AUSTRALIA DOWNUNDER FORUM

Darwin Waterfront Precinct

maggie1 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:54:07 GMT

Darwin Waterfront Precinct

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Darwin is in the middle of a makeover. The city's Waterfront Precinct project covers 25 hectares of a former industrial site. It will become the city's hub of business, tourism and recreation. We decided to ask Kelly Landry to go to the Top End to see how things are progressing.

The precinct is connected to the CBD by a pedestrian link and will be a public space with all the facilities you would expect in a tropical harbour city with an almost endless summer. Stage one of Darwin's Waterfront Precinct is already home to a conference centre, wave pool, lagoon and hotels.

The Medina Grand and Vibe Hotel have great access to it all. The two chains share common areas the foyer and pool. The Medina Grand has fully self-serviced apartments and Vibe has hotel-style rooms.

Medina Grand

This snappy hotel has 121 studio rooms and one-bedroom apartments. They are air-conditioned, have fully equipped kitchen, in-room safe, in-house movies and some have balconies. Apartments have separate lounge and dining area, refrigerator/freezer and laundry. It has a pool and gymnasium, restaurant and bar and great outdoor area.

Vibe Hotel

Right next door, Vibe Hotel has 120 air-conditioned rooms, restaurant and bar, pool and gymnasium. Curve Cafe + Bar opens at 6.30am for an early breakfast, brunch and lunch. In the evenings, it's where you start your evening with a fancy cocktail before enjoying a delicious dinner.

Wave Lagoon

The size of three Olympic pools, Wave Lagoon is capable of creating a range of wave types, including one of 1.2m to keep boogie boarders happy. It's 2m at its deepest, sloping to a zero depth which is ideal for wading toddlers.

In a place where the temperature is an average of 30C in winter, it's no wonder it's already popular and most importantly it is safe from stingers and crocodiles. Water is chlorinated salt and lifeguards are on patrol.

Location

Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory.

Cost

Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront apartments start at $180 a night.

Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront rooms start at $160 a night.

Wave Lagoon admission is $5 for half day and $8 for a full day for adults and $3.50 and $5 for children. Half-day sessions are between 10am and 2pm and 2pm to 6pm. Full-day sessions are from 10am to 6pm.

Virgin Blue has flights to Darwin.

See them here.........................

http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=840999

Forum: STATE HOLIDAY LINKS

Haut-Var, France: Plunge into Provence

maggie1 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:22:57 GMT

The Gorges du Verdon offer a remote and spectacular respite from the region's tawdry tourist fare, says Charles Starmer-Smith.

Tourists remain a sideshow in the villages of Tourtour, Moustiers (pictured), Sillans-la-Cascade, Aups and Bargemon

Why go?

The peak summer period sees much of Provence become a Peter Mayle-inspired theme park, but the hilltop villages of the Haut-Var still offer the kind of life that people craved long before the writer left his mark on the region.

So forget the tourist-heavy towns of Aix, Avignon and Arles and the fleshpot beaches of Porquerolles. Head instead for the hills to the east, to the lesser known villages of Tourtour, Moustiers, Sillans-la-Cascade, Aups, Bargemon and beyond.

More here........................

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/5930649/Haut-Var-France-Plunge-into-Provence.html

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

Rajasthan, India: Monsoon magic

maggie1 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:22:39 GMT

Not only is Rajasthan more beautiful in the rainy season but it's cheaper to visit then, too. And, as Amrit Dhillon reports, it doesn't rain all the time..

The real romance of the monsoon lies in the countryside'

The idea of a holiday in the rain might not appeal to the British, I suggested politely to the tourism official responsible for promoting "monsoon tourism" in Rajasthan.

"Madam," he replied, "please do not compare the thin, feeble, depressing rain of Britain with the operatic and magnificent monsoon of India."

My Indian friend, Anu Kapoor, agreed. "Look, it's simple. In Britain, the rain makes everyone miserable. In India, when the monsoon bursts, it makes a billion people smile," she said.

She's right. Monsoon for Indians is sweet and exhilarating because it signals the end of torrid, diabolical heat, often of 100F or more. So, when the skies turn grey and clouds appear, the excitement mounts. People start smiling. Spirits soar. The clouds mass in great billows and a Biblical darkness descends as thunder and lightning fill the skies. When the heavens open, the rain does not fall, it hammers. In minutes, the earth is swirling with so much water you feel fish might leap forth. Children dance in the streets. Strangers smile at one another in delight. The aroma released by rain on sun-baked earth is intoxicating. Overnight the landscape is transformed into a lush green vision. The monsoon is also incredibly romantic: the number of babies conceived during the rains is higher than at any other time, and not just because everyone's indoors.

