Skip to main content

Down Under,







Upper left: Queensland train through waterfalls, Upper right, Brisbane, with Patti King McGrath; left Surfers Paradise, below, Sydney



When I'm asked, "What is your favorite place in the world?" my most common response is a question, since I have so many favorites. I rephrase, "Where would I like to return to visit, if I could go anywhere?"




The answer to that question is: Australia. Which, of course, means New Zealand, too. Anyone who's been always says they're glad they went to both countries for a rich travel experience.








Here's what I wrote to my two roommates named Nancy (yes, Nancy and Nancy), The photo on the front is a Eucalyptus, "Ghost Gum" tree seen throughout the outback or bush country. I truly enjoyed seeing this part of "down under" but I don't want to live there. It's like a mini-desert, almost Las Vegas-like. In Alice Springs, we went to the "out of place" casino.



Climbing Ayers Rock was indeed a thrill. We saw the sunset, sunrise, and many moods of the rock, then climbed over a mile to the top.

After we came down, we drank Champagne. Then I "flaked", AKA, fell asleep, on the bus ride, 6 hours, back to Alice Springs. Believe it or not, I've still got my straw hat (a Liz Burke original, later lost in Fiji).

Souvenir: Something kept as a remembrance; a memento


Went to Paddington Flea Market this morning and bought a couple of souvenirs, shirt from Bali and wool army sweater and socks (NOTE: Years later, I still wear those socks) It's cold in New Zealand, where I'll be going next. Had a spinach & cheese pie for breakfast. Was at a college party in the heart of Sydney last night. This reminds me of London because things have British names. It's bustling with 3.5 million people. Aussies are great folks. Wish I could remember some of the American jokes they told us. Seriously, they've gone out of their way to make us comfortable, as traveling at this pace is crazy.




Sydney Opera House was lovely. I really enjoyed the tour and even caught a rehearsal of the Ballet. Also we took a tour of the Harbor, saw some lovely homes...talk about money. This town has the highest standard of living of anywhere I've seen. They've all got swimming pools...flying in we were all shocked. The government pays students $50 a week to go to college and gives them $2000 to $3000 to help them buy their first house. No sales tax either. It's included.
So after all these years, why would Dr. Travelbest return to the Island Nations so far away? Here's why. The pace of living on an island is just a bit slower than that of North America. They speak English, overall like American people, and the people we met were truly outstanding. Surely there are more like them still. If you are a beginning world traveler, I would highly recommend both Australia and New Zealand.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Coventry, England

Today’s Destination is Coventry, England Today’s Misstep- Manila Airport was a disaster Travel Advice: Bring the thing you usually forget   FAQ: What are some simple exercises for travelers, especially solo females in their prime? Here are five I recommend: Walking: Aim for a daily walk to explore your surroundings. It's an easy way to keep your body moving and enjoy the local sights. Leg and Ankle Stretches: Sitting stretches are perfect for waiting in lines or resting. Flex and extend your ankles, or gently lift and lower your legs. Back and Shoulderstretches: Do these to prevent hunching over bags or phones. Raise your arms and clasp your hands above your head, then lean side to side. Wall Push-Ups: Quick and easy in a hotel room, these push-ups are great for keeping your upper body toned. Balance Exercises: Practicing standing on one foot helps with stability and balance and is useful for navigating uneven terrain. Adding small moments of movement througho...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cabrillo National Monument Part 1, using AI for travel, advice on guides

In this episode, the FAQ:  Can AI really help me travel?    Today’s Destination: Cabrillo National Monument Experience Part 1   Today’s Misstep- Mark Twain jokes about European tour guides in his travel books.   Travel Advice: If you are interested in travel and do as you listen here, why not purchase a guide that answers most of your questions in one place?    FAQ: Can really AI help me travel?    Answer: AI is a great tool kit for travel. Yes, but be sure to check for accuracy and hallucinations. You will also find bias. But you can start using your phone today to ask about some of the questions you have at this moment. “Do I need to bring an umbrella to England?” That’s a question you already are asking your Alexa, Siri, or other smart device. I just asked that. The answer was that it’s not raining right now in the UK. That did not answer my question, but it helped.  So don’t limit yourself and keep asking questions. Be sure...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - Part 1

In this episode:  The FAQ is: What is your purpose for traveling? Today’s Special episode:  San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Part 1 Today’s Mistake- Time zone mayhem Travel Advice:  Prioritize Flexibility In this episode: FAQ What is your purpose for travel? Answer: My purpose for traveling and especially solo travel, is to reach into places that may not be the most populated and to connect with women where they are to help bridge the culture gap. World peace is the ultimate goal for seeing this through. If I can reach 1,000,000 women and help 1000 of them travel solo, that is my specific goal next year! I’ll be asking if and how I helped you. Destination: Part 1 of 2 San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks is now the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance The Wildlife Alliance is trying to create a world where all life thrives. They have two front doors. In this episode, we focus on the Zoo, and in the next episode, it will be the Safari Park, formerly known as the Wild Animal P...
Post a Comment
Read more