Explore Oceania

Explore Oceaniahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceaniaExplore Oceaniahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/3-delicious-food-trails-in-tasmaniaThere’s more than fresh air in Tasmania – there’s also an abundance of fresh produce and seafood. Jennifer Johnston shares some of her favorite tasting experiences around Australia’s smallest state.2023-02-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/3-delicious-food-trails-in-tasmaniahttps://www.worldnomads.comTasmania has long been a destination for those who love wild and untamed regions. There are more than 1,739mi (2,800 km) of hiking trails and <a href="/explore/oceania/australia/6-spectacular-australia-hikes#three-capes">coastal treks</a> to suit all sorts of adventure seekers. As a regular explorer on these trails, I know expelling energy creates an appetite. Thankfully Tasmania is a foodie’s paradise. <ul> <li><a href="#cradle">The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail </a></li> <li><a href="#seafood">Tasmania’s Seafood Trails</a></li> <li><a href="#hobart">Hobart and surrounds</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="cradle">The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail</h2> My eldest son James and I are staying in a cabin overlooking Mount Roland, a 45-minute drive from Cradle Mountain in central Tasmania. We hike various trails on Cradle Mountain and drive back to the cabin through small regional towns, some with barely more than a few shops on their main street. After one particularly strenuous day – my son climbed the summit of Cradle Mountain 5,069ft (1,545m), a six-hour effort, and I clambered to Marion’s Lookout 4,015ft (1,224m) – we’re famished. We notice the Wandering Trout Taphouse on Mole Creek’s main street is open. Inside the beautifully restored historic building we choose a table with views of the Great Western Tiers – a spectacular set of rugged mountain bluffs on the edge of Tasmania’s central highlands. You can never get enough of Tasmania’s craggy mountains. Owner and chief brewer Justin MacLeod welcomes us. “Our regionally unique brews are brewed in small batches using pure rainwater,” he proudly declares. My son, who likes beer, orders a ‘Belczech’. I’m more of a cider gal so I try an on-tap Pagan Cider. For the non-beer drinkers, they also sell honey ale, mead, and a selection of Tasmanian wines. Their menu looks tempting. James selects the lemongrass and chili wings, and I order a Vietnamese salad. I wasn’t expecting world-class food in a small regional town and express my delight to Justin. “I like food and in small towns like Mole Creek decent food is hard to come by,” he says. “I created a menu that changes regularly to keep our guests happy.” A sign at the bar indicates the craft brewery is on the <a href="https://tastingtrail.com.au/" target="_blank">Cradle Tasting Trail</a>. Wanting to know more, we grab a map from a side table. We learn the trail features the region’s best producers, with choices ranging from sweet berries to truffles, cider to ice cream, honey to pickled onions, hazelnuts, wine and whiskey, craft gin distillers and fresh seafood like oysters, lobsters, and salmon. The trail meanders for around 135mi (218km) beginning south of Launceston on the island’s east and finishing in the top northwest corner in Smithton. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/tasmania/cradle-trail-goodies.jpg" alt="Food, beer, and wine products from the Cradle Tasting Trail in northwestern Tasmania." /> <figcaption>Goodies from along the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. Image credit: Jennifer Johnston</figcaption></figure> Tasmania’s Northwest region is vast. It includes the towns of Devonport, Deloraine, Latrobe, Burnie, the Cradle Mountain National Park, and many small towns in between. On my next visit to Tasmania, I don’t have time to tick everyone off the tasting trail. So, I opt for what I like. As a chocolate lover, Anver’s Chocolate factory on the Bass Highway between Devonport and Launceston is one of my stops. Anvers café, coffee shop, factory, and museum are housed inside a 1928 Californian bungalow-style building. I wander through the museum, peering like a voyeur through a glass pane into the factory where staff wearing aprons and hair nets create chocolate, truffles, and fudge. At the nearby tasting center I sample a few – the orange fudge is the best I’ve ever tasted. I leave with my bag filled with Anvers goodies. I’d booked two nights at the Ship Inn in Stanley, a seaside town in the far northwest. Overlooking Bass Strait and with The Nut, a huge volcanic plug jutting out from the ocean, Stanley is not only picturesque, but also an ideal base to explore more of the Tasting Trail. My first call is in nearby Smithton at Tarkine Fresh Oysters. The oysters grow and fatten in more than 80 hectares (200 acres) of cool temperate waters. Next is Mawbanna to visit Blue Hills Honey and sample its award-winning Leatherwood Honey. Then it's a slight detour down Myrtle Grove Road to KimchiMe to taste Tasmania’s freshest organic kimchi, hand-made by Sue Glynn. Born and raised in <a href="/explore/eastern-asia/south-korea/5-things-to-know-before-going-to-south-korea">South Korea</a>, Sue wants everyone to appreciate the health benefits of kimchi. <h2 id="seafood">Tasmania’s seafood trails</h2> Tasmania is surrounded by pristine oceans, and the <a href="https://www.seafoodtrails.com.au/" target="_blank">seafood</a> living in those waters is some of the finest in Australia. Think abalone, rock lobster, mussels, scallops, and deep-sea fish. The coastline features oyster farms where freshly shucked oysters are the order of the day in places like Smithton (on the Cradle Tasting Trail), Dolphin Sands in the southeast, Bruny Island on the southern end, and Coles Bay on the east coast. Also on Tassie’s east on the Bicheno Foreshore, you’ll find freshly caught southern rock lobster. Inside the Lobster Shack, a boutique waterfront café co-owned by Marcus and Sara Walkem, you can indulge in an ocean-to-plate experience on the front deck overlooking the harbor. You can select your own live lobster from tanks, or order a lobster roll, seafood platter, scallops, or freshly battered fish and crispy chips complimented by an east coast wine. Marcus’s love for seafood comes from a pedigree fishing family. He’s a commercial fisherman who trawls the East Coast waters fishing sustainably. (Produce is seasonal.) <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/tasmania/bicheno-foreshore.jpg " alt="Birds-eye view of the Bicheno Foreshore in eastern Tasmania." /> <figcaption>Bicheno Foreshore. Image credit: Getty Images / JanelleLuge</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="hobart">Hobart and surrounds</h2> <h3>The Agrarian Kitchen</h3> In December last year, I did a hands-on cooking class at <a href="https://www.theagrariankitchen.com/" target="_blank">The Agrarian Kitchen</a> in New Norfolk, about a 35-minute drive northwest of Hobart. This full-day experience included a delicious lunch, cooked by the students under the watchful eye and expert tutelage of Rodney Dunn. In 2008, Rodney and his wife Séverine Demanet began The Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School from their home on the family farm in New Norfolk. Passionate about fresh produce and sustainability, they created a unique paddock-to-plate experience. In 2017, they opened The Agrarian Kitchen restaurant in town in the vacant Bronte Building – once the State’s mental asylum. In 2022, they repurposed a vacant space within the complex for their new cooking school. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/tasmania/agrarian-kitchen.jpg" alt="A woman washes freshly picked vegetables at a cooking school near Hobart, Tasmania." /> <figcaption>Séverine Demanet with freshy picked vegetables at The Agrarian Kitchen. Image credit: Jennifer Johnston</figcaption></figure> At the start of the cooking class, Rodney announces, “Today is about freeing you of a set recipe and reconciling with what is in season.” He confesses he has a sweet tooth. “I always look at dessert on the menu first.” I feel I’ve found my twin. He informs our class of 11, “The dessert we’re making today ticks all the boxes!” There are three components to the Angel Pie dessert: a citrus lemon curd, a brown sugar meringue, and some shortcrust pastry discs. “That is your crescendo,” Rodney declares. And he wasn’t wrong. We tour the nearby garden (originally the mental asylum’s exercise yard) plucking fresh produce. Back inside the kitchen for the next four hours, over much laughter and conversation, we create seven dishes following Rodney’s recipes. <h3>The Source at MONA</h3> Whether you’re an art connoisseur or a voyeuristic amateur, a visit to Hobart should include a trip to the Museum of Old and New (<a href="https://mona.net.au/" target="_blank">MONA</a>). Established by David Walsh, to house his collection of art, MONA is now Australia’s largest private museum – and the second most-visited tourist attraction in Tasmania (after Cradle Mountain.) Located on a peninsula in the Hobart suburb of Berriedale, it opened in 2011. At MONA, there are many food and drink venues, including The Source restaurant. Its <a href="https://mona.net.au/eat-drink/the-source-restaurant" target="_blank">website</a> describes The Source as a ‘temple to seasonal Tasmanian dining’. Only, this temple provides an otherworldly experience. The spectacular dishes are the creations of Executive Chef Vince Trim. The food is seasonal, and every few months Trim reinvents the menu. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/tasmania/the-source-mona-edible-table.jpg" alt="An edible table at the Source restaurant, MONA, Hobart, Tasmania." /> <figcaption>Edible dining table at the Source. Image credit: Moorilla Gallery</figcaption></figure> The vibe inside is opulent. Outside are expansive river views. On certain occasions, there’s a unique, living moss-and-herb dining table set up, covered with foliage guests can eat, like nasturtiums, dried kimchi, and seaweed. My friend’s order of oysters arrives on a golden platter with molded holes for each shell to sit in. Dramatic and memorable, just like MONA. It's easy to see why I’ve never left the Apple Isle feeling underfed.Wandering Trout Taphouse - Jasper da Seymour 0 Jasper da Seymour People dining at an outdoor table at the Wandering Trout Taphouse in Tasmania.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/torres-strait-islandsStrewn above Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula, the Torres Strait archipelago offers a rare blend of First Nations cultures along with turquoise waters and postcard-pretty beaches.2023-01-12T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/torres-strait-islandshttps://www.worldnomads.comThe 200-plus islands of the Torres Strait archipelago, strewn across the Coral and Arafura seas from Cape York to New Guinea, are the last, dazzling gasps of the Australian continent. Rich in history and home to culturally diverse communities dominated by two First Nations peoples and descendants of pearling workers from across Asia and the Pacific, these treasure islands are like nowhere else on Earth. <ul> <li><a href="#touring">Touring made easy</a></li> <li><a href="#culture">Traditional Torres Island culture</a></li> <li><a href="#mabo">The Mabo case: a return to native ownership</a></li> <li><a href="#air">Exploring the islands from the air</a></li> <li><a href="#streets">Take to the waters (and the streets)</a></li> <li><a href="#vibe">Soaking up the island vibe</a></li> <li><a href="#further">Exploring further afield </a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="touring">Touring made easy</h2> Newly launched tour operator <a href="https://www.straitexperience.com.au/" target="_blank">Strait Experience</a> packages island experiences together for the first time, making visits to the Torres Strait more rewarding than ever and bringing new support to local businesses. “Locals complained that no one can find us,” explains co-founder John Palmer. “We’re just creating a platform for people to launch their dreams,” says business partner Fraser Nai. “To give people meaningful purpose so they can have pride and ownership of what they do.” Strait Experience offers day and multi-day tours leaving from Cairns that explore the cultures of Ngurupai/Horn and Waiben/Thursday islands and beyond. Equal parts history, food, customs and adventure, the highlight of all its tours are the people themselves, especially the rare combination of Australia’s two <a href="/explore/oceania/australia/australia-discoveries-connecting-to-country">First Nations people</a>, the Kaurareg Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders. This is the only place on the continent where visitors can experience the distinct culture and lore of both. <h2 id="culture">Traditional Torres Island culture</h2> Islander stories are passed down through dance. Visitors can tap into that tradition at <a href="https://www.islandstars.com.au/" target="_blank">Island Stars</a>, artist and educator Joey Laifoo’s new cultural hub on central Thursday Island. Here, on a sand stage behind a gallery showcasing Laifoo’s art, performers dressed in grass skirts and headdresses use dance, drums, and song to tell stories of islander life; how they use the stars and winds to navigate and to know when’s the best time to hunt various marine creatures. “We started this to educate children about our culture, but also to give our kids the chance to perform and tell their stories,” Laifoo says. Performances end with a communal feast of customary dishes include namas (a cured fish salad), chicken curry, and sop sop yam stew. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/torres-strait-islands/torres-island-stars.jpg" alt="Young boys in grass skirts perform a traditional dance in the Torres Straits Islands." /> <figcaption> A dance performance at Island Stars. Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="mabo">The Mabo case: a return to native ownership</h2> 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of the landmark Mabo case which established land rights for those Australians who lived here for tens of thousands of years before the British. The <a href="https://www.gabtitui.gov.au/" target="_blank">Gab Titui Cultural Centre</a> on Thursday Island recounts the story of how Eddie Mabo, a trade unionist from the tiny island of Mer, led the fight to reclaim native ownership of the islands. It’s a moving history that reminds me of the sense of national pride in 1992 when the High Court ruled to reverse centuries of injustice. Elsewhere in the gallery you’ll find traditional art including totem-like ceramic posts from Erub Island depicting reefs, sand cays, and the sea, and ceremonial dhari headdresses fashioned from cane, feathers, and twine. <h2 id="air">Exploring the islands from the air</h2> The best way to appreciate the beauty and reach of the islands, to get a sense of where you are and how land and sea interconnects, is to take to the skies. <a href="https://www.nautilusaviation.com.au/" target="_blank">Nautilus Aviation</a> offers scenic flights tracing the region’s pearling and wartime history with bonus flyover of the northernmost point of the Australian mainland. En route you’ll discover dreamy-looking beaches (mind the crocs), mountains and waterfalls, and the odd shipwreck. Look out for migrating humpbacks between July and September. <h2 id="streets">Take to the waters (and the streets)</h2> Laidback local Dirk Laifoo (Joey’s uncle) operates <a href="https://torresstraitecoadventures.com.au/" target="_blank">taxi tours</a> around Thursday and tinnie tours to neighboring islands. In his maxicab, we visit the Japanese Pearl Divers’ Cemetery, Green Hill fort – the views are excellent – and the compact downtown. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/torres-strait-islands/green-hill-fort.jpg" alt="View of the Torres Strait from Green Hill fort on Thursday Island." /> <figcaption>The view from Green Hill fort. Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland</figcaption></figure> Afterwards he has me wait at the pier while he fetches his simple ‘tinny’ (aluminium boat). We set off for leisurely cruise along the coastline of neighboring Prince Wales/Muralug, a brochure-perfect beach on the tip of Friday Island, past lighthouses and lookouts and Basket Island, a manmade installation of discarded pearl frames. Green turtles make cameo appearances at the water’s surface but dugongs are, true to their nature, elusive. They have very good hearing, Laifoo explains, “so if they hear the outboard they tend to take off.” <h2 id="vibe">Soaking up the island vibe</h2> Island dining is best described as pub culture, with Australia’s northernmost pub, the Torres Hotel, serving classic counter meals and tap beers at breezy balcony tables. The closest thing to a social hub on Thursday is Makai Café on seafront Victoria Parade, which does a roaring morning trade among government workers, police, tradespeople and tourists. The (organic, free-trade) coffee is the best on the island; pastries and rolls available too. A short amble away is the ferry shelter where locals gather to swap news and wait for island transfers. Shelter conversations are a highlight of any TI visit; the locals are genuinely friendly and curious about outsiders. Beaches are plentiful and postcard-pretty. But be wary if swimming. Guidelines issued by the regional council suggest: “It’s not a good time to swim during these times: jellyfish season, when turtles are being cut up on the beach (sharks), morning, midday, evening.” (So essentially, never.) <h2 id="further">Exploring further afield</h2> Horn and Thursday are easily accessible, but Strait Experience can organize visits to most of the archipelago’s inhabited islands, including Nai’s home island of Masig/Yorke. “It’s beautiful, man. It’s all atolls, like the <a href="/explore/southern-asia/maldives/budget-travel-in-the-maldives">Maldives</a>.” He shows me photos on his phone; it’s a classic desert-island paradise of blinding white sand, palm trees, and transparent blue seas. Closer to New Guinea, the mangrove community of Boigu is the most northerly inhabited island of Australia. Every island has a distinct way of life; no two are the same. <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <h3>When to go</h3> Tourist season starts when the wet season ends (traditionally around Easter) and Cape York roads reopen. It was still raining on and off in June when I visited. This is not a deterrent – the rain’s refreshing – but might affect what’s available (tours tend to be cancelled if it’s wet). <h3>Getting there</h3> Strait Experience offers several TSI tours including one-day packages ex-Cairns that include a scenic helicopter flight, tours of Ngurapai (Horn Island) and Waiben (Thursday Island), banquet lunch and cultural performance. Independent visitors must seek permission to enter from the <a href="http://tsirc.qld.gov.au/" target="_blank">Torres Strait Island Regional Council</a>. Kendall Hill traveled as a guest of Strait Experience and <a href="https://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/" target="_blank">Tourism Tropical North Queensland</a>.Tourism Tropical North Queensland 0 Tourism Tropical North Queensland Aerial view of the Torres Straits Islands off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/new-zealand/snow-activities-for-non-skiersNew Zealand may be famed for its downhill skiing, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the snow. Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing near Wanaka in the South Island is an ideal, family-friendly introduction to snow sports.2022-03-31T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/new-zealand/snow-activities-for-non-skiershttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#fomo">Snow FOMO</a></li> <li><a href="#snow-farm">A gentle foray into snow sports at Snow Farm</a></li> <li><a href="#cross-country">Classic and skate-style cross-country skiing </a></li> <li><a href="#snowshoeing">Snowshoeing and the Snow Play Zone</a></li> <li><a href="#other-activities">Other non-skiing snow activities around New Zealand</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="fomo">Snow FOMO</h2> Having moved from sub-tropical Auckland to the Olympian-ridden ski-resort town of Wanaka a couple of years ago – lured by Middle Earth-terrain hiking and <a href="/explore/oceania/new-zealand/6-epic-cycling-trails">mountain biking</a> opportunities – I’m conscious that in winter everyone in Wanaka (and neighboring Queenstown) seems to be a competent skier or snowboarder. With no snow sports experience, I feel like an imposter. I often feel a pang of FOMO when overhearing skiers’ and snowboarders’ conversations in Wanaka cafes and bars. Their snow-speak is alien to me, but what I can surmise is that they’re having a hell of a good time in the mountains. So, when local ski bunny friends suggested I join them to try cross-country skiing at Snow Farm, I felt excitement tinged with trepidation. I’d heard Snow Farm described as a pristine alpine environment and a great place to experience the snow as it’s not busy like the downhill ski-fields can sometimes be. <h2 id="snow-farm">A gentle foray into snow sports at Snow Farm</h2> Snow Farm has 34mi (55km) of trails to explore as well as three backcountry huts you can ski or snowshoe to. (In summer, you can hike or mountain bike there.) The huts have great character and are well-equipped for backcountry huts. You can book an overnight stay if you want a more immersive mountain experience. I did this recently with a group for a friend’s birthday during the summer. We booked out the whole of Meadow Hut – it was a very fun night, and the <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/reach-for-the-stars">star gazing</a> was next-level. Snow Farm’s Lodge has a great view of <a href="/explore/oceania/new-zealand/a-local-insiders-guide-to-wanaka">Mt. Aspiring</a> (the Matterhorn of the South) and the chance to learn to ski on untouched snow in a peaceful place sounded idyllic. But, with zero snow sport skills, I figured it was no place for a snow virgin. My friends told me I’d be fine, that it was fun, and that cross-country skiers were a friendly crowd, so I went for it. I don’t have ski gear, but some thermal running tights, a couple of warm layers, a puffer jacket, gloves, and beanie worked just fine. On the morning of our adventure, we drove the scenic 35-minute drive from Wanaka through the Cardrona Valley up into the Pisa mountain range to Snow Farm, elevation 5250ft (1600m), taking in the pink hues of the morning light that cast shadows accentuating the ridges and rolls of the mountains. The Snow Farm road is steep and it’s mandatory to carry snow chains and fit them when conditions are slippery. A 4WD vehicle is preferable, but you can get up there with a 2WD if conditions aren’t too icy. It pays to check the website first thing on the day you’re planning to go as the road is sometimes closed due to weather. Arriving at Snow Farm, we admired the view of Mt. Aspiring, New Zealand’s highest mountain outside of the Mt. Cook region. Around us was a glistening snowy landscape, punctuated with neatly fenced trails, groomed snow, and gentle gradients. It was so visually pleasing; wilderness but not intimidating – terrain quite unlike anything I’d seen before. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/new-zealand/winter/nz-cross-country-mt-aspiring.jpg" alt="A view of Mt. Aspiring, one of New Zealand's tallest mountains." /> <figcaption>The view of Mt. Aspiring from Snow Farm. Image credit: Jane King</figcaption></figure> We were warmly greeted at Snow Farm Lodge (the base building) by the team who set us up with skis and pole rental. Cross country skis are longer, thinner, lighter, and more flexible than alpine skis, allowing you to ski up as well as downhill. My friends had suggested we book a lesson, which I highly recommend, although you can just turn up and have a go. <h2 id="cross-country">Classic and skate-style cross-country skiing</h2> Our instructor was young, skilled, Canadian, and good-humored. She explained that there are two different styles of <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/ski-snowboard-travel-insurance">cross-country skiing</a>: classic and skate. She demonstrated the classic technique which involves the skis staying parallel, while you stride and slide through the grooves of a pre-groomed track. It was great fun gliding up and down. We progressed to skate skiing, where you keep the skis moving in a V-shape motion, as if ice skating. This was harder to do but a lot more satisfying – it felt more natural. We practiced a few drills and laughed our heads off as we tried to coordinate our arms, legs, and poles. I didn’t manage any consistent coordination, but that didn’t matter – I was gliding along feeling the brisk cool air against my face and having a blast in between faceplants. After our lesson we explored the beginner trails for a while. I was finally able to let go of the snow FOMO. It was quite a rush learning to propel myself in a completely different way. