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Are those group buying travel deals worth it?

Haven't done one of these posts for a while, and since I am not currently travelling I thought I might start again.

Every since these group buying website started it has become a phenomenon. It started with just one website and now I can count at least ten that operate deals for Sydney. However with every business that run on a time limit and lots of terms and conditions, there are bound to be complaints and I can say that I personally have been left disappointed by unethical businesses that never delivered.

However, does that mean I gave up on them? No. In fact, I think it's great that we have such websites available. It gives you the opportunity to try something different, something that you may not normally be able to afford, and as long as you read the terms and conditions and understand your risks and purchase limits, most of the transactions are fine.

Let's talk travel deals. More and more hotels and tour companies are using group buying sites to advertise their services, especially with the economic downturn that travel bookings have decreased compared to previous years. I personally have utilised the deals for various weekend stays and even for overseas trips and they all have been fantastic.

For example, when we went to Bangkok last year we were able to stay at the Banyan Tree hotel for only $100 per night. Let's say, I would never have been able to afford the normal $350 per night price the hotel normally charges! We have also since been to Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Melbourne on these deals and the experience had been absolutely fantastic.

Yes, there are compromises to be made. Deals are almost never available for you to book during school holidays, public holidays and peak travel periods such as during December. They also have a short time period most of the time, such as you must book within three month and travel within six month for example, and you have to pay in advance (Pretty much the same with all other travel sales that normally happens).

All these limitations aside, if you do not have to travel during any of the busy season and just wanted a week's break somewhere, and that your time is flexible, I don't see why these deals can't work for you.

Points to consider before purchase:

1. What are the travel periods? Can I travel during the specified times?

2. When will I need to book by? Make sure you start planning this trip as soon as you purchase your voucher so you definitely have something booked in. Think about it, you were looking at the deal for a reason - you obviously need a holiday, so why not start planning one as soon as you get the deal?

3. Is the deal definitely worth it? Some deals may include rounds of golf, massages and various other activities, but they may not always be worth it if say, you don't even play golf. Calculate the value - if the hotel normally has a room for $100 and the deal is advertising $150 that include a round of golf and a bottle of wine, then you might want to reconsider buying the deal as it'll be no benefit to you.

4. Think about the additional travel costs that will incur if you were to take this holiday. No point buying a deal for $200 for a week in Bali if you can't afford airfares to Bali. You might as well get the $300 deal for four nights in Brisbane.

5. Check and double check the terms and conditions!

I know there has been many complaints about these group buying websites, but don't give up just yet! There is a reason why these deals exist, is so that they get your repeat business in the future. Most of the deals are legitimate and great value.

Happy travels!
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Red Centre Gallery: Part 2

Image gallery: Kings Canyon and surrounds



















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Red Centre Gallery: Part 1

Image gallery: Uluru and surrounds















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Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb!

I will come back to the Red Centre later, but wanted to share with you the Bridge Climb we did on the weekend.

A while ago I entered a competition by Vacations and Travel Magazine - one of those "In 25 words or less...." ones - and won ourselves two tickets to go on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb!

(It was a relief to win at least one since I have been entering so many competitions it's not funny - to know that someone actually do win stuff.)

So, I booked it for Saturday, thinking that it was the perfect thing to do on my birthday..... The Bridge Climb had been one of those things that those of us who live in the city keep putting off, thinking that it's always going to be there. It's also quite expensive, at $200 per person most of us Sydneysiders think it's just a tourist trap.

I can tell you now - just go for it. It's a great experience and you get to see where you live from a different angle and be able to admire Sydney from above.

It took an hour to get 'ready'. The staff at BridgeClimb were professional and friendly. We put on our jumpsuits, belted up and had various things strapped to us, including rain jacks, radio, safety harness.... then we were instructed on how to behave while on the bridge, as well as tried out the ladders on a simulator to ensure we are all familiar with the structure and that we know how to safely get up and down.

Then, it was time. Like well trained soldiers about to embark on a mission, we exited the tunnel and we were on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After a bit of climbing, zigzagging between steel and stone, we reached the summit and it was a glorious view. It's also fascinating to watch the traffic from above, and to weave between the different layers of the bridge actually seeing the coat hanger up front. We were able to see all the nuts and bolts and listen to stories of how it was built and what was happening in and around Sydney at the same time.

Bridge Climb
Posing on the Harbour Bridge


It was a great experience and a day to remember.
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The red centre adventure: Day Three

It was another early morning departure. Under the dark starry sky our bus drove east through endless of nothing heading toward Kings Canyon, the destination of the day.

It was nothing at first, and most of us slipped into a half minded sleep. As the day breaks and we can start to see silhouette of the surroundings we start to make out outlines of kangaroos and camels along the way.

We stop at Kings Creek Station, run by Ian Conway and his wife, a duo determined to make a difference. At the same time as running Kings Creek Station, the pair have dedicated their time and efforts sending local children to school in Adelaide and assisting to develop youth with skills and employment.

