For those of you who follow me on Twitter, Facebook and still occasionally jump on over here to see my latest post you will have noticed that for a few months now I’ve been rather silent. It’s not that I don’t love you all anymore, on the contrary I have the most amazing readers who have always been there waiting when I get back from the blog hiatuses I frequently take. So as I love you all it pains me to give you this news, after nearly 3 years of running this blog I’ve found I’m tired, jaded with travel blogging, I’ve lost the passion and I’m now moving in other directions, other exciting directions. What does that mean for this blog? Well i’ll be putting it on hiatus, for how long I’m not yet sure.

I’ve been feeling like this for a while, hence the lack of posts on here.  No words were coming out worth sharing so I figured why post crap just for the sake of posting, I the last thing I ever wanted to become was ‘that’ blogger.  I also didn’t want to put my feelings about travel blogging down in writing because that would mean finally admitting to myself just how I really felt, the travel blogging spark had just gone out!

That being said I’m not giving up entirely, I’m certainly not closing down this blog it’s got so many fantastic articles from guest posters not to mention it’s a time capsule of the last nearly 3 years of my life, also I will most likely post links to any travel related posts I do end up writing. I may at some point in the future re-launch the magazine which really has been an overwhelming success, far more then I ever could have dreamed. Unfortunately it’s a lot of work and I just don’t have the time required to really dedicate to it at this point in my life.

For those of you who I just heard sigh when you read this don’t worry I haven’t given up on writing.  In fact the decision to take a break from this blog was driven by my desire to develop my writing, to become a better writer and to explore some new writing avenues including freelance and working on some book projects.  I also wanted the freedom to write about a much broader range of topics, what can I say I’m a girl with a lot to say! So for those who enjoy my rambles I do have some good news for you, I’m still writing!  I launched a new China blog “Shanghai Novice” back in February that is a both a cultural and satirical look at life in China and thus far it’s grown quite a following more then I ever could have imagined in it’s short lifespan!

More recently I launched a personal blog “Evolution of a Dreamer” this blog is about anything and everything in my life including travel!  It’s the most honest and personal you will ever see me write, every-word is a little piece of myself I share with the entire world. Maybe just maybe you might find something you relate to in my stories about life, dreams, failing, success, motivation, dating and all that other stuff twenty-somethings do!

But are you still travelling?

Of course! Travel is still my one true love! In fact this year I’ve fulfilled two travel dreams.  1. to do a hill tribe trek in northern Thailand (4 days, 70km) which was one of the most moving travel experiences I’ve ever had and 2.To go to inner Mongolia, ride a Mongolian horse, sleep in a hurt and ride a camel through the desert.  I’ve also been lucky enough to see more of China, I spent nearly a week hiking in rural Fujian province an area foreigner’s scarcely visit but one of the most stunning areas I’ve seen in China (and I’ve seen a lot of stunning places in China!).  I also just got back from a trip to Thailand and Laos (I drove through the flood waters in Bangkok on 3 occasions, it’s mental!) My next trip will most likely be to the Philippines and then probably Myanmar to volunteer teach for a few months next year and then who knows, I hear a life in Bangkok calling…You’re just going to have to keep an eye on twitter to see where I’m off to next!

Where can we read your travel tales?

I’ll be writing about my experience of travel, how it changes me and what I learn from it on my new blog. You won’t see top 10 lists or travel advice it will be purely story telling and if you get something practical out of it then fantastic! I’ll also be freelance writing for some other online publications so expect to hear my most adventurous stories elsewhere around the web.

I just want to say a big thank you to all my loyal reader’s who have always been there to read, comment and RT my posts.  Also a special thanks to all my fantastic magazine contributors and guest posters.  It is all of you that gave me the motivation to stick it out as long as I have! I hope you all will continue to follow my ever changing journey through life around the world!

Sasha

Related posts:

1. Inroducing Travel Blog Chronicle
2. Living Abroad Made Me Appreciate My Parents
3. World Experiences: Turkey

The first time I visited Marrakech, aged eleven, my Dad took me to the souks to teach me how to haggle (he’s an Arab and well-practised; I am British-born and decidedly not).

