Travel Photo of the Month - August 2016

Throwback to fun days in Orlando. 

Enjoyed catching up with a friend at Joe's Crab Shack. Who could pass up a crab pot?

Huge pot of crab, potatoes, corn.  Could not have asked for more, except more time catching up with my friend.

Travel Photo of the Month - June 2016

I have been culling my old travel photos lately. 

While sifting I came across this photo and it brought back a flood of memories. To a day that was most definitely in the top most memorable days in all my years of travel. One of my dream trips was to do ‘Africa’ safari style. Free camping out of the truck for a couple of months across the continent had always been a dream and that dream became a reality in 2001.

This particular day we were in Livingstone, Zambia. We were visiting that side of Victoria Falls. 

We were lucky to be there during the season when the mighty Zambezi river was low and flowing slow(er) and were able to wade out into the middle of the river to the Angel’s Armchair (or Devil’s Pool as some may know it now). A natural ‘pool’ that is on the edge of the Falls, literally. 

Sitting in this pool peering over the ledge into the First Gorge and looking 100 metres down to the Zambezi River below was one of the most awe-inspiring, inspirational moments of my life. A moment that I have always cherished.





Don't worry I'm not 'throwing' the photos out, just converting to soft copy and getting rid of the bulky, heavy photo albums that are gathering dust and culling some of the unnecessary photos!  keeping the keepers!

 

 

Travel Photo of the Month - May 2016 - On the Road to Gundagai

On a recent EPIC road trip around NSW and Victoria I stayed over a night in Gundagai and stumbled across the old train station. 

Left just the way you would have rode the rails back in the day. 

It's a beautiful old building and station and wandering around I could only imagine what it was like.

Travel Photo of the Month - March 2016

Nothing like a cold beer (even though it is XXXX) on a 35+ day, kicking up some dust, under the hot sun at the Deni Ute Muster 2015. 

 

Three awesome fun filled days of utes, rodeos, bullriding, cowboys, country & western, bogans, beer and a bit of Cold Chisel thrown in too. 

 

Where's the next long weekend away?

 

Travel Photo of the Month - February 2016

I am in desperate need of a holiday and while travel is the furthermost thing that I can foresee in my near future my Travel Photo of the Month is just going to have to take me back to my happy place (for now)

Disneyland (and Walt Disney World) is the "Happiest Place on Earth" and I can shout out the top of my lungs and unashamedly state that it is my HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH.  I am a honest to goodness, bona fide Disney Diva.   Have been since I was a little girl and my obsession grows as the years go by.

It has been just over 2 years since my last visit to Disneyland and my feet are itching for some Disney Magic so I can go again soon.  I need my fix.

Like many, I have many favourite characters amongst the Princess' and Fairies, Mickey and Minnie, Pooh and the Gang.

My favourite Fairy is Tinkerbell and I loved visiting Pixie Hollow to meet her.  Where Dreams Really Do Come True.

 

A little known fact.  I have a Disney Fairy named after me (yes 'after' me.. I like to think that she is).  Her name is Rani.    She is a water fairy and although she does not appear in the Disney Fairies movies she does exist in the books. In the story, Rani sacrifices her wings permanently, becoming the only fairy who cannot fly, but also the only fairy that can swim.

Travel Photo of the Month - January 2016

Everyone that knows me would know that I have had a fascination with the Deep South ever since I was a little girl.  From the history, the food, the accent, the landscape I just love it.  Perhaps I have read (and watched) Gone with the Wind and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil to many times.  Heck, my favourite movie of all time is Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.

Whatever the cause of the fascination I know that it will be everlasting.  I was eager to visit Savannah, Georgia back in 2003 during a trip from Miami to Boston on the Greyhound (an adventure in itself!).

This old (refurbished) paddle steamer, the Georgia Queen docked on the Savannah River had me fantasising of times gone by.

Sitting by eating freshly made taffy and a belly full of fried catfish made for a fabulous day on the river.