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/new-zealand/winter/nz-cross-country-trails.jpg" alt="Groomed, fenced cross-country trails at Snow Farm, near Wanaka on New Zealand's South Island." /> <figcaption>The trails at Snow Farm. Image credit: Jane King</figcaption></figure> After some serious calorie burning, the cafe was calling. We ordered a hot chocolate and to my surprise, there before me, chatting to a group of women, was former New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark. She’s a keen hiker and cross-country skier, when she’s not otherwise engaged chairing the United Nations Development Group. Suitably wowed, I headed back out to the trails to try and practice some more of what I’d learned. I found that a half-day was enough for the first visit, but I was hooked. I loved the freedom of being out in the mountain snowscapes and able to experience it on skis without the steep slopes to contend with. <h2 id="snowshoeing">Snowshoeing and the Snow Play Zone</h2> I haven’t tried snowshoeing at Snow Farm yet, but I plan to. Snow hiking on the trails and to backcountry huts a few kilometers from the base is something I’d love to do. For families and young children who don’t want to ski or snowshoe, there’s a dedicated Snow Play Zone where kids can go tubing down gentle gradient slopes or throw snowballs, make snow-angels, and build snow people. Dogs are allowed at Snow Farm too – they love playing in the snow and it’s a joy to watch. <h2 id="other-activities">Other non-skiing snow activities around New Zealand</h2> Snowshoeing is growing in popularity. Besides Snow Farm, you can try it in the South Island at Lake Tekapo and in Queenstown, where there are a range of experiences including heli-snowshoeing. In the North Island, there are snowshoeing experiences at Tukino, a ski field on Mount Ruapehu. The staff will take you above the ski fields in a Snowcat for the best views and a more peaceful experience. Dog sledding is another unique snow experience that you can try at Cardrona, close to Snow Farm, and in the forest at Naseby, Central Otago, (a two-hour drive from Wanaka). Naseby (a tiny town, population 150) also has an Olympic Curling Rink! It’s a superb facility and open to the public. Don’t let lack of experience put you off. There’s so much fun to be had in the snowscapes of New Zealand.Jane King 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/6-spectacular-australia-hikesOffering a variety of terrain and levels of difficulty, these walks feature some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes – cinematic coastline, rugged gorges, and ranges rich in wildlife.2022-02-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/6-spectacular-australia-hikeshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#ocean">The Great Ocean Walk, Victoria</a></li> <li><a href="#three-capes">Three Capes Track, Tasmania</a></li> <li><a href="#heysen">The Heysen Trail, South Australia</a></li> <li><a href="#cape-to-cape">Cape to Cape Track, Western Australia </a></li> <li><a href="#larapinta">The Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory</a></li> <li><a href="#fraser">K’Gari/Fraser Island Great Walk, Queensland </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="ocean">The Great Ocean Walk, Victoria</h2> The Great Ocean Road is rightly celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives. But seeing southwest Victoria’s dramatic coastline whizz by from a car window doesn’t do it justice. For the full surround-sound, all-senses-activated experience, you really need to leg it. The <a href="http://www.thegreatoceanwalk.com/">Great Ocean Walk</a> traces a 68mi (110km) trail along this sensational shoreline, from the beach resort of Apollo Bay to the ocean-stranded limestone stacks of the 12 Apostles. Its attractions are too numerous to list but highlights include a kaleidoscope of oceanic blues, the fantastical forms of crumbling limestone coastline and the remnant patches of Gondwanaland rainforest. Not to mention the abundant wildlife, especially koalas. Always look up. You’ll want to allow eight days to go the full distance. Various operators offer guided hikes along parts of the track but it’s relatively easy to DIY with a little planning, such as <a href="https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/where-to-stay/camping">booking campsites in advance</a> (for less than AUD $20 a night). Or you can sample small sections on day walks. The Cape Otway to Aire River stretch meanders through national parkland via cliffs, dunes and, if you fancy, a short detour to Rainbow Falls. My favorite short walk is the last leg from tiny Princetown, in the pretty Gellibrand River Valley, to the 12 Apostles. It’s about four hours’ return and worth every step. The famous landmark appears even more impressive from the beach, where you’re dwarfed by its enigmatic stone forms. Time your return for late afternoon when Princetown’s emerald hills come alive with kangaroos. <h2 id="three-capes">Three Capes Track, Tasmania</h2> Anyone familiar with Game of Thrones will recognize this bleak, beautiful, and barren setting. The 984ft (300m) sea cliffs, the highest in the Southern Hemisphere, tower above an inhospitable ocean and recall Pyke, the forbidding capital of the Iron Islands. The comparison is apt because this is arguably Australia’s most cinematic great walk, as well as one of its newest, opening in 2015. The 30mi (48km) trail traverses heathlands, rainforest, and those lofty cliffs, battered by Roaring 40s winds and often accompanied by sightings of whales, dolphins, and the odd solitary albatross. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/great-walks/three-capes-walk.jpg" alt="A hiker looks out over dramatic seacliffs along the Three Capes Track in Tasmania." /> <figcaption>Cape Pillar along the Three Capes Track. Image credit: Getty Images / Blue Planet Studio</figcaption></figure> It’s possible to do the walk privately, staying in designer lodges, but most go it alone. Tasmania’s Parks & Wildlife Service has created a <a href="https://www.threecapestrack.com.au/">self-guided walk</a> (cost AUD $495 pp) with overnight accommodation in shared cabins and cooking facilities for up to 36 walkers. Departures are thoughtfully staggered to ensure the remote trail never feels crowded. All you need do is pack sufficient food and water and appropriate gear for a quicksilver climate that can shift from blazing sunshine to driving rain in the blink of an eye. At times, such as perched atop the jagged dolerite columns of Cape Pillar, it feels as if you’re standing at the edge of oblivion. There really is nothing between you and Antarctica, and it’s this exhilaration of isolation that defines the Three Capes Track. Any minor inconveniences caused by the weather are soon forgotten; the sense of achievement and awe stays with you always, <h2 id="heysen">The Heysen Trail, South Australia</h2> The 746mi (1,200km) Heysen Trail, named for the artist Hans Heysen who immortalized its landscapes on canvas, is an epic hike along the spine of South Australia that requires extensive planning but delivers exceptional rewards. The full trek would take up to 60 days to cover from coastal Cape Jervis to its northern trailhead at Parachilna Gorge. For me, the trail’s high point is the Flinders Ranges, a magical place of beehive-shaped hills and ancient ranges sacred to the Adnyamathanha people. It’s a land, as Heysen famously said, of “skies hard blue and colors dry and crumbly”. From Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre wrought spectacularly in stone, a four-day slice of the trail heads south through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park for more than 37mi (60kms) to reach the town of Hawker. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/great-walks/kangaroo-wilpina-pound.jpg" alt="A kangaroo grazes in front of the stone walls of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia ." /> <figcaption>A kangaroo grazes near Wilpena Pound. Image credit: Getty Images / John White Photos</figcaption></figure> The varied route, set to a soundtrack of cicadas and birdsong, passes lonely sheep stations, whimsical rock formations and wildlands of bullock bush, native pine, and gnarly river red gums. Kangaroos and emus are constant companions; keep eyes out too for echidnas, bearded dragons and, if you’re lucky, rare yellow-footed rock wallabies. Simple campsites bookend each day. You’ll need to carry all gear with you – swag, food, tent – which, coupled with its remoteness, makes this walk more challenging than most. Much of the trail closes for the summer bushfire season. Plan to go mid-autumn or mid-spring when daytime temperatures are mild/warm but nights can be chilly. Ideally, you’ll have your own wheels because the bus from Adelaide only goes as far as Hawker, though it’s possible to arrange transfers from there. See the <a href="https://heysentrail.asn.au/">trail website</a> for all the critical info including detailed maps for download to GPS or Google maps. <h2 id="cape-to-cape">Cape to Cape Track, Western Australia</h2> This 84mi (135km) coastal path between <a href="http://www.capetocapetrack.com.au/">Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin</a> is like walking at the end of the Earth, with bonus whale sightings in winter and untamed beauty any time of the year. Picture granite capes and headlands, limestone cliffs and labyrinthine caves, and languid sweeps of deserted sandy beaches. The track offers Indian Ocean views from every angle – atop headlands, from sun-baked beaches or glimpsed through forests and scrubland – but such views come at a cost. Hikers must bring plenty of water (at least two quarts/liters per person on day walks; double for overnight); proper sun protection (hat, glasses, sunscreen etc), first-aid kit, as well as camping gear and food. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/great-walks/cape-to-cape.jpg" alt="A bench looks out over the Indian Ocean along the Cape to Cape Walk in Western Australia." /> <figcaption>View from the headlands along the Cape to Cape Walk. Photo credit: Getty Images / lleerogers</figcaption></figure> There are <a href="https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/">four campsites</a> well-spaced along the route. Private operators offer more refined accommodation and, often, shuttle services to and from the track for guests. The full slog can take a week or more to complete, depending on your fitness level. Parts of it are <a href="https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety/australian-walking-track-grading-system">grade four</a>, for experienced hikers, but for less hardy types it’s possible to drive to access points and tackle simpler sections such as the 11mi (18km) segment from Yallingup to Moses Rock via irresistible swimming beaches (mind the surfers at Injidup). The track winds from the northern tip of the Margaret River wine region to its southern tip, so creature comforts are never far away. <h2 id="larapinta">The Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory</h2> The start of the Larapinta Trail, at the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station, is a hushed and ancient place that sets the tone for this 14-day, 139mi (223km) passage through Central Australia. The route follows the West MacDonnell Ranges, a venerable mountain chain once as high as the Himalayas but eroded over time to human-scale peaks. Much of the journey traverses low mountains and gorges via outback rivers and creeks, with an optional final summit of the 4,524ft (1,379m) Mount Sonder, the ideal setting for sunrise. Larapinta is split into 12 sections that range in length from a 5.5mi (9km) stroll through the rippled quartzite cliffs of Ormiston Gorge to a 19mi (31km) trek through scenic but remote Hugh Gorge, an oasis walled in red rock. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/great-walks/ormiston-gorge.jpg" alt="A woman hikes through the red-rock cliffs of Ormiston Gorge, Northern Territory, Australia." /> <figcaption>A hiker at Ormiston Gorge, along the Larapinta Trail. Image credit: Getty Images / janetteasche</figcaption></figure> It’s best to walk between April and August (during Australia’s autumn and winter months) when days are sunny and mild. Trailheads at the start of each section provide some shelter and essential facilities such as water and toilets. Rather than try to go it alone (utter madness), it’s wise to engage Larapinta Trail <a href="https://www.treksupport.com.au/">trek support</a> who can cache food for you along the track, hire gear, and arrange vehicle transfers. Camping fees aside, the walk was previously free but, at the time of writing, the <a href="https://depws.nt.gov.au/">NT Parks and Wildlife Commission</a> plans to bring in walking fees from March 2022. Too posh to backpack? <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/">World Expeditions</a> pioneered guided walks here in 1995 and offer abridged six-day outings with purpose-built camps and everything taken care of. <h2 id="fraser">K’Gari/Fraser Island Great Walk, Queensland</h2> Fraser Island was officially renamed K’Gari in 2017 and the new name, which means paradise in the language of the island’s Butchulla custodians, is the perfect fit. This 75mi-long (120km-long) haven in southern Queensland is the world’s largest sand island, but its attractions go far beyond beautiful beaches (all 155mi/250km of them). K’Gari’s unique ecosystem includes giant dunes that rise to 787ft (240m), abundant lakes, subtropical rainforests, and stunning wildflower displays in spring and summer. The <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-kgari-fraser">Great Walk</a> is an eight-day, grade-four amble along 56mi (90kms) of mostly sandy tracks that follow original Butchulla pathways, old logging roads, and tramlines. There are numerous sites of significance to the Butchulla people, including middens and scar trees. Most sections meander between lakes and bays so days can start and finish with a dip in crystal clear waters, one of the great delights of this hike. But K’Gari is remote and facilities are sparse so this is far from a frolic. Walkers need to BYO everything, including map and compass (mobile phone coverage is limited), all food and camping equipment. Simple National Parks-operated campsites cost less than AUD $7 per person a night. Importantly, all waste – including toilet waste – needs to be carried out with you. A small price to pay to keep this paradise pristine. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/great-walks/swimming-lake-wabby-fraser-island.jpg" alt="Swimmers and sand dunes at Lake Wabby, Fraser Island, Queensland." /> <figcaption>Swimmers and sand dunes at Lake Wabby, K'Gari. Image credit: Getty Images / Peter Unger</figcaption></figure> Getty Images / NitiChuysakulPhotography 1688398202 Getty Images Two people look down from a seaside boardwalk at the 12 Apostles rock formations in Victoria, Australia.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/see-a-new-side-of-sydney-bondi-to-manly-walkExplore Australia’s first city on the 50mi (80km) Bondi to Manly coastal hike and you’ll make no end of fascinating discoveries.2022-02-03T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/see-a-new-side-of-sydney-bondi-to-manly-walkhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#landmarks">Get a fresh look at familiar Sydney landmarks</a></li> <li><a href="#beaches">Take time to enjoy Sydney’s hidden beaches</a></li> <li><a href="#history">Discover a wealth of history and architecture</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes: how to prepare, where to eat, where to stay</a></li> </ul> Whichever way you approach the Bondi to Manly Walk, you’re either starting at Sydney’s most famous beach or its second most-famous beach, so it’s easy to be lulled into a sense of complacency. You might expect that the walk will be, if not exactly easy, then at least familiar if you’re not a first-time visitor. But make no mistake, the Bondi to Manly Walk – or B2M, launched in December 2019 – is a 50mi (80km) odyssey into the wild heart of <a href="/travel-insurance/destinations/australia">Australia</a>’s largest, most dynamic city. Nearly half the walk meanders through national park where you’re as likely to spot a long-nosed bandicoot as a Bondi hipster. There’s one particular stretch, a tunnel of twisted angophoras between Taronga Zoo and Bradleys Head, where primitive-looking water dragons sun themselves by the track and black-bellied swamp snakes lurk unseen, that feels utterly alien. But peer through the foliage and you can still see the Harbour Bridge and city skyline rising above the sparkling waters of Port Jackson. These surprising contrasts between the civilized and uncivilized city are a constant theme of this trail. The walk links several existing coastal paths, each rich in its own secrets and wonders. There is so much to see and do that it’s smart to plan ahead. Do you want breathtaking views, breathtaking mansions, or both? Do you want to swim at magnificent beaches, or have cultural experiences, or eat and drink well along the way? Is your in interest <a href="/explore/oceania/australia/australia-discoveries-connecting-to-country">Indigenous</a> and European history? Or nature? Animals? Landscapes? Architecture? All of the above options are possible. Or you could simply leave things mostly to chance, as I do. That way you can set out from the start of the walk at the lifeguard tower on Bondi Beach and find yourself, minutes later, perched at the edge of Ben Buckler headland marvelling at ancient engravings in the sandstone escarpment. The markings, made by the people of the Eora Nations, depict a whale, a shark, and a lizard man, their origins and exact meanings lost to time. The clifftop views here are mesmerizing, extending all the way to North Head in one direction, and to the south to Maroubra and beyond in the other. Over coming days, I witness the coast and harbour from every angle, all of them unforgettable. <h2 id="landmarks">Get a fresh look at familiar Sydney landmarks</h2> The first leg of the walk is comparatively well-known but, if you’re not one of the many locals who walk it daily, it’s worth taking your time to revel in its revelations. Within the first hour you’ll witness brochure-perfect panoramas of Sydney Harbour (Dudley Page Reserve in Dover Heights has an awe-inspiring outlook), Australia’s first lighthouse (Macquarie Lighthouse), clifftop panoramas and surging seas – best viewed through Joel Adler’s Viewfinder, a periscope sculpture that captures the ocean’s fury far below. There are also the remains of a CSIRO radio astronomy site that once recorded extra-galactic signals and was regarded as one of the most important of its kind in the world. <h2 id="beaches">Take time to enjoy Sydney's hidden beaches</h2> Given the walk’s endless diversions my best tip would be: take your time. I covered the 80kms in three days with minimal blisters but regret I didn’t allow more time, not least to swim at all the siren beaches lining the route. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/bondi-to-manly/castle-rock-beach.jpg" alt="Castle Rock Beach, accessible only by foot or boat, along the Bondi to Manly walk in Sydney, Australia." /> <figcaption>Castle Rock Beach. Image credit: Kendall Hill</figcaption></figure> Arriving at the pristine sands of Camp Cove, as Arthur Phillip did in 1788 when he first set foot on Port Jackson, is like stumbling onto an urban paradise. You will definitely want to take a dip. Likewise at alluring harbour beaches such as Nielsen Park, Redleaf, Lady Martins and – on the north shore – Whitings Beach, the honeycombs sands of Balmoral, and the positively Maldivian vibes of Castle Rock Beach. Accessible only by boat or on foot, Castle Rock is one of the walk’s greatest treasures. <h2 id="history">Discover a wealth of history and architecture</h2> Architecture/real estate fans will enjoy the extravagance of harbourside homes crusted along the coast from Point Piper to Cremorne, with its impressive array of Arts & Crafts mansions. Make time to poke around colonial piles such as Strickland and Vaucluse houses, both open to the public and set in attractive grounds. Delve deeper into the harbour’s secrets on tours run by the <a href="https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/en/">Sydney Harbour Federation Trust</a>, which manages landmark sites including the Macquarie Lighthouse, Platypus submarine base at Mosman and Headland Park. On a fascinating tour here led by volunteer guides, I learned about the old wartime hospital at Georges Heights and explored the labyrinthine corridors of a sandstone fort built after the Crimean War. Despite living in Sydney for more than a decade, I had no idea any of this existed. There are relics of First Nations culture cached along the track including more rock engravings at Dobroyd Point and a 3,200-year-old cave and kitchen at the southern end of Balmoral Beach. If you’re keen to know more about Sydney’s Indigenous history, book a tour with <a href="http://dreamtimesouthernx.com.au/">Dreamtime Southern X</a> which shares Eora perspectives on Port Jackson. While there are spectacular urban walks in cities such as Vancouver and Hong Kong, I can’t think of any that so thoroughly reveal a city’s character as this one. My friend Jacqui captures its special quality as we’re hiking through the ritzy suburbs of Vaucluse and Double Bay. “They’re all neighborhoods!” she says. “It’s just everyone doing their thing, everywhere you go. They’re not tourists. It’s all these glimpses into people’s lives everywhere. And it’s unique that it’s so accessible.” <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/australia/bondi-to-manly/maccallum-pool-at-cremorne-point.jpg" alt="A man swims at Maccallum Pool, on Sydney Harbor at Cremorne Point." /> <figcaption>Maccallum Pool on the harbour at Cremorne Point. Photo credit: Kendall Hill</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes: how to prepare, where to eat, where to stay</h2> As long as it’s paced to your fitness level, the walk is not strenuous. Paths are well-maintained and new signage just installed (2022) makes it far easier to navigate. There’s no need to carry food because the route runs past some of Sydney’s loveliest waterfront eateries. Options include beach kiosks at Watsons Bay, Parsley Bay, and Nielsen Park, the Archie Bear café stilted above Mosman Bay, Bathers Pavilion at Balmoral, and Manly’s smorgasbord of seafront eateries. Your first step should be to <a href="https://www.bonditomanly.com/">download the B2M app</a> and start planning. Accommodation-wise, you can stay high or low depending on your budget. There’s no shortage of hotels but if you’re on a budget, consider basing yourself at the <a href="https://www.yha.com.au/">Sydney Central YHA</a>. Its roof terrace has million-dollar harbour views. From any Central Business District base you can use Sydney’s public transport network to get to and from each day’s walk and save the hassle of having to transfer luggage between lodgings. Children will love every section of the B2M. Some sections are accessible to those with physical disabilities; email contact@bonditomanly.com to confirm access.Kendall Hill 0 Kendall Hill

