Queensland High Points 2012

Last June, I got the chance to take my first trip abroad to Queensland, Australia. It was an amazing visit, but I got a bit distracted from blogging after becoming ENGAGED to my now husband, Ashley! Find more on that story HERE! The following is an update I had started with just a few of our visits' highlights that I never got around to actually posting. Since I'll be heading back for my 2nd visit to Oz next month, I figured its time to play "catch up!"

Mt Coot-tha

I believe we started off this visit to Brisbane the right way, by taking a drive up to Mt. Coot-tha, a beautiful look-out point that gives a full view of downtown Brisbane and the river. Aside from the breathtaking sites, there is also the quaint Kuta Café and Gift Shop to stop and find souveniers or grab a bite to eat.  I highly recommend their chai latte, and I was also impressed that they had a few gluten-free sweet treats available on their menu.The only thing I’m not sure I could get used to, is the lack of ketchup. I hope you like mayonnaise on your fries! Err…chips, I mean.

Australia Zoo

The wildlife is probably the first thing that has always come to my mind when I thought of the Land Down Under, so a zoo is a must-do event. We visited Steve Irwin’s iconic Australia Zoo to fulfill this requirement.

Except for the absent duck-billed platypus, the zoo delivered on all the expected animals—snakes, iguanas, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, wallabies,  and of course kangaroos and koalas.

First off, I must say, after finally having the chance to pat a koala…they are the most delightfully fuzzy and cuddly things I have ever touched! They don’t smell the greatest, but they are SO SOFT! And getting to feed kangaroos was quite an awe-inspiring experience as well.

I definitely had some moments at this zoo that I wouldn’t trade, but… with an admission price of nearly $60 per person, you may want to first check out one of the cheaper/smaller zoos in the city and see if that gives you the same opportunities.

Ettamogah Pub

After spending all of our money at the zoo, a tasty but inexpensive meal was exactly what we needed. Luckily, the Ettamogah Pub delivered with dinner specials for $14.99 per person. Most non fast food meals have run us between $25-$35 a plate so a T-Bone Steak with chips and veggies for this price was a phenomenal deal.

It was here that I also got to try Australia’s own Bundaburg Rum for the first time! I’m still a Kentucky Bourbon girl at heart, but this certainly isn’t too shabby of a choice either!

Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast

Having grown up my entire life in land-locked areas, nothing overwhelms my senses with delight more than seeing the ocean. Even moreso when that ocean is lapping around with waves reaching about 5 meters high!

Some strong winds made our trip to the Gold Coast even more impressive than expected, and even with the water being too cold to go for a swim, just the view alone was breath-taking! We walked around Surfers Paradise, checking out the shops and the local architecture and ended up at the Hard Rock Café for dinner where we enjoyed their signature cocktail, the Hurricane.  Cheesy as it may be, this has become tradition for Ash and I whenever we visit a new city.   

Again, these were only a small sampling of all the sites available to see and things to do! I hope to have even more great experiences to share in the coming weeks!

I Say Al-ew-min-um, You Say Al-ew-min-ee-um: A Light Commentary on Cultural Differences I've Noticed So Far

Both being first-world, English speaking countries, you might not expect a lot of difference between the US and Australia… And over all you’d be right. A good bit of the music is the same, clothing styles don’t differ too much and even a lot of the food is very similar. Yet, with all of those similarities, I have encountered a cultural faux pas or two to remind me that I am indeed in a foreign country. Starting with…

Money

Australian money is actually very colorful and cleverly made of a plastic-like waterproof material. They also make each bill a slightly different size, making it easier to tell apart. But the denominations have already gotten the better of me. When paying for a coffee and a biscuit (or cookie, as we Yanks would call it) the other day, I paid with a $10 note for a bill that came to about $7 total. The gentleman handed me back some coins and I stood there about another 20 seconds or so, waiting for the rest of my change. Luckily, before I made a total idiot of myself, I remembered that they do not use one-dollar notes. Anything less than a $5 note is in change. On the plus side here, all prices listed already include General Sales Tax, so the price you see is the price you pay. And that goes for just about everywhere because…tips are also not expected! Bringing me to another significant cultural difference.

