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The Australian Adventure: One Year Later

Precisely one year ago today, I landed in Sydney, beginning what would be the most unpredictable year of my life. You’ve read all about my adventures, but here was my year by the numbers.

Days traveled: 317

States/territories visited: 6- New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Northern Territory. I missed Western Australia and Tasmania!

Books read: 34 (see What I Read in 2011)

Hostels stayed in: 22

Photographs taken: 2,724

Islands visited: 5- Kangaroo, Fraser, Whitsunday, Magnetic, Cockatoo

Nights spent camping: 6 times too many

Buses: 14, not including city buses

Planes: 12, including the ones to and from Australia

Boats: 6, including ferries

Miles by bus: 3,042 kilometers, 1,890 miles from Sydney to Cairns

Miles by car: 3,359 kilometers, 2,087 miles from Sydney to Adelaide and back

Best tour: Scooteroo- A tough call, considering all the tours I went on, but I went back and forth about it for a few days and I was so glad I did it. I was in no rush to get to Airlie Beach, so I spent an extra day in Agnes Water being scared shitless on the back of a 50cc motorbike. It is the best way to see the adorable Queensland town, complete with riding gear, kangaroo sightings and a spot to watch the sunset in the Town of 1770.

Worst tour: Sealink Kangaroo Island- It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this tour. I really did, but I found the other tours I went on to be better, not to mention a better value for my money. I felt that we only stopped at the tourist stops and only one of them really interested me, the Remarkable Rocks. We did, though, have a terrific guide who was a native of the island.

Best hostel: Bungalow Bay, Backpack Oz, Ozzie Pozzie, Banana Benders, Scotty’s Beach House- I found a lot of hostels that I loved and the thing most of them had in common was that they were family run. Bungalow Bay, the exception, is a YHA with an in-house animal sanctuary. Backpack Oz, Ozzie Pozzie, Banana Benders and Scotty’s Beach House were all great because you saw the owners present every day, planning nightly events, organizing tours and in some instances, drinking with you.

Worst hostel: Cairns Beach House, Adventurer’s Townsville- Adventurer’s was very run down, far from town and had terrible beds, but the nice staff and events made up for it. Cairns Beach House, however, had nothing going for it. Rude staff, far from town, terrible meals, slow Internet, cold showers, etc. You name it, CBH did not have it. Stay far away!

Meat pies consumed: 7 and this is probably an underestimate!

Native animals eaten: 2- kangaroo, crocodile

Vegemite eaten: 0, but one small spoonful of Promite was enough to put me off it!

“Big” items seen: 5- Merino, Banana, Cassowary, Mango, Prawn

Life List items crossed off: 12- Numbers 22, 27, 70, 25, 1, 40, 5, 6, 7, 20, 42, 63

UNESCO World Heritage sites visited: 7- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Greater Blue Mountains Area, Sydney Opera House, Australian Convict Sites, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics of Queensland

Beds slept in: 26 (see Where I Slept in Oz)

Twitter friends met IRL: 14

Most overrated: Uluru, Cairns- Uluru is great and all, but I found Kata Tjuta to be more impressive. Uluru is pretty much exactly how you think it’s going to be. And Cairns isn’t much to look at, just a whole lot of backpacker bars.

Most underrated: Kata Tjuta, Brisbane, Magnetic Island- Like I said above, Kata Tjuta is really the better looking twin. Brisbane is a beautiful city on the river with great bars and an art scene. And Magnetic Island is lovely because it’s not party-centric like the rest of the East Coast.

Best sunrise: Kata Tjuta- As miserable as I was to wake up this early, I must admit that the sunrise here was amazing, especially since you could also see the sun rising over Uluru to the east.

Best sunset: Uluru and Whitsundays- This one is a tie because at the Uluru sunset, my travel companions and I opened a beer and watched the rock change colors. In the Whitsundays, I sat by myself on a rock, away from the rest of the group, and enjoyed a rare moment of solitude.

Favorite beer: James Squire Sundown, Vale Ale- James Squire is a Sydney-based but Brisbane-owned brewery with a lot of beers in the more American craft style. Vale Ale is a wheat beer made by a winery in the McClaren Vale wine region of South Australia.

Least favorite beer: Victoria Bitter- Do I really need to explain this one? I’ll take PBR over VB any day.

Most expensive city: Kangaroo Island- While technically not a city, our day tour there cost significantly more than we spent in any other destination.

Cheapest city: Coffs Harbour- There are lots of variables in determining cheapest and most expensive, especially since I spent more in cities I enjoyed. But Coffs Harbour didn’t have much to do and it rained the whole time, so it was easy not to spend money.

Total amount spent on visas: $270

Total amount spent: $19,223.15

So what am I doing today? My dear Aussie boy, one of the main reasons I started this adventure, is spending a few weeks with me in America. I’ve been working my seasonal temp job that I do twice a year so I can save up for this trip and future ones and possibly to settle down with an apartment for a little while. Other than that, you’ll just have to keep reading. Thanks for following along with my Australian Adventure.

Related Reading:

January 25, 2012 | Categories: Australia, backpacking | 2 Comments »

Where Am I Going in 2012?

While I mostly stuck to one country last year, I’m hoping for lots of travels in 2012! Here’s what I have planned and what I hope to make room for!

Definitely

Memphis Music

Photo Credit: Leo Reynolds

Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Asheville, Atlanta, Charleston

Since Tommy is visiting me in the US, I am taking him for a whirlwind tour of the South. We’re starting in my hometown of Atlanta, then visiting family in Nashville and friends in Charleston, as well as stops in Memphis, Chattanooga and Asheville. I can’t wait to revisit these places myself!

Portland Oregon

Photo Credit: Vintage Roadside

Portland, Oregon

I haven’t seen much of the West Coast and I would love for this to change this year. One of my best friends from college is currently living there for her second Americorps stint and I would like to add in road trips to Seattle and Vancouver with this trip.

2008-02-26 Austria Salzburg HDR Fortress Hohensalzburg from Mönchsberg

Photo Credit: Wireless Web

Salzburg, Austria

One of my closest friends and her fiance have been living in Austria for the last year and I am ready to go visit! I’ve never been to Austria and have wanted to go ever since the first time I saw The Sound of Music.

2008 03 140 Spain Córdoba Mezquita

Photo Credit: Shertila Tony

Spain

I first got the idea for Spain with some of my friends from Australia when we were trying to decide where we should meet up. I really want to spend the summer soaking up the sun, checking out Gaudi buildings and drinking lots and lots of sangria.

Maybe

Urlaub 2005 - México

Photo Credit: Schlaeger

Mexico

I’ve been to Mexico a few times but would love to go back now that I have my scuba diving license. It’s one of my favorite places to visit, especially since Mexican is my favorite type of food.