Squirming with embarrassment, I attempted to knock down the price of a pair of beaded slippers while the stall owner grinned at me. My Dad, on the other hand, threw looks of deepest contempt at the stall owner, offered 20% of the asking price and was accused of trying to rob him blind. It culminated with an agreed price and an offer of mint tea – things went from hostile to hospitable in the space of ten minutes and the whole thing left me deeply confused.

Haggling – if you get good at it – is seriously good fun. Here’s my guide to shopping in the souks, and how to avoid getting scammed while you’re at it.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Haggling

Rule number one: there are no price tags in Moroccan souks for good reason. People haggle until a price is agreed. If you see something you like, try to gauge how much you want to pay for it before you start haggling; it’ll help you keep things in perspective.

Ask how much it is and expect a vastly inflated answer in return. Knock it down by at least half (remember to smile: sounds patronising, but a friendly face goes a long way). Expect to be told “no way!” and – if you feel it’s worth it – increase your offer a little. If not, walk away. More often than not, you’ll be chased back and the whole process resumes again.

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Mint Tea

I can’t stress enough how important mint tea is to souk culture. Expect to be invited to share a cup of strong, tooth-achingly-sweet tea with shopkeepers, especially if you’ve made a relatively big purchase. It’s rude to refuse and why would you want to? It’s a really nice way to sit back, relax, and chill with the locals.

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Scams in the Souks

The Moroccan government is trying to crack down on the scamming of tourists, but souks are very hard to police; they are windy and tricky, with lots of dark corners and dead ends. You will spend (especially in Fez) a lot of your time wandering around completely lost. And this is when you are most vulnerable.

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My top tips for avoiding getting scammed (and the things to look out for):

• Young, teenage boys are a particular nuisance – many give misleading directions, follow you around until you are completely lost and then demand payment for the time they’ve spent ‘guiding’ you. I’ve fallen for this twice (twice! I was so annoyed with myself) in Marrakech – shopkeepers and/or older locals are a safer (though not always) bet.
• Get directions to the riad/hostel you’re staying in before you arrive. Many will offer to meet you at a designated place – take them up on that offer, especially if you’re staying in Marrakech or Fes, where the souks are labyrinthine. I have personally experienced someone offering to take me to my riad, trying to grab my bag and leading me off to a guest-house that was not the one I asked directions for (it was his friend/boss and he got commission for every tourist he brought there).

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The Golden Rule

Just say no and don’t feel rude – someone is bound try and scam you, but be patient, insistent and above all friendly. Don’t get visibly angry, don’t shout. If you are followed, calmly tell them you are not interested in a guide and won’t be paying them.

Exploring the souks of Morocco is an experience I’d recommend to anyone; I absolutely love them. And if I’m honest, I think by now I’d feel a little let down if someone didn’t try to scam me; it keeps me on my toes at least!

Creative Commons Photo Credits: Chetbox & Mar10o

Related posts:

1. Marrakech in My Eyes
2. On UR Way Magazine Issue #2
3. Where I’ve been and where I’m going…

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You haven’t experienced Turkey until you have…

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…Gazed up in awe at the Dome of Hagia Sofia.

Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul – imperial capital, city of two continents, home to over 13 million people and epicentre of Turkish cultural and economic life. At its ancient heart is the old city, Sultanahmet, where the majestic Hagia Sofia proclaims her seniority to the grand upstarts around her.  The 1600 year dome seems to float effortlessly above the ancient marble floor like a painted UFO coming into land. Cathedral, mosque and museum, Justinian’s masterpiece is a part of the seductive silhouette of mosques and minarets that define the famous city skyline. Rest outside in the lovingly tended parks and listen to the call to prayer in thunderous surround sound.

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…Waded through the icy waters of Saklikent Gorge.

This 18 km gorge in Lycian Turkey is hundreds of feet deep, transports vast quantities of crystal-clear snow melt from the Taurus Mountains every year and is virtually invisible until you get inside it. Traverse the wooden walkways to get to the mouth of the gorge, wade knee-deep through freezing open waters and ascend the 4kms that are walkable. Wear sensible shoes you don’t mind getting wet, be prepared for bruises as you will slip and don’t visit before April or you’ll likely drown. After your healthy exertion take tea in the ramshackle carpeted cafés that line the entrance.

