Calm Waters And White Sand Beaches

Australia is blessed with so much great beaches and clean waters that it is often hard to choose which beach to go to. One thing that is common with the beaches here in Australia is the huge waves that a lot of surfers enjoy. Having a calm, quiet swim is something of a novelty with Australian beaches (as are those beaches that don’t have jellyfish – or stingers, as they call it here in Australia – or crocodiles) .

In saying that, I’m sure there are still a number of nice bays and lagoons that have calm waters where people can swim in, and it is something I would endeavour to look for. One such area that offers that is Port Stephens in New South Wales. Port Stephens is only a 3 hour drive north of Sydney along the Pacific Highway, and is close to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley region. One interesting fact that got me confused with Port Stephens was that I thought Port Stephens was a town. I soon discovered that Port Stephens is an area or region with a few towns and villages in it, the biggest one being Nelson Bay!

The myriad of bays and beaches in Port Stephens itself makes for a difficult decision on which one to go for. After surveying the area, a few beaches stood out for me. One particular beach was Shoal Bay. Shoal Bay is a 10-minute drive from Nelson Bay, and is one of those beaches that have calm waters where people can swim in them. What’s great about Shoal Bay is that it has a few restaurants, pub, cafes and shops, yet it is not a crowded and as busy as Nelson Bay. The beach on Shoal Bay is also fantastic, and definitely worth checking out.

Another great beach to check out is Salamander Bay. It has white sand beach and the waters are also calm enough to have a relaxing swim in the sea. Next to Salamander Bay is Soldier’s Point, where you will find a marina full of awesome boats and yachts. On the marina is a restaurant that offers reasonable food and a good view of the sea.

Stockton Sand Dunes

Tin City - stockton sand dunes

One highlight for me when going to Port Stephens is the sand dunes that stretches from Stockton to Anna Bay. The Stockton Sand Dunes stretches to 32 kms along the coast, and goes as far inland as 9km in certain parts. The sand dunes offer a desert-like environment, and is quite unique to this part of Australia. There are sand hills where you can do sandboarding and slide down the slopes of the sand hills. The Stockton Sand Dunes is also one of the film locations for the 1980s movie “Mad Max” starring Mel Gibson. One of the scenes from the movie features the small settlement in the area called Tin City, which was built by a small group of labourers during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The settlement is unique in that no one is allowed to buy any of the properties there or develop anything in the area. All the existing structures have been passed down from generation to generation.

Australian Shark and Ray Centre

On our trip to Port Stephens, we were unfortunate enough to have caught the wet weather. Instead of spending a lot of time by the beach as we initially intended, we merely skimmed and had a look at the beaches and then had to find alternative activities in the area to amuse ourselves. One great place to go, especially if you have kids is the Australian Shark and Ray Centre. At the Australian Shark and Ray Centre, you can hand-feed the sharks and ray inside the huge tanks where they keep them. The sharks and rays have been tamed in that the barbs of the sting rays have been cut off, and the sharks don’t have the huge sharp teeth to bite anyone. If you’re one of those people who are afraid of sharks, this will definitely challenge your fears. It certainly challenged me, and I didn’t think I was up for it, but I did feed those so-called monsters of the sea!

The Pelicans

pelicans

You will notice while going around the beaches that there are a number of pelicans around. They are such cool birds! I love their huge beaks and calm disposition. I thought it is worth noting this, although you will notice along the East Coast of Australia, there are pelicans around in some of the beaches as well.

If the weather were nice to us, we could have enjoyed more of the beach and the calm waters in the area. I would definitely recommend checking out the area especially during the summer when it’s nice and warm.

Here’s to more Fabulous Journeys ahead!

Stockton Dunes Sand Boarding

All In A Small Island

There are only very few places in the world where you get nice beaches, lush rainforests, exquisite waterfalls and a variety of hot and cold springs all in one island. Camiguin is one of them. Many people from outside the Philippines may not know where this island is, especially since this is not one of those at the top of the list for tourist brochures. Some who have been to the Philippines would have heard of this island, and to those who managed to visit, many have said it’s paradise rediscovered.

The first time I went to this island in 1996, the island was just starting to become recognised in the Philippines as the next tourist destination. The roads were still not very developed, and hardly any decent infrastructure were in place. I recently went back after nearly 15 years, and the island has now been improved to make it more tourist-friendly. The sealed road network now covers the entire island, and there are even smaller roads inland that can cut through to some of the villages in the interior. They now have more accommdations available, coverage for mobile phones, internet, and a more organised public transport.

