This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Oceania. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:314 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-06-18T06:33:58Z 340154http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Oceania. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2008-05-28:7055596 2008-05-28T21:33:35Z 2008-06-18T06:33:58Z Work is for Suckers! http://realtravel.com/member-m6600640-work_is_for_suckers.html <p><em>"Rain, rain go away"</em></p> <p>a entry by Work is for Suckers! from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/cape_tribulation-queensland-reviews-hotels-d1024318.html">Cape Tribulation, Queensland.</a></p> <p>Hello again from us!</p><p>Last time we wrote I think we had just arrived in Cairns….we have had some interesting times since! We are now back in Cairns and have just finished off a sumptuous feast of cold cooked prawns, salad and yummy fresh bread – has to be my all time favourite treat and seafood is cheap up here comparatively so we though what the hell!</p><p>So…we spent a few days around Cairns when were here the first time….twas a very busy time with Nathan looking for work (ahhh that time is coming all too quickly!), planning our wedding, and generally re-stocking on supplies and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/cape_tribulation-journals-j7055596.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ERikH4kQvcU27CaWiVQDA.6WFCw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ERikH4kQvcU27CaWiVQDA.6WFCw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ERikH4kQvcU27CaWiVQDA.6WFCw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ERikH4kQvcU27CaWiVQDA.6WFCw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcape_tribulation-journals-j7055596.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/cape_tribulation-journals-j7055596.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-27:6767650 2008-03-27T06:41:38Z 2008-06-14T05:10:42Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a entry by Traveling Nomad from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ayers_rock-australia-reviews-hotels-d4549004.html">Ayers Rock, Australia.</a></p> <p>Flying into Uluru (Ayers Rock and Resort) was like flying over an Aboriginal dot painting. After being in green, humid Cairns, the landscape in the Outback was stark and beautiful and full of color and contrasts and shadows. My pictures from the plane did not turn out because the atmosphere was hazy, for which I was disappointed because the views were stunning and could be the inspiration for great prints and collages.</p><p>I arrived in Yulara, the name of the town outside of which lies Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta (both World Heritage sites), in the middle of the day and went directly to the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ayers_rock-journals-j6767650.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_qAUFYuNpskcShXHAePD5qwCG4Wk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/qAUFYuNpskcShXHAePD5qwCG4Wk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_qAUFYuNpskcShXHAePD5qwCG4Wk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=qAUFYuNpskcShXHAePD5qwCG4Wk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fayers_rock-journals-j6767650.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ayers_rock-journals-j6767650.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-23:6739158 2008-03-23T06:09:34Z 2008-06-14T05:09:06Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a entry by Traveling Nomad from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/cairns-australia-reviews-hotels-d7613.html">Cairns, Australia.</a></p> <p>As a city, Cairns is small and very tourist oriented with at least three pubs per block, but it is the perfect launching off spot for access to the Great Barrier Reef. The scenery around Cairns is very beautiful, with mountains hugging the shore and hectares and hectares of sugar cane fields and tropical foliage reminiscent of Hawaii.</p><p>I went to Cairns to experience snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site, and I have to say that it was one of the major highlights of my life, along with my own wedding, being in Peter and Patti's, Frannie's and Sherry's weddings, my ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/cairns-journals-j6739158.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_.oSE6LUwjVe9SqzoJgBD8WRoqpU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/.oSE6LUwjVe9SqzoJgBD8WRoqpU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_.oSE6LUwjVe9SqzoJgBD8WRoqpU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=.oSE6LUwjVe9SqzoJgBD8WRoqpU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcairns-journals-j6739158.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/cairns-journals-j6739158.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-16:6703529 2008-03-16T03:18:44Z 2008-06-14T05:05:30Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a entry by Traveling Nomad from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/sydney-new_south_wales-reviews-hotels-d6010975.html">Sydney, New South Wales.