Travel destinations: Cairns, Australia – Part 4

When someone talks about Cairns the immediate impression i get is BACKPACKERS… I know I’m not alone on this but having just recently visited this laid back yet action packed city I now feel that Cairns, is not only a city that contain some backpackers but it is also a city that is relaxed, friendly, calm, tropical and so close to many natural wonders.

My highlight to my Cairns trip was the 40 minute boat ride to GREEN ISLAND. Where the term “Crystal Waters” is truly met at this destination. The water so clear, that you see a whole underwater world from the pier as soon as you disembark the boat. Top on my list was to get out there and snorkel and envisage such natural beauty. Of course the coral is amazing being so close to the Great Barrier Reef, but this was not the breath taking experience. The breath taking experience was the gigantic sting ray swimming underneath me and the sea turtles gliding through the water.

It’s almost like they are oblivious to all humans in the water or they think of us as part of their mighty water kingdom. It was so peaceful and relaxing that after a days snorkeling and canoing and then the 5pm fish feeding frenzy, what better way to truly unwind than champagne sunset. As you watch the sun set you see the sky turn many shades of orange, followed by pink turning into purple and then getting darker gradually advising you that dinner time is fast approaching.

Green island is only one attraction so close to Cairns, but what makes Cairns a special destination is the close proximity it is to various islands, the reef, other cities and excursions. It’s not just for the backpackers, but it’s for the Aussie traveler too. It lures you in and makes you want to go back for more.

Reflections on Tim Cahill returning for the 2007 Asian Cup Finals

Tim Cahill is returning to Samoa with the intention of promoting football and a healthy lifestyle.

The majority in the media and the public always hear the negative aspect of football or the football star. The Majority of the Mainstream Media [at least in America] have not mentioned Tim Cahill and Samoa. The only time Pacific Ocean Nations are mentioned by the Mainstream Media is to inform the general public of crime, global warming, or military takeovers.

It is about time to bring to the discussion table the reasons behind a visit by a football star to Samoa .

Early Life:

It came upon the day of the 6th of December of 1979 in Sydney Australia when Tim Cahill was born to a Samoan Mother and English/ Irish Father. His parents encouraged him to play football at an early age. During his period as student of the Bexley North Public School and Kingsgrove North High School, he played for the Balmain Police Boys Club and the Marrickville Red Devils Soccer Football Club.

Adolescence

In 1994, he played for the island of Samoa substituting in an International U-20 Match. It was an eye-opener as he was able to connect with his Samoan Roots. In spite of the fact that he played for Sydney United in 1996, Australia prohibited Tim Cahill from playing from the Australian National Football Team for representing Samoa. Tim Cahill proved to be a forgiving figure towards Australia by making return visits to his place of birth and where he started his football career. Australia was later to relent by changing the rules to allow him to play for the Australian National Football Team.

England

Tim Cahill’s Professional Career in England was divided into two eras in two teams: Millwall and Everton.

After receiving permission from his parents to play in England, his contract was transferred from Sydney United to Millwall in 1997. Tim Cahill made his debut at Millwall on May 22, 1998 and managed to score 58 goals in 241 appearances. Before the start of the 2004-2005 season, Cahill’s contract was transferred to Everton for 1.5 Million Pounds after an attempt to transfer his contract to Crystal Palace failed. It was said that Simon Jordan who was Chairman at Crystal Palace would not pay the transfer fees of Cahill’s Agent.

In 2004, Tim Cahill endeared himself with the Everton Supporters with his down to earth personality, and his refusal to celebrate his goal against Millwall during the FA Cup by stating: “They gave me an opportunity. It would be like kicking

Unique Melbourne: All the World in Australia

One of the greatest pleasures of a visit to Melbourne is the opportunity to sample its cosmopolitan offerings. Where else in the world can you sip an espresso in Little Italy, shop in Chinatown and wander through Little Vietnam all in one morning? And you still have the rest of the day to dine at Greek restaurants and savour Turkey, India and the Middle East in the Brunswick district.

To say that Melbourne is cosmopolitan is an understatement. For one thing, Australia’s second-largest city is home to more people of Greek descent than any other city except Athens. In fact, nearly a third of Melbournians were either born overseas or have parents who were born overseas. What this means to you the holiday maker is the chance to savour a uniquely international Australian experience. So what are some of the more interesting ethnic quarters?

The city’s Greek Precinct situated in and around Lonsdale Street has its origins in the 1930s. Today the area is home to Greek restaurants, cafes and cake shops along with travel agents, book and music stores, and specialised shops that provided wedding and christening garments..

