Nasi Goreng
I wasn’t sure what to expect of Indonesian cuisine before arriving there. I will admit it concerned me a bit because of my severe dislike of spicy foods. I shouldn’t have worried though. I discovered nasi goreng and it was love at first bite Nasi Goreng Pronounced ‘nazee gorang’ and offered on most menus, nasi goreng was a reliable and tasty treat while I explored Bali and it was NOT spicy (although you can request it to be). Essentially it is fried rice served with fish, chicken, pork or beef and, often in tourist areas, a fried egg on top and a satay stick. Nasi goreng is a traditional dish…
French trains
French trains are some of the fastest and most comfortable you will ever travel in. Some routes use double-decker trains and they certainly put British trains to shame. In many countries once you have bought a ticket you can sit back and relax, but in France they have a sneaky extra step that the traveller needs to complete. Buy a ticket French stations are full of ticket machines, so as long as you recognise the words, you can buy your ticket without generating a huge queue and embarrassing yourself at the ticket office. Validate your ticket Once you have bought your ticket (billet) you need to validate it at one…
Brighton Rocks
Brighton is a seaside resort on Britain’s south coast bursting with colour and character. It offers a modern pier complete with rides and good old-fashioned British seaside fun, as well as ghost piers, cafes, restaurants, shopping and of course the beach. Brighton Pier (and old pier) Brighton Pier (also known as the Palace Pier) is the focus of the seafront. Opened in 1899 it stretches for out into the sea for 524 metres and plays host to a whole funfair of rides, games and funfair activities. It has something to suit everyone, from the traditional rollercoaster to the nasty newer rides that ‘drop’ you. The Pier also hosts more traditional…
Pioneering in Western Australia
Since gold was discovered in Kalgoorlie in 1893 pioneers came from far and wide leaving traces across WA and, unbeknownst to many, there are some abandoned homesteads not far from Esperance. There are two homesteads that are relatively easy to find. Deralinyup homestead The first is Deralinya which was built in 1890 and home to Mr Scott who lived there while he worked on the land. It lay in ruins for years until Roger Robertson came across it and decided to lavish love upon it and restore it. It now boasts a complete tin roof, whitewashed walls and a few bits of furniture. There is a dunny (outhouse) in a…
Bali’s Barong Dance
Balinese mythology is often illustrated through dance. Bali’s traditional Barong dance is a mythical story about good versus evil and provides a fascinating insight into Balinese culture. Barong Barong is the good spirit and looks quite lion-like. He has a red head and his body is covered in white hair. His head is adorned with jewels and pieces or mirror providing sparkle. Despite his innate goodness the Barong mask can still look a bit frightening. Rangda Barong’s appearance is nothing as scary as that of Rangda however. Rangda is the evil spirit. She is portrayed as a witchcraft-practising widow. Her appearance features more black symbolising her evil nature, she has…
Cheap winter sun
The UK is not usually blessed with wonderful weather during winter and it is easy to get a bit blue with all the grey weather. Luckily for those based in the UK London is something of a hub for flights to all sorts of destinations. Here are some options for inexpensive winter escapes. Morocco There is plenty of sunshine on offer in Morocco and if you keep out of the Atlas mountains it is pretty reliably warmer than the UK in winter. In Morocco you can experience arab culture, stay in a riad, get lost exploring the souk and binge on the sweetest fresh orange juice imaginable. Marrakech makes a…
How to bargain
There are some countries in the world where bargaining over the price of an item is the norm. If you are not used to this do not worry about it and do not feel uncomfortable about it; it is all part of the local shopping experience. Here are a few tips to help you. Understanding pricing Shopkeepers and market-stall holders will tell you the price they would like you to pay. This is not normally what they expect to get for the item, but a slightly higher price, as they are expecting to bargain. With this same thinking in mind your initial price needs to be lower than you are…
Where should you live in Australia?
Australia appeals to immigrants for many reasons not least of all the weather. Ahead of arriving though, it is easy to not really grasp the sheer size of Australia and make assumptions about what living in one place or another might be like. Read on for a quick guide. Australia is simply enormous and the distances between places are frequently underestimated. When Aussies say ‘it is just up the road’ it is common to discover it to be a several-hundred kilometre trip. Prepare yourself for some long drives if you are seriously contemplating moving to Australia, especially if you will live in rural Australia. Long drives aside though, one of…
Christmas in Australia
Across much of the world Christmas is a cold time of year. The opposite is true in Australia. Christmas and the first few months of each year bring the hottest summer weather to Australia. What is a ‘hot’ Christmas like? Read on! Let it snow…oh wait a minute Well, let’s start by not having to dig the car out of all the snow on the driveway and scrape the ice off the windscreen. That just doesn’t happen here. You’re unlikely to need your thermal undies either, although you may need more than a bikini if you’re celebrating in Tasmania. Turkey lurkey or toss another shrimp on the barbie? Is your…
Underwater Animals – Don’t trust them!
After several years of working as a scuba diving instructor all over the world I am still passionate about the underwater creatures that keep diving lively. This post is about just a few of the critters I have encountered while diving, sort of a dive instructor’s guide to what really goes on under the waves. The Mad Humphead Napolean Wrasse are gentle giants. They can get to the size of a cow and are generally a greeny-blue-ish colour. They tend to have a pronounced forehead (hence the name) and large lips. In some places they have become very familiar with divers and will approach them. I had exactly this happen…