He was featured in ABC's Australian Story series and you can learn more about him and his extraordinary story on the program's website -> Australian Story: Unfinished Business

So anyway, after a toilet and lunch stop, we continued on our journey to Kings Canyon.

Has anyone been following the series Time Travellers' Guide to Australia? It talks about how this geographic region we call Australia millions of years ago was first under the sea (like everywhere else on earth during that time) and then a rainforest before it became the semi-arid zone as we know it today. A climb up the rim of the Kings Canyon is like travelling through the times where you can see the 'sea ripples' on the grounds as well as be surprised by the ferns that have adopted throughout time and still grow in these parts from the rainforest era. The landscape is almost alien, with the folding of the earth over and over again you can see how the land compresses and re-compresses into different patters. A climb down to the Garden of Eden reveals that even out in these parts where temperatures can soar to the high thirties, there are still places where bird life and thrive and waterholes can form.

Compressed earth
The movement of the earth continue to compress ground and minerals, and overtime forming these beautiful lines that we can see at the Kings Canyon


Rim
On top of the canyon rim. Beautiful isn't it?


To do the rim walk you need to be physically fit as you'll be climbing up and down steep steps, exposed to the central Australian sun and it is a three hours trip without much opportunity for a shelter. There is an alternative for those less keen on the climb which is the creekside walk, an hour and a half of strolling along the creek at the canyon bed where wildlife gather and is much cooler.

We didn't choose to stay the night but if you wish to explore a bit more of this area, there are Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge as well as the Kings Creek Station for a good night's sleep. The Kings Canyon Resort has a dinner program similar to what the Sounds of Silence is to Ayers Rock Resort.
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The red centre adventure: Day Two

4:30am. We scrambled out of bed, dressed and ran for the reception. The tour bus was already parked and waiting and the resort kindly prepared packed breakfasts for those of us who were on the 5am departure.

Bleary eyed and holding tight to our breakfast boxes we boarded the bus and headed out to the sunrise viewing area.

You would think that early morning in the middle of no where it would be free of traffic jams. I stared in surprise as a line of red brake lights appeared in front of us. Cars, buses and mini vans banked up at 5:30am on this one lane road. What was going on?

The word was the park ranger had arrived late to open the national park gates, and with everyone who was dedicated enough to get up this early for sunrise all heading the same way, a slight delay meant the rest of us waited bumper to bumper for ten minutes.

Alas, the gate was raised and we started rolling into the car park. We were on the other side of the rock this time and it looked completely different. I noticed the different shape, almost a different size and the different creases and holes on the rock's surface. Once again, as the sun breaches the horizon colouring the sky with all sorts of funky patterns, all eyes were on this magnificent structure. Slowly it was illuminated, and slowly it was drawing us all in.

Uluru close up
Uluru close up


Uluru close up 2
Holes on the Uluru tell stories of spiritual creatures in the Anangu culture


After the sun had fully risen we were taken on a bit of a cultural walk, visiting the base of the rock where stories of the battle between Kuniya and the Liru took place. There were painting and waterholes to visit and the absolute beauty of Uluru can be admired up front.

Our coach drove us all the way round, so we can see the many faces of Uluru. We then visited the Cultural Centre where we got to learn the many other stories of this very sacred site as well as the traditional cultures of the Anangu people. At the centre I came across one thing – the Sorry Book – that touched my heart. For many many many years the traditional owners of this land have been asking Parks Australia to close the Uluru climb and have been asking people to choose not to climb without success. The climb brings in the needed tourism dollars for Australia and you can see the dilemma here – it’s tourism money or respecting the Aboriginal culture.

You can guess what the modern society and government chose.

So, all over Uluru statements requesting that visitors make a conscience decision not to climb the Uluru out of respect and many in the past have overlooked this request and chose to climb, and even to the point of taking parts of the rock with them home.

Now, this ‘Sorry Book’ is a compilation of people all over the world writing in to say sorry; to return parts of this sacred land as a token of apology; and to seek forgiveness from the traditional owners of the land for their insensitivity. It has been long rumoured that climbing and taking parts of the rock bring back luck, and these letters are testimonies of that; they tell stories of strings of mishaps, their regrets and hopes that these unfortunate events will end when their loot has been returned to where they belong.
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The red centre adventure: Let's begin

So, let's start from the beginning.
We arrived early afternoon at Ayers Rock airport, after a fantastic opportunity to fly over Lake Eyre as described in my last post.

Our adventure began as soon as the bus pulled out of the airport car park and there it was, in the near distance the big lump of rock that we all came for: the Uluru, appeared in our vision as we drove the 10 mins trip to the resort.

The Rock
The rock we all came here for


As soon as we checked in, we hurried back to the reception to be picked up for an afternoon's journey to Kata Tjuta before heading to the sunset viewing area of the rock.

