The guide held up one of the smaller rays as I looked on

Velvet moments: travel photo – swimming with rays in Bora Bora is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

The white sands of Whitehaven Beach

This time three years ago, I was roaming around South America, having the time of my life on my first solo round-the-world trip. After ten years of focusing on my career, this trip certainly opened my eyes to the world outside my comfy ‘bubble’. I learned to value the relationships I have with my family and friends, be grateful for the small every day delights we often overlook and most importantly, I learned to connect with and appreciate the person that I am.

My Travel Journal

I was perusing my Travel Journal this morning and read several entries from my RTW trip. Looking back, there were a handful of defining moments during that trip. One moment which I will never forget is the epiphany I experienced on the sands of Whitehaven Beach in Australia. Another defining moment happened several weeks later while on a camping trip to the McLeod River. I briefly described this moment in my Travel Journal entry (below). What strikes me when I read that account is the frame of mind I was in: open, eager, positive and excited about the new insights I was picking up along the way. There’s a childish glee in my ‘voice’, like there was a candy store at every bend of the road. Since that trip, I’ve made it my objective to maintain that same frame of mind. With the challenges that life constantly throws at us, it’s sometimes difficult to do so. At times like these, I look to the people or things that inspire me… and I pick up my Travel Journal. Reading through the stories and having a chuckle or two, I realise that my Travel Journal isn’t only a collection of my travel experiences, it’s my personal source of inspiration.

More firsts in “No Network Coverage” country

A page from my Travel Journal

The grass trees

On Monday morning, me and Bas, another guest at the B&B I was staying at, hopped into a giant 4-wheel-drive with Bob, our guide/driver/chef, for a camping adventure in the mountains northwest of Cairns – I previously thought that we would head west over the Great Dividing Range to the Outback but instead we headed first north along the coast past Port Douglas then westwards and up into the mountains. About 120 kilometers from Cairns, I had a quick glance at my mobile phone and it read “No Network Coverage”. Wow! I can’t remember the last time I was ever in a place with absolutely no mobile network coverage! Six months ago, I might have panicked a bit being disconnected from the ‘civilised’ world like this but I’m a changed person now (well, kind of) and I didn’t even blink an eye.

The McLeod River headlands

The scenery along the way was beautiful: first past the stunning coast, then along huge sugar cane plantations and hilly cattle country with the occasional farmhouse. As we cleared the mountains, the vegetation changed from tropical rainforest to a drier, shrubby forest type with many gum trees. After about two hours of driving, we turned off the main road and headed along a dirt road into real bush country. I was glad we were in a sturdy 4WD – it handled the steep road into the mountains and through various streams and dry, rocky riverbeds effortlessly. I loved the vegetation, mostly gum and grass trees and bottlebrush.

We camped on the banks of the McLeod River

After about 45 minutes, we arrived at our camping site, a serene spot at the banks of the McLeod River – I was told that this is actually the McLeod River headlands and that the river is several hundred kilometers long and winds its way to the Gulf of Carpentaria. That spot was just magical: towering gum trees provided a cool shade while the river, with its pebble-strewn bed, was crystal clear. We took several gulps of water from the river and it tasted very sweet and fresh. I can’t remember the last time I was able to just cup my hands and take a mouthful of water straight from the river without being terribly ill later. Glorious stuff!

Easy-peasy!

I set up my tent in a jiffy (my first try – it’s a lot easier than I thought it would be: knock the pins into the ground, connect some poles, roll out the canvas and clip it onto the frame – easy peasy!), then helped Bob and Bas collect some firewood. That was easy too. A few months before, the park caretaker orchestrated a controlled bush fire in this area so there was a lot of ready-made firewood just lying around! After lunch, Bob took us out for a bushwalk along the river. Just one kilometer further was an absolutely magnificent spot: at this point, massive boulders that continue as far as the eye can see force the river to branch out into countless streams, creating hundreds of gushing rock pools, cascades and waterfalls. We went boulder-hopping and I found many crystal-clear pools: one I called the jacuzzi, another the bath-tub, and yet another the shoulder-massage spa.

The McLeod River

Bottlebrush

Reflections in the McLeod River

We returned to the camp just before sunset and I helped light the campfire (my first time) – Bob and Bas laughed at me initially as I had some ‘ignition’ problems (the leaves just refused to burn) but as soon as I’d gotten over that hurdle (ok, I used up half a matchbox), we soon had a roaring fire going; more than sufficient to prepare that leg of lamb we brought with us! Bob cooked us a marvelous dinner; the lamb was exquisite and the Merlot that went with it was pretty stunning too! We had a long and lazy dinner, with some very interesting conversation topics, and looked up occasionally to admire the starry sky. I just loved it.

I soon had the fire roaring!

The camp fire looked beautiful at night

What a kookaburra sounds like

A fish-eye view of the camp site

The next morning, we woke up to the sounds of singing birds – did you know that a kookaburra (yes, the one that sits in the old gum tree) makes a sound similar to an excited chimpanzee (I don’t know how many of you have seen an excited chimp but I hope you get the picture! When I was in Airlie Beach, I heard them and I commented to the owner of that backpacker place that there must be a lot of monkeys living in the trees behind the hostel. He first looked at me quizzically, then started laughing and said that those were in fact kookaburras, i.e. birds, not monkeys!…. Like I’m supposed to know that?!). Anyway, back to when I woke up. I had another ‘first’ and this one wasn’t that much fun. I must say, I loved everything about this camping trip except for the ‘nature’s call’ aspect of it; you know, that call you have to heed, preferably behind some bush. Not a very pleasant thing, especially if you’re wary of snakes or spiders who usually hang out around bushes and dead leaves. Anyway, I got that safely out of the way and trudged back to the camp and there was breakfast: bacon, eggs and sausages. Delish! We wolfed it down in no time.

I felt so connected with the place and with myself

The cascades in the McLeod River

After breakfast, I made my way down to the waterfalls for another long and lazy dip in the pools. I looked around and took in the majesty of this place: the slender gum trees all around; the colours of the trees, the leaves and flowers, the water and the sky; the sounds of the birds and gurgling water; and the beautiful shapes of the boulders.

Lying there in one of the rock pools with absolutely no one around, I felt so connected with the place and with myself, and so free. An awesome, very spiritual experience I will not easily forget. I’m only into the second month of this trip and I already feel like I’ve come a long way, like I’m a changed person. It isn’t a new me, I don’t think, but perhaps a more enlightened version of the ‘old’ Keith. Whatever it is, I’m loving this new feeling!

A personal source of inspiration is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Aerial view of Melbourne's CBD

If you are visiting Melbourne, you are sure to spend time in the city’s central business district, or ‘CBD’, as it is colloquially known. However, the CBD is also home to Melbourne’s premier restaurants, theatres and shopping venues, making it a particularly attractive location for the city’s many visitors. In fact, a significant proportion of these attractions are located on Collins Street, an exclusive one-mile stretch in the heart of Melbourne.

For centuries, Collins Street has been one of the most exclusive addresses in all of Australia. It is easy to see why, as options abound on this prestigious boulevard; from culture to history to high-end couture, you are sure to find it here. By day, Collins Street provides chic boutiques to suit all tastes, whilst those in search of a little local history should head to The City Museum at the Old Treasury, located the top of the street. Architecture buffs are in for a treat, too, as quite a few of Melbourne’s best Victorian-era buildings are here, including the Old Stock Exchange, designed by William Pitt in a Venetian Gothic style. Should your feet grow weary from exploring all that the CBD has to offer, Collins Street also boasts a vast array of beautiful cafés.

Sipping cocktails in Collins Street

Collins Street (image courtesy of MM Andamon)

As you might expect from one of Melbourne’s most glamorous areas, the action doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Both Collins and Little Collins Street (which runs parallel to its bigger brother) are brimming with bars serving some of the city’s best cocktails. For the trend-conscious, the Hairy Canary on Little Collins is a great place to kick off the evening, and is also known to have some celebrity patrons. Those looking for a more relaxed ambience after a busy day can sip cocktails at The Martini Bar on Collins Street, which also plays host to some of the most spectacular views in the CBD.

For the more discerning drinker, the RU-CO bar at the Hyatt hotel is renowned for its impressive spirit and wine lists, both in quality and quantity. With a sophisticated fireplace and courtyard serving as the ideal companions to the drinks on offer, there are few better places to unwind in Melbourne. In fact, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne is situated in a prime location at the top of Collins Street, and guests at the hotel have spa treatments, an exclusive restaurant and designer boutiques at their disposal. Whether in Melbourne for business, pleasure, or a mixture of the two, this hotel is in the perfect position to give you a flavour of ‘Marvellous Melbourne’.

