Category Archives: Travel Journal

Surfing, Australian Style – February 2015

Posted on March 23, 2015 by noconbach

We found out Australian schools have four sessions a year with long breaks between them, but no three-month summer vacation as in the US. So in the summer months of February and March in New South Wales and Queensland, beaches are … Continue reading →

Posted in Smell the Roses, Travel Journal | Tagged Australia, Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, surfing | Leave a comment

Sydney to Brisbane – February 2015

Posted on March 22, 2015 by noconbach

The Pacific Coast drive from Sydney to Brisbane is legen–wait for it–dary. Beaches, national parks, and woodlands are outstanding. We also stopped at non-beach points of interest. The Australian shoreline is of course beautiful, but also treacherous. Interestingly, the lighthouses … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Australia, Big Banana, Big Prawn, big things, Gold Coast, Sydney to Brisbane | Leave a comment

Brisbane (Visiting my boss!) – February 2015

Posted on March 14, 2015 by noconbach

We were looking forward to seeing Brisbane for several reasons. We’ve been to eastern Australia’s top and bottom before, but never the middle. It’s a glorious city built on the Brisbane River, with bridge crossings providing access to parks and shopping … Continue reading →

Posted in Smell the Roses, Travel Journal | Tagged botanic gardens, Brisbane, Tourism Media, travel, writing | 1 Comment

What’s north of Sydney? Wine! – February 2015

Posted on March 8, 2015 by noconbach

We’ve been to the northern and southern parts of eastern Australia before, but everything in between is vast unexplored territory for us. Our first stop is wine country, of course. The Hunter Valley in New South Wales is renowned for … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Australia, Hunter Valley, Lindeman's, Pepper Tree wine, wine | Leave a comment

Sydney and its Harbour – February 2015

Posted on March 1, 2015 by noconbach

Welcome to Port Jackson. That’s the actual name of Sydney Harbour. Who knew? It was given the name around 1770 by Captain Cook, the same navigator who explored Hawaii and New Zealand. Welcoming us to Sydney was none other than Olivia Newton-John. … Continue reading →

Posted in Smell the Roses, Travel Journal | Tagged Australia, Hyde Park, Olivia Newton-John, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House | 1 Comment

Sydney Beaches – February 2015

Posted on February 28, 2015 by noconbach

Remember, even though it’s February and Boston is trying to dig out of endless snowstorms, we’re in the Southern Hemisphere. So it’s the height of summer here…but we’re not rubbing it in! First stop in Sydney: the beaches. We took a … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Australia, beach, nude beach, Sydney | 2 Comments

New Zealand South Island Scenery – January and February 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015 by noconbach

If you’re a Hobbit fan, you may have already seen all the landscapes we found on the South Island. For us, there was something new and exciting around every corner. The South Island is 500 miles long and the “Southern Alps” … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged mountains, national park, New Zealand, ocean, Southern Alps, wine | Leave a comment

New Zealand animals – January 2015

Posted on February 19, 2015 by noconbach

Sheep, sheep, and more sheep. That’s what we expected to see in New Zealand. And we weren’t disappointed. The sheep are primarily merino, the kind that Stephen said would provide his next ski socks! At this time of year they … Continue reading →

Posted in Smell the Roses, Travel Journal | Tagged animals, birds, black swan, cows, deer, New Zealand, Rural Games, seals, sheep, wildlife | 3 Comments

Christchurch, 4 years after the quake – January 2015

Posted on February 19, 2015 by noconbach

From Hong Kong it’s a short (11-hour) flight to Christchurch on the south island of New Zealand. Very different culture, climate, food, buildings, people, everything! In September 2010 Christchurch suffered a serious earthquake, magnitude 7.1. Although New Zealand is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch, Christchurch Cathedral, earthquake, New Zealand | 2 Comments

Hong Kong Transportation – January 2015

Posted on February 13, 2015 by noconbach

We didn’t rent a car in Hong Kong. The city is very walkable. There are also great choices for public transportation. It all starts with the Airport Express, a fast train from Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok Island, … Continue reading →

Posted in Smell the Roses, Travel Journal | Tagged Hong Kong, Hong Kong marathon, transportation, walking | Leave a comment