I have said the red centre is currently green thanks to the rainfall the region has received throughout the past 18 or so months. Arriving at Kata Tjuta (meaning many heads) otherwise known as the Olgas, we were immediately awed by the contrasting colours of the region. The dirt by our feet were crimson red accompanied by shrubs of different shades of green with the clear deep blue sky. Just like the photos of Uluru we all know so well, the giant 'heads' light up when the sun shines straight onto them, creating an image that will forever be etched in my memories.

Kata Tjuta
Approaching the Kata Tjuta


Instead of Valley of the Winds we did the shorter walk at the Walpa Gorge. Birds chirped and insets singed, the place was full of life and spirit!

After a bit of time exploring the Walpa Gorge, we joined hundreds of others at the sunset viewing area to see what we came for. The Uluru, mighty and tall, right in front of our eyes, changing colour as the the sun edge closer to the horizon. Its amazing how much energy this one solid rock emits, as everyone's eyes were glued to it ignoring the equally pretty sunset on the other side. Of course, I came away with at least twenty photos, of just the same thing, yet at the time it feels like I was taking photos of something completely different because I can see, as much as the rock was immobile, it was moving in a way beyond what sight can see!

Sunset
Sunset on the Uluru


Sunset sky
And this beautiful colouring of the sky at sunset which no one was looking at because we were all transfixed on the Uluru!
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Easter break prologue: Australia's Red Centre turns green

Hello. Hope you've all had a great Easter break. Sorry I haven't been updating my blog, I just really haven't been anywhere for a couple of month.

We've just spent the Easter weekend at Uluru, Ayers Rock. It's one of those places that's on most Australian's minds as a place to go but it's just too bloody expensive most of the time! This time, I thought we'd bite the bullet and just go.

We flew Virgin Australia, direct from Sydney to Ayers Rock. Virgin domestic now provides complimentary tea and coffee on board, a new initiative to compete with Qantas perhaps? It's quite a new thing I think, as I can't remember my last flight with Virgin Australia domestic had free tea and coffee.

We had a lovely flight over. Between Sydney and Uluru we were lucky enough to fly over South Australia's Lake Eyer, beautifully flooded! That was a pleasant surprise and luckily we had a clear cloudless sky that we could see it from the jet's height!

Then, another surprise awaited us at Uluru - the Red Centre is now 'Green' centre!
The 'Green' centre


So green it could actually be described as 'lush'. There were purple and yellow flowers, trees full of needle-like leaves and the red dusty ground covered with grass and shrubs. The region has received three times the average rainfall just in the first four months of this year, and last year they also received more than the average rain fall so some of the plants that haven't blossomed for 10 years are now all coming out of the hiding!

Anyone who is looking to see the Red Centre, go now
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Short loans that change lives

Hi all

It'll be another three weeks yet until our next adventure. We will be off to Uluru this time for Easter. I can't wait, it has been sitting on my to do list for so long!

Meanwhile I wanted to tell you about this fantastic community our editor at Worldette.com has referred me to, it's called Kiva, an online community of people who pledge small amounts of loans to people around the world.



In our society we can get jobs, we can start up businesses and we have the resources and avenue to get funding. In parts of this world, there are those who wish to make their lives better but do not have easy access to these resources.

Kiva gives us the opportunity to pledge short term loans to these people, and right now they are giving us the chance to help for free.

The free trial is funded by Reid Hoffman, Kiva board member and LinkedIn founder and works like this:
1. You sign up to Kiva and pledge a free $25 loan to a variety of people out there that need this money.
2. This money is added to a collective pool of money until the required sum is collected before this loan is given out to the people.
3. They use this money and start their businesses/operations, and pay it back to Kiva
4. You are re-paid $25 sometime in the future and you can use it to loan again.

Of course, in the long run, they'll hope that you could help by donating actual money to loan but I invite you to have a look at their website and learn how it works, and if it sounds like something you can be part of, join us

Visit: Kiva.org
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A weekend beyond Adelaide part 2

The road between Adelaide Hills to Barossa Valley was picturesque and vast. The drive took us past towns surrounded by crisp green vineyards against the yellow dry backdrop that is South Australia.

Barossa Valley - view from hotel room


I am a regular visitor to NSW's Hunter Valley and I have always wanted to come to Barossa Valley. Now that I have been, I can see myself going back for more.

The wines - you'll find names like Jacob's Creek, Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Henschke and Seppelt all with oversized visitor centres and big, big unmissable estates - there will also be small charming boutique wineries with equally, if not sometimes better wines. At the same time, German bakeries are aplenty in the region as well as the Barossa Valley Cheese Company at Agaston with a range that makes excellent addition to any picnic basket. Yum.

Wines and wines!


At $1000 a bottle this wine would have to taste nice....


What I loved best? The Maggie Beer Farm Shop. I don't cook well but I am a big fan. If you are not familiar with this name, check out ABC's Cook and the Chef. Her gourmet produces are divine and if you are there at 2pm drop in and watch a cooking demonstration!

Maggie Beer's Farm Shop


Daily cooking demonstration at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop

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