Blogs from Oceania - page 7774

Well, enough of the cappucccinos, the beach by day, freshly grilled barramundi washed down with a decent chablis by night, urbane lifestyle of the Australian eastern coast cities - it was time to see the real Australia - the vast emptyness of the virtually uninhabitable middle. This tortured land, only pioneered by europeans 2 generations ago, is still frontier country, where men are men, and sheep are worried, and a bloke would never be seen dead drinking wine. Firstly, a flight to Alice Springs - the heart of the outback - and the furnace like heat (46 degrees) hit us like a brick when we got off the plane. The red dust all around gave the impression we were on mars, just with a bit of scrubby bushes lying around. The town itself is a huge ... read more

The Queen Charlotte Drive Named after an 18th Dutch Queen (this is from a hazy memory now) the Queen Charlotte sounds are an absolutely breathtaking area of New Zealand. They're unspoilt and pristine with countless miles of coastline that winds in and out and in and out seemingly forever - the best way by far to see them would be to sail around them, but we only had the option of driving along the specatacular Queen Charlotte Drive which winds its way from near Picton (where the ferry goes from) along the coastline to the Pelorus river. The road then goes inland and turns into the highway to Nelson - which is what we followed. At times this drive is so beautiful, you just have to stop and look (as is so common in New Zealand) ... read more

As I mentioned before, a new period in my trip here started. I am now traveling with an Israeli guy that Shiri & me met a few weeks ago. We discussed a bit and decided we have similar plans, we are both very flexible with the time, and we are both ready to spend money on wine, good food, etc... The only thing is that he did a lot more hiking than me, and now I am planning to do them too! No more only easy walks :-) And the first "test" was right in the beginning: the Avalanche Peak track in Arthur's pass. It's a steep path climbing 1000m in a pretty short way... My god, it was hard! Took us 4.5 hours to climb, but the views from the top were amazing!!! It really ... read more

Welcome to clean toilets (with toilet paper!!!!!), friendly people and hot showers (first one in 4 months!!!). After waiting to leave Indonesia for so long we finally arrived in Australia & immediately loved it. Ayers Rock was amazing, we didn't climb it out of respect: the aboriginal people view it as sacred & request that you don't. We also visited The Olgas, which were equally as awe inspiring, & King's Cannyon.....all were truly magnificent but we were plagued by the thousands of flies! ... read more

hi. this is just a little trial so i get to know what to do!!... read more