American Express credit card holders are entitled to a Welcome Credit when staying at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne for two nights or more. This Welcome Credit is worth between 50-100 AUD, depending on the length of the stay, and can be used on a range of local amenities and activities. Furthermore, guests who pay with American Express credit cards can earn 2,500 Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points.

Note: this post was brought to you by American Express.

Savvy Melbourne is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

“Marvelous Melbourne

Melbourne is a city with aspirations and you can tell. It’s a large city with loads of character, a laid-back pace and a lifestyle that oozes quality. Magnificent Tudor and Victorian buildings graciously reflect the city’s colourful history while impressive skyscrapers and other buildings by world-renowed architects boast the city’s prosperous present. Upon arrival, the visitor might notice the car license plates which read: “Victoria: The place to be”. I wouldn’t disagree.

I arrived in Melbourne and made my way to my hotel in the heart of downtown Melbourne. After checking in, I went for a walk around the Central Business District (CBD) and discovered that there wasn’t a lot to do in the CBD on a Saturday night, except around the touristy areas along Swanston Street and Collins Street. The CBD is jam-packed during the day but it’s quiet during the evenings. I later discovered that most of the better restaurants and the café-scene are spread out around the inner suburbs like Carlton, South Yarra, Prahran and St. Kilda. Another thing that struck me: shopping here is fantastic! There are so many shopping areas, each with its own distinct character. The CBD itself is just bursting at the seams with shops. Then you have the various suburbs with more shopping streets, malls and markets.

Exploring Melbourne’s suburbs

The next day, friends of mine who live here picked me up and we went on a beautiful drive to St. Kilda, a beachside community just a few kilometers from Melbourne, where we walked around the Sunday crafts market and the pier. The views from the pier of the Melbourne skyline were stunning. We then moved on to the suburbs of South Yarra and Prahran. I loved the buzz in these two suburbs, especially along Chapel Street which is chockful of fashionable boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

The Melbourne skyline from St. Kilda

I started the following day with a walkabout along the Yarra River. I really love the architecture in Melbourne: it’s a good blend of steel-and-glass skyscrapers and beautiful old Victorian buildings with gorgeous iron lace balconies, and wonderful Art Deco specimens. The Arts precinct is especially impressive with its ultra-modern, experimental architecture. I went up the 300m-high Eureka Tower and was treated to stunning views of the city and its surrounds. There was a separate section at one corner of the observation floor called The Edge. What happens is, you get into a glass cube, the glass is then tinted a dark grey so you don’t see anything. The cube is then projected outside the building proper and with no prior warning, the tinted glass changes to clear glass in a split second. The effect must be terrifying: suspended 300m up in the air, outside the building (but within the glass walls of the cube) and nothing to separate you from a free fall but a thick glass floor! I admit, I was too chicken to give it a try

Along the Yarra river

The Eureka Tower

Aerial view of Melbourne from the Eureka Tower

A day in the Yarra Valley

The next day, I was up bright and early for my day tour to the Yarra Valley. We headed east towards the Dandenong Ranges where we stopped at the lovely Dandenong Ranges National Park. The forest looked stunning in the early morning light, with the tall slender mountain ash trees bathed in the morning sunshine. Saw lots of birds: brightly-coloured rozellas and different varieties of cockatoos.

A brightly-coloured rozella

We then continued our journey to Belgrave, where we boarded the Puffing Billy Steam Train. It’s Australia’s oldest steam train and it was quite an experience just hanging out the window and watching the forest pass by.

Puffing Billy

The Puffing Billy snakes its way through the forest

After the train ride, our journey continued to the Yarra Valley where we visited the Fergusson winery. Along the way, we passed some beautiful countryside: rolling green hills, vineyards, nurseries, quaint villages and patches of gum forests. Lots of Dutchies live in this area where they have their nurseries and fruit/vegetable farms. At the winery, we were treated to a delicious spit roast lunch accompanied by a fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

A lone tree in a Yarra Valley vineyard

After lunch, we made our way through this very charming valley to the Healesville Sanctuary where we got to see some koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, the Tasmanian Devil, emus and other Australian animals. Check out the photos of the laid-back kangaroos below.

Koala at the Healesville Sanctuary

Kangaroos asleep

Too cute!

We then visited the Chandon Estate which is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet & Hennessy), a gorgeous estate perched on a hill and has sweeping views of the Yarra Valley. The bubbly was good as well as the Pinot Noir.

The Chandon Estate

The Chandon Estate vineyards

The weather was stunning – which is a bit of an anomaly in Melbourne. The sun shone throughout and it was perfect for four wonderful days in marvellous Melbourne!

Marvellous Melbourne is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Aerial view of Sydney

Go about two hundred years back in time and imagine the First Fleet – the eleven British ships crammed with convicts, arriving on Australia’s southeastern coast of the Tasman Sea with the intention of settling a penal colony. Now picture the present-day sparkling metropolis, leader in arts and architecture, encircled by natural parks and shining bays and populated by a multicultural and open-minded society. This revised fairy tale is nothing less than the Cinderella-style transformation of Sydney, Australia.

Urban & Natural Charms

Once used mainly for shipping, the Circular Quay today is a leisure area with walkways, shops and restaurants. It is locked between Sydney’s two most prominent landmarks: the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. From the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge you can catch some breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour and count its green isles and white sailboats. Get immersed in Sydney’s parks at the Royal Botanic Gardens, the second oldest in the world, with rare roses and typical Australian flora, or the Domain where you can also enjoy a jazz concert. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of New South Wales – both important starting points for discovering the Aboriginal art and culture.

Sydney Harbour Bridge seen from Circular Quay

To visit some authentic Aboriginal sites embark on an exciting trip around the Sydney Harbour. Ferries, cruise vessels and yachts offer various ways to explore the coastline and the six islands known as the Sydney Harbour National Park. You can camp on Cockatoo Island, have a cheese and wine tasting at Fort Denison Island, or reach the exclusive Manly beaches to try your new surfing board.

The Rocks by night

Another tourist favourite is The Rocks, once considered a slum area, now part of Sydney’s cultural and historic heart. Have a walk around its Victorian buildings, old pubs, and warehouses turned into shopping malls, and look for souvenirs, perfumed soaps and ceramics at The Rocks Market.

People & Cuisine

The past unhappy union between the indigenous people and the British criminals and sailors is now long replaced by a lively multiethnic society with immigrants from all around the world. You can have a round the globe trip in Sydney by simply experiencing the diverse menus: Turkish kebabs, Italian pizzas, French cafés, Greek taverns, Chinese teahouses and many more.  Dining in Sydney can be a true adventure: with the starry sky above you, the dark blue Harbour next to you and the colourful dishes in front of you, all accompanied by a chilled bottle of Australian wine.

You will soon get infected by Sydneysiders’ captivating lifestyle: the picnics in the park, the Harbour boat trips, the Blue Mountain excursions, the local beer at the historic pubs, the ordinariness about seeing kangaroos and koalas, the sailboat competitions and surfing lessons on Bondi beach and the meditation walks at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Inevitably you will be transformed too and, as a happy ending to your trip, you will be proud to call yourself a Sydneysider.

A guest post by Nazeli K. Kyuregyan.

Tip: to find out more about the places or names mentioned in this post, simply highlight the text and click on ‘Learn More’.

Sydney: an Australian Cinderella story is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

As a contribution to #Blog4NZ, an initiative by travel bloggers to support tourism in New Zealand following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, I’ve compiled a list of ten things I did in New Zealand which I would recommend to everyone. Enjoy!

1. Explore Mt. Cook National Park – this national park is home to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt. Cook. Within the park boundaries are an impressive variety of snow-capped peaks, glistening turquoise lakes, glaciers and broad plains.

2. Soak in a thermal pool in Rotorua – Rotorua is famous for its volcanic activity. As you stroll through this town, you’ll be greeted by the scent of sulphur and the occasional steaming vent. There are various spas which offer different therapies or you could opt for a simple soak in one of the many thermal pools.

3. Sail in the Bay of Islands – the Bay of Islands is a stunning part of North Island. With its secluded coves and beaches and crystal-clear water, the area is a favourite holiday spot for many locals. Head to the town of Paihia and join a serene sailing trip around the bay. If you’re lucky, you might spot some dolphins and penguins.

4. Marvel at the kauri trees at Matakohe – the kauri trees are some of the largest in the world. Some of them grow up to 50 metres in height and have a diameter of more than 10 metres! A thriving kauri lumber industry almost resulted in the extinction of this tree species but luckily some were saved.