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…Tumbled over the glorious ruins of Arycanda.

Built on five terraces high above a fertile plain, Arycanda was a leading city of ancient Lycia. The ruins are impressive and largely intact as the abandoned city’s high isolation prevented the dressed stones from being plundered in later periods. Unlike more famous sites like Ephesus, Arycanda isn’t overrun by camera-toting tourists so a leisurely tumble is a fun diversion. The city’s position, precariously perched on the side of a verdant mountain provides a spectacular vista. Watch the sun set as it bathes the ruins in soft orange light.

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…Sauntered along Bodrum’s celebrated promenade.

Old Bodrum Town is where the Turkish well-heeled come to get well-oiled.  In the heat of the day people slowly amble along the promenade, gorge on gossip in the cafés, browse and graze in the posh shops or relax under cooling shade of a tall palm tree. By night the prom sizzles to the heavy beat of Turkopop and a madding crowd of the weird, the wonderful and the well-to-do.

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…Dived off a Gulet and snorkeled in shimmering turquoise waters.

A gulet is a two-masted wooden sailing boat originating from the Aegean coast of Turkey. Take a leisurely cruise around isolated coves and drop anchor at various brushy islets for a dip in the gorgeous translucent waters of the warm Ege. Your cheery skipper will provide a simple but delicious lunch of fresh fish, meat balls or chicken accompanied by mezes, pasta and salad washed down with chilled and cheerful Anatolian vino. End the voyage lazing away the afternoon basking on the deck.

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Imagine the absurdity of two openly gay, recently married middle aged, middle class men escaping the liberal sanctuary of anonymous London to relocate to a Muslim country. Jack chronicles their exploits with the mad, the sad, the bad and the glad in a blog for the whole world to ignore. Read about it on Perking the Pansies.

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Are you an expat? Have you spent an extended period of time in one country? If that sounds like you I’d love your contribution to the world experiences series! If you have offbeat and authentic cultural experiences to share from a particular country contact me here.

Related posts:

1. World Experiences: China
2. In Awe of Ancient Athens
3. Off the Radar in Albania

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5.30am

My tiny Casio watch screams at me to rise from my somewhat sweaty slumber.  The sun is on the up as I quickly check for any nasty looking mozzy bites.  I avoid the shower at this point, leaving my roommate to sleep and figuring I’ll only be hot and bothered within 10 minutes of leaving the house anyways.

With football coaching equipment slung over my shoulder I leave the volunteer house and start my walk to ‘work’.  I have the option of a bus bike or getting the local bus but I prefer to walk, I love the walk.  It obviously takes longer than the other options, but this allows me to take it all in.  I bop along the main road as a few tunes filter into my ears via my ipod and I give a casual wave to some shop owners who now recognise me, they already seem like they’ve been working for hours and give me a HUGE smile as I pass.  They could be laughing at my sporting attire for all I know, I probably look a state, but I believe they are just genuinely being very nice and saying hi.

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6.15am

I arrive for training and all the kids are ready and waiting, eager to see if they can get their hands on one of the brightly coloured footballs that I’ve brought with me.  The normal white footballs are somewhat neglected.  We allow them to go mad for 15 minutes before proper training starts, replica football shirts flash back and forth across the grass, Torres, Rooney, Gerrard, all the top names are out this morning.  Some of the kids ask me to recite the Sinhala that I’ve leant, I count to ten, slowly … they seem almost impressed.  Or at least that’s what their clapping and fits of laughter lead me to believe.

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6.30am

Time for training.  Tyron, the coach who I assist sends the kids (aged between 8 and 13) on a couple of laps around the football field, telling them to mind the cow on their way.  They all groan (to be fair who likes laps?) but start jogging.  It then becomes a game to see if they can cut out parts of the field or skip doing a lap altogether.  I blow my whistle and point at anyone I believe to be slacking.  Despite the language barrier they know exactly why I’m pointing at them.  Some look petrified, put their heads down and run harder, others give a cheeky smile and try the same trick again 30 seconds later.

We then spend the next 30 minutes doing some drills, teaching the kids about controlling the ball, passing with their side foot, and aiming for the corners when shooting.  I improvise by tying a brightly coloured plastic bag to the foot of one of the goal posts and then indicating that its where they all should be aiming for.  This is where my sports science degree really paid off!

