Bob Travel

The World Heritage site of the Blue Mountains is just a day trip from the city of Sydney.  The drive from any of the five star hotels Sydney offers in the center of town, to the Blue Mountains is just over two hours.  One should take note, that no petrol stations are located at the Park or the Reserve, so one should plan ahead.  Located in the the mountains is the Scenic World.  This is a collection of various ways to enable visitors to experience the best views of the incredible scenery, rock formations, waterfalls, and landscapes.  This is a site that all visitors should see, and a perfect getaway for those living in Sydney.

Scenic World remains open, every day throughout the year, from nine to five.  When one first enters, the first activity would be to take the train down into the Jamison valley.  The descent is about four hundred and fifteen meters, taking the steepest rails in the world, through tunnels, cliff edges and water falls into the ancient Australian rain forest.  Once in the valley there is a self guided tour along a walkway, leading one through the forest on a set of trails, with a boardwalk that is accessible to those in wheelchairs.  The walk leads one through the flora and fauna, and provides history and facts.

And one should take time to explore the sites in the valley such as the Rain Forest room located deep within the valley and the Marrangaroo Spring, as well as the historical exhibit of the coal mine, before heading back along the path that leads to the platform to the suspended cable car.  This was the first in the world to be designed with a floor made of glass.  The window in the floor becomes transparent as the car makes its ascent out of the valley, giving one an incredible perspective and the feeling as though one may just be walking on air.  For those not afraid of heights, this is an amazing journey to take through the Blue Mountains.

Canberra, the capital city of Australia is literally a city built within a park.  This city was intricately planned and designed, as very few of the cities of the world are.  Consequently, one will be constantly surrounded by the seasons, be it the gold and red of autumn, or the colors of the rainbow in spring and summer or snow capped mountains in the winter.  Quite a bit of the parks contain plants and trees indigenous to the country, so one has the feeling of being in the natural wilderness, even in the middle of a modern and thriving city with boutique shops, trendy bars, and hip restaurants.  Canberra also has many activities for children as well as a full calender throughout the year of festivals, celebrations and events.  artistic city as well, there are many musicians, painters, photographers and writers, that offer tourists a chance to view through the eyes of the local artists, the charm, the beauty and the history of the lovely, little city of Canberra.

The Canberra Museum offers visitors a look at the history and the culture.  The museum also offers classes for adults and for children, in the traditional arts and crafts such as pottery making, jewelry and painting.  One of the markets, if one is interesting in the shopping in the city, that features the artwork, including crafts and furniture is the Old Depot Market open every Sunday.    This is not only a great place to find treasures to bring home, but a great way to mingle and to feel the culture in a very alive and interactive way.  Many of the galleries and museums located in the city offer just that, a look into the way of life of the people who exist here.  Many exhibits and permanent collections offer insight into the political history, the character, and the transformation of the country from an unexplored outback to the multicultural and modern continent it has become.  And for the performing arts, the city is a buzz as well, with regular performances by theater companies, the Australian Ballet and the School of Music.  There is much to discover in this Australian city in the park.

When one leaves their hotel, Melbourne Australia excitement and diversity.  There are many different districts and neighborhoods offering everything that is high class and sophisticated to everything that is urban and bohemian.  From the only purified seawater spa in St. Kilda to the funky boutiques and shops in Fitzroy, the city is a mix of culture that blend to make one fine whole, one incredible destination for world travelers.

For example, if one is searching for the finest and most tasty cuisine of Vietnam or Greece, Richmond is the place to head to.  This is a vibrant area that hosts many restaurants wherein in an all day restaurant establishment is often time fused with an incredible live music scene.  There are discount fashion shops as well as some of the best vintage and second hand stores in the country.  This is one of the sites of the early settlement of Melbourne, and as such there are districts set up wherein discounts can be found in the realms of fashion to fresh flowers.  There are also many locations to find rare objects of art and fine furniture.

Little Saigon is located on Victoria Street.  This is the heart and the soul of the Vietnamese population in Melbourne.  The wet markets start at Hoddle Street, and offer everything from fresh meat and seafood, to fresh produce.  The restaurants appear simple no white linen nor fancy silver, but the meals prepared by the chefs are tasty and delicate, not found in many restaurants.  This is an area that serves, fresh and fast…and healthy, all at an inexpensive price.

And the music scene in Richmond, well live music has found its niche here.  No one knows why the scenes pop up where they do, and many cities try to figure that out and plan for it, but there just is no plan, it happens where it happens.  One of the most popular venues for live shows in the city is at the Corner Hotel.  Big time artists play there as well as the lesser known newcomers to the stage.  For jazz lovers, Dizzy’s the place to go for quality acts and a good vibe.  One should most certainly find the time to visit this district in Melbourne, especially of food, and atmosphere and live jams is their thing.

My first trip to Australia to visit a good friend of my was back in the 70’s. They treated me to a traditional backyard Aussie BBQ. The backyard area was big and roomy with plenty of outdoor kitchen cabinets and a built-in grill. These people were serious about their BBQ. They purposely built their home up instead of spread out just so they could have their lovely traditional Aussie backyard. A backyard built to entertain while they put one on the barbie.

My second and final trip to Australia was in 2007. My friends have moved on and are now living in Thailand. My next stop by the way. But, being here now, in Australia, I’ve notice somethings changed. It seems that today’s home lack a backyard. The newer homes are on just has much land as what my friends had, but instead of building up the new homes spread out. Single stories. No room for a backyard, really. No room to entertain, to put on on the barbie. This is a dramatic change which started in the 90’s. It seems that people are spending their money on floor area instead of backyard area.

These new homes contradict the open-air lifestyle for which Australians are internationally renowned for. I guess I can understand that it’s cheaper to build a single-story house, but to lose a culture over it?  I don’t know. It saddens me really. I had such fond memories of the time I spent in my friends backyard and looking forward to telling all my friends in the States that I was treated to a traditional Aussie ‘putting one on the barbie’.  Which I did, I even wrote about it for my local newspaper. Australia’s changing, for the better? I really can’t say. As I’ve said, though, my second trip to Australia was my last.

Of the many reasons to visit the country of South Africa, and the city of Cape Town specifically, surfing ranks at the top of the list.  Surfers from renown spots in Australia and from the coast of California travel to South Africa for the experience of catching a wave.  International participants and spectators regularly travel to and find accommodations in the best Cape Town hotels along the beaches of the Peninsula.  The temperature of the waters ranges, and some spots require a wet suit, however there is a non-existent record of shark attacks, and the local surfers are friendly as long as the surfer etiquette regarding respect is honored.  There are many spots to the north, such as Blouberg, Big Bay and Tableview, however if these spot are full, the western shores host many viable and incredible options.

Misty Cliffs is well known in the surfing community, for seasoned surfers.  The winds are strong and the break of the surf often shifts.  There are also many rocks to contend with, but this is what those most competent in the sport are looking for, adventure and sport.  The wave swells here are huge, so if a regular eight foot wave is too much, than perhaps some of the calmer waters would be more suitable and safe.  Crayfish Factory is another spot for the well trained surfer, as the waves again, are at least seven foot on average, most times more.  Long boards are recommended as those surfing on short boards can get bounced around quite a bit.  Kommetjie is known as a spot among the best of the world.  The waves come fast and although this is a spot that can be tough to get to, it is worth it for the thrill.  Sandy Bay, another great location, located just next to Kommetjie, is a spot secluded enough to keep it from becoming crowded, but worth the effort to find it.  There will be a walk of about 5 kilometers to reach the waters, but it is also a well known nudist beach, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, so the views are varied, and wonderful.