Camiguin – Location And Getting There

Camiguin is situated in the southern part of the Philippines, between the main island of Mindanao and the island of Bohol in the Visayas. The island sits northeast of Cagayan de Oro City, the city where I grew up in the Philippines. It’s an easy 2-hour ferry ride from Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin. In my recent trip there, I found that they have reinstated the once-defunct service between Cagayan de Oro and Camiguin, and now travels at least once a day in each direction. It makes travelling to the island much easier, as Cagayan de Oro is a major hub and centre in the northern part of Mindanao, and it is where you can get flights to from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

The Best Bits Of Camiguin

Camiguin is more than just your tropical island with a white sand beach. With so much to offer, here’s a list of the best places to see on the island:

White Island

Perhaps the most popular attraction of Camiguin, White Island is not actually an island. It’s a sandbar that lies just off the coast of Camiguin island. What makes it fascinating is its nice powder white sand that changes shape every single day depending on the tides. There are days that the sandbar is so tiny that you only have enough space to fit literally 10 people on it, and days that it looks reasonably sized that you can walk on it from end to end in 15 minutes. The waters are also crystal clear, making it very enticing to go for a dip.

Katibawasan Falls

This falls is one of the few around the island, but it is perhaps the grandest looking and most accessible of the waterfalls in Camiguin. It’s 76 meters high, and has a nice pool at the bottom of the falls where people can take a dip. The water can be a bit cool but it’s such a refreshing treat to the tropical heat of the island.

Guiob Church Ruins & Sunken Cemetery

Concrete cross - Sunken Cemetery

There are a few volcanos on Camiguin island, some being dormant and one other still considered an active volcano. Though there hasn’t been any eruptions for a while, Camiguin had suffered a devastating eruption from one of the now-dormant volcanos in 1871. This eruption had quite a huge impact that it destroyed much of the island and buried and sank some of its towns. One specific area that sank is the Sunken Cemetery. A huge cross has been erected as a reminder of the eruption that nearly wiped out the island. Nearby is the Guiob Church Ruins, another reminder of the devastation that occurred in 1871.

Ardent Hot Springs

This may not be a natural wonder, but it comes from a natural source. Having many volcanoes, Camiguin naturally has a lot of geothermal activity and resources. As a result, the Ardent hot springs came about to utilise the water from a natural hot spring in the area. Ardent is now a developed resort, and though it has somewhat become commercialised, it still offers a great place to soak up and enjoy the soothing hot spring waters.

Mantigue Island

This is another island just off Camiguin island and a proper island. It is a 20-minute boat ride from Camiguin on a motorised bangka (a local outrigger). It offers a nice white sand beach and has a marine sanctuary. The island is considered a nature park, and is home to some native birds and bats. It’s a great place to check out. Snorkelling on the marine sanctuary is very rewarding, with colourful fish of all shapes and sizes swimming around.

These are what I thought would be the best places to see in Camiguin. Of course there are more spots, but some of them are not as good as these ones. I hope you have enjoyed this post. Please spread this to your friends.

Melbourne’s Unique Charm

Melbourne

I recently spent a few days in Melbourne to watch the Melbourne Cup and also celebrate my birthday there. I’ve been to Melbourne a few times and the city never ceases to fascinate me! There is always something new to discover in Melbourne. From eclectic to artistic, Melbourne packs a lot of interesting sights, architecture and cultural activities in a small place. Its laneways, trams and parks give it a very European feel to the city. It’s distinctly different from the rest of the Australian capital cities. Despite not having iconic landmarks like Sydney has, Melbourne still offers a lot of things to be explored and enjoyed. Here’s my top ten list of things to see and do in Melbourne:

1.) Art and Cafe Culture

Brunetti's

One of the first things I noticed when I landed in Melbourne is the way the freeways and buildings are so stylishly designed and decorated. Certainly the road from Tullamarine airport into Melbourne CBD felt like a big modern art exhibit, with colourful, modern architecture and art structures along the highway, and the best part, hardly any vandals can be seen! When you walk around the city centre, it’s all funky buildings, sculptures and designs.

There is also a cafe culture in the city. Nearly every corner of the city has a small cafe, and because there is a big Italian community in Melbourne, you can almost guarantee that they take their coffees seriously! I have always had a great cup of coffee in those small cafes. After so many visits, I managed to find my favourite cafe there called Brunetti’s. They have a great range of pastries, cakes, and best of all, their hot dark Italian chocolate is really something not to be missed! The biggest cafe is near Lygon Street, but they also have a small outlet in the CBD on Swanston Street.

2.) Laneways

The myriad of laneways that dot the city centre are remnants of the original city planning of Melbourne, which dates back to the 1800s. This system of small alleyways used to be the lifeblood of the city and has now given the city its unique charm. The laneways have been spruced up and converted into nice shops, bars and restaurants. There certainly is that European character feel with these laneways, and definitely worth checking out.

3.) Museums and Art Galleries

NGV

Melbourne is considered to be the art capital of Australia, with a wide range of museums, art galleries and performance theatres dotting the city. You will never run out of things to look at and do if you love art and culture, as nearly each day, something new comes up in one of these galleries or a new theatrical production opens its curtains.

The Museum of Melbourne near the Carlton Gardens is a great place to check out. It has displays ranging from dinosaurs and the Australian bush to the Aboriginal life and culture. More importantly, it has an exhibit on the Melbourne story (how Melbourne evolved into the city it is now).

