Latest from the front

It's been a while but I had a lot of trouble 'working' the blog system. Hope I can follow through with it now.

My trip to Scotland is well and truly over - and a fine trip it was too.

A couple of weeks ago I was in Papua New Guinea – how different from the Scottish Highlands the New Guinea highlands are. 

Will be reporting on the trip soon.

Just writing the last stories for the next Get Up & Go magazine – winter issue. It's packed with great stories and lots of good ideas.

I'll be back! 

Now if I can just learn how to change the image and download some others - I'm getting a bit cold standing on that ship in a Norwegian fjord brrrrr

Escorted by scooter in Hanoi & Pondering a long walk

Pictures imperfect

The back of the bike pic was taken in Hanoi. A few other travel writers and myself had dinner at the famous Kangaroo Cafe and after a 'fleet; of scooters was lined up to take us around the streets of Hanoi - in the evening it was fine, not crazy with traffic.

The other pic was me at the start of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea - no, I didn't walk it, just headed down hill for two minutes then headed straight back up again while my companions went for a three hour walk. Those also serve who watch and wait . . .

Get Up & Go winter edition features a story on Cao Dai - Vietnam's most unusual religion and i'll write a story on Papua New Guinea for the spring edition.

True fact: In Papua New Guinea you get great hot chips and coffee.

Dry July

Hopefully, hopefully this blog is a happening thing. I visited Papua New Guinea while the blog was static, so one country missed out on. But let me tell you, New Guinea is a colourful, exotic and beautiful destination - full of surprises. I'll throw a few pics in along this blogging journey.

But closer to home i spent a long weekend on the stunning Coffs Coast in Northern NSW, Only 45 mins by plane and I was in the lovely region of mountains, national parks, brilliant coastal beaches, charming hinterland towns and villages and the main event – Coffs Harbour – a burgeoning coastal hub.

Good restaurants and cafes spread the love here and the coffee met my great expectations.

Sawtell was the hot destination last weekend - it is the location for the annual Chilli Festival. All things hot and heavy and i have no idea why there is a chilli event held there - I think they use the chilli theme as an excuse for a party. It was fun. This is the place to spend the winter holidays – not too hot, not too cold, just right.

Get Up & Go winter edition

The latest and greatest Get Up & Go magazine is out and about. Read about Scotland, Canada, Austria, London (can you believe it) on a budget, Affordable (you better believe it) New York and a fascinating religious ceremony in Vietnam . . . be there or be square.

Sometimes after I have finished writing a story I remember everything I forgot to mention. In the case of 'Highland Spring', featured in the latest issue of the magazine I forgot to tell about how beautiful the water is in the Highlands. Water that had a beautiful taste, felt silky on the skin and really made my hair shiny. The water is why Scotch Whisky is reputed to be the best in the world,; the water filters slowly through the moss and peat which gives it its pure concentration and the magic that makes a wee dram so damn good!

Kerosene can house in Morven, Qld.

Shoe security

Watching as I went through security at Sydney domestic airport a couple of days ago, a fellow traveller  down on his knees, undoing his shoes, and stuck down there. Then he had to take his belt off - all par for the course I know, but how about a couple of chairs for the older folk at airports, airport people?  Then again, how about older people remembering to wear slip-on shoes? You have been warned, it gets very uncomfortable wobbling around shoeless.
A clue to culinary superiority in Charleville – chocolate spring rolls. I kid you not. And very scrumptious indeed – with ice cream of course.