An Extremely “Cool”Experience – Harbin Ice Festival

Posted by Jod on July 11, 2014
Posted in: Asia, World Events. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

harbinlights

Each year there are dozens of festivals and events world over that truly are worth attending, either as part of a larger visit to the destination that hosts them, or for the event itself.  Officially every year on the 5th January, the Harbin Ice Festival begins, though in truth much of it is already on display before, and often well after the festival finishes. What though is the Harbin Ice Festival you ask! That is what we want to let you know about today.

Originally an Ice Lantern festival back in the 60’s it did lapse for a while and has since  bloomed again into a massive international event, with Ice Sculptors from the world around descend on Harbin to prove themselves and display their skills with sculpting snow. In the frozen north a virtual city of ice arises, with sculptures ranging from icons to building, which of a night are lit up in a fantastic display. There are also Ski challenges, though these are less visited, the option of visiting Stalin Park, a chance to Ice Fishing, or Ice Swimming if you are as game as some of the locals. It is also a chance to visit the Siberian Tiger Park, a preserve dedicated to increasing the Siberian Tiger population, while not a draw-card in itself to get you to Harbin during the warmer months, during the winter it is a must see visit in connection with the Ice Festival. Harbin also boasts a Pole Aquarium, and is a fantastic chance to see Belugas, Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes and more.

This truly stunning event is limited to the winter season, for reasons that are obvious – Ice after all only lasts so long and under certain conditions – and is definitely the best time to visit the region. It is also a perfect time to combine Harbin with some of the more incredible sights of China, and encounter them in a way many won’t see, such as the Great Wall covered in snow. If this all sounds interesting just continue reading to see a suggested programme for the Harbin Ice Festival!

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A Destination, Not So Far Far Away

Posted by Jod on July 5, 2014
Posted in: Middle East. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

swigloo

Like many my age, I grew up watching the original Star Wars trilogy. You know, I don’t think a single set of school holidays ever passed when my parents didn’t put them on to keep us amused for a few afternoons. Now six movies later names like the Jundland Wastes, The Dune Sea, The Lars Homestead, Mos Eisley, Mos Espa and Anchorhead are burnt into the psyche of generations of science fiction fans. Names which conjure up the images of a galaxy far far away.

The truth is that many of the locations used are not really so far far away, at most they are but a few hours, definitely not lightyears! One of the places where these locations abound is Tunisia. Now Tunisia is an incredible destination for any reason. Djerba, Zaghouan, Carthage, Sfax, Sousse .. there is so much to see and do there. But for the true fan a trip across Tunisia is to see the highlights of Tatooine .. the homeworld of Luke Skywalker, a word whose very name is a derivative of Tataouine, a location in Tunisia.

From Lukes search for his missing droids, to podracing canyons, the Lars Farmstead and Old Bens house .. there are a number of sites to visit fo rthe Star Wars Fan

From Lukes search for his missing droids, to podracing canyons, the Lars Farmstead and Old Bens house .. there are a number of sites to visit fo rthe Star Wars Fan

Much of what was seen of Tatooine in both the original movies, and the prequels is still visible in Tunisia, the desert and lack of change in the areas have preserved many locations almost as they were first viewed on the big screen. Others like the Hoted Sidi Driss (the location most associate with the Lars Farmstead) have remained unchanged mostly due to being a tour drawcard.

So if you are a Star Wars fan who loves travel, we have the perfect combination for you!

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Luxury In Patagonia, A Different Way To Unwind

Posted by Jod on July 1, 2014
Posted in: Cruise & Rail, South America. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment
A Trip to Patagonia is a journey to a stunning a beautiful area of the world

A Trip to Patagonia is a journey to a stunning a beautiful area of the world

I will be the first to admit that when I travel, its all about what I can see, do and accomplish during my voyage, after all if I wanted to see beaches and sit on my backside I would stay at home, after all the area of Australia I am from has beaches that are a match for any around the world!

Having said that though, sometimes there are places, and sites that crop up that do shout out to me to slow down, relax, unwind and simply revel in the openess, the freedom, and the unique atmosphere a place has to offer. One of those place is Patagonia in South America. The Glaciers, Snow Capped Mountains, Wooded and Open Valleys, and ever incredible Lagos are a different enough site from what I am used to that spending a few days simply relaxing and unwinding here while I am travelling sounds more that a little enticing .