Melbourne’s Chinatown is Australia’s oldest, dating back to the 1850s gold rush years. It began as a few shops and boarding houses in Celestial Avenue to cater for arrivals from southern China. Today’s Chinatown is a vibrant, colourful place jammed with shops and restaurants.

There’s a Chinese Museum in Cohen Place with five floors of exhibitions and the Tianjin Garden houses a Chinese pavilion, rockery and water garden.

Italian immigrants once favoured the inner-city suburb of Carlton. Though many have moved to the suburbs, this leafy stretch lined with Victorian terraces still house scores of Italian shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s a fine place to go for an espresso or a full Italian meal.

The Vietnamese have made Victoria Street into their community and the area’s famed for its good, cheap food including pho (noodle soup) and spring rolls.

If you arrive in Melbourne during one of these many festivals you’re in for a special treat. Chinese New Year is a time of gongs, fireworks and gambolling dragons, Divali the Hindu festival of lights a time of flickering candles and oil lamps, and the Lao have their own dignified Buddhist celebrations. Melbourne’s Italians hold the Lygon Street Festa every October which features the Italian waiters’ race and a spaghetti-eating contest. If you want to learn more about Melbourne’s cosmopolitan history, visit the Immigration Museum. Here you can find out all about the city’s multicultural past and present. The museum is located in the restored Old Customs House building which was formerly the gateway to a new life for those who aspired to make Melbourne their home. Melbourne’s multicultural makeup adds a tremendous zest to the city. Another of the city’s joys is the fine range of accommodation. Among the fine range of Melbourne City hotels are the Comfort Inn and Suites Flagstaff City Melbourne and the HarbourView Apartment Hotel Melbourne.

Places to visit in Australia – Part 15

Most tourists visit Sydney, but Queensland’s subtropical capital, Brisbane, is a destination in its own right. Brisbane began as Moreton Bay penal settlement in 1825, but has put its backwater origins behind it. Its population has swelled to 1.6 million and it has a cosmopolitan feel.

Brisbane has a less hectic pace than Sydney, and a more compact size. Street cafs, with tasty and reasonably priced food are everywhere. Most take advantage of the warm days and balmy evenings by providing outdoor seating. Restaurants throw open their windows and doors, and their tables spill onto the sidewalk.

With more than 12,000 beds in Brisbane, almost anyone can find a place within his means. Accommodations range from the highly sophisticated to downright raunchy, with plenty of options in between.

Brisbane is a shopper’s paradise. The bustling Queen Street Mall is a large pedestrian promenade. An estimated 70,0000 people peruse its 1,200 shops and boutiques each day. There is also plenty of free entertainment provided on the mall’s two outside stage areas.

With an average of 243 sunny days per year, it’s no wonder that many of Brisbane’s diversions take place outside, but the city also has surprisingly good cultural offerings. On the South Bank, just across the Victoria Bridge, sits the Queensland Museum, which offers an eclectic collection of artifacts and exhibit. It offers a compelling history of the people of Queensland, documenting the extreme hardships of the early settlers.

Located next to the museum is the Queensland Art Gallery, which was established in 1895. It houses several European Master’s pieces, such as work by Rubens, Degas, and Picasso, but mainly showcases Australian art from colonial times to the present, including Aboriginal art.

The outlying areas offer as much as the city. Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo is located in Beerwah, about an hour’s drive north of the city, or a two-hour journey by train. Established in 1973, Australia Zoo has more than 550 animals, including over a hundred crocodiles. There are several informative demonstrations a day, and everywhere you look are wondrous examples of uniquely Australian animals. Australia is home to 11 of the 15 most venomous in the world, and many are represented at the zoo. Feisty Tasmanian Devils are a popular attraction, but cute animals also abound, including the requisite koalas and kangaroos. The premier events are of course the crocodile feedings. It’s well worth the visit.

Travel Insurance – 10 Top Tips

Insurance is one of those areas that is generally unavoidable; you’ll need it in some form or another somewhere along the line. For the majority of us that just happens to be every day.

One area always in the spotlight one way or another is travel insurance. Yet many of us still aren’t sure if it’s something we really need and to this end, many of us travel without it every year. Here are 10 top tips to help you make the right decision.

1) It is a common myth that if you take the European health card (E111) with you when you travel, you will be covered for anything that goes wrong. This is not the case. The card is just there to be given to a hospital, etc, in an emergency so they will treat you (this is still a must have for this reason). You will still be billed for any treatment you receive in a private health care system. For this reason holiday insurance can be invaluable.

