During these COVID times, we are all restricted in what we can do! But, nothing is stopping you doing some of things I did in Australia! These experiences made me feel good – I hope they make you feel good too!
Byron Bay, New South Wales
For those who live close to Byron Bay, it’s easy to enjoy this beautiful spot with long golden sands, stretching for miles and crystal clear blue water lapping the shoreline. And to those people, I am slightly envious!
Take a walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse with stunning views out to sea. The walk from town will blow the cobwebs away and, if you’re lucky, you might just see dolphins and turtles from your vantage point – a magical experience and one that’s guaranteed to make you smile! Or, experience the thrill of horseriding on the beach. It’s a fabulous activity to do, especially when you can ride along the beach with the wind in your hair, the pounding of the hooves in your ears and the salty air bringing happy tears to your eyes! If neither of those things appeal to you, simply wandering along the beach feeling the sand under your feet can beat the blues any day!
Only 13 km from Adelaide’s city centre, Belair National Park is a place of natural beauty – that in itself may keep your stress levels at bay! There is lots to do here – biking, walking, horseriding or orienteering. You could do what I did and take a picnic and spend time with your family – the kids will love the play areas! Belair is also a photographer’s candy shop with plenty of opportunities for you to snap away! You’ll find a wide variety of flowers and trees and lots of wildlife too – if you’re walking you might come across kangaroos and emus. And, look out for koalas resting in the trees above.
Not far from Adelaide, Cleland Wildlife Park is probably the best wildlife park I have ever been to in Australia. Over 35 hectares of bush-land, you’ll have the company of kangaroos, emus and wombats which roam freely around the park. It’s a relaxed environment with animals all around you. You can get quite close the animals, as they are adapted to the park setting, which means you can feed them too! It’s said that petting animals releases feel-good hormones! Visiting Cleland makes for a lovely day out – take your time exploring and enjoy the animals and the calm surroundings.
Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
After a very sober New Year’s Eve, surrounded by thousands of people in Melbourne, I took a welcome trip to the Dandenong Ranges. If you love nature, you’ll love this place! Tall Mountain Ash trees form the forest all around you and, apart from the odd walker or runner, it feels like you have it all to yourself. It’s so peaceful there with only the sounds of nature to accompany you, it’s such a nice feeling away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Another natural beauty is the town of 1770, so called because it was in the year 1770 that Captain James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour made their second landing on the eastern shores of Australia. A perfect beach for running, walking or just chilling out. Do some surfing, have a picnic, or go on a boat trip, but if you just want to relax, 1770 is a great place to take in the views and just be – something we all could benefit from now and again.
These were only a few of the places I visited when I was in Australia and I remember every one made me feel good. Just being out in the fresh air, walking among the trees or along the beach put a smile on my face. 🙂
For more travels around Australia, check out these posts..
Last year, I took a trip to Portugal to attend one of my best friend’s wedding.
When I lived in Thailand, I missed out on a lot of these happy events because I was so far away, so being able to go to a wedding at last made me happy.
There were a few of us who flew into Faro, but we all chose to stay in different areas, just coming together for the special day. I stayed at the Alfamar Beach and Sport Resort right by Praia da Falesia beach, which is between Albufeira and Vilamoura, and I spent the first day soaking up the rays.
Access to the beach was just a short walk from the resort.
I was soon ensconced on the sand.
Praia da Falesia means “Cliff Beach” and it’s obvious where it gets its name from. These high cliffs, that run the length of the beach, are different shades of red and white. With the green vegetation that grows at the top and the sandy beach at the bottom, the cliffs provide a dramatic view.
The cliffs are made of sand and clay, so when it rains, the erosion forms small cones of sand at the base.
You can also see different dune plants that are hardy enough to be able to thrive in this environment. I thought it was such a lovely place to relax, which is what I did for a while.
When I got too hot, I took a walk up the beach and felt the coolness of the Atlantic wash over my feet.
I like swimming in the sea, but it was a bit too cool for my liking – I had a quick dip before retreating for the sun to warm me again.