5. Watch a sheep show in Rotorua – this may be tacky to some but I really enjoyed the sheep show! The different varieties of sheep that can be found in New Zealand pass the revue as well as a sheep-shearing demonstration. It’s a noisy, humorous affair… and fun for the whole family.

6. Get an adrenaline shot in Queenstown – Queenstown is my favourite town in New Zealand. A breathtaking location certainly helps! On the shores of Lake Waikatipu, Queenstown is surrounded on three sides by majestic mountains, the most spectacular being the Remarkables and the Eyres mountains. The town is also the adventure tourism capital of New Zealand. If you’re looking for an adrenaline boost, Queenstown is the perfect place to be. Bungy-jumping was invented not too far from here. I enjoyed paragliding (something I highly recommend for the unforgettable experience of silently gliding high up in the air and taking in the spectacular scenery) and the jet-boat ride down Shotover River. You can also opt to take the scenic Skyline cable-car to enjoy the views over Queenstown.

7. Go on a cruise around Milford Sound – Technically not a sound but rather a fjord, Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s biggest attractions. Rightfully so, the sound is simply awe-inspiring. Surrounded by huge snow-capped mountains and cascading waterfalls, with the splendid Mitre Peak in its middle, the sound is an absolute natural wonder! You could go on a cruise or a hike. Either way, be prepared for many unforgettable moments.

8. Experience the marine life in Kaikoura – a former whaling station, these days, Kaikoura is popular as a base to explore the rich diversity of marine life that can be found along the coast. Penguins, seals, whales and dolphins can easily be spotted on a cruise from Kaikoura.

9. Take the Tranz Alpine train – the train leaves Canterbury and crosses the Canterbury Plains before climbing up into the Southern Alps. One of the highlights during this train trip is the spectacular Arthur’s Pass. Imagine viaducts, tunnels, majestic mountain scenery, gushing rivers and gorgeous lakes!

10. See the glow worms in Te Anau – the trip starts with a 30-minute boat ride across Te Anau lake. Visitors then walk into the cave, with its streams, waterfalls and whirlpools. Once past the ‘rapids’, visitors climb into the boat for a tranquil glide into the deeper reaches of the caverns. Once the lights are turned off, an enchanting scene unfolds. Millions of glow worms on the walls and ceiling of the cave emit a faint light, creating the impression of floating in a dark, cloudless sky with the Milky Way above you. Absolutely magical!

Search hotels in New Zealand.

Ten things to do in New Zealand is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Read the accompanying post: ‘A Little Piece of Heaven‘.

Search for hotels in Bora Bora.

Velvet moments: travel photo of the week – Tahitian singer is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

The Skyline Gondola

The town is situated in a corner of Lake Wakatipu and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains – the Remarkables, in particular, provide a magnificent backdrop. A great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of Queenstown, the lake and the mountains is to ride the Skyline Gondola, a cableway, to the top of the mountain overlooking Queenstown. Once at the top, there’s a viewing terrace and a café. Sit back, relax and take in the awe-inspiring scenery.

Other more thrilling options

The thrill-seekers among us will also appreciate The Ledge – Sky Swing, which is located adjacent to the Skyline Gondola. Designed and created by the legendary AJ Hackett (the founder of bungy jumping madness), you’ll be harnessed in and lowered out over the ledge before being swung out and dropped 400 meters above Queenstown! Not for the faint-hearted or those scared of heights! Would you try it?

For those seeking a slightly less adrenaline-infused experience, I can recommend an exhilarating paragliding flight from the top of the Skyline Gondola. The initial adrenaline rush I experienced during the take-off quickly evaporated as we glided silently in the air and the spectacular scenery unfolded below me. The flight is a ten minute experience you’ll never forget.

Search for hotels in Queenstown.

Queenstown from above is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Read the accompanying post: ‘A Little Piece of Heaven‘.

• Murals of Valparaiso, Chile
• Floating villages, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
• Zanzibar, Tanzania
• Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile
• Pompeii, Italy
• Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Serengeti, Tanzania
• Sacred Water Temple, Bali, Indonesia
• Masaai Mara, Kenya
• Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina

Velvet moments: travel photo of the week – Shark, Bora Bora is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Take a cruise

The majesty of this place can best be appreciated by taking a cruise – there are various options including an overnight cruise. This is one of the top visitor attractions on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island so if you’re visiting Milford Sound on your own, go in the mornings or later in the afternoon to avoid the hordes of tourist buses. The boats take visitors across the fjord, alongside the awe-inspiring rock face of Mitre Peak and past several waterfalls. If you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins, seals and penguins along the way. If you’re standing outside on the deck – something I recommend you do – make sure you have a raincoat on when the boat passes some of the waterfalls – feeling the cold droplets on your face is a glorious experience. As the boat gets closer, the fine mist turns into a blistering cold shower!

“The Finest Walk in the World”

An alternative method, if you have more time, is to hike along one of the many trails around the fjord. The most famous trail is the ‘Milford Track‘, often called the “finest walk in the world”. The trail winds its way through stunning mountain scenery and the gorgeous temperate rainforests of the Fiordland National Park. Various tour companies in Queenstown offer guided hikes along the Milford Track as a 5-day/4-night package. If you have the time and are physically fit, I seriously recommend this hike. The sight of the imposing snow-capped mountains, massive granite canyons, dark blue lakes and eerie mossy forests is simply enchanting!

See other Velvet Escape Enchanting Spots:

• Palazzo Ducale Mantua, Italy
• Cappadocia, Turkey
• Tortuguero, Costa Rica
• Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
• Palenque, Mexico
• Sydney Opera House, Australia
• Mount Nemrud, Turkey
• Tikal, Guatemala
• Petra, Jordan
• Blue Lagoon, Iceland
• Ngorongoro, Tanzania
• Whitehaven beach, Australia

Enchanting spots: Milford Sound is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

I was extremely lucky on a flight from Sydney to Brisbane not so long ago – I sat on the left of the plane (i.e. row ‘A’) and as the plane took off from Sydney, I was treated to stunning views of Sydney Harbour. As the plane approached Brisbane, the views of Brisbane’s Central Business District and the sprawling suburbs were pretty awesome.

See other posts from the ‘Plane Views’ series:

• Plane Views: The Beauty of a Window Seat (with contributions from readers)
• Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
• Atacama desert, Chile
• Venice, Italy
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
• Mt. Vesuvius, Italy
• Putrajaya, Malaysia
• Mallorca, Spain
• Millau, France
• Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile
• Sydney Harbour, Australia
• Vancouver to Portland, OR

Plane views: Brisbane, Australia is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Read the accompanying post: ‘Plane Views: Bora Bora‘

• Serengeti, Tanzania
• Sacred Water Temple, Bali, Indonesia
• Masaai Mara, Kenya
• Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina
• Valle de la Luna, Chile
• Positano, Italy
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Seminyak, Indonesia
• Lang Tengah island, Malaysia
• Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
• The Great Ocean Road, Australia
• Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Laguna Chaxa, Chile

Velvet moments: travel photo of the week – Bora Bora, French Polynesia is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

I had the most amazing time sailing around the Whitsunday islands. There were several firsts for me but I’ll get back to that later. I arrived in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday islands after several lazy days in Sydney.

Airlie Beach

Yikes!

Airlie Beach is a small seaside town and is most famous as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, a World Heritage site. The town’s main street is just packed with travel agents, restaurants, bars, souvenir- and surfwear shops, and hostels which predominantly cater to backpackers – it was quite evident when I arrived here: this is backpacker territory. Twentysomethings from all over the globe; some were working here as waiters, drivers or kitchen help, and some were just passing through. I felt quite awkward with my Samsonite suitcase (even though it’s made of canvas!), Diesel jeans and ditto t-shirt. None of that here. This is backpacker country where scruffy t-shirts and surfer shorts rule.

the bathroom was not a pretty sight

I got to my accommodation (Bush Village) and felt totally out-of-place in the dorm with five (very friendly) Brits and Aussies. The dorm was a mess of clothes, bags, toiletries, shoes, unmade beds, you get the picture… What was I thinking?!! I mean, backpacking was something I did in my teens around Australia and in my 20′s around Europe. I’m now 36, accustomed to good hotels where I have my own room, and most importantly, my own bathroom. Just my luck then that three of the five sharing the dorm with me were girls and there was only ONE bathroom!! That evening, I had to wait my turn (more than an hour) in order to have a shower and by the time it was my turn, the bathroom was not a pretty sight; you know, wet floor and hair all over the place. Wonderful.