2) When applying for your insurance policy, you must inform the company of any/all medical conditions you suffer from, no matter how small or insignificant they seem. This could prove to be something that voids your policy if you do not. You will find this most probably increases your premium, but it is worth it to keep your policy valid.

3) When looking for cheap travel insurance, be careful to check you are not losing out on any coverage that you will need, such as theft, cancellation of holiday/flights. You may find that some polices really are too good to be true and cover you for the bare minimum.

4) If you are planning to go on a trip that may include activities that could be viewed to be dangerous by the insurance company, you may find you will not be covered under most policies. You will need to find a policy aimed at covering for such activities, i.e. a winter ski policy or adventure holiday insurance. If you are thinking of backpacking, you would similarly be best to look for a backpacker’s policy.

5) The majority of companies offer single, multi trip, family and annual policies. If you are going to travel just once in a year as a single person or a couple, it will work out cheaper to apply for a single trip travel insurance policy. If however you will be travelling 2 or more times, a multi trip policy will save you money. The same applies to a family group, finding separate policies will be expensive, opt for a family policy and you will save money and most probably receive cover for children (under 18) free.

6) Always check excesses on the policy you choose, most policies are peppered with them and finding a policy with a better or no excess in an area you think relevant is prudent.

7) An important thing to remember in regards to item/theft insurance is; if you leave valuables unattended/ out of sight, you will not be protected.

An important “don’t” is not to let your holiday provider package the holiday insurance for you as it will work out much more expensive in the long run. In less than a couple of minutes you can find a much cheaper quote on a comparison site. Research from Alliance and Leicester has shown UK holiday makers overspend by ฃ1.3 billion on travel insurance each year, for this very reason.

9) It is important to remember that the insurance company will not pay out for an accident caused whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

10) Finally, in research done by the internet company Moneysupermarket.com it was found that you should ensure you have the following amounts of cover as minimum: Medical expenses 2m, personal liability 1m, cancellation 3,000, baggage 1,500, cash 250, a 24 hour emergency line and cover for legal costs and finally financial ombudsman service membership in case you need to complain.

Insurance and Roadside Assistance for Your Caravan Holiday

It is not until you break down that you realise just how much you really need insurance and roadside assistance. This is even more compounded when you are a long way from home on a holiday and you have no other way of getting anywhere or doing anything if your can or caravan has broken down.

You can not put a monetary price on your peace of mind. Insurance and roadside assistance provides that peace of mind when you are traveling so you can just enjoy your holiday.

Insurance

Before you take out your insurance, make sure you read and understand what is actually covered. Make sure it covers everything you need for the activities you have planned for your holiday and also covers the areas you intend to visit and stay. If you intend going off the beaten track, doubly make sure this is covered. Check out the “extras”, including such items as a free car hire in the event of an accident and if this appeals to you it may be worth paying the little bit extra. Prices can vary quite significantly so shop around first.

Make sure your comprehensive insurance covers both your vehicle and caravan. The benefits are obvious: the loss of some personal items within a vehicle is covered, as is damage to the vehicle through theft, vandalism or accident. Perhaps the most important benefit is the peace of mind you will have knowing you are covered if you are unfortunate to need insurance.

Make sure you carry copies of your insurance policies with you when you are on the road.

Roadside Assistance

Many new motor vehicles are sold with a manufacturer’s warranty that includes roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown. The warranty varies from one to three years or “X” number of kilometres, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Check your policy carefully before you go. Make sure it covers the kind of travel you intend and the places you want to go. Details of your roadside assistance package, including contact numbers, are usually contained in the glove-box folder.

If you are not buying a new vehicle and not covered as above with your existing vehicle or you do not think the warranty offered is suitable, you should consider becoming a member of your State based motoring organisation. Similar to your insurance and roadside assistance, you will only fully realise the benefit of becoming a member if you break down and need them. The State based organisations all offer reciprocal breakdown assistance around Australia.

Different levels of membership are offered, so check out what is most suitable to you. If you are planning to more adventurous activities you may wish to go for the top level cover, which in most areas offers unlimited service calls and free towing. Motoring organisations also offer travel advice and sell maps, guide and car accessories. Once you have used their services, you may decide that the membership fee was the best money you ever spent.

All you Need to Know About Sydney Hotels

There is more than one reason to visit the city named Sydney. Considered as the oldest city of the country and the capital of New South Wales, Sydney has showcased all sorts of wonders including natural exquisiteness, architectural astonishments, tantalizing restaurants and exciting shopping hubs. Its vibrant lifestyle and exotic nightlife are another allure to its guests. Some must-see places in the city are Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Sydney Mint, Chinatown, Sydney Town Hall, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Olympic Park, Luna Park and Australian museum. At the same time, Sydney is the home of a gamut of hotels, which are of different types as well as rates. The Hotels in Sudney have arranged an excellent accommodation for making everybody’s stay comfortable as well as luxurious.