Dining Out

Not tipping wait-staff may seem like a great 15-20% advantage for the consumer, but I suspect that you get the service you pay for. Not that any wait-staff we’ve encountered have been out-rightly rude, but we have so far only been to one restaurant in Queensland with the standard “table service” to which we Americans are accustomed, in which a waiter comes to the table and takes your order and delivers everything to you. And that one experience was at the Hard Rock Café in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast…an American Restaurant.

Typical table service here is rare. Most places that we have been to, even many nicer establishments, involve you walking up to a counter to order your food and receiving a buzzer to alert you when to come back and pick it up.  Not a bad thing, but it certainly doesn’t appeal to the lazy American culture of drive-thru everything, including ATMs and dry cleaning service.

Also, a few other differences to note in the dining experience—the “entrée” here is actually the appetizer, not the main course. Drinks do not typically come with free refills. And most sizes seem a little smaller than their American equivalents.

As an example, at McDonalds a large coke is nowhere near an American large. At approximately 12-14oz in imperial size, the drinks we received would more rightly be called a… “Smedium?” as compared to the 32oz American large. And a medium order of fries was equivalent to our small or kiddie size.  At first, I’ll admit I felt a bit “gypped” especially since these smaller sizes cost about twice what they would in the US, but, on second thought… perhaps this “portion distortion” has a thing or two to do with our obesity epidemic?  Food for thought…

Cost of Living

After this trip, I may never complain about the cost of goods in America again. Please don’t hold me to that, as I am certain even as I type the statement that I am lying. But the prices of many things that I take for granted at home are nearly incomprehensible here.  Yesterday, when walking past an American candy stand in the mall, I noticed an 8-pack of Reece’s Cups. These are the same 8 packs of Reece’s cups that I typically buy to hand out at Halloween for about $1 a package on sale at Kroger. Here in Brisbane however, those peanut butter & chocolate delights were priced at $8.  EIGHT DOLLARS!!! And a 6 pack of Dr. Pepper was $15. FIFTEEN DOLLARS!!! I mean, who even needs to bootleg alcohol?? Next time I visit, I am bringing a suitcase full of candy and soda to pay for my trip…

Compare to a 12 pack in the US
for about $4.50...

Also a noteworthy difference, if you are accustomed to the convenience of central heating and air? Fuggedaboutit. While most of Queensland does tend to remain within a reasonable temperature range most of the time, the average house does not come with custom climate controls built in for when extreme weather does come along. This is an expensive luxury that is reserved only for the rich and maybe the occasional American ex-pat that can’t adjust to sticking their head in the freezer during a heat wave.

Driving

Now, still somewhat on the “cost of living” subject, let’s talk fuel prices… Driving around town here, you currently see signs advertising an average price for petrol (gas) at $1.40. Wow! Sounds great, right? Until you remember that this is Australia and everything is in metric. That $1.40 is per LITER not per gallon…. And that translates into about $6.44 per gallon of fuel. That’s only a tad under TWICE what a gallon of gas was going for when I left the US last week.

Now, if that alone doesn’t give you a heart attack, then just ride shotgun for the first time in an Australian’s car and wait for your driver to turn right at an intersection for the first time… There is just something about that first turn into the far left lane that briefly makes an American driver’s life flash before their eyes. I’m getting used to riding on the left lane, but if I forget where I am, even for a second, my brain immediately screams “Oh my God we’re GOING TO DIE” with every turn…

And since parking in the city costs an average of $47,656,387,475,728.05 per hour, today we will be heading off on our first excursion using Queensland’s public transit system! I’ll let you know how that goes later. Cheers!

When You Least Expect It

So it’s been about 10 months since I promised that follow-up on my LA trip. I feel terrible for the blogatory neglect, but as it sometimes does, time lapsed and I fell back into my non-Travelista rabbit hole of routine at work and home.  I’ve ended up neglecting both my blog and that burning desire for travel for far too long… But with good reason.  And I am so excited to announce that my travel-famine has come to an end.  I am certain for many reasons that this trip will be well worth the long wait! Pennies and paid-vacation-days have been saving up for a while, so as you might imagine, this is not my typical weekend-road-trip! But before I can get into the details of this trip, how about I deliver on that promised LA follow-up?