Machu Piccu, Peru

Photo Credit: Max Girin

Central and South America

Having read the blogs of Over Yonderlust, Bacon is Magic and Breakaway Backpacker for the last year, I have become fixated on the idea of a big Central and South American trip. It would require lots of money in visas and a lot more planning, but I think I’m up for it.

Pinnacles Desert Nambung National Park Western Australia

Photo Credit: Ian Sand

Back to Australia

While this is on the more expensive end of the spectrum, I wouldn’t mind visiting Australia again to see my lovely friends. And I would love to be able to see Western Australia, Darwin and Tasmania to cross those places off my list!

New Zealand 2006/2007

Photo Credit: Travelling Pooh

New Zealand

Across the Tasman, I want to see both the North and South islands, going mountain climbing, bungy jumping and taking thousands of pictures.

Probably Not, but I Wish

Israel - Gerusalem

Photo Credit: Daniele Giovannoni

Israel

When all of my Jewish friends were going on their Birthright trips, I wanted to go too. The Holy Land has always had an appeal to me.

kurdistan Akre

Photo Credit: Kurdistan Photo

Kurdistan

One of my lovely college friends, Sarah, is teaching at a school in Northern Iraq. Seeing her pictures makes me add this region to my “I wish” travel list.

Angkor Wat

Photo Credit: Ken.jp

Southeast Asia

I can’t resist stalking everyone’s pictures from their Southeast Asia trips. I would love to go back to Thailand and especially to visit Angkor Wat.

What’s on your travel itinerary for 2012?

January 24, 2012 | Categories: travel, Europe, USA, backpacking | 1 Comment »

Lessons from A Year of Solo Travel

There’s little “solo” time in solo travel.

From the time I left in August to the time I returned at the end of November, I was only alone for maybe five days. On my Uluru trip, I was on a group tour, so it was impossible not to talk to people. And on the East Coast trip, I met the people I traveled with for most of my trip within 4 days of starting the journey. You meet people all over the place: hostels, buses, tours, pub crawls, internet cafes. So don’t worry about being alone. But on the other hand, don’t feel guilty for taking time to yourself. Traveling with a group, whether or not you were friends to begin with, can get tiring. If you want to spend the day reading at the hostel while everyone else goes to the pub, do it.

Not everyone will like you, just like you won’t like everyone you meet.

I occasionally meet people I don’t get along with, but not too often. They’re usually those over the top, complaining, loud travelers you sometimes meet in hostels. And I hate to say it, but I’m not used to people not liking me. But it happens, as it did on this trip. You just have to get over it and move on to people you really click with. There are plenty of other travelers out there for you to interact with.

Just because you both travel, or both speak English or are both from the same country does not mean you will get along.

Everyone travels differently. Some people go to the other side of the world just to do the same things they did back home: drink, hook up and talk about what happened the night before. Others want to check every sight and experience off their list. And others are comfortable hanging out at a local coffee shop with a good book or talking to their friends and family on Skype. Don’t try to fit in with them just for the sake of having travel companions.

If you’re not following your own travel plans, get out of there sooner rather than later.

I wish I had followed by own advice on this one. I got so comfortable traveling with a group of people, even if we didn’t get along, that I didn’t do what I wanted to do. I followed what the group wanted until I finally resented them so much that I had to get away. I have a few things on my list that I never got around to because I was so absorbed in the group mentality. I lost what made me a solo traveler in the first place: independence.

Don’t burn bridges, because you never know when you will run into someone again.

Once I gave this group of people the finger (literally….on more than once occasion) I ran into them multiple times. Awkward. Even if you start to resent the people you meet, it’s better to leave on good terms. I wish I had said back in Brisbane that I wanted to go at a different pace or see different things. Then at least I wouldn’t have felt weird about seeing them again.

Don’t let anyone make you feel like a loser for traveling solo.

I often heard, “So you’re traveling by yourself?” I didn’t think much of it since I know a lot of solo female travelers, but there were a few times when I felt like I was abnormal for traveling this way. The beauty of this lifestyle is that you can choose when you want to be around people.

Just do it.

If you’re thinking about traveling somewhere but don’t know who to go with, just go. You’ll be fine, I promise. And you will probably enjoy yourself more than if you had dragged an unwilling friend along for the ride.

January 16, 2012 | Categories: backpacking, manifesto | 1 Comment »

My Australian Travel Mistakes

I definitely enjoyed my time in Australia, as the number of posts about this year will tell you. But if I had to do it all over again, would I change anything? The answer is YES. I did a lot of things wrong and I hope you can learn from my mistakes!

When to Leave

I wish I had left earlier for many reasons. One, I wish I had been there for more of the Southern Hemisphere summer instead of spending the majority of my time there in Australian winter, which is mild, mind you. Secondly, I wish I had spent New Years Eve in Sydney since I ended up leaving before Christmas. But at the time, I was glad I didn’t leave until the end of January since I celebrated my dad’s 50th birthday with friends and family and I also got the chance to work for a few weeks before leaving.

Flights

I was searching for deals for a long time before I settled on my fare on United with a layover in Los Angeles. It was a reasonable price, but I wish I had considered a one way ticket. Instead, I picked a return date after three months, just in case I hated it, and ended up spending $250 to change the ticket to a more reasonable return date in December.

Packing

When I left, I had no idea how long I would want to stay in Australia, so I packed only for one season: summer. Unfortunately, by the time we got to Melbourne, I was freezing my butt off in my shorts and dresses. I clearly didn’t do enough research about the differing climates in the country. Once it finally got cold, I had to buy an entire new wardrobe and have items sent from home. I also expected to be traveling for most of the time I was away and packed mostly backpacker clothes, nothing I could wear to a job interview or nice dinner. I packed lots of things I didn’t even need. My backpack felt too large to carry on short trips, so I ended up borrowing a duffel bag for shorter jaunts.

Savings

Before leaving for Australia, I had about $2,000 saved up, which was not even enough for visa requirement, about $3,000 short. I soon learned why that number was chosen in the first place: Australia is freakin’ expensive. I didn’t save enough to travel for more than two weeks and didn’t have enough money to save for an apartment. I ended up borrowing money for the bond on my apartment and paying it back after I got a job. Had I saved up more money prior, I wouldn’t have had to stay at my job for six months to save up for the East Coast and Uluru trips.

Expectations

Having spent a decent amount of time in Europe, I figured the exchange rate couldn’t really be that different. But I was wrong. My wallet was hit very hard my first few weeks in Sydney because I hadn’t figured out what was expensive and what was reasonable. I also thought I wouldn’t really need a job and that I could coast with my $2,000 for a while. Wrong. And did I mention Australia is huge? Flying from one side to the other is like it is in the US.

