Things to do in Fiji (beyond the beach)
Fiji has truly amazing beaches that could easily keep snorkellers, watersports enthusiasts and holiday-readers endlessly happy, but what if you want a bit more from your trip? Fiji is such an obvious ‘island paradise’ destination. Still, there are several other activities that visitors might be unaware of. Here are my suggestions of Fiji’s highlights, beyond the beach. Take a scenic flight If you didn’t manage to score a window seat on your flight arriving into Fiji you can still admire the many islands of Fiji, scattered like jewels across the Pacific, from a scenic flight. If you take a seaplane transfer to an island you will get great views from…
Singapore, so much more than a stopover
I have a terrible confession to make. For several years now I have considered Singapore’s Changi Airport to be my preferred stop on long haul flights between Europe and Australia, but do you know what? It was only a few days ago that I arrived in Singapore and actually entered the country. Isn’t that ridiculous? I know the airport so well yet have never been able to make visiting Singapore a priority on any of the journeys made. Well, all I can say is more fool me. Singapore is amazing; here’s why. The culture of Singapore Since becoming a republic in 1965, Singapore must be one of the best examples…
London’s West End – Theatre capital of Europe
London has an enormous range of evening entertainment. Londoners and visitors are spoilt for choice with restaurants offering every cuisine possible, live music performances and nightclubs catering to all tastes and interests, but what makes London so special to me is London’s Theatreland. With around 40 theatres operating in London’s West End (the area between Oxford Street to the north, the Strand to the south, Regent Street to the west and Kingsway to the east) you can be transported to another time or place for the evening at relatively little cost. With so much variety there is a show to suit every taste. Famous screen actors often feature in classic…
The Rodin Museum in Paris and why I love it
The ‘Musee Rodin’ or Rodin Museum is one of my all-time favourite places to spend time in Paris. I never tire of visiting and always recommend friends go there to enjoy the sculpture, art and the peace and tranquility of the gardens in the heart of always bustling Paris. The museum building is compact but the garden surrounding it means it never feels crowded. There are so many galleries and museums in Paris that small establishments can be overshadowed by the larger, more famous galleries such as the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. However, if you are a fan of sculpture the Musee Rodin is a must-see. Even if you’re…
Another country, another expat birthday
It was my birthday this week, my third in Australia, and it made me think how different birthdays feel when you are an expat. I’m a strong believer in the many benefits of spending some time living as an expat. However, expat birthdays are not for the faint-hearted. Cultural birthday differences For a start there can be different traditions. In Turkey young boys must approach birthdays with at least a bit of trepidation because, as exciting as a rite of passage might be, being circumcised sounds daunting to say the least. I can’t remember the number of times in Turkey, I would be distracted from whatever I was doing by…
Yabby racing in Western Australia
Before living in Australia I had no idea what a yabby was. I think Home and Away characters refer to a place called ‘Yabby Creek’ periodically, but beyond that reference I had never had occasion to give the creatures a second thought. So, when I learned there was a local event devoted to the crustaceans, I was keen to check it out. Towns in regional Australia regularly hold ‘fun days’ to bring the community together, often to raise money for local community groups or charities. That is exactly what Grass Patch’s ‘Yabby Classic’ is all about. What is a yabby? Yabbies are freshwater crustaceans found in waterways around Australia. They…
Fiji’s Hindu culture revealed at Sri Suva Subramaniye Temple
After seeing a few photos and hearing that Sri Suva Subramaniya Temple, in Nadi, is the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere I considered it a ‘must see’ on a recent trip to Fiji, both because I was interested in the structure as a Hindu place of worship and also because, according to what I knew at that time, it seemed a little out of place in Fiji. The island nation proved itself to be a fascinating melting pot of people, culture and religion however and a visit to the temple is a great way to learn about Fiji’s Hindu culture. The Indian population of Fiji Before visiting Fiji…
How to save money in Barcelona
Barcelona, with its tasty food, nightlife, city beaches and unique Gaudi-built architecture is an exciting and colourful city to explore. However, with so much to keep visitors occupied costs can build up quickly. Here are my tips on how to save money while enjoying the best Barcelona has to offer. Barcelona city transport Like most large European cities, Barcelona has an extensive and reliable public transport system. Buy a T10 ticket for less than €10 and you can take 10 trips on the metro or bus. Not only is it simpler than paying individual fares, as long as you take 10 trips, it is cheaper. If you plan to visit…
Why I fell in love with Fiji
Have you ever visited somewhere and absolutely fallen in love with it? I have been to many different countries and can count on one hand the number of places I have visited and instantly felt a connection with. I’m not sure if it is my familiarity with the Caribbean, or something else, but a recent trip to the south pacific promptly added Fiji to that list. Here’s why I fell in love with Fiji. Friendly Fijians I absolutely believe that it is the people that make the place and the Fijians are a genuinely friendly and lovely bunch. These days it can be easy to feel cynical when strangers are…
Why it is ok to be a Tourist
The travel community can be snobby about what defines travel, and in turn, travellers. Often, being described as a tourist seems derogatory. Of course it all comes down to perspective. Perhaps you get jealous when friends book a cruise or, if you’re a busy Londoner nipping to Oxford Street, getting stuck behind a group of tourists marvelling at everything may be frustrating. Tourists are regularly blamed when towns are busy and locals slightly inconvenienced, but how did you feel last time you were somewhere new? It was a conversation with a stranger in the supermarket last week that prompted me to write this post. Living in the most remote town…
