I’ve Moved!

Sorry but If you’re receiving notification of this post but didn’t get notification from my new domain (travellingbag.com.au) I’m going to need you to pop over there and enter your email address for me to ensure that you get the notifications. I’m not sure how this works but I think those that only follow through WordPress Reader may not get my new domain posts.

http://www.travellingbag.com.au

Yes, you’ve been moved, and you didn’t feel a thing did you?

While you were sleeping the Happiness Engineers at WordPress kindly picked you all up, bundled you into a container and moved you all over here.

I’ve just moved from wordpress.com to a self hosted site (travellingbag.com.au) and I thought it only fair that you all come along with me. You’ve all been such good friends and I didn’t want to leave you all wandering around without a home, knocking on strange blog doors to find a new travel site.

The technology required to make this move has caused a good degree of drama on my part and a few sleepless nights as I grappled with domain names, exporting, importing, Jetpacks and widgets but I think we’re about ready to open the doors.

There are still a few things to be done as I add and alter a few pages etc. and although the focus will still be predominantly travel I’m going to be adding a few new areas of discussion. Please stay with me as I continue to play around with the layout/format etc and any suggestions will always be greatly appreciated.

I hope you like your new address and please get some friends to pop along as well – the place is big enough for all of you.

 

 

 

Storm clouds, decisions and rats.

I went back to the coast yesterday, back to my coastal walk that has helped me to think clearly so many times in the past.

I went in an attempt to de clutter my mind and find some space. Decisions need room to move around and settle, to try out the fit.

I’m thinking the storm clouds brewing might just say it all.

And the huge rat (I’m talking the size of a small cat) that ran across the path in front of me, what was that all about? I know about black cats but rats?

The Garden Of Dreams

An oasis of calm amongst the chaos of Kathmandu

Space is at a premium in the busy streets of Kathmandu but I managed to find a haven of calm amidst the chaos.

I would never have known it was there if someone hadn’t recommended it to me as we were chatting over breakfast at the hotel.

It was a hot, dusty day and I’d spent a couple of hours wandering around Thamel, I’d walked there from the hotel and decided to walk back and, remembering the advice I was given, I checked my map for the Garden of Dreams. I’d walked past it on my way into Thamel but hadn’t noticed it, if I hadn’t particularly looked for it I would have missed it on my way back as well.

The Garden of Dreams is hidden behind a high wall only metres from a very busy intersection and what an oasis it is. You pay a couple of dollars entrance fee but it’s well worth it. It’s a neo classical garden created as a private garden by Field Marshall Kaiser Sumsher Rana in the early 1920s which was restored and opened to the public in 2007.

The ivy clad walls of adjoining buildings create a cooling atmosphere while the meandering footpaths, the green lawns and the lily pond provide a tranquil spot for locals on their lunch break and tourists wanting a bit of a breather. The Kaiser café provides light lunches and I certainly took advantage, the cold Heineken went down well too.

So, if after surviving an exhausting morning in the chaotic streets of Thamel you’re in need of reviving make sure you find that door in the wall that will take you into this amazing Garden of Dreams.

Travel Theme: Relaxing

An unknown family taking time out at the end of a day to relax with a walk on the beach.

Ailsa’s Travel Theme this week lends itself to so many interpretations, my contribution is just two of many ‘relaxing’ photos I found.

5 Unique Ways to get from A to B

Inspired by a recent post on Travel with Kat and the comments that ensued I started thinking of all of the modes of transport that I’ve used during my travels. There have been the normal methods of getting from A to B – by plane, train, car and boat but then I started to think of the less conventional ways of travelling.

These are just a few that I’ve come up with, I’m sure there are many more that you’ve all experienced.

1. Pearl Lugger. A sunset cruise on an old Pearl Lugger just off Cable Beach, Broome. A glass of champers and a world famous sunset – what more could you ask for?

2. Camel – an iconic way of experiencing those world famous sunsets on Cable Beach is from the hump of a camel. It takes a bit of getting used to but definitely a fun way to go.

3. Monorail  – This one at Beaulieu in Hampshire on the south coast of England  is a mile long and gives you a birds eye view of all the attractions this place has to offer. The National Motor Museum, historic Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and lots of fun for the whole family.

4. Tiger Moth – How about this yellow peril, my dad took a flight in this Tiger Moth for his birthday a few years ago. He had a ball!

5. Helicopter – I may be cheating slightly here as a helicopter is not really a unique way to travel but I’ve included this shot because of where it was. The flight in the helicopter took me 2,800 metres up into the Himalayan mountains and landed me at one of the world’s most dangerous airports – successfully!!

What are some of the unique ways that you have travelled?