Job

I didn’t really want to find a job in the first place, since my goal there was to travel and to leave behind the boring cafe job in the states. I wanted to live off of my freelance writing, but once I realized the Internet situation Down Under leaves a lot to be desired, that concept changed. I handed out my resume at nearby businesses but didn’t ever hear back from any. It wasn’t until I got my RSA and went from place to place talking to managers that I finally got a job. I didn’t expect to stay there for six months, but I got so comfortable, made so many friends, and enjoyed having a steady paycheck.

Trip planning

As I said, I had very unrealistic expectations about how far my money would get me. In my mind, I could do the East Coast, Uluru, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin and still have time for New Zealand and Fiji. Little did I know that it takes more than a year to see Australia properly. I wish I had planned out my finances and time better so that I could have seen at least Perth and Tasmania. But I suppose that’s one of many reasons for me to go back to Australia?

Anything else I should have done differently?

January 12, 2012 | Categories: Australia | 12 Comments »

My Favorite Eats of 2011

I know you’ve already read all about my crazy year. The things I did. The books I read. But did I mention how much food I ate? I seriously do not know how I fit on the plane without a seatbelt extender. This was also the year I started being a serious blog geek by photographing my food. And I am warning you that very little of these meals could be construed as “healthy.” So without further delay, I present you with my favorite eats of 2011.

Spicy shrimp at Giovanni’s, Oahu, Hawaii

The North Shore of Hawaii is known for its food trucks. I had heard good things about Giovanni’s before we got there and I couldn’t wait to check it out. I’m a spicy foods addict, so I knew I had to try the spicy shrimp. The girl at the counter warned me. “You know this is really hot, right?” But how bad could it be? My sister Rachel and I shared a plate and had to take a break after only a few shrimp and went through two bottles of water. Even the large portion of rice couldn’t cool us down! But I would eat it again in a heartbeat!

Mahi Mahi tacos, Luibueno’s, Oahu, Hawaii

I was starved for decent Mexican for many months in Sydney, so when we came upon this Mexican restaurant I was like a fat kid at a candy store. I went all out: drank Sol, had fish tacos, chips and salsa, churros and Mexican hot chocolate.

Meat Pie, Harry’s Cafe de Wheels, Sydney

While I was no meat pie novice, I had never had one like the world famous pies of Harry’s Cafe de Wheels. Tommy took me to the original location in Wooloomooloo, where I had the original pie with mash and gravy. I went back many times, including once in Newcastle and even brought my friend Christine to the Haymarket location when she was in town. It’s been visited by many celebrities, including my man Anthony Bourdain.

Hamburger and Fries, In n Out Burger, Los Angeles

Obviously I couldn’t spend any time on the West Coast without going to In N Out Burger. My first visit was in Las Vegas four years ago, so I was aching for their perfectly cooked fries. Thankfully, I stayed at a hostel right around the corner from one so I got my burger fix. My dining companion, pictured above, is the mascot from the elementary school my mom teaches at. I think Murphy enjoyed it just as much as I did.

Everything at Chat Thai, Sydney

When Heather was leaving to go back to America, the Travel Massive-ers went to dinner at Chat Thai in Chinatown, known as the best Thai in Sydney. We waited for almost an hour for a table, but once I tried the food I knew it was worth it. I can’t even remember what we ordered, but there was plenty to go around! I’m not the biggest Thai fan, but I cannot say good enough things about this place.

Tandoori chicken pizza, Australian Hotel, Sydney

Having grown up on “New York” style pizza, thin with tons of cheese, the idea of putting stuff like tandoori chicken or kangaroo onto pizza was completely foreign. But the spicy tandoori cooled down with mint yogurt hit the spot the first time I went there after Tommy and I walked across the Harbour Bridge. When Christine and Joey came to visit, I knew I had to take them there and they weren’t disappointed either. The kangaroo half is Joey’s!

Cinnamon Toast, Post Cafe, Sydney

This spot in my suburb of Marrickville quickly became my favorite local cafe once I sampled their $7 cinnamon toast and tea combo: two of my favorite things! I ordered this literally every time I went there and never left unsatisfied. They had thick, Turkish bread with plenty of cinnamon and sugar, topped with fresh fruit. It didn’t hurt that they had a big selection of magazines and were ideally located for people watching.

Tamales, Flying Fajita Sistas, Sydney

Due to my unhealthy obsession with Mexican food, I managed to track down every Mexican spot in Sydney. For my birthday, Tommy took me to Flying Fajita Sistas in Glebe, a cute place with Mexican beer (Modelo!), a hot sauce bar and a long list of unique margaritas. And oh yeah, DELICIOUS food. I ordered tamales, which are hard to find back home, let alone in Australia, and was very impressed.

Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo, Jazz City Diner, Sydney

Before returning home, I went to dinner with two of my favorite American expats, Lauren and Hannah, at an American-style diner in Sydney. It was a rainy night and I was in the mood for something warm. The gumbo tasted just like the kind I’d had at home. After a chocolate milkshake, I was ready to waddle out of this Darlinghurst joint.

Malasadas, Leonard’s, Honolulu, Hawaii

Holy crap do I love these sugary balls of dough. They were my reward after waking up at the crack of dawn to hike the Diamond Head crater and we went back at least two more times after the original visit.

Spicy Chicken Pizza, Kona Brewing Company, Kona, Hawaii

While visiting the brewery, we had lunch at their restaurant, which turned out to be one of my favorite meals of the trip. They use the leftovers from making beer to create bread and pizza dough. Sammi and I split the spicy chicken pizza, which tasted like a hot wing on dough, complete with the hot sauce and bleu cheese!

Roo steak, Scotty’s, Mission Beach

I finally got around to eating kangaroo towards the end of my trip (incidentally, a few days before I got to play with one up close!) and I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. I got a discounted meal at the restaurant attached to my hostel, where I got the kangaroo steak with mashed potatoes and a plum sauce. I washed it down with a nice glass of sauvignon blanc. I thought the ‘roo was a little tough, but it was definitely an experience.

Are you hungry yet? What was your favorite or most adventurous meal of the year?

January 9, 2012 | Categories: Australia, food, Hawaii, USA | 3 Comments »

Photo Essay: Where I Slept in Oz

In my almost year in Australia, I slept a lot of places. Dozens of hostels, a few floors, friends’ apartments, two boats, tents, swags and countless cities. It all started in Sydney at Tommy’s house in Petersham, where he and his dad graciously let me sleep until I found my own pad. I got very comfortable at their house, especially on Australia Day when I barely left the apartment complex pool.