</a></p> <p>Arriving in Sydney after being in Bali for nine days was like re-entering the western world after being in paradise. However, my hotel was on the edge of Chinatown so I was surrounded by South East Asians and therefore felt at home. I was staying in the perfect location - a Starbucks next door on one side, the Capital Square Theater with the play, Billy Elliot, being performed on the other side, a super-inexpensive internet cafe called Global Gossip two blocks away that was right next to the Sydney Youth Hostel Association, an ATM across the street, and a convenience store and the best Thai ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/sydney-journals-j6703529.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_-YJYxeaSROh01NrSJaaJe4TOVFA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/-YJYxeaSROh01NrSJaaJe4TOVFA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_-YJYxeaSROh01NrSJaaJe4TOVFA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=-YJYxeaSROh01NrSJaaJe4TOVFA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsydney-journals-j6703529.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/sydney-journals-j6703529.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-05-26:7041054 2008-05-26T07:01:57Z 2008-06-12T23:15:22Z Hollie & Richard http://realtravel.com/member-m6515486-hollie__richard.html <p><em>"The lake was absolutely beautiful with white sandy beaches surrounding the pure, deep blue freshwater lake."</em></p> <p>a entry by Hollie &amp; Richard from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hervey_bay-australia-reviews-hotels-d39747.html">Hervey Bay, Australia.</a></p> <p>We set off just before the sunrise from Sarina and managed to drive 500km by lunchtime, which made it possible to take a detour to Town of 1770 where James Cook landed in the year 1770. The 'town' is tiny, consisting of a small beach and marina, a cafe and a small residential area overlooking the ocean. It was really beautiful and we were glad to have made it there. We had lunch in the cafe before setting off for Hervey Bay, arriving at dusk. We settled into the Coconut Grove Caravan Park, where there seemed to be more permanent residents than tourists, but it was cheap so we didn't care!</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hervey_bay-journals-j7041054.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Vre3dES-sq57eixAYlxElrXEUBA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Vre3dES-sq57eixAYlxElrXEUBA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Vre3dES-sq57eixAYlxElrXEUBA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Vre3dES-sq57eixAYlxElrXEUBA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhervey_bay-journals-j7041054.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hervey_bay-journals-j7041054.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-19:5339836 2007-08-19T04:41:26Z 2008-06-09T12:15:22Z Symons_Family http://realtravel.com/member-m5151481-symonsfamily.html <p>a entry by Symons_Family from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/noumea-new_caledonia-reviews-hotels-d8052.html">Noumea, New Caledonia.</a></p> <p>At about 7 am we were woken by two very large swells of water which moved the ship sharply from side to side. We jumped out of bed to look out of the porthole to see all sea then all sky back to sea and back to sky. Meanwhile there was glass breaking, cutlery flying in the dining areas and we later heard that some of the older people had been hurt falling out of showers. The swells later ended up on Americas coast -so it was pretty big.</p><p>The captain made the announcement that we wouldn't be going to the Ilse of Pines as there may have been more swells, so we headed for Noumea instead. It ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/noumea-journals-j5339836.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_45SYCucc0lxpyFwhAeqqyoWGFVc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/45SYCucc0lxpyFwhAeqqyoWGFVc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_45SYCucc0lxpyFwhAeqqyoWGFVc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=45SYCucc0lxpyFwhAeqqyoWGFVc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnoumea-journals-j5339836.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/noumea-journals-j5339836.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-19:5339671 2007-08-19T04:18:01Z 2008-06-09T12:14:00Z Symons_Family http://realtravel.com/member-m5151481-symonsfamily.html <p>a entry by Symons_Family from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mystery_island-vanuatu-reviews-hotels-d5339642.html">Mystery Island, Vanuatu.</a></p> <p>This is one of the prettiest little island, you can walk the perimeter in 40 minutes. No one lives there but the locals from a nearby island set up stalls and play music for the cruise ships. The locals are all friendly - except for the cannibal soup problem. The band was great, one of the instruments was a thong banging on the end various sized bamboo sticks, it sounded really good.</p><p>SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MORE PICTURES</p><p>************************* ************************* *************</p><p>************************* ************************* *************</p><p>************************ ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mystery_island-journals-j5339671.