If you love art, another great museum to check out is the National Gallery of Victoria. This is where you find paintings and artwork from famous local and international artists such as Andy Warhol and Frank Gehry to name a few. It has moving exhibitions of different art forms and genres that are worth looking out for.

4.) Gardens and Parks

Conservatorium, Fitzroy Gardens

The one surprising thing with Melbourne is the fact that it is a compact city yet it is filled with a number of gardens and parks surrounding its CBD. One garden truly worth checking out is Fitzroy Gardens. This has the Conservatorium, which houses so many colourful flowering plants and tropical varieties. Next door to it is Cook’s Cottage, which is the original cottage where Captain Cook’s family lived in and was shipped from England as a gift to the people of Melbourne and reconstructed in the Fitzroy Gardens.

Another great park to check out is the Carlton Gardens. It has a nice pond in the middle, and a beautiful fountain at one end of the park. It is adjacent to the Melbourne Museum, so worth checking it out if you are on your way to the museum.

The Shrine of Remembrance is also another great place to check out. It is an ANZAC memorial built on top of a small hill, with great views of the city. The botanical garden is just next door and is definitely worth checking out.

5.) Eureka Skydeck and Rialto Melbourne 360 Observation Deck

Eureka Tower

Melbourne has some of Australia’s tallest buildings, and 2 of them offer great views of the city and the surrounding areas. The Rialto was the tallest building in Melbourne and was the first to offer a viewing platform called the Melbourne 360 Observation Deck. It offers a fantastic view of the city and across to Southbank, the Dandenong Ranges, and to St. Kilda and the Bass Strait. It seems that the Rialto has just announced that it will be closing its doors on 31st December 2009, so before it does, make sure you avail of their $7 closing entry deal and enjoy the great view!

The Eureka Tower’s Skydeck 88 is a more recent addition to the Melbourne skyline and is much taller than the Rialto. The Eureka Skydeck 88 is the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere and offers a  slightly different perspective to the Rialto. The Eureka Tower is on Southbank, which is on the other side of the Yarra River.

6.) Crossing the bridges over the Yarra

Princes Bridge

It may not sound like much, but the many bridges crossing the Yarra River each have a unique design to it. The Yarra River is a prominent feature of the city.  Walking and crossing the bridges by foot is a great way to explore Melbourne, and a great exercise as well. A couple of these bridges are pedestrian-only bridges, and each are designed differently from the other. One of the bridges has a list of countries where the settlers in Melbourne came from and some details on when and how they have arrived into Melbourne. The Princes Bridge is one of the oldest bridges crossing the Yarra and links Swanston Street to the Southbank area. The view of the city from the different bridges is great and worth exploring.

7.) St. Kilda and Port Melbourne

The seaside suburbs of St. Kilda and Port Melbourne has recently had a facelift and resurgence from being a rough area of Melbourne to one of the best place to live in the city. It has a great cafe culture, and a great lifestyle being close to the beach. In St. Kilda, there is a weekend market near the Pier and St. Kilda Baths which is worth checking out for works of local artists and businesses. Port Melbourne, on the other hand, has a good beach and is where you can take the ferry over to Tasmania.

8.) Day Trip to the Yarra Valley

Domaine Chandon - Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is a wine region just 45 minutes away from Melbourne CBD. This wine region produces one of the best wines in the country, and has over 70 wineries in the area. The makers of Moet & Chandon have a winery here called Domaine Chandon, and proves to be a popular one for many tourists. They make a sparkling red wine, which is quite an unusual one. Another great winery to check out is Yering Farm, which is one of the smaller boutique wineries in the region. It’s a family-owned vineyard and only sells its wines in a few restaurants and hotels in Victoria (apart from the winery itself). One of the more popular wineries is the Rochford winery. What makes this winery so popular are the numerous events and concerts that they hold on the grounds of their winery. They do make great wines as well!

9.) Shopping

Shops

Melbourne is known to be the shopping capital of Australia. It’s not that the rest of the capital cities of Australia don’t have much choices, but it is more of the number of quaint boutique stores that are available in the city. I’m not into shopping myself, but I can tell that there are so many cool boutique stores dotted around the city. The shopping malls have also started to crop up. Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) has the most branches in Melbourne than any other city in Australia. Melbourne has capitalised on this, and even has organised shopping tours where a tour guide will take you to the best bargains in the city!

10.) Docklands

The Docklands is one of the areas very near to the CBD that is being developed into a nice urban residential and entertainment complex. What used to have old warehouse and dockyards have now been demolished and transformed into nice brand new apartments and cafes and restaurants. A new shopping complex called Harbour Town has been built with a good range of outlet shops. This area being by the water has a nice waterfront walk where you can just relax and chill out.

Melbourne may not necessarily have the distinctive landmarks and the beautiful harbour that some other major cities can boast of, but it definitely has a unique charm that is worth exploring. If you find great deals on flights domestically or if you plan to visit Australia as an overseas holiday destination, I suggest you have a look at Melbourne.

