tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106322582024-03-08T23:25:47.015+11:00Traveloscopy TravelblogTravel stories, tales and yarns from the world of travel published in conjunction with travel portal, traveloscopy.comrodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.comBlogger1183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-45360532085478079642024-02-24T15:46:00.002+11:002024-02-24T15:49:51.608+11:00A head for heights and Dolomite delights<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1zwc_33e7_fXVKnsljRLdacz_FefeQY8EsHAr4PO85Di8yImj7U2VxlXITBDsyOEr1oDTGGZ1tR8QVDld6BYxDHZHS6cckxg8Zv_MeeP5Vo2ntFhgInCWT9dkijQagrYPvAcybKc3KFarqf0LY0eHrqstNIitd_y_vMkMCUJCmmDmkRMFqa9/s2126/Alto%20Adige%20Promocard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="2126" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1zwc_33e7_fXVKnsljRLdacz_FefeQY8EsHAr4PO85Di8yImj7U2VxlXITBDsyOEr1oDTGGZ1tR8QVDld6BYxDHZHS6cckxg8Zv_MeeP5Vo2ntFhgInCWT9dkijQagrYPvAcybKc3KFarqf0LY0eHrqstNIitd_y_vMkMCUJCmmDmkRMFqa9/w640-h426/Alto%20Adige%20Promocard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />High in Italy's mountainous northern Alps lies one of Europe's smallest wine regions where quality prevails. Roderick Eime sips, sniffs and spits his way through the misty valleys of South Tyrol.</b><br /><br />His knee was now more painful than it had ever been as he struggled down the glacier, barely a few hundred metres ahead of his pursuers. In his mid-40s, he was now an old man with the body to match. His laboured breathing and awkward gait hampered his hurried progress across the ice when suddenly he felt a searing pain in his shoulder. He’d been hit with an arrow fired from behind and the exhausted fugitive fell forward heavily and waited for his fate.<span><a name='more'></a></span><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48768573917_9b6a3ee1f1_b.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48768573917_9b6a3ee1f1_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Fast forward more than 5000 years and hikers, Helmut and Erika Simon, spotted a body partly frozen in the ice. Believing the semi-decomposed corpse to be that of a deceased mountaineer, they called the police. The remains were clumsily extracted by the rescue team and taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Innsbruck where, after thorough examination, they were discovered to be at least 4000 years old.</div><div><br />Dubbed Ötzi, after the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian-Italian border near where he died, he is now a posthumous rock star with his own museum here in Bolzano, the capital city of the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.</div><div> <br />Ötzi’s relatives continued to populate this mountainous region where the Roman General Nero Claudius Drusus established a military presence about the time of Christ. Over the centuries, Tyrol served as something of a cultural hub as various ethnic groups passed through on their way to other parts of Europe. However, some stayed to enrich the civilisation that gradually built up to where we find this highly eclectic province today.</div><div><br />Reflecting this potpourri of people and national ambiguity, the visitor will encounter conversations in Italian, German and English in the streets and boutiques of Bolzano (or Bozen if you prefer the German). While South Tyrol/Südtirol/Alto Adige (pron: AH-dee-jay) is politically Italy, the province enjoys autonomous status in deference to its turbulent history in which it was finally annexed by Italy following the defeat of Austria-Hungary in the First World War.</div><div> <br />The diverse language groups gradually formed a homogeneous population who can seamlessly switch between Italian, German and often English in daily conversation. A few even speak an ancient local dialect, Ladin, which may sound like Swiss Romansh to the casual listener.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48692291913_abf056da13_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48692291913_abf056da13_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Alto Adige is renown for brilliant ski fields, stunning alpine scenery that’s ideal for hikers and mountain bikers and thousands of hectares of farmland that produces vast swathes of green tapestry interspersed with castles and medieval church spires. But if there is one unifying enterprise that can serve as the province’s trademark, it’s wine.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Wines of Alto Adige</b></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548365836_ce6d829ff2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53548365836_ce6d829ff2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The province enjoys a near-perfect dry and cool climate with a range of soils from sedimentary to volcanic and encompassing several microclimates. This unique circumstance enables a 26-variety assortment of grapes including many unfamiliar to Australian and New Zealand wine lovers. Such exotic varietals as Pinot Bianco, Lagrein and Shiava grow on 26,000 precipitous vineyards on mountainsides up to 1200 metres alongside the more familiar grapes such as chardonnay, merlot, cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc.</div><div><br />In a delightful throwback to feudal times, hundreds of families and wine producers have formed cooperatives to ensure mutual prosperity. Together they cultivate 13,000 hectares producing nearly 100 million litres of wine in roughly equal red/white quantities.</div><div><br />With such small quantities reaching our shores and bottleshops, Alto Adige wine is not about to displace either the Hunter or Barossa Valleys in our market any time soon. Instead labels like Terlano, Tieffenbrunner, Alois Lageder and Kurtatsch can be found on the wine lists of our high-end restaurants and on the shelves of niche wine merchants.</div><div><br />The delicate and soft-textured Pinot Blanc (aka Pinot Bianco and Weissburgunder) is one grape that should find easy acceptance in our region. Frequently blended with complementary varietals such as chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, it makes for delightful summer drinking when chilled and is a versatile accompaniment for a wide range of foods including spicy Thai curries and white meat dishes.<br />If possible, attend a tasting where these wines are offered as new oak casks and stainless steel are used in various stages of maturation and the proportions may not suit all tastes. Some wines will be ready for immediate drinking, while others will benefit from another year or two in the cellar.<br /><br /><b>Törggelen Time</b></div><div><b><br /></b>Autumn is the traditional season for this extravaganza of local produce when wine growers present their new wines, the chestnuts are roasting and in the farm bars they celebrate with traditional harvest evenings named Törggelen. Farmers invite visitors to taste products like wine, juices, soups, cabbage, boiled potatoes, bacon, fruits and meat.<br /><br /><b>Tasting Alto Adige</b></div><div><b><br /></b>As the various Europeans have converged on the province bringing their traditional culinary delights with them, so the menus of the many restaurants of the region reflect this delicious diversity from tasty home-style meals and at inns and hotels to 19 high-end restaurants with 26 Michelin stars such as Chef Norbert Niederkofler’s three-star St. Hubertus and Chef Matteo Mettulio’s two-star La Siriola.<br /><br />The vegan will struggle in Alto Adige as the influence of German dishes such as Schlutzkrapfen (similar to ravioli), dumplings, salted meats and homemade sausages and sauerkraut all dictate meats and cheeses in abundance. Dumplings, in particular, are a favourite fare and are served in a wide variety of forms incorporating soft cheeses, minced pork or venison meat and pasta drenched in flavoursome sauces. Be careful though, these little Kasnocken are very filling.</div><div><br />As one might expect, Italian pastas abound in all their forms with your tagliatelle, gnocchi and spaghetti favourites easily found. Besides the regular pasta dishes, local variations include beetroot gnocchi or pine needle-infused marshmallow.</div><div><br /><b>Visiting Alto Adige</b></div><div><br />Now that Tuscany is tedious and Bordeaux is a bore, why not investigate the delights of this often-overlooked province in Northern Italy? You don't need many excuses either. The gastronomy is up there, the people are chill, English is widely spoken and the activities beyond wine are plentiful.<br />Choosing accommodation is easy too. Vinum Hotels is a marketing co-operative made up of 29 family-run hotels located in the heart of the various South Tyrolean wine districts that specialise in catering for the wine lover. Your hosts will organise everything for the complete wine week including dining, tastings, spa sessions and sightseeing.</div><div><br />Self-drive is an option too with such dramatic scenery and well-maintained roads, although drivers will need to perfect the spit if they are going to enjoy sampling the wines.<br /><br /><br /><b>Fact File:</b><br /><br />Vinum Hotels Südtirol<br />Wine hotels - Gourmet holidays - South Tyrol<br /><a href="http://www.vinumhotels.com">www.vinumhotels.com</a><br /><br />Südtiroler Gasthaus<br />Stay and dine at authentic South Tyrolean inns<br /><a href="http://www.gasthaus.it">www.gasthaus.it</a><br /><br />Alto Adige Wine<br />Official Wine Region website<br /><a href="http://www.altoadigewines.com">www.altoadigewines.com</a><br /><br />Official tourism website:<br /><a href="http://www.suedtirol.info">www.suedtirol.info</a><br /><br /><i>Originally published in <a href="https://issuu.com/rodeime/docs/mf0320-drink-altoadige" target="_blank">MiNDFOOD Magazine</a><br /></i><br />All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise.<div><div></div></div></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-8135899136378016552024-02-24T11:08:00.000+11:002024-02-24T11:08:24.986+11:00Richard Quest takes a break after 20 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm25mF0bgd5TCWrpfB_fZ7ed2hiOd6zYX2Q-cq8BL6pSvzsqQM48PG4kRxkr3QiWPII00oipjfNwMRpnf7eLUbE0SPmM1ERvnnUOXBt3gW4k86ohg9m_4gKCrrOa22FLPEgeNA6G_w4NShfpegCcRip6DnYwAVdYJjM0HurdavrFCZHo-e2d-c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="2228" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm25mF0bgd5TCWrpfB_fZ7ed2hiOd6zYX2Q-cq8BL6pSvzsqQM48PG4kRxkr3QiWPII00oipjfNwMRpnf7eLUbE0SPmM1ERvnnUOXBt3gW4k86ohg9m_4gKCrrOa22FLPEgeNA6G_w4NShfpegCcRip6DnYwAVdYJjM0HurdavrFCZHo-e2d-c=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />After 21 years at CNN, I am taking my long service leave! <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Four weeks away from the office. I know: my colleagues think I will cave. Not a chance<br /><div><br /></div><div>Last year I celebrated 20 years working at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/" target="_blank">CNN</a>. And have met some amazing people and of course look considerably younger<br /><br />One of the perks of 20 years is a one-month sabbatical – it has to be taken as four weeks, it can’t be split off. Initially, I thought now I’m not gonna take it- too busy, too many other things to be doing I can’t take a month off!<br /><br />But then Covid and all the changes that have taken place made me rethink. If not now when?<br /><br />This is not carpe diem - seize the day, make the most of the time while we are here and so on. No. My decision to take the sabbatical is more about teaching myself to do things differently - that is the lesson I’ve taken from the pandemic.<br /><br />Be open to new ideas. Do things differently.. Don’t be stuck in the rut.<br /><br />And so tomorrow I go to France to where I should spend two weeks learning French and then it will be to the beach to improve my swimming And my coffee making-I think many of you know my pandemic project was to learn to be a proper barista.<br /><br />None of this is revolutionary stuff. It won’t change the world. But as I turn 60 this year, it might jolt this old age pensioner into realizing you can teach an old dog new tricks<br /><br />Whatever you’re up to in the month ahead ... J'espère que c'est rentable.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Richard Quest was a special guest at <a href="https://imm.travmedia.com/" target="_blank">Travmedia's IMM</a> in Sydney, where he entertained more than 400 media and travel trade guests.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-76563028155769616422024-01-14T14:43:00.001+11:002024-01-14T14:43:11.824+11:00Loh and Behold: The Legend of the Giant Coconut Crab<div><div>Location: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/W2Pqz4avqX5A6Nkr7" target="_blank">Loh Island, Torres Group, Vanuatu</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52547392292_6af7271d03_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="800" height="417" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52547392292_6af7271d03_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Legend tells of the story of the giant coconut crab that inhabited the jungle of Loh Island in the Torres Group, the most remote of all the island groups in Vanuatu.</div><div><br /></div><div>This massive, bad-tempered crustacean had the unfortunate habit of eating the villagers and threatening the survival of the inhabitants until one brave soul needed to venture into the jungle to get much-needed food and disguised himself as a beautiful red crab hoping not to appear as a delicious human. The ruse worked and the man-eating monster was so enthralled at the attractive colouring of the villager’s disguise that it enquired of the villager how he too might look so attractive.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Thinking quickly, the villager told the monster he could acquire the colouring if he was to first jump into a fire. So keen was the monster, that he insisted the villager make a fire immediately and without further encouragement, promptly lept into the flames. </div><div><br /></div><div>With the problem solved, the charred remains of the dead monster were distributed around the island to create the familiar landmarks we see today.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52486821837_79d5d1487a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52486821837_79d5d1487a_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The island still retains much of its native vegetation and forest, unlike some other islands in Melanesia that have given in to the entreaties of loggers who care little for what they leave behind. In fact, the whole Torres Group of seven islands only has a population of around 1000 people, kept artificially low over time by European diseases and blackbirding, the highly suspect practice of ‘recruiting’ labour for Australian farms during the 19th and 20th centuries.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loh Island (locally: Lō), and the Torres Group (Torba Province) as a whole, receive very few external visitors. Apart from the occasional yacht, visits by supply ships are only every few months, so our arrival aboard Heritage Adventurer was quite an event. We’d been warned to expect the familiar challenge on the beach as our Zodiacs ground against the course sand. And, sure enough, out of the undergrowth lept a contingent of near-nakled ‘warriors’ yelping and hollering while thrusting their spears at us in mock attack. Of course, we were suitably alarmed and recoiled in feigned terror as the mud-smeared, leaf-clad assailants circled us like Indians around a wagon train. We bravely shielded ourselves from the onslaught with iPhones set to video.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our expedition leader and co-owner of the expedition cruise line, Nathan Russ, delivered his well-rehearsed speech of greeting and thanks as we unloaded boxes of school books and sundry material whereupon our donations were received with a most colourful and vibrant celebratory dance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though we’ve been greeted by welcoming dances at every landing on our island-hopping voyage, each is unique. The Loh islanders’ choreography consisted of a circular, shuffling parade of young women and children accompanied by mesmeric drumbeats all designed to pay homage to the chief who commanded a central position with every inch of his skin daubed in a tar-like paint. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52487012612_f381916d1c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52487012612_f381916d1c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Our attention was drawn to the vivid colouration of the hair and headdresses which form an important part of the traditional ceremony known as lēh-temēt. The women had ground flower petals of the most vibrant hues and decorated their voluminous coiffures with the lurid powders. The boys had constructed conical headdresses (temēt) decorated in the same fashion. Cameras clicked wildly at the spectacle - until the heavens opened and sent everyone running for cover. Given the dry conditions we’d experienced throughout the cruise, the downpour was truly heaven-sent.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the absence of any motor vehicles, we toured the island on foot, cheerfully guided by a boisterous group of local children eager to show us their neighbourhood near the village of Rinuhe, one of the two main settlements. On the way, we stopped to visit the Robin Memorial School where the donated schoolbooks will reside. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52487787825_3b0f1c8982_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52487787825_3b0f1c8982_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />While isolation can be blissful, it also leads to certain deprivations. Access to the medical facilities we take for granted in Westernised countries the villagers still rely on a small contingent of 'traditional healers' (klevas) – men and women with the power to look into your soul, diagnose your ailments and prescribe 'kastom' jungle herbs. That might sound suspicious, but most healers have shown a willingness to work with national health bodies, especially in the identification of such diseases as TB.</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting to Loh and the Torres Islands</div><div><br /></div><div>Loh, with just a couple of hundred inhabitants, is about as isolated a place you can find left on the planet. Fresh water and electricity are only recent introductions, thanks to solar power installed following a government assessment. The villages are mostly self-sufficient, growing crops in the rich soil and fishing the adjacent waters. The airstrip on neighbouring Linua Island (TOH), just across a narrow waterway, is served by a (sometimes) weekly 16-seat Twin Otter flight from Air Vanuatu that also stops at Sola, the provincial capital, and Moto Lava. Boat transfers are also possible, but can be expensive and uncomfortable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Birdwatching (or ‘birding’) is a popular element of any Heritage Expeditions journey and this is no exception. The birding team sleep with their binoculars - I kid you not - so they’re always ready for a new sighting to add to their ‘life lists’ of observed species. Loh gave up 12 species on land and still more at sea, the majority being pigeons, doves, swiftlets and tattlers. </div><div><br /></div><div>FACT FILE:</div><div><br /></div><div>Christchurch-based <a href="https://www.heritage-expeditions.com/destinations/south-pacific-travel/">Heritage Expeditions</a> operates its annual ‘Secrets of Melanesia’ voyages in October. The 2023 departure sails from Madang for a 17-day expedition to Port Vila via New Ireland, New Britain, Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. </div><div><br /></div><div>Heritage Adventurer is the perfect vessel for such a voyage with just 140 guests travelling in supreme comfort, being looked after by a crew of 125 plus an experienced expedition team of 12 offering enrichment and interpretation along the route.