Once we started our road trip, we stayed at the Canberra YHA. It was nice enough, somewhat basic, but good. My most vivid memories of my stay there were the air conditioning, which was the only relief from the Australian summer heat, and the noisy snoring Brit who was one of our bunkmates.

The first time in Adelaide, we stayed at Annie’s Place, which is in an old house not far from the city center. We spent our days lounging in the courtyard and taking advantage of the free wireless. This room had lots of weird magazine photos of celebrities pasted on the walls and only had one light.

Back in Sydney, I moved into my Dulwich Hill apartment, in this small room, which was just right for me. I didn’t have a lot of stuff and it was furnished, so I didn’t mind the size. It had everything I needed: a nice kitchen, a washing machine and good location near the grocery store and train station. I stayed here for 4 months and was sad to leave it!

After moving out of my apartment and before going traveling, I stayed in Coogee in the spare room of my friend Flo’s house. I had a blast walking down to the beach, making pizzas for dinner and hanging out with my friends.

The night before leaving for my outback trip, I stayed at Alice Springs’ Haven Backpackers Hostel. I wasn’t impressed with the hostel staff, but I had a decent night’s sleep before waking up at the crack of dawn.

I’ve been camping before, but not like this. At Uluru (pictured) and Kings Creek Station, we all slept in swags, which are essentially body bags with sleeping bags inside, set right into the dirt. Not the best nights’ sleep I’ve ever had, to say the least.

On the other hand, my best night’s sleep was at an underground hostel in Coober Pedy. What more could I ask for? Complete darkness, coolness and no sound.

On the second time in Adelaide, I switched it up by staying at Backpack Oz’s Guest House. It had a tv and a double bed and gave me the chance to catch on sleep after those rough nights in the outback.

Newcastle YHA had a lot of charm, since it was built in an old hospital, but I wasn’t happy to have a top bunk, especially since the room had bugs that flew around the windows and ceiling.

I could have died happy at Ozzie Pozzie in Port Macquarie. The rooms were a good size, the beds were comfortable and there was plenty of room for my backpack. It had free Internet, breakfast and pizza nights.

Byron Bay’s Arts Factory Lodge was one of the more unique places I stayed, but this room was pretty small. Something was wrong with the keys and sometimes they would work and others they wouldn’t.

This small messy room was my digs in Surfers Paradise at Aquarius. It wasn’t my favorite spot because there was barely room to unpack your bag, but the common area had a big couch, TV and DVD library, which made up for it.

I got comfortable at Banana Benders in Brisbane, where I spent en entire week! It had a porch with a view of suburban Brisbane that I fell in love with.

Flat Caitlin poses in this bed at Nomads in Noosa, where I stayed for 3 nights in a 8 bed dorm with all guys. Thank God they were comfortable beds!

I apparently didn’t take a picture of this myself, so it’s borrowed from their website, but in the Whitsundays, I spent two fuzzy nights on a boat. My bed was the top right across from the ladder, above a couple. Awkward, to say the least.

Two hours from Cairns, on the Great Barrier Reef, I spent a night on a scuba diving boat. The 4-share cabin was tiny, but it had decent mattresses and turned out to be better than some hostels I stayed at!

January 5, 2012 | Categories: Australia, backpacking, hostels, photo friday | 7 Comments »

Travel Writing Round Up [January 2012]

If you saw the last few editions of  Travel Writing Round Up, welcome back! There are a lot of great opportunities this month, so I hope you will take full advantage of them. A lot are repeats from last month as well, but new posts are denoted with stars. I have checked all the links to ensure that they are still valid, but please let me know if I have missed one. Feel free to shoot me an email at caroline.eubanks@gmail.com. I’ve also created an open Google Document where you can add writing opportunities if you see them throughout the month, or take down ones you know have expired.

Paying Markets

Web

  • Matador Network: As one of the top travel magazines on the web, they’re always looking for content, but they’re pretty picky. Find out what they’re looking for on the Bounty Board or submit your own ideas. If they are interested in your article, you will be compensated with $25.
  • BootsNAll Travel Network: BootsNAll offers writers the chance to get their writing published, even if they don’t get paid, through the Traveler Article program. For features, essays and expert traveler articles, you can be paid between $20-50 for your work.
  • Do It While You’re Young: This blog is everything a girl needs to know about travel. They are looking for posts in the following areas: Destination Details, Reader Perspective, Hotel Aficionado, Six Months Out and Trip Review. You will be generously compensated with a $5 Amazon gift card per article. *For Destination Details for Latin America, Asia, Africa and other lesser-known destinations, they are offering $10 Amazon gift cards and $20 for stories on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
  • The Travel Belles: This sassy Southern blog is looking for posts ranging in length from 400-1200 words about first-person experiences that don’t sound like they were copy and pasted from a brochure. They pay $10 per article via PayPal.
  • Go Nomad: The website needs features and destination guides about places in the United States and South America. They pay $25 for 1500-1700 word articles and pays on publication. They accept reprints. You can check out their writer’s guidelines for more details.
  • Lost Girls World: The girls’ website has exploded since the release of their book and now is as good a time as ever to write for them. Contributions must be between 500-1,500 words and apply to the mostly female audience of the site. Their posts often get picked up for the Huffington Post and in-flight magazines. They now pay $12 for specific Destination Guides and “How to Pitch To…” series.
  • Unanchor: This new website is seeking people to create itineraries for various cities across the country and will pay you according to sales of your itinerary. *Note: Unanchor is changing the way they pay their writers. Learn more about it here.
  • Go Overseas: A great resource to study and work abroad travelers looks for posts less than 1000 words about life overseas. They pay $25 via PayPal upon publication.
  • GoMad NoMad Magazine: This online magazine is looking to pay $25 for articles on lesser-known destinations, posts from the road and practical travel advice.
  • Galavanting: Kim Mance and her crew are looking for features and blogs on girlfriend getaways and female travel, from 200-1000 words.
  • Epic Thrills: This blog is focused on adventure travel, so posts should be geared towards it, less than 800 words.
  • World Hum: Easily the best website for quality travel writing, World Hum closed its submissions for a while when they were dealing with the Travel Channel buyout, but are now looking for new content. See your name next to the likes of Rick Steves, Don George and Rolf Potts.
  • In the Know Traveler: This website pays $10 for features and $3 for blog posts on almost any travel topic.
  • Perceptive Travel: Editor Tim Leffel runs a tight ship over on this webzine, which only accepts work from published book authors. This probably applies to a small percentage, but if your story is accepted, payment is $100.
  • World Nomads: As one of the most recognized travel insurance brands, World Nomads has a strong following on its Ask a Nomad app as well as its blogs. Their posts are 650-1200 words and pay $30 AUD. Content should be about travel tips, off the beaten path destinations, responsible travel and working holidays.
  • The Traveler’s Way: This new travel website is looking for frequent contributors who can commit to 2-3 articles per month on inspirational and informative travel articles for the Baby Boomer travelers. Articles should be 800-1,200 words in length for features with at least one photo. Payment is $30 via PayPal. Contact maryjo@thetravelersway.com if interested.
  • Tripbase: This popular industry blog is looking for writers on the topics of family, fun, history and food. Articles should be 800-1,000 words in length and pay $30, but must include photos. Apply through their website and submit a trial article before being accepted.
  • *Transitions Abroad: This long-time resource for those moving abroad is looking for articles on long-term travel, teaching English abroad and cultural immersion and pays $50-150 via PayPal. *I was informed that TA is no longer producing a print edition.
  • *CityPath San Francisco: Lost Girl Amanda Pressner is looking for locals and San Francisco experts to write about new places for $50 and round ups for $125. Email amandap@citypath.com for more details.
  • *The Expeditioner: This travel website wants first-person travel narratives and tips for its growing website, between 1,000 and 1,300 words. Writers will be compensated $30 or according to experience. Past writers have been featured in their book.