The hotel had a swimming pool, but I have always preferred the beach. I love sitting there reading my book and watching the world go by. Which do you prefer?
The thing I love the most is the sound of the sea crashing onto the sand, it’s mesmerising.
When I see a boat go passed in the distance, I get to wondering where they are going! (Just me? 😉 )
I had a lovely day by myself on the beach – it was a gorgeous setting for my first day in Portugal!
Chris and I took a day trip to Krabi, a little over 782 km from Bangkok. A long way to go for a day trip, especially as we were only going for lunch!
We’ve had some crazy ideas in the past, but this has got to be the craziest. (Until, we do it again somewhere in Europe that is!)
I’d gone round to Chris’ house one day for a few drinks and we started talking about how great it would be to take a day trip somewhere. We decided on Krabi and a few more drinks later, we took the bull by the horns, and just booked it, all for the ridiculously cheap price of around £20.
The day arrived. We met at the skytrain at 6.30 a.m, made our way to the airport, and at 8.55 a.m took off on our way south.
Excited!
We arrived in Krabi at 10.15 a.m and went looking for the market, so we could start our day with food in our bellies. We had Massaman, a Thai dish with chicken, potatoes, onions, peanuts and a combination of spices. It’s so tasty, we had 2 rounds along with a plate (or 2) of catfish.
Catfish. Photo credit: Chris Wotton
Chicken Massaman. Photo credit: Chris Wotton
Once fed and watered, we took a songthaew to Ao Nang beach.
The way to the beach!
Ao Nang has a laid-back vibe filled with many restaurants and shops along its short promenade. It also has the most beautiful stretch of sand, flanked by gorgeous cliffs, palm trees, and blue water with views out to Koh Poda.
Apart from lunch, another thing on our agenda was to paddle in the sea. The feeling of the cool water on our feet was refreshing. We wished we had taken our swimming gear because the ocean was inviting us in for a dip!
After a while, we headed off in the direction of the nearest bar. One with a rooftop, so we could sit and enjoy the views with our afternoon drinks. It was heaven!
We soon moved to a new bar with equally fabulous views out over the water. This day was just perfect.
All too soon, our day trip to Krabi was coming to an end. We went back to Krabi town and then caught the bus back to the airport.
Once back in Bangkok, we took a taxi to Devilish, one of our favourite hang-out places, and had a late night dinner. We talked about our day and realised we had travelled 1,600 km and been out for 17 hours!
It was one of the best days out I’ve ever had. Mind you, it took a good few days to get over it! But, it was worth it and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
When you think of Blackpool, it might conjure up images of a busy seaside resort with plenty of people enjoying their time there. Whether that’s at the Pleasure Beach or having fun in the amusement arcades – it’s a busy place.
But, on a chilly May day last year, I found a more serene town with a whole heap of photographic subjects.
There were gulls in the sea water pools chilling..
Or flying down to take a seat..
Or pondering its next move..
There were people walking, going about their day..
There were empty beaches..
And piers..
North Pier
Close up
Blackpool’s iconic tower..
Blackpool Tower
And, finally, the Comedy Carpet – one of the largest pieces of art in the UK..
Comedy Carpet
I hope you enjoyed these images of a very serene Blackpool town 🙂
Last May, I took a trip to Fleetwood with my sister and my niece.
One day, we went to Lytham St Annes and we walked on the beach. As well as keeping my little 4 year old niece amused, we made it our mission to walk out to the sea.
As we walk away from the promenade, views of the piers and beach huts on either side of us..
The RNLI Lifeboat Station on guard for anyone who needs their help..
RNLI Lifeboat Station
We walk along the sandy expanse, relatively empty save for some folks we meet along the way..
The promenade gets smaller..
Lytham St Annes
But, there’s always the zoom for close up views..
St Annes Pier
Finding things on the way..
Not quite sure what this structure is, maybe some sort of breakwater..
Colour
Black & White
Colour or Black & White?
Further out still..
View of the promenade
What’s that over there?
Look!
Workers working on the shoreline?
Diggers and trucks
Or, hazy views?
Writing in the sand..
Writing in the sand
We walk for at least 30 minutes and still no sea..