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/new-zealand/6-epic-cycling-trailsExploring mountains, forest, and coast, these bike trails offer something for all levels and feature the very best of New Zealand’s natural beauty.2021-08-27T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/new-zealand/6-epic-cycling-trailshttps://www.worldnomads.comI love exploring new places on my bike and New Zealand’s landscapes were made for cycling adventures. With an ever-growing network of well-designed cycle trails for all levels, off-the-beaten-track scenic beauty is never far away. <ul> <li><a href="#north">North Island Cycling Trails</a></li> <li><a href="#south">South Island Cycling Trails</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="north">North Island Cycling Trails</h2> <h3>Twin Coast Cycle Trail – Northland</h3> Riding from the Bay of Islands on the east coast to the Hokianga Harbour on the west coast allowed me to get a feel for Northland’s rich history, culture, and diverse range of scenery. Passing through historic towns, rolling farmland, dense ancient forests, native bush, and wetlands from one stunning coastline to another is a real immersion into this sub-tropical terrain. The trail is 54mi (87km) and divided into four sections. The first is spectacular and a popular out-and-back day-ride. Starting at the Opua Marina, the flat trail winds along the coast before taking the route of an old railway line, affording great views as you ride over the longest curved suspension bridge in the Southern Hemisphere to Kawakawa, an arty town. The next section requires a bit more effort with a gradual climb to Kaihohe – I made time for a soak in the historic, geothermal hot pools at Ngawha Springs. Kaikohe to Okaihau takes you along the rail trail through a 260ft/80m tunnel (which I found a little too dark for my liking – take a torch or use your cell phone for the pitch-dark middle section) and then skims the Omapere Lake shore to Okaihau. The last section is downhill through country roads and farmland, along a river and then a long section of boardwalk to Horeke. Bikes are easy to hire from Pahia and Top Trails run a shuttle at 3pm each day from Horeke or Opua. <h3>The Hawke’s Bay Trails</h3> The Hawke’s Bay region is wine country. The area’s generous sunshine hours, beautiful rural countryside, coastline, and excellent food and wine make it an awesome place for a leisurely bike tour. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/new-zealand/cycling-trails/bike-trail-near-hastings-getty-1299485159.jpg" alt="A bike trail near Hastings in the Hawke's Bay wine region of New Zealand." /> <figcaption>A bike trail near the town of Hastings. Image credit: Getty Images / tristanbnz</figcaption></figure> The trail network weaves between towns, wineries, riverbanks, rural countryside, and coastline – from Bay View, north of the Art Deco town of Napier, to the rugged coastline of Cape Kidnappers. The 111mi (180km) of trails are easy to navigate with clearly defined rides and loops that are generally 2 to 4 hours in duration on easy, mostly flat trail. Most are half-day rides and it’s possible to explore the network self-guided. The trails are themed and have four different focuses: Landscape, Coastline, Wine, and Water. The popular wineries ride near Hastings is great fun and explores the Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa region wineries. I loved being able to take my time and cruise along the relatively flat trail, taking in all the scenery. The highlight for me was the oak-lined avenue, which reminded me of my home country, England, and the pretty riverbank. With lots of wineries – some with café and restaurant dining options – it’s a great day out. Hiring a bike is easy with multiple bike and e-bike hire operators offering pick up and drop off options. Some of the wineries offer bike hire as well. <h3>Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua</h3> It’s difficult to talk about bike riding in New Zealand without mentioning Whakarewarewa Forest, south of <a href="/explore/oceania/new-zealand/exploring-rotorua-and-lake-taupo-on-the-north-island">Rotorua</a>, home to some of the world’s best mountain bike trails. For mountain bikers who love flowing, single-track trails, you’ll want to spend at least a day riding in the forest. For me, it’s a mediative place. The ginormous redwoods and the lower-level canopy of native ferns create a unique two-tiered combination. The acoustics in the forest are unique, too. I don’t know what deadens the noise, but birdsong sounds so clear, I sometimes just stop to the side of the trail and listen. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/new-zealand/cycling-trails/rotorua-forest.jpg" alt="Low ferns and tall trees in the Whakarewarewa Forest near Rotorua, New Zealand." /> <figcaption>The Whakarewarewa Forest. Image credit: Jane King</figcaption></figure> A favorite with advanced local riders is at Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve – a technical 6mi (10km) loop 16mi (26km) south of Rotorua on SH5 towards Taupo. The trail got its name from the multi-coloured soil sections which are a result of the minerals in this fascinating geothermal region. It’s a challenging ride involving a lung-busting, steep climb to the summit viewpoint where you’re rewarded with views of the surrounding lakes and rolling volcanic hills. Then for the technical downhill over rocks and roots past geothermal features to the base of the hill, where a unique opportunity awaits – Kerosene Creek. I highly recommend a soak in this geothermally heated creek by a 6.5ft (2m) waterfall. I enjoyed sitting on some rocks in the stream right next to the waterfall, all the while pondering how crazy it seemed that hot springs fed into the cool water of the creek. I felt grateful that I was able to experience this quirky feat of nature – there aren’t many places on the planet you can do this. The trail then continues back through native bush to the car park. The track will be slippery after rain, so be cautious and check the conditions before you ride. There are plenty of bike hire options in Rotorua. <h2 id="south">South Island Cycling Trails</h2> <h3>The Dunstan Cycle Trail</h3> Less than an hour from Queenstown in the <a href="/explore/oceania/new-zealand/go-where-tourists-dont-on-the-south-island-of-new-zealand">Central Otago</a> region of the South Island, this new 34mi (55km) trail is a point-to-point route that cuts through spectacular, mountainous, rocky terrain as it winds its way around Lake Dunstan, and alongside the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers. I was super excited to be riding the trail shortly after it opened in May 2021. Cruising along the pristine, well-groomed trail surfaces, I felt like I was on a brand-new ride at an amusement park. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/new-zealand/cycling-trails/dunstan-halfway-to-clyde.jpg" alt="A cyclist rides along the Dunstan Cycle Trail in Central Otago, New Zealand. " /> <figcaption>Halfway to Cromwell on the Dunstan Cycle Trail. Image credit: Jane King</figcaption></figure> The trail links the historic towns of Cromwell and Clyde as it passes old goldmining sites and settlements as well as the famous Bannockburn vineyards. The stories of Maori and European settlers who made this harsh landscape home are told on interpretive panels along the route – they’re well worth stopping for. This is a well-groomed trail that you can ride in either direction. Most people ride from Cromwell or Bannockburn and finish in Clyde (famous for its hydro-dam). Shuttle transfers can be booked with <a href="https://www.bikeitnow.co.nz/">Bike It Now</a>, and both towns have great cafes and restaurants. Much of the trail has been blasted out of steep schist rockfaces that are traversed via suspension bridges and ingenious architectural boardwalks that cling to the edge of the hillsides. I was exhilarated riding along an elevated platform that felt to me like it was floating above the shimmering blue and turquoise hues of the clear water below. There are a few decent hills and switchbacks, but the trail designers were relatively kind with their gradients. Top tip – there’s barista coffee and treats available from a boat café, moored half-way. Check opening hours to avoid crying onto your handlebars. <h3>Alps 2 Ocean</h3> The Alps 2 Ocean is a great trail if you want to experience a diverse range of <a href="/explore/oceania/new-zealand/top-adventure-activities-on-the-south-island-of-new-zealand">South Island</a> scenery on a challenging multi-day ride, and is the longest continuous cycle trail in New Zealand. Starting below the snow-capped Southern Alps and ending in Oamaru, a historic town on the Pacific Ocean, this 190mi (306km) trail offers views of mountains, lakes, tussock-lands, braided rivers, and vineyards. The official start is from the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, in view of New Zealand’s highest mountain (12,316ft/3,754m) which means taking a helicopter to cross the Tasman River. I recommend starting further down the trail in Tekapo which is easier logistically, and kinder on the environment. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/new-zealand/cycling-trails/alps-to-ocean.jpg" alt="Lupine flowers bloom along the Alps 2 Ocean bike trail, South Island, New Zealand." /> <figcaption>Lupines bloom along the Alps 2 Ocean trail. Image credit: Jane King </figcaption></figure> The Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail is officially divided into nine sections. It pays to note it is not all off-road trail – there are some sections of road riding. It’s possible to divide the itinerary based on the distance you would like to ride each day – just don’t forget to pre-book a transfer from wherever you finish. There are a variety of operators offering luggage transfers and a range of guided tours. If you’re not keen to ride the full trail, I would recommend riding anywhere between Lake Pukaki, Lake Ohau, and Omarama. These sections combine the best scenic vistas with the least amount of road riding and have good accommodation options. Ohau Lodge is bursting with old-school Kiwi character and is a great place to stay, eat, and relax, with epic views of surrounding mountains and Lake Ohau. Sitting on the deck watching the sunset with a view towards Mt. Cook while sipping a beer was a highlight for me. The hot tubs at Omarama are amazing for relaxing your muscles after a long ride – they’re private and landscaped with mountain views. <h3>The Old Ghost Road</h3> Following an old gold-mining route across remote wilderness in the northwest of the South Island, The Old Ghost Road is 53mi (85km) and can be ridden over 3 to 4 days. Starting at Lyell in the Buller Gorge, the trail heads north to the Mokihinui River. It’s an advanced and challenging ride with steep climbs through beech forest, exposed sub-alpine ridgelines with steep drop-offs, and technical sections. The views of the mountains and forests are out of this world. Depending on the distances you’re happy to ride each day, there are four well-equipped hut options. Backcountry hut facilities in New Zealand are generally sparse, with bunkbeds, mattresses – if you’re lucky – and water. The four huts you can book on The Old Ghost Road have bunkbeds with mattresses, gas cooking facilities, pots and pans, plates, cutlery, and there’s even a coffee plunger. The water supply is rain-fed as you would expect in such a remote area. There are transfers and vehicle relocation operators to get you on your way once you’ve finished this epic ride. Happy trails!Jane King 1 Jane King Fall colors on the Dunstan Cycle trail, Central Otago, New Zealand.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/french-polynesia/ecotourism-and-adventureIsland-hopping around this South Pacific paradise, nomad Amanda takes an outrigger canoe lesson, learns about Polynesian traditions, explores the marine life, and meets the local people.2020-11-24T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/french-polynesia/ecotourism-and-adventurehttps://www.worldnomads.comIt’s 3am, and I’m making my best “shhhh” white-noise sound, while my husband sings, “Hush little baby…” to our three-month-old daughter, Moorea. Little did we know, when we embarked on our tour of French Polynesia last year, that we’d find ourselves 16 months later, bleary-eyed, stooped over a bassinet in the middle of the night. In June 2019, well before COVID-19 put a stop to global travel, we set out on an island-hopping trip to Tahiti, Huahine, Bora Bora, and Moorea. It was life-changing in more ways than one. <ul> <li><a href="#traditions">Traditions in Tahiti: The Heiva Festival and Va’a</a></li> <li><a href="#botany">A biology and botany lesson in Huahine</a></li> <li><a href="#bora-bora">Bora Bora: chic and shabby</a></li> <li><a href="#moorea">Surf and turf on Mo’orea</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="traditions">Traditions in Tahiti: The Heiva Festival and Va’a</h2> French Polynesians respect the symbiotic relationships between people, the land, and the water. While in the capital, Pape’ete, we stay with a local Tahitian whose family is one of many who emigrated from China more than 100 years ago. She proudly insists we plan our trip during Heiva – a summer festival of parades, dances, competitions, and art exhibits celebrating the culture and history of French Polynesia. During the day, we visit the handcraft market, where we watch local Tahitians string coconut strands through pearls and weave elaborate baskets out of local grasses. At night, we attend one of the renowned native dance competitions where we can feel the beat of the drums in our chests, while hundreds of dancers pulsate in rhythm, exhibiting a beautiful blend of art and athleticism. A visit to French Polynesia without exploring its cultural tradition of outrigger canoeing, known in Polynesian as va’a, would be like visiting the US without going to a baseball game. But va’a is more than a sport – it’s a sacred art, considered a spiritual bridge between the past and the present. Tute of Tahiti Va’a Inc. is our guide in this maritime tradition. He leads us down a series of tiny alleys in old Pape’ete to visit his Renaissance-man friend Johann – part musician, part historian, part activist. Johann relays tales of Hokule’a, the double-hulled voyaging canoe which embarked on the famous 1976 round trip between Hawaii and Tahiti, using strictly celestial navigation, leading to a renewal of Polynesian voyaging culture. He reminisces about sitting on his father’s shoulders, watching Hokule’a enter Pape’ete’s port with his uncle onboard, before serenading us on his ukulele. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/french-polynesia/outrigger.jpg" alt="A woman takes a private outrigger canoe lesson on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti." /> <figcaption>The author, taking a private outrigger canoe lesson. Photo credit: Amanda McCracken</figcaption></figure> Next, we drive to Tahiti Iti (the smaller sister “island” connected to the mainland) for a <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/kayaking-or-rafting">canoe lesson</a> with five-time world champion, Hinatea Bernadino. She invites us into her home, which she rents out to famed surfer Kelly Slater when he comes to town to surf the monstrous waves of Teahupo’o. After a tour of her trophy room, we head out for a lesson right off her property. “Put your paddle in deeper,” she tells me, “Feel the water.” Learning to feel something you take for granted is easier said than done. <h2 id="botany">A biology and botany lesson in Huahine</h2> Our second stop takes us to Huahine, known as the “wild and authentic” island. It’s also called the rebel island, because this queen-ruled island was the last of 118 islands to surrender to France. Here, we join a botany tour with Greentours, founded by our guide Romain, a Frenchman who has called Huahine his home for 26 years after marrying a local woman. Romain, who hikes barefoot to feel the mana (earth’s energy), says, “I’m a better man, living in French Polynesia.” We hike through the lush vegetation past downed coconut shells, mangoes, and three human skulls tucked between rocks to one of the several stone maraes (archeological sacred site) on the island. Romain draws our attention to the stones arranged for human sacrifice and the advantageous view natives had over turquoise Maroe Bay. He points out the antioxidant properties of the ugly noni fruit and the versatility of coconut milk (a substitute for breast milk and IV fluid). He identifies the blue flower (aerofai), used for anxiety, and we taste its unique mushroom flavor. The next day, we swap land exploration for water, aboard the Dream Tour run by Huahine native William. On his motor-powered pirogue, named Coralia, William hydrates our group of six with rum punch as he takes us on a <a href="/travel-safety/oceania/fiji/fiji-scuba-snorkel-diving-safety">reef snorkeling tour</a> and to meet the island’s legendary blue-eyed eels. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/french-polynesia/huahine-rainbow.jpg" alt="A rainbow arches over a turquoise bay on the island of Huahine, French Polynesia." /> <figcaption>Huahine, the "wild and authentic" island. Photo credit: Amanda McCracken</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="bora-bora">Bora Bora: chic and shabby</h2> We can’t resist a one-night splurge at an iconic, over-the-water bungalow on the “Pearl of the Pacific.” It’s worth every penny (or CFP Franc, in this case). A 10-minute ferry whisks us from Bora Bora’s tiny airport to our reservation at the posh Pearl Beach Resort (now Le Bora Bora). I immediately go in for a swim with the unicorn fish jetting beneath our bungalow’s glass floor. Dave says he is leaving to retrieve our luggage and returns with a bottle of champagne. He pops more than the bubbly, getting on his knees to propose with a black pearl ring he purchased in Huahine. We top off the momentous event with a silent sunset cruise aboard the SoelCat, a solar electric catamaran, exploring the lagoons of Bora Bora (originally Pora Pora, meaning “first born”). The next morning, we trade in our luxurious ride aboard the SoelCat for a dingy with tarps to keep our belongings dry in the choppy waves – a ripple effect from a typhoon hundreds of miles away. Our French skipper Jimmy senses our trepidation and coaxes us on board. Our destination, Blue Heaven (on a semi-private islet), is only 10 minutes away, but we wonder whether we’ll capsize before reaching our quirky, rustic accommodations run by Elie, a hippy Parisian transplant who plays drums and sings Edith Piaf classics. At night, Etoile, one of Blue Heaven’s resident dogs, lies on guard outside our modest bungalow. We are the only guests for two of our three nights at this <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-green-is-your-accommodation">solar-powered lodge</a>. Our meal options are limited to those Jimmy cooks for us, which happen to be some of the best we eat during our trip. In the mornings, Jimmy teaches us how to “milk” a coconut for our coffee creamer, and then gives us a swimming tour of their coral reef garden. <h2 id="moorea">Surf and turf on Mo’orea</h2> Our daughter’s namesake, Mo’orea, is the shape of a heart when viewed from above. But the best view we find is at Belvedere Lookout (accessible by car, bike, or hiking trail) offering a stunning panorama of Mt. Rotui and Opunohu and Cook Bays, where Captain Cook moored for the first time when he visited Mo’orea in 1777. We combine sea life exploration with some local flavor on the islet of Motu Tiahura, a three-minute boat ride from our stay on the northwest coast. A lunch of poisson cru Tahitienne (cucumbers, onions, and raw tuna marinated in coconut milk and lime juice) and a local Hinano beer follow a swim with stingrays and sharks. Someday, we’ll return to French Polynesia with Moorea, so she can swim with its fish, feel its mana and waters, and drink its nectars. Until then, our blue-eyed beauty embodies these memories for us. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/french-polynesia/moorea-rays.jpg" alt="A school of stingrays swims in crystal-clear water off Mo'orea, French Polynesia." /> <figcaption>A school of stingrays off the shore of Mo'orea. Photo credit: Getty Images / Stephen Frink</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> If you travel to French Polynesia during Heiva, buy your tickets to events well in advance. It usually runs throughout July, but check the <a href="https://www.maisondelaculture.pf/">Maison de la Culture</a> for exact dates. While you can fly from Tahiti to Mo’orea, I recommend taking the 30-minute ferry (about a US $25 round-trip ticket) from the port in Pape’ete. You’ll have to book flights ahead of time to travel between other islands. While French and Tahitian are the official languages, English is widely spoken. “Thank you” in Tahitian is “Mauruuru.”Amanda McCracken 0 Amanda McCracken Locals in bright costumes take part in a parade during Tahiti's Heiva summer festival.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/new-south-wales-camping-during-covidCoronavirus restrictions couldn’t have come at a worse time for this van-life-loving couple. Here’s how they were able to safely explore the wilderness north of Sydney.2020-09-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/new-south-wales-camping-during-covidhttps://www.worldnomads.comKim Napier is the producer of the <a href="/explore/podcasts">World Nomads Travel Podcast</a>. These camping experiences inspired her and her husband to embrace van-life full time – she now podcasts from the road. <ul> <li><a href="#campgrounds">Finding socially-distanced campgrounds in New South Wales</a></li> <li><a href="#safety">COVID-19 safety practices vary campground to campground</a></li> <li><a href="#personal">Taking personal steps to stay safe</a></li> </ul> My husband Andrew and I had picked up our newly kitted out, LDV G10, one-ton van just after bushfires had devastated Australia in early 2020. As a result of the devastation, tourism campaigns were underway to get holiday makers back to the affected regions and inject some much-needed money into their shattered economies. And we were keen to go. Andrew and I have always been campers, usually packing a tent and a couple of sleeping bags into the back of a car, so the van was next-level camping for us. The setup not only includes the kitchen, with two burners and a sink, but also a 12-volt battery, a socket for a fridge, and USBs to charge our devices. There’s also ample storage, and awnings on both sides for cover. And as a bonus, it’s insulated, so camping during winter is very comfortable. We also choose properties that allow campfires – the best way to keep warm in the great outdoors. Owning our van means constant movement, which guarantees adventure. Our idea was to use the van for extended weekends, exploring regional <a href="/explore/oceania/australia/top-places-to-go-for-an-adventure-in-new-south-wales">New South Wales</a>, with plans for longer trips down the track. However, right when we are ready to set out, the government requires us to stay home, as it worked hard to contain the coronavirus. When restrictions are lifted and some travel is allowed, we hit the road, mindful we would need to practice social distancing and good hygiene. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/covid-camping/van-life-setup.jpg" alt="A woman relaxes beside her well-appointed campervan at a campsite in Australia." /> <figcaption>Our setup. Photo credit: Kim Napier</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="campgrounds">Finding socially-distanced campgrounds in New South Wales</h2> Using an app called Youcamp, we find a large and gorgeous cattle property 25 minutes’ drive from Mudgee, about 3.5 hours northwest of Sydney. It won’t be hard to socially distance amid 1,100 acres of bush. This campsite has everything in place to ensure our health and safety during COVID-19. Guests have to check in one at a time, and there are multiple signs reminding us of our social distancing responsibility. Cleaning practices have been put in place in the bathrooms, and guests are encouraged to wipe all surfaces down before exiting the toilet. Although soap is provided, it was recommended when we booked that we bring our own soap and hand sanitiser. <h2 id="safety">COVID-19 safety practices vary campground to campground</h2> Our next trip is to a property in Martinsville, an hour and 40 minutes’ drive north of Sydney, inland from the regional city of Newcastle, and is a very different experience. At this property, we don’t see any signs about coronavirus, there is no hand sanitiser in the bathroom block, and the property’s horses definitely aren’t practicing social distancing. At 3am one morning, we are woken by three thoroughbred horses under our van’s awning, where they have knocked over our portable kitchen, broken a drawer, and taken a healthy bite out of it. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/covid-camping/van-life-field.jpg" alt="A campervan parked in a large, green field in New South Wales, Australia." /> <figcaption>Social distancing, van style: Bunyip Camping in Martinsville. Photo credit: Kim Napier</figcaption></figure> It’s time to move on, playing a game we call Left/Right. It’s simple – when you reach a junction in the road, someone calls left or right and that’s the direction we take. That’s how we discover Sofala, a former gold mining town established in 1851. We stop here, pull out our kitchen, and make egg and bacon rolls by the river, with the beautiful, isolated village as our backdrop before we hit the road again. On another weekend, we head to Upper Orara, a region inland from Coffs Harbour, about six hours north of Sydney, settled in a rainforest on the edge of the Bindarri National Park. And just like in Martinsville, news of COVID-19 doesn’t seem to have made it this far. The property host reaches out to shake Andrew’s hand, instead the elbow bump alternative we had become used to in Sydney. As this property didn’t have any bathroom facilities, we head into a bush with our spade, a roll of toilet paper, and a bottle of hand sanitizer when nature calls. We’ve also chosen a spot next to a huge lime tree, perfect for our nightly vodka and soda. Our most recent camping trip is to Wollombi, a historic village two hours north of Sydney, where we set up in the grounds of the old village pub. There are plenty of these in rural Australia, allowing campers to stay for free – they only request you don’t bring your own alcohol, but instead support the pub by buying from them. Here, we also order our meals from the pub kitchen. The pub takes coronavirus seriously, with a COVID marshal who makes sure everyone is seated and properly social distanced, and who wipes down tables and other surfaces the moment guests leave. Customers are limited inside the pub at any one time, where they order before dining outside. We feel our health and safety has been considered (plus there are strict regulations in place for hotels, and any breach could see them cop a hefty fine). <h2 id="personal">Taking personal steps to stay safe</h2> We are disappointed that not all of the campsites have COVID-related restrictions in place, but we take responsibility ourselves by making sure we travel with our own soap and sanitizer and socially distance from other campers. So, while currently we can’t make new friends while on the road, we are enjoying exploring our own backyard, discovering places we would never normally visit. Oh, and owning a van wouldn’t be complete without a hashtag. You can follow our getaways on Instagram @advanture2020.Kim Napier 0 Kim Napier A woman cooks over a stove near her campervan in New South Wales, Australia, with a campfire in the foreground.

