Category: Travel

Posts about travel in general

Creative Short Courses to do in London

Post author By Maryanne
Post date February 26, 2023
6 Comments on Creative Short Courses to do in London

Years ago, I did a short course to learn Corsetry at the London College of Fashion. I thoroughly loved the experience and still think about it now. Ever since then, I have always had my eye out for interesting courses to take on my travels. Some of the other courses I have taken are Cooking with Coconuts (Fiji), Thai Cooking (Bangkok), Cajun Cooking (New Orleans), dance courses in the U.S. and a photography course at Lord of the Rings locations in New Zealand. If you love creative pursuits, learning and travel, why not combine all three to make your trip a special experience.

Tags Acting classes London, Costume Design classes London, Creativity classes London, Dance classes London, DJ workshops London, Fashion Courses London, Fine Art Courses London, Illustration lessons London, Learning, Millinery workshops London, Photography courses London, Playwriting courses London, Screenwriting London, Set Design Course London, Writing classes London

Europe Scotland Travel

Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is such a beautiful city; however, it can get cold so make sure you check the weather forecast and take some warm clothes. Edinburgh, Scotland is a city rich in history and culture, offering a wide range of things to do for explorers. From historical landmarks and stunning architecture to world-class museums and vibrant festivals, there is something for everyone in this charming Scottish capital. This city is a fun place and Scotland in general has some very unique takes on life and leisure. Whether you’re here for the Whisky or the golf or to listen to the bagpipes there certainly are many unique experiences in Scotland.

Tags Castle, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Festivals, Georgian, Military Tattoo, National Museum of Scotland, Scotland, Scottish, tourism, travel, U.K.

Europe Travel U.K.

Cambridge, U.K.

If you would like to experience a quaint English city, full of tradition and ambience then Cambridge is your city. Regardless of whether you have studied at university or not, you won’t be able to resist the charm of this place. However, the university is a major part of Cambridge and its attraction for visitors. When you think of higher education in England you think of Oxford and you think of Cambridge. It is one of the ‘big two’. Cambridge, located in the East of England, is a city steeped in history and culture. As mentioned, it is best known for its prestigious university, which dates back to 1209 and is home to some of the most iconic and beautiful buildings in the city. But Cambridge is not just for students, it is also a great destination for all explorers looking for a mix of culture, history, and relaxation.

Tags Britain, Cam River, Cambridge, Cambridge England, Cambridge U.K., Cambridge University, England, English University, Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettles Yard, Quaint English Town, Round Church, U.K.

Europe Travel U.K.

10 GREAT REASONS TO VISIT BRIGHTON, U.K.

Post author By Maryanne
Post date February 6, 2023
No Comments on 10 GREAT REASONS TO VISIT BRIGHTON, U.K.

An easy train ride from London, Brighton is both a great day trip but also deserves a longer stay as well.

Tags Beachlife, Brighton, Brighton beach, Brighton Dome, Brighton Marina, Brighton Pier, Brighton Wheel, Britain, England, Royal Pavilion, U.K.

Europe Travel U.K.

Things to do in London, U.K.

Post author By Maryanne
Post date January 31, 2023
1 Comment on Things to do in London, U.K.

London is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world, and it is packed with things to see and do for visitors. From its rich history and culture to its world-class shopping, dining, and nightlife, there is something for everyone in this bustling metropolis.

One of the top things to do in London is to explore its many historical sites and landmarks. The city is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world, including Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey. Visitors can take a tour of these famous buildings to learn about their history and see them up close.

Tags big ben, Britain, buckingham palace, England, London, London attractions, london city, London sights, Shopping, things to do, tourism, travel, U.K.

Islands New Guinea Pacific Sailing Travel

The Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea & Cruising

Post author By Maryanne
Post date September 11, 2017
No Comments on The Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea & Cruising

I travelled by the P&O cruise ship Pacific Eden to Papua New Guinea and loved the experience. When travelling by cruise line there are a few different scenarios when disembarking at port. The easiest for the passenger is when the ship is docked at the wharf and you can just walk off the ship. Another scenario is when the ship cannot dock at the wharf because the water is not deep enough or for any other number of reasons cannot pull up to a wharf. This means that the passengers have to be transported to the shore by tender. A ship’s tender is a boat used to transport people or supplies to and from the shore. Smaller boats like yachts usually have tenders that are dinghies. In the case of the Pacific Eden it was the lifeboats that were used to transport the passengers ashore.