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_kYG3duHsYZmqEBI6zbLCXvzEyD4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/kYG3duHsYZmqEBI6zbLCXvzEyD4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_kYG3duHsYZmqEBI6zbLCXvzEyD4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=kYG3duHsYZmqEBI6zbLCXvzEyD4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmystery_island-journals-j5339671.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mystery_island-journals-j5339671.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-29:5158530 2007-07-29T09:32:42Z 2008-06-09T12:11:02Z Symons_Family http://realtravel.com/member-m5151481-symonsfamily.html <p>a entry by Symons_Family from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/luganville-sanma-reviews-hotels-d4204517.html">Luganville, Sanma.</a></p> <p>Luganville was a friendly place. We took a tour with Jim, a local putting himself through a computer course. Jim took us to his village where we were shown the grave of the chief with a letter in Pigon english. He showed us how they used to carve the white from the coconut, how they had pigs, how the cooked in the village kitchen and how they grew their food. It was interesting. Jim had a strong accent, maggots = markets and down down = down town, we raised $50 for him to get an email address, which he did as he emailed us a few weeks later.</p><p>SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MORE PICTURES</p><p>******* ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/luganville-journals-j5158530.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_on7li37pfntpcuQLFcWpngBl-nU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/on7li37pfntpcuQLFcWpngBl-nU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_on7li37pfntpcuQLFcWpngBl-nU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=on7li37pfntpcuQLFcWpngBl-nU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fluganville-journals-j5158530.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/luganville-journals-j5158530.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-18:5338459 2007-08-18T22:22:21Z 2008-06-09T12:09:17Z Symons_Family http://realtravel.com/member-m5151481-symonsfamily.html <p>a entry by Symons_Family from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/port_vila-vanuatu-reviews-hotels-d4389002.html">Port Vila, Vanuatu.</a></p> <p>Great place for Sam to have her 11th birthday. We stayed here for a day but could have stayed for weeks. In our limited time here we went on the Lagoon Cruise organised through the Pacific Sun, it was good, cruising past some lovely scenery, nice resorts over the water and some expensive homes.</p><p>The sail and snorkel took us on an hour journey to a small beach on a sail boat (originally a cray boat from Tasmania) the snorkeling was OK not as good as the barrier reef. On the beach, the locals showed us how they open coconuts, we were handed pieces, it was much nicer fresh than from the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/port_vila-journals-j5338459.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ZNR1YW5dkVhs2Y92ukUYLQsbFoU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ZNR1YW5dkVhs2Y92ukUYLQsbFoU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ZNR1YW5dkVhs2Y92ukUYLQsbFoU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ZNR1YW5dkVhs2Y92ukUYLQsbFoU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fport_vila-journals-j5338459.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/port_vila-journals-j5338459.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-29:5158428 2007-07-29T09:16:58Z 2008-06-09T12:07:45Z Symons_Family http://realtravel.com/member-m5151481-symonsfamily.html <p><em>"Land diving in Pentecost"</em></p> <p>a entry by Symons_Family from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/pentecote-vanuatu-reviews-hotels-d5158420.html">Pentecote, Vanuatu.</a></p> <p>Pentecost was wonderful with the locals putting on a land diving show for the crusie ship. It looked very dangerous with kids the age of no more than 8 jumping of the lower floors right up to the most 'manly' diving from the top, about 100 feet high.</p><p>We walked up the beach and meet a chief of one of the tribes. He offered for us to stay in a hut in his village for $70 a night with all food supplied (cooked in a hut by the locela women), the shower was out the back (think it was cold) and the huts were very cosy (small).</p><p>SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MORE PICTURES</p><p>*********************** ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/pentecote-journals-j5158428.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_7T2HD2xpiUqm4TFlDiUowuiG77A_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/7T2HD2xpiUqm4TFlDiUowuiG77A_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_7T2HD2xpiUqm4TFlDiUowuiG77A_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=7T2HD2xpiUqm4TFlDiUowuiG77A_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpentecote-journals-j5158428.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/pentecote-journals-j5158428.