A watery mirage
Apparently, the sea here goes out very far and comes in very quickly, so if you plan to walk the sands in Lytham St Annes, you must know the time of the tides.
We gave up in the end, turned around, and walked back towards the promenade.
Even though we didn’t make it to the sea, it was good exercise and we had a lovely time together.
Have you been to Lytham St Annes? What did you do there?
After leaving Bangkok on 18th December last year, I spent 10 days on the shores of Hikkaduwa on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka.
Since first visiting Sri Lanka in 1993, this place has always been a favourite destination of mine. I just love the culture and the people and it’s one of the most fascinating and beautiful places I have ever been to.
At the airport, I was picked up by my driver, Sameera, and we drove 2 hours south to Hikkaduwa on the west coast. Not only does Sameera do airport runs, but he also offers tours all around Sri Lanka. Check out Sameeratours if you are considering visiting.
I arrived at my guest house, got changed and walked all of 3 seconds to Funky de Bar where my friend works. It was so nice to sit down with the Indian Ocean in front of me, devouring devilled prawns, washed down with a glass of refreshing white wine.
Devilled prawns
And that’s where I stayed for the rest of the day watching the surfers ride the waves and the stunning sunset in the sky. Let me tell you that the waves in Hikkaduwa are big which is why the place is so popular with surfers. Mere mortals like you and me, beware – there are dangerous rip tides close to shore plus the waves can whip your legs out from under you and trap you in their watery embrace. Take it from someone who has experienced it – I felt like I was in a washing machine (not that I have ever been in a washing machine), but it wasn’t a very pleasant experience and I was coughing up salt water for a while afterwards! I had to sit back down on the beach and calm myself!
Funky de Bar, Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa surfers
Hikkaduwa sunsets
The next day, I wrote some articles and in the evening I went to the Bookworm Library for Sri Lankan curry. I had been here the previous January, so I knew of this small place and I knew that the food is absolutely divine. Small plates of delectableness – jack fruit curry, lentils, potato curry, pumpkin curry and, my absolute favourite, aubergine curry. I love this place so much, I went 5 nights out of 10!
Sri Lankan curry
First to arrive for Sri Lankan curry
The Bookworm Library
Thursday was Funky de Bar’s weekly party where everyone has a fun night dancing and listening to music, loud enough so your heart feels like it’s going to burst out of your chest. Funky de Bar on Thursdays is the busiest bar along this stretch of beach – you see the same old faces all out for a good time. It’s lots of fun!
The following day, I took a walk to a restaurant called Sunset because I’d heard their sandwiches were really good. I ordered a chicken sandwich, but it was far from delicious. It didn’t even look that nice. Two limp pieces of white, unbuttered bread with small, diced bits of chicken and not even enough meat to fill it. It was so disappointing. I found out later, you need to ask for a Jaffle – which is the Sri Lankan version of a toastie and much tastier!
Sunset restaurant
The next few days were spent much the same, writing in the morning, afternoons on the beach and dinner and drinks in the evening. It really is such a lovely way of life – if only we didn’t have to work to earn money!
Hikkaduwa beach
Funky de Bar, Hikkaduwa
Chilling on Hikkaduwa beach
Christmas day arrived and I did exactly the same as I had up until then – work, beach and bar. I was asked later if I minded spending Christmas day on my own and I really didn’t. I love my own company and even though my friend and I had fallen out over a misunderstanding, I was perfectly happy on my own.
Me time!
On the last night and friends again – Nalin and I went for dinner at the Shiny Lakeside Resort for more devilled prawns. It is a lovely spot, although both times I have been here, it’s been dark! Next time, I’ll go during the day, so I can see what the lake actually looks like 😉 Afterwards, we went back to the beach and had a few drinks. It really was a lovely way to spend the last night.
More devilled prawns at Shiny Lake Resort
After all that, I flew back to the UK. Sri Lanka, I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I will! See you next time!
I spent the first few days of 2018 on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, otherwise known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It really is one of my favourite destinations for a number of reasons, the beautiful scenery, the wildlife, the food, and the wonderful hospitality of the Sri Lankan people.