Capers, Airlie Beach

Anyway, after a quick shower, I headed into town and treated myself to a dinner at one of Airlie Beach’s fancier restaurants, Capers. I looked at the wall and saw a picture of Nicole Kidman having a meal at Capers. I thought, “Hey, if this place is good enough for Nicole, it sure is good enough for me!”. I felt so much better after a sip of that smooth Merlot and I felt even better when the main course arrived: parpadelle (similar to fettucine) with heaps of king prawns, scallops and different types of fish in a blue crab bisque. Absolutely gorgeous.

My sailing trip around the Whitsundays started the next day….. and what a trip it was! There are many boat trips from Airlie Beach and I chose (after meticulous research – the last thing I wanted was to end up on some backpacker party boat… and there are heaps of those party cruises here) the Derwent Hunter, a 90-foot double-masted schooner.

The Derwent Hunter

There were 17 of us on the boat – the Dutchies were again in the majority, followed closely by the Germans, including (it is sometimes quite amazing how small our planet is) an ex-colleague of mine from the bank.

Whitehaven beach

On the first day, we sailed to the highlight of the Whitsundays: Whitehaven Beach. The beach is a wide arc with an inlet on one end, with sand so white, I needed my sunnies to protect my eyes from the glare. The sea was an astounding spectrum of turquoise and blue – reminded me of the stunning coast around Cancun really. Breathtaking stuff.

I gave the ant’s butt a quick lick…

Our guide took us on a bushwalk around the island to get acquainted with the vegetation and to show us how the Aboriginals utilised the different types of plants and trees. We stopped at a tree and our guide pointed out the hundreds of tree ants on the branches. He gently picked up one of the ants and showed us its lime-green butt. Seems the Aboriginals used the juices from the ant’s butt as a sort of medicine or aphrodisiac. He asked if anyone wanted to taste the juices and I volunteered. I gave the ant’s butt a quick lick and it tasted like a concentrated lime sherbet. I’m serious. Anyway, that was the first of several firsts on this trip for me – licking a tree ant’s butt!

Whitehaven Beach

We then got to spend the afternoon on the beach. The sand felt cool even though it was a hot day and the water, at 24 degrees, was lovely. We were on the constant lookout for blue-spotted stingrays (you don’t want to be stepping on them as they have a nasty sting) but they kept well away. The sand on the beach was quite extraordinary. They said it’s 99.9% silica, some of which was used to make the lens on the Hubble telescope. Whatever it was, it had a very compact structure, kind of like moist salt, and when you walk on it, the sound of each footstep is similar to the barks of seals.

Sailing around the Whitsundays

The clear waters of Whitehaven Beach

From Whitehaven beach, we sailed to a nearby harbour where we moored for the evening. On the way, we spotted some dolphins and humpback whales splashing their massive tails in the water.

That night, after a beautiful dinner, we got to gasp at the magnificent sight of the Milky Way. It was such a clear night, it seemed like we could see every star in the sky. The captain pointed out a series of constellations and planets; Venus, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter were visible but the most breathtaking sight was the constellation of Scorpio, with its head, curly tail and stinger. Absolutely stunning.

I guess because I was travelling alone, the crew allocated me a bunk in the crew quarters next to the kitchen! I laid in it for several minutes: it was narrow and close up against the ceiling (about 50cm between the bunk and the ceiling), and it was a warm night. No way, I thought. I gathered my mattress, sheet and blanket and made my way to the deck where I found a great spot with an unobstructed view of the magnificent sky above. This was my second ‘first’. With a gazillion stars strewn across the dark velvety sky above me and the gentle lapping of the water against the ship’s hull, I fell into a beautifully deep sleep. So deep that I didn’t even feel the light rain that passed in the early hours of the morning! I woke up at first light (about 5:45am) with a damp blanket and a stiff back. I figured it was a small price to pay for avoiding the bunk bed below.

Sailing

After a quick breakfast on the deck, we left the sheltered confines of the harbour and sailed to a lovely snorkelling spot. When we got there, we put on our sexy stinger suits – these are top-to-toe lycra suits which protect you from the stings of jellyfish (yes, loads of dangerous ones here – the box jellyfish sting can literally result in a loss of consciousness within minutes which means you drown!).

The diversity of fish and corals was simply staggering. I think I saw larger numbers of fish in Malaysia and Thailand but the diversity of the marine life here is just mind-blowing. The highlight was seeing a giant moray eel slither around the reef as we chased it.

That evening, the wind picked up and the sea became choppy. We were back in a sheltered cove but this time, I didn’t think it wise to spend another night on the deck as dark clouds were gathering and the wind was very cold. The next morning, I heard from several people who had opted to sleep on the deck that they had to grab their stuff and rush down as it started to rain heavily in the middle of the night.

After lunch, we geared up for the sail back to the mainland. By this time, the winds were gale force and it rained from time to time. We helped to hoist the sails and away we went, across the Whitsunday Passage to Airlie Beach. This sailing trip through bad weather was my third ‘first’. As we cleared the sheltered cove we were in, the waves swelled and we were soon being thrown around from left to right, front to back. We held on tight and the experience was electric.

Sailing across the stormy Whitsunday Passage

The boat crashed through the large waves, sending massive amounts of water onto the deck. We were given raincoats but we were still drenched. Loved it, loved it, loved it! The wind was so strong that we averaged about nine knots across the Passage. Spectacular stuff!

I returned to the backpackers joint at Airlie Beach and dished out a substantial sum for my last night there. No more dorms for me. I had a shower in my own bathroom, then crawled into bed and drifted to sleep with images of the brilliant sands of Whitehaven beach still flashing across my mind. It was an unforgettable Whitsunday adventure!

Search for hotels in Airlie Beach.

Other Travel Journal entries include:

• The good life (Mendoza, Argentina)
• Perth: an unexpectedly cool city (Perth, Australia)
• A tropical paradise, five wishes & a setback (Krabi, Thailand)
• Some lazy days in Salta (Salta, Argentina)
• The spectacular bus ride from San Pedro de Atacama to Salta (Chile/Argentina)
• Mystical Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile)
• My great laundry adventure (Bariloche, Argentina)
• A little piece of heaven (Bora Bora, French Polynesia)
• That rock star feeling in the Lost World (Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina)
• Getting over my Jaws complex (Lang Tengah, Malaysia)
• The wonders of Angkor Wat (Cambodia)
• A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile)

A Whitsunday adventure is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

So, here we go! I’m proud to announce the launch of this new guest series on Velvet Escape: ‘Places That Inspire’. Today’s guest post is by Angela Pearse, a travel writer based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Karekare Beach

I’m fortunate to live just 45 minutes drive from my inspirational place. Karekare is a wild, west coast Auckland beach with a wide black sand shore, scrubby hills and pounding surf. There’s something about being at Karekare that calms the nerves and heals the soul. The black iron sand seems to act like a giant magnet drawing energy off the waves, like a huge battery re-charger (well that’s my theory). Some of my major life decisions, like becoming a travel writer, have been made whilst striding along its shore.

Karekare’s rugged beauty has not gone unnoticed by creative types. Many artists live in the area and Crowded House recorded most of their final album Together Alone there, even immortalising it with a song called Kare Kare. It also played a starring role in the film The Piano. Who can forget the scene where Aida plays a haunting melody while Flora turns cartwheels with seaweed and George Baines slouches moodily around in the background?

Every visit to Karekare is special, I love the way the weather is so unpredictable. One time a freak storm sent me scurrying up the cliff to a small cave. I learnt over the next half hour why Karekare translates as ‘rolling thunder’ from Maori. The noise of the ocean reverberated off the rocky cliffs so loudly I could hardly hear myself think. It was exhilarating though. If I’d had a piano (and could play it) a song surely would have been born that day.

About today’s guest writer
Angela Pearse is an Auckland based travel writer. She has been published in AA Directions Magazine, NZ Herald online and Next Magazine. Angela is the creator of a travel website Bella Italia which provides travel articles and tips about Italy and she has just started a blog Bella Travel which highlights some of her more humourous travel experiences.

Would you like to contribute to this guest series?

Send a photo of a place that has inspired you in some way or other, as well as a few paragraphs of why/how it has inspired you (about 250 words) to keith[ad]velvetescape[dot]com. Submissions will be accepted based on the quality of the photo and the text. Thank you!

Places that inspire: Karekare beach, New Zealand is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island are the settings for New Zealand’s most famous romance and the descendants of Hinemoa and Tutanekai still live in Rotorua. Thinking about a trip there makes me think of a Velvet Escape.

