Although yellow rose was the theme for the 148th annual, 2008 Melbourne Cup, red was the colour of the day for me and Yvonne. We couldn't escape this devil hue: Yvonne's outfit highlighted by her heels and handbag, the chafed neck from my shirt collar, and all the sunburned shoulders of racegoers on...

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Australians are said to be known for their senses of humor and John Boucher, co-owner of the Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery in Kyneton, Victoria State, was no exception.

Pointing to the huge, white tent that took up a large portion of his side yard and where his stepson was to hold his wedding reception...

We picked a hell of a weekend to go to Sydney. On the same night as our Cirque du Soleil show was an NRL (rugby league) semi-final between Manly and NZ. We booked our flights to Sydney in time to get some cheap seats, but everything going back to Melbourne was either sold out or very expensive. We...

I recently took a trip to Melbourne, Australia.

I had no high expectations, if anything I had quite low ones. Actually, why was I even going, I HATE Melbourne!

Arriving back home one week later, I declared to one and all that I LOVE Melbourne. In fact I plan on moving there next year.

What...

At the bottom of the steps that lead down from the backdoor of our 2-bedroom flat is a small courtyard. It consists of a narrow brick path, shared clotheslines in the corner, and a tiny neglected patch of grass. On either side are other fenced-off courtyards, much bigger in square footage, with large...

Why do many religious folks constantly tell people that they are going to hell? Let's give them the benefit of the doubt for a second and say that they're right. Well, they don't have to gloat about it.

Isn't it enough that they're NOT going to hell? I mean, what the hell?

I hate those awkward moments. You're in a confined space with a stranger; he leans over and starts to talk. You give the obligatory laugh or short response (like "yeah" and a smile) and then you both look forward into space. Will he say something else? Should I say something now? What's the etiquette...

Surfing Byron Bay, the school of Surfing, is offering a fantastic Surfing Package just for Women.

Dates:

October 19-26 Intermediate Course

November 2-9 Beginner Course

Where: Byron Bay, Australia

Details:
AU$1100 includes surf instruction, equipment, airport transfers, accomodation, meals, personalized DVD,...

I couldn't sleep that night.  It was quiet, too quiet.  And warm.  We weren't used to it being quiet and warm - after all we had been camping in the Australian desert for weeks, and the desert was neither warm nor quiet.  Temperatures overnight in July were too close to zero for comfort,...

The Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre and Blue Mountains Naidoc Committee are holding an art exhibit of original paintings and artworks created by local Aboriginal artists. It is called “Red Ochre Aboriginal Arts” and runs from the 18^th of July to 13^th of...

"Good on ya!" .. how in the hell are you supposed to respond to that? "Thanks!? .. Fine!? .. Ok!?".  Another one of my favorites "Good Ay Mate" (they actually say that here!!) .. "YES IT IS!!".

It has only been two months outside of the states and already the accents are all starting to sound the...

Since taking in study about travel and the lifestyles of those that undertake the journey, I have been fascinated with the backpackers. I always wanted to do it when I was young, my parents wouldn’t let me go. With my father’s military clearance I wasn’t even able to go to Berlin and some...

I’ve been reading many blogs and articles regarding why people travel. Is it a way to fulfil a void in our daily lives? What are we seeking on these excursions to the outer rims of our own reality?

Curiosity was a common theme - what do other cultures have that our home does not?  You...

I never went overseas growing up. I never traveled with my parents. I did visit a variety of locations around Australia on holiday.

Let's start at the beginning. I'm Anita Morris and I grew up in suburban Melbourne. I have two parents, and a younger brother.

Growing up in Melbourne means that you hold...

In four days, I'll be leaving Sydney to spend two months on the beautiful island of Santorini, thus avoiding the Southern Hemisphere's winter (cold weather and I don't get on, and I count anything beneath 20 degrees to be cold). All moments of madness, including cultural confusion, communication comedy,...

As I near the teen countdown for a hefty seven month trip, I am truly starting to be overwhelmed by the amount of time I’ll be homeless. Its the 23rd of May, I have just come home from my second last exam for the year. I have one left on Monday, and then starts the slow final countdown to the...

Nepal Volunteering Experiences

I recall the image of a young male leaping from a crowd to vocalize his resentment at the Kings autocracy. The time was Jana Andolan ii, and the photo came courtesy of the Sydney Herald. I cannot deny that the image lingered in my...

The Caffeine Rush is on in Sydney, Australia

The" Australia Sydney, in is Rush Caffeine

                Everything coffee that you need in one spot, the largest gathering of coffee lovers on any continent, where will you...

Smoke lingering after the thunder of canons, swords clashing, wood chips flying, fire blazing, lances splintering, belly dancers swirling, rumble of the motorcycle, minstrels singing... an eclectic mix of things but they all have one thing in common – Ironfest Fusion 2008 in Lithgow, NSW, Australia.