After the experience of crystal clear water in Hvar and Korcula, it was time for the token visit to Dubrovnik, of which I had mixed reports from other travellers. I was extremely lucky to avoid an early sdtart on the Wednesday by not leaving at 6,45am, and instead leaving at a civilised hour of 10,30am. I decided to get accommodation from an agency in Korcula, whom the lady knew having flatted in this apartment before. On this recommendation and 240 kuna later, I stayed in a lovely new apartment in Lapad, 10 mins by bus to the old town of Dubrovnik. This peninsula is surrounded by quaint if rocky beaches, and the view toward the new bridge (aka Golden Gate bridge!) stunning from the patio at night. The man had business errands to run in Korcula, ... read more

After leaving the Bogan Balaton and the history of hermit dwelling monks, geysers and medieval settlements, it was a long day on the train over to Slovenia. This took 2 border checks, the first being when you enter Croatia from Hungary and the 2nd being exiting Croatia and entering Slovenia. At each checkpoint you are checked by an officla of the country left and then one from where you are going to, then the customs person (if you carry liquor or smokes), then finally the ticket person.......and this subsequently results in lengthy delays of 30 mins or more. Luckily they must factor this delay in when arranging train schedules. There did seem to be a heck of a lot of trackworks going on during my voyage, and true to rumours of Croatian train delays, the Hungarian ... read more

Last I left Trencin in western Slovakia and took the train to Tatranska Lomnica, just north of Poprad Tatry, the centre for excursions into Tatras mountain region. It is shoulder season now, as high season is their winter time, and I could just imagine it being a lovely winter wonderland with racoons climbing trees and snow capped fir and pine trees about to topple with the weight of the snow. The train travel from Trencin was lovely, through Mala Fatra national park (towns of Vrutky, Martin) and passing many lakes and narrow gorges akin to going from Paeroa to Tauranga alongside the river. Being a seat reserved train,it was two abreast (not 4 like tio the hot trip up from Bratislava) and I sat next to this Slovak girl who turned out was doing her PHd ... read more

From the wet foggy climes of Mount Gambier to Western Victorian towns of Casterton and Coleraine, it was a straight and clear drive on the Saturday morning. Once you hit Casterton and climb high above the town you realise it is indeed a hole, out of which the countryside becomes rolling and scenic. Lots of cows and sheep grazing in the lush fields, which have clearly seen recent rain, ran scared as I streaked past at only 100kph, the official speed limit in Victoria - beware the hidden mobile speed cameras!! After a brief stop in Hamilton to stretch the legs at the local lake, I headed eastwards until Dunkeld where I promptly hung a left and drove another 65km to reach my destination of Hall Gap. It was great to see the grandiose peaks of ... read more

Another chance to see Australia arose when i was able to take some leave early on Friday afternoon and head east to the 'big smoke'. The buses out of Mt Gambier leave twice daily, once at 8.15am and then again at 2.25pm, eventually connecting with a train at either Warnambool (coastal scenic route) or inland to Ballarat. The inland bus route to Ballarat takes in lovely pastures in western Victoria, rolling countryside and small traffic-free roads worthy of some good cycling I'm sure. Hamilton, Victoria, is a base for visiting the Grampians in the southwestern corner, and similar sized to Mt Gambier, but things really get bigger once you reach Ballarat. If you hanker for a good transport network, University town feel, that has enough size to warrant a theatre for travelling shows and movies, this ... read more