Summer Sailstice is the global sailing holiday celebrated on the weekend closest to the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
This international event was founded in 2001 to connect the global sailing community in a fun, creative, multifaceted, multi-location sailing holiday. Every year, Summer Sailstice connects over 19,000 sailors all over the world—cruisers, racers and recreational—to celebrate and showcase life under sail. It has expanded to include participants from Asia, across the Americas and Europe. Read more
Bruny Island (or Islands – they are joined by a narrow causeway) is nearly 100kms long – with a changing climate from sheltered sandy beaches to tall forests and open bays, to wild coastlines in the south. The Bruny Island Ferry leaves from Kettering, an easy 30 min drive south of Hobart. “Down the channel” as the locals call it. It is another 30 mins in the car ferry – everyone seems to take there, there does not seem to be any other way of getting around. It is just $35A return which seems great value. Read more
A note about “The Weather”: layer up and take a raincoat everywhere. I know people talk about four seasons in one day, but Hobart in October seems to exemplify this. One night and morning we were particularly cold – only to look up at Mt Wellington to see it dusted in snow. Later that day as the sun came out we stripped to our t-shirts. And later again we drove through a hail shower. Bring layers and carry them with you!
A few more highlights of our Hobart Trip worth mentioning for other Travellers Read more
We are on a short visit to Hobart,
but we get to Salmanca three times over the week …
- First time we buy some funky jewellery from The Art of Silver – Contemporary Jeweller’s Co-operative. We talk to one artist, but in fact unknowingly buy a piece each from the same artist – Megan Dickens. We are delighted.
Our second visit is for our progressive eating and drinking evening we finish up at The Blue Eye Seafood Restaurant, where we eat an exquisite seafood meal. Read more
Our trip to Tasmania is going to be focused around Hobart, and I must admit I like the idea of exploring quietly rather than madly chasing photo opportunities. The number one place on our list is MONA – the Museum of Old and New Art
Hobart has just been named by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 cities in the world to visit – calling it a “funky cultural hub”, in part because of the inspiration of gambling millionaire and visionary David Walsh, who has used his millions to build MONA the spectacular $180 million Museum of Old and New Art. Read more
Awaiting my flight to Hobart – thinking of my mother
I’m sitting in the airport awaiting my flight to Hobart, Tasmania. My mother Lorna Neave (nee Grant) went to “Tassie” when she was 22 years old, and it made a huge impression on her. As I grew up the story of her trip to Tasmania was recounted, along with her desire to go back one day. She did not go back until she was 77 years old, and it lived up to all of her expectations. So my expectations are high too as I await my plane. Read more
Part two of our Niue Visit – Part One is here
“Niue has the clearest waters that I have seen” - so said one of the divers we met. The visibility is simply stunning. One of the reasons is that there are no rivers on Niue, it is just one giant rock that the water seeps through and is held in the rock.
As I said earlier, I was initially disappointed that all the snorkel trips were booked out when we arrive. If you are a super keen diver or snorkeller, book before you go to Niue. HOWEVER there are snorkelling spots all over the island, all accessible down Sea Tracks which lead off the road near every village. Most nights we ate locally caught fresh fish – in batter, raw, pan fried – it was a treat. Read more
It seems that once you land on Niue you are no longer a stranger. Arriving at Niue airport we knew no one, and wondered anxiously if Neil was there from Kololi Motel to pick us up. One of the immigration people asked where we were staying and turned around and pointed to Neil. Easy.
Niue is a small south pacific island between Samoa and Tonga. About 3 hours by plane from Auckland. Watch this introductory Video
Adelaide is a great city, good food and wine, beaches and wineries. But I had not seen the bush or kangaroos, and it felt like something was missing. Friends told me that what I needed was a visit to Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary close by in the Adelaide Hills. We discovered we could stay overnight, which seemed like a great option, and though it was winter we were assured the luxury tents structures were warm and cosy. That was there was a chance we could see the elusive platypus in the twilight encounter.
Markets – Beach walks – Almond Blossom Festival – Wine – Galwa – Port Elliot – Cycleways
Markets are HOT in Adelaide and practically mainstream
We are in Adelaide for a winter holiday, but before heading off to our base in Port Willunga, South of Adelaide, we shop up for goodies at the Adelaide Central Market. Two days later we are at the prize winning Saturday Willunga Farmers Market – smaller and more grass roots local growers. Between these markets we barely need a supermarket and our shelves are stocked with great local produce for the next 10 days of holiday. It would be so cool to live here and have it all so close. Read more