</div><div><br /></div><div>Daily excursions are conducted using sturdy and reliable Zodiacs, enabling landings virtually anywhere an opportunity presents itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heritage Expeditions also offers an expansive Pacific program that includes Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand and Indonesia. For full details, dates and pricing, see www.heritage-expeditions.com</div><div><br /></div><div>Birders can check the complete species list at: <a href="http://ebird.org">ebird.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div>For more details on visiting Loh and the Torres Group, see <a href="http://www.vanuatu.travel">www.vanuatu.travel</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Originally published in Island Spirit, the inflight magazine for Air Vanutu</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih3T7xQ5oD9VQv5fQRIV8Pam2hb_-GYs3XgowIZHmzTMvbfOdFMFHjoCIJYaF30AjIyCyC50qOoegvQFSJ1W5BmOeGOHjYR6ZghWXCMW0KxHcDoxskhgRraelVB7e5WoX_jsBaDn9dG1RxhxlLPSYJ_WCxJZDkUwDkHhtVpa8jwdwXQuYM48UT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="630" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih3T7xQ5oD9VQv5fQRIV8Pam2hb_-GYs3XgowIZHmzTMvbfOdFMFHjoCIJYaF30AjIyCyC50qOoegvQFSJ1W5BmOeGOHjYR6ZghWXCMW0KxHcDoxskhgRraelVB7e5WoX_jsBaDn9dG1RxhxlLPSYJ_WCxJZDkUwDkHhtVpa8jwdwXQuYM48UT" width="188" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><i>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise.</i></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-80212297275633644372023-11-29T20:39:00.004+11:002023-11-29T20:45:01.065+11:00Fiona McIntosh visits Sydney for The Sugar Palace<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWTMGOsIjKzyWtaMqInEbWR6YVaNzf_Dx4l1nZqals1U048AvGQbgH1JOxgroVnioSWdNMgW_jf2Iq0uzO9KU2N2fmfr68NwHp5DddrIQi1Nyz9xMWkBZoN1PHhVuAbxxRoEEzchtVBrE85lhFnracuLFD7eZ5c9Z-sX931XUthGdveOO24u9/s4032/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWTMGOsIjKzyWtaMqInEbWR6YVaNzf_Dx4l1nZqals1U048AvGQbgH1JOxgroVnioSWdNMgW_jf2Iq0uzO9KU2N2fmfr68NwHp5DddrIQi1Nyz9xMWkBZoN1PHhVuAbxxRoEEzchtVBrE85lhFnracuLFD7eZ5c9Z-sX931XUthGdveOO24u9/w480-h640/unnamed.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Stevie Jacobs and myself walking through the streets of The Rocks<br />...with a film crew...as one does!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Well to tell the truth I thought this was a very quirky tale and I did have some moments of worry that it wouldn't hit the mark. I had to trust the Penguin team which felt there was something magical about the story that packed plenty of fun and lightness into what turned into a gangster tale. And the two lead characters, despite coming from such wildly different backgrounds and attitudes, were very easy to like and cheer for. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div>
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I'm thrilled with how you've all responded to the novel and that you've once again enjoyed an all-Australian setting. It has given me the confidence to write Australian stories but I can't promise all Australian all the time because I do hanker for my European locations and I especially enjoy the challenge of armchair travelling you to far-flung places.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZsTf-_wrGQ1jNAAC606vARvy6LScc7fkqQc7VHRbX9hQSLdU8FNYnlghooRCMqmV4pnILGQ-KrWMhZNPzs7nbjN-gy1ZI0sJfbCnf5be6CQbjuoghJkR5SoWOKvyfbGc8DM8qrUoH-JtDxEpWrHm1fBZoAmArbpZ8xPKL5F0Rp_6KfGZGl4G/s4032/unnamed%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZsTf-_wrGQ1jNAAC606vARvy6LScc7fkqQc7VHRbX9hQSLdU8FNYnlghooRCMqmV4pnILGQ-KrWMhZNPzs7nbjN-gy1ZI0sJfbCnf5be6CQbjuoghJkR5SoWOKvyfbGc8DM8qrUoH-JtDxEpWrHm1fBZoAmArbpZ8xPKL5F0Rp_6KfGZGl4G/w640-h480/unnamed%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily security didn't catch me but how could I resist not climbing into the window at the flagship Dymocks Books store in George Street, Sydney?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/the-sugar-palace-by-fiona-mcintosh-9781761047015" target="_blank">The Sugar Palace</a> setting of Sydney is wonderful with all of its 1920s swagger and dare. It really was an ambitious city in this timeframe; imagine that glorious harbour with no Opera House, no Harbour Bridge and a few ferries plying back and forth between Circular Quay and the North Shore. The North Shore felt like a 'whole other place' and was an aspirational location that a lot of city dwellers dreamed of moving to live. Today its closest suburbs are like a part of the city and we go back and forth across that bridge barely pausing to imagine how audacious the idea of a single-span bridge that would link the city to the north shore might be.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCI7Fvbtcue9HGT_O9bZB-9jjBIZDmXE4xPMAV9To0pA3lo24SGw4gPL5mR-xQ4P_3wGbHVcX__hBfUhz5-sLf4XQRzrb68WNunqtFR5mBQ3snkDYJCUL7Tyc5Wf5J6KURYPeUh3CI_HQHx3AIrZkYX9imBydIFrYTfvgoh8klzzyjycRqemQ/s1957/The%20Sugar%20Palace.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCI7Fvbtcue9HGT_O9bZB-9jjBIZDmXE4xPMAV9To0pA3lo24SGw4gPL5mR-xQ4P_3wGbHVcX__hBfUhz5-sLf4XQRzrb68WNunqtFR5mBQ3snkDYJCUL7Tyc5Wf5J6KURYPeUh3CI_HQHx3AIrZkYX9imBydIFrYTfvgoh8klzzyjycRqemQ/s320/The%20Sugar%20Palace.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>As I said to audiences while on tour, I had no idea the story would go where it did. And while it was a shock to find myself and my characters in brothels and two up parlours, running with razor gangs and selling cocaine, I realise now that the darker side of this tale is the perfect counterbalance to the sweet, sugary fun of Grace's fabulous confectionery. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to all who have read it and enjoyed it. To those of you who may be eyeing it off as a gift, it will be some lovely post-Christmas reading for you. And I hope that countless copies will find their way beneath various Christmas trees this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>For all those audio lovers, I have recorded the foreword for this book myself. Normally, the narrator reads the acknowledgements but these felt very personal with recollections of childhood and we all agreed it would sound authentic for the listener in my voice. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not a professional narrator so I've done my best but at least this is me, talking to you, and enjoying being able to explain the idea behind the story. Hope you enjoy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Where am I off to next?</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE35D4k6A2RM8zyXMK_xlp7Q_FL69ZZCpH8wO5QPgqJRTREdxMlTadjxtWtDuyaYjBAoPOY4LSvguTVvzRpt0RW7crKB5kH2UKgu8UeJOo3UaNRABRxFNWu4dKrrpiV4pXjjqVA5OOQTpadHTbMO4-e0HFibTg-CX0aFrSeT5CnBuNLaZbsJF/s1200/unnamed%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE35D4k6A2RM8zyXMK_xlp7Q_FL69ZZCpH8wO5QPgqJRTREdxMlTadjxtWtDuyaYjBAoPOY4LSvguTVvzRpt0RW7crKB5kH2UKgu8UeJOo3UaNRABRxFNWu4dKrrpiV4pXjjqVA5OOQTpadHTbMO4-e0HFibTg-CX0aFrSeT5CnBuNLaZbsJF/w640-h426/unnamed%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This is Swanage Pier in Dorset, and is one of the landmarks I'll be looking to visit as soon as I hit save on this blog post. </div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned, I shall be on the ground for only a week but I have decided I'll do some small videos on location and I'll post those on FB and Instagram so you can follow me. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZw-_nGbz6sDSk5X4TNNOdfAtTPZ_-DvnQMM0sxZSUKMmoFGPfT6Rm-Em2GejIJiVMW3H7IS9gAKgvMldZQytkgOxnp-RHbsk3XMMmnvqj0ypwSLjJFQzv7UiMWAW0Kg8JGZR63prr7OHSc4INvpnbW0_g_98WKFjZEi2mIl6-mR7Raslhd1v/s1200/fimac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZw-_nGbz6sDSk5X4TNNOdfAtTPZ_-DvnQMM0sxZSUKMmoFGPfT6Rm-Em2GejIJiVMW3H7IS9gAKgvMldZQytkgOxnp-RHbsk3XMMmnvqj0ypwSLjJFQzv7UiMWAW0Kg8JGZR63prr7OHSc4INvpnbW0_g_98WKFjZEi2mIl6-mR7Raslhd1v/w200-h200/fimac.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In late January I hope to be headed down to Tasmania to begin the early research on the new novel for 2025 that some of you will recall is the sequel to The Champagne War as we follow what happened next to Capt Charlie Nash. I have no idea, of course, because I don't plan but I'm intrigued to see where he takes us.</div><div><br /></div><div>In March I am going to Scotland, which is where I see the early part of the story occurring. It has been one of my dreams to experience the Northern Lights, which has been on my bucket list since I was very young. It was meant to be my 60th birthday gift but we had to postpone due to the Covid years. We are cruising in far northern Europe to catch that glimpse. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Subscribe to <a href="https://www.fionamcintosh.com/contact/" target="_blank">Fiona's newsletter</a> for all the latest news (and great recipes)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p></p>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-57860913361861265312023-11-11T09:35:00.001+11:002023-11-11T09:35:35.142+11:00The Copper Canyon train: World's Longest Day Trip?<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM9Ip6G0rudLrR6OOnzukGt04Eh-LDbVw4elMG4vxNkYCxYc9bgrLWwx1aZyN2WquaogM4fyFFOFcNAPLNCriSt-FMR1SUiYJ5tjY42GcHkbl2ZKva3iQXI4Ih1hXWkX-wLyGauOHDlq3Tf3BmYFTsHpV-zmB5-zI1kLI2Fa8vtkwtminjUNH/s1301/Traditional-Chepe-Regional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1301" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM9Ip6G0rudLrR6OOnzukGt04Eh-LDbVw4elMG4vxNkYCxYc9bgrLWwx1aZyN2WquaogM4fyFFOFcNAPLNCriSt-FMR1SUiYJ5tjY42GcHkbl2ZKva3iQXI4Ih1hXWkX-wLyGauOHDlq3Tf3BmYFTsHpV-zmB5-zI1kLI2Fa8vtkwtminjUNH/w640-h426/Traditional-Chepe-Regional.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It's 4am and the alarm clock is going ape.</div><div><br /></div><div>We tumble out of bed, shower, dress, and with hardly a word spoken, head for the Lido Restaurant where strong coffee may, just may, make us feel human.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Two hundred other hardy souls are already there, staring blankly at steaming coffee, or almost sullenly pushing scrambled eggs, pancakes and maple syrup around their plates. Few say much; a colleague mumbles “Morn’” as she stabs a fractious tomato that refuses to stay attached to her fork.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just one group is full of chatter, excitedly comparing cameras and massive lenses, discussing exposures, shutter speeds, double-enders, four-headers, turn-outs and something called a “rising tunnel helix.”</div><div><br /></div><div>They’re rail buffs, and today’s the main reason they’re aboard the cruise liner Ryndam that we joined in San Diego a few days earlier, and which overnight slipped into the Mexican port of Topolobampo so we can join the train to the legendary Barranca del Cobre – Mexico’s Copper Canyon that’s four times the land area of the Grand Canyon and 2,200m high in the Sierra Madre Mountains.</div><div><br /></div><div>It’s still dark as we’re summonsed to our fleet of coaches waiting on the dock to take us the 1.5hrs to El Fuerte, where we board the Chihuahua al Pacifico Express for the so-called “Train Ride in the Sky.”</div><div><br /></div><div>We rumble out of El Fuerte as golden sunbeams rise up over the distant mountains to which we’re heading; the shutter-bugs crowd open windows at the doorways as we wind through arid cactus country and snake into the first of eighty-seven tunnels on the train’s 13-hour journey to Chihuahua.</div><div><br /></div><div>We start climbing into the mountains, hugging narrow escarpments, clicketty-clacking over seemingly endless bridges (there are a near-40 on the line,) past little villages displaying colourful Mexican Indian blankets and handicrafts for travellers driving the road alongside the rail track.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our guide explains how the train was first conceived in 1861 to link booming Wichita in Kansas, across Oklahoma, and through the Sierra Madres to the cargo of ships from the Orient at Topolobampo.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some passengers are playing cards, others reading, some beseeching Gard as to how long its goin’ a-be before we get there.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rail buffs and ourselves are amongst a seeming handful actually enjoying the train ride for the train ride itself – not because it’s the means of getting to Barranca del Cobre.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hearty boxed snacks are offered mid-morning as we U-turn along one side of a long river valley, across a bridge at the end, and back up the other side. Our guide tells us there’s soon an even more unusual 180-degree turn to come – in a tunnel with the train amazingly rising all the time to cross over itself inside a mountain and emerge 200 metres higher up than it entered… the rail buffs’ “rising tunnel helix.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we’re rolling into tiny Posada Barrancas, alighting just before noon on the very cusp of the Copper Canyon to marvel at its enormity. In fact it is five canyons, a spectacular interconnecting jumble of razor-back peaks and deep ravines that seemingly stretch forever, and it bears not a gram of copper: the name derives from the colour of lichens growing on the rocks.</div><div><br /></div><div>And away from the hot, dusty, cactus-littered flats of the coast, we’re now amid cool pines, conifers and patches of rainforest fed by an annual 1300mm of rain.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cliff-hugging Hotel Mirador boasts one of the world’s most spectacular views: we enjoy a buffet lunch here, a performance by local Indian dancers and the opportunity to buy intricate needlework, hand-woven blankets, jewellery and pottery.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then mid-afternoon its back aboard the train for the long run back down the mountain to El Fuerte and our coach to our ship.</div><div><br /></div><div>We arrive dockside just before 11pm and are surprised to find the Captain and his senior officers resplendent in their white uniforms waiting to greet us on the pier... and to let us know they’ve kept restaurants and bars open for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>We’ve been on road and rail 18-hours, covered 620km and wonder if today’s has been the world’s longest day excursion?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>DOING IT</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.coppercanyon.com/index.php/train" target="_blank">The Copper Canyon train</a> costs US$399pp including snacks and lunch; for details of Holland America Line cruises to Mexico and visiting the Canyon see travel agents, phone (02) 8296 7072 or check-out <a href="http://www.traveltheworld.com.au">www.traveltheworld.com.au</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>- David Ellis</div><div><br /></div>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-50399100342375308442023-11-01T11:50:00.006+11:002023-11-02T20:45:51.241+11:00Eastern Grand Palace Hotel Pattaya: Full of surprises<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53284596725_07c8652d01_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53284596725_07c8652d01_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hotels are often full of surprises. Sometimes it's an unusual location, standout architecture, fascinating backstories or an outlandish art collection.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>So when an industry colleague, Chris, invited me down to Pattaya, two hours south of Bangkok, to see his latest sales project I figured it was going to be just another hotel inspection. But, no.</div><div><br /></div><div>The expansive, 350-room <a href="Hotels are often full of surprises. Sometimes it's an unusual location, standout architecture, fascinating backstories or an outlandish art collection. So when an industry colleague, Chris, invited me down to Pattaya, two hours south of Bangkok, to see his latest sales project I figured it was going to be just another hotel inspection. But, no. The expansive, 350-room Eastern Grand Palace is located right next to the Bangkok rail line, a good few kilometres from the beachfront frenzy, which in itself could be either a pro or con. Arriving off the street into the football field-size carpark, one is greeted by the first of many intriguing works of art scattered throughout the property like Easter Eggs. It's a substantial bronze sculpture in the form of a circular waterworks adorned by two shapely female aquatic nymphs. One's first reaction could easily be to recoil at the tackiness of the dated installation. But wait, look closer. The execution is quite fine and the sculptor's proportions are precise and intricately defined. As we explore further, I learn the constant cooling breezes that swirl through the foyer and lobby are thanks to the planned positioning of alcoves around the floor's perimeter. As a result, expensive air conditioning bills are avoided. Clever. Now, the backstory. The eight-storey Eastern Grand Palace was a vision of Chinese-Thai real estate tycoon, xxx xxx, begun from the skeletal formwork of a failed condominium some 20 years ago. The eighth floor was added to the existing structure as were numerous secondary structures such as retail outlets, restaurants, pool and a whopping function centre capable of entertaining up to 500 guests or delegates. Chris introduces me to Khun Kit, the son of xx xx who has embraced the hospitality side of the family enterprise. Kit is surprisingly forthcoming with the historical development of what has become his ambitious pet project. “Following the COVID years my father had become disenchanted with the hotel business and had decided to abandon this hotel,” Kit tells me, “but after some energetic discussion with my father, he agreed to let me reopen and revive this family asset.” Chris and Kit show me around the ballroom and function centre, still festooned with the trappings of a recently completed conference. Despite the dated décor, it's clearly all set to host its next conference. Away from the seaside mayhem, the centre offers a much quieter location, ample parking and a fiercely competitive rate. Next door, the vacant restaurant, the former White Horse, is something of a work-in-progress. It's a kind of alpine chalet meets Irish Pub meets sports bar. In the courtyard and inside are more of these surprising bronze sculptures. But frankly, it needs a big rethink. My room is a generous 45sqm, about twice the size of some recent newbuild rooms I've sampled recently. The bed is firm and comfortable and while largely unremarkable, everything works just as it should. At this point in time, the occupancy rate – away from conferences – is nothing to write home about and I enjoy a hearty, if spartan breakfast with less than a dozen fellow diners. [lunch dinner?] On my way to the room I find myself stopping to admire a bronze figurine set into the wall next to the lifts. About the size of a pixie and in some unknown attire, she's executing a dance routine with such a blissful demeanour that she demands attention. While you can argue the artistic merits of the other pieces, she is just divine and I enquire as to her origin. I'm met with blank faces and shrugged shoulders but resolve to uncover her history. Watch this space. Fact File: jjjj hgyge iuguegd" target="_blank">Eastern Grand Palace</a> is located right next to the Bangkok rail line, a good few kilometres from the beachfront frenzy, which in itself could be either a pro or con. Trains are infrequent and unlikely to cause any disturbance and the Pattaya South platform is a handy asset.