Category Archives: Travel

Hong Kong

Our unexpected visit to Hong Kong is nearly over. Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities where somehow everything really works well. The metro is efficient and clean. The streets are washed daily, everyone is friendly and the shopping … Continue reading

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Japanese Earthquake

We were due  to fly to Tokyo from Sydney last Wednesday, and I was determined to go anyway as our son David lives in Tokyo. We had then planned to go south to Hiroshima for a few days. The massive … Continue reading

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Brisbane-Sydney

Arrived in Brisbane airport last Friday to the news of the Japanese earthquake and Tsunami. As soon as we landed we receeived an SMS at the airport from Anna’s sister Ailsa asking if our son David and his partner Mayumi … Continue reading

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Tasmania

Nearly half of Tasmania is National Park and wilderness. The Tasmanian Devil is endemic to Tasmania, as was the Tasmanian Tiger – a magnifcent marsupial preditor which was seemingly wiped out by the early settlers. The last known tiger died … Continue reading

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Flinders Range, South Australia

Yesterday we took a short trip through the Flinders Range near Port Augusta South Australia. This is my second visit to Port Augusta where our daughter Naomi is working as a vet. Port Augusta is the crossroads of Australia sitting … Continue reading

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Barossa and Clare Valleys

We have just revisited the Barossa Valley and the Clare Valley where some of Australia’s best wine is grown. Both are also beautiful areas so it is well worth spending a full day exploring each. This time I decided to … Continue reading

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Great Ocean Drive, Victoria

I am writing this from Portland, Victoria. Last night I slept 10 hours after an early morning flight from Chirstchurch to Melbourne. We had just gone to bed in the hotel at the airport when the alarm went off and … Continue reading

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Milford Sound to Christchurch

The tragic earthquake in Christchurch has overshadowed our last few days in New Zealand. The people we have met here have been some of the friendliest and kindest  I have known. This kindness has enabled them to come together as … Continue reading

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Lake Tekapu & Queenstown

Now heading inland, first to Lake Tekapu then to Wanaka and now arriving in Queenstown where I am writing this. Lake Tekapu is an electric blue glacial lake fringed with mountains and completely untouched apart from the town of lake … Continue reading

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Kaikoura, NZ

The scenery from the interisland ferry as you approach Picton, South Island from Wellington is just stunning. The sea is crystal clear, the mountains pristine, and better still there is little evidence of human activity. On the eastern side some … Continue reading

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