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7.00am

It’s time for a game.  Tyron likes to pit the younger ones against the older which seems a little unfair, but the younger have the greater numbers, and usually me on their side.  Once again, dodging the school cow, we tear around the pitch, kicking up dust and wading through the parts of the pitch that are overgrown.  Its carnage, but fun!

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7.20 am

Full time, the game is bought to a close.  I chase the kids to get all the footballs off of them and try to send them into class, I am weak however and succumb to their requests for a quick game of head-catch.  The kids squeal with laughter as they either catch or head the ball incorrectly, the aim of the game being to catch the ball when I shout head, or head the ball when I shout catch.  Simple but good fun once more.  I end the morning session with a big smile and start the walk back to the volunteers house.

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8.00am

I’m back at the volunteers house and ready for some breakfast.  The other volunteers are dressed and ready for a hard days graft either at the orphanage or in Colombo city centre.  Breakfast consists of cereal, toast (that apparently tastes like soap but I actually like it.) and fruit.  No Bacon rolls here L.  Once breakfast is over its off for a cold shower.

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8.30am – 4pm

This is my free time.  It’s too hot for football during these hours so I am not needed at the school.  I catch up on some sleep, read my books, chat to some of the house boys and try to pick up a bit more of the lingo, anything that takes my fancy really.  There is also the option of going into Ja Ela, or even further afield to Colombo.  The buses are cheap and usually good fun.

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4pm

I make the walk back to the school for a second session of training.  It’s much the same as the morning session as Tyron and I try to enforce what we taught in the morning session.

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5.30pm

Depending on what day of the week it is, I either go coach at a local men’s club or go back to Tyron’s house.  Back at Tyron’s house I help (try at least) out in his workshop for an hour or so.  Not only does he teach, but he is a carpenter as well.   Once the carpentry duties are over we jump on a tuk tuk and head to a local playing field to play more football with his friends.

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7.00pm

Despite the language barrier, Tyron’s football friends are very welcoming and even compliment my footy boots.  The air is sticky but the pace of the game is frantic.  By trade I am a goalkeeper, but goalkeepers are fairly redundant here, the ground is too hard to be diving around on.  I instead try my hand at being a striker … on the evidence of my striking abilities, I won’t give up my day job.

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8.00pm

It’s starting to get dark now and tiny insects are starting to dine on my flesh.  We hop back on the tuk tuk and head to a local shop for a quick drink (coconut if I’m lucky) before I am dropped back off at the volunteers house.

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8.30 pm

Back at the house I tuck into any dinner than might have been left for me (I’m usually not that hungry after footy anyway) and settle down in the common area to have a chat with the other volunteers.  It’s not that busy so there are 8 of us at the most.  The night usually ends with a film and a couple of drinks.  On select occasions we do head to a local hotel bar for a couple of games of pool, or if we’re feeling really adventurous we get a tuk tuk  into the city, we usually saved the bright lights of Colombo for the weekends though.

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10pm

Bed time.  I douse myself in mozzy repellent, take my malaria tablets and set up my mosquito net.  The drone of the fan although initially annoying, now helps me nod off to sleep.  Good night beautiful Sri Lanka, I look forward to seeing you in the morning!

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About the Author:

Neil of Backpacks and Bunkbeds is a young (ish) London lad with a passion for all things travel.  He got ‘the travel bug’ having first volunteered as a sports coach in South Africa in 2005.  Over the last couple of years his efforts have been concentrated on seeing all that Europe has to offer, including an inter-rail trip in April 2010.  2011 has seen no less travel, Scotland, Ireland, Greece and a return to Poland all crossed off on the map, Malta and Latvia soon to follow. You can read his daily ramblings by following him on twitter @packsandbunks.

Related posts:

1. Volunteer with the Orangutans in Borneo
2. An East African Christmas
3. Escaping to Hong Kong’s Wilderness

Without further ado I’ll introduce you to the very first Travel Blog Discovery, That Backpacker…

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Born in Canada and raised in Argentina, this backpacker can often be found exploring some remote region of the world. Audrey’s travels have taken her through 3 continents, but it is the remote villages of Latin America that hold a special place in her heart. A firm believer in volunteering abroad, Audrey hopes to inspire travelers to step off the beaten path and get involved in local communities.