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53301623809_0ef0d4574e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="967" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53301623809_0ef0d4574e_b.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><br />Arriving off the street into the football field-size car park, one is greeted by the first of many intriguing works of art scattered throughout the property like Easter Eggs. It's a substantial bronze sculpture in the form of a circular waterworks adorned by two shapely female aquatic nymphs. One's first reaction could easily be to recoil at the tackiness of the dated installation. But wait, look closer. The execution is quite fine and the sculptor's proportions are precise and intricately defined. </div><div><br /></div><div>As we explore further, I learn the constant cooling breezes that swirl through the foyer and lobby are thanks to the planned positioning of alcoves around the floor's perimeter. As a result, expensive air conditioning bills are avoided. Clever.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.easterngrandpalacepattaya.com/images/joomlart/dine_relax/pool-full.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="427" src="https://www.easterngrandpalacepattaya.com/images/joomlart/dine_relax/pool-full.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The expansive pool is quite impressive (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Now, the backstory. The eight-storey Eastern Grand Palace was a vision of Chinese-Thai real estate tycoon, Weechet Kanjanakit, begun from the skeletal formwork of a failed condominium some 20 years ago. The eighth floor was added to the existing structure as were numerous secondary structures such as retail outlets, restaurants, pool and a whopping function centre capable of entertaining up to 500 guests or delegates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chris introduces me to Khun Kit, the son and heir apparent who has embraced the hospitality side of the family enterprise. Kit is surprisingly forthcoming with the historical development of what has become his ambitious pet project.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Following the COVID years my father had become disenchanted with the hospitality business and the hotel became neglected,” Kit tells me, “but after some energetic discussion with my father, he agreed to let me reopen and revive this family asset.”</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.easterngrandpalacepattaya.com/images/joomlart/meetings/blog/rattanakosin-full.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://www.easterngrandpalacepattaya.com/images/joomlart/meetings/blog/rattanakosin-full.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rattanakosin ballroom is the largest function room at the Eastern Grand and can for special functions even be extended by the large lobby on front of it. (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Chris and Kit show me around the ballroom and function centre, still festooned with the trappings of a recently completed conference. Despite the dated décor, it's clearly all set to host its next conference. Away from the seaside mayhem, the centre offers a much quieter location, ample parking and a fiercely competitive rate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next door, the vacant restaurant, the former White Horse, is something of a 'work-in-progress'. It's a kind of alpine chalet meets Irish Pub meets sports bar. In the courtyard and inside are more of these surprising bronze sculptures. But frankly, it needs a big rethink.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cf.bstatic.com/xdata/images/hotel/max1024x768/51187612.jpg?k=9679c12be603fa77ad723ed9b41c4152520fdd3a44f591c4a1a3c12685636f01&o=&hp=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1024" height="435" src="https://cf.bstatic.com/xdata/images/hotel/max1024x768/51187612.jpg?k=9679c12be603fa77ad723ed9b41c4152520fdd3a44f591c4a1a3c12685636f01&o=&hp=1" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Premium rooms are generously sized (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy2gGumUq4e15EyHBzM9ZxXsRZrngo-V51nZCEyXJxbCeTZvYqniAz-ZF7qZn3DP-UYk8BwqOJAKxBWTqx879dZ-evjGq4iNNA1mdmt1OiqWjYK9MWsOS6ukz6jKYwIYNwZK8pnTD4GH6qlGXxVErngT198RVbcGb-E6ebK74hLRvdAmMpDMAq=w163-h320" width="163" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exquisite figurine (RE)</td></tr></tbody></table>My room is a generous 45sqm, about twice the size of some recent newbuild rooms I've sampled recently. The bed is firm and comfortable and while largely unremarkable, everything works just as it should.</div><div><br /></div><div>At this point in time, the occupancy rate – away from conferences – is nothing to write home about and I enjoy a hearty, if spartan breakfast with less than a dozen fellow diners. While I didn't dine at either lunch or dinner, I'm informed the restaurant is open for these meal times.<br /><br />On my way to the room, I find myself stopping to admire a bronze figurine set into the wall next to the lifts. About the size of a pixie and in some unknown attire, she's executing a dance routine with such a blissful demeanour that she demands attention. While you can argue the artistic merits of the other pieces, she is just divine and I enquire as to her origin. I'm met with blank faces and shrugged shoulders but resolve to uncover her history. Watch this space.<br /><br />Even if you're not staying at the hotel, it is an intriguing visit all the same. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fact File:</b><br /><br />Eastern Grand Palace Hotel Pattaya<br />99/1 Soi Khao-ta-lo, Sukhumvit Rd.</div><div>Nongprue, Banglamung,<br />Chonburi 20150, Thailand</div><div>Email: info@easterngrandpalacepattaya.com<br />Ph: +66 (0) 808 19 4493 <br />Web: <a href="https://www.easterngrandpalacepattaya.com/en/">https://www.easterngrandpalacepattaya.com/en/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>[ <a href="https://www.myxcaliber.com/ibe/b/Eastern-Grand-Palace-Pattaya#/room" style="background-color: #fcff01;" target="_blank">MAKE A BOOKING</a> ]</b></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-62191811080619481512023-10-28T03:13:00.003+11:002023-10-28T03:33:38.731+11:00Fly Xiamen Air via China for a cheap ticket. But be prepared.<div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfHpapOm_HTRWT5IpdnpcYilv4sFU3Rg2Tyd-f6zjjG9AFIYjxfupnLWoR5N7JDG7WDaqQto6O_SK_zFzg52N3Ekgq2Ja6eQxCwDzM0N5eWQj5Ed09kAXUrPPdmzz6pmoQB4Z4OMIX4LPJUzedf6KEdZPez2rXUyKIrBfGGn2yBIXGCJ0K4mhJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="793" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfHpapOm_HTRWT5IpdnpcYilv4sFU3Rg2Tyd-f6zjjG9AFIYjxfupnLWoR5N7JDG7WDaqQto6O_SK_zFzg52N3Ekgq2Ja6eQxCwDzM0N5eWQj5Ed09kAXUrPPdmzz6pmoQB4Z4OMIX4LPJUzedf6KEdZPez2rXUyKIrBfGGn2yBIXGCJ0K4mhJ=w640-h260" width="640" /></a></div><br />Attracted by the relatively low fares, I decided to test run an economy <a href="https://www.xiamenair.com/en-au/" target="_blank">Xiaman Air</a> (MF) flight from Bangkok to Sydney via Xiamen in mainland China.</div><div><br /></div><div>In order to circumvent potential complications I have found with Asian airline sites, I chose to book via Booking.com which did make the process a lot simpler with its familiar steps.</div><div><br /></div><div>The matter that unfortunately left a gaping hole in the customer satisfaction score was the messy and inefficient <a href="https://www.xiamenair.com/en-au/article-detail?articleLink=%2Fcms-i18n-ow%2Fcms-en-au%2Fchannels%2F11159.json" target="_blank">transfer process</a> at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN).<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>When I initially saw the five-hour layover in XMN, I thought “Okay, I’ll find a comfy lounge and settle in. Maybe do some emails.”</div><div><br /></div><div>What I know now is that I needed almost all of that time to navigate the agonising procedures just getting to my next leg. Bear in mind I was only a transit passenger with luggage already checked through to Sydney and with a bright blue “transfer” sticker now adorning my shirt, should I get lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>From my experience, most airlines will give you your onward sector’s boarding pass at initial check-in. Not MF. I was told my seat was allocated, but I had to get my second boarding pass in XMN. Hmmm, okay.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also had to make a health declaration on a badly translated website while checking in. The beleaguered staff member just waved me away. “You do it later” and gestured impatiently to the departure door.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuDPSycWOvhJHCRx6ArHbxQAoW2ABMqYSrFTTK4Ka64379XYycdmzkqdEoidQ1PHtwBWkt_k6Siuetib1SNm40kH9kHAKEGEWFSxfA6Ow51oGOd6uayv8ePMHEJc6GNXU0eFZV7aUQ3weGVJsNjIMorGrA2eVdtI_-dZyFyafbx9c1HuRkZuIz" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="900" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuDPSycWOvhJHCRx6ArHbxQAoW2ABMqYSrFTTK4Ka64379XYycdmzkqdEoidQ1PHtwBWkt_k6Siuetib1SNm40kH9kHAKEGEWFSxfA6Ow51oGOd6uayv8ePMHEJc6GNXU0eFZV7aUQ3weGVJsNjIMorGrA2eVdtI_-dZyFyafbx9c1HuRkZuIz=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xiamen Air B787 Dreamliner. The airline has twelve. (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The actual “in-air” service was fine. The planes were in my case a B737 NG and B787 Dreamliner. Xiamen Air’s fleet of 160 planes’ average age is less than 10 years, so you could call them a “new” airline. I subsequently deduced the average age of MF staff was not much more.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQUsp5UmZEk0sCCBdRKD6JTZmvEAq94d_S5DIjBM-lwZ1rGFc23IK6ygktQ8yas0maIO0boFwR1hSp3zph3rfpDk5-JZiNk1tBMbecCatCls4R54uN2DeXOeV37AY5-EycpmK6rJUxtYL2mORF3gW43pYWEkbOuGiUKPLjced4rtQtL9-R9b3/s900/xiamen%20airline%20staff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="900" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQUsp5UmZEk0sCCBdRKD6JTZmvEAq94d_S5DIjBM-lwZ1rGFc23IK6ygktQ8yas0maIO0boFwR1hSp3zph3rfpDk5-JZiNk1tBMbecCatCls4R54uN2DeXOeV37AY5-EycpmK6rJUxtYL2mORF3gW43pYWEkbOuGiUKPLjced4rtQtL9-R9b3/w640-h384/xiamen%20airline%20staff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young and attractive Xiamen Air female cabin crew (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The food was quite satisfactory and obviously tailored to Asian palates, served politely and efficiently by the well-presented crew. I say “well-presented” although I was concerned about the young female staff who, despite immaculate presentation, were waif-thin and at least visually, mid-20s. I secretly wondered whether they had to maintain a specific weight. <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/airline-defends-flight-attendant-weight-restrictions-after-backlash/7dfc93db-6f40-49d3-9d10-d0cf50077450" target="_blank">One Chinese airline</a> was rebuked recently for setting an upper weight limit of 49kg for their female cabin crew and staff. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Chinese have their own rules for disembarking an aircraft, so I just sat back and let the melee ensue, comfortable that I would gain no advantage in hurrying. Following the bright green “Transfer” signs through the labyrinthine path, I found myself among the voluminous mass waiting for immigration clearance at the four of 20 open desks. The few European passengers and I shared shrugs and bewildered glances. I’ve seen wounded snails travel faster than this queue. Thankfully I was able to sail through customs and found myself in China!</div><div><br /></div><div>Glancing at my watch, I thought it best to get back in and get it over with. At this point, a visit to the dentist had more appeal.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKfOO1ehcZJPFGa6xxGUq-1UY-dQfe05_NwqPa0lOnWQHp1GJAqjR26jyX373aGxj4zXru-cTgN2igTq_XdvpXSscSOHTHhf2vfpX7CxdmcC4FzFmQxKtAfsyeNZZtpYy2ocUINg02sdT5bd8X1PLX81SL-skrITedkZVunhlF5QeqEPnFcicY" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKfOO1ehcZJPFGa6xxGUq-1UY-dQfe05_NwqPa0lOnWQHp1GJAqjR26jyX373aGxj4zXru-cTgN2igTq_XdvpXSscSOHTHhf2vfpX7CxdmcC4FzFmQxKtAfsyeNZZtpYy2ocUINg02sdT5bd8X1PLX81SL-skrITedkZVunhlF5QeqEPnFcicY=w320-h302" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of the stagnant Transfer Desk queue</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Halted abruptly at the door I had to produce my passport, health declaration (fortunately screenshot) and … “Boarding pass?” I just shook my head and pointed to my lovely blue sticker to which the enthusiastic young official pointed vaguely to somewhere beyond the oversize cartoon figures greeting new passengers.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There is an actual 'transfer lounge' sort-of resembling a 'club' but with scant snacks and refreshments for purchase. But I still felt naked without my boarding pass.</div><div><br />After a search of the various counters and a couple of practice queues, I was eventually ushered by a sympathetic official who saw my big blue dot to the … (ominous music) … Transfer Desk where I joined another stagnant mass of bewildered passengers while gorgeous sky blue-suited attendants hovered nearby. The scene was intermittently interrupted by a young male supervisor feverishly clutching a 2-way and dashing behind the desk, looking very concerned at the check-in screen and running away again.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the time I acquired my cherished boarding pass and made my way to the gate lounge, it was 15 minutes before boarding time. Time to grab a snack? Even as the food counters pulled down their shutters, I could see my quest was in vain. “Alipay, WeChat, Cash only. No credit cards”.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was too exhausted to grapple with the convoluted airport free WiFi and while WiFi is available on board, it is a pay-to-use service.</div><div><br /></div><div>When <a href="https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/CXA801" target="_blank">MF801</a> arrived in Sydney 9 hours later, it was a joy to breeze through our automated system and be waved cheerfully through customs. My case arrived in one piece and I was out the door in no time, leaving me wondering just what the heck all that nonsense was in Xiamen.</div><div><br /></div><div>So folks, if you are contemplating the discount fare via a stop in Xiamen, brace yourself.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><i>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. </i>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-31074758864221739132023-10-25T03:35:00.007+11:002023-10-28T03:55:44.145+11:00Two nights at the new Dorsett Hotel in Melbourne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOVh6TXXdoKOyMDPvnPJOYl9gQE5fPxKw_oblHBeieDF7ltJWLGp5l8IEO7FZlTn3AgVlSxpzEE7OQEKAjFUL9eGgdbDgi2VCDN5HaQXHLKctbBz1VfBWw1dX8xpLZZ1JziOUZ42GbRofNSC1OTIta1dUEThiSE5aE_Q58zA_EvJYdHvt6PKAZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1024" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOVh6TXXdoKOyMDPvnPJOYl9gQE5fPxKw_oblHBeieDF7ltJWLGp5l8IEO7FZlTn3AgVlSxpzEE7OQEKAjFUL9eGgdbDgi2VCDN5HaQXHLKctbBz1VfBWw1dX8xpLZZ1JziOUZ42GbRofNSC1OTIta1dUEThiSE5aE_Q58zA_EvJYdHvt6PKAZ=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />Have to say I quite enjoyed my two-night stay at the new <a href="https://www.dorsetthotels.com/dorsett-melbourne/index.html" target="_blank">Dorsett Hotel</a> in Little Lonsdale Street, central Melbourne. Review by Ian McIntosh.<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSPAZeg-iRmYyufEpI_SCjLOZjDOe1dwanlC-LC6btLAQ1_Uy-bGxuBsXaApP-Sugl5vypuHflAqs4T2sKlndKXXhkqbzSPMcZMHMQolA4qZy4ogX0ql_ATrDqKipyBq4ySoyY2RD-QL8imnSMLvlwobYfxAhsCDsdfadh22GNRVyJawQjPHS1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="420" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSPAZeg-iRmYyufEpI_SCjLOZjDOe1dwanlC-LC6btLAQ1_Uy-bGxuBsXaApP-Sugl5vypuHflAqs4T2sKlndKXXhkqbzSPMcZMHMQolA4qZy4ogX0ql_ATrDqKipyBq4ySoyY2RD-QL8imnSMLvlwobYfxAhsCDsdfadh22GNRVyJawQjPHS1" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Automated check-in (Ian McIntosh)</td></tr></tbody></table>The property opened in Autumn 2023 and offers 316 stylishly appointed hotel rooms and suites. I don't know if any of the rooms get a view - mine certainly didn’t - but there are lots of plusses that I will outline later. For a start the hotel is a short walk from Melbourne's famed SkyBus airport/city link. A senior like me can buy a return ticket for $30. Just for the record a cab would cost about $90 each way. Check-in was quick and easy - and there is an automated check-in system available - not that I saw anyone use it. There is a nice little cocktail bar on the ground floor as you walk in - don't miss the happy hour. Lifts are quick on the way up but due to a technical hitch kept stopping at each floor on the way down which was vaguely annoying. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic1CE_A82H4WMkULPa_fgpPtkABAIO1994Gs_tbl80gOODVheO0Q1uhE5VOth5dglH0Jl_EqYEuEzpqdvAj6Jq6jgy7XT2gZ5_da7naMs_9fHbj2pvwHC__RGpTGyPiQIRwap9_IMgH_W7775l7N5b93DRx7mnBd6wljzu1DtvCjEFtS5Mm_Rf" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic1CE_A82H4WMkULPa_fgpPtkABAIO1994Gs_tbl80gOODVheO0Q1uhE5VOth5dglH0Jl_EqYEuEzpqdvAj6Jq6jgy7XT2gZ5_da7naMs_9fHbj2pvwHC__RGpTGyPiQIRwap9_IMgH_W7775l7N5b93DRx7mnBd6wljzu1DtvCjEFtS5Mm_Rf=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorsett Room (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My mid-sized room was nicely furnished - not a large wardrobe but who needs that these days? The desk was small as well - adequate though for one computer - and yes a USB slot and power were nearby. Slots either side of the bed as well - essential these days but you don't always see it - even in new properties. The bedside lights are bright and adjustable - there is a safe - but badly located - you need to get on your knees to set it up. Nice to see wine and ordinary glasses - and yes there is a coffee machine. There is a small carton of longline milk in the fridge - but that’s it. Bit of a letdown there - quite like a beer after a day travelling. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFfB11ifUi5DID1oQMdwu5Oz1Oaov27Lq0ujWuAk5gk4M9QyQq97fsP-5xWYdyJ12yawZPMfyg0wX5vBkVq1Zt7lCH4sWGft1LwH5gqZmZdhB2gwVnJ-XMxOI_h5-Y15UBLbxQjGC-FwgkeddbJBfsgROEjAMa4hkhJZtyWTyFflb38sDRu35F" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1024" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFfB11ifUi5DID1oQMdwu5Oz1Oaov27Lq0ujWuAk5gk4M9QyQq97fsP-5xWYdyJ12yawZPMfyg0wX5vBkVq1Zt7lCH4sWGft1LwH5gqZmZdhB2gwVnJ-XMxOI_h5-Y15UBLbxQjGC-FwgkeddbJBfsgROEjAMa4hkhJZtyWTyFflb38sDRu35F=w640-h486" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorsett Room bathroom (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The bathroom sports a walk-in shower with pump packs of shampoo and whatever stuck on the wall. Not a favourite of mine - but these turned out to be squeeze packs - much easier to use. I prefer soap - but not even a little square in sight. One big fail - the water on/off tap is on the same wall as the handheld spray unit - so you have to get wet to turn the water on. I made the mistake of assuming the rain shower was selected - and copped a full blast of freezing Melbourne water right in the chest from the handheld unit. It needs to be turned towards the wall by housekeeping. The best plan is to have the on/off tap on the opposite wall to the spray units. The aircon was efficient and very quiet. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><img border="0" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/transparent.gif" /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQDvxIidMkydZF-WqdfN-x_svDq04Lk89kwDQQ0odDUcYFNkr_dIagLatylk5KktS81KGMwUHqDg-LTh9gVeaYMtzJZAQpICY8q9JvnAH1KWyN2eVUw5O6B05SohkV2aFdrq0HqXG_dddxjM7CK79AVbjSx2FlN0ChqJ9607GgDHIM8AkkLqDb" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQDvxIidMkydZF-WqdfN-x_svDq04Lk89kwDQQ0odDUcYFNkr_dIagLatylk5KktS81KGMwUHqDg-LTh9gVeaYMtzJZAQpICY8q9JvnAH1KWyN2eVUw5O6B05SohkV2aFdrq0HqXG_dddxjM7CK79AVbjSx2FlN0ChqJ9607GgDHIM8AkkLqDb=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Dorsett breakfast venue (Ian McIntosh)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Next morning down to floor one for breakfast - and it really was an excellent experience - both for the variety of offerings and the super pleasant gals serving down there. The restaurant is well designed - the cooking area is wide open for all to see. I thought the casserole-style lids on the smorgasbord offerings were a bit on the heavy side - but you can put them on special holders nearby. I finished breakfast with a delicious hot chocolate one of the girls insisted on making for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it was a very pleasant stay. The is a pool and gym on on of the upper floors by the way.</div><br />Dorsett Melbourne<br />615 Little Lonsdale Street<br />Melbourne VIC 3000<br />T: (03) 9123 4888<br />W: <a href="https://www.dorsetthotels.com/dorsett-melbourne/index.html">https://www.dorsetthotels.com/dorsett-melbourne/index.html</a>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-78438855335157290952023-09-28T20:56:00.007+10:002023-09-29T18:21:54.954+10:00Prancing horses and preening: Ferrari Factory Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDYfPpuxLdkaa55GNkXuyEJ7DSKGeCkW6K4AdIvGbwbddmcLUPGHWQDYiZgMNzeiJ50M7o6n4XjvZ8enqQJiJWP3tzfn6r1IYr7JY4XvXLsmrB7ugo4RZFGE8dCVxwaas3dysCa5M9z9_2Gol2CBDC4AlDYo7KFTGLSusFZflmkxdgCR613zM/s2048/382303526_690451859306398_671618696967624534_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="2048" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDYfPpuxLdkaa55GNkXuyEJ7DSKGeCkW6K4AdIvGbwbddmcLUPGHWQDYiZgMNzeiJ50M7o6n4XjvZ8enqQJiJWP3tzfn6r1IYr7JY4XvXLsmrB7ugo4RZFGE8dCVxwaas3dysCa5M9z9_2Gol2CBDC4AlDYo7KFTGLSusFZflmkxdgCR613zM/w640-h258/382303526_690451859306398_671618696967624534_n.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />By Jim Mathers in Maranello <div><br /></div><div>It was a fitting start. A bus pulled up and a bunch of young Italian men, most of them sporting a Mattia Binotto hairstyle, jumped out, casually flicked their hair back and posed for a group photo under the Ferrari sign. They then scampered towards us to join the short queue to enter the Maranello Ferrari Museum. A block away, a Ferrari engine roared to life as a visitor jumped into the passenger seat for a paid ‘test drive’.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF0IgHzVxc0TbzE7CQX2UkFja-42T7OKsAji6UfWFY4fxR9DB9R5GjrwADs82NDruR7ouBHZkLLvwwZAeZhZ75CjJgkoU0XUKcy-WwpR-OjU9l-ozPU6SNk77_1MZLrVz9hmxubLQVGDpFyUKWdF37ba1njNPxdZJ5DAQZagWtcUAGZwBOD9j/s1591/382268902_1051809869149147_8784724332333442660_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1591" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF0IgHzVxc0TbzE7CQX2UkFja-42T7OKsAji6UfWFY4fxR9DB9R5GjrwADs82NDruR7ouBHZkLLvwwZAeZhZ75CjJgkoU0XUKcy-WwpR-OjU9l-ozPU6SNk77_1MZLrVz9hmxubLQVGDpFyUKWdF37ba1njNPxdZJ5DAQZagWtcUAGZwBOD9j/s320/382268902_1051809869149147_8784724332333442660_n.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>We’d decided to have a gander at the larger museum at Maranello. There’s also an Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena (Maranello is about about 30 mins from Modena). It’s a bit smaller but no less fancy, as you’d expect from Ferrari. But the museum at Maranello has more of a focus on production racing and Formula 1 cars, which piqued our interest. As we were staying in Modena, we briefly visited the Enzo Ferrari Museum but that was mainly to catch the shuttle bus to Maranello after having a quick and very decent machiatto in the resident cafe to kick start the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can easily do the museum at Maranello in an hour and a half. </div><div><br /></div><div>There’s a special display covering Scuderia-Ferrari’s 90 years in F1, with several cars featured, including the championship cars of Schumacher and Raikonnen. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can also wander amongst several red or yellow Ferrari supercars, including the GTO, F40, F50 and Ferrari Enzo. There is some fine machinery here. </div><div><br /></div><div>For 30 euros you can sign up for a go on one of four F1 simulators, after you’ve drooled over the fine cars in the museum. A 10-minute ‘drive’ on the simulator includes three minutes of instruction. Plenty of people gather to watch, so you can have a race day-like audience cheering on your perfectly executed high-speed crashes. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi195GNnjAb0jWFbAxLiEH6DmzkiFCFDa2ToMIsdhjF4DpGkwZNfe2q8qli75qk0ldufeWZkDZskQFEwJ6MkDinb2fRa_wYsjNEZVksSou2-AhPChiP5t2-O6Weoo7Kzul-Vf4pO4swomwecOtRksCEfaGcyRQiX0JoZsSgJoslsIVGoq29RkUZ/s875/330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="875" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi195GNnjAb0jWFbAxLiEH6DmzkiFCFDa2ToMIsdhjF4DpGkwZNfe2q8qli75qk0ldufeWZkDZskQFEwJ6MkDinb2fRa_wYsjNEZVksSou2-AhPChiP5t2-O6Weoo7Kzul-Vf4pO4swomwecOtRksCEfaGcyRQiX0JoZsSgJoslsIVGoq29RkUZ/w640-h426/330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There is, of course, the obligatory merch shop. You can pick up a pair of Ferrari-branded espresso cups for 30 euros or a nice Ferrari t-shirt for 80 euros. They also sell Ferrari leather jackets but the purchase of one of these might require you to first mortgage your house. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you like fine cars, and Ferraris in particular, a visit to Maranello’s house of prancing horses is worth the effort. Entry costs 22 euros, or you can buy a combined ticket to both museums for 30 euros. You can add a factory and track tour for 20 euros (you stay in the bus). The shuttle bus between the two venues costs 12 euros return. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLnozNaFF859zTFIatLYy1vJqnE2-6TbJAw9gQCdzFSobpmgSW9GyWjf22dEw7nLT5B8r2ijkocdANW2ietyXJv-yJnFkqlHABOVInEhT4XopxmAaCmVnx3dMnrAGzzVFlagxM1fyL756CAloB0hTN4izihuxY6bF7fQmiHuvsrs9zteLDzES/s587/jm.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="587" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLnozNaFF859zTFIatLYy1vJqnE2-6TbJAw9gQCdzFSobpmgSW9GyWjf22dEw7nLT5B8r2ijkocdANW2ietyXJv-yJnFkqlHABOVInEhT4XopxmAaCmVnx3dMnrAGzzVFlagxM1fyL756CAloB0hTN4izihuxY6bF7fQmiHuvsrs9zteLDzES/w200-h200/jm.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Now freelancing,</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mathers-261880b/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Jim Mathers</a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">was<br />managing editor of RACQ's</span><span style="text-align: left;"> <br /></span><i style="text-align: left;">The Road Ahead</i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">for nearly<br />25 years. He's also pretty<br /> handy on the guitar.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-2353422678190729212023-09-19T16:51:00.004+10:002023-09-19T16:58:44.835+10:00Cooperative Swiss: Shopping and saving in the Alps<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVDzxNg9723eiGRI0Fib_k20v7eZzHSUQII0Xpyn1Icsofoay_rB2KZE62gcyiXb-uZnG5UN472b_1KG7PJfBESH773ZL0vTJM7efn2tYauv0w2gijywxmFKJwsdF6Irxpkhl2ky3GgSd2gbH0msY20FdvY5-JAaugkDmCtRFFcPJ4zScVp__/s911/379497263_6381060955355153_4741223093379549925_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="704" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVDzxNg9723eiGRI0Fib_k20v7eZzHSUQII0Xpyn1Icsofoay_rB2KZE62gcyiXb-uZnG5UN472b_1KG7PJfBESH773ZL0vTJM7efn2tYauv0w2gijywxmFKJwsdF6Irxpkhl2ky3GgSd2gbH0msY20FdvY5-JAaugkDmCtRFFcPJ4zScVp__/w309-h400/379497263_6381060955355153_4741223093379549925_n.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There’s a Coop not far from the statue of the late, great Freddie Mercury at Montreux<br />… an extra bonus is the free loo near the entrance!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><b>In Switzerland, the Coop is your friend. Jim Mathers loves the way Swiss shop.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>While Switzerland is amongst the most scenically beautiful destinations in the world, it is also amongst the most expensive to visit. Coop is a chain of generally very well-stocked supermarkets (Migros is another, but we found Coop to be a bit better). You’ll find these outlets everywhere and you’ll almost always find one near a train station. One of the great things about Coops is their range of pre-prepared foods. You can pick up a ham and cheese sandwich, salad roll, a vege wrap, dozens of types of cheese, a sausage roll, a full salad plate, some fresh pastries and all manner of drinks, including beer and wine. This is handy if you’re jumping on a long-distance train and don’t want to spend big bucks on an onboard meal. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>With water, I’d recommend bringing your own water bottle and filling it up with crystal clear Swiss water whenever it needs a top up. It’s better for the environment and will save you having to buy that 6 Swiss Franc (A$10.40) bottle of water on a long-distance train trip (beer is cheaper). </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkggEISZZ1JAMfaIWDueLaooJE4tDRy87MpdvhEynZk49kQwgHeEFQWvQrdXjDnO39kN5sTDhp1aRHPVUjuHwbeNpMwszn0M_lZCwPdl4Uq1wyGLf6WHmzP0TogBPgCeq0iByU187KQlyDarrzpPIiHne2PGOcz_aFMz8acHSqr2eZ_SyWqrJy/s805/379311029_221536514235040_4438115768400337298_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="805" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkggEISZZ1JAMfaIWDueLaooJE4tDRy87MpdvhEynZk49kQwgHeEFQWvQrdXjDnO39kN5sTDhp1aRHPVUjuHwbeNpMwszn0M_lZCwPdl4Uq1wyGLf6WHmzP0TogBPgCeq0iByU187KQlyDarrzpPIiHne2PGOcz_aFMz8acHSqr2eZ_SyWqrJy/w640-h436/379311029_221536514235040_4438115768400337298_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is in Zurich ‘old town’ along the Limmat River.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Eating out in restaurants in Switzerland will usually cost you a pretty penny. While it’s a nice thing to do, it will burn a hole in your pocket if you’re doing it twice a day, every day. A Coop is a good alternative if you’re staying at a destination and want to have a picnic rather than always eating at a cafe or restaurant. You can grab supplies (supporting beverages included) for a picnic lunch or early dinner somewhere beside a lake, rather than eating in. There are mountain views around every second corner here, and in Summer and the shoulder seasons it is light until late, so toss out a towel and soak up the views while you consume your more modestly priced ‘supermarket’ feast. It’s a good option. You’ll save a lot of money if you can do this once a day. </div><div><br /></div>Coops also sell chemist items, so you can ibuprofen-up before enduring the headache of your next arduous journey towing the 20kg of luggage you swore you’d never bring. Make sure you bring your sunscreen from home though. Even in a Coop it’s about 23-26 francs (A$39-$45) a bottle. Both your skin and wallet will thank you.<br /><br /><b>TIP: </b> The <a href="https://www.sbb.ch/en" target="_blank">SBB transport portal</a> is a brilliant tool for anyone travelling in Switzerland. It has comprehensive trip info and you can buy tickets, store them and track your trips. The SBB app in particular is the best I’ve ever used.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLnozNaFF859zTFIatLYy1vJqnE2-6TbJAw9gQCdzFSobpmgSW9GyWjf22dEw7nLT5B8r2ijkocdANW2ietyXJv-yJnFkqlHABOVInEhT4XopxmAaCmVnx3dMnrAGzzVFlagxM1fyL756CAloB0hTN4izihuxY6bF7fQmiHuvsrs9zteLDzES/s587/jm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="587" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLnozNaFF859zTFIatLYy1vJqnE2-6TbJAw9gQCdzFSobpmgSW9GyWjf22dEw7nLT5B8r2ijkocdANW2ietyXJv-yJnFkqlHABOVInEhT4XopxmAaCmVnx3dMnrAGzzVFlagxM1fyL756CAloB0hTN4izihuxY6bF7fQmiHuvsrs9zteLDzES/w200-h200/jm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Now freelancing, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mathers-261880b/" target="_blank">Jim Mathers</a> was managing editor of RACQ's <i>The Road Ahead</i> for nearly 25 years. He's also pretty handy on the guitar.</div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-520972842768042812023-09-14T15:47:00.008+10:002023-09-18T12:44:48.528+10:00Flash Lithgow, Wallerawang and Portland<div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53113140253_f5ebc915fb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53113140253_f5ebc915fb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />An easy day drive or ride from Sydney and a historical centrepiece of the NSW Central Tablelands, Lithgow is easily overlooked as riders head west out to Bathurst and beyond</b></div><div><br /></div><div>So I stopped in for an extended stay and exploration of the former industrial town and its neighbouring villages of Wallerwang and Portland. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>My ride for the occasion was the <a href="https://www.harleyheaven.com.au/harley-davidson-fltrxs-b.html" target="_blank">MY23 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special</a> 114ci (FLTRXS) in eye-catching (excuse understatement) Baja Orange. With much-improved road surfaces and plenty of byway options to explore, the burly Orange-Utan was the perfect choice for the chilly late winter weather. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Arrival</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53180571085_1c22a57b53_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53180571085_1c22a57b53_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />As the Blue Mountains continue to be subsumed into the Greater Sydney Region, the Bells Line of Roads (B59) now presents the most pleasing passage to Lithgow. Historically, the road formed part of the indigenous peoples’ pathways and was surveyed by Mr Bell in 1823.</div><div><br /></div><div>A minor road for much of its early history, it was substantially upgraded during WWII as both an alternate access road to the Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange armaments factories, as well as an escape route, should evacuation of Sydney become necessary. </div><div><br /></div><div>Riders need to be aware of constant police monitoring, changing speed limits and cameras. If you haven’t ridden it for a while, take note that the maximum speed limit along the entire route from Windsor to Lithgow is now 80kmh.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lithgow in a Flash</b></div><div><br /></div><div>You’ll be ready for a hot coffee at the very least or a substantial snack after the 90-minute ride from Windsor and I have uncovered a couple of very worthwhile spots in town.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the traditional of Australia’s great Greek roadside cafes, Tim and Alex at El Latte in the main street serve excellent bikers’ fare with burgers, schnitzels and salads alongside traditional Greek delicacies like moussaka, yiros and souvlaki.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103425877_d0024896f3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103425877_d0024896f3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aimee and her team at Cafe Bar 128</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I’m a demon for a good pie and across the road at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cafe.bar128" target="_blank">Café.bar128</a>, vivacious Aimee and her team always have brilliant pies on menu rotation. I jagged a beef bourguignon and it was outstanding. But the menu goes way beyond simple pies to amazing soups and meats and a huge array of hot and cold drinks. </div><div><br /></div><div>Feeling a bit fancy? Evening meals at Frankies at the Zig Zag Motel are next level. If you’re a steak lover like me, Chef Frank will delight in turning out the best medium-rare rib eye you’ve had in a long time. Run by the Inzitari family from southern Italy, you can count on brilliant pizza and pasta too.</div><div><br /></div><div>At time of writing, the Lithgow Workers Club (aka Workies) were revamping their restaurant kitchen, so meals only in the bistro at present. Watch this space.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>All Metal Lithgow</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Before Port Kembla, there was Lithgow, the blast furnace that once stood on what is now a park, closed in 1928 when industry moved to Port Kembla. Coal was mined in and around Lithgow beginning in the mid-19th century and continues, albeit on a much smaller scale today. </div><div><br /></div><div>The birthplace of the Australian iron and steel industry, Lithgow contains numerous heritage sites including Lithgow Blast Furnace, Australia’s first modern blast furnace. Thirty sculptures along Inch Street mark milestones in the life of the town. Old Lithgow Pottery in Silcock St. claims to be Australia’s oldest commercial pottery venture and is now used as an artists' collective. Gang Gang Gallery at 206 Main St is located in the Old Refreshments building of the Theatre Royal.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53099979328_d8810f5712_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53099979328_d8810f5712_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BP 218A in its new green paint scheme</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Great news from Lithgow is the resumption of the historic Zig Zag Railway. Against seeming insurmountable odds, the historic Zig Zag Railway is back on track after an 11-year hiatus and obstacles including bushfire, flood and vandalism. You’ll need to book way ahead if you are hoping to ride the rails.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103633031_e2d76f09e6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103633031_e2d76f09e6_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3.7in AA Guns</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Military history buffs (my hand is up) will be fascinated with the WWII Anti-Aircraft gun emplacements where period-accurate Vickers 3.7in guns have been reinstalled. The guns were brought to Lithgow to defend the armaments factory against possible attack and that factory is also a heritage site with a portion of it set aside as a museum.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103066487_19b948e7cf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103066487_19b948e7cf_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guide, Lesley, in the new Machine Shop display </td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum contains a very impressive display of WWI and WWII arms as well as the Ron Hayes handgun collection bequeathed to the museum in 2006. The factory, portions of which are still in use today, constructed predominantly the Small Magazine Lee Enfield Mk.1 No.3 (SMLE) rifle for Australian forces beginning in 1912. In between wars, it made everything from golf clubs to sewing machines. If you haven’t visited in a while, you may not have seen the cavernous machine shop display now open and chock-a-block full of all conceivable metalworking devices. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wend into ‘Wang</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have honestly lost count of the number of times I’ve driven past Wallerawang and its monolithic cooling tower and never stopped in for a look. So, for this exploration, I decided to base myself at the family-owned <a href="https://blackgoldmotel.com.au/" target="_blank">Black Gold Motel</a> for two nights - and was I impressed! This place is a gem and is the perfect choice for riding groups of any number, or even your whole chapter or club. The staff “get it” in so much as they exhibit genuine pride in their work and service levels are off the chart. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnTRBQR4SAZv-hwq6zYUd3_SbIBQTEBYOLbock0ZmmBpZ0t7xDUHtZlk8XKmA8mqO2P_u0OYPffPyM3MrhzT-PZIftZEk3-GQXUm4-VWRqJ_HJMIPvCTTovyoCCyIZEso-liv9DHhCkazpvtBBFZ8h0S5-Y3WvMygyduGUAYew4MerjPXPC7-/s1024/383761252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnTRBQR4SAZv-hwq6zYUd3_SbIBQTEBYOLbock0ZmmBpZ0t7xDUHtZlk8XKmA8mqO2P_u0OYPffPyM3MrhzT-PZIftZEk3-GQXUm4-VWRqJ_HJMIPvCTTovyoCCyIZEso-liv9DHhCkazpvtBBFZ8h0S5-Y3WvMygyduGUAYew4MerjPXPC7-/w640-h426/383761252.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shining Bright: Black Gold Motel Wallerawang (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Sitting and chatting with the patriarch and former miner, Rob Cluff, I learned a bunch about the local coal mining history and how the old school buildings were converted into boutique accommodations, much of it by Rob’s own hand. The Crib Room onsite restaurant gets rave reviews, especially if you're a curry fan. </div><div><br /></div><div>For more conventional fare, the Commercial Hotel in ‘Wang’s main street has schnitzels about the size of a manhole cover. Rooms and cabins too. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103633316_fe9023e169_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103633316_fe9023e169_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Wallace, Wallerawang</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As a base for exploration, it is a practical choice, allowing easy access to many of the immediate sites as well as Lithgow, Capertee and Portland. It was only now that I wished for an adventure bike to explore some of the unsealed trails although - as I have now learned - recent work has seen the Glen Alice and Glen Davis Road completely sealed from Capertee to Glen Davis and Rylstone. Note to self: must come back on an enduro.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Potter to Portland</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103635931_67b865eeb7_b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103635931_67b865eeb7_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>For many years, Portland was the cement-making centre of the entire region and with the closure of the massive industrial site, a new era is upon this modest town. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was met at The Foundations, the new name for the old factory, by Rich Evans who oversees the day-to-day of the site which has become a community event hub, artists’ retreat, weekend marketplace and proposed residential development in the extensive land surrounding the site and its flooded dams now full of ducks and trout.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those who have never ventured here, Portland has a couple of decent pubs, the Glen Museum of local memorabilia, some funky recreated street sign advertising and the state-of-the-art Mt Piper Power Station where you can have a tour at the onsite Energy Expo.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Great Western Remnants</b></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103633471_965b58ed19_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53103633471_965b58ed19_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surviving sections of the former Great Western Highway</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I bet many of you reading this will recall the diabolical state of the Great Western Highway that existed through these parts up until the early ‘90s. Heavy haulers and holidaymakers alike had to contend with the WWII-era concrete slab roadway that made up the highway almost the entire stretch from Lithgow to Bathurst. A couple of horrific accidents accelerated the improvement of the A32, bypassing many of the gnarly contortions that claimed so many vehicles over the years. But you can still relive the experience on some of the remaining local sections that now serve as neighbourhood streets. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you’re scratching your head for somewhere to ride, step away from the well-trodden highway and venture to the high country around Lithgow.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MORE:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53104136773_876d00dcda_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53104136773_876d00dcda_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Lithgow Visitor Information Centre, in The Lamp, opposite the historic Bowenfels Railway Station Ph: 1300 76 02 76</div><div><br /></div><div>Useful website: <a href="https://www.escapetothehighcountry.au/" target="_blank">The Lithgow Business and Lifestyle Expo</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Related Story: <a href="https://www.travlar.com/2023/08/visiting-historic-lithgow-in-nsw.html" target="_blank">Visiting Lithgow</a> || <a href="https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/lithgow-nsw" target="_blank">Lithgow at Aussie Towns</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The writer was a guest of the <a href="https://www.lithgow.org.au/" target="_blank">Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Motorcycle supplied by <a href="https://www.harley-davidson.com/au/en/index.html" target="_blank">Harley-Davidson A/NZ</a></div><div><br /></div><div>All images by <a href="http://www.motorweb.ws/p/rod-begin-riding-motorcycles-well.html" target="_blank">Roderick Eime</a> unless credited otherwise</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><i>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. </i>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-4723840160367640792023-09-08T10:12:00.004+10:002023-09-08T10:27:44.021+10:00Ten facts and myths about Cuba<div style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: -10000px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allow="autoplay 'self'; fullscreen 'self'" allowtransparency="true" aria-hidden="true" data-ruffle-polyfilled="" frameborder="0" id="fb_xdm_frame_http" name="fb_xdm_frame_http" scrolling="no" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435if_/http://static.ak.facebook.com/connect/xd_arbiter/6Dg4oLkBbYq.js?version=41#channel=fc5a75d9ef00e98&origin=http%3A%2F%2Factivetravel.com.au" style="border-style: none; border-width: initial; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="-1" title="Facebook Cross Domain Communication Frame"></iframe></span></div></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4526/24731952208_39b28f2286_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="800" height="398" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4526/24731952208_39b28f2286_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div>Cuba has long been a favourite destination among travellers. World traveller, Robert Fletcher, shares some observations from this energetic, welcoming and endearing destination.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. It’s Alive and Pumping</span></h3>Yes it is. There is a new mood following slight easing on the economic front. More opportunities are open for individuals to operate in a market system which means more stuff in shops and markets, on the streets, or made at small factories. More tourism means more cafes and repairs to infrastructure. And Cubans love to be outside – playing music, preparing meals, sitting and watching, tending their cars, parading their charming self and travelling.<div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Drums on street_sm" class="aligncenter wp-image-6210 size-full" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Drums-on-street_sm-e1415162660301.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. It’s Old</span></h3>Havana will soon be 500! The party is being prepared now with the cleaning and repairing of the monumental public buildings along with the numerous plazas. At the same time the improbable task of renovating housing is underway through a world first self funded financial arrangement. Not only are the buildings being repaired, but new hotels, museums, restaurants, galleries and community centres are incorporated into the scheme. Havana is an exciting city. Regional centres also are wonderful and their characters very diverse.</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Streetscape 3_sm" class="aligncenter wp-image-6211 size-full" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Streetscape-3_sm-e1415162826311.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3. Grumpy Old Men and Women</span></h3>Some of these characters have stern faces and look older than they are, possibly as they have lost teeth and/or endured hard lives. But it is easy to get them to smile and laugh. First appearances could be off-putting but all people (well most) are lovely, friendly, helpful and up for a joke. If you speak a little bit of Spanish ‘hola!’, ‘buenos dias’ and ‘gracias’ you are on your way to receiving a big friendly smile.</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="People" class="aligncenter wp-image-6212 size-full" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/People-e1415163665320.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">4. The Food is ..Well</span></h3>Very good – if you know where to go. Otherwise ready yourself for cheese and ham. With the relaxation of rules on private business there are more small restaurants in homes offering very good meals in attractive settings. Meals at hotels vary depending on hotel category and supply. But don’t worry you won’t go hungry. The worst that can happen is you will end up bored and never be able to look at a ham and cheese toastie for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, junk snack stuff is available more readily than a banana but at the end of the day at least there’s always a cocktail!</div><div><br /> <p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="P1130530" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6213" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/P1130530-e1415163822751.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">5. All the Cars are Collectible</span></h3>No they are not. Some are rubbish rust buckets and attract stares as it’s hard to believe they go. But there are a lot of American yank tanks powered by Jap engines. Look out for the Lada limousines too. Lada’s cut in half with an extra section inserted to make them six doors. Backyard jobs mainly and a creation following the collapse of the USSR. With anything consumerable there are fewer and fewer yank tanks and more Nissans and Hyundai’s. But Havana has a continuing exhibition of restored behemoths cruising and available as a ‘taxi’. Negotiate fares and take pictures with the cool dude driver (they think they are).</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Cuba Cars 2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6214" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cuba-Cars-2-e1415163927277.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">6. Smokers and Drinkers</span></h3>Well catered for, although there are many non-smoking areas so smokers DON’t have free range. Cigars of course. A big, tasty phallic model will set you back substantial dollars while something from the laneway will be very cheap, and probably nasty. Tour groups come to Cuba just to indulge with all manner of fresh Cuban se-gars. Rum, more rum and everything to mix with it is all over the place and very inexpensive. Pina Colada, Mojito, and many others are everywhere, even at fuel stops and roadside cafes. Good Havana Gold is just a few dollars per litre. Including tax.</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Cuban Cigars_Val Mansfield" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6216" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cuban-Cigars_Val-Mansfield-e1415164809928.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">7. Two Left Feet</span></h3>If you can’t dance you will be the odd person out. Everyone dances and salsa is the pet step. Two steps forward, back, left and right. Simple, while the music is slow. If you haven’t practised and are stumbling, some gorgeous young lady or handsome man will volunteer to teach you.</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Cuba Dancers" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6217" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cuba-Dancers-e1415166001148.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">8. Shambolic Mayhem</span></h3>Many expect Cuba to be a mess because of the one party rule with Fidel at the wheel (actually his younger brother Raul has control). Shambles, to the visitor is not obvious. Public transport runs, shops open, TV goes, power is on most of the time. The most obvious effect are buildings. Many of the state owned (which is just about all) have not been repaired or renovated for decades due to the cost individuals (tenants) would incur, the Sate would incur, and the condition. This is not to say that pre 1959 everything was neat and trim. Far from it. The current regime inherited lots of decay, didn’t have the resources to fix it, but is now ‘on the job’. It will never be finished. Privately owned buildings are easily identified by their condition, but this is changing. As for administration, we as visitors don’t need to bother or busy minds in this, apart from asking a Cuban what they think. They will have an opinion.</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Cuba Streetscapes_Val Manfield" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6218" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cuba-Streetscapes_Val-Manfield-e1415166444537.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">9. The Great Outdoors</span></h3>True, there is more to Cuba than their jewel in the crown, Havana. There are wonderful beaches with clean sand and clear water, almost as good as Australia’s. There are many places for walkers and trekkers. Kayaking, canoes, diving, bike riding and horse riding are all popular activities in Cuba. But there are few operators with short to medium duration packages as yet. Diving and fishing have been offered ever since Mr Hemmingway popularised the activity.</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Cuba Outdoors_Val mansfield" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6230" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cuba-Outdoors_Val-mansfield-e1415405814173.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">10. Everyone is Welcome</span></h3>The American Embargo bogey hangs around and the impact is noticeable, but the Cubans have worked around this issue. As they say ‘everyone is welcome’, it’s the US government that tells its people they can’t come here’. Despite the economic impacts of the embargo, us as allies of the US are not ridiculed but made perhaps even more welcome. On the other hand, many Cubans would like to go to the US and stay.</div><div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Cuban Colours_Val Mansfield" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6231" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321180435im_/http://activetravel.com.au/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cuban-Colours_Val-Mansfield-e1415405909451.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-22290811328843279802023-08-31T11:34:00.000+10:002023-09-08T11:47:03.064+10:00Perito Moreno Glacier: No such thing as too much ice<br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-3cd6e061-7fff-356a-8899-c835776b240c"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 403px; overflow: hidden; width: 602px;"><img height="403" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/q5PYULSu6tSH-VFlTUF8kv06x3ln4x_JSg62xJoaHzuUMIOiEnh9jbul546ochcoEbAtHCWN7NGKFGKjREO1wxREBcQyqpmOFHUimb9LiOI9vwh9brqhDtafekLnHCFkk1lKTt7rS2OHZjwmrOHqtnQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="602" /></span></span></span><br /><br />El Calafate pre or post-Antarctica is the perfect fit. This is all totally different to the Antarctic experience. This area of Patagonia is covered in forests, lakes and mountains which make the landscape entirely different.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><br />Perito Moreno Glacier is so unique, in that you can approach it from way up close, from the wooden walking paths very close to the front of the glacier, to a boat ride also way up close, or on top of it – trekking across the glacier. It is truly breathtaking.<div> <br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-ec01a4c7-7fff-7cf6-25b5-daa01870ec0d"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 403px; overflow: hidden; width: 602px;"><img height="403" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/laZ5zthzLdf76fk09GzXoEgBpXYzjckFHbVFKj65NFcZC6UaWl35TFpf4KDzsWGGX86vmidOHcCCl_0QRIN-boUJRDrgwZpWHPAbIK3lEc2PDev98taxKqfGfcrjwkpK9PGcjxXs3EUR3z59LvyEqsc" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="602" /></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span>There are also several other remarkable glaciers to be seen from El Calafate, in the region covered by ‘the Glaciers National Park’.<br /><br />The keen hiker can find some great hiking and trekking opportunities in nearby El Chalten, and El Calafate can be the gateway to an overland trip into Chilean Torres del Paine National Park, where one could spend a few more days soaking up the incredible sights of Patagonia.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50968940308_bb1378de54_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="361" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50968940308_bb1378de54_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Patagonia (<a href="http://www.travography.com/" target="_blank">Roderick Eime</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Of course, you don’t need to be going to Antarctica to put El Calafate perfectly on your list. It combines perfectly with any kind of trip to Patagonia. A popular circuit is El Calafate, Torres del Paine, a cruise with Australis, Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, then a few days in Ushuaia. Or in reverse.<br /><br />The ice is calling you.<br /></div><div><br /></div>For tour information, Web <a href="https://www.movidas.com.au/">www.movidas.com.au</a> | Email <a href="mailto:robyn@movidas.com.au">robyn@movidas.com.au</a><div><div><br /></div><div><b>FACTS </b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most famous glaciers in the world and a natural wonder located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the southern part of Argentina, specifically in the Patagonian region of South America. Here are some key facts and details about the Perito Moreno Glacier:</div><div><br /></div><div>Location: The Perito Moreno Glacier is situated in the southern Andes Mountains in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina. It is part of the larger Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which is one of the largest ice fields outside of Antarctica and Greenland.