Have a Fabulous Journey ahead!

Travel Is Not About Bragging Rights

I recently read an article from the Sydney Morning Herald about “Where to get your travel credibility” and this really sparked me to write about my views on travel. The article describes how certain travel destinations have become more accessible to tourists, and you can’t say you’re a great traveller just by mentioning these places. Apparently, your travel credibility is measured by the toughness and remoteness of the places that you go to. Being an avid traveller, I totally despise people who talk about their travels for the sake of bragging where they have been and what they have done.

Travel is not about having bragging rights of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Travel to me is an experience, a personal journey that people embark for themselves to experience different things in different places. It may not necessarily be a very spiritual experience, but the mere fact of seeing something different and being in a different environment offers the mind and soul a whole new perspective. Travel, whether it be for leisure, adventure, luxury, or business, is not an area where you need to build credibility on.

Each person has a different take and reasons for travelling. Some people may want to travel to relax themselves from the usual stresses and pressures of everyday life. Some people may love to travel to seek out new adventures and to experience new cultures. And there will be some people who want to travel for the sake of being said that they have been to certain places. Whatever your purpose or reasons for travel, the whole idea is not to have a scale of how good or “seasoned” a traveller you are. It is all about what you want out of travel.

Travel As Food For The Soul

Travel enriches someone’s knowledge of the world, of perspective, of humanity, and of life. Oftentimes, people tend to live in their own silos and enclosed world that they forget that there is a bigger world out there. When you think you have had the worst job and the worst day of your life, you forget that there are other people in this planet that have it a million times worse than you, and yet, they don’t moan as much. Travel can offer you that experience and realization that it is a matter of perspective. Travel can open people’s eyes, no matter where you go. It may be through a package tour to Africa or some real intrepid adventure through the Amazon rainforest, but the truth is, people who travel can see different things in a different light.

What Travel Means To Me

I may have already said this through the previous paragraphs, but I truly believe that travel is a personal journey in many ways. It’s a journey of discovery of new things, new perspective, new realizations and learnings. I believe people have different ways of discovering and embracing new things, and hence, travel is done in many different ways to suit a person. I believe that every person on this planet has the right to travel, and the right to say that they are a traveller regardless of how they travel. We all travel, one way or another, and there is no scoring system.

So, to those who think certain people have less credibility as a traveller than others, think again. Different people have different agenda for travel, and there is no set standard on what constitutes a fabulous traveller or a great traveller. For all intents and purposes, it all boils down to personal experience.

Have A Fabulous Journey Ahead, whatever it may be!

My kind of travel

Kelvin Lim

The Grand Pacific Drive

Many people are familiar with the Great Ocean Road along Victoria’s southern coast. It’s a fantastic stretch of road that offers dramatic scenery and has a great history around the construction of the road. One thing not many people or tourists are familiar about is the Grand Pacific Drive along the eastern shores of New South Wales. This stretch of road starts from the Royal National Park just south of Sydney and goes through small villages and towns including Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and finishes in the inland town of Nowra. The Grand Pacific Drive doesn’t have the rock formations like the Twelve Apostles of the Great Ocean Road, but having a bridge built on the side of a cliff face and passing through some gorgeous beaches is a great sight to behold.

Reason # 1: Catch The Sunrise

Watching the sunrise is one of nature’s best light displays, along with a sunset. However, I’m not an early riser, and I always find it difficult to catch the sunrise, and only do I occasionally wake up to see it. Since moving to Australia 2 years ago, I’ve never seen the sunrise, and I thought it would be awesome to coincide it with a road trip to the southern parts of New South Wales. I managed to convince 2 of my friends to come with me and drive down from Sydney to Wollongong for the day along the Grand Pacific Drive and check out the sights along the way. Catching the sunrise at Stanwell Park and Coalcliff was one of the highlights of the trip, and seriously, one of the most underrated (or unmentioned) activities along this coastline. Catching the sunrise is not a tourist activity along this coastline, and only locals know of this. Before any tour groups start descending along this stretch of magnificent road, go and witness it yourself really soon!

Reason #2: No Tour Groups Around

There are so many organised tours to the Great Ocean Road, and while this is great for those who don’t have cars or only have a short time to get around, having busloads of people fighting for the view can be annoying. The great thing with the Grand Pacific Drive is that it is not as far from Sydney as the Great Ocean Road is from Melbourne, and the drive is not that long. It generally only takes over 2 hours and you will be able to cover the entire distance. If you take some time to enjoy each spot, it might take a little bit longer. However, it is definitely more manageable on a day trip than the Great Ocean Road.