When You Least Expect It

Though there is an exception to every rule, most solo travelers out there have something in common.  Most solo travelers are…well…

Single.  

You know “single” right? Those people you see sweating it out at the gym on Valentine’s night? The odd creatures that push a shopping cart full of individually frozen meals at the grocery store, because everything fresh is sold in “Family Size” quantity?

Well, when I went on that trip to SoCal last July, I fit the stereotype of the solo traveler. And I was content there. Though I had no aversion to relationships, I went to LA to relax and learn to enjoy my own company, not to meet someone.

But if you are single, some well-meaning married acquaintance at some point, has likely said something along these lines to you: “As soon as you’re not looking for it, that’s when love will show up right in front of you! When you least expect it!”

Am I right?

And as much as I have always enjoyed secretly rolling my eyes at such clichés, it turns out…they were right. At least in my case.

And after having had my share of forlorn nights on the couch, watching When Harry Met Sally with the dog, I finally came to a place in life where I honestly had no problem with my singleness. I discovered that my unattached state was an opportunity rather than purgatory, and I embraced my independence. I started packing my bags, and getting on the road whenever I could manage, and before long, it was my "attached" friends who were expressing envy to me. Who would have guessed it, but apparently a couple of kids, a spouse and a career don’t leave much room for travel in most people’s lives...

If you read my last post, you may recall the infamous Pub Crawl. As part of my newly-appreciated independence I had decided to step outside of my comfort zone and take some chances. Unbeknownst to me at the time, that impulsive decision to go on the Pub Crawl in Santa Monica with a few dozen strangers may yet turn out to be one of the most significant decisions I have ever made. Because on that pub crawl, while standing in line for the restroom, totally not expecting it… I met someone.

Now, being under the influence of 2 beers and a complimentary cotton-candy flavored shot of some kind, I was feeling very social and friendly. So when I first struck up a conversation with a guy in line for the bathrooms, I hadn’t yet notice his sweet smile. No. Of all things, I first noticed... a University of Georgia T-shirt.  As a southern girl in California, I felt an obligation under the rules of southern hospitality (as well as under the obligation of 2 beers and a cotton candy flavored shot!) to introduce myself as a fellow member of the South Eastern Conference…  (Go UK Wildcats!) But when he opened his mouth and responded, his accent was not the familiar southern drawl I anticipated. No… he was clearly much more “southern” than I ever would have guessed.

A photo from that first week in LA

He introduced himself as Ash from Queensland, Australia and explained that he’d been visiting some friends in Atlanta. And that was that. Some highly intoxicated girl (no doubt she'd had more than a few of those cotton candy shots) stumbled out of the ladies restroom leaving it unoccupied, and we parted ways. If he hadn’t found me later that night at one of the other pubs and insisted on getting my info, that would have been the end of the story... But he did!

The next morning he asked me on our first date to opening midnight showing of the final Harry Potter movie. (Which I ended up sleeping through most of because of some residual jet lag and having not yet adjusted to Pacific time, but that's a whole story on it's own...) Having no other plans and still living in the spirit of taking chances, I said yes! That spontaneity is one of the best parts of solo travel. Since there is rarely a set itinerary you can go with the flow. 

Out in Chermside, wearing the very shirt
that started it all!

After spending the week getting to know each other, we kept in touch through text messages, Facebook and Skype every day since and often two or three times a day. He came back to the US over the winter to visit me and we traveled through Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky together and now, here I am on my very first trip outside of North America!

I arrived in Queensland yesterday morning along with my big brother after a 5 hour flight from Cincinnati to LA, a 6 hour layover, and another 15 hours from LA to Brisbane. 

I slept through a good portion of my first 24 hours here, but I should have quite a bit more interesting info to share now that I have pushed past the jet lag! I promise, I won't leave you hanging for 10 months this time!

Solo Travel - Far From Lonely in LA

Solo Travel, LA, Santa Monica, Budget Travel, hostel, California

I realize I am quite behind on my LA updates. My only excuse is that I've been too busy regaling my tales to everyone I've run into that I haven't had enough time to write it down!