Steam billows from cracks in the ground and the air smells like very old eggs: it seems a dinosaur could emerge from the billowing mists it feels so Jurassic Park. Despite appearances, this is not the age of giant beasts in an ancient world but the pungent heart of the worlds youngest country, and Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have been using these geothermal fields for over seven hundred years as a place of healing.

Here, on the Pacific Ring of Fire the earth’s crust seems very thin. Mud pools simmer, boil, gurgle and explode in ever-changing circular patterns and a veil of steam hangs over the lake of boiling water. No wonder playwright George Bernard Shaw named parts of Hells Gate Park; Devils Throat, The Inferno, and the Devils Cauldron!

After walking for an hour around the source of the health-giving mud and water for the Wai Ora Spa it was time for me to experience nature’s gift – a hot mud bath then massage: my Velvet Escape.

Fine mud is suspended in the water and I sink slowly into the warmth. Bliss! The water feels soft as I smooth the mud over my face and body; it’s simply superb and silky. Twenty minutes later I’m relaxing in a hot sulphurous geothermal pool before having the uniquely New Zealand, Maori massage.

A young woman, from the local tribe, says a karakia (prayer) before beginning. Miri Miri is a traditional full-body massage regime that has been practiced for hundreds of years. The spiritual side of Miri Miri means the massage ends with prayer too. It’s one of the best massages I’ve experienced (and I consider myself a massage queen).

My velvet escape travel tip for you is this: if you can’t get a massage, or touch is ‘not your thing’; or you just want some extra pampering, the public park in “Sulphur City” as Rotorua is sometimes called, has boiling pools which feed the free footbaths for all to soak their feet in.

Most hotels use geothermal activity for their sauna and steam rooms and I also recommend you indulge in an Aix massage (a smooth massage with coconut oil while under a stream of warm water) at the Polynesian Spa. Before the massage I suggest you soak in the warm, soft, alkaline mineral pools, listen to birds singing, relax, watch steam rise from the hills and gaze over Sulphur Bay in Lake Rotorua, the largest lake in the region.

I’m not surprised that Rotorua, this thermal caldron of colour, has been voted New Zealand’s ‘Most Beautiful City’ many times, and if like me you love massage, it’s a velvet escape par excellence!

Search for hotels in Rotorua.

About this week’s guest writer
Heather Hapeta was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. She’s had a colourful life and has reinvented herself a few times. Now following a childhood dream she’s written ‘Naked in Budapest: travels with a passionate nomad’ which tells of her adventures. Hundreds of her travel related pieces have been published world-wide in magazines, newspapers, and in-flight magazines. She also blogs and tutors in travel writing. Visit Heather’s blog, Kiwi Travel Writer and follow her on Twitter.

Read more ‘My velvet escape travel tips‘:

• Vancouver, Canada
• Leuven, Belgium
• Roatan, Honduras
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Tulum, Mexico
• Tuscany, Italy
• Melbourne, Australia
• Seville, Spain
• Zambezi River, Zambia
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Liguria, Italy
• Tokyo, Japan
• New York City, USA
• Paris, France
• Lanzarote, Spain
• Normandy, France
• Lake District, Cumbria, England
• London, England
• Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Toronto, Canada

My velvet escape travel tip: Rotorua is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

I’m not sure what I was expecting of Perth. Definitely not a sleepy hollow. What I knew of Perth beforehand is that it’s the capital and by far the largest city in Western Australia; that it’s located on the banks of the Swan River; it’s close to the Indian Ocean; and that it’s also one of the most isolated cities in the world (a massive desert on one side and a massive ocean on the other).

Perth skyline

What I found was a pleasant surprise. To start, after the stifling heat of the past four weeks in Southeast Asia, the cooler weather was a welcome change. When I arrived, I was greeted by clear blue skies, a gentle ocean breeze and a temperature in the low-20′s. Fab. Then the city itself. Perth is very clean (even the trains are spotless), very green and it has a beautiful riverside setting that’s totally unspoiled. The pace is noticeably laid-back and the many (trendy) bars, terraces and restaurants certainly invite guests to lounge around for hours for lazy chats and people-watching. Very cool. Perth is also booming, fuelled by high commodity prices, and the wealth is very visible: the ubiquitous expensive cars, designer shops, large villas and waterfront condominiums, and gleaming skyscrapers. In addition, the people here seem to have a slight spring in their step that seemingly conveys the message that life here is indeed good.

Fremantle harbour

When I wasn’t visiting relatives (I have many living here), I was out and about, exploring the city. I took the train to Fremantle one afternoon. Fremantle is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, at the mouth of the Swan River.

It’s a rather sleepy town with gorgeous heritage buildings and a lovely waterfront. I had an amazing lunch there at the Mussel Bar.

On my way back to Perth, I stopped at Subiaco, one of the western suburbs. Subiaco’s atmospheric tree-lined streets are just chockful of trendy shops, bars, restaurants and the like. I stopped by for a beer at the bar of the Subiaco Hotel – lovely courtyard, beautiful restaurant, and a bar that was designed for people-watching.

Heritage buildings, Fremantle

I spent one afternoon exploring the Perth city centre. Hay Street and Murray Street are the main shopping areas. Just off Hay Street, there’s a beautiful alley with an authentic English feel. That’s one of the things I like about this city: there are the glass and steel skyscrapers but in between you’ll find some real gems: gorgeous Tudor or Victorian-style buildings that add a unique touch to this city. After a few hours of walking around, I stopped for a beer at the Belgian Cafe. I ordered a Hoegaarden (a white beer) as it’s pronounced in Dutch and the bartender didn’t understand me so had to switch to the English pronunciation (i.e. without the guttural ‘g’ ). The guy next to me at the bar smiled and said, “you must be Dutch”, in Dutch. Turns out, he’s a tourist, just like me, from the Netherlands, who’s travelling around Australia. Really, the Dutch are everywhere!

English Alley

I had a rather weird day today. I’d booked myself on a Swan River wine cruise a few days back (there are many vineyards along the banks of the river). My cousin dropped me off at the jetty in the morning. Before the boat departed, I went to the loo for a pee and when I was done, I turned to adjust my belt and as I did so, I heard a loud clang (the sickening sound of metal hitting ceramic) and quickly after, a splosh. I turned around and was instantly gripped by terror: my camera had fallen into the toilet bowl (straight out of my jacket pocket)!!! Two camera mishaps within a week (read about the first mishap in Krabi). Unbelievable! Anyway, the camera’s a goner and I resorted to taking pictures during the cruise using my phone (thank you SonyEricsson for making decent camera-phones).

The cruise was beautiful… it would’ve been better if the weather was good; it was overcast throughout, very windy (and cold) and rained from time to time. Still, we managed to have a good time. The wine-tasting started as soon as the boat left the jetty (at 10:00am . We had four different Swan River wines to start (wines from the Houghton estate – the classic white blend was good). Oh, along the way, we saw many pelicans and other colourful Aussie birds (I’m not an ornithologist, ok). We even spotted some dolphins in the river but strangely enough….. no swans! Anyway, back to the vino.

No spitting out the wines here when you’re tasting… it’s considered rude…

By the time we arrived at the first wine estate, we’d had six different wines to taste paired with a big cheese platter with crackers. Then there were more wines to taste at the winery (I can’t for the life of me remember the estate’s name!!). This was like 11:30 am. After that, we got back into the boat and we made our way to the next estate – there were two more wines to ‘taste’ on board (as you can imagine, by this time, they all tasted the same! No spitting out the wines here when you’re tasting… it’s considered rude… this is Down Under after all, haha!).

We got to the second estate safely (the scenery along the way was lovely – I do remember that – beautiful waterfront houses, parklands, etc, etc… and we had a marvellous lunch there. Gorgeous roast chicken and the Chenin Blanc which accompanied it was exquisite. All in all, I was not too impressed with the reds; there were many Merlots, Cab Sauvs, Shiraz and blends available but they were not as full-bodied as I like my reds to be, and I thought the finish was rather flat. On the other hand, the whites were great. There were some beautiful blends such as the Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay. After lunch, we were taken on a quick tour of Western Australia’s oldest wine cellars, then had to run back to the boat as it started to rain rather heavily. We had another three more tastings on board before we arrived back at the jetty in Perth (at about 4:45pm), feeling rather giddy.

I walked (the rain sobered me up very quickly) to the main shopping area on Hay Street and found a camera shop. The specialist/salesman confirmed what I’d suspected (the camera was basically useless and it would probably be more worthwhile to buy a new one than to get the old one fixed). He was probably just trying to sell me a new camera (though he did seem honest enough) but after two camera incidents in a week, I was starting to get the idea that my camera was tired of me. So, I heeded the salesman’s advice and bought a new camera…. I decided to call it an advance birthday gift to myself! Hopefully, I’ll have better luck with this new camera.