Reason #3: Great Beaches and Views

The view along the Grand Pacific Drive is awesome! It’s either totally underrated, or underpromoted by the general public. It may not offer such dramatic scenery, but the numerous beaches and the sea views from Stanwell Tops are great! The city of Wollongong and the township of Kiama are also great attractions on this stretch of road. Wollongong has a nice beach and harbour, and an old lighthouse that adds to the character of the harbour. In the city itself is the largest buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere, the Nan Tien temple. It’s architecture is distinctly Chinese, and it was built by the members of the Chinese Fo Guang Shan community who have migrated to Australia. Which leads me to the next reason..

Reason #4: Interesting attractions in the area

Sunset at Kiama Lighthouse - Grand Pacific Drive

Before reaching Wollongong, I had the impression that there is totally nothing interesting to see in the town itself apart from the usual shops on the main town centre. I thought it was just another industrial town, with totally nothing to offer. Was I completely wrong! The harbour and beach is an attraction on its own, and the lighthouse adds character to the place as well. If you drive all the way down to the town of Kiama, you can find some blowholes along its coast. It’s a natural phenomenon wherein holes are formed from the erosion of rocks on the coastline. If you do a slight detour from the Grand Pacific Drive, you can check out the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk, which is about a 30-minute drive from Kiama. It offers a spectacular view of the Illawarra coastline, and the structure itself is quite a unique in its design. Its edges are suspended from the cantilever, making it bouncy and quite challenging to those afraid of heights.

Reason #5 : Relaxing, Laid Back Atmosphere

The Grand Pacific Drive is only 45 minutes away from the CBD, and yet, the pace of life is totally different from the buzz of the big city. If you are ever tired of being always on the go, squeezing in with other people and the long queues, this place can soothe those angst and worry aside. The towns along the Grand Pacific Drive are quite small, and people are just totally laid-back. The beautiful beaches along the way would have been a highlight of the trip, and something that you can look forward to, if you’re never been down the Grand Pacific Drive.

Enjoy a drive down the Grand Pacific Drive, from sunrise til sunset on a nice clear sunny day, and you won’t regret it!

Have a Fabulous Journey ahead!

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My Quest To Get To Antarctica

Antarctic Penguins

Antarctica – the final frontier. The southernmost continent on Earth has been a subject of my fascination ever since my younger days, and I’ve always wanted to see the white continent. I’ve met a few people who have been there and have recounted their experiences in the remote continent, and I must say that my fascination grew more and more.

I’m writing this post not because I have been there, but to appeal to you my readers to help me get there so I can share my experiences with you. I recently signed up to a competition for a chance to travel to Antarctica and blog about the experience. I thought that this is such a great opportunity for me to experience the place and to be able to share it to you my loyal readers. As it is, Antarctica is a tough place to get to, and a tough place to travel around on. Apart from the freezing temperatures, there are no public transports readily available, and only a few trips a year go to this isolated continent. Thus, getting a chance to be there and witness it is a great gift, and I would love that opportunity to get there. So if you’re reading this and would like to help me get there, please click the link below to vote for me, and please tell your friends to support my cause.

http://www.blogyourwaytoantarctica.com/blogs/view/354

Thank you in advance for your support and I do hope to have the chance to be able to share my experiences with you from there!

Here’s to the next Fabulous Journey!

Me at the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand

Kelvin Lim

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Traditional Japanese Garden - Ginkakuji, Kyoto

Shoguns,  Bonsais And Zen Tranquility

It is the ancient capital of Japan. Its history is very rich with warriors, emperors and shoguns. There are so many beautiful temples, gardens and palaces. Coincidentally, it’s Japan’s seventh largest city. Kyoto is one place that managed to strike a balance between the ultra-modern and the ancient traditional way of Japanese living. I visited this place only knowing that this was Japan’s old capital before Tokyo, yet I had no idea on what to expect.

While I was on the plane to Osaka, I was still frantically reading the guidebook I borrowed from a friend of mine. I had no clue what I can see in Kyoto and where to go. I just boarded the plane and hoped for the best. It was a total last minute decision as I managed to get great last minute deals from Sydney to Osaka, and it was too good to refuse! I was fortunate enough to be seated next to this Japanese student who was returning home to Kyoto from her 2 years of English studies in Hobart. She asked for help in filling out the immigration forms, and I helped her out. Our conversation then led to asking where she lives and then I asked for tips on what to see and do in Kyoto. She was really kind enough to tell me where to go and what to see.

Getting There

Kyoto is about an hour on the train from Osaka. The closest airport is Osaka. From Kansai International Airport, you can take either the JR Express train to Osaka, and then change to the JR Kyoto line. Alternatively, you can take the slower train to Umeda, from where you have to change to Shin Osaka to take the JR Kyoto line. I was glad I had my newfound friend helping me onmy way to Kyoto, as the train lines can be very confusing if you’re not familiar with the place, and especially if you can’t read and speak Japanese! The vending machines for the tickets are all in Japanese, and the only signs that are in English are the train stations. If you opt for the slower way, it will take you an hour and a half to get to Kyoto, or 2 hours if you miss some connections.