More here.........................

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/5901431/Rajasthan-India-Monsoon-magic.html

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

The world's greatest train journeys

maggie1 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:13:09 GMT

Though the commute into work might not suggest it, travelling by rail can be one of the most thrilling ways to see the world. Some journeys are more impressive than others, however, and are worth travelling huge distances for. And these babies are amongst the best.

The Trans-Siberian Railway

Where: Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia (other routes include Mongolia)

For the ultimate endurance test, the Trans-Siberian is the daddy of epic train adventures. Over the course of six days the train crawls (and it does crawl; none of your fancy bullet trains here) across Russia. In the process, the world's longest railway crosses seven time zones and takes in some of the most monotonous scenery imaginable.

It's the scale that counts, not the variety, however. There's surely no better way to make yourself feel very, very small.

It's not the most luxurious of train journeys, but upgrade to the higher class and there's a good degree of comfort as you take in nearly 10,000km of wilderness.

he Flmsbana

Where: Flm to Myrdal, Norway

It only goes for 20km, and the journey takes just under an hour. But for those who want the cool train experience without necessarily spending days on the rails, the Flmsbana is hard to beat. It starts in the mountains at Myrdal, where glaciers and thick snowfields dot the horizon. From there, it's a steep, winding descent taking in huge waterfalls, stunning valley scenery and picturesque houses.

Over the course of the journey, the train descends 864m and finally pulls up in front of a postcard-shot fjord.

The other bonus is that the Flm line connects to one of the world's other great train journeys. The Oslo to Bergen line connects the big city with the fjords, traversing some of the most spectacular mountain scenery imaginable on the way.

For more information, visit ww.flaamsbana.no and http://www.visitscandinavia.com.au.

The Glacier Express

Where: Zermatt to St Moritz, Switzerland

Europe's other candidate for the world's best one-day train journey is this extraordinary piece of engineering between two of Switzerland's best-known ski resorts.

The trip takes around seven-and-a-half hours, but you're unlikely to find any passengers counting. Or complaining that they've been misled by the "Express" part of the name.

The figures alone are staggering. There are almost 300 bridges, nearly 100 tunnels and the train climbs up to 2033m above sea level. Much of the time is spent going round in circles the train has to wind around in a spiral to climb up the mountains.

But with spectacular Alpine scenery on offer pretty much all the way, the gorges, viaducts and glaciers make the extended journey well worth it.For more information, visit http://www.glacierexpress.ch.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Where: Various routes, but Paris to Venice is a classic example

The most famous luxury train journey in the world is still going, although whisper it it's not quite as prestigious and glamorous as it once was.

The Orient-Express partly got its air of mystique through the famous Agatha Christie book and subsequent film, but we are assured that staff do their best to keep murderous types off the train.

Still, dinner times are high-class feasts, the clientele tends towards the rather snobbish, and for that old-time air of refined sophistication, it's hard to beat. For more information, visit http://www.orient-express.com.

The Eastern and Oriental Express

Where: Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand

For a novel, more comfortable take on South-East Asia, the Eastern and Oriental is a mighty fine option. The 1900km journey passes through some of the most lush countryside on the planet, with paddy fields and plantations interrupting the thick forest.

The train is run by the same chaps that operate the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, but while the temperatures are considerably stuffier, the atmosphere on board is less so.

The social aspect is strong as well. Passengers are encouraged to bond with each other at meal times, while the on-board pianist ensures that the bar is kept relatively lively. For more information, visit http://www.orient-express.com.

The Indian Pacific

Where: Perth to Sydney, Australia

Our own true-blue great rail journey easily ranks among the best in the world. The Indian Pacific crosses the Australian continent, taking just under three days to do so. There's a sense of splendid isolation, but with darned good food served in the restaurant cars to keep you going.

From Perth, it's not long before you hit the Nullarbor Plain. And this is the real Nullarbor not the edge of it that you see when driving around it. The scenery is the same for a whole day, and again when you wake up. But the size of the nothingness is awe-inspiring.

There's also the chance to take in Cook, the quirky water stop with a population of two and a somewhat run-down sand golf course. After that, there are stops in Adelaide and Broken Hill before the final breathtaking stretch over the Blue Mountains to Sydney.