There are several ways to enjoy a place, and get in some decent R&R, two of the most popular being resorts or lodges that allow you to put down some roots, enjoy the perks of the property you are staying at and explore the surrounds at your leisure.

The other is to cruise. A Cruise lets you set down in one spot, and let your hotel take you from place to place .. for lack of a better description. Allowing you to visit a number of locales without the bother or need to live out of a suitcase or journey continually by bus or overland to get between places.

Patagonia is a place that you can do both, and one of the more incredible properties and cruise operators have helped us put together a package to show you just how!

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Experience Gallipoli with Lt Col Peter Sweeney

Posted by Jod on June 30, 2014
Posted in: Battlefield Tours, Middle East. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
"Those Heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives .. You are now living in the soil of a friendly country, therefore rest in Peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lay side by side, here in this Country of ours ... You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears, your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well!" Ataturk, 1934

“Those Heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives .. You are now living in the soil of a friendly country, therefore rest in Peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lay side by side, here in this Country of ours … You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears, your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well!” Ataturk, 1934

Lieutenant Colonel Peeter Sweeney RFD (Retired)

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Sweeney RFD (Retired)

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Sweeney RFD (Retired) joined the Australian Army Reserve (Infantry Corps) as an Officer Cadet in 1966 and served, raising through the ranks until he officially retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2000. He has received a number of Awards and Commendations during his service, and during his service and since retirement has travelled to a number of Historical Battlefields across the world including Gallipoli, Islawanda, Rorkes Drift, Pearl Harbour and Normandy to name a few. Today Peter is a Gallipoli Specialist and member of the Guild Of Battlefield Guides (UK).

We have been incredibly lucky to have Peter ask to lead two great departures to Gallipoli in 2015 – the year, 100 years on from when the ANZAC Forces landed in the Dardanelles during World War I.

11 days, Australia to Australia, we spend a brief time in Istanbul before heading down to the Dardanelles for an in-depth look at the battlefields of the Gallipoli Campaign. From Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, where the Australian and New Zealand Forces were stationed. To Kabatepe, and the Turkish positions, to the French area of operation in Cape Hellas to Sulva Bay in the North where the British Landed.

We have 2 fantastic departures, one in July and one in October, for more information, read on ..

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Uganda: Preparing for an “Experience Of A Lifetime”

Posted by Jod on June 28, 2014
Posted in: Africa. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
When tracking Gorillas in Uganda (or Rwanda for that matter) you are not guaranteed a sighting, but if you manage to get some face time in with these unique primates it will be something you remember for life

When tracking Gorillas in Uganda (or Rwanda for that matter) you are not guaranteed a sighting, but if you manage to get some face time in with these unique primates it will be something you remember for life

Since the 1600’s European culture has been rife with the tales of the dark continent, and later stories by authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs (the author of Tarzan), and films – especially from the 40’s and 50s, helped cement the image of an untamed wilderness filled with exotic creatures and an element of danger in the ‘western’ psych.

While those of us living in the mordern world realise that these images that have been conjured up for generations are more fantasy than reality, a trip to Africa is always exciting, especially for the first time traveller. They know they are going to encounter a part of the world unlike that in which they live, and while there they may have the chance to encounter a number of things they wouldn’t at home. From the larger animals like Elephants, to smaller monkeys, birds and reptiles.

Some of these wildlife encounters though are not something that you are going to be able to do on the fly. Especially if you want to see the Gorillas. These days the best Gorilla sightseeing is in Uganda and Rwanda, occurs in only a few parks and even then the number of visitors and time allowed to be spent near them is limited, and the permits often sell out months in advance. Add to that fact that if you want to do 2 days of Gorilla Tracking and  1 day of Chimp tracking you are looking at spending up to US$1200 per person on permits alone. So, if you want to head to Africa – be it Uganda or Rwanda to track Gorillas, then you should always plan it out as far in advance as possible so that the chances of you being able to do it when you want is more likely.

The three major draw cards of primate sightseeing in Uganda are the Gorillas, the Chimpanzees and the Golden Monkeys, and as it has been stated planning your trip in advance is worthwhile. The planning though is for much more than just what you want to see, but for where you want to stay.

Why? because where you stay can have as much of an effect and imprint on you as the sightseeing and trekking itself,  each camp, lodge or hotel has its own atmosphere, element and feeling, and can lend or detract from your trip. For an example let me introduce you to a property near Bwindi that will only enhance your trip to Uganda .. The Clouds Mountain Gorilla Resort

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