The Joys of Traveling Slowly | New Zealand Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/joys-of-traveling-slowlyThe Joys of Traveling Slowly | New Zealand StoryFri, 05 Jun 2020 20:09:44 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/joys-of-traveling-slowlyAmidst the Southern Alps | New Zealand Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/amidst-the-southern-alpsAmidst the Southern Alps | New Zealand Travel StorySat, 07 Dec 2019 00:27:42 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/amidst-the-southern-alpsVideo: The Chilled Life of Scruffy & Steve | Australiahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/chilled-life-in-kimberley-western-australiaVideo: The Chilled Life of Scruffy & Steve | AustraliaWed, 23 Oct 2019 22:05:20 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/chilled-life-in-kimberley-western-australiahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/palau/the-world-nomads-podcast-palauPalau is an archipelago of more than 500 islands teeming with corals and fish. But to enter, visitors must make a pledge to act ecologically responsibly.2019-08-27T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/palau/the-world-nomads-podcast-palauhttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>The World Nomads Podcast: Palau</h2> Spectacular diving and a pristine environment. Where is Palau? It’s in Micronesia, north of West Papua, and southeast of The Philippines and just a few degrees above the equator. It's the first nation to only issue visas to visitors who sign an eco-pledge, promising to act in an environmentally responsible way. <script>// <![CDATA[ (function(t,e,s,n){var o,a,c;t.SMCX=t.SMCX||[],e.getElementById(n)||(o=e.getElementsByTagName(s),a=o[o.length-1],c=e.createElement(s),c.type="text/javascript",c.async=!0,c.id=n,c.src=["https:"===location.protocol?"https://":"http://","widget.surveymonkey.com/collect/website/js/tRaiETqnLgj758hTBazgdzDiJndf0ALQHsnMpeesxexvrH_2FSGy1QIQJZ_2Fw5nHxVF.js"].join(""),a.parentNode.insertBefore(c,a))})(window,document,"script","smcx-sdk"); // ]]></script> <a style="font: 12px Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.surveymonkey.com"> Create your own user feedback survey </a> <h2>What’s in the Episode</h2> 01:45 The Pulau Pledge 04:18 Laura Clarke on how the Pulau Pledge came about 07:32 How do the Rolling Stones fit in? 11:11 A kayak, a tent and 5 days worth of food 15:30 The Rock Islands 19:14 Travel News 20:40 Kim's rookie error 21:40 A lucky escape 22:53 A sister's legacy 29:00 Nicole's memory 32:02 What you are not covered for riding a scooter 35:13 Competing with the beaches in Hawaii 40:00 Next week <h2>Quotes from the Episode</h2> "The pledge was actually written by, in conjunction with the children of Palau, so we asked the children of Palau how they wanted visitors to treat and respect their country whilst they were there, and they wrote these beautiful heart-warming letters to the visitors." - Laura Clarke "The whole idea of doing it was that I wanted to be somewhere a little bit alone, a little bit of solitude. Just me and nature..." - Stephen Lioy "There was no one who was more worthy of life than Nicole, and it still got taken from her, because of a split-second decision to put safety second, and it just cannot, the concretes just as hard, no matter where you are in the world." - Kate Fitzsimons "We dived on to a large Japanese tanker that was hit with, I think an aerial bomb, and you could see exactly where it hit, the metal was all bent back in an explosive pattern. It was sitting at about 60 or 70 feet. Amazing." - Sam Wilbur <h2>Who is in the Episode</h2> Laura Clarke is one of the co-founders of the Palau Legacy Project, creating a pledge signed by every visitor who arrives in Palau acknowledging they will act in a responsible way to protect Palau for the country’s children and future generations. Stephen Lioy is a photographer and <a href="http://www.monkboughtlunch.com/">travel writer</a> from the United States who is currently based in the Central Asian city of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Read his story on Palau<a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/oceania/palau/kayaking-palaus-rock-islands"> here</a>. Follow Stephen on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/slioy/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StephenLioyTravelMedia/">Facebook</a> or<a href="https://twitter.com/slioy?lang=en"> Twitter</a>. Sam Wilbur runs the site Worldwide Wilbur. Its aim is to help people expand their travel horizons, go somewhere new, be bold. Follow Sam on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/worldwidewilbur/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/worldwidewilbur/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/worldwilbur">Twitter</a>. Kate Fitzsimons is the founder of the <a href="http://www.nicolefitzsimons.com/">Travel Safety Foundation</a> run in honour of her sister Nicole - who was killed in a motorbike accident in Thailand during 2012. Its mission is to bring more travellers home safely, especially from places like South East Asia where relaxed safety standards can tempt people to take risks they wouldn't normally take at home. <figure><img src=" https://media.worldnomads.com/podcast/nicolefitzimons.jpg" /> <figcaption>The last photo of Nicole before she was killed in an accident in Thailand.</figcaption></figure> <h2> Resources & Links</h2> Palau is the first nation on earth to change its immigration laws for the cause of environmental protection. Learn more about the <a href="https://palaupledge.com/">Palau Pledge</a>. Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. Riots and protests can break out at anytime and anywhere – a frightening reality for all travelers. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/worldwide/safety-advice-civil-unrest">Here</a> are some tips to help you avoid civil unrest while traveling Check out the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzJqL7q6yeQ">vision</a> of the Spencer Glacier in Alaska that almost killed kayakers. <h2>Want to Republish This Episode</h2>  <iframe src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/415745?theme=light" height="190" width="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay"></iframe> Next Episode: Nomadic Matt <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. You can get in touch with us by emailing <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a>. We use the <a href="https://www.rode.com/rodecasterpro">Rodecaster Pro</a> to record our episodes and interviews when in the studio, made possible with the kind support of Rode. <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1:  Welcome to the World Nomad's Podcast, delivered by World Nomads. The travel lifestyle and insurance brand. It's not your usual travel podcast, it's everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Kim:  Hi, it's Kim and Phil with you delivering our episode on Palau, it's a small country in the Pacific, and in this episode we explore the island with Steven who had a real Robinson and Crusoe adventure. I love this. This is where I like to travel. We'll learn about the Palau pledge, and hear from Kate who has created a pledge of her own after what really is...When anyone dies it's a tragic loss, but this was, this didn't need to be, and you'll hear about that. She was traveling at the time, but tell us more about Palau, Phil. Phil:  All right, well, it's not just one island, but it's a chain of islands. Many of them are not a lot more than a just lime-stone outcrop, with a bit of jungle vegetation on top. Think in smaller versions of those cast islands off Thailand, where they did the Bond movies. Kim:  They're beautiful. Phil:  Like that. The largest island, Koror, is home to 15 thousand people, which is 70% of the entire population of Palau, so it's a not a big place. Where is Palau? It's in Micronesia, so north of west Palau, and south east of the Philippines, and it's just a couple of degrees above the equator, so no we know where we are. Why would a Nomad go there? Mostly for the diving, which is supposed to be absolutely spectacular, and of course and one of its main claims to fame is the pristine environment. Kim:  Well, let's find out about that now. Given this is the first thing you need to do when you arrive in Palau. Let's start with a story of how four women helped establish a pledge that visitors need to sign in their passport, agreeing to act in an ecologically responsible way on the island, and that's for the sake of future generations of Palauan's. Speaker 3:  Children of Palau. I take this pledge. Speaker 4:  To preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home. Speaker 5:  I vow to tread lightly, act kindly, and explore mindfully. Speaker 6:  I shall not take what is not given. Speaker 7:  I shall not harm was does not harm me. Speaker 8:  The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away. Kim:  Yeah, that is the Palau Pledge and visitors are required to sign an environmental pledge that is stamped literally into their passports, passing to act, as you heard there, respectfully and without damaging ecosystems. We have with us, Phil, the co-founder of the Palau pledge. Please meet Laura. Laura:  Hello. Lovely to be here. Thank you for inviting us. Kim:  Who wrote the pledge? Laura: The pledge was actually written by, in conjunction with the children of Palau, so we asked the children of Palau how they wanted visitors to treat and respect their country whilst they were there, and they wrote these beautiful heart-warming letters to the visitors, asking them for their help in preserving and protecting their environmental and cultural future. So, we then synthesized those letters and used the words that came out of those letters, and incorporated the sentiment and some of those words in the Palau Pledge Wording. Phil:  They are beautiful words. So, what was the, you're obviously facing a problem from visitors that were coming? Laura:  Yes, and for those listeners that don't know, you know Palau is the 16th smallest in the world. It has a population of 20,000 people, and it's in the Pacific, and I came here actually as a visitor in 2015, and a long-term visitor. My husband was posted here by the Royal Australian Navy, and so my observation, just as a visitor, was that other visitors weren't respecting Palau's very ancient culture of conservation, which is actually enshrined into their laws, and so I saw visitors, yeah, not respecting the laws, and not respecting Palau culture, and I as a visitor felt moved to actually try and take action about this. Laura:  And so joined forces with a group of incredible Palau women, and other expat visitors who wanted to create something that would help visitors understand these really important tenants of environmental stewardship that have been in Palauan culture for centuries, and that's how the Palau pledge idea was first born. Phil:  Give us an example of some of these cultural tenants, as you say. Laura:  Well, the modern-day interpretation of these cultural tenants, I'll just talk about them first, is for example, Palau was the first country in the world to have a nuclear-free constitution, and it was the women of Palau that stood up to a much larger governments, and said, "You will not test nuclear weapons in our waters." And at that time it was a very risky move for Palau, because of the amount of subsidies, and aid that is needed in a small developing country. Laura:  They were the first country in the world to declare their waters a national shark sanctuary. They were the first country in the world to have, well, they've got the largest percentage of protected maritime territory in the world. So, the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, which covers an area that's the size of France, which is the whole exclusive economic zone of Palau. 80% of that zone is actually protected by law, so that was another world first, and I guess this is all based on the Palauan's understanding of you have to survive in nature. Nature is the root of all of your survival. So, it's difficult, I think, sometimes to explain and but basically Palauan's don't separate nature from themselves. Laura:  Personally, as a non Palau, I think that we all could learn a lot from that. Phil:  Has anybody every turned up an been surprised that they have to sign in their passport and then got back on the plane and gone home? Laura:  No, no, nobody's got on the plane and gone home, but I think when the Palau pledge first was launched, I think there people definitely turning up. We've spoken to some of the immigration officers, and people have a lot of questions like, “What is this?” It's the first time for me that I've ever had to sign my passport. It's not actually, you have to question it, because it's a legal document that is issued by your home country's government, so actually to sign my name in my passport, is that's a very official thing that we're asking people to do, but because it is the official arrival stamp of the Republic of Palau, and it is a requirement by law here to do that, people, when they read it, because actually is printed in six different languages. Laura:  So, people understand it in their own language, and when they read it, they come to understand why it exists, and the purpose of it, and so therefore if they do have questions, they're very easily answered, because this is to preserve and protect the children of Palau's future. Kim:  Well, people love it. You have one a swag of gongs around the world. You've got support from big names like Leonardo Di Caprio, and even the Rolling Stones are fans of the Palau pledge. How do you become a, I'd love to know that connection between the Stones? Such a huge band, and the Palau Pledge. Laura:  It's huge. Well, yes, absolutely. A lot of people know Palau because way before the Palau pledge, Palau was already making headlines on the global news for its culture of conservation, the shark sanctuary, the nuclear-free constitution, Palau National Marine Sanctuary. All of these things mark Palau out as very, very special in the world. So, when it came to the Palau pledge, the specific story about the Stones is that Ronny Wood's son, Ty Wood, is an ocean activist himself, and he came to know of Palau and what we're doing, and it was natural, because the Stones are involved in a lot of environmental activism through various causes that they support. Laura:  So, it was a natural alignment between the Palau Pledge, and people like the Rolling Stones, but even with Leonard Di Caprio, Dane Allen McAllister, John Kerry, Queen Nor of Jordan, all of these people, some of whom have actually never set foot in Palau, they all understand this is about Palau's future, and Palauan children's future, but actually it's a wider message for the world, because if we don't protect our environment, like Palau has always done, then our children world-wide are going to be suffering some severe consequences, and we're already seeing that. Laura:  So, if you take that message, and they wanted to take that message and amplify it through their own profiles, that's what Palau is giving them a voice to do. It's actually not just about the children of Palau, but it's about the children of the world. Kim:  Well, I hope they enjoy the podcast, and we do it justice. So- Phil:  -That's right. Kim:  So, once it's finished, Laura, we'll send it along, and please share it with all 20 thousand. Laura:  I'm sure everyone will be listening avidly, but one thing I just wanted to add is that what is, I guess a great source of pride for Palau, is that Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Philippines, and hopefully soon Bhutan are all adopting versions of the Palau Pledge, based on their own culture of conservation, and they're asking visitors to sign these versions, and I think we're going to see a lot more of this around the world, because this is an idea that Palau created, but that resonates with people across the planet. Laura:  So, yeah, we're really hoping that more and more countries and destinations take on what Palau has led the world in. Phil:  Yeah, well, hear, hear, and congratulations and good work, and I think we should finish this off by playing the Palau Pledge once more. Speaker 3:  The children of Palau, I take this pledge. Speaker 4:  To preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home. Speaker 5:  I vow to tread lightly, act kindly, and explore mindfully. Speaker 6:  I shall not take what is not given. Speaker 7:  I shall not harm what does not harm me. Speaker 8:  The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away. Kim:  Phil, we've signed the pledge. We're ready to go. Are you ready to go? Phil:  Yeah, ready, signed it. Kim:  Let's begin our experience, like Steven, this is exactly how I would like to do Palau. He went kayaking, right? But just with the trusty kayak, a tent, five days of food. Steven:  Yeah, man, they're just one of those places that tourists aren't going a lot to, but when you start to see pictures of them, and you start to read about them, it's just this really amazing landscape that just invites that adventure, and invites you to spend some real-time, instead of just doing that one day boat trip from Koror into Jelly Fish Lake and back, and so that's I really thought, “How can I spend as much time as possible in this area?” And the obvious area seemed to be to get a tent, a kayak, and some food and just hang out for a few days. Phil:  A tiddly remote, on your own, five days. Steven:  Yeah, look, there's some tourism there, right? It's fairly easy for Korean, and I think now Chinese and Japanese to get there as well. So, you do have these one day boat trips that are going in speed boats from the capital city Koror down to Jelly Fish Lake, doing the snorkeling, going back. There's a little bit of scuba diving. So, I think if there had been a real crazy emergency, if I had waited long enough, somebody would have driven past and I would have signaled to them, you know? Steven:  But the whole idea of doing it was that I wanted to be somewhere a little bit alone, a little bit of solitude. Just me and nature, and so for that it was perfect. I put up a tent a beach, and used that as my home base for the whole time, and just every day hopped into the kayak, paddled somewhere beautiful. Went swimming and snorkeling, and all of these things, and then went back at night and slept in the tent. Kim:  How pristine was the environment? Steven:  There's a couple of islands that are the obvious tour boat stopping off points, and for these there's a little bit of infrastructure built up. A little bit of trash, but as soon as you get away from those there's just nothing. There's nothing man-made. There's even one island the TV show Survivor was filmed on, it must have been eight years ago now or ten years ago or something, but even to go on that island, there's some ruins of the communities that once lived, ages and ages ago, and that's all you can see. Steven:  And this is a place that has seen a lot of human impact, but it's just so remote that there's not anybody visiting now, and most of the time people really care about the environment and taking are of it. Phil:  Now, listen you've mentioned Jelly Fish Lake a couple of times, and I know it's an obvious thing that people go for. I really hate Jelly Fish, so why would you go there? Steven:  Well, but why do you hate jelly fish? It's because you're afraid that they're going to sting you right? Phil:  Well- Steven:  -That's what's so- Phil:  -I'm from Australia, mate. They really do sting you here when you do. No, I understand that there are plenty that don't, but they're just rubbery. Steven:  Yeah, I tell you what, it's a really weird feeling, because they move throughout the lake throughout the day back and forth, right? They follow the sun across the lake, and harvest the nutrients, and so you start swimming, and you swim and there's none, and then there's five and ten and twenty, but then suddenly there's hundreds and thousands, and it's really, frankly, pretty peculiar, because logically you understand that these particular jellyfish, in this particular lake, are not going to sting you, right? Because they've lost the ability to really do so, and so logically you realize you're not in any danger, but when you're swimming, and you're surrounded by thousands of these little golden jellyfish every way that you look, they're blocking out the sun from the top, and you can see them all the way down to the depths of your vision at the bottom. Steven:  It is a peculiar and somewhat frightening feeling, but at the same time it's just so other worldly that how could you not do it, and get a kick out of it. Kim:  So, they weren't jelly fish that sting you, obviously? Steven:  So, they are a type that normally will sting you. It's a Golden Jellyfish, is what they're called, but they've, this lake has been cut off from the sea for so long, it's not actually cut off, there's a small bit of flow in and out every day, but enough for predators to come in, which is the important part. Steven:  So, just through generations and generations and generations of this species living in this lake, they've eventually lost the ability to really sting, and so some people who have really sensitive skin, say that if you get in they'll feel a little bit of tingling when they get really close to a lot of them, but from most people you won't notice anything, because they just don't have the ability physically to do that anymore, because it's evolved out of them. Phil:  All right, some other parts that you went to, as well, apart from the isolation, lots of mangrove swats, but what else is there, you did a fair bit of snorkeling. The thing, and I want to talk to you about scuba diving as well, because I know there are some World War Two wrecks around there as right? Steven:  Palau is really quite large, just in terms of how spread out it is, and the Rock Islands is just one part of very spread out country, and even in the Rock Islands, the whole of Palau is a protected, there's an outer reef that protects a lot of the reef inside, and so to be inside, there's a couple of places where's this just these massive drop-offs, these huge coral gardens. Steven:  There's a few places where you can see, you'll be anchored to the reef, and as you watch, there's sharks swimming past beyond the drop off. There's the huge fish that are in massive, massive communities, massive schools. So, the wildlife itself is incredible, and then yeah, there was a lot fighting during World War Two, and so there's a couple of boats, there's a Japanese Zero, I think it's called, fighter plane. That is within snorkeling distance. I paddled out to it one day, and just snorkeled around it for a while. Anywhere that you go in the country you can find this. Any of the groups of islands, even nearby the capital city, you can go for a couple hours, and scuba one of these, and then get back to the city. Phil:  And what about the people themselves there as well? Obviously, they don't have massive amounts of interaction with the outside world, as you say tourism's pretty low level there. Steven:  Yeah, there isn't a ton of tourism, but also it was after World War Two it became a US Trust Territory, and so Palauan's are allowed to go work in the US, and quite a few people have done so, have family that have done so, and so despite it being so remote, it's really not uncommon for these guys to go to Guam, to go to the US to do whatever. So, it's really convenient as a tourist, right? Because everybody speaks native English. There's a lot of cultural touch points. I, every time I was in Koror, I use Koror as a base, and every time that I was in Koror, met just the weirdest parts of society. I met a couple of missionaries, local missionaries that were traveling out to the islands to try to convert people, and obviously there's internationals that live and work there in the scuba sector. Steven:  I was at dinner with a couple of people I met at one time, and the Queen of Palau happened to come into the restaurant, so introduced me to the Queen of Palau. So, it's very accessible society, and everybody's really friendly, and as a native English speaker, you can talk to legitimately anybody, because it's just so international in that sense. Phil:  Hey, when you get introduced to the Queen, did you call Your Majesty or what was the protocol? Steven:  Nobody really explained that to me, and it was a little bit awkward, because I'm an American, we don't have these ideas, and so I just tried to be as polite as possible, and friendly, and, "Oh, wow. It's so nice to meet you." And she sat and talk to us, or she stood beside the table and talked to us for a minute or two, and then had something better to do. Steven:  It's wait, what just happened? Kim:  This is another place we have to put on the list Phil, but for those people that aren't feeling as adventurous as you were, and take food, kayaks, snorkel, don't be put off by that, there are places that you can go that has infrastructure. Steven:  Yeah, well, so, Koror is a fairly modern city. There's plenty of tourist-oriented hotels. There are plenty of restaurants you can get Indian food or fresh fish or American burgers or whatever. So, it's certainly not a place you have to go and suffer the whole time, and really put yourself through hardship, but if you're going to go all the way to the middle of the Pacific, it seems like the place that you should be pushing that little bit further, and having a proper adventure, too, while you're there. Kim:  A great way to experience Palau. Absolutely perfect. We'll have a link to his story and show night's spots and travel news, Phil. Phil:  Great news from Will Vametz first. Our illustrious leader, the general manager Chris Noble has been appointed to the board of adventure travel conservation fund. The ATCF is a non profit that provides funding to highlight projects that protect the cultural and natural resources which underpin the adventure tourism industry. Their mission is to directly fund local projects engaged in the conservation of unique, natural, and cultural resources of adventure travel destinations. Congratulations, Chris. Kim:  Well done. Phil:  And bring it on, that's a really worthy thing to be involved in. Look at the time of recording this episode there was trouble in Hong Kong. Big trouble for the 11th weekend in a row, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to defend their democracy, and democratic rights. Tourism to Hong Kong has fallen off a cliff, it's collapsed. Kim:  No surprise. Phil:  No surprise, yeah, but there are still some people visiting. So, is it safe? Obviously stay away from any protest. In fact, you will void your insurance cover if you deliberately join in, or stay near a protest, and you're injured. So, don't go and watch. Get well away from the area. Check with your airline about their plans if the airport is closed again, because it has been a couple of time. Missed connections, delays, and cancellations are unlikely to be covered now that the process are a known event, unless of course you bought your insurance cover before the un risk began, and does that include you? Because you're going through Hong Kong. Kim:  Well, I am an idiot. I booked a ticket. I'm going to London through Hong Kong, but I haven't got my travel insurance yet. So, if my flight's canceled- Phil:  -Now you're on your own. Kim:  Flip. Don't laugh. I could be stranded. I'll not make it. Phil:  But look, the good thing is, as I understand it, I mean if you stay air side, you're not going tog get involved in the protest, because obviously they can't get through the security screening, so they're all in the arrival's hall- Kim:  -But you said they'll close the airport? Phil:  Well, that's true, but it hasn't been closed for a while. Kim:  Watch this space. Phil:  All right, let's moving on. A couple of adventurous types who were kayaking in waters around Alaska have had a lucky escape when a glacier they were near suddenly broke off a huge chunk, a carving as it's known. This huge block of glacier hit the water, and sprayed the kayak er's with tons of water and chunks of ice, and created a big wave that could have swamped them. Let's just have a quick listen. Speaker 11:  We keep hearing calving happening, and big splashes, and it sounds like a gun shot going off. We're going to try to get over to where we think it's happening. Man, when that whole thing goes, oh, here we go. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. We're lucky to be alive right now. Kim:  They were lucky tog be alive, that footage is in Show Notes, and it is incredible. Phil:  I know. That is a massive wave that goes over the top of it. Anyway yeah- Kim:  You finished? Phil:  I'm done. Kim:  I didn't mean that negatively. Now, we've started this episode with the Palau Pledge, what is it, and how it began. Well Kate has created a pledge of her own that she wants travelers to take before heading overseas, and riding scooters without helmets. Now, this is specifically, I guess, in South East Asia. She was inspired to do so after the death of her sister Nicole, who was involved in a crash in Thailand. Kate:  Ah, Nicole. She was one of a kind. That's one way of putting it. So vibrant and bubbly. You'd always hear Nicole before you could see her. She had a very loud voice, and she wanted to put that voice to good use, she was studying to become a sport's journalist. Her dream was to be on channel nine reading the sports, and most especially rugby league. Her passion for that was beyond measure, but she did grow up as the most wonderful, talented dancer, especially in ballet, so she danced over in the New Zealand Ballet, and over in Tokyo Disney, she was a character. Kate:  Disneyland over there, and just lived a really full rich life that she certainly showed up everyday living it to the fullest, and loved, loved traveling. So, she'd been around America and did six weeks to Europe on her own, just probably when she was about 22 years old, and after she worked on the channel 9 footy show, and they finally got a break at the end of the year, so she got her lovely partner Jamie, I think she got a kudo voucher or something for a few nights away, and cost a million in Thailand, so they booked themselves off there, and off she went. So, that was October 2012. Kim:  And how cool that she had this really soft delicate dancer side to her, and then the grunt. Kate:  Yeah, it would be hilarious. Nicole would be, so she would when she was younger, and sometimes she'd be at a dance stead fed up on stage, with her dainty little feet, doing a ballet dance. Winning and blowing everyone away like, "Oh, isn't she lovely?" And then that night would be the football, and she'd be there in a jersey standing on her state screaming her lungs out and getting right into it, and just one of the boys. That was why I think she left such an imprint on so many people that she met, because she was so unique and so talented, and if she didn't like something, she wouldn't effort towards it. I can't say school was her favorite thing in the world. Kate:  But she did work really hard with her studies, and once she found her groove with something like journalism, and she was the type that Adil Cooper, the labradoodle, we had this gorgeous 13 year old labradoodle, and her and him had this most incredible bond, and she cried once over his haircut. It wasn't good enough, and she wrote the woman a letter next time saying, "If you cut his hair like that again, I will sue you." That was my sister. Kim:  I love it. Kate:  She didn't mince her words. Put it that way. Kim:  Yeah, I love her, and so did Jamie. So, she went to Thailand with Jamie, and obviously there was a lifelong commitment there, they'd been discussing getting married, and who they would have in their bridal party, and then within hours of that discussion, his world changed, and certainly your world. What happened to Nic? Kate:  Yeah, so, they were just having a really nice quiet dinner. I think it was in their last night in Koh Samui. So, just a quiet dinner and thought, “Oh, we'll make our way back to the hotel” Which was a kilometer down the road. They jump on a bike moped kind of thing, like so many people do when they're over in these Asian countries, and yeah, didn't think to put a helmet on. I mean why do you need to do that? No one else has a helmet on that I really see. So, they were turning into the driveway at their hotels just minutes from safety, and Jamie went to turn round, and then a local rider on the wrong side of the road tried to cut them off. Kate:  Nicole pretty much took the full impact of that crash. So, the first I heard of it was about 3.30in the  morning. I was at my boyfriend's at the time's place, and mom like, “You hear your phone vibrate?” And at that hour I just remember thinking, “I want to ignore this. This is a just friend being a pest at this hour.” Because it was a Friday night, Saturday morning, I'm thinking someone's had too big of a night, and then when I fumbled for it and saw it was mom, immediately my stomach dropped, because I just knew. Like why is mom calling me at 3.30 in the morning? Kate:  And the first words she said, “Your sister's been in a serious accident in Thailand. She's being rushed into surgery with serious head injuries.” And immediately actually the first thing she said, I think she was trying to play it cool and trying to stay positive and not stress out too much, she was like, “Just find her travel insurance. Get her details, we need those.” But then right at the end she was like, “Just pray to God she survives.” And those words were like when I was this is serious, and my world just completely spun, and then it was a few hours later I was like, “Farah, I better go back to be with mom and dad.” I went to watch the sunrise, I prayed my little heart out that Nicole would be okay. Came back, and I went to drive home to mom and dad, and I remember my phone started ringing again, and I thought, “It's probably mom just saying they need something to take to Thailand with them.” Because mom and dad immediately booked flights to be at Nicole's side, but I picked up the phone, and thank god I wasn't driving at the time. Kate:  I was just about to be. Mom just, yeah, screamed, “She's dead.” I pretty much fell out of the car, and that was my world shattering in that moment in a way that I never saw coming, and it was just so hard to comprehend never again would I see her, and instantly all those sister moments, I was just a few months away from turning 21, and I'd always looked forward to hearing her 21st speech, because she was so funny and so good at talking and all that. She would have just tore me to shreds in the most loving way in that speech, or just the wedding being my bridesmaid on my wedding day, all those little moments that you reserve especially for a sister, to have them stolen from me, and trying to process that was, and it still is, I still get swept away in moments where it's like, “Wow, I can't turn back time and bring Nicole back home safely.” B Kate:  ut with an Australian tourist dying over in South East Asia, every 17 hours on average there is something I've got to do, because I can't sit back and have a family waking up or receiving that same phone call that my family did every 17 hours. Kim:  So, to honor your sister, what did you set up? Kate:  So, we did establish a Nicole Fitzsimmons's Foundation quite soon after her death. We wanted her memorial in November 2012, because she did pass in October 2012, and yeah, from there the main focus is a travel safety campaign. As I began researching into how many other poor families had suffered what we'd been through, and discovered these alarming statistics, I looked at this video footage that we have of Nicole's accident, and I'm like, "This can save a life." Kate:  To see such a young, vibrant, beautiful life taken before your eyes in a split second, it is an image that stays with you, and I now with over, I've reached over a hundred thousand, eleven, and twelve high school students with this footage. Their faces say it all. I left a corporate job to pursue this full time in March 2013, and so many people thought I was crazy for doing so, and the only thing more crazy to me was to sit back and not try to do something to save another family from this, and I knew that through being Nicole's little sister, and being willing to be vulnerable enough to share what it's like to lose someone so young and so suddenly, these kids, yeah, they've got their tough exterior, and they think they're cool, and they're all trying to impress each other but at the end of the day they're human beings with hearts, and families, and loved ones of their own. Kate:  And if you are able, and I really believe people hear you on a level that you speak to them. So, I was like, "If I can speak to them from my heart, and share some of this footage." And as well as just some practical tips of what they can do to better prepare for that trip, and to be more mindful overseas, and to at least protect themselves financially, with travel insurance, which was a God send for my family. I couldn't go and change Thailand, nor do I have no right to, but I can change the mentality that we are taking overseas. Kate:  So, I did start a helmet pledge campaign, and the pledge is that I will always wear a helmet when riding a scooter, no matter where I am in the world. If I'm getting on a motorbike I'm wearing a helmet, and now after the kids have watched my talk and presentation, they can go on this site, Nicole Fitsimon's.com forwardslash pledge, and take that pledge to lead by example, and to take their safety seriously. No matter where they are in the world, but most especially when they're on the roads overseas, and most especially Southeast Asia. Kate:  There was no one who was more worthy of life than Nicole, and it still got taken from her, because of a split-second decision to put safety second, and it just cannot, the concretes just as hard, no matter where you are in the world. Kim:  We'll have a link to the Nicole Fitzsimmons's Foundation, which includes details on the pledge, and a link to Kate herself in Show Note. She's quite the woman. She not only speaks to students here in Australia, but here in the US sharing her journey alongside stress and anxiety reduction techniques. Phil:  Yeah, and can I just tell you something about motorcycle claims that come out of South East Asia, and not the World Nomad's brand, but another brand under our group, I did some investigations, this would be about a year, 18 months ago now, and they reject 66% of motorcycle-related claims out of Bali for four reasons. One of them is, you're not wearing a helmet, major one. Second is one, is you're not licensed. You do need a license to ride a motorbike, and the third one is you're under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The fourth one, the unhappy trifecta, all the above. Kim:  Yeah, right. Phil:  So, you know. Kim:  All right, back to Palau, and Sam who runs the site World Wide Wilbur, which is about what, Sam? Sam:  World Wide Wilbur is a travel blog that is documenting my mission to visit every country in the world. Phil:  Ah, that's a more common mission than you would believe. Lots of people are trying to do that, and how hard is it? Kim:  Good on you, Phil. Phil:  No, no, no- Kim:  -Sorry Sam. It's not you. Phil:  No, that's not what I mean. Sam:  You know what, I'm canceling the whole thing. Kim:  Great chat, Sam. We'll put a link to Show Notes. Phil:  I'm sorry, that's not what I mean. I meant that it's a worthy ambition to try and do, and lots of people have that ambition, but it's not easy to do. Sam:  I think it's easier today than at any time in the history of the world. Travel is becoming easier and borders are opening up more so than every before. There's always going to be a few countries that are going to be extremely difficult, but there's less and less of those each year. Phil:  Which one have you had the most trouble getting into? Sam:  Yeah, I don't think I've, I haven't had trouble getting into any yet, but to be honest, I'm at 108 right now, and there's a 196 countries in the world. So, as you can imagine, people tend to want to go to the nice places first. So, I've been doing that. I haven't gone out of my way to get to Libya or the Central African Republic or Somalia, or any other places where there's a chance of getting shot. So, I haven't had any problems yet, but I know there are a few countries that will be difficult. Kim:  Yeah, that's going to be tough, well, Phil, just before we chatted to you, Phil said that he really enjoys your site, it's full of lots of factual information. Phil:  And I like the way you write, too, it's very easy to read. Sam:  Thank you. Kim:  Back on track. Phil:  Yeah, we're back on track. Nice save cue. Kim:  Yeah, I've got your back, I've got your back, and yours, too, Sam. Now, you have been, as part of this quest to visit all the countries in the world, you've been to Palau, how did you find it? Sam:  Yes. I thought it was lovely. I live in Hawaii, so I'm pretty used to living in tropical paradises, and I'm probably a pretty harsh judge of tropical island countries. I often go on trips, and I go to countries where I've been recommended a beach destination. I hear all this beach is amazing, you've got to go see it, and I get there, and I think, "This beach is crap. I got five beaches down the street from my house better than this." Sam:  So, I'm often disappointed when I go to these tropical beach destinations, but I was not disappointed with Palau. Palau is absolutely gorgeous. It's...They've really done a good job of protecting nature there, and the diving and snorkeling and kayaking is just fantastic. Kim:  Well, Palau has a lot in common with Hawaii or vise versa, because I think Hawaii is about to take the same or make the create the same kind if pledge that Palau does to make sure that people visit and travel sustainably and look after the environment. Sam:  Yes, that would be wonderful if they did that. I think they've taken the step of adding, I think a short video is now played when people fly into Hawaii from the government that just goes over some really basic tourist safety, and how to protect the environment type things, and I know that Hawaii's also banned non reef safe sunscreen. Kim:  Oh yes. Sam:  Starting next year, I think. Kim:  You would recommend Palau then to anyone that's grown up around the areas of pristine beaches, white sands, blue seas? Sam:  Yeah, and to be specific, Palau actually, the main island of Palau, where you'd be staying when you go there, doesn't actually have any beaches. It has mangroves, but you can easily get a boat ride out to one of the little rock islands that has a beach, and those beaches are, and those little tiny islands all around the main island in Palau are uninhabited, and when you come into go snorkeling or diving or kayaking, you have to buy a permit, and that permit allows you access to all those islands, and you can even spend the night on one if you get one of the dive companies to drop you off and leave you there. You can throw up your tent and spend the night on a gorgeous pristine beach all to yourself. Kim:  During your diving did you come across any of the World War Two history? Sam:  Yes, we did. We dived on to a large Japanese tanker that was hit with, I think an aerial bomb, and you could see exactly where it hit, the metal was all bent back in an explosive pattern. It was sitting at about 60 or 70 feet. Amazing. Huge, huge ship, I can't remember how many feet long, but really big, and really interesting to see that, and there's so many of those ships all around Palau. Kim:  We will share your link in Show Notes to the things that can do in Palau, and also to World Wide Wilbur, but what would your advice be to somebody? Sam:  Go because it is a...Well, they bill themselves as the Pristine Paradise of Palau, and it's exactly correct. It's no exaggeration. It's got the best scuba diving in the Pacific, possibly. I think the only other place that would really rival it is maybe Fiji. The dive companies are first rate and professional. There's nicer resort hotels. The people are friendly. It's a small town atmosphere. You feel very safe walking around. Every thing is really enjoyable there, and no negatives to detract from going. Phil:  What's the feel like there though? Is it Fiji and village feel or is it because of where it's placed it's not that far from the Philippines, and the original Palauan's came from South East Asia. Does it have an Asian feel or a Pacific feel? Sam:  I felt like it had more of an Asian feel than a Pacific feel. The restaurants, the bright lights of downtown, everything had an Asian feel to it, but of course the people are Pacific Islanders, but there area lot of Asian folks living there. There are a lot of guest workers from the Philippines working there. In fact, almost all of the waiters and waitresses and people that you work with in the hospitality industry are from the Philippines, so yeah, there's definitely an Asian feel there. Kim:  Thank you, and link to the site in Show Notes. By the way, we now have our own Facebook group. Search for the World Nomad's Podcast. We'd love you to join us in sharing the stories of travel, and there's extra info there on the podcasts and our guests and destinations. Phil:  Yeah, it's right behind the scenes stuff. We're getting ready to getting some of that on there as well, but you can reach out to us on the Facebook group or email us as pocast@worldnomads.com, and so you don't miss out on an episode, subscribe wherever you get your favorite podcast, and we'd appreciate if you could also tell your friends about us, too. Kim:  Yeah, remember this, rate, share, subscribe. Next week our amazing nomad is Nomadic Matt. Phil:  Aye, Nomadic Matt. Kim:  Yep, sharing, or not sharing, well, yeah, he's sharing and chatting about his book release, and his organization Flight. Working with students in underserved communities to promote the benefits of travel, education, and cultural awareness by funding overseas educational programs. So, we'll see you then. Phil:  Okay, bye. Kim:  Bye. Speaker 1:  The World Nomad's Podcast. Explore Your Boundaries.   </div> </div> </div>Getty Images/ Ippei Naoi 1 179606537 People kayaking in a clear water lagoon around lush green rock islands, Palau, Micronesia

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/palau/kayaking-palaus-rock-islandsStephen Lioy goes kayaking in the Rock Islands of Palau, with just a trusty kayak, a tent, and five days of food. 2025-04-24T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/palau/kayaking-palaus-rock-islandshttps://www.worldnomads.com<a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-australia-new-zealand-and-the-south-pacific-2025">Palau was voted one of the top places to travel in the South Pacific in 2025 by Condé Nast Traveler.</a> Here's why. As the dive boat pulls away, so does my link to humanity for the next five days. With a final good luck and goodbye, the engine whines and the ship disappears among the countless limestone islands. Left with just a <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/kayaking-or-rafting">kayak</a>, a tent, and five days of food, every sense indicates that I am the only person left in the <a href="/travel-safety/oceania/palau/palau-watch-out-below">Rock Islands of Palau</a>. The sun sets and the sea of stars begins to shine through the twilight, while the sounds of the jungle slowly fade into the dull background crash of waves upon the island's shore. My small cooking fire illuminates the patch of sand I'll call home for these few days, and beyond the fire's light, the full bright moon casts the nearest islands in dark silhouette. <ul> <li><a href="#snorkelling"> Snorkeling in Palau's Rock Islands </a></li> <li><a href="#kayaking"> Kayaking in Palau's Rock Islands </a></li> <li><a href="#jellyfish-lake"> Jellyfish Lake </a></li> <li><a href="#scuba-diving"> Scuba diving in Palau </a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes"> Trip notes </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="snorkelling">Snorkeling in Palau's Rock Islands</h2> I get up every morning with the sun, and the coral-rich waters off Clam City Beach are perfect for a pre-breakfast snorkel. Plunging straight in from the shore, the rustle of palm fronds and call of birds are replaced with a quiet, interrupted only by the rolling waves above. The taste of sea brine still clinging to my lips after a short morning swim, I head back to the beach to heat up a hot coffee and a simple breakfast. Each day seems to stretch as far as the endless horizon,  and I could easily float through every morning just exploring the colorful reefs off the beaches nearby, but eventually, further shores call. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/palau/aerial-view-palau-gettyimages-torstenvelden.jpg" alt="A view of the islands of Palau from above" /> <figcaption>Palau's tiny islands as seen from the sky. Photo credit: Getty Images/Torstenvelden</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="kayaking">Kayaking in Palau's Rock Islands</h2> Paddling through a shallow cove on the lee of my home island, I watch two small reef sharks swim casually beneath my kayak and out towards open water. Gliding from island to island, through tunnels of overgrown mangroves and across stretches of choppy open water, I find any protected cove or overhanging tree is another excuse to tie up the kayak and dive in for a snorkel. Sites that would be popular in neighboring Indonesia or the Philippines are amazingly empty in Palau. The few boats that I do come across, yachts bobbing in remote coves or speedboats heading towards Palau's most famous island, are gone before their wake has even settled. Only once do I wish for a boat to appear – halfway across a long stretch of open water, a small crack in my paddle's shaft suddenly snaps as I dig hard into the trough of a wave. With no convenient towboat to be seen, I struggle back towards the protected waters near Clam City with a single short paddle blade and a fair bit of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/first-aid-kit">concern</a>. Fearful of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/how-to-survive-a-tsunami">strong waves</a> and a weak paddle – I hadn't thought to pack a spare – I'll stay close to my beach in the coming days, less tempted now by the promise of unexplored islands and reefs further afield. Finally, unwilling to miss one of Palau's highlights, on my final full day in the Rock Islands I brave the open water once more and paddle towards Eil Malk island. <h2 id="jellyfish-lake">Jellyfish Lake</h2> Scrambling up the sharp rocky steps cut into the limestone slope of Eil Malk, the highest point of the trail opens to the panorama of Ongeim'l Tketau Lake. Signs below warn not to descend too deep – the deepest levels of the 100ft-deep (30m) lake are rich in ammonia and hydrogen sulfide – but they're not enough to stop me from strapping on a snorkel and jumping off the small floating dock. Kicking towards the middle of the lake, golden jellyfish slowly appear. First one, then 10, then dozens; soon the water is so thick with jellyfish in every direction I hold back my strokes for fear of ripping off an errant tentacle. With literally millions of jellyfish floating through these waters, it's perhaps no surprise that locals and travelers refer to Eil Malk more often as Jellyfish Lake. What in other waters – even in the lagoons in the surrounding arms of Eil Malk – would be the stuff of nightmares, here is a source of wonder. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/palau/jellyfish-lake-palau-gettyimages-atese.jpg" alt="A clear lake filled with jellyfish in Palau" /> <figcaption>Jellyfish hide beneath the surface of the water at Jellyfish Lake, Palau. Photo credit: Getty Images/atese</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="scuba-diving">Scuba diving in Palau</h2> As the sun rises on my fifth day in the Rock Islands, I heat one last camp breakfast, enjoy one last morning swim, and pack my tent in time to meet a dive boat for another day under the waves. Soon, I'll be back on the well-trodden trail through Palau, diving at world-famous sites like the German Channel and Blue Corner, drift dives and underwater caverns famous for their abundance of coral life, manta rays and sharks. For now, the only thing between me and the horizon is my little lime green kayak. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/palau/plane-wreck-scuba-diving-koror-palau-gettyimages-torstenvelden.jpg" alt="A scuba diver checks out a plane wreck near Koror, Palau" /> <figcaption>A scuba diver checks out a plane wreck near Koror, Palau. Photo credit: Getty Images/Torstenvelden</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <h3>Planning a trip</h3> If you're not confident enough to plan this kind of <a href="/create/learn/photography/6-adventure-photography-tips">adventure</a> on your own, tour operators in Palau's capital city, Koror, offer single and multi-day adventure tours. Popular operators include: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.samstours.com">Sam's Tours</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.paddlingpalau.net">Paddle Palau</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.necomarine.com/">Neco Marine</a></li> <li><a href="https://fishnfins.com">Fish'N'Fins</a></li> </ul> Dive trips can also be arranged through these same tour operators, including transfers and all gear rental, for around US $160 for a two-dive day. Most operators can add additional dives or snorkeling in Jellyfish Lake to two-day dive trips for an additional fee.  Do your best to support local businesses that have signed the <a href="https://palaupledge.com/business/">Palau Business Pledge</a>, promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices. <h3>Getting to the Rock Islands</h3> Most <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/safe-scuba-diving">SCUBA operators</a> offer pick-up and drop-off services within the Rock Islands, as well as advice on which islands are open to the public for wild camping, and many will waive the fees for travelers who are diving with them on the day of pickup and/or dropoff. <h3>Gear rental in Palau </h3> <ul> <li>Kayaks and snorkeling gear are available for rent on a daily basis from tour operators in Palau</li> <li>Camping equipment is difficult to find in Palau to buy or for rent – when possible, bring what you need from home</li> <li><a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/food-safety-on-the-road-or-how-to-avoid-gastro">Groceries</a> are available from small shops across Koror, with the largest selection on the island at the Payless Market.</li> </ul>Getty Images/Ippei Naoi 1163633585 Getty Images Kayaking on clear tropical water of a rock island lagoon, Nikko Bay, Palau