For more information, visit http://www.gsr.com.au.

http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=818217

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

Montreal: Summer in la cit

maggie1 — Thur, 23 Jul 2009 05:28:37 GMT

Montreal has more festivals than there are weeks of the year

o see one of the world's livelier summer cities Montreal has more festivals than there are weeks of the year at the peak of its entertaining powers. Though the last riffs of this year's Montreal Jazz Festival have faded, there are plenty of outdoor events coming up in the capital of French-speaking Canada. Tonight, audiences will guffaw at its comedy festival (www.hahaha.com, until July 26), featuring high-profile comedians such as John Cleese and Bill Cosby, as well as emerging talents. Meanwhile, the Montreal World Film Festival is still to come (in August), plus an array of more obscure celebrations and events.

Encouraged outdoors by the climate (temperatures average more than 20C in the Montreal summer, a far cry from the harsh, frozen winters), boutique shoppers and sightseers throng the cobbled streets of the city's Old Town (Vieux Quartier) during the day. They are replaced by restaurant-goers in the evening. Montreal has a highly sophisticated culinary scene, hardly surprising in a city where more than half the inhabitants can trace their ancestry directly back to France.

Get there

Read on from this link.......................

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/canada/montreal/5885959/Montreal-Summer-in-la-cite.html

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

Brand Bindi out of control

maggie1 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:49:07 GMT

The nation's most famous child turns 11 with a bizarre birthday, adding to concerns about what her future holds, writes Angela Mollard.

If Bindi Irwin were a child in a storybook, she would be the luckiest girl in the world. Her home is a zoo, she doesn't have to go to school, she's about to star in her first movie, and this week 8000 kids are expected to turn up for her 11th birthday party.

Yet Bindi is not a fictional Pippi Longstocking. She's a real girl, and despite her precocious self-confidence, insiders fear her life is becoming so far removed from reality that she already faces a public backlash.

On Friday, thousands of kids will converge on Australia Zoo for free entry, a giveaway DVD, a circus act, performances by Jessica Mauboy and a chance to see Bindi at a masquerade birthday party. There will be a huge birthday cake probably iced, as in previous years, with a picture of her late dad Steve.

But as Bindi moves towards adolescence, child experts and others believe Brand Bindi could get out of control.

Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton feels it's "sad"Bindi is making TV ads directed at other children in her new campaign for bakery goods.

"It's wrong to target kids in trying to sell stuff to other kids,"she says. "I think it's very sad."

Other experts are concerned Bindi's extraordinary global stardom could backfire. She is already an actor, dancer, singer, conservationist, writer and trademarked business but last year, at the launch of her clothing line, Bindi had further ambitions.

"Hopefully maybe I can be president or prime minister,"she said without a hint of irony...

http://womansday.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=838438

Forum: AUSTRALIA ZOO WITH TERRY & BINDI IRWIN

Aussie icons may make seven wonders

maggie1 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:25:48 GMT

THE Great Barrier Reef and Uluru have made the final round in a global contest to select the new Seven Wonders of Nature.

The Australian natural landmarks were selected from a shortlist of 77 top spots around the world to be among the 28 finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature competition.

Only 21 finalists were expected to be announced, but the number was higher because of high levels of participation.

There were originally 441 nominees from 222 countries when the campaign began, with the entrants whittled down by public voting.

The contest now proceeds to the final round of voting, with an announcement due in mid-2011.

Uluru in the Northern Territory is the world's largest monolith, while the reef is the world's biggest coral reef comprising more than 3000 individual reef systems and beaches.

The Aussie icons will be up against natural beauties including Halong Bay in Vietnam, Angel Falls in Venezuela, the Grand Canyon and Jeita Grotto in Lebanon, for a place in the coveted final seven.
Tourism Australia's executive chairman Rick Allert said Australians should be proud.

"A place among the ultimate New7Wonders of Nature would be a stunning achievement for our nations iconic natural wonders," Mr Allert said.

"And we thank everyone who has played a part in ensuring Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef have made it through to this third and final stage, still in the running for the ultimate accolade."

Tourism Australia has set up a web link to the voting site at http://www.australia.com

More than one billion votes are expected to be cast in the contest.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25818495-29277,00.html

Forum: AUSTRALIAN ICONS

Ultimate Auctions puts Qld holidays under hammer

maggie1 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:30:16 GMT

HOLIDAYMAKERS will have their chance to snap up Queensland getaways from just $1 when a new tourism campaign kicks off in Brisbane today.

State Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said Tourism Queensland's 2009 Ultimate Auctions will sell off holidays using an eBay-style platform with bidding starting at $1.

"As well as some great holiday destinations like Fraser Island and Port Douglas, this year people can bid for the chance to be a koala keeper for a day or to fly a Boeing 737 flight simulator," Mr Lawlor said.