Arriving by Tender from the Pacific Eden

The trip from ship to Kiriwina Island was no problem at all but when we got to the Conflict Islands the wind was so strong and water so choppy that it would have been dangerous to transport us to shore. Therefore we spent around four hours being able to see the shore but no one was able to make it onto the island.

Tags Conflict Islands, Cruise Ships, Cruises, cruising, P&O, Pacific Eden, Papua New Guinea, tourism

Islands New Guinea Pacific Travel

The Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea

Post author By Maryanne
Post date September 29, 2016
16 Comments on The Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea

Running the gauntlet of woodcarvers, trinket makers, oh yes, and one bat man!

Kitava Island

The first of the Trobriand Islands the Pacific Eden visited was Kitava Island. It is one of the four major islands of the Trobriand group and one of the most untouched islands.

The four major islands are Kitava, Kiriwina, Kaileuna and Vakuta. Kitava Island has one of the most intact island cultures in the world. Located in the Milne Bay province in the eastern part of Papua New Guinea Kitava is a unspoilt small island that welcomes visitors to explore its villages.

Life is as it was thousands of years ago with very little influence from the outside world. The residents of this island and their diet have been studied by Staffan Lindeberg, a Swedish medical academic, and colleagues because of their excellent health and traditional diet and several papers have been published on the subject. Kitavans are acne free and this is thought to be due to their diet consisting of fresh, natural foods such as tubers, fruit, fish and coconut. The consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol and dairy products is virtually nil.

Tags canoes, coconuts, dancing, healthy diet, island life, island villages, Papua New Guinea, singing

New Guinea Pacific Sailing Travel

Alotau, Papua New Guinea

The three amigos head off from Cairns’ Trinity Wharf

We were greeted by some traditional Papuan dancers

I travelled to Papua New Guinea in September 2016 with two very good friends Dianne and Mark aboard the ship Pacific Eden. It is quite difficult to move between the islands of the Louisiade Archipelago of Papua New Guinea by public transport and so when we found out about a deal for $389 for 7 days to PNG we jumped at the chance. New Guinea and Australia were once one piece of land so it was significant for us as Australians to visit. None of us had been to New Guinea before so we were rather excited about the trip.

Alotau Market, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Tags Alotau, alotau cruise port, alotau map, alotau papua new guinea, alotau png, alotau weather, Battle of Milne Bay, cruising, Milne Bay Province, New Guinea, P and O, Papua New Guinea, port sightseeing, tourism, World War Two

Asia India Travel

India Part 3 – Agra, Delhi

Post author By Maryanne
Post date July 6, 2016
No Comments on India Part 3 – Agra, Delhi

Taj Mahal Agra, India

Agra
Arriving in Agra I didn’t know what to expect from this city but I knew the one place I wanted to visit was the Taj Mahal. Agra represents a golden era of the Mughal Empire and the rich traditions over centuries and other historical sites include the Agra Fort, the Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Akbar’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra Fort. On the day I visited the Taj Mahal it was quite foggy and it was difficult to get a decent photo. It was a wonderful experience walking around the gardens and in the buildings of the Taj Mahal. When you hear the story of why the Taj was built it is even more amazing.

Tags Agra, Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri, India, India Gate, Indian tourism, Raj Ghat, Red Fort, Taj Mahal

Asia India Travel

India Part 2 – Kochi & Indian Train Travel

Post author By Maryanne
Post date June 20, 2016
No Comments on India Part 2 – Kochi & Indian Train Travel

Indian architecture

Kochi/Cochin

One delightful place we visited on our trip to India was Kochi, also known as Cochin. It is a seaside city and very busy port on the western side of India. It was lovely to walk down by the sea and watch the fisherman looking after their Chinese nets (an old tradition brought there many years ago by the Chinese).

Tags Cochin, India, Indian tourism, Kerala, Kochi, train travel, trains, transport

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