We have just booked our air fares from Auckland to Fukuoka, Japan. Cathay Pacific had some well priced fares via Hong Kong. We will have two nights as a stopover, so we can enjoy a day catching up on changes to the Hong Kong we visited back in 1986!
However, we are finding it very difficult to come up with a reasonably priced airfare from Fukuoka to Jeju Island, South Korea. Our daughter and her partner are living in the resort town of Soegwipo at the moment, so after a week with our son and daughter-in-law who live in Japan, we were hoping to visit Jeju Island, which is popular with the South Koreans for honeymoons..... thus it is nicknamed "Honeymoon Island".
It seems to be very pretty, and has a nice climate. While the Koreans say it is the Hawaii of Korea I am assured while lovely...... it is definitely not a second Hawaii!However, there are beautiful beaches, lava tubes, good deep sea diving and some interesting sightseeing spots to visit.
So far the cheapest airfare from Fukuoka to Jeju Island is about half the cost of flying from New Zealand to Fukuoka, and we have yet to find accommodation........our offspring's accommodation is minute!
One tip.......had we not asked our travel agent about him doing the bookings for the same price as the internet, we would not have been able to do the stopover in Hong Kong via the internet. Sometimes it works better to use a travel agent.......and he got exactly the same price for us as on the internet.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Drive from Melbourne to Adelaide - The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is a fabulous piece of Australian coastline. The scenery is stunning, and there are many geographic features of interest along the way.
The most famous is the Twelve Apostles, and this whole coast, rich in history........has wonderful arches, caves, beaches, and walks. The towns along the way are very picturesque. Port Campbell is a beautiful little town so close to the Twelve Apostles it is a good option for overnight accommodation.
Torquay at the start of the Great Ocean Road is a real surfy town, Lorne a holiday destination for Melbournites. Port Fairy is a very beautiful boat harbour with historic interest like so many of these small towns along the way.
The Otway Ranges National Park has several interesting activities from going up the Cape Otway Lighthouse, to the Otway Fly - Tree walk.
Robe is a pretty little town at the end of the Great Ocean Road, before you carry on to Mt Gambier, the Coorong and on to Adelaide through the Langhorne Creek wine area.
You can read about the trip from Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road in full detail at Fascinating Travel Destinations.
The most famous is the Twelve Apostles, and this whole coast, rich in history........has wonderful arches, caves, beaches, and walks. The towns along the way are very picturesque. Port Campbell is a beautiful little town so close to the Twelve Apostles it is a good option for overnight accommodation.
Torquay at the start of the Great Ocean Road is a real surfy town, Lorne a holiday destination for Melbournites. Port Fairy is a very beautiful boat harbour with historic interest like so many of these small towns along the way.
The Otway Ranges National Park has several interesting activities from going up the Cape Otway Lighthouse, to the Otway Fly - Tree walk.
Robe is a pretty little town at the end of the Great Ocean Road, before you carry on to Mt Gambier, the Coorong and on to Adelaide through the Langhorne Creek wine area.
You can read about the trip from Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road in full detail at Fascinating Travel Destinations.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Arriving and Leaving Tanzania in 1973 - Snippets from my Diary
When I did an Overland trip through Africa in 1973, we had many rather unusual experiences. Arriving and leaving Tanzania were both far from straight forward border crossings.
At the time the government of the day was insisting everyone.........that included locals...........were to wear clothing that covered them well. Long skirts and short sleeves, necklines to the neck was the acceptable clothing for females, while males had similar, but long trousers.
Westerners clearly had created an impression of a decadent lifestyle the Tanzanian government did not want people in their country to emulate.The things they saw as Western included long hair for males, bell bottom trousers, denim...I suspect jeans was the clothing they disliked...........and of course clothing that did not cover enough of the anatomy!
It took us two attempts to get through the border.....that was after waiting in long, slow moving queues, and a return trip to Lusaka to get repeat visas!
Leaving was another story...........you can read about it at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/tanzania-border.html
At the time the government of the day was insisting everyone.........that included locals...........were to wear clothing that covered them well. Long skirts and short sleeves, necklines to the neck was the acceptable clothing for females, while males had similar, but long trousers.