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6784581 2008-03-31T10:52:48Z 2008-05-29T01:44:51Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a entry by Traveling Nomad from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/kakadu_national_park-australia-reviews-hotels-d949298.html">Kakadu National Park, Australia.</a></p> <p>This was my first experience driving internationally, and on the left hand side of the road, too!!! It turned out to be a piece of cake for me. But of course, after I got out of the town of Darwin and onto highway, I saw another car every twenty kilometers, maybe. So, the challenge wasn't great. I wasn't thrown by passing cars, driving around traffic circles or turning into traffic. However, I understood that there are only 200,000 people total in the entirety of the Northern Territory with 100,000 being in Darwin, so we were not talking density here. I read that the Northern Territory is ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kakadu_national_park-journals-j6784581.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Dk7NXPpCfMqODvFhnpghf9IIYqk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Dk7NXPpCfMqODvFhnpghf9IIYqk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Dk7NXPpCfMqODvFhnpghf9IIYqk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Dk7NXPpCfMqODvFhnpghf9IIYqk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkakadu_national_park-journals-j6784581.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kakadu_national_park-journals-j6784581.html tag:realtravel.com,2006-02-17:973052 2006-02-17T08:38:52Z 2008-05-07T01:59:23Z worldwanderer http://realtravel.com/member-m833889-worldwanderer.html <p><em>"we spent all afternoon lounging in hot pools"</em></p> <p>a entry by worldwanderer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rotorua-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8171.html">Rotorua, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Tal and I knew we wanted to see a Maori Concert and Hangi, so as soon as we got settled, we went to the information site and booked one for this Friday. Along with that came free entry to the Polynesian Spa pools, so Wednesday night, we spent practically all afternoon lounging in hot pools that were 41 degrees Celsius. We could only spend about 10 minutes at a time in the hotter pools before we felt faint, and had to step out and chill in a cooler pool (and by cooler, I still mean fairly warm bathwater.) It was fun. The springs are famous for curing all sorts of joint illnesses, like ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rotorua-journals-j973052.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frotorua-journals-j973052.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rotorua-journals-j973052.html tag:realtravel.com,2006-03-13:1081023 2006-03-13T06:34:06Z 2008-05-07T01:57:23Z worldwanderer http://realtravel.com/member-m833889-worldwanderer.html <p><em>"The trail up to the crater summit takes an hour to climb, according to the signs, so Tal and I figured we could probably do it in 45. We were wrong."</em></p> <p>a entry by worldwanderer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8082.html">Auckland, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Today we visited the 600 year old volcanic island, Rangitoto. After deciding against the dolphin watch when we found out you rarely get to swim with them, we bought a quick lunch at a Mexican place on Prince's Wharf, and took an early afternoon ferry to the island. The day began pretty hot, and continuted as such. (Volcanic rock has a nasty habit of reflecting the heat back up at you, making you feel like you just might melt into a puddle at any moment.) The trail up to the crater summit takes an hour to climb, according to the signs, so Tal and I figured we could probably do it in 45. We ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j1081023.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fauckland-journals-j1081023.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j1081023.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6823447 2008-04-08T03:21:14Z 2008-04-23T07:59:03Z dungroovin http://realtravel.com/member-m4613964-dungroovin.html <p>a entry by dungroovin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/broome-australia-reviews-hotels-d32855.html">Broome, Australia.</a></p> <p>It's a long haul to Broome and we stop off in Karatha where we meet Jay who's traveling up and down the coast looking fior work sleeping in a roll under his trailer. The campsite is like something from deliverance so we set out early next morning and start ploughing through the great sandy desert stopping shortly at beautiful (but flyblown) Port Samson. We stop for a lunch break at the DeGrey river crossing and heed the crocodile warning!</p><p>On the road we pass a number of dead cows horribly bloated by the heat they have a perpetual surprised look frozen on their faces that can only be ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/broome-journals-j6823447.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_rffXiQPQCYAbk4eq22Q4oJksHZ0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/rffXiQPQCYAbk4eq22Q4oJksHZ0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_rffXiQPQCYAbk4eq22Q4oJksHZ0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=rffXiQPQCYAbk4eq22Q4oJksHZ0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbroome-journals-j6823447.