See Perth from the air. Search hotels in Perth.

Other Travel Journal entries include:

• A tropical paradise, five wishes & a setback (Krabi, Thailand)
• Some lazy days in Salta (Salta, Argentina)
• The spectacular bus ride from San Pedro de Atacama to Salta (Chile/Argentina)
• Mystical Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile)

Perth: An unexpectedly cool city is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Please read the accompanying post: The Spectacular Great Ocean Road.

Velvet moments: travel photo of the week – the Great Ocean Road is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

From my bedroom window, if I stand on tippy-toes and cock my head, I have a fabulous view out to Mount Dandenong. Whilst not a big mountain, it is the highest point close to Melbourne‘s Central Business District and I am right at the foothills making it very accessible for my ‘velvet escape’!

In a short fifteen minute drive from my home, the road weaves up the side of the mountain, past tree ferns, towering mountain ash gum trees, through the small mountain villages of Sassafras and Olinda to the summit. From here, there is a spectacular view eastwards over the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to the city centre which is clearly marked by the towering skyscrapers but is totally peaceful and far removed from the chaos of city life.

Throughout the Dandenongs there are some well-known landmarks that are frequented by both national and international visitors. The most well-known being the historic steam train ‘Puffing Billy’. The journey carries its passengers along a 24km stretch of track from Belgrave to Gembrook through forests and over the famous wooden trestle bridge built in 1899.

Another well-know location is the ‘William Ricketts Sanctuary’. A four-acre property purchased by sculptor William Ricketts during the 1930s and ended up expanding by the 1960s when the Victorian Government purchased the adjoining properties. William Ricketts remained on the property and continued to produce his Australian sculptures that can be enjoyed throughout the outdoor gallery, until his death in 1993 when he was 94 years of age.

There are also many less-known and well hidden treasures dotted through the hills. One of my favourites for that true velvet escape experience is the ‘Alfred Nicholas Gardens’. Set on a steep slope opposite Sherbrooke Forest, it is a magnificent garden of rhododendrons, camelias, azaleas and other exotics dwarfed by the surrounding mountain ash eucalypts.

Taking the path that meanders down the hill through the garden, you arrive to a small, secluded lake with small walkway bridges and families of ducks. At the end of the lake is a little, wooden boat shed framed by the garden and mirrored by its reflection in the lake. It’s an image that could be straight from a fairytale book. It’s not unusual to have this velvet escape all to yourself!

Search for hotels in Melbourne.

About this week’s guest writer
Kirsty Wilson is a Melbourne based Virtual Assistant with a passion for travel to exotic destinations. You can catch Kirsty on Twitter or view her travel blog Travel Tips Plus which offers inspirational travel destinations.

Read more ‘My velvet escape travel tips‘:

• Seville, Spain
• Zambezi River, Zambia
• Bali, Indonesia
• Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Tucson, Arizona, USA
• Toronto, Canada

My velvet escape travel tip: Melbourne is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Shimmering waters of Happy Bay

My favourite location is a tranquil spot, shaded by palms,not more than a stones throw from Club Crocodile Resort on Long Island in The Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia. This is my Velvet Escape. It’s is far enough from the sounds created by guests cavorting nearby in the Waterfront Pool and Bar, yet close enough to be convenient when the need takes me to have a cooling dip and a thirst quenching drink.

Looking north from my ‘haven of peace’ I can see the entrance to Shute Harbour, and Ferries vying to and fro across The Molle Channel in their haste to deposit eager tourists to their Island destinations, yachts with their sails urging the breeze to propel them forward, barges taking cargo to Islands in need of supplies. Transformed back in time as if watching a silent movie, I relax and watch the world go by. Lorikeets flit by and shriek to interrupt this latter day phenomena,whilst Curlews wander aimlessly as they probe the undergrowth in search of some poor insect failing miserably to hide from the hungry beak. On rare occasions I have been startled into reality by a Wallaby breaking cover from the undergrowth, to frolick briefly on the sand, before,with lightning leaps returning to the scrub and relative safety.

My fave spot under the palms at Happy Bay

Happy Bay has a northerley aspect and is protected from the south-easterley winds that are prevalent in The Whitsundays. This gives the sea a shimmering, sparkling effect, the like I have not seen anywhere else. Visitors can walk the entire island as there are approximately 20 kilometers of tracks that meander through the bush.

A short climb from the Club Croc Resort will bring you high above Palm Bay. Magnificent views over the lagoon reveal coral reefs protecting the anchorage that is navigated by a narrow channel enabling visiting yachts to tether close to the Peppers Resort.

On the southern side of the Island, The Eco Resort is an exclusive destination that can only be visited by helicopter and prides itself on being self reliant on solar power, natural gas and collected rainwater, Paradise Bay Eco Escape prides itself in being boldly green, whilst maintaining absolute comfort for even the most discerning traveler.

If you have the opportunity to visit The Whitsundays I recommend a trip to Long Island with Cruise Whitsundays our local carrier. Their ferries run frequently from Abel Point Marina and Shute Harbour, to the Jetty at Long Island.

I have traversed the island, but much prefer those few short steps that bring me back to my own Velvet Escape among the palms at this glorious spot on the shores of Happy Bay.

About this week’s guest writer
Alf Welch resided in the UK until the age of 40, then moved to Queensland, Australia in 1983 and resided on the Gold Coast for almost 20 years. Liz and Alf decided to move to their favourite holiday destination to retire in 2002 and are now running their own travel website The Queensland Armchair Guide as well as the Queensland Armchair Guide Blog from their home at Shute Harbour in The Whitsundays. Follow Alf & Liz on Twitter.

Read more ‘My velvet escape travel tips‘:

• Normandy, France
• Lake District, Cumbria, England
• Nova Scotia Atlantic Coast, Canada
• Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Tucson, Arizona, USA
• Toronto, Canada

My velvet escape travel tip: Whitsundays, Queensland is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

View across to the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Opera House has a special place in my heart. I have many fond memories of sitting on the promenade, that runs around the building, as a child with my father, and watching the many cruise and container ships, ferries and sailboats whiz by. The views across the harbour to the equally impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge were unforgettable. My Dad and I would get a sandwich, sit on a bench and chat excitedly about the many boats and ships, and where they were all going. We would often return in the evenings to watch the thousands of twinkling lights in and around the harbour and admire the floodlit Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Simply magical.

These are special moments with my Dad I shall treasure forever.

Read about other ‘Enchanting spots‘:

• Mount Nemrud, Turkey
• Petra, Jordan
• Tikal, Guatemala
• Blue Lagoon, Iceland
• Ngorongoro, Tanzania
• Whitehaven beach, Australia

Enchanting spots: Sydney Opera House is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Courtesy of Alex Wild Photography

What: Green tree ant

Where: Whitsunday islands (Queensland, Australia)

Note: I got the unique opportunity to taste a green tree ant during a bushwalk on one of the Whitsunday islands. Our guide took us on a walk around the island to get acquainted with the vegetation and to show us how the Aboriginals utilised the different types of plants and trees. We stopped at a tree and our guide pointed out the hundreds of tree ants on the branches. He gently picked up one of the ants and showed us its lime-green butt. Seems the Aboriginals used the juices from the ant’s butt as a sort of medicine or aphrodisiac. He asked if anyone wanted to taste the juices and I volunteered. I gave the ant’s butt a quick lick and it tasted like a concentrated lime sherbet. I’m serious. That was a first for me: licking a tree ant’s butt! That’s why I love to travel. The experiences are priceless!

Read about Whitehaven beach, a truly enchanting spot.

Read more Culinary Journey articles:

• Amsterdam
• Hamburg
• Punta Arenas
• Easter island
• Portland
• Valparaiso

velvet escape’s Culinary Journey: Whitsunday islands is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

I remember a quote by the late Pavarotti (bless his soul) when he first visited Pangkor Laut, an upscale resort in Malaysia. He said that when he saw the island, he wept because it was so beautiful – obviously, the resort uses that quote profusely in their ads. Well, I can definitely relate to those emotions. When I arrived in Bora Bora , I guess the excitement of being here combined with the baffling beauty of this place made me a bit teary-eyed. I just can’t believe I’m actually here – I keep reminding myself every hour or so.