Westerners clearly had created an impression of a decadent lifestyle the Tanzanian government did not want people in their country to emulate.The things they saw as Western included long hair for males, bell bottom trousers, denim...I suspect jeans was the clothing they disliked...........and of course clothing that did not cover enough of the anatomy!
It took us two attempts to get through the border.....that was after waiting in long, slow moving queues, and a return trip to Lusaka to get repeat visas!
Leaving was another story...........you can read about it at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/tanzania-border.html
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Australia - The Lucky Country
As I start to write up my many, many experiences in Australia - The Lucky Country, I will be happy to relive the wonderful variety and enjoyable holidays I have had over the years. I have no idea how many times I have visited this expansive country. 30, 40 50 ........I lost count long ago.I'll be recording much of interest, tips, recommendations, must see's at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/guide-to-australia.html
I first visited in 1969, when I travelled by bus between destinations. Starting in Sydney, my cousin and I caught a bus to Brisbane........then a run down backwater......now a lovely town where the historic buildings have taken on a new lease of life, and the South Bank Park has created a great place for a day out.
Back to Sydney, down via Canberra to Melbourne.
Here we were fortunate to stay with friends and got to see much of Melbourne including some of the outer areas. Beaches at Frankston and Lorne, Mornington Peninsula and Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary.
Back on the bus we headed for Adelaide. Here we were taken out and about by work mates of our hosts in Melbourne, so we saw Port Victor and the Adelaide Hills area.These were all places we probably would have missed, as we had a limited budget and no transport other than bus.
We took the return routes inland, so covered quite a bit of territory.
I have since revisited most of these places, and visited many more.
Cairns is a wonderful tropical place I am keen to revisit. We loved Port Macquarie when we had a week there last year.........see http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/camel-ride-on-lighthouse-beach.html
Western Australia is home to both my sister in Perth and my brother in Albany, yet I had not visited until last year. They are both beautiful cities, and Margaret River, is a wonderful holiday spot, in between.
The Great Ocean Road drive a couple of years ago took me back to Adelaide and Port Victor........ I barely recognised it.While my husband was there for a conference, we made the most of our time to visit the many wine areas......Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Harnsdorf,but have yet to get to the Clare Valley. Whale watching from the shores at Port Victor were a highlight.
The road and coast has to be surely one of the most beautiful in Australia, with the The Great Otway Lighthouse and Park, Twelve Apostles, Port Stephens, and Port Fairy.
This vast country has plenty to see. No wonder retired Australians...the Grey Nomads......... take to the roads in their campervans and motorhomes, to spend months or years roaming the country.See http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/travel-in-australia.html for more information.......which is being regularly updated.
I first visited in 1969, when I travelled by bus between destinations. Starting in Sydney, my cousin and I caught a bus to Brisbane........then a run down backwater......now a lovely town where the historic buildings have taken on a new lease of life, and the South Bank Park has created a great place for a day out.
Back to Sydney, down via Canberra to Melbourne.
Here we were fortunate to stay with friends and got to see much of Melbourne including some of the outer areas. Beaches at Frankston and Lorne, Mornington Peninsula and Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary.
Back on the bus we headed for Adelaide. Here we were taken out and about by work mates of our hosts in Melbourne, so we saw Port Victor and the Adelaide Hills area.These were all places we probably would have missed, as we had a limited budget and no transport other than bus.
We took the return routes inland, so covered quite a bit of territory.
I have since revisited most of these places, and visited many more.
Cairns is a wonderful tropical place I am keen to revisit. We loved Port Macquarie when we had a week there last year.........see http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/camel-ride-on-lighthouse-beach.html
Western Australia is home to both my sister in Perth and my brother in Albany, yet I had not visited until last year. They are both beautiful cities, and Margaret River, is a wonderful holiday spot, in between.
The Great Ocean Road drive a couple of years ago took me back to Adelaide and Port Victor........ I barely recognised it.While my husband was there for a conference, we made the most of our time to visit the many wine areas......Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Harnsdorf,but have yet to get to the Clare Valley. Whale watching from the shores at Port Victor were a highlight.