It's funny, but before I left home, people were asking almost accusingly what I thought I could find to keep me entertained for an entire week by myself. I appreciate their concern for my well being, as I'm sure everyone was just worried that I'd be incredibly bored... or end up the victim of someone who enjoys preying upon incredibly bored & lonely female tourists. However, I managed to placate most of my inquisitors and calm their concerns with the story that I would be content to merely sit and read on the beach all week, but in reality... I was hoping for a slightly more exciting holiday.

Last year when I took my first solo trip to New York City, I'll admit, I let my insecurities get the better of me & failed to venture very far out of my comfort zone. I went to several tourist sights by myself, trying my best to look inconspicuous while taking those awkward, one-arm-extended, self-portraits with my camera. Most of my meals were spent in restaurants, with my nose in a computer, avoiding eye contact... After all, since elementary school, I was taught never to talk to strangers; especially in a big city. Despite my extreme solitude, I ended up having an overall great experience, and I saw some amazing sights. But by about day 3, I was so starved for human interaction that I couldn't wait to get back home to my own friendly, southern culture, in which you are guaranteed to hear the entire life story of anyone you stand next to in the grocery line. (Usually including their most embarrassing of medical ailments...) But It was because of my lonely New York trip, that I came to California determined to do things differently!

Recently, a friend reminded me of a great quote by Eleanor Roosevelt--a challenge really, to "do one thing every day that scares you." Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? The higher the risk, the higher the reward, etc? Keeping this concept in mind, I found my (normally somewhat shy) self sitting in the hostel's lobby on my first night in LA. There was a pub-crawl scheduled that evening, so I staked out a spot and waited to see who showed up. I was still considering the possibility of chickening out and playing Angry Birds in my room for the rest of the night, but as a crowd of my fellow travelers began to gather, my sense of adventure finally began to surface. I was able to strike up a conversation with a girl standing nearby, and as it turned out, she was also traveling solo from her home in Vancouver, and trying to make up her mind whether to join the pub crawl. With a connection made, I realized very quickly that this was not some exclusive & judgemental high school clique. Almost all of these people were in the same unfamiliar situation as me & were also hoping to make friends with new people.

Throughout that night & the rest of my trip, I encountered travelers from at least 11 different countries and 5 continents. I had more fun than I've had in years! Ironically, I would say that this "solo" trip was far more social than any I've taken with friends in the past. And aside from all of the new people I was able to meet, I learned to more deeply appreciate my own company, as well as gaining confidence in my ability to take on new experiences...even the slightly scary ones.

If you are looking for a chance to grow as a person and challenge yourself... or even if you are just in grave need of a vacation, but can't find anyone with the time and resources to go with you, I highly recommend that you go online right now and book a plane ticket to somewhere you've never been! You will be surprised by what solo travel will enable you to discover about both the world around you and yourself!

More to come on LA later :)

My LA Experience - Take 2!

Up until my first visit to LA this past January, the West Coast held little defined interest for me. Coming from practical southern roots, I assumed SoCal would be filled with superficial-silicone cyborgs, traffic, excessive smog from said traffic, and scenery that I was sure I would find lacking in person. The mountains in the distance and beachy sunsets I've seen in pictures and movies must be all cardboard sets and CGI graphics... ultimately as fake as the aesthetically enhanced residents. Seriously... It couldn't really be THAT breathtaking in person.

Wow... Was I wrong. I'm now convinced that Hollywood elitists must have been paying a PR firm to culminate these negative images in the minds of southern and midwestern Americans, thus keeping the masses from immediately converging on paradise in an effort to prevent further overpopulation and inflation of property values in the SoCal area.

Aside from the consistently 72F and sunny conditions (um...with no humidity...in which my hair is almost always perfect with little to no effort, thank you!), it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what charms me so much about LA, but altogether, the culture seems to suit me. Not necessarily the perceived Hollywood culture... I have no intentions of getting a boob job and carrying a chihuahua as an accessory, but the breezy attitude, the happiness to be outside and active, and the wider appreciation of other cultures... Yeah I dig it. I think with all of the joggers, cyclists, and yoga-mat toting residents around, this southern girl could easily find the motivation to lose some of the biscuit and gravy residuals I've been carrying around on my hips.