Mt. Otemanu

Bora Bora is everything I thought it would be… and more. I’ve seen pictures of it in countless publications, documentaries and travel programmes but it’s not till you’re actually here that you begin to fathom just how magical this place is. I mean, I’ve been to many places around the world that have similar surroundings but Bora Bora just has, let’s call it, the ‘X-factor’. I think it’s a mix of the lagoon’s breathtaking shades of turquoise, aquamarine, sapphire, emerald, fluorescent green and electric blue – you could spend a day or two here just trying to get your mind around the myriad of colours; the impressive rock face of Mt. Otemanu that towers over the whole lagoon; the crystal clear water and pristine white sandy beaches; the low-rise resorts (that give the place a very exclusive feel) with their idyllic thatched roof overwater bungalows; the constant scent of frangipani and tiare Tahiti (the national flower that’s used for almost everything); and the fact that you’re in the middle of the South Pacific! I can now understand why people are willing to spend a large chunk of their life-savings just to make a trip out here. It’s really like a little piece of heaven on Earth – I wouldn’t know how else to describe it.

Bora Bora from the air

I arrived in Papeete on Tahiti after a six-and-a-half hour flight from Sydney on Air Tahiti Nui. It’s funny how you go back a day when you cross the International Date Line from west to east. I left on a Sunday morning and arrived on a Saturday evening. I changed the time and date on everything, including my iPod. It refused to play a song after I’d made the date change. When I brought the date forward, it worked again – guess iPods were not designed to play music in the ‘past’. Weird, eh? I must send Steve an e-mail. Anyway, we arrived safely in Papeete in the dark. I just think it’s amazing how navigation systems work so brilliantly to steer a plane precisely to a tiny dot in the middle of this massive ocean. We were greeted at the airport with garlands made of fragrant tiare Tahiti. The next day, I got up early to catch my 7:40am flight to BOB (Bora Bora’s airport code). When I opened the blinds, I was just stunned by the view. The hotel faced the airport and its runway but beyond that loomed the deep blue Pacific and the dramatic peaks of Moorea. Wow!

Served ice cold!

The 45-minute flight to BOB was quite special. You could sense the excitement of the passengers as the plane descended through the clouds. As we broke free of the last cloud, a magnificent vista awaited us: a massive multi-coloured lagoon bordered by lush green atolls, the fringes of which broke the waves from the open ocean, and a mountainous island in the middle crowned by steep lofty peaks. What a sight! The airstrip was on one of the atolls, which meant that you had to take a boat to wherever you were heading. We were met at the arrivals hall with more garlands and ushered to a waiting boat.

My luggage was taken care of and we were whisked away into the lagoon to the resort, the Sofitel Motu. The boat ride to the resort was nothing short of stunning. The colours of the lagoon and the shape of Mt. Otemanu kept changing as we sped along. Awesome. We were greeted at the resort’s pier by the lovely Rebecca and a guitarist (who also doubles as the resort’s bouncer I believe) and were served an ice-cold Tahitian beer!

Sofitel Motu at sunset

The Sofitel Motu is situated on a private island in the lagoon, with a small number of bungalows scattered over the hill, beach and over the water. I opted for an overwater bungalow (I can’t imagine coming all this way and not staying in an overwater bungalow!!) and it was just beautiful.

It had a large bedroom and bathroom; a living room with a coffee table which featured a glass floor, making it possible to see the fish in the clear water below; and two decks, an upper deck in the shade and a lower deck with deck chairs and steps which led down to the water (you could go snorkelling right off the deck) and an outdoor shower. I kept pinching myself for the first half hour as I just could not believe I was here and what I was seeing. The colours of the lagoon were quite simply mystifying. I sat out on the deck for the rest of the day and just gaped at the scenery and the many fish that swam by below us.

Sofitel Motu overwater bungalows

The next morning, I grabbed my snorkelling gear and swam around the reefs for several hours. The corals weren’t too spectacular (guess I’m spoiled after seeing those magnificent reefs in Malaysia and Australia) but there were large numbers of multi-coloured fish such as the emperor angelfin, triggerfish and parrotfish. I then spent the afternoon on the deck, enjoying the view, listening to my iPod and looking out for black-tipped reef sharks; I saw quite a few of them as they leisurely swam by our deck just before sunset.

Baby black-tip reef shark, viewed from the deck

The following day, I went for an island tour which included shark and manta ray feeding. We first visited the edge of the lagoon, a shallow area near one of the wave-breaking atolls. In the distance, huge waves from the open ocean pounded on the atoll while we calmly bobbed up and down in the relative calm of the lagoon. One of the two guides jumped into the water with a bucket full of fish. We jumped in along with him and within minutes, we were surrounded by a school of black-tipped reef sharks, some up to two meters long. They swam around us for a bit, checking us out, then ventured closer. I was quite surprised when one of them swam up to within two meters of me, then made a quick turn – I discovered why when one of the guides hauled me back into the boat: I had cut my foot on the sharp coral and though it was only a small cut, the little blood that emanated from the wound was more than sufficient to make a shark gauge if I was suitable for lunch!

Mt. Otemanu touched by a lone cloud

We then circumnavigated the island and judging by the silence, I think everyone on the boat was just absolutely mesmerised by the astounding scenery. Our last stop was near our resort in a shallow spot. As the boat anchored, about a dozen large manta rays glided by beneath us. What a stunning sight! We were soon in the water swimming around these gentle, inquisitive creatures. They swam up to me several times and hovered around for a bit, long enough to allow me to run my hands across their backs. The largest mantas had wingspans of more than two meters with tails of about the same length. This was definitely one of my most amazing experiences so far during this trip.

I left Bora Bora after four unforgettable days. For me, it was a dream come true. I sometimes still can’t believe I’ve been to this little piece of heaven on Earth.

Search for hotels in Bora Bora.

A little piece of heaven is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Western Australian coastline near Shark's Bay

Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world. Located in the southwestern corner of Australia, the city faces the massive Indian Ocean on one side and the great Australian plains on the other. Perth is a surprising destination in itself and offers visitors a broad choice of sights and activities. The lovely Mediterranean climate is an added plus.

The beautiful Swan River meanders through the heart of the city and is the focus of many activities. There are many cruises from Perth to the mouth of the river at the historic port town of Fremantle, or upriver along the beautiful Swan River wine estates (you might even spot some dolphins along the way!).

Urban sprawl north of Perth

I flew into Perth from Singapore. The plane basically tracked the western coast of Australia in a southerly direction (sit in row ‘A’ for the best views) and the views of the brilliant white beaches, turquoise ocean and the ochre desert were breathtaking.

As the plane neared Perth, it was clear to see that the city is spread out over a large area. The coastline, with its broad beaches, little inlets and islands, was stunning.

Perth city, King's Park & Swan River

Just before the landing, the plane flew past the city centre, providing amazing views of the city’s skyline, the immense King’s Park and the curly Swan River.

Check out other Plane Views.

Plane views: Perth, Western Australia is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

The Great Ocean Road arch

The Great Ocean Road along Victoria, Australia’s southwestern coast is arguably one of the most stunning drives in the world. The road winds past verdant rolling hills, lush sub-tropical forests, dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches and Victoria’s most popular attraction: the Twelve Apostles. It is possible to join a day tour of the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne but unless you’re short on time, it’s better to hire a car and explore the region at your own leisure, stopping by the forest reserves and spending one or more nights at the various quaint towns that dot the coast. The day tours leave Melbourne in the early-morning and return past eight in the evening, making it a long, arduous journey.

Cape Patton

My first visit to this spectacular stretch of the Victorian coastline was unforgettable. It was a cold, windy day but the sun shone at times (the weather in Victoria is very fickle). When we arrived in Torquay, a quaint seaside village (which is where the famous Aussie surfwear like Billabong come from), the sun was shining brightly and it was quite warm. We continued to Bells Beach, a surfer’s haven, to see the big surf. Stunning scenery here: gentle, green rolling hills that end at the coast with dramatic cliffs, long stretches of sandy beaches, little coves, quaint villages and finally the vast green ocean.

Giant tree ferns

We also visited the Great Otway National Park, where we went for a quick walk (it started to rain so the guide upped the pace!). The rainforest was simply enchanting: towering Myrtle beech and mountain ash trees, and at their feet, giant ferns, mosses and little cascading streams.

We passed several beautiful coastal villages along the way such as Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay. The stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay was absolutely breathtaking. We made a brief stop at Apollo Bay, a gorgeous town packed with inns, restaurants and cafés. Sitting at a terrace, we watched as dark, threatening clouds rolled in from the ocean.

Stormy weather!

When we finally arrived at the Twelve Apostles (a series of limestone outcrops that had separated from the mainland due to erosion), it was storming. The sky was black, the ocean pounded the coast with huge thunderous waves (I’ve never seen waves this big before. I’m sure some of them were at least five meters high) and the wind howled fiercely like a hurricane.