Temples And Gardens To See

Kyoto is full of great temples and gardens. Nearly each temple would have a lovely traditional Japanese garden. The gardens are so simple yet so pleasing and calming to the senses. The essence of a Japanese garden is really in its simplicity and harmony with its natural surroundings. Here are some of my favourite temples and gardens to see in Kyoto:

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu Temple - Kyoto

This wooden temple is located up in the hills surrounding Kyoto, and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. The name Kiyomizu means clear and pure water and the history of the temple dates back to 798 A.D. It has been rebuilt since and the current structure dates back to 1633. What makes this temple unique is that it doesn’t use any nails to hold the entire building structure! It’s all made of well-crafted hinges that locks the planks of wood to each other. Considering that this has been in existence for centuries, this is very remarkable for a wooden structure, as they easily get destroyed by fire, earthquakes or perhaps termites and natural decay.

One awesome feature of this temple is the view that you get of the entire city of Kyoto. It’s a very peaceful place to visit (if you can avoid the times that the tourists flock in) and if arrive early in the morning, you are more guaranteed for it to be quieter. There is a waterfall that can be seen from the nearby hills, and this is where the name Kiyomizu came from.

Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkakuji - Kyoto

Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavillion) is a Zen Buddhist Temple that was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for a local shogun before being converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The current structure is actually rebuilt in 1955, after a monk tried to commit suicide by burning down the original structure in 1950. The current structure is gilded with gold-leaf, and has a much thicker coat of gold than that of the original structure.

This golden temple sits in front of a big pond, and surrounded by some gorgeous Japanese gardens. Visitors cannot go inside the temple, but you can go close to it and have a closer look at the 3-story pagoda structure.

Ryoanji Temple and Rock Garden

Ryoanji - Kyoto

Ryoanji is another Zen Buddhist temple that is well known for its rock garden. This temple is another UNESCO World Heritage site. The rock garden is thought to have been built in the late 1400s. It is comprised of raked gravel and 15 moss covered rocks. The rectangular garden has been designed such that only 14 rocks are visible at any angle (apart from an aerial view) when viewing the garden. The simplicity and stark dry landscape of the garden creates a stunning and calming presence while viewing the gardens. This is one of those zen gardens that would be perfect to just sit and reflect and meditate on.

Ginkakuji Temple

Sand Garden in Ginkakuji Temple - Kyoto

Ginkakuji (The Temple of the Silver Pavillion) was built originally as another place of rest and solitude by one of the shoguns in the 1400s. It eventually was turned into a Zen Buddhist temple. There were initial plans of putting a silver foil on the exterior, but this did not materialise. Yet, the name “Silver Pavillion” or Ginkaku-ji stuck with it through the centuries. At the front of the temple complex is a beautifully crafted sand garden. It has a fan-shaped design carved on it and a conical mound of sand that is thought to represent Mount Fuji at one end of the garden. As with the other temples, Ginkakuji is surrounded by a magnificent Japanese garden, which I thought looks much better than the Kinkakuji temple.

Nijo Castle

Kyoto - Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle may not be a temple, but this structure is worth a mention for its gardens and the unique way some of the buildings have been built. This castle was built by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 1600s, and was the residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Nijo Castle has 2 concentric rings of fortifications around the castle, consisting of a wall and a wide moat. Inside the castle are several palaces, the most distinguished one is the Ninomaru Palace. There are several rooms for meeting and greeting visitors, depending on the rank and position of the person arriving. What is unique about the Ninomaru Palace is the way the wooden floors in the corridors are built. They are called “Nightingale Floors” and it is all because they made a squeaking sound with every step you make. It was designed as a warning system in case assassins enter the palace at night.

The castle grounds have numerous great gardens, the most impressive one being the Ninomaru Gardens just outside the Ninomaru Palace. The garden has a large pond with 3 islands in the middle, each having stones carefully laid out with a pine tree on them. The gardens are definitely worth the visit.

When visiting Kyoto (as with the rest of Japan), the best time would have to be during the Cherry Blossom festival (known as the Sakura festival). The cherry blossoms make the temple gardens look very pretty with its bright pink, white and red colours. It is, however more expensive at this time of the year, as it is the most popular time for tourists. If you want a great bargain, you would have to come in the early part of the rainy season (June), as the weather is generally warm, but the rain and potential cyclone discourages the tourists from visiting.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

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Welcome to another edition of Fabulous Journeys! This post will feature the island of Sentosa, which is Singapore’s recreation island. I had the opportunity to visit Sentosa while I was in Singapore in May. I was amazed at how organised everything is! I thought of it as an island with some degree of roughness, but I should have known better that Singapore will not settle for anything rough and rustic.

Getting to Sentosa Island

Sentosa Express

Sentosa is accessible via 4 ways: car, bus, cable car and the Sentosa Express. There is a bridge that links Sentosa to the main island of Singapore, and this is where the cars can pass through. There is a $2 entry fee per person or per car to the island. If you don’t have a car, you can take a taxi or the orange Sentosa bus from Vivo City shopping mall to get to the island. The easiest way I found was to take the Sentosa Express, which is a monorail that runs from Vivo City and to 3 stations within the island. It costs $3 for a day trip ticket between Sentosa and Vivo City, and you can hop on the different station within Sentosa Island as many times as you want within the day.

