Christmas Day – Where’s the Turkey?

Daal Bhaat - typical Nepali dish

Christmas day was the start of a 3 day trek to Gele’s home village.  Can you imagine doing a day’s bus trip followed by a 2 day mountain hike (the locals walk a lot quicker than me *BLUSH*) to visit your parents?  However, this is very normal for all Nepali mountain folk. Christmas dinner was certainly different.  Well different for me, but not for Nepalese.   No turkey, no funny hats, no … Continue reading

Bouncy Bouncy Bang

Nepal - Broken bus window

The last 11 days I have been miles and miles away from civilisation, wandering the beautiful Himalayas and visiting my friend Gele’s family.  Most of the time there hasn’t been electricity, though the Internet to write my blog. I therefore resorted to old fashion pen and paper, so now over the next few weeks I will type up my adventures in Nepal. Christmas Eve’s Epic Bus Journey I arrived in Nepal … Continue reading

Little Italy

Alfresco dining on Lygon St

For my last night in Melbourne, I ventured out to Lygon Street, famous for its Italian restaurants.  Many, many moons ago it is where the early Italians settled in Melbourne. It did feel like I had been transported to Europe. However, mama would have not be impressed with the pizzas!!!   I envisioned authentic thin crust pizza baked in a wood fire oven; instead I might as well have ordered … Continue reading

Wanderings in Melbourne

Luna Park, St Kilda

The best kind of travelling is when someone else is paying :o) I’m working in Melbourne for a week, but I have the weekend to explore this vibrant city. On Saturday, looking like a right tourist with my camera swinging from my wrist and carrying a free city map from the hotel, I walk from the CBD to St Kilda. I started my epic journey (well it felt epic to … Continue reading

#5 Sydneysider – The Newtown Festival

Graffiti at Newtown Festival

One of my favourite suburbs in Sydney is Newtown.  It attracts a slightly alternative community; where you find students hanging out, people with mad pink or dreadlocked hairdos, and a few goths thrown into the equation; it’s where grunginess is cool. Newtown is a great place on weekends to just to chill out at, drink chai, chomp down on some great veggie food or browse through the eclectic mix of … Continue reading