Well I am back in this lovely place, with my first stop being a Baja Fresh near my hostel. I might have chosen something a bit more exotic as my first meal back in Cali and saved this one for later, but after not eating between 9am Eastern time until 4pm Pacific time (that's 10 hours... I think...?) because I decided against eating during my layover in Houston, I just needed something in walking distance and fast. (P.S. My Mahi Mahi tacos and Salsa Roja are totally hitting the spot!)

I have this tendency to fall in love with every new destination I visit and immediately start planning my permanent relocation there. I've had the same response to LA, Savnnah, Florida, New York City, and Chicago. I've yet to put my house on the market and start circulating resumes in any of these areas... But looking around here at Santa Monica, this could be the place to push me over that edge!

I hope all of you out in the blogosphere are having as great of a day as me! Now, I'm off to the Santa Monica Pier!

Top Airfare Apps for Smartphones

Smartphones and tablet devices have added a lot of convenience and value to my travel within the US. Thanks to my iPhone4, as long as I am still traveling in a service area for my carrier, I eliminate the need to carry a bulky laptop with me to look up info, and I'm also able to have conveniently in one device: a GPS navigation system, an eReader and games for killing time, and a high quality camera with 720p video recording for those memorable moments on-the-go.  It is thanks to iPhone apps that I have found some of the most unbelievable travel deals, so I thought I would share a few of my favorites, starting with Airfare Apps.

This post is based on the Apple App Store, but several of these apps are also available in the Android Market!

When to Fly by FareCompare

App Cost: FREE

Also on Android? Not at this time

This is probably my favorite travel app, and one that I can attest to personal success with! My favorite feature is that it allows you to set up alerts from your home airports with a range of dates to your preferred destinations and it will send you Push notifications when a great fare is published. It was through this process that I found a round trip ticket from Cincinnati, OH to Los Angeles International for only… (Seriously)… $174!! With the average fare for this flight has run around $350-$400, this saved me over 50%! Deals this great don’t necessarily happen everyday, and if one pops up, you must be ready to book immediately. These rates are generally only for a few seats per flight and sell out within minutes. Keep in mind also that the further out you are planning for your trip, the greater chance you’ll have of finding one of these great deals. It’s best to set your alerts about 6 months in advance.

In addition to the alert function, the app will automatically use your location to display the best fares for popular destinations from your nearest airport, which can give you a great chance to find other trip ideas at a great price!

Kayak Mobile

App Cost: FREE

Also on Android? YES

Kayak is a great multi-functional travel app. It allows you a lot of functionality in your airfare searches, like automatically checking flights at other nearby airports or on other days close to your suggested departure in case there are better deals if you’re dates are flexible. This app also allows for hotel searches and car rentals and includes all kinds of other handy tools like a currency converter and a listing of various airlines’ fees.

Southwest Airlines

App Cost: FREE

Also on Android? YES

Southwest is definitely one of the cheaper commercial airlines in the US. Aside from their popular “no checked bag fee” policy, they frequently run deals throughout the year with rates as low as $39 one way to some locations. (Watch in late June to early July for their big anniversary sale which has some of the best deals.) In general, I don’t find Southwest to be consistently the cheapest carrier, but when you do get a deal… it is a DEAL. Also be sure to sign up for DING! fare alerts on this app. These notifications will let you know of daily specials running from your home airport. Again, be ready to book fast when you see a deal you want, as they are always for a limited number of seats.

A Destination in Review - Savannah, GA

Probably the city most credited for my "travel-awakening" is Savannah, Georgia. In the past 4 years, I have managed to visit Savannah 3 times, each trip being a Girls’ weekend with one of my best friends from college. Though I have yet to take a solo trip to Savannah, this city would be perfect for any traveler, whether solo, in a group, or looking for a romantic getaway. Its rich history, inspiring Fine Art’s culture, laid-back Southern charm, and amaaaazing food all make it a top destination that will not disappoint! There is an array of great hotels, ranging from the reasonably priced chain, to the extravagant-beyond-belief, located within the Historic District. Because of the layout of the Historic District, anywhere you stay in the area will give you access within walking distance to entertainment; shopping, dining, night-life, and plenty of site seeing!