While traveling to Sydney, you can choose any area to sojourn in. Most of the famous areas including Cbd & Hyde Park, Central Station, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Potts Point etc. possess varieties of hotels meeting the needs of business travelers, luxury- loving tourists and budget- conscious vacationers. All these hotels are equipped with modern amenities, which ensure a soothing stay. So, it’s your choice! Choose a hotel as per your budget and make your Sydney vacation unforgettable.

Now the question is how you will get all details about Sydney Hotels. Interestingly, with the benediction of World Wide Web, most of these hotels have come up with their own websites offering online hotel reservation facility as well. Besides, you will get testimonials as well as reviews of these hotels on many websites, which will help you to opt for a better option. So, first do a bit research and then book a hotel in Sydney according to your requirement.

Eating habits of Great White sharks

Carcharodon carcharias, otherwise known as the Great White’, is probably the world’s most instantly recognisable shark. However, its fearsome appearance with rows of serrated white teeth and soulless black eyes, have unfairly led to its notoriety as a man-eater.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Statistics show that shark attacks are far more likely to be perpetrated by species such as Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas).

So far from being mindless killing machines, the eating habits of Great Whites, are primarily concerned with finding enough food to survive. They are the product of millions of years of evolution, and during this time their appearance has changed little since they swam with prehistoric Ichthyosaurs, some 65 million years ago.

Physiology:

Also known as the White Pointer’, due to the distinctive white tip on the underside of its nose, the Great White weighs around two tonnes and can measure up to twenty-six feet in length.

It is a powerful swimmer and can reach speeds in excess of 45mph, by utilising its powerful sickle-shaped pectoral fins, and distinctive crescent-shaped tail.

Geographical distribution:

Great Whites are mainly found in a lateral band across the globe, from the coast off California, to the coral reefs off Western Australia, and anywhere in between within a temperature range of 54-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hotspots also include the Cape of South Africa, where the shark plays its part in the eternal predator-prey relationship with Cape Fur Seals (Arctocephalus pusillus).

Eating Habits:

When one thinks of a shark, they usually summon the image of Carcharodon carcharias, thanks to the insidious use of its image in film and advertising. However, there is no getting away from the fact that the Great White looks the way it does because it has evolved to do so.

Rows of razor-sharp, serrated triangular teeth, each the size of a silver dollar, are perpetually replaced throughout the shark’s lifetime. He or she will never require dentures, as it is estimated an adult will go through 400 completely new sets by the end of their life.

Great Whites use these awesome weapons, combined with incredible acceleration, to target their favourite prey, Pinnipeds’, or Fin-footed animals (Bowling, 2008); namely Seals and Sea Lions. Lacking the ability to chew its food, the shark will clamp on with these teeth, which are arranged to form a vice-like grip around

5 Good Restaurants in Sugar Land

Founded as a sugar plantation, it is now one of the fast growing cities in Texas. It has a booming dining scene offering varieties of cuisine; the popular being American, Pizza, Hamburgers, Fast Food, and Wraps.

Read through the top 5 restaurants in Sugar Land.

Kona Grill serves American cuisine. It’s popular for its creative steak and sushi dishes. The main feature of this restaurant is its huge 2,000-gallonsalt water aquarium center piece. The menu features a mix of Hawaiian and Asian-flavored dishes including Macadamia Nut chicken, Lemongrass Crusted Swordfish, noodle dishes and steaks. They serve large portions and the prices are quite reasonable.

Applebees’s Grill and Bar is famous for their excellent hamburgers. Their burgers are made with 100% Angus beef with premium toppings, including crispy, hearty and smoky Applewood bacon. Its Riblets are also quite popular. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing. The service is great.

The best known Pizza restaurant in Sugar Land is Sugar Land’s Incredible Pizza Company. It’s the restaurant where food, games and enjoyment are seen added in the right flavors. There is amusement and theme parks for kids as well as adults. So it’s an ideal place for family outings. Another feature is its four themed dining rooms. Go and check it out!

Chili’s Grill & Bar doles out luscious wraps. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. It is a non-smoking restaurant. It has a kids menu and so the best place to dine out with your family. The menu also includes steaks, salads, seafood, fajitas, burgers, grilled chicken and so on.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is the best Fast Food restaurant in Sugar Land. They combine top quality and fresh ingredients to create authentic Italian dishes. It has a great wine list, which includes vintages from Italy, Australia, California and Washington. This restaurant became popular for its casual atmosphere and also for its large portions. Olive Garden has low fat and lot carbohydrate dishes for those who are calorie conscious. The menu includes Bruchetta, Calamari, Ravioli, Eggplant Parmigiana, Salmon, chicken dishes and so on.