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London is Flirting With Me

London was the first city I visited overseas by myself and such it holds a special place in the travel section of my heart (sorry but London was asking me to be corny!)  I loved this post because it was so honest and so relatable.  It takes you through Audrey’s journey from her first trip to London that left her with less than an affectionate view of the city to four years later when again she is in London but this time she discovers there is a whole side of London to love!
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Cheating Death Thrice in One Night

When I went on my first trip to Thailand one of my biggest fears was taking a ride in a Tuk Tuk, they’re just so rickety and dangerous!  Luckily for my nerves all my trips in Tuk Tuks since have been completely uneventful.  But Audrey wasn’t so lucky! In this post Audrey re-tells the story of 30 minutes in a rickshaw in India and boy was it an adrenaline packed 30minutes!  You will not beleive all the things that could go wrong in under an hour!…

Surviving The Louvre

Normally I tend not to read any ‘travel guides’ on blogs unless I specifically need that information, why? Because they bore me, they generally don’t tell a story or contain enough personal anecdotes that will keep me engaged enough to stay and read the entire post and possibly actually learn something!  What Audrey has done in this post is create an engaging and practical guide with a hint of humor, packed full of anecdotes that give you tips on Surviving the Louvre. I’ve got to say having done the Louvre myself and emerging from it only just alive I can safely say this is a post that anyone intending to visit the Louvre needs to read!

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Follow Audrey’s Journey…

On her blog ‘That Backpacker’, bug her on twitter (@thatbackpacker) and like her facebook fanpage!

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Stay tuned for the next installment of Travel Blog Discovery! I’m not promising every week or even every two weeks but I am promising to bring you a new discovery the moment I discover someone amazing!

Related posts:

1. Inroducing Travel Blog Chronicle
2. Why I wish I was Vishnu & how it would help my blogging…

Most people know Hong Kong as a large cosmopolitan city famous for shopping, electronics, food and Kung Fu films but what I discovered during my multiple trips there was a completely contrasting side to that Hong Kong.  What I discovered was Hong Kong’s untapped wilderness, its pure, natural beauty just a stones through away from the city on Hong Kongs outlying Islands and in the New Territories.

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Lamma Island

This tiny island just 30 mins by ferry from downtown Hong Kong packs in a diverse range of landscapes from dry grasslands dotted with giant granite rocks with eagles circling threateningly overhead to dense, lush jungle with secret winding paths to hidden coves of golden sands.  It’s easy to imagine you have the whole island to yourself with so many quite, hidden corners to discover. Exploring Lamma Island feels somewhat like exploring your own treasure island.  It is only when you are again back on the main path and hear the chatter of school children and families that you are reminded that you in fact one of many who came to enjoy Lamma’s natural beauty.

The Trail: Lamma Island is a small island that can thoroughly be explored in a day.  The main trail from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan can comfortably be done in under 3 hours however there are so many great little beaches and paths to discover along the way who’s in any hurry!

How to get there: Take the ferry from Central Pier 4 to either Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan.  The ferry ride takes around 30mins.

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Eagles Nest Mountain (Tsim Shan)

Eagles Nest Mountain is the most unique hiking spot in all of Hong Kong for one very interesting reason, it’s the only place in Hong Kong home to wild monkeys.  This park is home to families of Resesus Macaques and Long Tailed Macaques that were thought to have bred from domestic monkey’s that escaped into the wild.  This county park near Sham Shui Po boasts stunning views over Kowloon and the New Territories surrounding cool, lush, green forests.  This trail is great for botanists and ecologists with 23 stops dotted around the trail with informative signs providing information on the natural history of the area and the plant species that call the park home.  What I loved about the park was that it’s relatively unknown amongst tourist with most hikers locals from the area. You can easily walk for an hour or more and not run into anyone but the friendly monkeys who are eager to come up and say hi and maybe steal your food (what ever you do don’t eat a chocolate bar in the monkey’s proximity!)