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/tonga/the-world-nomads-podcast-tongaWhite sandy beaches, coral reefs, rainforests and uninhabited islands; discover why family life in Tonga is at the core of its laid-back culture.2019-06-11T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/tonga/the-world-nomads-podcast-tongahttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>The World Nomads Podcast: Tonga</h2> Tonga is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean made up of more than 170 islands, yet, unlike other islands in the area, was never colonized. Fiji, Hawaii, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, and Samoa left their Pacific cousin behind when building an economy based on tourism. Yet Tonga is a wealthy country, with women and men having equal access to education and health care, and land is awarded without cost by the King. Discover why it's a place Nomads want to go. <h2>What’s in the Episode</h2> 00:25 It's not Fiji 01:27 Chantae fills us in on what Sundays are like in Tonga 04:24 "...you have these very small beaches that almost get eclipsed at high tide. The water comes in right up to a line of bush and palm trees." 07:43 Taki and his island home 14:18 "...I think with travelers that come to Tonga, allow some buffer, like don't say you're going to land today and leave on this day, you know. Things happen." 17:40 Travel News 23:33 Francesco likes to travel light 24:45 "...everything is wool so, like on this past trip, out of the three t-shirts, I didn't use one of the shirts. I literally wore two t-shirts the entire trip." 32:44 Why whales head to Tonga 38:37 Next week <h2>Who is in the Episode</h2> Taki Hausia is Tongan man having grown up on the island of Eua, a popular destination for eco-tourists. The resort he runs with his Dad, <a href="http://www.hideawayeuatonga.com/">Hideaway</a> was destroyed by Cyclone Gita and he is currently in Australia seeking funds to rebuild. Chantae Reden is an adventure journalist based in Suva, Fiji, where she explores the country's many shipwrecks and coral reefs through freediving and scuba diving. Follow her antics and explorations on her travel blog <a href="https://chantae.com/">Chantae Was Here</a> and read her story, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/oceania/tonga/discover-pangaimotu-island-on-a-day-trip-from-tongatapu">Offbeat Tonga: A Day Trip to Pangaimotu Island</a>. <a href="https://faunographic.com/">Rachelle Mackintosh</a> is a wildlife photographer. Alongside her site Faunographic, she also has her own podcast, <a href="https://faunographic.com/2018/11/09/dolphins-whales-bob-talbot/">Wild Lives</a>. Francesco Arbolino is a traveler known for packing light. He has been to around 110 countries, spending over 5 years traveling. Francesco has a<a href="http://wanderingamerican.com/"> blog</a> which he admits he doesn’t update, but it does have links to his Facebook and Twitter. You can also follow Francesco on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/f_arbolino/?hl=en">Instagram</a>. <h2>Resources & Links</h2> Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. Hear about village life on the islands, stunning treks, incredible dive sights and the street food dish testing the toughest of stomachs in the World Nomads Podcast on the <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/philippines/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-16-phillipines">Philippines</a>. Read more about <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2019/06/05/21-year-old-woman-youngest-person-visit-every-country-lexie-alford/1350590001/">Lexie Alford</a>, the 21-year-old American woman who claims she is now the youngest person to have visited every country in the world. <h2>Want to Republish This Episode</h2> <div class="whooshkaa-widget-player" data-episode-id="383153" data-theme="light" data-height="190" ></div> <script src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/js/widget/loader.umd.min.js"></script> Next Episode: Amazing Nomad Lia Ditton. <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads' Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. You can get in touch with us by emailing <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a>. We use the <a href="https://www.rode.com/rodecasterpro">Rodecaster Pro</a> to record our episodes and interviews when in the studio, made possible with the kind support of Rode.   <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1: Welcome to the World Nomads Podcast. Delivered by world nomads, the travel lifestyle, and insurance brand. It's not your usual travel podcast, it's everything for the adventurous independent traveler. Kim: Welcome, it's Kim and Phil with you delivering our next destination episode of the World Nomads Podcast on Tonga. So, over to you, Phil, to explain why it's somewhere a nomad would want to visit. Phil: Well it is a bit of a wild card destination, isn't it? It's something in the Pacific that isn't Fiji. As an example, there are ... look, it's got 170 islands. It's lined with white sand beaches, of course- Kim: Mm-hmm (affirmative) Phil: and coral reefs. You've got me at that. Kim: Yes. Phil: Covered with rainforests, and lots of those 170 islands are uninhabited, so you got plenty of chances to go off and play Robinson Crusoe, if you wanted to. And, if you're still wondering where in the Pacific Tonga is, let's put it in context. It's directly south of Samoa, and it's about two thirds of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand. Kim: Now we've sorted that out, in this episode we'll hear about rebuilding after Cyclone Gita, chat to a local about his homeland and the traditional use of various plants, and look, while you're watching, I know we covered it in our last episode on the U-S-A with orcas in Alaska. Phil: Alaska. Kim: But, Tonga is very special for humpback whales and we'll hear that in this- Phil: Okay. Kim: episode. But, let's kick off with [Shante] to tell us about Sundays in Tonga. Shante: So, on Sundays everything closes down. Tonga is a predominately Christian country, and they follow the law of the Sabbath. Which means that restaurants, activities, tour operators all close down on Sundays, so that families can spend time at church with each other and enjoying big meals. So, the only place you can go and really enjoy being a tourist, without having to go to church, are resorts that have restaurants or, sort of, hotels rather than just everyday shops and restaurants. Kim: Did that surprise you? Were you prepared for that? Shante: I did hear that it would be closed down on Sundays, but I didn't realize to the extent. So, you'll hear church bells ringing in the morning and everyone is going to church, and there's not a single person who seems to be working outside of that. I think there are a few bakeries open, just to have people get breakfast before they go, but other than that it's completely silent, and completely closed. So, that was shocking to me. Kim: You found something to do, and I would love to hear about it. Sounds like an awesome day trip. Shante: Yeah, so there's a tiny little island about 10 minutes from Nukuʿalofa, which is called Pangaimotu Island. And, because it has this very small resort and restaurant you can still visit it on Sundays. It takes about 20 minutes to walk around the entire island and surrounding it are coral reefs and shipwrecks. Kim: So, if you wanted to go snorkeling, that would be an ideal spot. What a Sunday. Shante: Yeah, it's great and there's a known shipwreck that's been there for years that you can go, and underneath it there's tons of reef bommies and schools of fish that you can go and see, and eels and starfish. But, because Cyclone Gita came through in early 2018, there's also a handful of other shipwrecks just off of the island that's about a five-minute swim away that you can also snorkel around. Kim: Now, we're chatting later in the episode to [Rachelle] about swimming with whales and in your article you mentioned that you can do that if the season is between July and October. What was the snorkeling like, and the quality of the corals and the sea and the fish that you see? Shante: Well, the whales are in open water so, it was hard to tell exactly how the corals were deeper, but off of the shoreline there were parts where the coral was really thriving and you'd see a lot of starfish, a lot of smaller reef fish and schooling fish, but then there was also parts where the shipwrecks came through between, let's say, Pangaimotu and Tongatapu, that you did see some damage from the cyclone. So, it's a bit of some of it is thriving and some of it is still recovering. Kim: Okay, so Pangaimotu Island itself you said takes 20 minutes to walk around it. What's it like? Shante: So, around it you have these very small beaches that almost get eclipsed at high tide. The water comes in right up to a line of bush and palm trees. Then, the middle of it there's a small resort and you can hear piglets running around, you can hear dogs and people just who work at the resort puttering about their day. And then, low tide all the beach and the sand is exposed so you can walk around, and it's very that idyllic South Pacific kind of look to it. And, you can just throw down a towel and enjoy wherever you find a sandy spot and it's kind of a picture-perfect paradise just off of Tongatapu. Kim: Well, with 170 islands, there would have to be some places where it's only you and your footprints. Shante: Yeah, definitely. Kim: What attracts a traveler to Tonga? Shante: I would say Tonga's more for an adventurous spirit, so if you really want ... because it's not such an overly developed place, I mean of course there are big resorts, but Tonga as a whole, especially Tongatapu and the resorts that are much smaller and they're kinda just [inaudible] made with [inaudible] and really natural materials. You can easily see how Tongans live and if you get in a car you can drive around and find all the best natural features. Island hop ... it definitely takes a bit more of a, yeah, adventurous type of person to really experience Tonga in the best light. And, yeah, then you can enjoy nature and all the culture and the activities. Kim: Well, I believe you because we'll share your blog, Shante Was Here, but you're actually an adventure journalist and we mentioned that you're based in Fiji. What sort of stuff are you writing? Shante: I really love to write about ocean sports. So, surfing, diving, free diving, which is kind of also why I was very drawn to Tonga, because it is such a hub for all ocean activities and their ocean wildlife is just incredible. Freediving is one of the best ways, I think, to really see the wildlife and nature because you don't need as much equipment as scuba diving. Freediving is when you basically snorkel on one breath, or I guess advance snorkeling. Kim: How long can you hold your breath for? Shante: I can hold my breath for four minutes. Kim: What? Shante: Which everyone can hold their breath at least two and a half minutes. Yeah, in one day most people can learn, it's just a few skills you learn and easily anyone can do two minutes. Kim: Tonga, again, great for free diving, you would recommend. Shante: Yeah, definitely. It's one of the best places to free dive and snorkel. Kim: Thank you, Shante. Now to Taki Hausia Oh, hope I got that right, Taki. He moved- Phil: Old mate, Taki. Kim: Yeah, old mate, Taki. He moved to Australia in the mid '70s from Tonga and when his dad moved back there in the 90s to build what they call a resort. Now, they aren't resorts, they just thought that that's what you call accommodation. Phil: Right. Kim: So, that's why they referred to accommodation as resorts, but they're definitely not resorts. Phil: White sand beach, coral reef, and rainforests, I'm in. Kim: Yeah, well, exactly. So he went there to help his dad build the resort, join him as manager, taking wildlife tricks, but let's hear from Taki himself about his island home and his take on Tonga. Taki: Yeah, it's basically there are three groups, or there are four groups of islands through the whole country. And, the one I'm from is called ʻEua. Tonga is made up of, I think, over about 180 islands and I think only, I think 60 are inhabited. Kim: Yeah, well that's the thing, there are, as you said, over 170 to around 180 islands, and a lot that are uninhabited. Taki: Mm-hmm (affirmative) Kim: Is that one if its charms or, because one of the reasons why we're focusing on it as this destination episode is that it's this jewel in the Pacific that's not Fiji, it's not trendy. Am I making sense? It's one of those places that someone could go and walk on a beach and you're probably the only person that's done that in the last couple of months. Taki: That's exactly what Tonga is. It's not Fiji. Probably a good way to describe it, there's a difference between tourist and travelers. So, Tonga is ... type of people that visit Tonga are traveling people, not so much the mainstream travel ... tourists, you know what I mean? Kim: The tourist- Taki: Yeah. Kim: versus the traveler. Taki: Probably a good way to also describe Tonga is, it missed the tourism trying, when it was sort of booming in the Pacific. Fiji and mainly Hawaii and New Caledonia, Cook Islands, they all jumped onto the tourism, sort of, train when it was, sort of, booming. So, Tonga wasn't ... didn't really get onto that- Kim: But, why not? You look at images of Tonga and it's stunning. It's like, why haven't I been there before? Taki: I think our government and our monarchy has something to do with it. Because, we were ... if you talk about indigenous nations that were colonized by, let's say European powers, they developed quicker in the western, sort of, culture. Tonga has never been colonized, and so a lot of the locals say that that's the reason why we've sort of been left behind. Up till today Tonga still hasn't been colonized. That has something, I'm sure, that that had something to do with its slow development in sort of western culture, even up to today. Kim: Well, it comes down to advertising too. Taki: Yes, yes. Some of the locals I've heard, they've said the reason why we're behind, you know, in sort of like western cultural ways, like marketing and development, is because we weren't colonized. And, of course, you know, there's always two sides of the story. And, of course you're going to get locals saying we should've been colonized, and then there's a majority of locals say, no it's better that we kept it. Taki: My home island, where I'm from, there was basically no tourism there at the time. When we started there, it was already at, sort of like, close to rock bottom, so the only way was up no matter what you did, there's going to be an improvement to it. So, it was untouched. Taki: I think, Tonga's got a very unique land system because we haven't been colonized, from day one up till today, the land has never been taken. Which means, the land is owned by the people. Ultimately owned by the Crown, by the King. So, the King made it law that his country and land is for his people. So, when he gave his land to his people, there's no fee for it. He basically gave his land for his people, and he basically said it's illegal for you guys to sell your land that I've given to you. So, it stays in the family line. You inherit land in Tonga, you don't pay for it because it was given to you. Kim: So, how does that work then, with encouraging travelers? If you're sharing that land that's been gifted to you. Taki: Now, well, see, you get a piece of land and it's up to you what you do with it. Whether you build a house on it, or you do agriculture on it, or you build a little motel on it, or whatever you want to do as long as it's legal of course. Kim: Now, you and your family had land and you built this, we'll say resort, inverted commas, and it was blown away by the cyclone. How affected was Tonga by Cyclone Gita? And, how affected were your family, your immediate family and the income stream that you generate? Taki: Yeah, the country was pretty badly affected, which was February 2018. Of course, you know, the Pacific, we're all living in a high cyclone proned area. Climate change is taking its effect. There's more cyclones now than my grandparent's days. Also, sea rising is taking effect. That's the type of things you live with when you live in the Pacific. There's a lot of aid that comes into the country and I think, in the Pacific, you just move on. You just get on with it and you keep going. You become ... that type of environment makes people very resilient. Kim: Well, what would be your advice then to a traveler? Because, it is a place that's going to attract a traveler not a tourist, and we love that. Not putting words in your mouth, but respecting your culture and respecting the fact that the land's been gifted to you. Taki: Mm-hmm (affirmative) Kim: What would you like to say to people that want to visit? Taki: If you want to visit Tonga, you know, it's not a regimental time table. Like the ferry time table, that comes to some of the islands, you know, it's not catering for tourist, it caters ... the ferry service is for the local people. So, when you catch a ferry or when you participate in something in Tonga, it's not tourist accommodated for, it's local accommodated for. So, you're basically integrating in what was going to happ- ... what's happening in the country, does that make sense? Taki: It's definitely got its own time. I think with travelers that come to Tonga, allow some buffer, like don't say you're going to land today and leave on this day, you know. Things happen. Sometimes a flight or sometimes a ferry, you've got to ... it's that type of destination where you go with the flow. And, you've got to allow for some, you know, some sort of, you know ... their things don't run on time all the time, you know. And, the cabs can be a little bit late. The ferry can leave late. Your flights can land late or leave late. Now, you know how westerners are used to like thinking ahead- Kim: Mm-hmm (affirmative) Taki: of time. What's happening on this day? What time does it start? You know, they're thinking like a few days ahead. Wrong place to do that. Kim: Look, I did want to ask you because I had read about this understanding of traditional use of plants. Taki: Yes. Ah, yes. Kim: Okay, so, is there one tip if you come across, I don't know, what ... if you're likely to be bitten by mosquitoes- Taki: Yes. Kim: in Tonga, is there one plant that you can use to- Taki: Yeah. Kim: rub on yourself that takes the sting away? Taki: There's several plants that you can use that will take the sting away, take the swelling away. There's also plants for infections. There's plants for earaches. There's plants for asthma, coughing. I think Japan is taking some ... they're exporting, there's a plant called a Noni juice, I think that's pretty well known throughout the Pacific, throughout the world now. Kim: Yeah and, Taki, just touching on Japan- Taki: Yeah. Kim: you grow a lot of squash for Japan. Taki: Yeah, the Pacific was doing it and Tonga was taking it out of the cay, and I think it's sort of come to a little bit of a halt now. I think the squash market is sort of ... it was booming probably about, probably a little bit less than ten years ago. And then it's ... there's not a lot of land, you know, on 100 and sort of 80 islands, so you can only grow so much commercially. You know, I think, I think we just got to go back to our roots, you know, and I think the less commercial things we try to tap into the better. You know what I'm saying? Kim: Yep, but at the same time welcoming like minded travelers. Taki: Yes, and just travelers that are looking for an off the beaten track experience. You know, sitting in the back of the truck, riding around town, that sort of feel, you know? No hustle and bustle, you're basically the only person on the beach. Kids running around, you know, very friendly, low crime rate. It's that type of ... that sort of a feel for that type of traveler. Kim: Taki, by the way Phil, is in Australia to get a loan to rebuild their resort, or their accommodation. Phil: Ah, okay, best of luck to him. And, by the way a section of 'Eua Rainforest, including limestone cliffs and caves, were protected as a national park in 1992 with trees found nowhere else in the world. Kim: Okay, what's travel news, Phil? Phil: All right, big news and the dust is still settling on this one. The U-S Trump administration has tightened the rules on Americans traveling to Cuba. The ones that were relaxed by President Obama back in 2016. Look, they've banned cruise ship operations from the United States and cruises have already started redirecting and they've eliminated that people to people educational travel for Americans, which most people were using. And, American tourists who traveled on the ... under the Support for Cuban People category in the visa [inaudible 00:18:13], when they have to provide an itinerary that includes meeting with local Cubans, attending cultural events, and staying at a homestay in Cuba, a [Spanish] instead of a hotel. Look, Americans can still travel to Cuba but it's going to be really hard to find a way and no cruise ships for now, which is actually quite a good thing, I think. Kim: That is a good thing, but with the greatest respect because I know there are people that like Trump. Was he bored? Why did he just decide to do that? Phil: It's just, he is saying that the communist regime in Cuba is using American money to fund Venezuela. Kim: Okay. Phil: So, yeah. Kim: Let's not get political. [crosstalk] Phil: Yeah, no let's not [crosstalk] Kim: I want to take you to task before you continue on your- Phil: Yes. Kim: travel news. You are just back from, what I would pronounce as [Napole 00:19:06], but you're not ... you now know- Phil: No, I've gone all posh. Kim: He's gone all posh. So, apparently this is how Phil says Napole now. Phil: Napole. Kim: Napole. Right, he says it like that. Phil: It's Na- ... it rhymes with PayPal. Kim: Yeah. Phil: And, its Napole. Kim: Napole. Phil: Okay. Kim: We have heard from Shante who says Tonga. Phil: Yes. Kim: I think you've put a bit [guh] in your Tonga. Phil: Yeah. Kim: I say Tonga. Let's find out from Taki how you actually say Tonga. Taki: The Tongan language, like the T's are D's, so it's like we don't say the [ttts] we say Tonga. Tongatapu. Yeah, my name is like in ... like the white fellas would say Taki, but in Tonga they call it Taki. Kim: There you go. Phil: All right. But, when we were having this discussion in the office the other day, when I got picked at for being a smartypants, for pronouncing it- Kim: Yeah. Phil: correctly now. But, and then, as Issac said, so why don't we say Paris then and why don't we, you know? Kim: But, Issac, our social media manager who you would have heard on previous podcasts, he says Cuba. Phil: Cuba. Kim: Yeah. Phil: Okay. Kim: When he was chatting about the travel news that you just delivered Cu- Phil: But you know, when you ... but I was there and I noticed my very Australian accent, when I was going, Napole. And everybody else was saying Napole. Kim: Okay. Phil: So, you know. Kim: It'll look- Phil: I'm not being ... I don't think I'm being a showoff. I think I'm trying to be respectful. Kim: Don't worry, you'll forget about it- Phil: Maybe- Kim: in a couple weeks. Phil: Maybe I'm being just a big- Kim: Yeah, ponce. Anymore travel news? Phil: Yeah, got a couple bits if we've got time. Kim: Yep. Phil: A 21 year old American woman, Lexie