Margaret River: The river

I was visiting the south west of the state again recently and, as usual, had a wonderful time. I always enjoy a wander through the main street of Margaret River when I’m down there and this time was no different.

What was different this time though was that I took particular note of the river itself.

When you mention Margaret River in the south west of Western Australia most people immediately think of the picturesque country town with it’s world class surfing beaches or of the wineries in the region or the gourmet food that the area is renowned for, but nobody really thinks of the river that the town sits on.

So I did a little bit of research. The Margaret River is believed to be named after Margaret Whicher or Whyche who, depending on your source of reference, seems to have been either a friend or a cousin of John Bussell, an early settler and explorer of the area.

The river rises in the Whicher ranges and merges with the Indian Ocean 65km away near Cape Mentelle.

In the summer the picturesque riverbank as you enter the town is teeming with visitors, when I was there a few days ago, with the constant threat of rain and the thunderstorm that had passed over a couple of hours earlier the picnic grounds were rather empty and one lone youngster was playing in playground.

But even in that weather it was a very picturesque spot. It’s also the beginning of the 13.5km rails to trails walking/cycling track that takes you north as far as Cowaramup. It’s on my list for the next time I’m down there.

It’s also worth taking a drive to the mouth of the Margaret river near Prevelly, a beautiful coastline with magnificent surfing beaches where you can watch the waves in contemplation, enjoy a picnic on the beach in the nicer weather or maybe take the dog for a walk up the river.

Step #1 – Reassessment

From Everest Base Camp to the south west of Western Australia. Three months, family dramas, a dose of redundancy and a reality check later and I think I’ve begun to understand the luxury of being able to do what I wanted to do and the pleasure of being able to enjoy every day.

Today I’ve driven to the mouth of the Margaret River and watched the waves pounding the rocks as the river surged outwards into the Indian Ocean, I’ve bought a bottle of Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from a boutique winery, I’ve eaten a lunch of mushroom risotto on the balcony of another winery surrounded by the lush greenery that is the south west of this state and now I’m heading off to buy venison sausages.

Is this life not a luxury?

Tomorrow I’ll be on my way back home having had a relaxing and thought provoking few days.

Life, as is its wont, is not prepared to let us rest on our laurels for too long and insists on throwing the odd curve ball our way. When this happens we tend to react instinctively, often retreating into ourselves and possibly making rash decisions. What I’ve learned that we need to do though is to stop, to gather our thoughts and to assess how best to move forward, not to rush in where those proverbial angels fear to tread.

A few days, a few weeks, however long it takes.

Only a matter of weeks ago I was existing on a diet of carbs – pizza, pasta and potatoes, I was pushing myself physically and mentally to achieve my goal and I was walking in the shadow of some of the highest mountains on the planet.

After an amazing and momentous experience life then decided to slap me in the face and I was brought crashing down to earth, reality hit me in all its forms.

These few days away has seen a regrouping, a reassessment of my life. Sometimes what we think we want, what we believe we need, is in reality just a pipe dream. Yes, our fantasy life is appealing but is it what we really want or need?

We all have dreams of what we would like our life to be but if we had all that we wanted, would we be happy? Generally, I think not. Life is not about getting all that we want, life is about making sure that there is always something that we are aiming for.

Our future goals are what make our life worthwhile.

Pieces of Perth: Trinity Arcade

Echoes of Perth past with Trinity Arcade linking the Hay St mall with St Georges Terrace.

Going Rural

The small country town of York is about an hour an a half east of Perth and it’s a place that I’ve never been to. Not that there’s much there, but it is a quaint olde worlde town that deserves a stopover.

I was there yesterday, the beginning of the week, but apparently it’s better to visit later in the week or on the weekend when it ‘comes alive.’

A friend has gone rural and settled herself on the outskirts of York on a couple of acres and is in her element. Chickens, geese and a couple of sheep, affectionately named Salt & Pepper (and you’ll see why in the photos), and open paddocks, she’s even bought a ride on mower.

She has room to move and to breath.

Not a bad way to live.

What a cute chicken house – or should that be coop?

Meeting Salt & Pepper – not sure I’m an animal person!

Pepper – posing or threatening?

Val’s new toy.

The ‘joys’ of country living – bogged in the fire break!

They have impressive street corners in York.

Redundancy Day – Moving On.

Today was the day that has been coming for the last 5 weeks, my last day in gainful employment, until I find another job that is.

So …. what to do next?

Options:

1. Eke out a meagre living on my savings while sulking and watching daytime television.
2. Write dozens of applications for jobs that I don’t really want simply because that’s what’s expected.
3. Do something different and challenging.
4. Make a plan and move on.

I’m thinking that 1 and 2 would be the easy way out while 3 and 4 are the way to go.

Now to keep up the momentum and work out a plan – suggestions welcome.