Print

  • Westjet Up! Magazine: Canadian airline Westjet has a great in-flight magazine that focuses on destinations in North America and the Caribbean. Payment ranges from $150 and up, depending on length. Check out the contributor guidelines for complete details.
  • Wild Blue Yonder Magazine: Frontier Airlines’ in-flight magazine takes the approach of “true to travel.” They are looking for articles between 200 and 2,000 words for their True Traveler city guides, dining guides, service articles and feature articles.
  • Delta Sky Magazine: They’re looking for travel and lifestyle & business features ranging from 600-2,000 words. Note that there is a four month lead time for this publication.
  • Go Magazine: AirTran’s in-flight magazine seeks destination-lead features, 1,200-1,400 words, which highlights a destination that AirTran flies to. They also accept pitches for On the Town, 400-900 word stories about a destination, celebrity cover stories and business stories.
  • EnRoute Magazine: Air Canada’s in-flight magazine has a variety of sections that freelancers can cover from 500-1500 words. See the website for descriptions of each section. Payment is $1 Canadian per word, with payment upon acceptance.
  • The Australian Way: Qantas’ in-flight magazine is looking for features on their destinations, ranging in length between 500-1500 words
  • Get Lost: This Australian glossy travel magazine features some great photos and is always on the lookout for writers.
  • Verge Magazine: This new Canadian magazine focuses on volunteering and travel with a purpose. Rates for first-time contributors start at $0.10 CAD per word. Shorter pieces should be around 800 words while features range between 200-2500 words.
  • Wend Magazine: Wend focuses on adventure travel and sports. Article length ranges by department, but should be between 150 and 3500 words. Pay also ranges by department, but is between $100-1300.
  • Outside Magazine: While their focus is outdoors and sports, Outside also publishes travel pieces. They don’t accept contributors for some sections.
  • Nevada Magazine: This publication is focused on Nevada tourism and pays 40-50 cents per word, with most articles ranging in length from 500 to 1,000 words. Web stories are paid a $200 flat rate.

Unpaid Guest Post Opportunities

  • Art of Backpacking: I love doing guest posts for Art of Backpacking because I feel like they “get me.” They are looking for posts that follow their philosophy of covering all aspects of backpacking, from relationships to gear reviews to that song you can’t get out of your head from your hostel. Posts must be at least 400 words.
  • Her Packing List: Female travelers can submit posts about the things they must have when they travel, book reviews, destination packing lists and gear reviews.
  • Nomadic Chick: Jeannie has been offering female travelers the chance to share their stories on her blog for Summer Chick Tales. Check out the editorial calendar to see if your post is the right fit.
  • Indie Travel Podcast: Craig and Linda Martin, the couple behind this award-winning podcast and website, are looking for people to do destination-related posts. Check out their website for more details.
  • Twenty-Something Travel: Stephanie’s blog generally covers the themes of solo female travel, RTW travel and career breaks. She accepts guest posts on travel experiences, as well as photo posts.
  • Y Travel Blog: Caz and Craig have one of the most successful travel sites on the web, so a guest post for them almost guarantees traffic. They’re looking for posts on destinations they haven’t visited yet, namely Eastern Europe, North and West Africa, Central and South America and Antarctica.
  • 48 Hour Adventure: Justin spends a weekend in a city and writes about how much you can see in 48 hours, but he can’t be everywhere, so if you have tips to contribute, send him an email.
  • *The Planet D: Canada’s Adventure Couple wants your stories about what trip or experience changed your life. Stories should be 600-1,000 words, preferably with photos and/or video.
  • *Virgin: Guest bloggers would be in the company of CEO Richard Branson in writing for the company’s blog. Read the guidelines on the website. This opportunity is unpaid, but offers promotion to your site.

Non-Paying Markets

Web

  • On UR Way Travel: This Aussie-run online travel magazine is looking for 3-4 contributors a month to inspire others to travel. There are also opportunities to contribute to the blog in the World Experiences and Weekly Glimpse sections.
  • Vagabondish: This offbeat travel zine is looking for writers to cover three sections of the publication: features, which covers how-tos, social commentary, reviews of about 1,000 words; news + sidelines, covering current issues in 200-300 words; and dispatches, focusing on the travel narrative.
  • Not For Tourists: You have probably heard of their guidebooks, but NFT is increasing their web presence and looking for writers to review restaurants and write longer 1,000+ word features. These opportunities are unpaid, but NFT offers you editor status and “free stuff.”
  • Wanderlust and Lipstick: This well-known women’s travel website is looking for wander tales written by females.
  • *Ravn.com: A subtle mix between deal sites and travel guide, Ravn wants writers to make “playlists” of favorite sights for their featured destinations, including New York City, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC and Boston. Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas and Philadelphia sites are coming soon. Contact Alisha Miranda at alishamiranda.biz@gmail.com for more information.
  • *Life Beacon: This site is currently in beta, but once launched, it is seeking writers for its blog about “adventure sports and travel with an emphasis on safety.” Posts should be under 2,000 words. *I saw something about this site paying on one of the travel bloggers Facebook groups but haven’t found it since, so I put it in unpaid. Please correct me if I’m wrong!

Print

  • S.E.A. Backpacker: This magazine is for backpackers and by backpackers and loves everything about Southeast Asia. You can find copies in hostels throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Bucket-loving writers should submit ideas about destination reviews, backpacker advice, recommended things to do and other topics related to backpacking in Southeast Asia and travel in general. Compensation is not currently being offered. Contact nikki@southeastasiabackpacker.com for more details.