"Bidding starts as low as $1, but the competition can mean that some products end up selling for top dollar."

Tourism Queensland chief executive Anthony Hayes said Queensland tourism operators were tapping into the popularity of eBay and increased use of the internet.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25807254-5014090,00.html

Forum: TOURIST INFORMATION

Bangkok: 48-hour itinerary

maggie1 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:09:40 GMT

Chinatown, Bangkok's most lively neighbourhood

With just a weekend in the city, you better get cracking. Make the most of it with this 48-hour itinerary.

Morning walk

Sidestep the tour buses by starting your day with a couple of hours in Chinatown, Bangkok's most lively neighbourhood. Walk along Charoen Krung Road, past the old guys selling Chinese-style funerary offerings, until you reach Soi Charoen Krung 16 (aka "Trok Itsuranaphap"). One of Bangkok's original shopping lanes, this soi is at its busiest in the mornings when people are haggling over fresh food and other staples; claustrophobes beware. Stop at Hong Kong Noodles, just off the lane, for a delicious breakfast soup.

Lunch

At the other end, you'll emerge onto Yaowarat Road, Chinatown's main drag. Cross over and walk a minute to Sampeng Lane (Soi Wanit 1). Turn right and wander this bling-tastic alley, dodging trolleys and bikes, until you reach Phahurat (aka "Little India"). Stop for lunch and air-con in one of the Indian restaurants on Chakraphet Road, before taking a short taxi north to the historic royal island of Ko Ratanakosin, which, by now, should be mainly free of tour buses.

Royal Palace

Start at Wat Phra Kaew, home to the tiny but highly-revered Emerald Buddha, and the adjoining Royal Palace (both close at 3pm; keep your ticket to get into Dusit), before walking south to Wat Pho to see its photogenic, 46m-long Reclining Buddha image and wander the sprawling grounds. By now you might be feeling a little drained by the Bangkok heat, so stop at Wat Pho's famous Thai massage training school for an invigorating (and yes, a little painful) hour of Thai massage (300bt).

Read on from this link....................

http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=673974

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

Galapagos Islands

maggie1 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:16:53 GMT

Jason Dundas and the crew made Getaway's first ever visit to the amazing Galapagos Islands and found it is one of those places that lives up to its impressive reputation.

The archipelago spreads across the equator off Ecuador on South America's west coast. This living museum of extraordinary animal life is separated from the mainland by a thousand kilometres of ocean and millions of years of history. There are 19 islands and more than 100 islets making up the World Heritage site.

With no predators, the islands' creatures have evolved to their environment so much so they inspired Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution more than 170 years ago.

Each island has its own personality and the more you see, the more you understand Galapagos is unlike anywhere else on earth. As they're spread over 45,000 square kilometres, the way to go is on a cruise ship.

Jason was fortunate enough to join a Scenic Tours four-day cruise throughout the Galapagos' southern group of islands on the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. The Galapagos Legend is 92m long and has 58 cabins. Five-star all the way; the restaurant, bar, spa and comfortable cabins are a welcome contrast to your rugged island adventures of exploring and hiking.

Your guides are a blend of historian and naturalist and have invaluable knowledge about each destination.

The adventure begins on the island of Baltra, also known as South Seymour. Small, flat and arid, vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. It is a prime nesting ground for seabirds, such as frigates and boobies, and there is a great variety of tame wildlife.

You can carefully walk through their habitat as they are completely blas about humans. Baltra was a US Air Force base during World War II and evidence of that period can still be seen.

More here.......................

http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=826994

Images of Galapagos Island on this link...............

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Galapagos+Islands&FORM=IGRE

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

Sunshine Coast: 36-hour itinerary

maggie1 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:04:12 GMT

Tobacco plants with The Glasshouse Mountains behind.

Mountains and hinterland

Spend a full day exploring the Glass House Mountains and hinterland areas, starting around Landsborough or Beerwah. If you want to visit Australia Zoo at Beerwah, you need to allow at least three hours.

Tourist drive

Follow the 28km Maleny-Blackall Range Tourist Drive from Landsborough to Maleny, Montville, Flaxton and Mapleton. Maleny is the best place to stop for lunch choose from a range of groovy cafes on the main street or drop in to Colin James Fine Foods to pick up some delectable cheeses and goodies for a picnic along the way.

Eumundi

The tourist drive officially ends in Nambour, but continue north to Eumundi. Time permitting, browse a couple of the galleries in this arty hinterland village, or pick up something to read in the huge second-hand bookshop on the main street.