The Trail: To find the entrance of the trail follow Lung Ping Road to the end (1) and enter into the fenced off area, there is a guard box and security dogs but they won’t bother you. Head up the hill along the road until you reach the trail. The entire loop takes around 2 hours to complete.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Sham Shio Po station on the Tsuen Wan (red) line.  From there catch a taxi telling the driver you want to go see the monkeys, you may have to mime ‘monkey’ with sound effects but they’ll get the idea! It’s about 15 minutes ride.  You can walk there from the metro station but be warned it will take you approximately an hour and it’s incredibly easy to get lost as their are no signs leading the way and not so many people to ask directions!

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Lantau Island

Lantau Island is Hong Kongs largest island and also one of the most well known places for hiking and camping.  There are many great hikes to do on Lantau Islands one of the most popular being the steady uphill climb from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping the home of the Po Lin Monastery and the serene Giant Buddha. This strenuous hike will take you approximately 3-4 hours to complete winding over grassy terrain and treating you to some spectacular views over the island.  Once you reach the top you can continue on down the other side of the island to the charming Tai O fishing village, one of Hong Kong’s remaining, old, traditional fishing villages that gives you a glimpse into what life in Hong Kong would have been like before it morphed into the large cosmopolitan city it is today.  One of the more challenging hikes on the island that gives you a broad view of Lantau’s diverse range of scenery is the 70km Lantau Trail that goes from Tung Chung to Pui O. But if your not a marathon hiker up for doing 70km across a few days, not to worry the trail is broken up into 12 stages with good facilities and helpful information signposted along the way.

The Trail: There are numerous trails all over Lantau Island and each has something unique to offer. It’s as easy as pick a starting point somewhere around the island and following the well signposted trails.  A great hike that gives you a glimpse of traditional village life, Hong Kong’s spirituality and stunning panoramic views over the island is to start from Tai O fishing village and hike via Ngong Ping on route to Tung Chung.

How to get there: You can take the MTR to Tung Chung station on the Tung Chung (orange) line if you’re planning on hiking from that point.  You can also get buses from Tung Chung to other parts of the island.  For a more scenic way to get to Lantau take the ferry from the Central terminal to one of the few wharfs around the island and from there catch a bus to your hiking starting point.

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Accommodation Spotlight

When I travel to Hong Kong I always stay at Go Inn, Hong Kong Island. It’s got a fantastic location in Fortress Hill close to the metro only a few stops away from Central (…where you can catch a ferry to the outlying islands!) Oh and did I mention it’s cheap and not at all iffy! (unlike Chungking Mansions)

Related posts:

1. Hong Kong Island, Looking forward & back
2. Chinese Spirituality on the Sea
3. An East African Christmas

As a child life is so simple, so straightforward. I didn’t understand the tourist gimmicks that put me off today.  I couldn’t help but wonder if my return to Jervis Bay as an adult would be as amazing as I remembered it. Would I be  bitterly disappointed when I got there?…Continue Reading on page 9 of the Magazine.

In Jervis Bay secluded beaches and coves and just a few curious steps away!

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The Things I Love That You Should Do!

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Take to the Sea and Spy a Dolphin

There are lots of great things to do on shore in Jervis Bay but there are are also a lot of things you can do in the water, the obvious being snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. But there is one other thing that Jervis Bay is famous for, sea animals of the mammal variety, dolphins and whales.  During the whale migration season of June to November people flock to Jervis Bay to see the Humpback Whales who set up temporary residence right in the bay.  But all year round no matter the season there is a friendly pod of Dolphins that will have you piling onto the cruise boat to chase them around the bay.

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Drive Around!

Jervis Bay is not exactly a travel friendly destination, all the great spots are quite far apart and public transport is, well pretty much non-existent.  So what should you do? Hire a car or even better hire a campervan!  Not only is it convenient to get around the area but it also doubles as accommodation.  Oh and did I mention the drive to Jervis Bay is awesome!

Just one of the many campervans you will spy around Jervis Bay!

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Stay in a Caravan Park

If you decided to hire a campervan but feel the need to take daily showers then book a site at one of the many caravan parks. If you don’t fancy sleeping in a camper van then hire out one of the many different cabin options or a camp site.  One of the things I love about staying in caravan parks is the sense of community.  Many people who stay there are regulars and can tell you secrets about the area that you otherwise might not have discovered.  Also most caravan parks have swimming pools and really, who doesn’t like swimming pools!