</div><div><br /></div><div>Size: The glacier covers an area of approximately 250 square kilometers (97 square miles) and is approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) in length. It's one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing, meaning it continues to grow and push forward into Lake Argentino.</div><div><br /></div><div>Advancement and Retreat: Perito Moreno Glacier is known for its unique pattern of advancement and retreat. It advances at a rate of about 2 meters (6.6 feet) per day, which is quite fast for a glacier of its size. This constant movement leads to the formation of ice dams, which periodically cause spectacular ruptures and calving events.</div><div><br /></div><div>Calving Events: One of the main attractions for tourists is the dramatic calving events that occur when massive chunks of ice break off from the glacier's front wall and crash into Lake Argentino below. These events can be both mesmerizing and deafening, making it a popular destination for visitors.</div><div><br /></div><div>Accessibility: The Perito Moreno Glacier is easily accessible from the town of El Calafate, which serves as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. There are well-maintained walkways and viewing platforms that offer visitors stunning views of the glacier and opportunities to witness calving events.</div><div><br /></div><div>Conservation: The glacier and its surrounding area are protected within the Los Glaciares National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The park is home to numerous other glaciers, lakes, and stunning natural landscapes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tourism: Perito Moreno Glacier is a major tourist attraction in Argentina, drawing visitors from around the world who come to witness its beauty and unique features. Tourists can take boat tours to get closer to the glacier or even participate in guided trekking tours on the ice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Climate Change: Like many glaciers worldwide, Perito Moreno Glacier has been affected by climate change. While it is still advancing, scientists are monitoring its behavior closely as rising global temperatures are expected to affect the glacier's long-term stability.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perito Moreno Glacier is not only a natural wonder but also a significant scientific and environmental asset. It showcases the dynamic nature of glaciers and serves as a reminder of the impacts of climate change on Earth's ice masses. Visitors to the glacier can witness the power of nature and gain a greater appreciation for the need to protect our planet's fragile ecosystems.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.movidas.com.au/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="60" data-original-width="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_KdfLz_waUQxqqLu2QEWivCkfxc3lunbWXescDSIzzRjGMAWnh7DunLKipV7LX5ZY6OPAiLS1Rsp2jkOUUo_7vHS0WgAFVd2Y-dQwcmsoskSjo0o0BaAmFeimIi_Zksp0uLeV4i1cX6WJV3Gd7bsBuMB_P4akGB3gSGjtizJtQqiE7GFbZMa/s16000/movidas.gif" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-65789125103753747682023-07-22T21:40:00.000+10:002023-07-22T21:40:02.920+10:00Holland America brings you the world<div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4241/35374573662_7149c69a0a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4241/35374573662_7149c69a0a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />“Oh oh, here they come again,” says Ty, our skipper and fishing guide, “you’ll need to get your fish in nice and quick.”</div><div><br /></div><div>This advice is not unusual for me. If we were fishing anywhere in the Kimberley or Top End back home, we’d be talking about ravenous reef sharks that would pounce on your hooked fish if you didn’t get it in the boat in 30 seconds. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Yet here in Ketchikan, Alaska, it’s not sharks we need to worry about. Poised expectantly just 20 metres off our stern, is the telltale dorsal fin of a very large killer whale. </div><div><br /></div><div>While we’re delighted to see the magnificent animals up close, Ty is not. These highly intelligent marine mammals have worked out this fishing caper.</div><div><br /></div><div>“They’ll hang at the back of the boat and as soon as you have a fish hooked up, they’re onto it,” says Ty with resignation, “and what’s more, they just bite off the body and leave you with the head and hook. Crafty critters.”</div><div><br /></div><div>As it turns out we’re all going hungry. We catch just one undersized King Salmon between us after a couple hours, but we did get some free whale watching. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4233/34700585814_57f1df086d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4233/34700585814_57f1df086d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our triumphant moment (R Eime)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This salmon fishing excursion in Ketchikan is just one of the countless shoreside offerings throughout Holland America’s network of port calls as we cruise serenely through the placid channels of Alaska’s Inside Passage. We stop to ogle the great glaciers, and keep an eye out for bears and moose while bald eagles wheel overhead. </div><div><br /></div><div>During our stop in Juneau, I choose a thrilling hovercraft ride in a tiny 6-person machine. We skim across the water, mudflats and grassland as if it were nothing, all the way to the foot of the massive 56-kilometre-long Taku Glacier.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Sitka, I opt for a calming kayak paddle around the quiet nooks and crannies away from the township and the milling passengers. Add helicopter flightseeing, floatplane adventures, dog-sledding, salmon fishing and sea kayaking and you have some idea of the scope of activity laid out for you when choosing what to do when you go ashore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting out of the ports and onto an excursion is my idea of experiencing any destination. When the ship is in port here during the busy summer cruise season, around 2000 people from each ship, plus crew, are wandering the streets and retail strip clamouring for souvenirs. There’s quite a hustle and bustle along the frontier-style shopping strip with everything from craft beer, faux fur coats and hats, gemstones and jewellry are being hawked in a style not unlike the enterprising merchants who “mined the miners” in the goldrush days, selling them everything from eggs at a dollar apiece to gold-sniffing gophers.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4237/35374566922_28815d0a36_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4237/35374566922_28815d0a36_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists throng the shopping strip n Juneau AK (R Eime)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Holland America Line (HAL) now operates seven ships in Alaska and is by far the dominant cruise line there. The 49th state forms a large part of their marketing thrust, but once you’ve been aboard with HAL, it’s easy to see why so many diehard cruisers keep coming back. An envied reputation for dining, whether in the main dining or a specialty restaurant, quality entertainment and shows as well as cabins, suites and staterooms that other cruise lines are always trying to match, keeps HAL at the forefront of the cruise business.</div><div><br /></div><div>HAL is now a familiar sight in Australian ports too, with ships sailing all around our coastal waters and over to New Zealand and the South Pacific. The Vista-class Ms Noordam (1924 pax) and Statendam-class ms Maasdam (1258 pax) are regular visitors, bringing HAL’s famous quality reputation right to our doorstep with most voyages either departing or arriving in Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland.</div><div><br /></div><div>Apart from that, there’s very little of the world left that is not visited by a HAL ship. You can find comprehensive itineraries throughout North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and all of the Pacific including Asia and Japan.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4434/36321619536_8ee6706ff1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="800" height="418" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4434/36321619536_8ee6706ff1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ms Eurodam (supplied)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here in Alaska, I’m aboard the ms Eurodam, HAL’s first Signature-class cruise ship which entered service in 2008. Carrying a maximum of 2104 guests, it recently received many updates, including new lounge, dining and entertainment venues, and completely refreshed suites.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speciality dining venues such as Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto and Tamarind offer tantalising alternatives to the quality main Dining Room. Plus there are many ‘food court’ style venues like Dive-In burger bar and New York Pizza as well as the wide range on offer in the Lido Market buffet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Entertainment comes in rockin’ style at B.B. King's Blues Club or sophisticated classics on Lincoln Center Stage. The Main Stage is the venue for live, Broadway-style shows and performances.</div><div><br /></div><div>Onboard activities include exclusive America’s Test Kitchen workshops, BBC Earth Experiences, computer classes, extensive Greenhouse Spa and salon facilities, as well as wine, beer and whisky tastings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kids (or grandkids) 3-17 have their own supervised activities and dedicated ‘Club HAL’.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cabins, suites and staterooms range from the presidential-style, 126sqm Pinnacle suite through Verandah and Ocean View to Interior, all with quality bedding, bathtubs and flat-panel TVs with on-demand programming. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>===</div><div><br /></div>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-77620569306772280132023-06-17T13:17:00.001+10:002023-06-17T16:46:47.106+10:00Sail and Bike in the Netherlands aboard Leafde fan Fryslan<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeybISrBoSKNL0mOeNYZMKx9W_Qovs6rMRR39rCAhT_VSgYh9hHufo6VlM2Ar8d_JgdOt8t0vwmcXCoUeodAkeGcK1kMOXAKgqigG8IlsuoOKlBnS3BwCHXpaOaJ47vcFDSF4WQqCj9wjaYZYJfJtdVrpum8Fbb0IeV0IMYnx4RA-9m1dZwg/s900/Lefde%20van%20Freslan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeybISrBoSKNL0mOeNYZMKx9W_Qovs6rMRR39rCAhT_VSgYh9hHufo6VlM2Ar8d_JgdOt8t0vwmcXCoUeodAkeGcK1kMOXAKgqigG8IlsuoOKlBnS3BwCHXpaOaJ47vcFDSF4WQqCj9wjaYZYJfJtdVrpum8Fbb0IeV0IMYnx4RA-9m1dZwg/w640-h426/Lefde%20van%20Freslan.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br />Travel specialist, Martyn R Paterson takes us to the Wedder Sea and Friesland Islands</b><p></p><p>My week aboard the sailing ship <i>Leafde fan Fryslan</i> was thoroughly enjoyable. The trip was varied and interesting with everything going smoothly despite some wild, windy days.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The sailing ship was remarkably comfortable. The public areas are spacious and well laid out with plenty of room for all the guests. My single cabin was small but adequate with a good size bathroom. It had everything I needed. Other twin cabins onboard were quite spacious.</p><p>The idea of putting up the sails appealed to everyone aboard and there were many enthusiastic helpers. Sails were hoisted, even the topsail, at every opportunity.</p><p>The crew of just four were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble and nothing phased them. They all worked tirelessly to make everyone’s trip the best it could be and still had time to chat and offer advice where needed. A big thank you goes to chef Peter whose menu and presentation gave me some of the best meals I have experienced on a boat and bike trip. Plus he always had fresh cakes or cookies for afternoon snacks. Brilliant.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNJytUPRo-ozPzN2NRbHqM3I4EPVRDhF1vc6_0OGrCztDxMkiKtyGedK3he9AYdMSUksrAGa4igrGCCOA9JUjkCyntAOVFX7j50jMA3ncax72HoTD75JtQBNwMkLDZUDwGvvQ7yMXft9TeU4PqO6Np-cdiHI0s7fWknHhm59ex_Jb23f00Q/s2048/paterson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNJytUPRo-ozPzN2NRbHqM3I4EPVRDhF1vc6_0OGrCztDxMkiKtyGedK3he9AYdMSUksrAGa4igrGCCOA9JUjkCyntAOVFX7j50jMA3ncax72HoTD75JtQBNwMkLDZUDwGvvQ7yMXft9TeU4PqO6Np-cdiHI0s7fWknHhm59ex_Jb23f00Q/w640-h640/paterson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The bikes, mine an e-bike, worked perfectly, with more than enough battery left at the end of the day. The whole group only had one flat tyre and no mechanical breakdowns during the week and that was quickly dealt with.<p></p><p>The itinerary was fascinating, a great mix of wild natural beauty, Dutch culture and history and wonderfully varied cycling paths. I enjoyed the art galleries, museums, a traditional market or two, the coffee shops - especially the <a href="https://heartbreak-hotel.nl/" target="_blank">Heartbreak Hotel</a> - and the views across the North Sea beaches. I appreciated the widespread internet access. The seafood on the islands and the <i>frites</i> were great, I often came back with my sandwich lunch uneaten. </p><p>The trails through the woods and beside the sand dunes and polders were great fun. We had more than enough information with the app, map and junction sheet. No one got lost, no one was likely to.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTgdrY_4-QyzHIKFr_m4t_f77Nse2lhyAmqP4S7zAiMxHCn4Q_eFfZRgimlpsrqhsauFkz8vZk7kWiTe262ZXaICojFrpGCWKiTkwa6jGxNtGY5goDMlWHyhXoMPVKnTyB6ubBU9HkdXycovHgGQnCNc_8gd0XnLSUoVE9rrSRC25ui7BUA/s2048/paterson2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTgdrY_4-QyzHIKFr_m4t_f77Nse2lhyAmqP4S7zAiMxHCn4Q_eFfZRgimlpsrqhsauFkz8vZk7kWiTe262ZXaICojFrpGCWKiTkwa6jGxNtGY5goDMlWHyhXoMPVKnTyB6ubBU9HkdXycovHgGQnCNc_8gd0XnLSUoVE9rrSRC25ui7BUA/w640-h640/paterson2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I have no hesitation in recommending this trip to anyone who enjoys cycling, including those occasional cyclists, and the romance of a traditional sailing ship. And my goodness, wasn’t it brilliant to see those rows of old and restored sailing boats in every port we visited.<p></p><p>One last point, I decided to go directly to Enkhuizen rather than stay in a hotel in Amsterdam, it was truly a highlight of my stay. Just an hour by easy train ride from Schipol Airport, I loved wandering the cobbled streets with building dating back to the 17th century and port area. The shopping and the food were excellent. We even had a jazz festival in full swing, with music and wine everywhere when we returned to port.</p><p>For full details on this itinerary, download the <a href="http://www.outdoortravel.com.au/content/pdfs/2022/Holland_Tall_Ship_cycling_around_Ijsselmeer_e_2023.pdf">information brochure</a></p><i>Martyn R Paterson is the owner of <a href="https://outdoortravel.com.au/" target="_blank">Outdoor Travel Pty Ltd</a>, an agency specialising in hotel, inn, resort or lodge-based active holidays such as walking, cycling, bike & barge, mountain or e-bike touring, trekking, hiking, boating, canal narrowboats or hotel barging, sailing, sea kayaking, cooking, painting, horse riding and much more.</i><div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-26535296099122124162023-06-13T15:36:00.007+10:002023-08-21T13:57:10.094+10:00Idiots Abroad: The stupid things we do when travelling!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXEFUYih1RphsiSccErRhX64qwqrnKWk5G0u1oCB9-GdT2JQCjOPOWOq312_HlAAV7Z06xY3Ll6PrhpVbkEoKyRfWqVKiLxxcJ7EjcJnG37XdV3bQ6lZeMqjzkNF7gLeSyf9CyJj2uCtFFbgNqS7IBlvwIgO62QsysKrs2gjnolL5_NlbNg/s624/Screenshot%202023-06-13%20153022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXEFUYih1RphsiSccErRhX64qwqrnKWk5G0u1oCB9-GdT2JQCjOPOWOq312_HlAAV7Z06xY3Ll6PrhpVbkEoKyRfWqVKiLxxcJ7EjcJnG37XdV3bQ6lZeMqjzkNF7gLeSyf9CyJj2uCtFFbgNqS7IBlvwIgO62QsysKrs2gjnolL5_NlbNg/s16000/Screenshot%202023-06-13%20153022.jpg" /></a></div><br />Years ago when I was still at uni, my final assignment was on t<a href="https://www.monolith.com.au/passport/" target="_blank">he risks of injury or death while travelling overseas</a>. It turned out to be quite an eye-opener and revealed to me the various dangers travellers face while overseas for business or leisure.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" data-header="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rodeime/52958023383/in/album-72177720308961233/" title="VID_20230607_152419564"><img alt="VID_20230607_152419564" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52958023383_34c5cbeb89_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52957541531_7008408be9_b.jpg" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52957541531_7008408be9_b.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52956945862_e857198053_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52956945862_e857198053_b.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><b>Numbskulls on vacation: ridiculous risk-taking not only<br /> exposes you to injury or death, but your insurance company<br /> will likely wash their hands of you too.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52957926655_684f4c9310_b.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52957926655_684f4c9310_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Disease, violence and accidents all occupy our fears while travelling but often we are our own worst enemies due to risk-taking and plain foolish behaviour. My recent travels in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka reminded me how we can be lured into a sense of complacency.</div><div><br />For example, riding scooters in shorts, thongs and singlets, sometimes after a few beers in the hot sun. Often without a helmet, or a sloppily secured one. Acts we would very unlikely do when at home, despite the illegality.<br /><br />But the prize for Darwin Award nominations would have to go to the international travellers aboard our train in Sri Lanka who decided it was perfectly fine to lean out of a moving train for a selfy, often with just one hand holding the rail. And we’re not just talking about stupid teens and 20-somethings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Astonishingly, grown adults also thought it perfectly fine to dangle their portly persons out of the open carriage door while posing for that mandatory social media mention.</div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly, idiocy is contagious, because before long there was a queue of morons waiting to step into thin air for fifteen seconds of TikTok fame.<br /><br />Well, I’ll mention you. F_ckwits!<div><br /></div><i>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. </i></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-31242616443423365332023-06-12T11:21:00.001+10:002023-06-12T11:34:32.702+10:00Best-selling author, Fiona McIntosh, explores the Haunch of Venison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctRjHpWXjeJ-qbyLfRHNC_K4vhseaByuauh4y9_qVf-putTRvMyvgWH1bd3rmUEcNqT7so3Fb_WiHc-DH7iNgOPcvJYWZJ86jleNq4_TS-33SWGEThMIxaroivl24WgdprlUhruw4wkrtRQWynO18_TlJaiU4OBg89V7Vae40VxBIM9Levw/s1200/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctRjHpWXjeJ-qbyLfRHNC_K4vhseaByuauh4y9_qVf-putTRvMyvgWH1bd3rmUEcNqT7so3Fb_WiHc-DH7iNgOPcvJYWZJ86jleNq4_TS-33SWGEThMIxaroivl24WgdprlUhruw4wkrtRQWynO18_TlJaiU4OBg89V7Vae40VxBIM9Levw/w640-h480/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This photo shows the Haunch of Venison, which is one of southern England's oldest hostelries, tracing its first record around 1320 when the building was used to house craftsmen who were working on the now famous Salisbury Cathedral spire. Apparently, beneath the fireplace, there is an old bread oven that contains a smoke-preserved and mummified hand and - I love this - is believed to belong to a demented card player from the eighteenth century who supposedly lost his hand during a game of whist because he was found to be cheating!