Jobs and Internships

  • *Marketing Intern, Tripping: The new website which allows us to stay and meet up with locals while traveling is seeking a social media-obsessed marketing intern to join its San Francisco-based team. Send enquiries to contact@tripping.com.
  • *Travel Writer, Vacasa Rentals: An Oregon-based vacation rental company is looking for someone to write property descriptions, advertisements, and articles relating to different activities, locations, and restaurants on the Oregon Coast. Hours are flexible, and both full and part time applicants will be considered.
  • *Senior Editor, Inflight Travel Title (name withheld): A premier in-flight magazine for a US airline wants a senior editor with at least three years’ experience. Along with your resume and cover letter, please submit your salary requirements and two recent writing clips to orion@ink-global.com.
  • *Writer/Photographer, Party Earth: The authority on nightlife in the US and Europe wants writers and photographers for its website as it expands to new cities. Current cities include New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, Amsterdam, London and more.

Inspiration

Helpful Links

*This is where I take most of my job and freelance listings from, so feel free to check them out.

  • Writers Weekly, an e-zine with freelance listings, as well as other resources for writers
  • Freelance Writing Gigs, another weekly listing of freelance opportunities in all fields, including copywriting, ghost writing, journalism and blogging
  • Media Bistro, the go-to site for all things media, with classes on everything from InDesign to PR to travel writing, as well as job listings and “how to pitch to” guides
  • Journalism Jobs has listings for all ranges of journalism, from the small town newspaper to the Associated Press
  • Media Kitty brings together PR and travel journalists for what they call “trippy journalism,” with job listings, press releases and press trip announcements

Now get writing.

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January 3, 2012 | Categories: jobs, travel, writing | Tags: | Leave A Comment »

2011: My Year in Review

How do I even begin to describe this year? I’m still processing it myself, so this post will serve as a Cliffs Notes version of my year, in case you missed it. I will be getting into what’s next for me in future notes, but for now, sit back, relax and relive my year Down Under!

January: I spent most of the month working and counting down the days until my departure. I celebrated my father’s 50th birthday with friends and family while also saying goodbye. I left on January 20th to spend a few days in Los Angeles before the long-haul flight to Australia. I spent my first night at USA Hostels in Hollywood before couchsurfing with a girl in La Brea. In my few days there, I had a tweetup with Jade and Bob of Vagabond 3 and Rebecca of Travels at 88 MPH and took a film noir tour of the city with Esotouric Tours. I landed in Sydney on January 25th, overwhelmed by a new country and a new relationship. I celebrated my first Australia Day nonchalantly, by lying in the pool all day to avoid the unbearable heat. I went to my first Travel Massive, where I met the people who would give me advice on adjusting to life in Australia. Tommy took me to the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters and get out of the city for the day.

February: Tommy and I left for a whirlwind tour of southeastern Australia. From Sydney, we stopped in Canberra for a few days to catch up with friends we met in Europe, soak up the capital and break up the long drive to Melbourne. I was excited about Melbourne, but our stay there was not what you could call pleasant after our hostel and car got flooded, stranding us without power and a way out of town for a week. Thankfully, friends of Tommy let us stay with them until his car could be fixed, which meant we got to see more of Melbourne than originally planned.  Once the car situation was sorted out, we decided to continue on to the Great Ocean Road, which I heard was the best part of the country and I wasn’t disappointed. Since we had come this far, we threw Adelaide into the itinerary and our visit coincided with the annual Fringe Festival, where we got the chance to see one of the performances. From there, we took a day trip to Kangaroo Island, where we didn’t actually see any kangaroos.

March: After too much time freeloading off Tommy and his dad, I started handing out resumes all over town and signed up for my RSA course, a requirement to work in bars and restaurants in Australia. Within an hour of getting my certificate, I had landed myself an interview at what would become my job for the next six months and where I would make some of my best friends. I witnessed the insanity of Sydney Mardi Gras. I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with my American expat mates. I also moved into my apartment in Marrickville with my two Aussie flatmates.

April: I settled into a routine, becoming a regular at cafes in Newtown and Marrickville and reading the travel sections in the newspaper over a cup of tea. I went on a day tour of the Hunter Valley, which covered Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park as well as a few vineyards in the valley. Tommy took me to my first AFL game, Sydney Swans vs. Geelong Cats, and I still can’t say I fully understand the sport. I just barely survived working ANZAC Day, also known as Australia’s biggest drinking holiday.

May: We took a few day trips, including one to Palm Beach, the filming location for Home and Away. I came down with dysentery in a “developed” country, go figure. I saw my idol, Anthony Bourdain, at the Sydney Writers Festival.

June: I flew to Hawaii to meet up with my sisters and mom for my youngest sister’s sixteenth birthday trip. We spent two weeks catching up, eating, drinking, hiking and tanning all over Hawaii, Oahu and Kauai. Tommy and I took a day trip to the southern coastal town of Kiama, known for tasty fish and chips and the blowhole.

July: I celebrated American Independence Day with more American expats at a bar in the city, complete with Miller beers and authentic New Orleans-style gumbo. I celebrated my 23rd birthday by working for 12 hours and going for drinks with my coworkers. Christine and Joey, two of my best (and recently engaged!) friends visited me in Sydney for a few days and I got to show them around.

August: I spent time with my friend in Coogee, discovering new cafes in Erskineville and generally working entirely too much.

September: I worked an event for the Australian team in the Rugby World Cup, but I couldn’t tell you who any of the players were. I said goodbye to my job before I went traveling. I stayed with my friend in Coogee before I left for my Outback trip. My Groovy Grape tour took me from Alice Springs through Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon before looping down through Coober Pedy to Adelaide. After a week recovering in Sydney, I took the Greyhound bus to Newcastle and Port Macquarie.

October: What was supposed to be warm and sunny on the New South Wales coast was instead rainy and cold. Maybe that’s why I didn’t fall for Coffs Harbour, but I did have a great surf lesson there. Byron Bay and neighboring Nimbin were next, full of hippies  and Surfers Paradise was not my idea of paradise, but might be if you’re into Jersey Shore/bachelor parties/spring break-style shenanigans. I felt at home in Brisbane and could have spent more than a week there. Noosa didn’t have quite as much to offer, nor did Rainbow Beach, but I enjoyed my time in both towns. Fraser Island was far from my favorite stop of the trip, as you already know, but that’s the way traveling goes. You’re not going to love everything. Agnes Water and the Town of 1770, however, were a pleasant surprise, with cheap surfing, nice beaches and the Scooteroo tours. The night bus from Agnes Water to Airlie Beach nearly killed me, leaving at 9 p.m. and arriving at 7 a.m. I was finally in the tropical climate, leaving the hoodie I needed in New South Wales at the bottom of my backpack. The Whitsundays were surreal, with the most blue waters I’ve ever seen. Every day was eat, drink, snorkel, sleep. Townsville wasn’t much to look at to an outsider, but I was lucky enough to have a local show me around and I had one of the craziest Halloweens of my life, which is saying a lot, considering the holiday is like a religion back home.

