…raising a toast to Champagne Bay

Before we get to Port Vila, we go to Champagne Bay. This bay is on the northern edge of Espiritu Santo (Holy Spirit), the largest island of Vanuatu*. If you go at the right time, which we didn’t, and the tide is low, you can apparently see the sea bubbling, which is where its name comes from.

Filed under: australia, champagne bay, vanuatu

…New Caledonia born and raised

James Cook may have been a great explorer, but his knack for coming up with names for his discoveries leaves a lot to be desired. Much like New South Wales (and presumably New Britain), New Caledonia offers little in way of resemblance to its eponym. Its tropical climate, palm fringed streets and the fact the fools drive on the right make this about as different to Scotland as I can imagine. To top it all off, they all speak French.

Filed under: Uncategorized

…done with 2011

About a year ago I made a list of goals for 2011, but as time went on I forgot more and more about them.

My life now is quite different to how it was at the start of 2011 and rather than focus on those goals (for those interested: yes, not enough, no, yes, no, no, probably, technically, possibly, not quite) I’m going to give a month-by-month account of my year, as best I remember it, in the manner of a long forgotten blogger. (If you’d rather just look at pictures and not read words, go here.)

Filed under: life

…done with Fiji, for now

I’ve been a bit lax with things here recently. I haven’t told you that I’m done with walking, for example. Or with spinning round and round. I haven’t told you that I’m done with Port Stephens and its whales or Townsville, for now. I certainly didn’t tell you that I’m in no way done with Rebecca Black or TED. I’m a bit worried that if I don’t start telling you about some things, it might harm my chance of getting a flight to Japan so a few updates now and then and then are probably necessary before I don’t get anything beneficial out of them anyway.

Filed under: life

…sharing his comments

Not many people get to see behind the scenes of a popular (check this – Ed) website like this and while you may think that it’s simply a case of accepting every comment that comes my way, there’s actually a very strict process to reach approval and only a small fraction make the letters page of this site.

After seeing Mike, from Pakistan’s Online Bazaar, posting on my favourite alien wasps blog, I thought I’d share some of the recent comments left on my page of beard styles.

Filed under: beard, comments, spam

…impressed by The Beards of Australia

When I first arrived in Australia there were a few differences I noticed that I wasn’t too keen on — they generally centred around things not being how I’m used to them, but I’ve since discovered teas, cheeses and beers that I can now enjoy.

One thing I did immediately like about the country was the immense facial hair on display, something helped a lot by arriving on 30 October so I could fully enjoy Movember unfold.

                                                                                            Source

Filed under: australia, beard

…done with Australia

I can now say I’ve done Australia, I seen it all and done everything. By that, I, of course, mean that I’ve now visited all states and mainland territories after spending the weekend in Canberra.

Filed under: australia, australian parliament, canberra, gold creek, questacon

…carrying stuff

Inspired by another post that I may actually write at some point, I thought I’d completely copy Dave and list everything I own in life.

Filed under: life, backpacking, baggage, carrying, stuff

…done with Alice

Springs.

Filed under: australia, adelaide, alice springs, king's canyon, uluru, world's biggest rocking horse

…done with Darwin

Yep, no more evolution for me. It’s all creative design from now on.

Filed under: australia, darwin, kakadu, litchfield