<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><br />The historical records tell us that when the heating system was changed in the Choristers part of the cathedral, the marble tiles that were pulled up were carted to this pub and used in the bar to create the unique floor. And the 'Horsebox' bar at the front of the pub on the ground floor is referred to as a 'Ladies' Snug' dating back to the era in which public houses such as this were for men only. The pewter top to the bar counter is one of only six in the country. There are other rare elements that I won't bang on about but it's a famous watering hole in the city of Salisbury where most of the story is set.<br /><br />Anyway, I have written a prologue and two chapters of <b>The Fallen Woman</b>. A lovely feeling to be suddenly in the zone and in a new time frame with a brand new cast who I must now get to know more intimately. <br /><br />My lead character is Jane Saville and she might become someone else if I don't feel that name sits well on her shoulders but she's Jane for now because her sister likes to call her 'Plain Jane' ... not to tease but to insult. In this opening chapter, she's just received a terrible shock and I feel her trauma of family duty versus her horror. Can't wait to see where she will take us.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCpkxVKdWIDBbT0fQZ8M6ppNJQGaFZocb_BNr_EvY9gHpBgvkZN9zsoQkK97r2qwz9psiI_O8l_psnMftU8Gnc9dKIsRNXDw1-YSav7aVidfOTCxo0txEOO2naGcU9PZhejYwXbKZksYTo3r-QRqLm9mr524QGwtMt8_ZNTuZk0sesfVSaw/s1200/fimac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCpkxVKdWIDBbT0fQZ8M6ppNJQGaFZocb_BNr_EvY9gHpBgvkZN9zsoQkK97r2qwz9psiI_O8l_psnMftU8Gnc9dKIsRNXDw1-YSav7aVidfOTCxo0txEOO2naGcU9PZhejYwXbKZksYTo3r-QRqLm9mr524QGwtMt8_ZNTuZk0sesfVSaw/w200-h200/fimac.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiona McIntosh</td></tr></tbody></table>Guy Arden is the other character but as I write that I realise he would be G. Arden. Ha! Could work actually because he's involved in horticulture - my gosh, have I really pulled off a pun in a name? Again, whether that name sticks is left to be seen. I have to see him walking around a little longer in that name to know if it works for him. So far it does.<br /><br />Interestingly enough, when I pitched this story to my publisher a couple of years ago, we did not know we'd have a King's coronation happening as I was researching and preparing to write this story. I mention it only because I believe this story will start with the coronation of Edward VII and culminate with the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Lovely coincidence.<br /><br />I will have lots more to share on this by the next newsletter but I've got very single focus on writing it from hereon until I have a first draft ready to give to my publisher in December we think. Off I go...<div><br /></div><div><i>Subscribe to <a href="https://www.fionamcintosh.com/contact/" target="_blank">Fiona's newsletter</a> for all the latest news (and great recipes)</i></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-33819982636825908272023-06-03T13:03:00.000+10:002023-06-13T15:23:35.821+10:00Why Trains beat planes for travel in Europe <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ3aMHZD0aJbdO418Y0dhRldGyKxTZpAlg1-P0c23jKPFj8dDWH89VWUz48nZRdpVp0j8Cgm99tzPQV3LIQD_sf9mDA6XcgtVOyTzx4-_KWxs8giXiLJLHB2tA3ksI1DitxK5CvzvZSaI4kRZSLYMkordzt8RpN2KGp6Y6oKcG-fJFfWapw/s1200/The%20train%20from%20Grindelwald%20to%20Kleine%20Scheidegg-Swiss%20Tourism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1200" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ3aMHZD0aJbdO418Y0dhRldGyKxTZpAlg1-P0c23jKPFj8dDWH89VWUz48nZRdpVp0j8Cgm99tzPQV3LIQD_sf9mDA6XcgtVOyTzx4-_KWxs8giXiLJLHB2tA3ksI1DitxK5CvzvZSaI4kRZSLYMkordzt8RpN2KGp6Y6oKcG-fJFfWapw/w640-h438/The%20train%20from%20Grindelwald%20to%20Kleine%20Scheidegg-Swiss%20Tourism.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Travel writing doyen, Jeremy Bourke, ponders the many advantages of training versus planing through Europe. His considered verdict follows.</b><br /><div><br /></div><div>Ah, the irony. I'm gliding between the Austrian city of Villach and beautiful Salzburg, writing this ode to the joys of rail travel – on a train I shouldn't be on. I caught the right one, from Slovenia's capital Ljubljana to Frankfurt, and it departed 10 minutes late. Acceptable.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><br />But that was enough to derail my trip, because at Villach, just a quarter of the journey complete, they announced the train was terminating. Whatever opening the EC212 was aiming for, that 10-minute hiccup closed it, and it was two hours until the next train.<br /><br />This situation is the exception to the rule in Europe where rail rules. Indeed, in May a new French law banned flights between cities less than two-and-a-half hours apart by train. It's to reduce greenhouse emissions, so it should open more people's eyes to rail over its alternative, air. There won't be electric planes any time soon.<div><br />In Europe trains go from anywhere to everywhere, and one ticket, such as the venerable <a href="https://www.raileurope.com/en">Eurail Pass</a>, gets you there, no matter how many changes of service, station or country. There's none of that super-vigilance over your carry-on, nor that frantic emptying of pockets at security. There's a view for the entire journey, and from all seats.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52945947842_489cc25eb8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="800" height="452" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52945947842_489cc25eb8_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For me, the clincher is location, location, location. Stations are often in the middle of town, and gone are the days where railway hotels are generally seedy. European stations are as slick as any airport terminal, and my favourite is Vienna's, ultra-modern, efficient and boasting all manner of restaurants, food outlets and shopping. I stayed in the new <a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/8564/index.en.shtml">Ibis Wien Hauptbahnhof</a>, one minute from the station and just $175 a night.<br /><br />And in more good news, <a href="https://www.raileurope.com/en">Eurail Pass</a> is now a phone app. When my Frankfurt train went kaput, it came up with new connections in 60 seconds. Uber-easy.</div></div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-15193219848680309412023-05-28T15:13:00.005+10:002023-05-28T15:51:41.598+10:00Buffet 101: Top 10 buffet blunders you should avoid<div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IcZeg8nc6sl8VijVNi0Z2BWc4lfeGRolmV-owjcsZcvBjPCG3gQUyzaldxfV_nWhrlnSKtq5AijLKeOFqNn9XSUzm2W8f8QAVrmN6IUUgVbwmEItjFaaPKs0hPf2sQDbGdu71j9JpeN22JHKGaA1V_KKQRToKOu2BL6rLfS2QUpkWZsJ_g/s1200/buffet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1200" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IcZeg8nc6sl8VijVNi0Z2BWc4lfeGRolmV-owjcsZcvBjPCG3gQUyzaldxfV_nWhrlnSKtq5AijLKeOFqNn9XSUzm2W8f8QAVrmN6IUUgVbwmEItjFaaPKs0hPf2sQDbGdu71j9JpeN22JHKGaA1V_KKQRToKOu2BL6rLfS2QUpkWZsJ_g/w640-h384/buffet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We’ve all seen it. The hotel guest with apparently no clue about the function of the breakfast or dinner buffet. COVID procedures have certainly retuned our awareness of sanitary matters - or should have - with many hotels and resorts closing their buffets for good.</div><div><br /></div><div>A recent visit to a premium resort reminded me that money and wealth do not beget manners. So, this prompted me to compile a short list of common buffet faux pas.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>When opening the big oyster shell heated servers, check if the person standing behind you is waiting to use it too. Hand them the tool, holding the lid until they have it themselves.</li><li>It may be tempting but don’t fondle every item of fruit in the basket, especially fruit like apples and grapes where guests may be eating the skin. </li><li>Yes, use hand sanitiser. I know we’ve heard arguments about its effectiveness, but at least it demonstrates your awareness and wards off accusatory glares from germophobes.</li><li>If there are serving tongs provided, use them. Especially for breads and pastries where you can easily brush against adjacent rolls in the basket. For hot food, don’t mix the tongs.</li><li>I love those bread tables where you can cut your own slices off the big crusty loaf. But you see that heavy serviette draped over the loaf? Yes, don’t handle the bread directly.</li><li>Buffets are great fun for children and a perfect opportunity to teach them serving skills. Help them by all means, don’t let them run amok making all kinds of crazy concoctions.</li><li>If you have a bit of a sniffle or tickly throat, stay the heck away from the buffet. Please. If you can stifle your urge to cough or sneeze, stay seated and get someone to serve it for you.</li><li>It may seem like common sense but don’t move aggressively among those at the buffet servery. It’s too easy to send someone’s pad Thai flying. Spacial awareness people.</li><li>What do you do when there is only one item left on the tray? I would look around to make sure no one else has their eye on it. If so, offer it to them and alert staff to bring a fresh tray.</li><li>Queuing can be tricky as it’s always rude to queue jump. If someone is really bogging down the process ask them kindly if they don’t mind you moving past. If it’s you, invite them to do so.</li></ol></div><div>I’m sure you can think of many other tips and tricks. What are your favourite buffet hacks?</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Image Source: <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Ffemail%2Ffood%2Farticle-7746257%2FEtiquette-expert-reveals-faux-pas-make-buffets-ahead-busy-Christmas-party-season.html&psig=AOvVaw2eLa6oYGpf7lNMQSeTdIRc&ust=1685339456569000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwi1vazuqJf_AhXyyXMBHcHhB1IQr4kDegUIARDGAQ" target="_blank">Daily Mail UK</a></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-19332586743429349192023-04-10T11:05:00.003+10:002023-09-18T19:26:22.321+10:00Is this a tourist scam in Livorno?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTV76Y2tChQGkzgf9NthimkaALdWaqr7aXREBvUjE-PeVCVX-UCTz-QHTSdBou4EqLByrPoBRBs7ITqk5c4mRYE0G-rvZe1gHg59z87aNKwmKBlMVLW65wMjOuB0yVlTa9ZxBAV5vR1bpDmrvj3V_lky6b-WSut0w9Cjyv6DQkwmIduHZSfAC/s1200/BUS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1200" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTV76Y2tChQGkzgf9NthimkaALdWaqr7aXREBvUjE-PeVCVX-UCTz-QHTSdBou4EqLByrPoBRBs7ITqk5c4mRYE0G-rvZe1gHg59z87aNKwmKBlMVLW65wMjOuB0yVlTa9ZxBAV5vR1bpDmrvj3V_lky6b-WSut0w9Cjyv6DQkwmIduHZSfAC/w640-h536/BUS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />from Ian McIntosh travelling in Italy</i></div><div><br /></div>It seems the transport authorities in the Italian city of Livorno are not only targeting tourists - but ripping them off in the bargain. A group of Australian tourists were hijacked by transport authority thugs in Livorno Italy yesterday and ripped off for 40 euros each. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br />They were on a day trip from a cruise ship to the Livorno railway station - a trip that cost one euro fifty. All purchased tickets but when they tried to validate them the machine did not work. Even a local, who spoke good English, agreed you had to know exactly how to manipulate the machine to get validation.<br />When they stepped onto the bus the driver waved them through with other groups from the ship who also found it impossible to validate their tickets.</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">RELATED: <a href="https://www.iqcruising.com/ports/europe/italy/livorno/basics/public-buses.html" target="_blank">Bus tickets in Livorno</a></div></blockquote><div><br />Shortly after commencing the journey, the driver pointed out the Australian group of five to uniformed thugs who got on the bus and demanded to see passports and then imposed a fine of 17 euros for each person for non-validation. As the group was in a hurry to get to the railway station and visit Florence, they agreed to pay the curious fine by credit card. However, a close examination of the credit card slip showed that each person had actually been charged 40 euros. According to one of the Australians, the so-called officials were intimidating demanding to see passports, which were photographed. "We were treated like criminals," she said. "Anywhere else in the world visitors would be treated with understanding and guided in local rules - but not in Livorno.”</div><div> <br />looking at similar incidents on Facebook, it seems that this racket has been going on for some time. Why did the bus driver select the Australian group? Was he part of the scam? It is easy to believe the answer is yes. According to the group leader: "We have contacted our credit card company and had the charge challenged - and look forward to the authorities in Livorno taking the right attitude and protecting visitors from this sort of humiliation and theft. “We are by the way assuming they were officials she added and complied with their requests - “this could also be a tourist season scam on a grand scale."</div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-52313392413569335172023-04-08T11:06:00.029+10:002023-04-10T11:19:21.400+10:00Aboard Azamara in the Mediterranean<div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/5607/15344667347_71b81c1f1c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/5607/15344667347_71b81c1f1c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />from Ian McIntosh aboard Azamara Journey with wife and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FionaMcIntoshAuthor" target="_blank">author Fiona McIntosh</a></i></div><div><br /></div>Boarding <a href="https://www.azamara.com/home" target="_blank">Azamara</a> Journey in Barcelona was quick and easy - there were plenty of staff and with only a shade under 800 guests the terminal was never very crowded. It seems Covid fears have gone out of the window - we were asked if we were feeling ok - and that was it. When you finally make it on board the reception area is a bit ordinary but a glass of champagne made up for any disappointment. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Before I start talking about this boutique line I should explain that Journey is one of eight R class ships originally launched by Renaissance Cruises between the late 90s to the early 2000s. Journey was number six off the production line. Sure they have been renovated a number of times but I did wonder how well these old veterans would compare to the new crop of luxury ships - Viking for instance. The balcony cabins are a little small by modern day standards including the toilet area - there are rumours around for instance about well-proportioned American bottoms all but getting stuck! We booked three cabins - two for our kids and a club spa suite for ourselves. Built abound 2015 these suites are on deck nine with easy access to the spa, gym, swimming pool and restaurants. The spacious glass spa soaking tub and separate rain shower enclosure really is spectacular. More on the room later but I was instantly impressed to see two USB slots either side of the bed.</div><div> <br />There was some sort of glitch when security scanned our cards and we were asked to take them back to deck 4 for renewal “or you can get off at the next port but you won’t be able to get back onboard.” Problems emerged as well when we tried to hook up our free internet deal. Seems we had not been registered properly in the system. When we walked into the club spa room everyone was impressed with the size and pleasant decor and yes there was a bottle of champagne - but no ice bucket, just the bottle. The tours booklet was also missing. </div><div><br /></div><div>When our steward Puta arrived he apologised and explained that the butler would fix all. Oscar did finally roll up and the bottle was on ice when we returned that evening after departure. That was the one and only time we saw him - not that we wanted Oscar - or the phantom as he became known - unpacking bags. The lifeboat drill required everyone to attend in the theatre but the days of having to wear a lifejacket on deck are over - they just scan your boarding card. We did a four night dine in specialty restaurants deal as soon as we arrived - and headed to the steak house called Prime C for a first evening celebration. And that’s where I started to be impressed. The decor, food and service were outstanding. The good vibes rolled on. Each day we get to know the ship a little better - the Windows cafe is already a favourite on deck nine - nothing more enjoyable that sitting on the open deck at the back of the restaurant enjoying breakfast with the morning sun warming your back. The menu celebrated French specialities last night - a great selection of delicious food served smorgasbord style. Afterwards we explored deck 5 - the main restaurant is at one end, the theatre at the other. In between guests enjoy a spacious piano bar and shopping areas. It was a smart idea to remove the casinos and create the piano bar that is really popular.</div><div><br />Azamara was a Royal Caribbean brand until 2021 by the way when the business was sold to a private equity firm. There are now four ships in the fleet – Azamara Quest, Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward. Later today we head for <a href="https://www.travel-news-photos-stories.com/2023/04/is-this-tourist-scam-in-livorno.html">Livorno</a> where hopefully there will be a shuttle provided to the town and railway station - although i am not holding my breath which is a shame. Not everyone want to go on planned ship tours. There are regular train services to Florence.</div>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-75801660618950008002023-02-11T19:33:00.001+11:002023-02-11T19:33:13.276+11:00Scuba diving Vanuatu<div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/7212/7300608038_fe704be190_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7212/7300608038_fe704be190_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />While it may seem that Port Vila and Santo get all the attention with their many wrecks and reefs, in truth the whole island group of Vanuatu has an enormous variety of diving experiences to suit all levels and interests. Almost divers will arrive in Port Vila, but how can you extend your experience when you've ticked off the well-known operators in town?<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Owen Drew is one of the many ex-pats who've fallen in love with island life on Vanuatu and diving in this part of the Pacific. Located about 30 minutes by road from Vila, his eco-resort on Tranquillity (yes, that's how it's spelled) Island (real name 'Moso') is, if you'll excuse the cliché, one of Vanuatu's hidden gems. Owen takes his 'eco' seriously. Predominantly solar-powered with a generator used only as supplementary power, the 'castaway' location is just a short boat ride across historic Havannah Harbour from the beach bar opposite and is a great spot for non-divers too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tranquillity Dive's list of coral-rich sites include Tranquillity Bommies, Owen's Reef, Bottle Fish Cave and several around Hat Island where large fish, turtles and even dugongs are spotted. This area is one of the few where seriously big groupers can still be found and, while a bit suspicious, they can be carefully approached to within a couple of metres.