The road and coast has to be surely one of the most beautiful in Australia, with the The Great Otway Lighthouse and Park, Twelve Apostles, Port Stephens, and Port Fairy.
This vast country has plenty to see. No wonder retired Australians...the Grey Nomads......... take to the roads in their campervans and motorhomes, to spend months or years roaming the country.See http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/travel-in-australia.html for more information.......which is being regularly updated.
Aggie Greys Hotel - Apia - Samoa
We opted for a cheap four day package at Aggie Greys Hotel in Apia. Enough time for my husband to do business. I had a relaxed few days in and around Apia.We did venture across the island to Coconuts Beach Resort for a very nice lunch. There is nothing like dining outside on a tropical beachfront, overhung with coconut palms, and surrounded by tropical gardens with their flamboyant flowers, and lush green foliage.
Unfortunately the black clouds were racing in! Samoa has a lot of rain.....and no really distinct rainy season.Which has its pluses as everything grows very fast.I well remember a self seeded papaya tree in our garden, when we lived in Samoa, which fruited in 6 months!
Aggie Grey's Hotel was added onto and is now a three level building. But it has retained it's colonial features both outside and in where the decor is comfortable, colourful and while elegant.........not imposing.The gardens which surround the fales and rooms are beautiful, and the pool area was a great place to spend a good part of some lazy days.There are plenty of deck chairs, and the bar and restaurant fale is just beyond the pool.The staff do the rounds regularly to see if you need drinks etc.
This fale is large........big enough to accommodate all the guests who were booked in to the Fiafia. Not having been to a Samoan Fiafia for many years it was a treat to revisit their traditional dances, followed by a wonderful buffet meal with my favourite Samoan dish - palusami.....coconut cream cooked in taro leaves.
Aggie's is a very central hotel .......you can read full details at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/aggie-greys-hotel.html and everything in Apia is within easy walking distance including several good restaurants.See http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/samoa-restaurants.htmlIt is one of several good hotels, but certainly worth considering because it is so well located.Especially if you like something a bit traditional.
Unfortunately the black clouds were racing in! Samoa has a lot of rain.....and no really distinct rainy season.Which has its pluses as everything grows very fast.I well remember a self seeded papaya tree in our garden, when we lived in Samoa, which fruited in 6 months!
Aggie Grey's Hotel was added onto and is now a three level building. But it has retained it's colonial features both outside and in where the decor is comfortable, colourful and while elegant.........not imposing.The gardens which surround the fales and rooms are beautiful, and the pool area was a great place to spend a good part of some lazy days.There are plenty of deck chairs, and the bar and restaurant fale is just beyond the pool.The staff do the rounds regularly to see if you need drinks etc.
This fale is large........big enough to accommodate all the guests who were booked in to the Fiafia. Not having been to a Samoan Fiafia for many years it was a treat to revisit their traditional dances, followed by a wonderful buffet meal with my favourite Samoan dish - palusami.....coconut cream cooked in taro leaves.
Aggie's is a very central hotel .......you can read full details at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/aggie-greys-hotel.html and everything in Apia is within easy walking distance including several good restaurants.See http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/samoa-restaurants.htmlIt is one of several good hotels, but certainly worth considering because it is so well located.Especially if you like something a bit traditional.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Back from Samoa
Just back from Samoa. Leaving Aggie Grey's Hotel at 1.30 a.m makes it a long trip home. The usually Four hours in the plane was delayed as an elderly passenger was finally taken off the flight suffering from ill health.
We were a little disappointed with a couple of issues we had. The first was just a small one. Being members of the Air New Zealand Koru Club, we do get a special check in station. But.......it is so slow that it is perhaps better to use the normal Check In queue.There is also no special seating on the plane as there is from New Zealand, where you are given the front seats.However, we are certainly very pleased with the ease from the New Zealand end.
