw the diet to the wind and make sure to get one – that’s what travelling is all about, trying, seeing, doing and experiencing new things. Don’t miss out.

Be careful of the swans, they look pretty and meek but will be snapping at your fingers searching for food in no time at all. Visit the botanical gardens for lush greenery, blooming flowers, pops of colour, statues and watery gardens. They are free and spectacular.

   

Hamburg is a major shipping port for Germany and is very industrial. It is one of the wealthiest cities and is currently building a contentious new opera house that is costing more than ever imagined. It may not have made any ‘favourite’ city list, but it was a welcome break and a chance to explore more of Germany is a chance I’ll always take..

The last city we visited in Germany is Cologne – and what a blast! Stay tuned for next week..

The truth about hot air ballooning in Turkey

“But what was your favourite thing you did?”. If I had a dollar for every time someone has asked me that, I would be back in Europe buying German beer, Italian Gelato and a Greek Gyro. With the demands of University and work starting to take over, conjuring up memories of the past eight months spent hopping between cities, beds and restaurants are a delight.

It is impossible to choose just one thing that was amazing, because in reality everything was special. Every moment was worth doing, every experience worth having and every memory worth keeping. There are things I would do again, such as hiking up Montenegro’s fortress walls, and things I wouldn’t do again such as riding a camel when suffering from 3-day long Gastro in the Moroccan desert.

While I could never pick a favourite, one of my most sublime and breath-taking memories in is Cappadocia Turkey. I’d learnt the odd bits and pieces of Turkish history in school and heard about it from friends and family; namely my parents who travelled there when they were young adults and were chased by a madman wielding a knife shouting in Turkish. Sounds fun…

But we decided to make a “pitt-stop” in our epic journey and stay for around 14 days. in Cappadocia, we were given the option to ride a hot air balloon at sunrise over fairy caves and valleys. Undeterred by the steep price (around $250 AUS), Alex and I had our clothes laid out and alarms set for 3:30am the next day, when an organised bus service would pick us up and take us out.
It was a fresh morning and for once I used the cardigan buried at the bottom of my suitcase. The bus turned up on time and a group of us hustled on, eyes still half-closed with sleep. We were dropped off at a permanent tent-like structure where breakfast of cookies and coffee was served. Nothing says sweet tooth like a chocolate chip cookie at 4 in the morning; needless to say Alex happily munched down on a few.

Soon, we were ushered away into big 4WD cars and taken out to another field. The sun was just beginning to rise, washing the landscape in a faint yellow glow that illuminated the dips and rises of the land before us. Rushes of bright yellow flames were powered into the bottom of a balloon, and obligingly it begun to stand up, rising bit by bit. Other balloons were in the sky, and we stood by impatiently watching, scared we would miss the sunrise.

When we were allowed in, we all scrambled in desperate to get up in to the sky. The balloon is slow to rise, yet somehow you look away for just one second and the ground suddenly seems so far. The bottom of our box crashed over a tree tearing off a branch and others grabbed out to pinch some leaves. Up, up, and up we go!

The sky seems empty and then all of a sudden bright coloured dots start to appear from nowhere. More and more balloons start appearing and it’s surreal to watch them. Some are lit by the glowing sun, their red and yellow bodies surging into the air while their captive audiences take photos like there’s no tomorrow. Other balloons are just silhouettes against the sun, their dark shape blacking out pockets of light. They are everywhere. The sun is getting higher and higher, the faint yellow becoming stronger as pastel oranges decorate the sky.

It’s like the sky is awash with balloons.

You would think the amount of balloons would ruin the serenity of the moment. Yet it’s the complete opposite. The air is so still, there is no noise and there’s something magical about watching a balloon rise up to meet the greeting sun. The sheer number of them is part of the magic. The only noise is the click of cameras, as everyone wants the perfect photo.

While ‘favourite’ is a box I cannot fit anything into, greeting the morning sun while being suspended in a floating box, is definitely an experience I would do again. And one that comes pretty darn close to ‘favourite’.

     

Sunday Snaps: Hot Air Ballooning In Turkey

     

On a brisk morning I woke to the sound of buzzing as my alarm went off at 4am. The rush of excitement washed away the tiredness as I got ready to start the day by watching the sun rise over the mountains washing the sky in yellows and oranges. Nestled in a hot air balloon and watching the hundred other balloons in the sky it was an experience like no other!