A few things you won’t want to miss while you are there:

Paula Deen’s famous buffet, The Lady & Sons! - As a Food Network fan, this is initially what brought me to Savannah. I thought this would be the highlight, but I had no idea the other charms this southern jewel had waiting for me. If you plan on dining here, you will want to join the line on Congress St before 9am to get your lunch reservation. (They do not take phone reservations, except for parties over 10.) You won’t have to wait for long to put your name in as the line moves quickly & then you’ll be able to do some sight seeing with your morning. Reserving your space early is a much shorter wait then showing up closer to lunch when you are already hungry. Plus this is the south… It gets hot in the afternoon so you’ll be happy you choose to do your waiting in the cool of the morning.

City Market – This is a lovely little area with several restaurants and galleries situated in the heart of the district. While you are here, I recommend stopping in at Belford’s Seafood and Steaks around lunch time for some sweet tea and a Savannah delicacy known as She-Crab Stew! It is a creamy-buttery-melt-in-your-mouth experience beyond comprehension. I found the service at this restaurant was mediocre, but the stew is well worth a slightly inattentive waiter. Afterwards, save some room for dessert and head across the way to the Savannah’s Candy Kitchen for one of their famous Pecan Pralines or Chocolate Pecan Pralines. On a Friday or Saturday evening, City Market is also a great place to hear live music and a have a small serving of Italy’s sweetest treat at Gelat-Ohhh! 

River Street –From Bay St, walking down steeply inclined stone steps that date back to the 1700’s, (there is also an elevator if your knees don’t permit the hike) you’ll feel immediately like you are entering another period in time. All the way up and down the Savannah River, you’ll find lots of shopping, restaurants, and of course…pubs. You’ll find opportunities for karaoke, dancing, and belting out an old Irish drinking song or two. You’ll also notice the lack of open-container laws in the area. Bars there do not seem to be offended if you walk in still holding a beverage from another establishment & I was shocked when a restaurant actually offered me a to-go cup for my beer… This city of the south appears to have gotten rid of its “blue laws” a long time ago. 

Other Savannah Establishments & Attractions Worth Mention:

Me, Colleen, and a Candy-Appletini at Jazz'd Tapas Bar

Jazz’d Tapas Bar (Barnard St) - Jazz'd closes earlier in the evening, but it has a very classy atmosphere and is great for lighter fare and tasty cocktails. On occasion you will catch a live blues band or Crooner there to entertain you.

Fried Green Tomatos at Vic's On the River

Vic’s On the River (River St) - You'll find incredible southern gourmet food and a charming atmosphere. The staff here will make you feel like part of the Southern Gentry as you relax to the  melodies of their live baby grand piano player! I recommend trying the Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade and for dessert the Sweet Potato Crème Brule!

Sweet Melissa’s (Whitaker St) - The perfect place for your late night pizza craving!

SCAD Campus and Surrounding Art Galleries - You’ll also find quite a bit of shopping in the area around W Broughton St—including both retail chains and unique resale/ vintage shops.

The Dolphin Tour Boat

Savannah River Dolphin Tours – I was thoroughly surprised by how exciting this tour was! The guides will take you out several miles where you’ll get a great view of the city from the river as well as some of the out lying islands along Georgia and South Carolina’s coast. If you’re lucky like we were, you’ll also get an up close and personal greeting from a pod of wild dolphins! 

Things I Will Pass On Next Time:

Savannah Trolley Tours – It is fun to ride around in the trolley, but our tour guide, while knowledgeable about the city, was less than charismatic. If you can’t handle lots of walking this may still be a good option for you, but I recommend spending the few extra dollars for the “on-off” tour so that you can exit the tour at various points to explore the most interesting areas.

Savannah River Boat Cruise – I really looked forward to this excursion, but it was a sore disappointment. The river boat is beautiful from the outside, but the inside is quite dank and outdated...dirty even. I knew we’d made the right choice to skip the dinner cruise and opt for a moon-lit tour as soon as we made it up the river (toward the industrial end for some reason.) Our appetites were quickly ruined by a pungent sulfur smell that wafted from the shipping yards. If the tour owners manage to renovate the boats’ interiors and start taking the boat in the other direction, down the river, I think it could have real potential.  

For those of you who have been to Savannah, what did I miss? Please comment on the blog to share your favorites as well!