Travel Photo of the Month - December 2015

Bali February 2013 - you can read all about that day here in and around Ubud.

 

This was a wonderful day exploring the rice terraces, gardens and sampling lots of local foods.  Here I am pounding some spices.

 

It's definitely a good work out for the arms!

 

 

Travel Photo of the Month - November 2015

With a bit of a teaser with an upcoming post.  I spent last weekend in the Bellarine area of Victoria.  That's the Great Ocean Road/Geelong/TorquaySurf Coast area to many.

 

Not only was I spending time with my best friend but we were also checking out the Toast to the Coast.  A wine festival celebrating the Bellarine wineries.  Amazing weekend with some fabulous tastings, but you will have to stay tuned in for that post!

 

Here with an old pick up (is that me or the truck? hahah) at Bellarine Estate in Drysdale.  Fabulous wines (including a shiraz that made it's way into the purchases) along with lovely views over the vines and here this.

 

 

 

 

There is also a farmers market/fresh produce market located out front too.

 

Travel Photo of the Month - October 2015

It would be the perfect day to be amongst the vines at the Hunter Valley right now.  

 

I just love weekends away!

 

Casting back to a weekend away in the Hunter Valley last year where eating and more importantly, sipping some amazing wines, was on the agenda.  There was lots of cheese too, of course.

 

The weather was sunny (for at least this day) and life was good.  It's time to plan another wine trip!

 

Who's coming?

 

Cheers 

 

  

 

Travel Photo of the month - September 2015

Back in 2006 I had the opportunity to travel around parts of South East Asia, including Laos.  I loved
Luang Prabang.

One very early morning, before the birds were chirping and the light of day was upon us we made the trek into town for alms.

it was a wonderful experience to sit on the pavement and wait for the monks from one of the temples make their way through town collecting peace offerings which would become their meal for the day.

Small parcels of steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves, fruit and even bags of curries.  Whatever you decide you would like to give.

I couldn't help myself carrying a basket for one of the lovely ladies who were selling their food for alms.  They are heavier and bulkier than you think!

Travel Photo of the Month - August 2015

Better late than never!

Reflecting on my time in Dubai recently I realised that the Burj al Arab, being the only '7* hotel' in the world is probably one of the most photographed hotels in Dubai.  Built on a man made island some 280 meters off shore it's definitely one of the main landmarks in Dubai.

Here it is at night, the sail lit up in purple, the colours rotating through the rainbow every few seconds.  It is a beautiful piece of architecture from all angles, particularly sailing past it.

 
But have you seen inside the Burj al Arab? 

Being one of the most expensive hotels in the world with the Royale Suite being nearly US$20,000 I can only imagine what it would be like to stay here.

I did however have High Tea here one day while I was living here and although there was sandstorm which wiped out all sweeping views over Dubai (worst timing I know), we did get to explore inside.

The centre of the hotel reception area is open all the way to the tip of the tower, offering a pretty spectacular atrium.

 

That is the opulence of Dubai!

Travel Photo of the Month - July 2015

It's time to resurrect the Travel Photo of the Month. A monthly selection of my favourite photos from travelling the globe.  Some are many years old converted from film to digital and are still amongst my favourites.

In light of what is going on in Greece at the moment, I have reflected back on my 5 weeks of travelling the Cyclades Isles ack in 2000 (just before moving to Ireland).  We had quite the adventure! It may not have started off as planned (I have since learnt to read 24 hour time correctly!) and the entire trip continued to be full of misadventure, disaster, injuries, stupidity, some begging for food, sickness amongst alot of partying and fun.  I can only look back on these days and think 'how the hell did we survive that trip?'  We really did get up to some mischief.

Here were were exploring a tiny fishing village in Paros and loved all the fishing nets nestled around an old rustic dock.  The smell of briny fish and bait and sea salt tinged air with the warmth of the sun was blisful, while sitting back and sipping on a cold beer and a plate of BBQ octopus, watching the fisherman bring in their catch of the day.