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/7091/7301553252_a03e132aa9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7091/7301553252_a03e132aa9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen Drew and juvenile hawksbill turtle tagged and ready for release. Tranqillity Island Dive.Vanuatu</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Make sure you see the Hawksbill Turtle nursery at the resort and learn a thing or two about these sublime but endangered animals. You can even name, tag, sponsor and release one for a few dollars.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tranquillity is also a great base to catch Owen's classic 23m ketch, Coongoola, for one of his popular BBQ and beach cruises – a great way to break up your dive stay or fly day activity. If you are fortunate to catch Owen at the resort, buy him a drink and he'll tell you about his early career diving and exploring the area 'back in the day'.<span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Also operating on and under the clear and sheltered waters of Havannah Harbour is another ex-pat, Peter Whitelaw of Sailaway Cruises. Originally from Adelaide, Peter is based on the smart trimaran, 'Golden Wing', which traverses the length and breadth of the harbour and beyond. With full onboard dive facilities, you can even charter for a couple nights or more.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of Peter's trump cards is Paul's Rock, a long-extinct volcanic plug that has spawned an impressive array of marine life that is easily accessible for snorkellers and divers alike. Fish of all shapes and sizes swarm around divers including a semi-tame flowery cod, playfully dubbed 'Baxter'. Some might call him ugly, but Baxter will escort you around Paul's Rock keeping an eye on you and posing for photographs. Peter is also acquainted with numerous spectacular undersea formations and cavernous swim-throughs like the well-named Taj Mahal and the Grotto of Clams around Hat Island where you'll see a staggering assortment of gorgonia fans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peter can also introduce you to the UNESCO-listed Chief Roi Mata’s Domain and the secret beach where several episodes of Survivor were filmed. If you haven't satisfied your wreck appetite, ask about the Corsair fighter wrecks and the story of the old WWII airstrip.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-21336980232320422002023-02-10T15:30:00.003+11:002023-02-10T15:30:54.280+11:00New World War 2 museum for Luganville, Espiritu Santo<div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://g9t.fb0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/render_exterior4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="800" height="453" src="https://g9t.fb0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/render_exterior4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I’ve made several visits to Luganville over the last few years but one new addition to the main street caught my attention. A tiny building in Unity Park at the western end of Main Street, almost on the banks of the Sarakata River, is where Stage 1 of the South Pacific WWII Museum will be located<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>On the site of what was once the home of No.2 PT Boat Squadron during the war years, Perth architect Mario Bernardi’s design will be built, incorporating contemporary design and environmental principles while maintaining a beautifully simple interpretation on the US Navy WWII Quonset (Nissen) hut – still a feature in and around Luganville. It includes two levels of exhibition space, including an upstairs meeting area and theatrette.</div><div><br /></div><div>The concept for a WWII museum on Santo goes back several years to when long-time resident Bradley Wood was offered an extensive collection of memorabilia by an American who was moving back home. </div><div><br /></div><div>Following on from that windfall, Brad teamed up with Dave Cross, Bill Widup, Jim Bennie and Mayumi Green to meet with Mr Peter Sakita, of Luganville Council and floated ideas for a permanent memorial. From those meetings the idea of a World War II museum was born.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luganville was a “city” purpose-built to serve as a forward base for the US in the war in the Pacific. At its height, some 400,000 troops and personnel were in Luganville occupying supply bases, fuel and ammo dumps, hospitals, wharves and the several airbases. Naturally, there was a lot left behind when the US personnel left after the fall of Japan in August 1945, with much of it ending up at Million Dollar Point. </div><div><br /></div><div>Following the passing of Allan Power in 2018, his vast collection of SS President Coolidge memorabilia was passed to the museum as per his wishes and many of these items along with renderings of the new building can be seen right now in the temporary building in Unity Park.</div><div><br /></div><div>The museum will also feature many displays of personal memorabilia but none as poignant as the memorial to US Army Captain Elwood J Euart who was responsible for saving many of his men from the Coolidge before it rolled over and sank. Euart was trapped below and was one of only two casualties of the sinking.</div><div><br /></div><div>Currently, a ‘mini museum’ exists in the Project Development Office and you can follow the progress at <a href="http://www.southpacificwwiimuseum.com">www.southpacificwwiimuseum.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-91604563891639744812023-02-02T09:00:00.001+11:002023-09-08T12:04:01.760+10:00Visiting Seattle USA<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50340043848_49daeb730d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50340043848_49daeb730d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Seattle, the capital of the US state of Washington, is fast becoming the choice jumping-off point for cruises departing to Alaska. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Extensive reworking of the wharf precinct is taking place, making for an enhanced visitor experience that is in the process of transforming the working port facilities into more visitor and resident-friendly spaces, like parks and green zones. The imposing Alaskan Way traffic viaduct will also be removed.</div><div><br /></div><div>With many attractions so close to the wharf like the famous, 110-year-old Pike Place Market, aquarium and Great Wheel, the city is gaining a solid reputation with visiting Australians. A short stroll finds you at the Historic Pioneer Square and Underground</div><div><br /></div><div>Many wisely choose to stay a little longer and explore this friendly, easy-to-navigate city with excellent public transport and quality hotels. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/8022/7628041612_fa453a7085_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8022/7628041612_fa453a7085_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For those staying an extra day or two, be sure to see some of the feature sites such as the emblematic Space Needle on the site of the 1962 World’s Fair, where you can arrive by vintage monorail from the city centre or the recently added and adjacent Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition and installation. Just across the way is the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), a must for music and sci-fi fans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seattle is well known as an aviation industry centre, making the Boeing Museum and factory tour a must as well as the privately owned Museum of Flight. Come see the new Boeing Dreamliners under construction and, if your timing is right, take a joyflight in one of the historic WWII-era aircraft.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MORE ABOUT SEATTLE</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Seattle is a major city located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is the largest city in the state of Washington and serves as its economic, cultural, and transportation hub. Here are some key facts and information about Seattle:</div><div><br /></div><div>Location: Seattle is situated in the western part of Washington state, on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, a large inlet of the Pacific Ocean. Its geographic location is known for its stunning natural surroundings, including the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nicknames: Seattle is often referred to as the "Emerald City" due to its lush greenery and also as the "Gateway to Alaska" because of its historical role as a departure point for travelers heading to Alaska during the Gold Rush era.</div><div><br /></div><div>Economy: Seattle is home to several major corporations, including tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft. Other prominent companies in the area include Boeing, Starbucks, and Nordstrom. This strong corporate presence has made Seattle a major economic center.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tech Hub: Seattle is often considered one of the leading technology hubs in the United States, with a thriving tech industry. The presence of companies like Amazon and Microsoft has attracted a highly skilled workforce and fostered innovation in the region.</div><div><br /></div><div>Education: Seattle is home to several universities and colleges, including the University of Washington, which is one of the largest and most prestigious public research universities in the United States.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cultural Diversity: Seattle is known for its cultural diversity and progressive values. It has a vibrant arts and music scene, and it played a significant role in the emergence of grunge music in the 1990s, with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam originating from the city.</div><div><br /></div><div>Outdoor Activities: The city's proximity to mountains, forests, and bodies of water provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Residents and visitors can enjoy hiking, skiing, boating, and other outdoor pursuits.</div><div><br /></div><div>Landmarks: Seattle boasts several iconic landmarks, including the Space Needle, a futuristic observation tower built for the 1962 World's Fair; Pike Place Market, a historic and bustling public market; and the Seattle Great Wheel, a waterfront Ferris wheel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Climate: Seattle has a temperate maritime climate characterized by mild, wet winters and relatively dry summers. It is known for its frequent rainfall, which contributes to its lush green landscapes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sports: Seattle is home to several professional sports teams, including the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), and Seattle Sounders FC (MLS).</div><div><br /></div><div>Transportation: The city has a well-developed transportation system, including buses, light rail, and ferries. Seattle is also known for its challenging traffic and efforts to improve public transportation infrastructure.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sustainability: Seattle has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation, with initiatives such as recycling programs, green building practices, and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, Seattle is a dynamic and culturally rich city known for its natural beauty, technological innovation, and diverse community. It offers a wide range of activities and attractions for residents and visitors alike.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>For more, see <a href="http://www.visitseattle.org">www.visitseattle.org</a></div></div><div><br /></div>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10632258.post-45462659669539465402023-02-01T20:14:00.001+11:002023-02-01T20:14:19.778+11:00North to Alaska: Cruising with Holland America<div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com" target="_blank"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4424/36042211760_e4bd9da353_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4424/36042211760_e4bd9da353_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Holland America Line brings more people to Alaska than by any other means and have been doing it longer than any other cruise line.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Which US capital city can you not drive to? It’s a great trivia question and it's true: you cannot drive to the state capital of Alaska, Juneau. But you sure can cruise there.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>For five months of the year, the tiny city of Juneau becomes the centre of the cruising universe. Mighty cruise ships from many of the big names in the business, run continues in and out of the beautiful harbour, bordered by dense forest and overlooked by tall cliffs clad in pine and spruce. Floatplanes buzz the waterfront, whisking sightseers out for airborne excursions to the nearby glaciers. It is quite likely busier now than during the famous goldrush that lasted 60 years until WWII.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alaska’s history extends way beyond the first sightings by Europeans that began in the 18th Century. The first residents of the region were the native Tlingit people who came to Alaska thousands of years ago and are acknowledged First Nation people of the Pacific Northwest. Despite the influence of westerners, the Huna Tlingit of Glacier Bay maintained their independence throughout, resisting the move to reservations and continuing the traditional lifestyle as best they could.</div><div><br /></div><div>“We are a people who exist not just in museums or books,” the guide reminds us as we cruise serenely through the still waters of Glacier Bay National Park, “we are a living culture.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Today the Tlingkit take great pride in playing host to visitors from all around the world and their rich, resilient culture is evident throughout the entire region now known as Alaska’s Inside Passage. Their tribes and those of the Haida, and Tsimshian nation also extend well into Canada’s neighbouring province of British Columbia.</div><div><br /></div><div>Previously a territory of Russia, the rapidly expanding USA took up an offer from them in 1867 and purchased Alaska for $7 million, both parties unaware of the vast riches in gold and oil that lay along the rivers and underground.</div><div><br /></div><div>Juneau wasn’t established until the latter years of the 19th Century when gold nuggets “the size of peas and beans” were discovered by prospectors Joe Juneau and Richard Harris along Snow Slide Gulch. When word got out, the encampment rapidly grew into a thriving village, swollen by the influx of men (and women) with gold in their eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4237/35374566922_28815d0a36_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4237/35374566922_28815d0a36_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Juneau became the capital of the Alaska Territory in 1906 when the seat of government was moved from Sitka.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even today, the only way in and out of Juneau is by air or sea, making this historic port one of the most intriguing places to visit on the world’s cruise calendar. That, and the astonishing array of excursion opportunities on offer like the massive Mendenhall Glacier, Mount Roberts Tramway, Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, Glacier Gardens, whale and orca watching or any of the exciting flightseeing choices just a short floatplane ride from right off the wharf.</div><div><br /></div><div>As an adjunct to the gold, timber and fur industries, cruise tourism has been a feature of Alaska for around 100 years. The early steamships carried freight, ore and passengers along the sheltered waterways of the Inside Passage past the most amazing scenery. Forward-thinking travel entrepreneurs like Chuck West foresaw the potential and began turning these voyages into spectacular sightseeing cruises on a regular basis beginning in 1947.</div><div><br /></div><div>West’s enterprise grew as more people discovered the joys of seeing this stunning landscape and its geological features up close. Even the earliest of cruise brochures featured luxurious ships meandering past massive glaciers thrusting out into the sea.</div><div><br /></div><div>But economic pressure and global forces impelled West to find investors to keep the company growing. In the end, Holland America Line (HAL) bought West’s cruise and tour business outright in 1971 using it as a springboard to the massive, multi-vessel operation we see today.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since my last visit to Juneau in 2012, a new wharf has appeared, nostalgically christened the Alaska Steamship Dock, boosting capacity from five ships to seven. Our ship, Eurodam, jostles its way alongside HAL’s sister ship, Nieuw Amsterdam as well as Ruby Princess and Celebrity Solstice. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this new ‘gold rush’, around 2000 people from each ship, plus crew, stroll the streets and come and go from shore excursions, creating quite a hustle and bustle along the frontier-style retail strip. Everything from craft beer, faux fur coats and hats, gemstones and jewellry are being hawked in a style not unlike the enterprising merchants who “mined the miners” during the 1880s, selling them everything from eggs at a dollar apiece to gold-sniffing gophers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nowadays the draw of eager visitors to Alaska continues undiminished, with cruise lines like Holland America leading the charge north and bundling a catalogue of activities that will make the journey as busy or relaxing as you want. Everything from sea kayaking, dog sledding, salmon fishing and even hovercraft expeditions are available to turn the humble cruise into a rollicking adventure for the whole family. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>WHEN & WHERE</b></div><div><br /></div><div>HAL’s most popular Alaska cruises are the 7-day roundtrip options from either Seattle or Vancouver. Eurodam is based in Seattle along with her Signature-class siblings, including Noordam and Nieuw Amsterdam.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Alaska ‘summer’ cruise season runs from April to September with the mid-season months most popular and busiest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Australian and New Zealand guests frequently opt for the longer options, extending their stay with onshore extensions such as Denali National Park and BC (Canada). The ‘Rail & Sail’ packages, which combine with the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer rail experience, present great value.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fares for the 7-day roundtrip voyages begin at around A$1400 per person. Shore excursions are charged separately. </div><div><br /></div><div>See your travel agent or contact 1300‐987‐322 or visit <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>This story originally appeared in <a href="http://www.mindfood.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">MiNDFOOD</span> </a>Magazine</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><i>All material (c) Copyright <a href="http://www.traveloscopy.com/">Traveloscopy.com</a> unless noted otherwise. </i>rodeimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13114562768626186868noreply@blogger.com0