Alternatively, if you would like a more scenic way to get to the island, you can take the cable car from Mount Faber. It costs $18 return, which is more expensive than the other options, but worth trying if you want to enjoy the view and the novelty of taking a cable car to the island. For more information on ways to get to Sentosa, check out their website here.

Getting Around

There are several buses around Sentosa, and all of them are free of charge! There is a blue, yellow and red line which would go to different areas on the island. They also have 2 beach tram lines, which would take you to the 3 beach locations on the island (Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong). It’s very easy to get around Sentosa, and most of the attractions are covered either by the Sentosa Express or the buses that go around.

Sentosa Attractions

Merlion – Sentosa has the biggest Merlion statue in Singapore. The Merlion, the national symbol of Singapore, is a mythical creature that is half-lion and half fish. The Merlion in Sentosa is a huge building that houses a display of various underwater mythical creatures including sea dragons, mermaids, and the Merlion itself, and some animation features and shops. At the top of the Merlion statue/building is the Mouth Gallery viewing deck (called because it is on the mouth of the Merlion statue), which offers a 360degree view of Sentosa and the southern end of Singapore.

Images Of Singapore – This is a museum that celebrates the ethnic and cultural diversity of Singapore. It showcases how the 4 different major ethnic groups have settled into Singapore through the centuries. Displays of their lifestyle, celebrations, customs and traditions of each of the 4 different races can be found inside, as well as vintage furniture and a display on the 1819 Founding of Singapore. As with the many attractions in Sentosa, there is a souvenir shop where you can find all things unique about Singapore (including food and condiments).

Fort Siloso – Before Sentosa became a recreation island, it was used by the British as a defence fortress for the ships that pass through the straits to get to the rest of Southeast Asia. It was then called Pulau Blakang Mati, which referred to a Malay village on the hill. There were 2 other forts on the island, but Fort Siloso is the only one that was preserved. The island was renamed Sentosa (Peace and Tranquility in Malay) in 1972 when it was designated to be a recreation island. This area has one of the largest collections of World War 2 artillery in Asia. There are a lot of displays of the Second World War and the Japanese occupation of Singapore. The Surrender Chambers is one of the most distinct exhibits and houses a life-size wax display of the actual surrenders of Singapore: the British surrender to the Japanese in 1942, and the Japanese surrender to the Allied Forces in 1945. It’s a fascinating place to learn about how life was during the war in Singapore, and thus, a piece of history of this modern island nation.

Here’s a video I made at Fort Siloso, while viewing all their artillery collection:

Tiger Sky Tower – This is a revolving viewing deck that goes up 110 meters, offering a fantastic view of Sentosa, the Singapore skyline and some islands of Indonesia and Malaysia from a distance. The viewing deck lowers to the ground level to pick up the passengers, and then slowly shoots up to 110 meters. The platform is fully enclosed and rotates around, offering a great 360 degree panoramic view of Singapore and the South China Sea.

Siloso Beach – This is the most popular beach in Sentosa. I wouldn’t classify it as a great beach, but if you just want to feel the sand and play some beach volleyball, then this is the best spot to do it in Singapore. There are cafes and restaurants on this beach, and the facilities are great. Nearby is the Shangri La Rasa Sentosa resort, if you fancy going to a more upmarket kind of establishment.

Songs of The Sea – This is the nightly musical fountain display of Sentosa. The Songs of The Sea replaced the original musical dancing fountain that Sentosa was known for, and was opened on 26 March 2007. It is the world’s first permanent show set in the sea, and has amazing lights, water jets, lasers, computer graphics animation and pyrotechnic displays. Entry normally cost $10 per person.

These are some of the great attractions at Sentosa. It’s very accessible from mainland Singapore, and is worth a visit if you want to take a break from the usual shopping and city scene. The place is a refreshing change from the full-on packed city life of Singapore, and is a popular weekend destination for the locals. If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to go during the middle of the week. I hope you enjoyed this post!

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Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

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G’day from Fabulous Journeys! I hope you enjoyed the last post on Darwin. I had a fantastic time there, and I love the laid-back feel of the city. It was all the more made special by the company of my great friends who showed me around and gave me a taste of the local lifestyle!

Litchfield Or Kakadu?

While I was in Darwin, I had been meaning to go and see Kakadu National Park. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the place from the media and other people that I thought it would just be fantastic to make a trip there. However, my friend Trixie told me that Litchfield National Park is much better than Kakadu, and is more accessible from Darwin itself. I thought about it, and decided that perhaps I should just do Litchfield National Park, as I only had a day to go outside Darwin on my schedule (which I only fitted in between my internet marketing sessions). I was in a dilemma on where to go, but I did consider Trixie’s recommendations, as Litchfield can be more manageable as a day trip than Kakadu, just because of the distance and size of the place. Kakadu is a much bigger place, and people recommend that you spend a few days exploring the area instead of just taking a day trip.