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/broome-journals-j6823447.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6823256 2008-04-08T03:01:57Z 2008-04-23T07:38:31Z dungroovin http://realtravel.com/member-m4613964-dungroovin.html <p>a entry by dungroovin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/coral_bay-western_australia-reviews-hotels-d1294257.html">Coral Bay, Western Australia.</a></p> <p>We roll into Coral bay quite late and check into the nicest site. Coral bay is every bit as beautiful as it sounds. Lovely turquoise water white sand and reef within an easy swim of the shore and at last we're clear of the bloody flies. Sitting outside the van with an icy beer after a long hot days driving is just such a pleasure and we start to feel we could get used to this. Things get even better, as we walk along the shore we notice a local bar has a happy hour, and a very good one at that. the place is packed with locals and some real characters, at last it feels like we're meeting ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/coral_bay-journals-j6823256.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_OlDFJsjZDLi4GJyBZJ.u-c80LtE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/OlDFJsjZDLi4GJyBZJ.u-c80LtE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_OlDFJsjZDLi4GJyBZJ.u-c80LtE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=OlDFJsjZDLi4GJyBZJ.u-c80LtE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcoral_bay-journals-j6823256.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/coral_bay-journals-j6823256.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-05:6498363 2008-02-05T22:37:38Z 2008-04-14T12:07:31Z The Ryans http://realtravel.com/member-m2657925-the_ryans.html <p><em>"Total pictures of beauty upon arrival."</em></p> <p>a entry by The Ryans from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/sydney-new_south_wales-reviews-hotels-d5107019.html">Sydney, New South Wales.</a></p> <p>Sean's mom and Aunt Carol visited for nearly 3 weeks at the end of January. They explored in and around Hobart, then vacationed with us to New South Wales, which included visits to Sydney, the Hunter Valley Wine Region, and the Blue Mountains.</p><p>We invited Carol to write the blog which she graciously accepted as follows:</p><p>After a long trip across the pond, a delay in Fiji resulting in a missed connection in Sydney, and some new, unplanned-for connections, we arrived in Hobart on Jan 16 to the excited greetings of Avani &amp; Sean at the airport, and the "Angel of Mercy" Indira, greeting ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/sydney-journals-j6498363.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_JbJSSobx.PVVNMbU28yuKv-tv5Y_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/JbJSSobx.PVVNMbU28yuKv-tv5Y_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_JbJSSobx.PVVNMbU28yuKv-tv5Y_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=JbJSSobx.PVVNMbU28yuKv-tv5Y_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsydney-journals-j6498363.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/sydney-journals-j6498363.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-01-15:6365510 2008-01-15T06:04:06Z 2008-04-14T11:53:31Z The Ryans http://realtravel.com/member-m2657925-the_ryans.html <p><em>"some of the oldest living trees on earth."</em></p> <p>a entry by The Ryans from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/strahan-australia-reviews-hotels-d39857.html">Strahan, Australia.</a></p> <p>At last we had a weekend to check out Tasmania's wild west coast. Strahan is the largest town on the west coast and is TINY. Most of the area is now national park.</p><p>The drive from Hobart is not far, but is long because the roads are small and windey. Our first stop was at Lake St. Clair, the largest lake in Tassie that feeds many of the states rivers and runs some of it's most important power plants. Although pretty, the weather was a little cold so we ate lunch and moved on.</p><p>We next stopped at the famous Franklin-Gordon river. It was here where there were large, eventually-successf ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/strahan-journals-j6365510.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_2rIeJKU30qgbTeqLibp1WTV9g2Q_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/2rIeJKU30qgbTeqLibp1WTV9g2Q_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_2rIeJKU30qgbTeqLibp1WTV9g2Q_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=2rIeJKU30qgbTeqLibp1WTV9g2Q_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fstrahan-journals-j6365510.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/strahan-journals-j6365510.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-01:6787617 2008-04-01T04:36:09Z 2008-04-14T08:08:16Z icehockeypunk11 http://realtravel.com/member-m4792444-icehockeypunk11.html <p>a entry by icehockeypunk11 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8176.html">Te Anau, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>And I was on my way to humble little Te Anau. Another spectacular day with equally spectacular views as our little van coasted along an open road through the mountain ranges that bordered both sides. Te anau, te anau, te anau…that name ring a bell? Well…that’s actually because it’s my current home-sweet-home! But let’s go back in time when I was just a mere traveller through such a lovely place that sits so nicely on a beautiful outstretching lake up to peaked mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see…(ya…I kinda like it here) The place is aptly named “gateway to fiordland”. Now…fjords ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j6787617.