The Twelve Apostles

The wind tossed me around like I was made of paper (with my skinny frame, that’s not too hard to imagine I guess!) and hail didn’t drop from above; carried by the high winds, it flew straight at you, yes, horizontally! I braved it (along with two others) and fought my way to the edge of the cliff while the busloads of tourists huddled together in the safety of the visitor centre. The hail hit so hard till my face felt bruised while the hood of my raincoat slapped my cheeks incessantly. When we got to the edge of the cliffs, the wind was so strong and the hail was hitting so hard, we could only afford 2-3 second peeks of the Twelve Apostles before covering our faces again!! I figured, this is so much better than seeing this dramatic coastline on a clear blue day. The fierce weather just made the whole experience so much more intense.

Towering cliffs

Miraculously, the wind died down for a moment and the sun broke through the dark clouds and there I was, alone on the viewing platform (the other two had disappeared), with this magnificent sight in front of me: the towering cliffs, the pounding waves below and the dark sky punctured by a single ray of light. Absolutely breathtaking! After the Twelve Apostles, we continued on our way to other spectacular rock formations along the coast. The most noteworthy were Razorback, London Bridge (that collapsed in 1990) and Loch Ard Gorge.

Loch Ard gorge

On our way back to Melbourne, we made a brief stop at Port Campbell, a pretty village located at the mouth of Campbell’s Creek. I arrived back in Melbourne that evening feeling totally exhausted but exhilarated! I later did the Great Ocean Road trip again, this time with friends in a hired car, and we spent a night at Apollo Bay. It was absolutely gorgeous and the weather was beautiful but I’ll never forget my first trip during that stormy day.

Check out the official Great Ocean Road website for more information.

The spectacular Great Ocean Road is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Whitehaven Beach is truly enchanting. The beach forms a wide arc with an inlet on one end, with sand so white, you’ll need your sunnies to protect your eyes from the glare. The sea is an astounding spectrum of turquoise and blue. The sand on the beach is quite extraordinary. It’s said to be 99.9% silica, some of which was used to make the lens on the Hubble telescope. The sand, which always feels cool even on a hot day, has a very compact structure, kind of like moist salt, and when you walk on it, the sound of each footstep is similar to the barks of seals. Blue-spotted stingrays, baby sharks and schools of colourful fish can often be seen swimming close to the shoreline.

The beach is perfect to just laze around with a good book. Or you could go for a stroll or a swim, admire the breathtaking colours or feel totally blessed by the silky touch of the warm waters. While in the water, grab a handful of the pure, clean sand and give yourself a good body and face scrub. Whitehaven Beach will have you spell-bound in no time!

Read about other ‘Enchanting spots‘:

• Tortuguero, Costa Rica
• Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
• Palenque, Mexico
• Sydney Opera House, Australia
• Mount Nemrud, Turkey
• Petra, Jordan
• Blue Lagoon, Iceland
• Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Enchanting spots: Whitehaven Beach is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

Tuna sashimi

What: tuna sashimi with rice and a carrot/cabbage salad

Where: Taverne du Pescheur (Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile)

Note: The Taverne du Pescheur is a quaint restaurant at the small harbour of Hanga Roa, the only town on Easter Island. The owner, a temperamental but entertaining Frenchman (who, seriously, looked like Obelix), remarked that he had the best fish restaurant in town, and since there’s no other town within a radius of several thousand kilometers, his restaurant was the best in an area that’s 55 million square kilometers big (that’s more than twice the size of Russia mind you!). Tuna – there are loads of them in the surrounding waters – dominates every menu in every restaurant in town. Since the owner boasted that the tuna was so fresh, “straight from the boat in the harbour across the road to my kitchen and to your plate”, I decided to order the tuna sashimi. It was awesome – both the size of the dish (I’m sure they could’ve made two tuna steaks from that single serving of sashimi!) and the freshness of the fish. This was serious ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ tuna sashimi!

Read about things to see and do on Easter Island or other posts on velvet escape’s Culinary Journey.

Search for hotels on Easter Island.

velvet escape’s Culinary Journey: Easter Island is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

In the past ten years, however, wines from the ‘new world’ (these include Chile, Argentina, South Africa, the United States, Australia and New Zealand), have grown tremendously in popularity. Over the years, as wine-making techniques improved, these ‘new world’ wine producers have brought a wide array of quality wines to the market. I started ‘researching’ (that’s a good word ) ‘new world’ wines quite a few years ago and since then I’ve become a huge fan of wines from, especially, Australia, Chile and South Africa. When I eventually got the chance to travel through these countries, visits to various wineries naturally became a part of the itinerary. What I encountered were gorgeous wineries in breathtaking surroundings, and wines that were truly sublime. One of my favourite wine memories is of sipping a magnificent, full-bodied Viljoensdrift Pinotage on a shady terrace with a view across the vineyards and the tranquil Breede River in the Robertson Valley (South Africa). Heavenly!

For this article, I’ve picked five wineries in the Southern Hemisphere which I’ve visited in the past two years. These wineries produce a variety of delicious wines in a beautiful setting.

1. Boschendal (South Africa)

This winery is located in the Western Cape, halfway between the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek . The lovely Cape Dutch buildings form a stark contrast with the rugged Groot Drakenstein mountains in the background. The scenery is indeed breathtaking. You can combine a wine-tasting here with a delicious lunch under the shady trees with a view of the mountains. One of the most intriguing wines produced here is a Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend.

2. Montes (Chile)

The wines produced at this estate are arguably some of Chile’s finest. Located in the charming, hilly Colchagua Valley, this winery features a hyper-modern central building designed by a team of Chile’s most renowned architects, and an impressive cellar. The Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere (heaven in a glass!) and Sauvignon Blanc are absolutely divine!

3. Domaine Chandon (Australia)

Situated in the Yarra Valley, just east of Melbourne, the Domaine Chandon estate (of the famous Möet & Chandon name) produces an exclusive selection of beautiful sparkling wines (you can’t call it champagne if it doesn’t originate from the region of Champagne in France). The verdant rolling hills form a gorgeous setting for this estate with its signature Victorian manor.

4. Errazuriz (Chile)

Errazuriz is one of Chile’s most prominent families and they own several high-profile wineries in the Aconcagua Valley. Fed by the molten snow from South America’s highest peak (Mt. Aconcagua), the historic Errazuriz estate boasts a variety of beautiful wines including the Merlot and Shiraz.

5. Bodega Ruca Malen (Argentina)

Ruca Malen is located south of Argentina’s wine capital, Mendoza. The scenery is truly magnificent: row upon row of vines with the awe-inspiring snowy peaks of the Andes mountains as the backdrop. This winery produces a selection of delicious Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec blend is also noteworthy. You can opt to combine a wine-tasting with a gourmet seven-course lunch, whilst enjoying the breathtaking view of the Andes. I highly recommend it!

This is but a small selection of wineries that have made the biggest impression on me. There are so many more. If you’ve been to an amazing winery in any of these ‘new world’ wine countries, please feel free to share your experience here.

Five splendid ‘new world’ wineries in the Southern Hemisphere is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

This time, I paid great attention to the direction in which the plane landed… because that most probably means that the plane will take-off in the same direction. Based on this observation, I chose a window seat on the right side of the plane (it’s free seating) and was thrilled when the plane did take off in the desired direction. The views of the brilliant multi-coloured lagoon, Mt. Otemanu, and the overwater villas of the various luxury resorts were totally breathtaking!

Read my Travel Journal article about my trip to Bora Bora.

Search for hotels in Bora Bora.

Plane views: Bora Bora is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

What:

Where: Lyn’s home (Blue Mountains, Australia)

Note: Ok, not a restaurant this time. I had this amazing meal at the home of Lyn, a dear friend of mine, up in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. The incredibly tender rack of lamb was marinated with coriander while the sublime Thai green salad consisted of baby lettuce, rocket, basil, bean sprouts, green beans, coriander and mint, and dressed with lime juice, fish sauce and finely chopped red chillies. We had a zesty Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc to accompany the meal. Result: an awesome lunch I will not easily forget! Why isn’t Lyn a chef?!!

Read more on velvet escape’s Culinary Journey.

velvet escape’s Culinary Journey: Blue Mountains is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog

See other ‘Plane Views’ articles:

• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
• Mt. Vesuvius, Italy
• Putrajaya, Malaysia
• Mallorca, Spain
• Millau, France
• Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile
• Perth, Western Australia
• Vancouver to Portland, OR

Plane Views: Sydney Harbour is a post from: Velvet Escape's blog