Al-Alford ... now you've got me, I can't pronounce anything. Lexie Alford, has become the youngest person ever to visit all 196 sovereign nations. She earned her Global Degree at the end of May, when she stepped into North Korea. Same room that Tony Wheeler was talking about last week. Lexielimitless, as she's known on Insta, says she did it to inspire others to travel and to understand the world. Good on her. Kim: Are we getting at an interview? Phil: Yeah, I'll be able to track her down. I know the guys from Global Degree that she did it with, so- Kim: Did you meet them in Napole? Phil: [crosstalk] Sorry. Okay. Something a bit serious here, now I want your opinion on this one. There's an environmental movement, which has emerged out of Sweden, and it's spreading across Europe at the moment. And, they're using the tag, flight shame. And, it's growing some momentum and its dedicated environmentalists are saying that we should shun plane travel, because of the carbon foot print that it does. And, there's another hashtag growing alongside that one as well, which translates, it says train brag. So, people are using over land transport, trains, instead of flying on a plane. Kim: So, surface transport. Phil: Surface transport. Kim: Yeah. Phil: Which we've- Kim: We've covered. Phil: Yeah. Kim: And, we will be aware of that and chasing an interview about that hashtag. Phil: Flight shame. Kim: Yeah. Phil: Okay. Kim: Flight shame. You have the choice to add to your ticket a carbon offset fee. Phil: True. True. Kim: So- Phil: And look, and it's okay for, you know, intra continental travel. So, you can do all of North and South America without getting on a plane if you- Kim: Yeah, yeah. Phil: You can do all of Europe, all the way down into Southeast Asia, but, you know, there are some places ... it's like getting between continents, which I think is going to be bad. Kim: And quickly. Phil: And quickly, that's right. Kim: Yeah. Phil: I know, but it's a choice you have to make I suppose. I mean, if you can limit airplane travel within a continent, and only use it to travel between continents, I suppose that- Kim: Yeah. Phil: sort of reduces your footprint. Anyway, keep an eye on that. Flight shame. Kim: Something to think about. Phil: There you go, I'm done. Kim: Okay. Now, you mentioned Tony Wheeler, he was our latest amazing nomad and he's the co founder of Lonely Planet. When we interviewed him, he had one piece of advice for travelers. Tony Wheeler: Oh, travel light, you know? That's far the way that ... every time I see someone dragging this enormous bag around behind them ... and, you know, it's really, it's, you know, it's everyone starts off doing that. They go "I need this, I need that, I need-", no you don't. And, you soon find out you don't. Kim: Well, Francesco Arbolino, pretty much sums that up. He's traveled to over 110 countries as an extra light backpacker. Plus, he's had some pretty amazing experiences which you'll hear. But, what do you get into a 26 liter pack? And sometimes smaller, depending on where he's going. Francesco: You get plenty of stuff. I carry usually three t-shirts, and they're all made out of wool. So, they can be worn 10 days in a row and they don't smell. And, they're also good in hot and cold climates. Normally I carry one, like, button down shirt. Something a little bit nicer. I carry like a light down jacket, that can pack down into like the size of a tennis ball. I carry one pair of sandals, three pairs of underwear, three pairs of socks, one pair of pants, one pair of shorts, one pair of swim trunks. All my toiletries, you know, but like all small things, you know, like a little thing of shampoo, a little thing of conditioner, bar of soap. Phil: Are you a roller, not a folder? You have to roll stuff to get into, all that stuff into a pack, so- Francesco: No I fold it, yeah. Phil: Folder. Oh my God. Francesco: Yeah. Phil: There goes my theory. Kim: Well I'm interested in the rotation, if there's three t-shirts, three pairs of underpants, three pairs of socks, blah blah. Does that mean you're washing every 3 days or do you- Francesco: No, no. Because, I carry ... everything is wool so, like on this past trip, out of the three t-shirts, I didn't use one of the shirts. I literally wore two t-shirts the entire trip. Phil: And where were you? Where'd you go? Francesco: I was in New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu. Kim: How did you get into traveling? Francesco: What happened was, I dropped out of college and I had a friend who wanted to travel the U-S with me. I bought a Volkswagen Vanagon, like a Westfalia, sort of like a little camper van in it, and we traveled around the U-S. And then after that was done, I wanted to go other places. So, I went to Mexico and then England and then just started traveling everywhere. I went back to college eventually and then I would take one month every winter and go to one country and when I graduated college I said, I'm going to work, I'm going to probably take a year and a half to save enough money to travel for a year. Francesco: I saved enough money to travel for a year. And, basically I budgeted about $50 a day. Throughout that trip I was like, you know what, if I can spend $25 a day I could travel for two years. And then I was like, well if I can travel for $25 a night, I can travel for $12.50 a day, I could travel for four years. So, I just like kept lowering and lowering my budget and then getting more and more extreme in what I was doing, like hitchhiking, and couch surfing, and tried dumpster diving a couple times. So, I was really able to spend very little money and in the end that trip was like two and a half years because I ended up coming home. I was just tired of traveling and I still had money left. Francesco: And then, I worked in New York for another six months and then, I actually moved to Australia for a year. And then that year in Australia, I traveled for three months and then afterwords, me and Molly traveled for a year and a half afterwards. Phil: Good luck living in Australia on $12.50 a day. Kim: Yeah, how'd you do that [crosstalk] Francesco: Well, luckily, I had a job there. Phil: Yeah. Francesco: And, I was making good money and it was great. Kim: You visited those countries, but from what I've heard about you, there almost seems to be a story everywhere that you go. You and Molly, for example, waking up to AK-47s being pointed at you. Francesco: That was in between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. And, we were hitchhiking and I had done a little research online and found out, not to hitchhike. It was basically like, this is going to take you three days, don't do it. Just take a, you know, paid like, shared taxi. And then I was like, nah let's hitchhike. Francesco: We got to the boarder and we were actually, we met these two other Lithuanians along the way and they were also hitchhiking and they were also a couple. And, we got to the boarder, we crossed over the boarder by foot and then we waited an entire day and not a single car passed. Not one. Francesco: So, we were at about 3,500 meters at the time, so it was quite cold, because you're up in the mountains and at night it was going to hit negative four degrees. We had a tent and we had sleeping bags, but they were rated to maybe two degrees, so we were going to really be cold. And, there was this little shack across the street so we picked the lock on it, we just kind of turned it sideways and it came out. When we went inside there was a pile of blankets up to our chins. So, we were like, oh my God, this is the best. So, we slept in these blankets, we were super warm. Francesco: And then in the morning, me and the Lithuanian guy went to the river to go get some water. And, the river was towards the boarder with Kyrgyzstan. So, when we were there I saw some soldiers walking, and I didn't think anything of it. And then, when we were walking back to the shack, I was like, you know what? I should probably make sure that the front door is closed in case they were going to walk past the shack. And as I was pushing it closed, because it was open maybe an inch and a half, I saw some camo behind it and I started to push and I go, uh oh, that's some soldiers. Francesco: And so, they kind of kicked open the door and then they had ... yeah, there was like six of them, and they had AK-47s and they were yelling in Russian to like, you know, get outside, get outside, get outside. And, so they pushed us outside, and luckily the Lithuanians spoke a bit of Russian. And, they kind of got us out of it. But, in the end they were like, basically, okay you're not allowed to be here. This is no man's land, start walking to Tajikistan right this second. And Tajikistan was 23 kilometers over a 4,200 meter peak. So we just had to hike, we had no other option. Francesco: Molly was actually feeling sick so she started throwing up. And, finally one car passed and it was like a five seater, little car. And there were boxes and boxes stacked on top of the roof, and there were seven people inside. We stood in front of the road and we basically made them stop or run us over. And, when we said, listen, you need to take Molly because she's feeling sick and the rest of us can walk. So, she got in and like sat on like a 70 year old man's lap in the front seat, and she just took off, and she left to get to the boarder. And then me and the two Lithuanians had to hike the rest of the way. And, yeah, and then we finally, we met her at the other side after we were extremely exhausted and had altitude sickness. Kim: I reckon the AK-47s pointed at you would have tested those woolen underpants. Francesco: Oh yeah, you know, I was actually extremely happy to walk 23 kilometers. I thought that we were going to be put in jail or they were going to, you know, somehow ask for some unreasonable amount of money, like $3,000 or something that we didn't have. Kim: Well you do like to test it, you also hitchhiked in a small cargo boat, loaded to the brim with 6,000 liters of gasoline. Francesco: Yeah. Kim: To reach a remote settlement in the Amazonian Rainforest. Francesco: That was in between Suriname and French Guiana, and yeah, believe it or not, there was actually some rapids as well. It was on a speed boat with that much fuel on it. So, there were a couple of sections where I was like, oh my God, there's no way this boat is going to make it, we're going to capsize. And it took all day. It was like ten hours on a boat, just sitting on a barrel of gasoline. It was pretty extreme, I don't know if I'd be able to do it again. Kim: So, what did you do- Francesco: Yeah. Kim: when you were, I think from memory, you sat in a hammock or slept in a hammock and ate mangoes, once you reached your destination, what was it all about? Francesco: Yeah, the way I found out about it was actually through couch surfing. There was a host, and I was actually with two Danish guys, and she basically was like, oh, you know I have, you know, I have some family living in this village and there's like a once a year death ceremony. So like, they basically celebrate everyone who's died in the village in the last year. And, they basically just have this giant party. And, there's only about 600 people living there, and it's actually and island in the middle of this river. So, they're pretty isolated. I remember walking around and seeing like two, three year old kids and they would just cry upon seeing us, because they had never seen white skin before. So, it was pretty cool. And yeah, just slept in a hammock and just ate mangoes. Phil: Sounds like something you could easily do in Tonga, along with pineapple and guava. Yum. Kim: Yum. Phil: Well, our next guest, Phil, we have heard from Rachelle [Mackintosh 00:32:23], the photographer who [inaudible] water. Kim: I know, she's wonderful. Phil: Yeah, she's great, isn't she? Well, she's a big fan of Tonga, Tonga and hints off the review the humpback whales are migrating, and I know, as I said at the start of this episode, we recently mentioned experiences with killer whales in Alaska, but there's a special reason why whales head to Tonga. Rachelle: Then when you see them in Sydney, they're going somewhere, right? So, they're on their migration to go somewhere. Tonga is where they're going. They're going there to rest and to recuperate, to breathe, pretty much to party like the young whales actually can't be born in their [inaudible] because they don't have enough blubber on them to withstand the cold climate. So, everybody goes up north for the babies to be born, for more babies to be made, it's just a free for all for whales. And they're going to tropical areas like Tonga and northern Australia to do that. So they're very chilled and really relaxed in those kind of places. Kim: So do you go on your own, or do you go with a team and what do you do once you're there? Rachelle: I go with my friends actually to Tonga. So friends of mine from Sydney who I go out with whaling, whaling as in positively whaling. Looking at them to photograph and things like that. Where all people cause whale tragics, I think whale celebrance is nicer. I'm not tragic at all mate, there's nothing tragic about this. But, so we go to a place called Ha’apai, which is one of the central islands of Tonga. A lot of [inaudible] is kind of centered around [inaudible] I think north of Tongatapu, but Ha’apai is just a much more chilled environment. There's less people, it's a beautiful spot really. Pretty much I think there's 62 islands and only 17 of those are inhabited. So, it's just old school, chilled kind of place. And we go there, friends of ours actually who run whale boats here in Sydney, and in [inaudible 00:34:20], they actually own a whale business over there as well, a whale swimming business. [inaudible] It's just a good time for being with great friends and people who are ethically minded about whales swimming and, yeah, it's just awesome. Kim: Well, I'm glad you mentioned that word ethical because people do get jittery when you put a whale and getting on a boat together. Or even whale and swimming together. Rachelle: Mm-hmm (affirmative) Absolutely, and I think, you know, the rules are so stringent, for people to be able to get a license in Tonga and to maintain that license, the rules are very, very strict in that you can only ever have four people in the water with the whale. Four people plus the local guide who has to be licensed by the government over there. Very, very strict rules in terms of how many boats can be around a whale. In Ha’apai I've only ever been in the one boat that has been in the area because there's nobody around, so we've never had to share whales. Rachelle: But every interaction because it is free swimming must be whale led. Now what that means is when you see the whale from a distance you must then, you know, from a few hundred meters away, and gage whether or not they're interested. So, if they are interested, then they're usually pretty relaxed they'll mosey on over and they'll demonstrate the curiosity by doing passes, maybe some [inaudible] and just general calm behavior. It may start jumping around and carrying on, or they zoom off, then you know that they're not into it, so you can't, there's no point in chasing away on the ocean, they're just going to run off anyway, or swim off. Rachelle: So yeah, every whale interaction is led by the whale. So, if you do see a whale that demonstrates those things that it's calm and it's curious, you gently get in the water a few hundred meters away and then you just kind of float around and wait and see what it does. And, in this kind of environment because they are chilled and they're ready to interact, they'll often just approach you and come within a few meters for a bit of a look. Interactions can be as long or as short as the whale decides. When they've had enough of you, they'll just disappear back into the ocean again. So yeah, basically as long as it's whale led, I don't have a problem with it, and as long as people aren't touching. Kim: Wait, how do you find Tonga? Rachelle: The things that we have in the city, the hustle and the bustle and that crazy kind of like [inaudible] energy, the whole reason we go to islands is to ditch that, right? So when we go to islands, we want to chill out and the reality is that the people that live there are living on island time and we want to feel that kind of relaxed approach. So, you kind of just have to go and go with it and yeah things might not start at the time that was allocated but, everything is done with a smile and with respect and as long as you go with it and you don't push against it, you're going to enjoy yourself. The Tonga people are the gentlest, coolest, most laid back people. Why would you want to make somebody like that upset? Kim: Well, I understand why you go back each year. I know you're about to head there. Rachelle: Yeah. Kim: So, enjoy and thanks for filling us in on that little part of the world. Rachelle: Thanks so much for having me. Phil: Thanks Rachelle. Hey look if you liked this episode of the World Nomad's Podcast on Tonga, you can also enjoy one of our other episodes on the Philippines, I reckon. Shante: I think one thing that we had to our advantage is that because we were part of this guided excursion that was being led by locals who were raised and grew up and still live in these villages, we immediately had this local connection through our crew that made us more welcome and more invited into these very remote areas where I think, you know, if a tourist or a traveler just showed up in their own boat and walked in, it would probably be pretty alarming to them. Phil: We'll have a link in show notes, so you can find the latest episode through all of the popular podcast apps. All the good ones and some of the bad ones. That's safe to say. But, the easiest way to listen to us is to go to WorldNomads.com/podcasts. Kim: See? Slash. Phil: Slash. [crosstalk] Kim: Napole and slash. Phil: And if you want to have a chat with us you can email us at podcast@worldnomads.com. Kim: Well, next week another amazing nomad [Leah] a licensed captain who's said the equivalent of 8 laps of the globe, spent 73 days in a row naked and ate an over two years worth of freeze dried food. We'll see you then. Phil: Bye. Kim: Bye. Speaker 1: The World Nomads Podcast. Explore your boundaries. </div> </div> </div>Getty/Donyanedomam 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/tonga/discover-pangaimotu-island-on-a-day-trip-from-tongatapuOn Sundays everything is shut on Tonga's main island, but you'll find plenty to do on Pangaimotu Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Tongatapu.2019-05-21T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/tonga/discover-pangaimotu-island-on-a-day-trip-from-tongatapuhttps://www.worldnomads.comIt’s Sunday morning, and my friend Hannah and I wake on Tongatapu, <a href="/travel-safety/oceania/tonga/crime-and-local-laws-in-tonga">Tonga’s main island</a>, to the sound of bells ringing and harmonious voices singing. Dressed in handmade formalwear, Tongans are gathering to worship Christ at a local church – the only place open today. <ul> <li><a href="#sundays"> Sundays in Tonga </a></li> <li><a href="#shipwrecks"> The shipwrecks of Pangaimotu Island </a></li> <li><a href="#beaches"> A little island with little beaches </a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes"> Trip notes </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="sundays">Sundays in Tonga: A day trip to Pangaimotu Island</h2> Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga, has plenty of natural features, including blowholes, caves, natural bridges, and historic sites, and on any other day of the week, you’ll find Tongans busy in the <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-ethical-traveler-s-guide-to-souvenir-shopping">market</a> in search of fresh produce, while puppies and piglets scurry across the road to catch up with their mothers. But, on Sundays, all activities come to a halt in the predominantly Christian Kingdom of Tonga. The Tongan government’s enforcement of a Sabbath Law means businesses close and residents spend the day worshipping, feasting with family, and resting. In search of something to do, we head to Pangaimotu, an island surrounded by shipwrecks a short boat ride away, where there is plenty on offer. Because Pangaimotu has a resort on the island, it’s exempt from Sabbath Law, and is one of the few places open to visitors on Sundays. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/tonga/pangaimotu-island-10-chantae-reden.jpg" alt="The sandy shores of Pangaimotu Island, Tonga." /> <figcaption>The sandy shores of Pangaimotu Island, Tonga. Photo credit: Chantae Reden</figcaption></figure> For US $20 we get the 10-minute boat ride from Nuku’alofa’s Faua Wharf and a meal at the island’s only restaurant. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/tonga/pangaimotu-island-reataurant-chantae-reden.jpg" alt="The restaurant on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga." /><figcaption>The restaurant on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga. Photo credit: Chantae Reden</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="shipwrecks">The shipwrecks of Pangaimotu Island: in search of sea creatures</h2> Pangaimotu is best known for a shipwreck, 50 meters from the shore, with a hull that juts out from the ocean. We watch as a young man climbs to the top of the wreck, confirms that his friends are watching, yells, and cannonballs into the water. His friends let out a cheer. One by one, the daredevil’s friends dash up to the top of the wreck for their turn. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/tonga/pangaimotu-island-shipwreck-closeup-chantae-reden.jpg" alt="A closeup of the shipwreck just off Pangaimotu Island." /> <figcaption>A closeup of the shipwreck just off Pangaimotu Island. Photo credit: Chantae Reden</figcaption></figure> From Pangaimotu Island, strong swimmers can access a handful of other shipwrecks about a five-minute swim from shore that are great for <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/redefine-the-dive-10-tips-for-sustainable-divers">snorkeling</a>. The shipwrecks are the result of Cyclone Gita, a category 4 cyclone that hit Tonga in February 2018. I’m amazed and intimidated by the amount of destruction that a natural event can cause. Since the reefs surrounding Pangaimotu Island are part of a marine reserve, fish populations thrive, and vibrant coral bommies speckle the sea floor. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/tonga/pangaimotu-island-diving-chantae-reden.jpg" alt="Snorkeling on Pangaimotu Island." /> <figcaption>Snorkeling on Pangaimotu Island. Photo credit: Chantae Reden</figcaption></figure> At the first wreck, I get goosebumps as the water changes from warm to cold. A school of fish hides under a ledge made of rotting wood, shielding themselves from larger predators nearby. Clams, starfish, and urchins wedge themselves into exposed crevices below the ship. Between July and October, humpback whales swim in these waters. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/tonga/pangaimotu-island-close-up-of-boat-chantae-reden.jpg" alt="A giant shipwreck off the coast of Pangaimotu Island." /> <figcaption>A giant shipwreck off the coast of Pangaimotu Island. Photo credit: Chantae Reden</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="beaches">Pangaimotu Island: little island, little beaches</h2> It only takes 20 minutes to walk around Pangaimotu Island — give it an extra 10 if you’re on island time. Collapsed structures and piles of wood are the only remnants of Cyclone Gita, and there is plenty of sandy beach to enjoy. Home to one small resort and yacht club, it’s a peaceful place with no residents aside from the resort’s staff. Away from the other travelers, we wrap ourselves in sarongs and walk barefoot along the shoreline. We sit and watch the tide retreat – leaving an outline of seaweed in its place while inland, pigs squeal and scamper between the palm trees. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/tonga/pangaimotu-island-pigs-chantae-reden.jpg" alt="Pigs running around on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga." /> <figcaption>Pigs running around on Pangaimotu Island, Tonga. Photo credit: Chantae Reden</figcaption></figure> Just before sunset, we head back to Pangaimotu’s rickety wooden dock and pile back onto the boat to Nuku’alofa. The captain spots our snorkels and asks, “Did you see anything on your swim?” “Just a few shipwrecks!” I smile. It’s a conversation that lasts all the way back to Nuku’alofa, and the captain tells us that there are plenty more shipwrecks to explore around Tonga’s 170 islands. Something for another day perhaps. <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <h3>How to get to Pangaimotu Island</h3> Pangaimotu Island is 1.3mi (2km) from Faua Wharf in Nuku’alofa. From Monday to Saturday, boats leave to Pangaimotu at 11am and return at 4pm. On Sundays, boats leave every hour on the hour from 10am to 1pm and return every hour on the hour from 4pm to 6pm. However, these times are not always reliable so call and confirm the boat schedule before visiting. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/tonga/pangaimotu-island-tour-boat-chantae-reden.jpg" alt="The boat that took us from Tongatapu to Pangaimotu." /> <figcaption>The boat that took us from Tongatapu to Pangaimotu. Photo credit: Chantae Reden</figcaption></figure> <h3>The best time to go to Tonga</h3> Visit Tonga between May and November, outside of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/how-to-survive-a-hurricane">cyclone season</a>. <h3>Road tripping Tongatapu Island</h3> The best way to explore Tongatapu Island is by car. You can see the island’s best sites in a day. Don’t miss: Mapu'a ‘a Vaea, blow holes that spray plumes of seawater into the air during large swells; Hufangalupe Archway, a natural bridge made from limestone; the massive stone Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon, one of the country’s most mysterious artifacts; and Ha’atafu Beach, an isolated stretch of sand with pumping waves.Chantae Reden 0 A shipwreck of the shore of tiny Pangaimotu Island, Tonga.