First Impressions Thick yellow haze hangs in the air, hovering at eye level and drifting up to the gray, windowless buildings above. Relentless horns from passing motorist and jingling bicycles echo through the narrow Hutong alleyways. Another traffic jam perhaps? Senses come alive. Somewhere up ahead, a delicious aroma is wafting my way and...whoops.....I think I was very nearly just spit on there.....yup, I'm certainly back in Asia....Beijing, China to be exact. China - the country of mind bobbling linguistics, untamed rural landscapes, congested city streets, gastronomica [View Full Entry]

---

---

Fraser Island Dappled sun beams stretch inch by infinite inch into my derelict tent, warming my bare legs and rudely interrupting my vivid dreams. The murky, soothing coolness of night melts away as Morning shouts her brazen greetings, urging us out of bed, rumpled...sandy...and blurry eyed.....It's 5 a.m. Too late I realize that dawn has just begun her salutations as I make some halfhearted attempts to rustle the boys from their sound slumbers. Grumbles and sluggish moans surround the camp and they roll over, crushing pillows over their heads to hide streaming sun rays, alread [View Full Entry]

---

---

NAME Ashley Elizabeth Cultra (Ash to most of you) CURRENT OCCUPATION Displaced marketing student currently avoiding the wrath of the corporate world. Have chosen to spend the priceless years of my mid- twenties hopping around foreign cities and off the beaten path destinations. CAREER OBJECTIVE Eager to utilize 2 years of time tested experience on the international backpacker trail where I've picked up such talents as personal chef, island laborer, ABC teacher and singer of nursery rhymes, and other semi-useless, but highly laughable job skills . RELEVENT W [View Full Entry]

---

---

From the big dizzy mountains that screen it, to the deep deathlike valley's below......it's the beauty that fills me with wonder, it's the stillness that fills me with peace. That little ditty is courtesy of Robert Service, one of my father's favorite poets. His literature is primarily based on his experiences in the Yukon but I think his descriptions depict the austere splendour of New Zealand flawlessly. Although I’m back in Australia at present, I can’t help but fill you all in on my last days in New Zealand. As appealing as it may be, I can’t leave big gaps in [View Full Entry]

---

---

Painted banners crisscrossed the road, balloons floated from downtown storefronts, ringing kettle drums beat out the “Happy Birthday” song.........although I wasn't perched next to the King when he blew out his birthday candles, I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the birthday bonanza in Nuku’alofa. Royalty sure know how to throw a party, especially when they are commemorating an 88th birthday of a highly regarded monarch. Tongataupo was decked out in all its glitter and glam for the week long gala affair, also known as the Heilala festival. Excited locals ca [View Full Entry]

---

---

A Tongan paradise dwells on the forgotten island of Uoleva.....swaying palm trees, sweet coconut milk, cobalt skies, pink and white clouds floating overhead, a soft lullaby of waves at the tips of your toes and miles and miles away from civilization. Time has stopped. There are no queues, no traffic, no noise, and virtually nobody around except a few languid backpackers......a beach bum's dream come true and a workaholic’s worst nightmare. The five tanned bodies of my English travel buddies are stretched out in various stages of sleepiness, all glistening with tanning oil or the smarte [View Full Entry]

---

---

Since the first sheep was landed in New Zealand by Captain Cook in 1773, the sheep population has grown to over 40 million. That represents twelve sheep for every person living in this tiny country. However, although a large percentage of New Zealand's economy relies on pastoral agriculture, in the past few weeks I've grown to appreciate that the country offers more to the candid traveler than just shorn sheep and stacks of wool sweaters. Indeed, there is more to New Zealand than just sheep! New Zealand's scenery has surpassed my expectations. I'm constantly in awe with the ever changi [View Full Entry]

---

---

As a world traveling vagabond, I believe that I have become well accustomed to various types of transportation. Whether it was a tuk-tuk in downtown Bangkok, a friendly donkey in the countryside of Laos, a rickshaw on the dusty side streets of India, or a backseat on a rusty, squeaky moped - whatever the type of transport vessel, I’ve probably tried it. Over the past fourteen months, I've also become a connoisseur of some high degree for the most common mode of transportation along the backpacker trail. A type often used on long, cross country journeys and usually for the broke [View Full Entry]

---

---

I have an eleven hour countdown until I board a plane to New Zealand. It will be a short trip, adding up to only seven weeks for the pure sake of renewing my Australian visa. At least I can use this excuse to motivate myself to actually pack my bags once again. Everything is strewn around the room, hanging on every available bed post and wall hook - it will take some semblance of order to accomplish this feat of organization. Since arriving in Cairns, my life has come to a standstill, full of lazy afternoons playing way too many card [View Full Entry]

---

---

During the past month, I've come to learn that Australia has seasons just like the rest of the world. Forget the fact that I grew up thinking it was always hot and sunny here. Nope......I haven't seen the sun in days. It's up there, somewhere behind layers and layers of grumpy clouds. Although the air is quite thick and heavy with the promise of rain, there has been no relief from the cloud cover and humidity up here in Cairns. What has happened to lazy afternoons laying on sun drenched poolsides? I left Sydney after spending two fabulous, though slightly chilly, [View Full Entry]

---

---