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…
Gifts that travellers will thank you for
Travellers are difficult to buy presents for. Long-term travellers and short-term expats tend to seek to keep the amount of personal stuff to a minimum. So, what are the best gifts for travellers? The best travel gifts Data storage for photographers Taking photos goes hand in hand with travelling. Nothing is more frustrating though than a camera declaring its memory card is full. Find out what sort of memory card your traveller’s camera takes and get them a shiny new high capacity one. It doesn’t sound exciting but storing all those photos is important, as well as other documents, files and data generally. Flash drives are handy and portable hard…
How to buy a car in Australia
I’ve recently bought a used car in Australia, and my goodness, how much easier my life is going to be now. Beyond city centres, Australia is not an easy place to be without a car, especially when you find yourself living in a town with no public transport! Having discovered just how complicated the process of buying a car is though, I thought I would share some information on how to go about it. Find a car To find out what is for sale, check the classified section of the local papers and local social media groups. IGA Supermarkets often have community noticeboards outside, so check these too. Once you…
Australian Big Things
Australia is a massive country with a relatively small population, meaning there is lots of lovely space. So it is understandable that the Aussies go ‘big’ and have several large things around the country that have long attracted visitors. There are SO many big things around Australia. These are only the big things I have managed to see so far. What is the story behind Australia’s big things? Hello Mr Prawnie! This large prawn on the road from Learmonth airport to Exmouth is the symbol of a seafood factory, which processes various types of seafood, but a local favourite is prawns and when they are so fantastically fresh and priced…
The Secret Curfew
Living in regional Australia is a unique experience. We non-aussies forget just how vast Australia is. There are thousands of tiny towns strewn across the country. I live in one right now. My nearest city currently is Perth and it is 800km away. That takes 9 hours of constant driving. That’s a bloody long way. Living in such a remote location is challenging in several ways. Nightlife, activities, shopping and meeting people can all prove tricky. These are issues that most people can overcome eventually. I have noticed one significant concern in regional Australia though and it is something that is rarely spoken about. It is kangaroos. They are not…
Consumerism and Travellers
Are you a shopaholic? Go on admit it. You just can’t resist all those lovely shiny things, right? Well, if you are not, you will perhaps be more aware that consumerism is rife in today’s world. It lurks everywhere, around every corner, ready to ambush you and to part you and your cash. Travelling takes you out of your routine however and I think strengthens your resistance to the pressure of consumerism. Pressure Most people are constantly exposed to consumerism in all its glory, especially in the Western world. Advertising is consumerism’s weapon of choice and we are all exposed to it while commuting, shopping, reading the paper, watching TV…
The Aussie Way – Part 2
Earlier in the year I posted ‘The Aussie Way’ which you can read here. I highlighted a few of the differences between Australia and other places. Travellers are quick to assume that English-speaking countries don’t actually differ much. They do though and, especially if you live in another country as an expat, you will notice the subtle differences. There are Lots of Rules Australia seems to be the land of rules. Looking at this positively, the rules protect society and provide certainty, enabling everyone to expect things to be a certain way. Fines for littering for example, I can’t see many people arguing with. However, Australia’s many strict rules also…
Versatile Blogger Award
Last week was much like any other really until I found out that I had won the Versatile Blogger Award, and then it became a very exciting week. I am delighted to accept the award. Are you wondering what the Versatile Blogger Award is though? Read on and I’ll tell you more. I’m proud to receive the award but feel a bit ‘British’ about shouting about it (It’s just not something we do!) So, trying not to come across as boastful, this post is all about my award because I have to accept it properly. Part of accepting the award is that you must do the following: Thanks Firstly, huge…
Do You Believe in Traveller Karma?
Karma follows the principle that how you live your life determines the kind of life you will have. So, does how you travel determine the kind of travel you will experience? I like to think there are more well-intentioned people in the world than, well, the others. I believe that by sharing kindnesses, especially whilst on the road, we can help each other and hopefully encourage others to be kind too. There are always times when things go wrong of course and, as a traveller, when they do you can very quickly find yourself in a difficult situation. As a traveller you can be more vulnerable than on your own…
Frisky Barbados Turtles and How to Swim with them
Turtles are tricky creatures. When they only come ashore to lay their eggs and then as quickly as they appeared, disappear, how can you spend some time with these marvellous animals? The reefs off Barbados have a thriving turtle population. The turtles are widely considered locals and it is not uncommon to notice one creeping up the beach at night whilst you’re downing a rum in a nearby beach bar. No, you’re not imagining them. The sudden arrival of the turtle-monitoring squad (complete with clipboards) confirms their presence and also prevents the turtles developing any alcohol-related troubles. Where to find turtles It is not unlikely that you will meet a…
