I’ve been pretty lucky over the last few years. I’ve been to many incredible places and done and seen some pretty amazing things. But there’s some experiences that do stand out above the rest. It’s hard to narrow it down to just ten but since I have to do so (well I don’t have to, but I’m making myself do it) then I’d say that it would probably be these, so in no particular order: Continue reading “My Top 10 Travel Experiences”
I’ve always wanted to give surfing a try but just never seemed to get the opportunity. Then finally, when I was travelling along the east coast of Australia, it seemed my time had come. After all, this was prime surfer dude territory. Continue reading “Surfing in Australia”
1. 1770, Australia The first time I rode a motorbike was pretty much by accident. I’d reached the town of 1770 on my tour of the Australian east coast (that’s the actual name of the place) and the main tourist … Continue reading Biking in Australia and Laos
East Coast Australia is the ultimate backpacker destination. The route is very much prepared for the number of travellers that swing by, meaning there’s loads of places to stay, bars to dance in, places to visit and tours to take and it is all so accessible. You’ll also meet people from all over the world who come to Australia to explore. There’s iconic architecture, natural wonders and a lot of wildlife for you to meet. I was in Australia for four weeks, travelling from Sydney up to Cairns, and if I had to pick out the best things I did, it would be these nine:
Continue reading “Nine things to do in East Coast Australia”
After doing my list of the Seven Wonders of the World, I wondered how many UNESCO World Heritage sites I’d seen without knowing it and how many I had left to do. It turns out, that out of the 1,121 (as updated) preserved cultural and natural landmarks, I have been to 58. Only 1,063 to go then – I may complete my Seven Wonders list first: Continue reading “My UNESCO World Heritage Checklist”
Ellis’ Bucket List: see the seven wonders of the world.
I think the seven wonders are probably a regular feature on bucket lists everywhere: Christ the Redeemer, Petra, the Great Wall of China, Chichen Itza, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu and the Colosseum – with the Pyramids of Giza taking an honorary position as the last remaining wonder of the ancient world.
Continue reading “My Seven Wonders of the World (and Back-Ups)”
I don’t know about you but, on a day-to-day basis, I find relaxing hard. There is always something to stress about. Travelling is the time to escape that but even then there are still worries. Do you still have your passport? Will your debit card be accepted? What time does the bus leave?
Here are my top four places where I’ve actually managed to get close to stress free living:
9 June – 14 June 2010
Our trip round the Whitsundays was followed by a journey up to Magnetic Island. The Gap Year Buddy and I arrived in Townsville at about 12pm and grabbed a pasta salad lunch – my body was actually repelling the thought of any more pie or Subway. By 1pm, we were on a ferry over to the island. It was very pretty and hot, so we spent the afternoon on the beach with our books. Continue reading “Australia Part Six: Magnetic Island, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef”
3 June – 8 June 2010
Our next stop was 1770 – the town not the year – where the Gap Year Buddy and I went on the Scooteroo tour around the surrounding countryside. This involved my first ever motorbike experience. I was a bit nervous. Somehow I had got it into my head that the tour involved being on the back of a bike, clutching onto a seasoned biker. I didn’t realise I would be the one in the driver’s seat.
Continue reading “Australia Part Five: 1770, Kroombit Ranch and Whitsunday Islands”
30 May – 2 June 2010
After a long day on the bus from Brisbane – with a stop off at the nice (and busy) beach of Noosa – the Gap Year Buddy and I made it to Rainbow Beach. Our bus driver took a group of us to the Surf Club as apparently they did a great a roast dinner. For $15 we had a chicken dinner with vegetables, roast potatoes, sweet potatoes and gravy. It may have been a lot of money (at least compared to what I usually spent on dinner) but it was worth it. Once we had finished eating, we had to leave our group and hop on another bus to Hervey Bay. Continue reading “Australia Part Four: Tour of Fraser Island”
Ellis Goes On Holiday 