The second disappointment was to do with a rental car we hired and paid for online .After booking the package at the Air New Zealand site, information was given about rental cars with Discovery Rentals in Samoa. My husband paid NZ$300 online. There was NO mention of any other costs. On arriving at their office at Faleolo Airport there was a quite different scenario. Firstly you need to pay for a temporary license to drive in Samoa. It costs $12 tala!They were charging $25 tala extra - $35 tala total.....to write up this license!
Next, we were told there was an extra $165 tala cost for taking the car too and from the airport! Then......they wanted a $500 tala fee in case there was any damage. This was not just taking a credit card number, this was actually fronting up with $500 tala. When my husband spoke to the manager - her words were "If you don't like it go somewhere else.....this is our company policy." Needless to say, we left it! And will now have to get our NZ$300 dollars reimbursed!We hired a car from Avis for $200 tala in Apia! And paid the $12 tala for the license.Fortunately we discovered we had free transfers to and from the airport with our package at Aggie's. This was excellent.
Apart from these hick ups it was an enjoyable few days in Samoa. More on that tomorrow.
We were a little disappointed with a couple of issues we had. The first was just a small one. Being members of the Air New Zealand Koru Club, we do get a special check in station. But.......it is so slow that it is perhaps better to use the normal Check In queue.There is also no special seating on the plane as there is from New Zealand, where you are given the front seats.However, we are certainly very pleased with the ease from the New Zealand end.
The second disappointment was to do with a rental car we hired and paid for online .After booking the package at the Air New Zealand site, information was given about rental cars with Discovery Rentals in Samoa. My husband paid NZ$300 online. There was NO mention of any other costs. On arriving at their office at Faleolo Airport there was a quite different scenario. Firstly you need to pay for a temporary license to drive in Samoa. It costs $12 tala!They were charging $25 tala extra - $35 tala total.....to write up this license!
Next, we were told there was an extra $165 tala cost for taking the car too and from the airport! Then......they wanted a $500 tala fee in case there was any damage. This was not just taking a credit card number, this was actually fronting up with $500 tala. When my husband spoke to the manager - her words were "If you don't like it go somewhere else.....this is our company policy." Needless to say, we left it! And will now have to get our NZ$300 dollars reimbursed!We hired a car from Avis for $200 tala in Apia! And paid the $12 tala for the license.Fortunately we discovered we had free transfers to and from the airport with our package at Aggie's. This was excellent.
Apart from these hick ups it was an enjoyable few days in Samoa. More on that tomorrow.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Czech Republic is More than Just Prague
The Czech Republic is a fascinating travel destination.But I find so many tourists have never ventured beyond Prague. Prague is a very beautiful city, and it does have a huge amount to keep you interested. But there are so many lovely towns and cities around the Czech Republic it seems a shame to miss them. You may need to allow a little more time. But distances are not great.
Two places I highly recommend are Cesky Krumlov, easily reached by train or bus. This gorgeous historic town can be a little inundated with tourists, but it somehow still retains it's charm. The cobbled streets, too narrow for vehicles, makes it a place to walk in comfort. The sherbert houses, castle, river, gardens and shops stocked with a range of Czech crafts, jewellery, and other wares......... all add to the old world ambiance.
North of Prague near the German border you will find Karlovy Vary.The Czech Republic's biggest spa town. This is another very different experience, and you could do it in a day trip from Prague if time is short. We happily filled three days here, with walks in the forests, and around the town sampling mineral waters at the taps.
This was topped off by an amazing experience seeing an outdoor opera performance at Loket Castle, about 12 kilometres away.
Two places I highly recommend are Cesky Krumlov, easily reached by train or bus. This gorgeous historic town can be a little inundated with tourists, but it somehow still retains it's charm. The cobbled streets, too narrow for vehicles, makes it a place to walk in comfort. The sherbert houses, castle, river, gardens and shops stocked with a range of Czech crafts, jewellery, and other wares......... all add to the old world ambiance.
North of Prague near the German border you will find Karlovy Vary.The Czech Republic's biggest spa town. This is another very different experience, and you could do it in a day trip from Prague if time is short. We happily filled three days here, with walks in the forests, and around the town sampling mineral waters at the taps.
This was topped off by an amazing experience seeing an outdoor opera performance at Loket Castle, about 12 kilometres away.
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