The pool and the BBQ area, always the center of the caravan park community!

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Head to the National Park and Chat to the Rangers

If you’re a wilderness lover then you’ll love Booderee National Park.  This National Park has an extremely diverse landscape for the small area which makes for very interesting bush walking.  While your there chat with one of the many park Ranger’s, you will discover some interesting stories about Jervis Bay’s aboriginal and colonial history as well as some very interesting information about some of the more interesting animals that call the park home.  And while you chatting make sure to ask about the haunting story and the dreaded fate of the people who lived in the lighthouse below, what caused it to be decommissioned and dismantled…?

Find out the haunting story behind why this lighthouse was decommissioned...

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Have ‘Fish & Chips’ for Dinner!

Fish and Chips is classic Aussie beach food, Aussies can’t get enough of it an neither should you! Go to one of the many local takeaway’s in Huskisson town and get your self some fish and chips, sit up on the hill in the park next to the pub over looking the bay and enjoy your greasy feast while admiring the view! (I don’t recommend doing this everynight, you’ll make yourself sick!)

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Beaches (need I say more)

Jervis Bay has some of the most stunning, untouched, pristine beaches in Australia and let me tell you I’ve seen a lot of Aussie beaches in my time! I could rave on about the best beaches, the beach with the whitest sands in the world but I won’t, I’ll let you read all about that in the magazine!

Now if all that doesn’t make you want to go to Jervis Bay I don’t know what will!

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Where is it?

Jervis Bay is located 2.5 hours south of Sydney in the Illawarra region of NSW, Australia. If you’re in Sydney it’s well worth the few hours drive, the country is spectacular, there are some great stops on the way including Fitzroy falls and a bakery boasting the best pies in Australia (though I haven’t tried them all so don’t quote me on that!).

Related posts:

1. Photo Glimpse: Mangroves of Jervis Bay
2. Australia
3. An East African Christmas

When I think of Melaka the first thing that pops into mind are Tri-Shaw’s so when I finally visited this famous Malaysian merchant city a Tri-Shaw ride was the first thing on my agenda.  Winding around Melaka’s historical old town on this traditional form of transport was the perfect way to get a glimpse into Melaka life and history.  But this ride wasn’t exactly the complete, traditional, historical experience I had been dreaming of, oh no this was all Barbie’s and fake flower adorned Tri-Shaw’s with cowboy hat wearing drivers! It certainly made for a unique and memorable experience!

Do you have a photo that sum’s up one of your memorable Travel Moments? Email me at info@onurwaytravel.com and it could be featured next week!

Related posts:

1. Travel Moment: Getting a Henna Tattoo
2. Travel Moment: Rome’s Tiber River at Dusk
3. Travel Moment: Crossing Skadar Lake in Montenegro

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Signs that will crack you up…

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Italy: In Verona, Italy everything fun is banned! No bathing in fountains, no camping, no eating near monuments and no walking around bare chested.  Yeah way to kill the fun VERONA!

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Slovenia: In Ljubljana it seems the locals walk around with monkeys on their backs, either way they certainly aren’t carrying their children in their arms!

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Italy: In Venice feed the pidgins at your own peril, these birds get real CRAZY!

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Spain: Only the brave with a death wish would dare throw their cigarette butt on the beach in Barcelona. The moment you do, big, strong, hulk, hunky, terrifying El Salvador will hunt you down!

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Products that will make you think twice…

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France: In Nice all the lemonade is Pschitt, cool, refreshing, Pschitt.  Actually I could drink a whole bottle of Pschitt right now!

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Bosnia-Herzegovina: In Bosnia when it comes to candy you have two purchase choices, the politically correct and the not so politically correct one!
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Random smirk inspiring laughs…

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Croatia: Is this freaky Mannequin in the Elafiti Islands meant to be a scarecrow scaring away tourists?  If it is it’s surely doing a damn good job!

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Slovenia: Stepping into this shop in Ljubljana just might be the last shop you ever step into!

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France: Fine, call me immature but you can’t say you’re not seeing what I’m seeing! Who would call a bag shop ‘Willy’ now that’s just false advertising!