After 7 years, my friend Mark has left Thailand and is currently living in the coastal town of Hikkaduwa on Sri Lanka’s south west coast, and I was lucky enough to stay in the house he has rented.
Dahana Holiday House
And what a house it was! Dahana Holiday House is something else. A gorgeous villa with an exquisite garden with green grass, vibrant flowers, many species of trees and plants, and daily visits from colourful birds and butterflies. There’s even a mongoose that roots around in the undergrowth every day which I, sadly, never got to see. And let’s not forget the fish pond with koi carp, statues, and interesting wall hangings inside. It’s not your average place to stay that’s for sure.
Dahana Holiday House is located in Seenigama, a small Sri Lankan village, around 2 kilometres from the main town of Hikkaduwa. It’s a sleepy neighbourhood where the locals go about their day to day business. As you walk along the small lane to the main Colombo-Galle road, men on bicycles cycle by, women in brightly coloured saris pass you by, with just a hint of curiosity in their eyes, and couples walking along hand in hand, sheltered from the sun by their umbrellas. Dare to say hello and you’ll get a wonderfully warm smile in return. Crossing over the main railway line makes for some fabulous photo opportunities, and if you’re there at the right time you can marvel at the train as it trundles past with its passengers hanging out of the doors.
The Guys
The house is looked after by manager, Sanjaya Indrajith, and housekeeper, Lasitha Pathum, or just Pathum. Pathum is also a fantastic cook and he’ll rustle up just about anything you desire for breakfast from typical Sri Lankan fare to European food. His eggs, sausages and tomatoes served with toast is delicious and just what you need for the day ahead.
Sanjaya Indrajith
Lasitha Pathum
Healthy Living
It’s not only Dahana Holiday House that will lift your spirits while staying here. There is also the, aptly named, Villa Spice Forest, a second villa, just as gorgeous and just as calm as the first. Pathum took me on a tour of the grounds and he explained that the resort uses herbs and spices from the garden to produce Ayurveda medicines for health purposes. These same herbs and spices are also used in the food that he cooks. You’ll love the platter of fruits, like pineapple and guava, that is served straight from the trees. All of the food produced is organic without any fertilisers being added, so if you’re looking to stay healthy while enjoying your holiday, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll be as amazed as I was, when Pathum gives you a handful of leaves to smell and you recognise the smells of cinnamon, allspice, vanilla and ginger, or he points out turmeric and aloe vera plants. It’s simply wonderful.
Meditation and Buddhism
Sanjaya told me that if visitors want to learn about Buddhism during their stay he will be only too happy to share the Buddhist philosophy and a little of the Sri Lankan history and culture. If mediation is on your mind, he can teach you why it’s important and how to use it properly. Believe me, the quiet and stillness of the garden is the perfect place for morning meditation or maybe a spot of yoga.
River Safari
Both Sanjaya and Pathum speak English and are on hand to help with anything from organising trips to pickups and drop offs at the airport. My friend and I wanted to go on a river safari, so we talked to the guys and they suggested we visit the Madu River or Madu Ganga. They told us there was a lake 10 minutes from Hikkaduwa, but they suggested we travel the 8 kilometres to the Madu River because this was the better place to visit. We weren’t disappointed. Sanjaya and Pathum drove us there in their tuk-tuk and even came on the safari with us. The river is huge and has some 64 islands and is home to over 300 species of plants and over 248 species of animals. It is said to be one of the last remaining areas of untouched mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. As we travelled along the river we saw brightly coloured kingfishers, water monitors, snoozing in the mangroves, sea eagles, herons and cormorants. We got off the boat onto Cinnamon Island and we learned how cinnamon sticks are made. The guy who lives there stripped the bark of the tree, this alone smelled heavenly, then he carved strips off the bark with his knife and laid them on a rack to dry out. My friend and I were intrigued because you don’t often think about where things come from when you’re shopping in the supermarket. I’m a cinnamon lover, it’s so healthy for you, so we bought some cinnamon powder for tea and a small jar of cinnamon oil which is good for fighting viruses and helps to decrease inflammations, among other things.