Perfect timing.

Travel Photo of the Month - October 2014

To this day, this is still one of my favourite photos from my trip to Egypt way back in the days circa 1999.

Up before dawns crack to ride a camel up Mt Sinai to watch the sunrise.  Half way up my camel 'broke down', one of the many times this happened to either my camel or my donkey on this trip.  Okay, okay, my camel didn't break down...let's just say there was a certain step up on the path that my camel was negotiating and tipped me up as  I slid off the back of it.....saddle broke and I was on the ground.

I hiked the rest of the way, which was not so easy for me at the time and still managed to watch a breathtaking sunrise.

In need of strong coffee, sustenance and a much needed bath (I was starting to smell of camel) we made our descent down the mountain.  Half way down we stopped for a breather and this is my moment. Sipping on hot, black, strong coffee and chatting to these two very shy camel boys on Mt Sinai.

Nothing can get much better in the travel moments

Travel Photo of the Month - September 2014

Somehow I have missed August's Travel Photo of the Month.  What with the ups and downs that life throws at you time passes way to quickly and it's time to slow things down again. 

I am always planning the next holiday, dreaming of far off destinations, working on a bucket list and reminiscing of past travel and fun times (there has been a bit of that lately), living in the present and refocusing on the here and now and the near future.  There can only be good things to come.

So jumping for joy here is a place that left me a little breathless.....

Travel Photo of the Month - Swimming with the Fish

Last week I returned from a fabulous winter escape in Cairns.  I was whisked away for my 40th birthday by my wonderful man.

Our first day was spent out on Milln and Flynn Reef where we met Nigel, the Napoleon Wrasse...he was beautiful and friendly and very inquisitive.

Napoleon Wrasse on Flynn Reef, Cairns

Travel Photo of the Month - June 2014 - Monks in Phnom Penh

During a few days visit to the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh,  visiting a friend and exploring the city we dropped by the Royal Palace.  I couldn't help chatting to these young boys who have entered the monkhood (even for a brief amount of time). 

As long I didn't touch them or get to close to them they are happy to practice some English with me and they liked to giggle when I tried to speak the very limited Khmer I had.

Definitely one of those special travel moments.

Travel Photo of the Month - May 2014 - The Aloe Vera Man on a Barbados beach

It's been six months since my travels to the Caribeean and USA.  With the winter months creeping up on us fast I am left dreaming of warm white sands between the toes, bright blue skies, clear aqua salty water and hot sunny days kissing the skin - and lazing on a beach with a cocktail in hand with a Barbadian man squeezing fresh aloe vera juice for your sunburnt skin at the end of another perfect day in paradise.

 

Bliss...........

 

 

Travel Photo of the Month - April 2014 - Sun Rise on The Ganges

Back in 2010 I had an amazing morning floating down The Ganges in Varanassi, India.  Watching worshippers welcome in the new day.

Travel Photo of the Month - March - Hell and Back

It seems pretty fitting to post this throwback photo from 1999.  I have come a long way since travelling through Russia and Scandinavia.  I met some amazing people on this trip and 15 years on we are still good friends (just wished they lived in Sydney!)

Hell is a village around Nord-Trøndelag, Norway.  It is a tiny village boasting a grocery store, petrol station and believe it or not a retirement home!

I literally have been to Hell and Back.  Stronger, healthier, fitter than ever.....but this photo brings back some fabulous memories.

hell and back

Travel Photo of the Month - February 2014 - Peyto Lake, Canada

Back in 2003, while camping through the Rocky Mountains, we were hiking on the promise of seeing a wolf.  We were excited,  we had seen bears so far, a wolf would just make my day....little did I know that this would be the view of the wolf!  Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada.

Peyto Lake is in Banff National Park.  It's a glacial lake, meaning that the flow from the mountains carries rock flour which makes the water this brilliant  turquoise blue.  I sat for a long time marvelling at this view.