Click on this link for more.........................

http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=664632

Forum: TOURIST INFORMATION

Hawaii: Near the beaten track

maggie1 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:17:52 GMT

Surf boards lined up on iconic Waikiki Beach

Waikiki

Overbuilt and crowded, there is at least one aspect of Honolulu that remains from the seemingly innocent ol' days of surfer, Olympian and waterman legend Duke Kanamaouku: the Beach Boys of Waikiki. Hearkening back to O'ahu's post-World War II, when former servicemen who'd seen Hawaii during tours of duty popularised the state, the Beach Boys on Kalakua Avenue are iconic. Many of the Kalakua Avenue hotels that sprung up during that time have been replaced with taller, sexier versions. Though several surf schools have popped up claiming to be the real deal, most are overpriced. That said, I'd recommend the Willie Grace-run Hawaiian Beach Boys. Affordable, local and old-school, it's super low-key. Hop into an outrigger canoe for around $23, or take a surf lesson for $40.

I prefer lessons to renting, as it's much easier to catch a wave when any of the Beach Boys sea bouncers, of sorts have your back. You won't be "dropping in" on anyone's wave and you won't have to worry about throngs of tourists dropping in on yours.

More here....................

http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=656814

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

Dubai: Where NOT to go

maggie1 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:33:02 GMT

Burj Al Arab Hotel

Burj Al Arab

The self-styled 'seven star' hotel, the Arabian Tower, is Dubai's most iconic symbol at least until the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, is completed. Indeed, when Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed commissioned the project, his brief to the architects was to create a structure as memorable as the Sydney Opera House and Eiffel Tower, an outline so strikingly simple a child could draw it. And what's not to love about the sleek sail-shaped exterior architecture?

Step inside, however, and you'll swear the interior designer was on acid. To call it gaudy is an insult to things truly gaudy let's call it vulgar, with liberal use of every colour under the sun and extravagant application of gold.

If you do want to experience this Arabian nouveau riche nightmare, the only way to get a look (unless you're staying of course) is to pay for a voucher that can be redeemed at any of the hotel's shops, bars or cafes. Classy. If you must, redeem your voucher at the cocktail bar where the views of the Jumeirah coast are spectacular on a clear day. The drink prices, of course, are equally breathtaking, the snacks are very average, and the decor reaches a spectacular new low it's even worse up here than it is downstairs.

More here......................

http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=655226

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

UK summer breaks for all the family

maggie1 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:02:20 GMT

Struggling to entertain during the school holidays? William Gray looks at Britain's best family breaks

Few Cornish landmarks are more evocative or enticing than St Michael's Mount

Reconstructed on the site of an Iron Age hill fort, Castell Henllys is more than just a cluster of thatched roundhouses it's a time machine where children are whisked back 2,000 years to an age of chieftains and Celtic myths. Aimed at six- to 12-year-olds, Celtic Fun sessions (available selected dates, 2 per child) are run by actors in authentic costume who are brilliant at persuading children to enter into the spirit of the Iron Age with war chants, hunting forays, face painting and stories around the hearth. But it's not all fun and games; families should expect some hard graft, grinding wheat between stones for making bread, twining sheep's wool into cord and hurling a concoction of mud, horse hair and cow dung onto the willow frameworks of new roundhouses.

More here....................

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/5825380/UK-summer-breaks-for-all-the-family.html

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL

Sitges: the St Tropez of Spain

maggie1 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:59:18 GMT

In the Catalonian city of Sitges, Paul Clements is captivated by raked beaches, languorous charm and a metropolitan heartbeat.

Sitges has 17 beaches, all equally sculpted and sandy

Sitges is not like other Mediterranean hot spots. Twenty miles along the craggy coast from Barcelona, this unspoilt seaside town, with its style, culture and lan, instantly stands out from the overdeveloped resorts along the Costa Daurada.

A former fishing village with wending streets, a compact old town and a mellow vibe, it has a population of 25,000, which swells to more than 100,000 in summer. Barcelona-on-sea is where rich Catalans come to tan. With miles of meticulously raked beaches, slo-mo charm and a metropolitan heartbeat, it is a jet-set favourite, too. Home to some of the countrys ritziest real estate, it earns its tag as the St Tropez of Spain.

But there is a bohemian spirit here as well. Its laid-back credentials were established in the 18th century when wealthy traders set up holiday villas, attracting artists and writers looking for inspiration from the azure waters, whitewashed houses and wild landscapes. Its reputation as a hang-out for European intelligentsia was sealed when, in the late 19th century, Picasso and his set began chilling out here.

More here.........................

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/5832845/Sitges-the-St-Tropez-of-Spain.html

Forum: WORLD TRAVEL