November: Magnetic Island was one of the only places I planned on going the entire trip. I knew I wanted to stay at the Bungalow Bay Koala Village and get to hold my spirit animal, which I did. I also scootered around the island and went for a few swims without getting stung by any jellyfish. I stopped in Mission Beach on the way to Cairns because I sensed I wasn’t quite ready for the city’s party reputation. I spent three days in the hurricane-ravaged town cooking myself proper meals, catching up on blog posts and making a new feline friend. Cairns was even hotter than I expected and I stayed in quite possibly, the worst hostel I’ve ever seen. I got out of there as soon as I could with an overnight trip to Cape Tribulation, where it rained on and off the entire time. I did see crocodiles, kangaroos, emus and cassowaries up close, though. Back in Cairns, I took a scuba diving course and went on the ill-fated pub crawl. The icing on the cake was bungy jumping on my final day in town. I got back to Sydney sunburnt, broke and exhausted. Thankfully, I still had time for a day at Cronulla, dinner with friends, a costume party with work mates, Christmas shopping, a trip to Cockatoo Island, one final Travel Massive, the Bridge Climb, a tour of the Sydney Opera House and a painful goodbye with Tommy.

December: I never thought I’d make it home but after two delayed flights and over 20 hours on a plane, I crashed in my newly painted room and slept for most of a day. I caught up with friends and family and started working part time the next week to save up for future travels. My family and I visited Boone, North Carolina for my sister’s college graduation. It feels like I was just in her position. I’m now trying to figure out what’s next for me.

So until I figure that out, enjoy this video, with even more photos from my year. You didn’t think this was it, right? :)

December 31, 2011 | Categories: Australia, backpacking | 5 Comments »

What I Read in 2011

Books

Photo Credit: Henry Bloomfield

I can’t believe how many books I read while traveling and Kristin of Camels and Chocolate’s post “Out At Sea: What I Read” inspired me to talk about all the books I could recommend from this year, all 35 of them (and counting). Anyone who traveled with me for more than a day can attest to how quickly I go through books. Between my e-reader dying and the dozens of hostel book exchanges, I definitely got through them.

Travel

  • Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?, Thomas Kohnstamm: I had heard about this book before and in all honesty, it didn’t ruin guidebooks for me. It’s all a part of what I already knew about writers. We don’t get paid hardly anything but we’re supposed to produce exceptional work? It was especially funny to read before the Lonely Planet biography Unlikely Destinations (see below). Sadly, my copy of this book was lost in the mail when I sent it back home.
  • Me, Myself and Prague, Rachel Weiss: Tommy bought me this book about a 40-something woman from Sydney who picks up her life and moves to her father’s apartment in Prague. It takes a decidedly different path than Eat, Pray, Love, for those who wanted a more independent heroine.
  • Unlikely Destinations, Tony and Maureen Wheeler: Sammi’s friend Evan QG gave me this book, which turned out to be a signed copy, that he bought for $2 at a used bookstore. I LOVED this book and honestly believe every travelholic should read it, regardless of what you think about Lonely Planet. It talks about their travels and their struggle to go from having 23 cents in their pockets to owning one of the most successful companies in the world.
  • Vagabonding, Rolf Potts: I bought Sammi this book for Christmas, but knew I needed my own copy. It’s like the travel guru’s guide to this lifestyle I have just become a part of. It has resources on every question you could possibly have about long-term travel and pushes you over the edge to go after what you’ve always wanted to do.
  • Down Under (published as In A Sunburned Country in the US), Bill Bryson: I read this book last summer in Thailand and decided to read it again now that I’ve seen the places described firsthand. Bryson is always entertaining, especially in describing desolate Outback towns and funny facts about the country. For instance, did you know that in the 1960s, the prime minister Harold Holt, who could not swim, went swimming in Victoria and was never seen again? He also has a swimming pool named in his memory…
  • A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson: I borrowed this from Sammi while in Hawaii. While I’m not the outdoorsy one of the family, Bryson’s account almost made me want to hike the Appalachian Trail. Almost.
  • The Best of UnBrave Girl, Sally L. Thelen: I downloaded Sally’s e-book for my Kobo and read it often on the way to work. People on my train may have thought I had Tourette’s for all the random giggles while reading it. It covers her life teaching in Asia, with some of the best posts from her blog, Unbrave Girl.
  • Best American Travel Writing of 2007, Ed. Susan Orlean: My mom mailed me this book, of which I have read other editions, but this anthology in particular had me captivated. Between the foretelling story of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi to Uruguayan rugby player Nando Parrado’s tale of survival in the Andes, this is one I couldn’t put down.
  • Going Postal, Nathan Millward: I had my eye on this book for quite some time but eventually picked it up at a thrift store for $2.50 before my flight home. I had a lot in common with its author, since we both spent time in Australia and tried to figure out a way to stay. But Millward’s path home was an unusual one: on postal bike overland through Southeast Asia, Russia and Europe before finally getting home to England.
  • Marco Polo Didn’t Go There, Rolf Potts: I am now reading my second of Potts’ books, this being an anthology of articles he has written with notes at the end, describing why he left parts of the story in, why he took parts out and what really happened behind the scenes. I found it interesting to read his thought processes, a must for budding travel writers.