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fte_anau-journals-j6787617.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j6787617.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-12:6843320 2008-04-12T08:42:10Z 2008-04-12T21:48:17Z KJ30 http://realtravel.com/member-m6435505-kj30.html <p>a entry by KJ30 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/coral_bay-western_australia-reviews-hotels-d1294257.html">Coral Bay, Western Australia.</a></p> <p>Spent a few days in Coral Bay now snorkelling off the beach, a big storm came on Saturday night so there's no access into Coral Bay now cos the road is flooded. The water is clearing a little but still extremely cloudy unless diving down to view the fish.</p><p>Alice found bed bugs so we had to move rooms, this is a bonus as we now get rid of the Flash coming in at 5am drunk &amp; gettin in the wrong bed upsetting the Danish &amp; also the young Dutch couple who have sex in top bunk squeaking away everynight. Poor Alice doesn't see this upside at the moment though she's covered head to toe in itchy ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/coral_bay-journals-j6843320.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_XBnVjqRlvW7DP0UbVBjpwlqSzKg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/XBnVjqRlvW7DP0UbVBjpwlqSzKg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_XBnVjqRlvW7DP0UbVBjpwlqSzKg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=XBnVjqRlvW7DP0UbVBjpwlqSzKg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcoral_bay-journals-j6843320.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/coral_bay-journals-j6843320.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-09:6829199 2008-04-09T10:14:09Z 2008-04-09T10:14:09Z Career Suicide http://realtravel.com/member-m2383576-career_suicide.html <p>a entry by Career Suicide from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/lake_wanaka-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d4818229.html">Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>After Te Anau we drove back near Queenstown as we continued up north. Krystal had to drive up a huge moutain with switch backs which was a little scary. We climbed so high that at one point an airplane flew by.. even with us.. as it landed in the Queenstown airport. If we had been a few minutes earlier I could have snapped a picture of it. It was pretty cool. We are finding the roads very narrow and there are 1 way bridges everywhere where 1 car can only go at once. The scenery is amazing. Mountainous views everywhere. We stopped for a coffee on a mountain plateau before driving some ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/lake_wanaka-journals-j6829199.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Flake_wanaka-journals-j6829199.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/lake_wanaka-journals-j6829199.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-09:6828519 2008-04-09T05:57:17Z 2008-04-09T07:48:02Z Roland http://realtravel.com/member-m5151558-roland.html <p><em>"a capital way out of the way"</em></p> <p>a entry by Roland from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/canberra-australia-reviews-hotels-d7618.html">Canberra, Australia.</a></p> <p>Sydney is definitely the first city of Australia when it comes to international perception. When arriving in Melbourne I soon realised - and was told - that there's some sort of rivalry between those two cities going back almost to the time when the first settlers arrived... And it continues among the tourists. You either love Sydney OR Melbourne - I definitely belong to the Melbourne supporters.</p><p>That is where Canberra comes in. When the colonies (now the states) became the federation Australia neither Sydney nor Melbourne would allow the other city to become the capital and each wanted ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/canberra-journals-j6828519.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_mots56F.HnPfdprSErmR-2AbARQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/mots56F.HnPfdprSErmR-2AbARQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_mots56F.HnPfdprSErmR-2AbARQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=mots56F.HnPfdprSErmR-2AbARQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcanberra-journals-j6828519.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/canberra-journals-j6828519.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6823163 2008-04-08T02:44:33Z 2008-04-08T03:51:40Z dungroovin http://realtravel.com/member-m4613964-dungroovin.html <p>a entry by dungroovin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/carnarvon-western_australia-reviews-hotels-d2089715.html">Carnarvon, Western Australia.