On a recommendation from a random lady, we knew nothing about Wollongong National Park, but since we had a rental car and some time, we decided ‘what the heck’, let’s go! On our way back from the Blue Mountains, we drove the recently opened “Grand Pacific Drive” tourist trail and stopped at the sights along [...]

The slate colored haze that is exuded from the oil of eucalyptus trees gives these mountains their name, a great excursion from Sydney if you have a few extra days. We headed there shortly after the New Year to explore the sandstone plateaus and traverse the plains with some invigorating bush walks and we were [...]

A ranked list of our most memorable experiences to date, that will be continuously updated as our travels continue. So many more left off this list are worthy of attention, but the people, places and often other creatures creating these experiences combined to leave an imprint that will last a lifetime.
NOTE: A permanent page [...]

This mammoth hostel, converted from a 1900 department store, located near Central Station and Railway Square is extremely popular among backpackers and travelers of all ages. Although a little more expensive than the competition, the extra pennies are worth the cleanliness and free activities that the hostel offers. The café downstairs offers the “Meal [...]

Happy New Year from Manali + Terry!
We rang in 2010 and watched the fireworks from Mrs Macquarie’s Point the Botanical Gardens, a perfect viewing point of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House, but we had to get there at 5AM (yes, a 19 hour wait until midnight…) to secure a spot! We packed [...]

We spent Christmas on Kuta Beach this year, gifting ourselves with surfing lessons, among people wearing their swimsuits and Santa hats resting under decorated palm trees. Not a bad way to spend the ‘winter’ season! We both caught the hang of surfing after a quick pool session with Odyssey Surf School and Manali was [...]

We didn’t really know what to expect when we arrived in Gili Trawangan via the Gili Cat from Bali ($32 per person, 2 hour journey) near the island of Lombok. The largest of the three islands, Gili T, as it is commonly known, houses the major dive and snorkel operators and has the most [...]

There a few words that can describe the cutest, playful but moody monkeys that you will come across in Monkey Forest.

Beware that if you have any traces of food in your purses or backpacks, these pickpocket monkeys will find it and will not hesitate to give you a quick pat down!

This [...]