Chick Lit

  • The Carrie Diaries, Candice Bushnell: I may or may not have stolen this book from my Adelaide hostel’s book exchange when I ran out of things to read. It was a quick read, but I definitely enjoyed it. It shows more maturity than you would expect for a tween book, but after all, this is a prequel to Sex and the City.
  • The Other Side of the Story, Marian Keyes: It’s a 600+ page chick lit book, but an easy read for the train. I always like the interwoven stories and this was no exception. Not too deep, but I don’t need much depth from my chick lit.
  • The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger: I picked this one up for $1.50 at Vinnie’s. I may just like it better than the movie. It has a lot more to do with the climb from nobody to writer, which I sympathize with more than the Anne Hathaway movie character. But I still picture Adrian Grenier as her boyfriend.
  • Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Helen Fielding: Decidedly unlike the movie version, I purchased this book for $1.50 at my local Vinnies. Much more plot than the movie, but that’s a good thing.
  • Summer and the City, Candace Bushnell: The next book following The Carrie Diaries, this book describes the summer Carrie spends in a writing program, becoming friends with Samantha and Miranda. An excellent follow-up.
  • This Charming Man, Marian Keyes: I almost read this book on the Melbourne road trip, until the flood molded it. I bought another copy for $7.00 in Hawaii and read it in a few days. It seems like a typical chick lit book, but has a domestic violence story line that makes it even more interesting. Probably my favorite so far of Keyes’ books.
  • Sisterhood Everlasting, Ann Brashares: Sammi told me about this book and I can honestly say it’s not what I expected. The earlier books in the series have serious moments, but are light-hearted at their core. This book is significantly more intense and grown-up, to suit the characters, ten years after the last book. I’m still deciding how I feel about it, but I recommend reading to find out for yourself, especially if you grew up reading the series.
  • The Castaways, Elin Hilderbrand: It’s a beach read mom bought to read in Hawaii that I took back to Australia so I wouldn’t spend so much money on books (even though I still have). It’s about 4 couples living in Nantucket, whose lives are all intertwined in a friendcestuous way, until one couple dies in a tragic accident and they all have to figure out what happened to them and where to go next. It’s not really my style.
  • Rachel’s Holiday, Marian Keyes: Not my favorite of Keyes’ books because I found Rachel to be very annoying. It’s about a girl who accidentally almost kills herself and ends up in rehab after estranging her family, roommate and boyfriend. She learns to love her fellow “inmates” and gets her life back on track. Predictable, to say the least.
  • Everyone Worth Knowing, Lauren Weisberger: Super annoying ending, but otherwise a good read. Girl quits job to work for PR firm which runs all the hottest nightclubs in New York. Predictably, she becomes a little too involved in the nightlife scene and ends up losing herself.
  • No, I Don’t Want to Join a Book Club, Virginia Ironside: I liked the cover illustration so I bought this book, but it’s not your typical chick lit, as the main character is an elderly woman dealing with her best friends’ death and the birth of her first grandchild, all while trying to decide if she’s too old for the hanky panky. It’s like an older Bridget Jones, with many funny moments.
  • The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Rebecca Miller: Another hostel find, this book was significantly better than I expected. It has plot twists and goes from happy to sad to pensive, just like the title character.
  • Last Night at Chateau Marmont, Lauren Weisberger: My least favorite of Weisberger’s novels. Girl’s husband becomes famous, so she now has to deal with groupies, paparazzi and rumors of a sordid affair. Predictable from start to finish. Skip this one and read Chasing Harry Winston instead.

Novels

  • Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishguro: I wanted to read this book before I found out it was becoming a movie. It’s the only one I’ve paid full price for on this trip (at $22 it may be the last). It’s a haunting story about organ donations and what makes us human. I didn’t find the movie quite as good, but if you saw it, you should definitely read the book to fully understand the story.
  • A Long Way Down, Nick Hornby: I borrowed this one from my roomies. It’s about a bunch of people who go to the top of a London building on New Years Eve to jump off, but decide not to and form an unlikely friendship. I like Hornby, but this was hit or miss for me.
  • The Beach, Alex Garland: I can’t believe I hadn’t read this book sooner. I read it while I was on Fraser Island, which had ironic timing. Richard is a traveler searching for the authentic, so he leaves Bangkok for a secret beach, where his fellow islanders take on a Lord of the Flies style power struggle. Graphic in many parts, but it was worth reading.
  • The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald: This is my favorite classic and I’ve read it dozens of times, so when I saw it at a book exchange, I picked it up and finished it within a day. If you haven’t read it, I can’t talk to you. But really, read it before the new Baz Luhrmann film ruins it.
  • The Help, Kathryn Stockett: I was so behind on reading this book, but I got to it before the movie came out. I love Stockett’s representation of 1960s Mississippi and heroine Skeeter Phelan’s decision to write a book about black maids in a segregated South. A must read.
  • One Day, David Nicholls: This is a contender for my FAVORITE book I read this year. I was unsure about the concept of a guy and girl meeting at their college graduation and following them through life on the same day every year, but it works. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but from what I’ve heard I shouldn’t. I highly recommend, but keep the tissues handy.
  • The Slap, Christos Tsiolkas: This novel was recently turned into an Australian miniseries and I couldn’t put it down. Each chapter is about each character’s perspective surrounding a family barbecue where someone slaps someone else’s child. Lots of cheating, lying, racial tensions and intrigue happening in the Melbourne ‘burbs, but an interesting read to be sure.

Non-Fiction

  • Dead Man Running, Ross Coulthart and Duncan McNab: An interesting read borrowed from Tommy. It’s the true story of a guy who went from being a Bandido bikie ally to a police informant. Not the smartest move, wouldn’t you say? I know there are motorcycle gangs in the States, but nothing like here.
  • Brothers in Arms, Lindsay Simpson and Sandra Harvey: Another bikie book (I know, I know), this one is about a Father’s Day massacre between the rivaling Bandido and Comanchero motorcycle clubs in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown.
  • Lies Chelsea Handler Told Me, Chelsea Handler and Friends: I have an affinity for all things Chelsea and this was no different, even though she did not write it herself. This is the memoirs of her friends, family and co-workers who have had to suffer her pranks and lies. It made for a funny read. I feel sorry for them!
  • Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer: I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book, since it was released over ten years ago and a movie was made since. It tells the story of Chris McCandless’ sojourn into the Alaskan wilderness and his ultimate demise. I can’t help but feel a kinship with someone who leaves his comfortable lifestyle in search of adventure. If you haven’t read it yet, go out and immediately buy it.

Anything I should have read this year that I didn’t?

December 28, 2011 | Categories: books, travel | 9 Comments »

Photo Essay: Christmas in Sydney

While I’m no longer in Sydney, the city was already getting ready for Christmas. I saw one particular bus decked out inside and out for Christmas, with tinsel lining on the railings and pictures of Santa taped on the windows. It’s a funny place to have Christmas since it’s summer down in the Southern Hemisphere. I’ve seen so many pictures of the Christmas Day Bondi Beach party, but seeing the preparations firsthand were entertaining.

I love how involved the city gets for Christmas, considering how politically correct the United States tries to be. It’s all “happy holidays” back home. Sydney puts up a Christmas tree right outside the New South Wales Parliament in Martin Place.

Even the pubs get dressed up for the holidays. The Australian in the Rocks is a super old pub that has excellent pizzas and a nice selection of beer. I love the garland it has above the outdoor sating.

Three Wise Monkeys Pub on George Street likes to dress up the monkeys for special occasions like the Rugby World Cup finals and now as sneaky Santas.

Here is the aforementioned Christmas tree in Martin Place. This picture was taken while they were still putting it up but since they’ve added lights and there’s always people posing in front of it. I also wish I had gotten pictures of Town Hall lit up, but didn’t get the chance. Oh well. I hope you enjoyed the festive pictures!

Merry Christmas from Caroline in the City.

December 25, 2011 | Categories: Australia, Christmas, photo friday, Sydney | 1 Comment »

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