</a></p> <p>Lots and lots of rain that we passed through our way up the sharks bay peninsular has flooded out the road at a number of places and under the clear blue sky and intense sun it's tough to tell the real water from the mirages which turn the whole road into an apparent river.</p><p>The water turns the color of the land after a while and we pass landscapes flooded with deep red , orange and even purple water. With trees silhouetted against the bright sky standing out of this odd colored water it's a pretty bizare landscape at times. Now the weather has turned clear we pass aquamarine ocean ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/carnarvon-journals-j6823163.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_TKkDSkmuGLcIzDELCFtV606FxMk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/TKkDSkmuGLcIzDELCFtV606FxMk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_TKkDSkmuGLcIzDELCFtV606FxMk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=TKkDSkmuGLcIzDELCFtV606FxMk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcarnarvon-journals-j6823163.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/carnarvon-journals-j6823163.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6782898 2008-03-31T01:02:32Z 2008-04-07T01:38:22Z Mike & Madeline http://realtravel.com/member-m5010611-mike__madeline.html <p><em>"all around us, a pod of about 450 Dusky dolphins!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Madeline from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/kaikoura-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8126.html">Kaikoura, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>The Ferry…or Le ferry?! So up we got and headed down to the InterIslander ferry port for our 7.30am check in. It was reminiscent of waiting at Plymouth to catch the channel ferry and then became much more so when we noticed that our boat had the name ‘Pride of Cherbourg’ painted out on it’s side! I couldn’t believe it as I’d been on this boat when I was younger back home and here it was on the other side of the planet and still going! And literally all they’d done was paint over the embossed writing and there were even still signs up in French! Bizarre!!! The crossing was a blur as when ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kaikoura-journals-j6782898.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkaikoura-journals-j6782898.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kaikoura-journals-j6782898.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-06:6814886 2008-04-06T13:32:25Z 2008-04-06T13:55:05Z Shona http://realtravel.com/member-m6401883-shona.html <p>a entry by Shona from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/airlie_beach-australia-reviews-hotels-d32760.html">Airlie Beach, Australia.</a></p> <p>I was supposed to go to the Whitsunday Islands last Tuesday, right after I got back from Fraser Island...but two hours before I was about to go to the airport, I realized that the ticket was for three days later, on Friday. After confirming that I booked the wrong day with the travel agent person, I unpacked my bag and did homework in my apartment until Friday morning.</p><p>My hostel was in Airlie Beach, which is on the mainland. To get off the mainland, you have to either take a ferry ($50 or more) or go on a day trip ($50-100). Once I got there, I was kind of glad I'd only be spending three ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/airlie_beach-journals-j6814886.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_sJ3xyHPmlnnt7IPTTZf8Uf8THvw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/sJ3xyHPmlnnt7IPTTZf8Uf8THvw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_sJ3xyHPmlnnt7IPTTZf8Uf8THvw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=sJ3xyHPmlnnt7IPTTZf8Uf8THvw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fairlie_beach-journals-j6814886.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/airlie_beach-journals-j6814886.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-05:6809349 2008-04-05T06:36:45Z 2008-04-06T01:35:51Z Eternal Wanderer http://realtravel.com/member-m4184853-eternal_wanderer.html <p><em>"I walked across the top of the brown sugar sand that rejected the footprints my sandals wanted to leave like they were an insult to its isolation."</em></p> <p>a entry by Eternal Wanderer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/napier-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8146.html">Napier, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>‘Peacock!’ I said surprised as a pair of kingly birds flew over my car as I traversed the hilly Highway 35, that encircles the hump of the North Island that is the East Cape. Instead of the coastal highway I pictured, the narrow road cuts inwards up, over and around hills with no sea in sight, returning to the coast only to connect the small communities and their attached beaches. The roads on the cape are still more coastal than those in the Wairapa, which I reached by crossing the Rimutaka’s from Wellington. There one main road runs north through the region like a life line with smaller ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/napier-journals-j6809349.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnapier-journals-j6809349.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/napier-journals-j6809349.html