Top 10 Things to do in Broome
Broome is a quirky little outback town on the Dampier Peninsular along the dramatic Kimberley coast of north-west Australia. It is a beautiful pearling centre with a complicated and unique history. Before visiting Broome I knew very little about the town and what to expect of the place, other than it being somewhere Western Australians visit during their winters and rave about. It didn’t take long before I fell for Broome too. Willie Creek Pearl Farm The Willie Creek Pearl Farm lies at the northern end of Cable Beach, 35km north of Broome and offers a fascinating insight into modern pearl farming, as well as explaining how pearls are cultivated.…
Exploring Dalyan Delta
Dalyan is a small town in Turkey’s south-west Mediterranean region that keeps its secrets tucked away behind the coastline. Overlooked by ancient Lycian rock tombs the town itself is only small but the region offers many distractions for explorers. Tourists swell the population of Dalyan during the summer months but the region is otherwise occupied with being a productive agricultural region. Especially noticeable in the fields surrounding the settlement are crops of citrus fruit, pomegranates and cotton. Things to do in Dalyan Kaunos Rock tombs embedded in the rock slope facing Dalyan, across the Dalyan river, evidence the area’s ancient history. The grandness and height of tombs above others indicate…
5 Things to do on Khao San Road
The Khao San Road area is a vibrant part of Bangkok. It buzzes all day but really comes alive at night as the temperatures fade and the night sets in. It is a busy place and a notorious stomping ground for backpackers. Shop Khao San Road Khao San Road is the destination of choice for bargain hunters as all the thrifty backpackers keep prices low. Souvenirs of every sort are available from the many, many stores that line the streets in the area and it is also possible to find rows of miniature Buddhas. inexpensive clothes, fisherman trousers, Buddha hand carvings, wooden elephants, wedge-shaped Thai axe pillows, artwork, bags, jewellery,…
10 Reasons to visit South East Asia
South East Asia consists of eleven countries, spread along the edge of the Asian continent and across island nations. The area offers a variety of exciting experiences from walking with tigers in Thailand, visiting ancient temples in Cambodia, joining a small group tour in Laos and scoffing tasty noodles in Bali. Adventurers reap many rewards. Discover Asian culture South East Asia offers wonderfully diverse cultures. The origins are mainly Indian and Chinese with Arab, Portuguese, Spanish and Malay influences depending on where you go. One great way to absorb local culture is through talking with people or experiencing local storytelling. The Barong dance in Bali is an easily accessible example.…
Expat Banking
Living overseas can make managing your finances difficult at times, especially when you have significant ongoing expenses in your home country. Fortunately there are various ways to send money internationally. Here are a few I have used (and a chance to win a hamper of sweets!) With the increasingly global movement of people these days the ability to transfer money internationally is more important than ever before. Whether it is to keep on top of mortgage payments or simply to send Christmas or birthday gifts, as soon as you become an expat, and even in the planning stages ahead of a move abroad, the need to be able to control…
Are travellers just bums?
It is a common belief that people who prioritise travel in their lives and turn their backs on career-building, buying houses and all the other readily accepted norms in society are bums, but is that true? Who are travellers? It is easy to use the term ‘travellers’ and group people together, but in fact everyone travels differently and for a variety of reasons. Some people become travellers temporarily each year when they go on an annual holiday. Others travel for extended periods, such as those on round-the-world trips and expats who live and work overseas to further their careers, or simply for the experience. There is a growing group of…
Wat Pho
Thailand is the land of ornate and spectacular temples and no visit to Thailand is complete without taking in a temple or two. Wat Pho, which you may remember Leo DiCaprio visiting in the movie The Beach, is the oldest, largest and probably the most famous temple, and should definitely be on everyone’s must-see list. The Reclining Buddha The reclining Buddha is incredible, both in terms of size and the detail of design. He is 46 metres long, 15 metres high, made of plaster and finished in gold-leaf. The soles of his feet are inlaid with delicate images made of mother of pearl depicting the 108 characteristics of Buddha. You…
5 Reasons to try street food in Asia
Part of the joy of travelling is discovering new things and if like me you enjoy culinary adventures then Asian street food can really provide some fantastic experiences. The human experience Eating at street food stalls in Asian countries is a very personal experience. The stall holder will often smile and make friendly gestures while you point out what you want, and will then encourage you to take a seat or watch the cooking process. Adventurous eating Trying new things means you will discover new foods you never knew about before. Granted, locusts and grubs may be pushing your boundaries, but it is certainly an adventure. Is street food safe?…
5 Places to visit in Western Australia
Someone mentioned to me today that they had heard Western Australia referred to as ‘Perth and desert,’ which made me want to highlight all the amazing parts of WA that perhaps the world is less aware of. Western Australia is the largest of the Australian states and covers over a third of the Australian continent’s footprint. WA boasts a north, west and a south coast and is bordered by the Indian Ocean and the Great Southern Ocean. Yes, there is also a lot of desert, but also some of the most spectacular natural scenery you will ever see. Here are what I consider to be the top five places to…
Travel Adventures of an Expat Cat
If you are like me you fall in love with animals everywhere. I constantly want to adopt and care for animals that I meet, but obviously can’t take them all around the world with me. One cat however, won my heart and has travelled with me. When I lived in Turkey I met and quickly fell in love with a stray cat. I named her Sultan, which is a regular female Turkish name. She was a nervous cat and was scared of me and of anyone who came to visit. It took weeks of actively avoiding her before she felt comfortable and calmed down a bit. We soon got used…