Trixie’s Tours

I was going to go with my friend Sharon on a tour bus from Darwin, and the day before we were supposed to go, we started inquiring about tour prices and availability. We completely ignored the fact that it was dry season in the Top End, and that it was tourist season! We tried one after another, but to no avail. There were no available seats for us on the tour bus! Our friend Trixie, who was our host, kindly offered to take us all the way there! It was a very generous offer from her, as we didn’t think she wanted to go. She was more concerned about her car getting through the unsealed road ahead! Well, the guy at the tour desk told us a lie about Litchfield Road being sealed all the way through, and we only found out when we got there! Well, lesson learnt, take your 4WD on Litchfield Road as part of it is still not sealed. So, that’s how Trixie’s Tours came about (featuring Steve, Trixie’s husband, as the coach driver.. LOL)!

So, on to the topic of Litchfield National Park. Here are some of the great things you can see in the National Park:

Termite Mounds

There are numerous termite mounds in the area, some small, but some are really massive! There is a specific type of termite mound that is unique in the area, and they’re called the Magnetic Termite Mounds. These mounds look more like tombstones of a graveyard. They’re flat and they have a roundish end. The reason they’re called magnetic is because of the way the termites designed these mounds. They all align from north to south! It seems like they have some sort of compass that makes them build these structures in that direction! It’s just fascinating how these creatures can build such structures, and they’re unique to the Northern Territory!

Buley Rockhole

The Buley Rockhole is a series of rock pools on the Florence Creek that cascade down like springs. It is spring-fed and has a good flow all year long. People can swim in the various pools on the different levels. This is one area that is croc-free and jellyfish-free, so people can enjoy them! I didn’t bring my swimming gear when I went there, as I didn’t think it would be tempting to go swimming. The water felt cool and refreshing, and  on a nice hot sunny day in the Top End, it’s worth jumping in!

Florence Falls

Florence Falls is one of the biggest falls in Litchfield National Park. You can walk 1.7kms from the Buley Rockhole to get to this waterfalls, or you can drive and park, and the lookout point for the falls is a few meters from the car park. The lookout point offers the best views of the falls. If you want to get closer and swim in the falls, you can take the 135-step staircase down to the lagoon and enjoy the falls itself. The view is not that great from below, unless you go and swim in the lagoon (which we didn’t).

Tolmer Falls

Tolmer Falls is another one of the 3 major falls on the Tabletop Range in Litchfield National Park. The lookout to the falls is also a few meter from the car park, and you can enjoy great views of the outback further afield. The rock formations and the gorge looks stunning. If you have more time, there is a walk you can take to Tolmer Creek.

Finniss River

One of the major rivers near Litchfield National Park is the Finniss River. You will come across it when you travel through the gravel road from Litchfield Road. It’s not one of the places that the tour buses stop, but we found a nice spot to stop and have a look at a typical river in the Northern Territory. It is known to be croc-infested, but at the time we stopped, no crocodiles were in sight. It was just nice to see the pandanus trees on the river and some native birds around.

Berry Springs

This is technically just outside Litchfield National Park, but was on our way back to Darwin from Litchfield National Park. Berry Springs is a series of springs that have been developed into a recreation park and is ideal for swimming. There are a couple of pools in the area that you can swim on, and it’s all natural pools, with some fish swimming along in the water. When we arrived at Berry Springs, there were already a few people swimming, but it was so calm and peaceful in the area. There’s also a small exhibit on how Berry Springs used to be, and where the source of the water is. One interesting display they have there is an original dunny, which is quite common in the remote regions in Australia.

Litchfield National Park is only an hour and a half’s drive from Darwin, and is much closer to Darwin than Kakadu. Kakadu, while it is be bigger, takes more than 2 hours from Darwin, and some people recommend that we see it from the air, as it is more spectacular that way. I’m planning to visit Kakadu next time when I have more time to spare in the Top End, and just do a 2 to 3 day tour there. I enjoyed my trip to Litchfield National Park, and I’m glad I took this option over Kakadu for a day trip.. You can cover more attractions to see in and near Litchfield, especially if you only have a day to spare.

Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

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Part 2 of Fabulous Journeys‘ Singapore escapade. I hope you have enjoyed my update on what I’ve been up to in Singapore. This will be a brief post on the Singapore Flyer. The Singapore Flyer is the world’s tallest observation wheel. I had the opportunity to take an evening flight to view the awesome Singapore skyline. Here are some of the snaps I took at the Singapore Flyer:

Singapore Flyer - wheel view

Singapore Flyer - Millenia Tower view

Singapore Flyer - City Skyline

Definitely great views from the Singapore Flyer. If you’re ever in Singapore, don’t miss this attraction.

Til the next update from Singapore!

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