TRAVELS WITH MARYANNE

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
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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
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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

Asia India Travel

India Part 1 – Chennai, Bangalore & Kerala

Post author By Maryanne
Post date April 12, 2016
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The other day I was cleaning out a cupboard when I came across a rather gaudy looking photo album I had made after a trip to India. As I flicked through the pages fond memories of the days I spent in this wonderful country came back to me. India has aways had a mystical and exotic appeal for me and so, some years back, when I had the chance to travel to India I jumped at the opportunity.

Blue dye textiles in Chennai, India — A man goes about his work with textiles in Chennai, India

I was lucky enough to apply for and attain a fellowship with the Asia Education Foundation (Australia) and as it was funded by the foundation I only had to pay $500 for the whole trip. This was not a solo journey, however, but a journey with a group of educators which took in tours of schools and the chance to meet some very interesting people.

Tags backwaters, Bangalore, Chennai, India, Indian schools, Information Technology, Kerala, Kottayam, tourism, travel

Turkey

Washed out at Ephesus, Turkey

Post author By Maryanne
Post date January 21, 2016
No Comments on Washed out at Ephesus, Turkey

What do you do when the place that you were really looking forward to visiting – Ephesus – is a complete wash out? As an independent traveller sometimes you just have to smile and get on with it.

Tags Ancient, Bible, Efes, Ephesus, independent travel, Izmir, Ruins, Tourist attraction, turkey, Turkish tourism

Money Travel

Saving Money for Your Next Holiday

Post author By Maryanne
Post date January 9, 2016
15 Comments on Saving Money for Your Next Holiday

Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash

If you want to save up some money for that dream holiday then you’ll be glad to know that there are some things that you can do to help yourself along the way. In fact, I have compiled this guide for you so you can learn everything you need to know about saving as well as helping you to get some helpful tips that will show you how to achieve your goals.

My money challenge for this year! — I’m really saving hard for my next trip!

Tags casual work, finances, holiday budget, holidays, money, Saving, saving for holiday, vacation

Europe Turkey Walking

Cappadocia, Turkey

Göreme Valley, Turkey

Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish) is a fairytale like place right in the centre of Turkey. I say fairytale because the landscape varies between the ‘fairy chimneys’ to underground dwellings to beautiful mountains and valleys. You can amble up rocky hillsides and check out houses and churches built into the side of mountains or you can venture below the surface (literally) and explore the subterranean network that form underground cities. Before I started planning my trip

Tags cappadocia, cappadocia accommodation, cappadocia day tours, cappadocia tours, Göreme, Ihlara canyon, Kapadokya, tourism, Travel in Turkey, Turkish tourism, Underground, Valley

Middle East United Arab Emirates

Out & about (and up) in Dubai

Post author By Maryanne
Post date November 26, 2015
No Comments on Out & about (and up) in Dubai

You can’t help but notice the Burj Khalifa when you are in Dubai. By the way Burj means tower in Arabic. At around 830 metres high it’s not far off being a kilometre into the air. It dominates the skyline and dwarfs all other buildings.

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the right

Tags Atlantis Hotel, Burj al Arab, Burj Khalifa, dubai, Dubai Mall, Jumeirah Beach, tourism, Tourist attraction, united arab emirates

Jordan Middle East

Petra, Jordan

Petra is extraordinary.

A Swiss chap named Burckhardt rediscovered Petra in 1812 and we are so glad he did. The first sighting of The Treasury as you reach the end of the Siq is just breathtaking. The spectacle of the whole site is just wonderful. When you stop to think of the engineering involved in building such a city built into rock faces and that this occurred around the 3rd century BC it is even more amazing.

Tags Aqaba, Archeology, bedouin, Jordan, Middle East, Petra, Ruins, tourism, Tourist attraction, travel, travel in Jordan

Jordan Middle East

Jordan, November 2015

Floor tile at the Citadel, Amman, Jordan

I was in Jordan during the 2nd week of November 2015. As I was travelling around it became apparent that tourist numbers were down. On enquiring about this I was told that this was their high season but this year it was like a low season in terms of tourist numbers. I asked what their next real low season would be like

Tags Amman, Economy, Jordan, Middle East, Safety, Syrian refugees, tourism, travel

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