Around Hikkaduwa
Dahana Holiday House and Spice Forest is just 400m from the sea, in fact, when the waves are high, you can just about hear them crashing onto the beach on a still night. The town is not far away and there are tuk-tuks available if you want to spend the evening in any number of Hikkaduwa’s bars or restaurants. It’s also ideally located for onward travel as the train and bus stations are close by.
There’s plenty of stuff to see in Hikkaduwa. Hikkaduwa beach is a stunning stretch of golden sand perfect for relaxing or surfing in the huge waves. Seenigama Muhudu Vihara is a small temple located on a tiny island just offshore, just a 3 minute boat ride away. The Tsunami Honganji Vihara is a temple erected to commemorate those that lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami. A statue of the Buddha, with its hands facing the sea for protection, was donated by the Japanese for good luck. There is another tsunami museum further along the road with hundreds of photos which brings home just how devastating this natural disaster was. The woman who runs the museum will give you a little insight into what happened. It’s very sad and shocking, but it’s a beautiful memorial to visit.
Just a 15 minute walk from the house, in the small town of Peraliya, is the sea turtle hatchery. A fantastic place to learn of the conservation work they are doing to protect these beautiful sea creatures, and the programs in place for recovering turtles before they are released back into the sea. If you’re lucky enough to be around when the baby turtles are released into the sea for the first time, it’s an experience not to be missed.
The Details
During the high season between October and March Dahana Holiday House costs $55 per night and can sleep up to 6 people. For over 4 guests there is a charge of $10 per person, per night.
Villa Spice Forest has two parts, 2 rooms on the ground floor and 3 rooms upstairs. The cost for upstairs is $55 per night and can sleep up to 6 people. For over 4 guests there is a charge of $10 per person, per night. The ground floor also costs $55 per night and can sleep up to 4 people.
Low season between March and October the cost is $40 per night for both houses. Additional guests will be charged $10 per person per night.
If guests plan to stay more than 1 month they will receive a 30% discount.
I recently read a post about beachcombing by Global Housesitter X2 and it reminded me how much I love it. When I went travelling in 2008, wherever I went I would take time to stroll up and down the beach in search of things that had been washed ashore. Beautiful shells, interesting pieces of driftwood or coral, anything that would catch my eye. The only thing was I had to be careful how many things I collected as it was so easy to get carried away and have at least 1kg or more added to my already full case. Even before this, many years ago, I would beachcomb when I was on holiday and I collected hundreds of shells and small stones, all from different countries, all different colours and shapes, which were taken home and placed in a large glass jar.
The beginnings of my new collection
I remember once, my girlfriends and I took a trip to Puerto Banus in Spain and we had spent the day on the beach where I went in search of more treasure, so I could add to my collection at home. I found this pebble, it was big, I’d say about 7-10 inches across, but it was so beautiful, smooth and black, I couldn’t resist it, so in my bag it went. At the end of the holiday we got ready to fly back to the UK and I put the pebble in my hand luggage, not really thinking about it. When my bags were scanned to board the plane, the woman at security asked me to unpack my bag and I remembered my lovely pebble was in there. She wanted me to hand it over. I looked at her, as if to say, “please can I keep it?” but, not saying anything, she gave me a look that said “really?!” Not wanting to be the person that got arrested for having a large, potentially deadly weapon (pebble) in my bag, I, sheepishly, parted with it.
So that particular find never made it home and, when I moved to Thailand, the glass jar, by this time brimming with my beach finds, was handed over to my parents who kept it in their conservatory. I thought it was still there until a few weeks ago when I casually asked my mum if they still had it. “Oh no,” she said, “we had to throw them away because the shells had started to smell.” I couldn’t expect my parents to continuously wash the contents of the jar for me.
The beginnings of my new collection
I know there are more important things in life, but, I have to say, I was a little disappointed. But, not to worry I have the beginnings of a new collection right here in Thailand. And, back home, even my mum and dad have indulged in my treasure finding hobby for themselves, but their little stash never leaves the garden.
