I was inspired by our recent visit to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade in Victoria. This is home to the largest little penguin colony in the world. Attracting thousands of visitors each year who observe these little seabirds waddle home from the ocean to their burrows at night year round. But what about chooks, I thought. (def: Chooks: An Australian term for chicken) For all what they do for us, feeding us almost daily, surely ...…[read more]
Blog Posts
The great thing about a road trip is you never know what to expect. It’s fantastic to be back on the road for another adventure! To start, there’s this place called Yumali. It’s one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it small South Australian towns, tucked along the main highway between Adelaide and Melbourne. It boasts a community hall and a footy oval. And that’s about it. The hall had been derelict and unused for the last thirty years, ...…[read more]
Our destination is into the heart of outback, fourteen hundred kilometres north of Perth: Karajini in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. What do you say when visitors from overseas ask, “where should I go when I visit Australia”. It’s the outback that makes Australia unique. Friends Helen and Drew were joining us in their rented campervan. They’d never been to the outback. And though they weren’t international visitors you’d think from their strong accent they’d just ...…[read more]
Are you seeking exciting world travel adventures? The type of travel rich in experience. With you in mind, that’s why I wrote my latest book: “The Youthful Midlife Traveller: A Baby Boomer’s Guide to Independent World Travel” It’s a follow on from my original popular book, My Senior Gap Year (or The Youthful Art of Midlife Travel as a subsequent titled version). My Senior Gap Year tells the stories of the adventures of a grey ...…[read more]
Here’s something a little out the ordinary…. For those who know me, you would know my passion for travel and adventure. However, today, I’d like to share a somewhat different kind of adventure with you. One that’s filled with heartwarming stories, wisdom, and a dash of creativity…. 🙂 I’m pleased to announce I’ve recently published a book titled “Adventures in the Refrigerator: Tales of the Vegetable Community”. Now, I get it, this book is obviously ...…[read more]
There’s something thrilling about chasing adventure in the great Australian outback. The call of the wild beckoned us as we set off on a quest to explore South Australia’s renowned outback tracks – The Strzelecki Track, Oodnadatta Track, and Birdsville Track. Expecting dusty, rough tracks that would test the best driving skills, we were in for a surprise. The outback tracks, though mainly unsealed, resembled well-traveled highways in parts, with many sealed sections. It’s as ...…[read more]
Imagine being part of a one-of-a-kind music festival set in the heart of the Australian outback—the Birdsville Big Red Bash. The tenth annual musical festival, this iconic event draws ten thousand music lovers from across the country and around the world. With its remote location in the Simpson Desert, it promises an adventure like no other. A captivating journey and unique experience is what the Birdsville Big Red Bash offers. Half The Fun is The Journey ...…[read more]
G’day from Nusa Dua, Bali… So great to be back. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation or some exciting water sports activities, Nusa Dua has something for everyone. So grab a tropical drink, put on your sunglasses, and join me as we dive in! Oh and by the way, I know “G’day” is a bit culturally inappropriate, but the reality is the place is mostly crawling with Aussies. But nothing like it was pre ...…[read more]
“Please don’t send these pictures to India”, my friend Ben said (his real name!) I agreed we would keep them between us. We were being flippant, but the point Ben was making was the huge difference in how we produce food in western countries like Australia compared to many poorer regions around the world such as India where many of his family originates from. Unlike these poorer countries where manual labour brings the connection of ...…[read more]
“Who’d be a farmer?” I’d heard that comment a couple times. I’d taken on a seasonal farm stint in south east Western Australia. As far as the eye could see, golden coloured crops gently flowed back and forth with the warm wind. It was harvest time. You could almost see the glint in farming brothers, John and Michael Bertola’s eyes. All their year’s efforts were finally there for the taking, waiting to be rewarded. And ...…[read more]