Happy dining!

Travel destinations: Cairns, Australia – Part 3

Cairns and tropical North Queensland, possibly one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Inspiring at best, and the holiday experience of a lifetime, guaranteed. The famous gateway to this paradise is the pivotally base of Cairns, which in the 1870’s was an established gold rush port. Today the city’s agriculture, mineral supplies, and sugarcane industry in particular thrive. Employment prospects provide one the greatest tourism draw cards to the beauty of its scenic surrounds.

Travelling Northward from Cairns, the extensive Array of glorious sightseeing brings endless choices. Just outside of Cairns the tiny township of Smithfield will take, you back in time and attune you with nature. Diverting inland here, takes you up into the magical highlands. It is a vast tropical lush to arouse the mind and senses. The captivating beauty of the Cairns highlands, which at some places is more than 700 m. above sea level, is breath taking. Several towns, each with it’s own special attractions. The charismatic village of Kuranda, set amongst tropical rain forest with its wildlife, quaint shops and stalls, restaurants and art galleries, can be reached from Cairns via road or train. The town is renowned for its famous magical and breathtaking views from the sky gondola. The majestic waterfalls and rolling green hills are a welcome change from the busy yet vibrant Cairns centre.

Cairns is the ideal setting for bush-walkers and backpackers alike. Cultural tours of the local area bring an understanding to visitors of abundant wildlife, native fruits and plants and of the lifestyle of its indigenous residents. The leisurely 45-50 minute trip by car from Cairns to Port Douglas delivers breath taking ocean views from the shear drop of mountain roads winding past a sanctuary of wildlife and waterfalls; pristine nature in all her glory. Nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Dividing Range, is a section of what is known as the Great Green Way’ which delivers a string of National Parks. From the rich fishing areas such as Cardwell to the highest peak Mt. Bartle Frere, there is something for every sightseer.

One of the world’s most delightful holiday areas, it will prove to be an experience you are bound to revisit again. With so many amazing places to see, you can be sure that if you miss some of them, you will want to return for another holiday. At townships like Trinity Beach and Palm Cove, you can spoil yourself at one of the award winning restaurant

Get Some Winter Sun in Australia This Christmas

Most Brits associate Christmas with cold weather, little sunlight, snow, families cosying up indoors and traditional Christmas cuisine such as turkey and mulled wine. But if that all sounds as appealing as that knitted reindeer jumper re-gifted through the family since time memoriam, Australia can provide an alternative Christmas holiday with things to see and experience to suit anyone’s tastes – whether you’re looking to experience the cities, beaches or the many natural sights.

The most popular city among tourists visiting Australia is Sydney, and it’s not hard to see why. As one of the most iconic cities in Australia it’s most well-known attractions include the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Luna Park, Sydney Tower and its many beaches. Bondi Beach in particular has proven to be popular with British and Irish tourists looking to spend the holiday in the sun and the beach has many cafes, restaurants and hotels, giving spectacular views of the beach. Other major cities in Australia offering a similar experience include Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

No trip to Australia would be complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef. It is the largest coral reef system and the biggest single structure made by living organisms in the world. It composed of roughly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 1615 miles over an area of approximately 132,974 sq mi. Due to its vast biodiversity, warm clear waters and its accessibility from the floating guest facilities, the reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially scuba divers. The reef is accessible via boat tours and cruises, from single day trips to longer voyages. Glass-bottomed boats and underwater observatories are also popular, as are helicopter flights.

Ayers Rock (or Uluru) is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural icons. The sandstone formation stands 1142ft high, with a circumference of 5.8 mi. It has great cultural significance for the A?angu landowners, who lead walking tours of the area, informing visitors of the local bush foods, flora and fauna and Aboriginal dreamtime stories. The sandstone formation is notable for appearing to change colour throughout the day and year depending on the light and weather, glowing red at sunset and silver-grey when it rains.

In addition to the mainland there are several islands to check out, including Tasmania. Promoting itself as the Natural State and the Island of Inspiration, almost 37% of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites. Despite its small size, there are plenty of sights to see, and Tasmania attracts many tourists for its trout fishing possibilities and the iconic Overland Track bush walk.

So if you’re looking to skip the cold climes of the UK and spend Christmas in the sun, a festive holiday in Australia is an ideal destination.

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