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Do you have any funny photos from Europe? Send them in for the next funny Europe feature!

Related posts:

1. Fulfilling My Grand Italian Dream
2. My biff with shopping in China
3. The Unlikely Adventuress

There is a perpetual downside of travelling and living abroad, all the home comforts you miss out on!  I realised this fact when Easter came around, the second Easter I would spend in China.  I didn’t give much thought to Easter until I logged onto facebook and suddenly Easter was hauled straight into my face!  All my friends back home were status updating how they were apparently gorging themselves on Easter eggs and gnawing the ears off chocolate bunnies.  “Damn” I thought “that should be me!”  It was at that moment I realised “Sash, you have chosen a life without Easter eggs, who does that!?”

My first Easter spent away from home just so happened to be in China a country where they don’t really eat a lot of chocolate.  Despite this I was determined to find those Easter treats that during my entire childhood had me bouncing with excited anticipation for the arrival of the Easter bunny and all his goodies leading up to Easter Sunday.  But in Keqiao where I couldn’t even find a foreign friend or even semi decent chocolate, my mission to find Easter eggs pretty rapidly hit a dead end!

Seven months later and I was again on quest, this time frantically searching for everything I needed for Christmas.  I wanted to make as Christmas as homey as I could to make up for not spending it with my family, for not baking under the hot Australian sun, for missing out on stuffing my face with a great Aussie Barbie (BBQ) and missing out on participating in the family backyard Cricket tournament.  But I wasn’t going to let the lack of having these things bring Christmas down, oh no, I was going to be full of just as much Christmas spirit in Shanghai as I would have at home.   I bought a Christmas tree and did my ritual decoration shopping trip, then my ritual hour of decorating and redecorating the tree (this year with Panda baubles). I was planning on making my Mums Chocolate Pudding for desert, I’d have a great bunch of friends and a truckload of delicious food and I would have…crackers?…

“Chracker’s, I must simply have crackers for Christmas!” I told my friends.  My friends stared blankly at me, none of them knew what I was talking about.  After being bewildered by their complete ignorance about crackers I googled it and relised it’s a strictly Commonwealth tradition apparently.  Crackers (or Bon Bons) are a delightfully tacky and entertaining component of Christmas.  I’d try to explain to you just how they work but Wikipedia does a pretty good job so I may aswell let them explain!

“A cracker consists of a cardboard tube wrapped in a brightly decorated twist of paper, making it resemble an oversised sweet-wrapper. The cracker is pulled by two people, and, much in the manner of a wishbone, the cracker splits unevenly. The split is accompanied by a small bang produced by the effect of friction on a chemically impregnated card strip (similar to that used in a cap gun).”

Now doesn’t that sound just so delightfully entertaining! One of the coolest things about Christmas crackers is that after the loud crack echos through the room it drops out an array of cheap, tacky goodies.  Traditionally a cheap, tacky toy (though if someone made it themselves it just might give birth to a tiny bottle of schnapps), a lame paper crown and an even lamer joke.   Everyone adorns their lame crowns as the room erupts in laughter as one by one each person reads out their even lamer joke while shaking their head at just how bad it is! For me crackers are an Aussie synonym for Christmas and without them Christmas just doesn’t quite feel like Christmas! And yet I think to myself really is it such a big deal?

It’s been more than a year since I set off from my home in Canberra one hot summer day in Febuary 2010.  It’s been over a year without my home comforts, it’s been over a year living without my family.  In that time I’ve missed out on family members and friends birthday’s, weddings, two Easters without Easter eggs, family beach holidays and one Christmas without crackers.  In that time I’ve sacrificed all these things to live abroad and travel.  I sacrificed these things to see the world.  But although on Easter Sunday when I have had no Easter eggs to make me fat and although on Christmas I spent the day without adorning a lame paper crown or reading an even lamer joke, at no point have I ever said the sacrifice wasn’t worth it.  Because at the end of the day most of the things we sacrifice to travel are trivial in the grander scheme of things, the only thing I wish I didn’t have to sacrifice was my family!

Creative Commons Photo Credits: Sparkly Kate

Related posts:

1. Living Abroad Made Me Appreciate My Parents
2. Shanghai, a whole new world
3. An East African Christmas