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/new-zealand/skydiving-queenstown-new-zealandJoin Jabari Smith as he jumps from a plane 15,000 feet above the epic Queenstown landscape in New Zealand.2019-04-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/new-zealand/skydiving-queenstown-new-zealandhttps://www.worldnomads.comJabari discovers that sometimes, the sweetest things in life are found when we go beyond our comfort zone. Skydiving allows you to experience a place from a different perspective, floating above the world and seeing the beautiful landscape beneath you, and while it’s not always easy to muster up the courage, the stunning views and feeling of triumph are well worth it.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/amazing-nomads-bob-brownBob Brown has spent decades taking a stand on issues politically and environmentally around the world, including dumping of nuclear waste in Australia. In this episode we celebrate his latest book, Green Nomads Wild Places.2019-01-16T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/amazing-nomads-bob-brownhttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Amazing Nomads Podcast: Bob Brown Champion of the Earth</h2> In this episode we speak with environmentalist Dr Bob Brown who over decades has taken a stand on issues both politically and environmentally across the national and international spectrum, including self-determination for West Papua and Tibet, opposing the war in Iraq, and the dumping of nuclear waste in Australia. We also celebrate his book, Green Nomads Wild Places, in which he visits some of the beautiful places of south and west Australia. <h2>What’s in the Episode</h2> 00:18 Bob's written a book 00:24 Who is Bob Brown? 00:46 Going global 01:24 Green Nomads Wild Places 01:54 Retirement of the MV Bob Irwin 02:36 The Great Australian Bight 03:00 Bob’s river protest 04:55 Bob’s partner and co-author 06:15 The High Court case 07:04 The Bay of Fires 09:11 An eye for photography 11:15 Enjoying nature 12:36 The future of the world 14:16 Get in touch 14:34 Next week we visit… <h2>Who is in the Episode</h2> Bob Brown is a is a retired medical doctor, environmentalist and former politician. In his first speech in the Senate, Bob raised the threat posed by climate change. Government and opposition members laughed at his warning of sea level rises. Since 1996, Bob has continued to take a courageous stand on issues across the national and international spectrum, including self-determination for West Papua and Tibet, saving Tasmania's ancient forests, opposing the war in Iraq, justice for David Hicks, stopping the sale of the Snowy Hydro scheme and opposing the dumping of nuclear waste in Australia. Bob stepped down as Leader of the Australian Greens, and then retired from the Senate in June 2012 but continues his tireless fight to save the environment.   <h2>Resources & Links</h2> Visit some of the most remote and beautiful places of south and west Australia in <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/wild-places-green-nomads-bob-brown/prod9781743794975.html?zsrc=d-instock&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIreHEuKTu3wIVCSQrCh0gmgPeEAAYASAAEgKqD_D_BwE">Green Nomads Wild Places,</a> Bob Brown and partner Paul Thomas’s three-month adventure across Australia.  <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/bobandpaul.jpg" /> <figcaption> Bob and partner Paul</figcaption></figure> This is a photographic and written record of a journey that took them first by yacht and then by road along the coasts and by-ways of southern Australia. <a href="https://www.bobbrown.org.au/">The Bob Brown Foundation</a> is all about action with a vision to protect Australia's wild and scenic natural places of ecological and global significance. <a href="http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/521221/franklin-river-campaign">The Franklin River campaign that changed Australia's conservation landscape forever</a>. <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/23/apec.special.bush.heckle/index.html">Read</a> about Bob being throwing out of parliament for “heckling” former US President George W Bush. Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>.   <h2>Want to Republish This Episode</h2> <iframe width="100%" height="200" src="https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/323020?visual=true&sharing=true" frameborder="0" style="width: 100%; height: 200px"></iframe>  Next Episode: The Baltics <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. You can get in touch with us by emailing <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a>    <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Announcer: The World Nomads Podcast Bonus Episode. Hear Amazing Nomads sharing their knowledge, stories, and experience of world travel. Kim: Hi, and, in this episode, we are speaking with environmentalist, Dr. Bob Brown. He's written a book with the support of his partner, Paul, called Green Nomads Wild Places. It's visiting some of the beautiful places of South and Western Australia. Phil: Look, a little bit about Bob Brown. He's very famous in Australia, but, for our global audience, he's a former medical doctor and then a very outspoken and successful environmentalist. Then, later, he became a politician from which he has now resigned. He successfully campaigned for a large increase in the protected wilderness area of the Australian state of Tasmania, and he reached international notoriety when he was suspended from the Australian Parliament for interjecting during an address by US President George W. Bush. Kim: Yeah, Bob had been campaigning at the time to have two Australian nationals held at the US base in Guantanamo Bay returned to Australia. While Bush was talking about the end of Saddam Hussein's regime ... It seems like years ago that, wasn't it- Phil: Yup. Kim: ... in Iraq, Bob interrupted by saying, "If you respect the world's laws, the world will respect you." This, Phil, is a man who's not afraid to fight for what he believes in. Phil: No, wonderfully inspiring man, he really has been. That's a snapshot of Bob, now to the interview. The book, Green Nomads Wild Places, came about after he took a trip on the Sea Shepherd, the MV Steve Irwin Sea Shepherd boat, to study the Great Australian Bight which had been earmarked for deep sea drilling for oil and gas. Kim: Now, that ship, which is part of the world's leading, direct-action, ocean conservation organization, that's a mouthful- Phil: You can say that again. Kim: ... had just been retired at the time that we spoke with Bob, so we kicked off by asking him, how did he feel about that? Bob Brown: Well, I'm very sad about the ship, but it's a happy sadness, because that ship and it's going on Sea Shepherd Australia Cruise saved hundreds if not thousands of whales in the Antarctic where the Japanese were and still are illegally harpooning Australian Minke whales and others. Then, it took us up the Kimberley Coast to help with the campaign there against one of the world's biggest gas factories right in the middle of Aboriginal land and the biggest humpback whale nursery in the world. It also took us to the Great Australian Bight, where we saw these magnificent wildlife colonies, seals, many species of dolphins, whales under the Bunda cliffs there. We had an elder of the local Aboriginal people there with us. He had a picture of his grandfathers who were Whale Warriors. They sang to the whales. This is all threatened by drilling in the Great Australian Bight by the Norwegian company, Equinor, so the campaign goes on about that. But, I came home to Paul full of stories about it, and, as a result, we set off to go right around the West Coast of Tasmania up the South Australian coast and around into Western Australia last year, and this book's a result of that. Kim: Just, if we can go back in your career, you're a medical doctor, and you practiced not only in Australia but, also, in the UK. At which point did you transition into becoming this champion for the Earth? Bob Brown: Well, yes, I was a young doctor in Launceston, and I got asked to go down the Franklin River by a guy that couldn't find anybody else who was silly enough to do that in 1966, and I was just transformed. It seemed to me as a doctor where half the people coming into my office were suffering from anxiety or stomach ulcers or blood pressure, the whole range of diseases due to anxiety of modern living, it was madness to be destroying the biggest repository for allaying that anxiety and relaxing us which is nature. That's why we all like to see Attenborough and want our children to be watching Attenborough on TV. We put pictures of nature, not bulldozers and chainsaws on our walls. To destroy that to produce more electricity to produce more drug factories seemed to me a stupid thing to do. As a result, the Franklin, we had thousands of people involved in that campaign right across this country and beyond, is flowing free and bringing great delight to people from all around the world. Kim: You met Paul in 1996. Paul, you were a Greens councillor on the Huon Valley Council, is that correct, at the time? Paul Thomas: No, I met Bob before I got on to Huon Valley Council, but, at the time, I was helping his campaign for his election to the Senate for his first term there. Kim: Your ideals clearly matched? Paul Thomas: Yes, I had an aunt who was a keen bushwalker, so she introduced me to bushwalking as a young kid and took me into Lake Pedder of all places, which I'm eternally grateful for. Phil: Can I just say, this is a, we've got a global audience for this, and the majority of the audience is in the United States. Can I just implore people there to consider when they come to Australia that they go down to Tasmania as well, because places like the Franklin and Lake Pedder are just unbelievable. They're just out of this world, aren't they? Bob Brown: Well, they are although Lake Pedder was flooded by a hydro scheme, and it was the uproar about that in the 1970s that led to the Franklin being saved. But, not until 1500 people had been arrested and 500 jailed for peacefully blockading the bulldozers in the rainforest in 1983. The High Court decision, new federal government, the Hawke government was elected in 1983 opposed to the dam, and millions of Australians were waiting for an opportunity to vote that way. When they did, there was a High Court case between the state government and the federal government. The federal government won and instead of the dam destroying the river, it became World Heritage. It was really a mass action and delight by Australians in this Tasmanian wilderness. I should just add here that Paul and I have just walked, done what's called the wukalina walk, W-U-K-A-L-I-N-A, in northeast Tasmania with Aboriginal people. Three nights, really glamping, because marvelous accommodation and great food, including Aboriginal items and introduction to Aboriginal culture, and then finishing with a 17-kilometer walk down white, sandy beaches, deserted beaches except for the shore birds, which are hatching their young at this time of year, just a fabulous thing which very few other places on Earth can offer. Kim: Is that Bay of Fires, Bob? Bob Brown: It is. Kim: Beautiful. Bob Brown: That's right. Kim: Yeah. Bob Brown: It ends up at Larapuna which is the old Eddystone Lighthouse, and it's a very, very lovely accommodation there. We're really indebted to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, which, of course, took a major role way back in protecting the Franklin River. Kim: Okay, so, you mentioned that you were inspired by that trip on the MV Steve Irwin. You went back, you talked to Paul, and this inspired you for the Green Nomads Wild Places book that we're spruiking. How did it work? I know, Bob, you've been an author previously. You've published Lake Pedder, Earth, Optimism, and Green Nomads. What was your part in that, Paul, in this particular publication? Paul Thomas: Well, Bob was the photographer, and I was left to do the camping chores. Kim: Okay. Bob Brown: Really couldn't [crosstalk 00:08:06], you know? Phil: Well, that's good work, well done. Kim: That's- Paul Thomas: [crosstalk 00:08:10], blowing up mattresses, cooking dinner, all that sort of thing. Bob Brown: Paul's a very good hand with the camp oven, which, by the way, is an Australian invention going back a century, an outback invention for cooking in the outback, and it delivers a very nice roast. Kim: Aw. Bob Brown: We, at that time of year, because we were traveling in the Australian winter which is very mild, just a frost on a few nights, that's all. The places we traveled to were largely deserted. I did do my share of the chores, I have to put in a word for myself. Phil: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, sure you did. Yeah, yeah, thousands believe you, Bob. Bob Brown: [inaudible 00:08:52] Olympus OM-D camera, it's not, it's just a basic camera within everybody's reach and went walking. What- Kim: The photos are beautiful. The photos are absolutely stunning. Phil: What is it? You say it's a pretty basic camera. Obviously, you've taken photographs for a very long time, but do you think you've got the eye, as they say, or have you practiced at it? Bob Brown: No, I've always had the eye for nature. There's a picture in there of a swan, black swans in the Southern Hemisphere, of course, doing a dance on the beach. But, that didn't just happen, I was there for an hour and a half on my belly, I might add, while Paul was back cooking- Kim: Cooking. Bob Brown: ... dinner. Phil: Cooking a very nice roast. Well done, Paul. Bob Brown: As the sun went down, you can see that storm in the background. Swans mate for life, and when they lose their mate, they stay single. There's this beautiful single swan, and she does this dance just for five seconds, and I'm so glad I waited and captured that with the setting, well, the orange-colored clouds from the setting sun behind. That was on the beach of Kangaroo Island, this magnificent, beautiful place in the Great Australian Bight of South Australia which would be completely clobbered by an oil spill if oil drilling went ahead. The companies [inaudible 00:10:13] that if it was like that BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2009, it would surround that island and Tasmania and the Great Australian Bight. It was really worth seeing how beautiful the place is. This is why we did the book, because we like to share it with other people, so that they can see what's at stake too. Phil: Oh, I know, and they are- Kim: There's plenty- Phil: ... beautiful photos. Can I ask this question though, lying on your belly for an hour, as you say, with a rainstorm impending, with the smell of a roast wafting over you from behind, but is that, the patience that's involved in that, do you think that's been a part of your success as a politician as well? That you've been patient, and you've been waiting for people's attitudes to catch up with what you're saying? Bob Brown: Well, there's a great patience required in enjoying nature. It does settle you down. It does allow you time to think and to reflect, and there's always something going on, always. I never use a tripod, because I'm there on my, on this occasion, on my elbows and moving around and watching out of one eye what's going on with the other eye, focusing on potentially taking a picture. But, yes, it does require great patience. On the other hand, there's great urgency. Our world is in a spiral dive down as far as its living environment's concerned. We're already consuming, the biggest herd of mammals ever on the face of the planet, eight billion of us, consuming 170%. Imagine that, 170% of the living resources. That's why there's less forest and less fisheries, less arable land, less species, and so on, every morning. We need to urgently reconsider what we're doing on this planet, or it's going to catch up with us. It's a labor of love here. Love for the future of the planet and for people as well as our fellow species. Kim: Well, you're campaigning for the Tarkine at the moment, and I must say as a Tasmanian I do worry, Bob, about who's in the wings? What's it looking like there on the ground with the youth and the attitude toward the world? Bob Brown: Well, the youth are fabulous. We just saw thousands of them on a so-called strike. Really, they were just leaving school for the afternoon to campaign right across the country, and the Prime Minister came out criticizing them. It didn't matter. They won the day campaigning for a safer world against global heating and Australia's position as the world's biggest exporter of coal, et cetera. But, that aside, it's places like the Tarkine which is the largest, unprotected wilderness in Southern Australia. It's in the northwest coast of Tasmania, the heart-shaped island just south of Australia where Paul and I lived. Paul's ancestry goes back to the 1830s there. Love of land is very, very important and keeping spaces like that for the even bigger numbers of people in the future, so there is a place to go back and see where we all come from is incredibly important. Kim: Well, you're lucky that you both get to go back to Randall's Bay which just, Phil, is a stunning part of southern Tasmania, and you can sit there reading a book by the fire, while Paul cooks your dinner, Bob. Phil: Yeah, I was going ... Paul, can I ask you, how do you feel about doing another book, mate? Paul Thomas: Well, it does have its rewards, I have to say. Phil: Yeah. Kim: Well, you're on a bit of a tour of the country at the moment, spruiking the book, which is absolutely beautiful, Green Nomads Wild Places, Bob Brown and Paul Thomas, thanks for chatting to us. Bob Brown: Oh, lovely- Paul Thomas: Thanks- Bob Brown: ... thank you. Paul Thomas: ... Kim, thanks, Phil. Kim: We will share some links to Bob and his foundation Action for Earth in show notes. Phil: Got a suggestion for an Amazing Nomad, which we recently did receive one, thanks, [Paige 00:14:17], and we're following up on her idea, but if you've got one, you can email us at: podcast@worldnomads.com. Kim: Now, you can download the episode from iTunes, please subscribe and rate, or the Google Podcast app, or you can ask Alexa and Google Home to play the World Nomads Podcast. Next week, Phil? Phil: We are visiting the Baltics. Announcer: Amazing Nomads, be inspired.   </div> </div> </div>Photo Supplied 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/amazing-nomads-podcast-ed-cavanoughEd Cavanough traveled overland from Adelaide in Australia, to London in the UK, making connections with people whose family and friends would serve as life lines.2018-12-11T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/amazing-nomads-podcast-ed-cavanoughhttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Amazing Nomads Podcast: Ed Cavanough</h2> Ed Cavanough left Adelaide in South Australia early in 2019 in his '99 Magna driving north, then selling his rust bucket in Darwin before traveling overland to London in the UK. <h2>What’s in the Episode</h2> 00:18 Overland to London from Adelaide in South Australia 00:39 What happened after he sold his '99 Magna? 01:40 Booted out of Indonesia 02:19 A trip full of stats 03:37 Improvising travel 05:08 Motivated to help people 08:21 Australia - intimately connected to the rest of the world 09:47 The great volleyball incident of 2019 10:59 Running into refugees 13:46 Arriving in London 15:08 What's next? 16:23 How to subscribe <h2>Who is in the Episode</h2> Ed Cavanough is an Amazing Nomad, traveling 14291 thousand miles from Australia to London in 242 days, through 36 countries, 28 currencies, 26 languages, 83 buses, 23 shared cars, 14 trains and 7 ferries, making connections with people whose family and friends would serve as life lines. His journey is documented in his blog <a href="https://www.oneroadtolondon.com/">One Road to London</a>. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/podcast/TajikistanlocalvillegersJuliNina.jpg " /> <figcaption> Julia & Nina, local villagers from Tajikistan. </figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/podcast/Laosvillagers.jpg" /> <figcaption> Laos villagers riding my bike.</figcaption></figure> <figure><img src=" https://media.worldnomads.com/podcast/edshownotes.jpg " /> <figcaption> Malaysia. </figcaption></figure> <h2>Resources & Links</h2> Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. <h2> Want to Republish This Episode</h2>  <iframe width="100%" height="200" src="https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/310136?visual=true&sharing=true" frameborder="0" style="width: 100%; height: 200px"></iframe> <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. Next Episode: The Best Of - Part 1 <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1: The Wold Nomads Podcast bonus episode. Hear amazing nomads sharing their knowledge, stories and experience of world travel. Speaker 2: Welcome to this episode, featuring our amazing nomads. This time we feature Australian, Ed Kavanagh. Speaker 3: Ed traveled 23 and a half thousand kilometers overland from Adelaide in Australia, to London in the UK, making connections with people whose family and friends would serve as life lines and he was constantly surprised that no matter where he was in the world, help was always on offer. Speaker 2: Yeah. Ed left Adelaide earlier this year in his '99 Magna, drove north, selling his rust bucket in Darwin, and then what Ed? Ed Kavanagh: Well yeah, the intention was certainly to leave the Magna behind, and then just keep going all the way to London. There was this trip I wanted to do, really since I was a little kid, which was to go all the way from my hometown of Adelaide to London, basically the opposite end of the earth, through as much of the world as I could, and obviously overlanding is the best way to do that, and where possible, I avoided the planes, and decided to, once I was in East Timor, island hop throughout the Indonesian Archipelago as much as I could, and then once I got into Singapore it was basically overland all the way from there. Speaker 2: So you walked across Singapore? Ed Kavanagh: I did walk across Singapore. There's not too many countries in the world you can walk across, Singapore being one of the very few. I was also really frustrated with myself at the time because I'd endeavored to catch no planes after going to East Timor and very frustratingly ran of time on my visa, and basically got booted out and had to jump on a plane to Singapore. So I was really ruing my mistake, and almost sort of punished myself by committing to my overland ideals and decided to walk across an entire country. Speaker 3: So, that would've taken half an hour than. Ed Kavanagh: Well it was a beautiful day time stroll. It only took about eight hours, and to be honest I've never been a big fan of Singapore. I don't dislike it, but it's just a bit too familiar to home, and it was a pretty interesting way of seeing that island. There are some parts in the north that are very different to what you see in the south of that island, and it was actually kind of opened my eyes to that country a little bit more. Speaker 2: Well you've got some stats here. 23 and a half thousand kilometers, 242 days, 36 countries, 28 currencies, 26 languages, 83 buses, 23 shared cars, 14 trains and 7 ferries before you got to London. You've got to have a few stories to share along the way? Ed Kavanagh: Look for sure, and I must say, when I set out, I wanted to catalog it in some intimate detail, and I thought that'd be really fun, coming towards the end and having this sort of laundry list of statistics and data about this sort of trip. In the end it got really silly kind of collating that and looking at it through this statistical lens. It kind of became irrelevant really in the context of the broader things I was getting out of it. I mean, there are many, many stories to tell. Really, it's difficult to know where to start, but broadly speaking, what surprised me about traveling in this fashion is how straight forward it really is. It can look like this absolutely daunting prospect, but really, linking A to B the whole way through is a pretty straight forward process, and there's just endless accounts of people wanting to give you a helping hand along each way. You don't know before you set off how you're going to do this. It's an entirely improvised endeavor, and really the whole time I kind of relied on the assistance of local people to put me in the right direction, and that method really guided me across the entire planet. Speaker 3: Give us an example, I mean, what way did people help you? Ed Kavanagh: Well, a good example happened immediately as soon as I got into East Timor. I went there with very little knowledge about that country. I went through over 30 countries on this trip and it was hard to develop a expat level understanding of each place before I went there. So I really went in blind there, and had a determination to see outside of Dili, which is where most people go. There is a lot of expats and foreign NGO type workers in the capital there, but I wanted to see Mount Ramallah, which is the highest peak in the country. Very quickly after letting locals know that that was my intentions, people were quite enthusiastically keen to help me get up there. After being in Dili for a couple of days I met up with these two, this newlywed couple, Antonia and Kiki they were called, and they came around to where I was staying one morning with a pickup truck and their entire family in the back, and basically dedicated a couple of days to touring me around the East Timorese highlands. This is entirely off just a conversation that we briefly had, and it was a good example really in the trip, about how people do want to do this. They instinctively ... they're kind of motivated to help people who they can see need a bit of assistance, and exposing myself and making myself vulnerable to that was really rewarding the whole way through. Speaker 2: There's got to be a level of trust though, isn't there, on your behalf and on behalf of the people who take you on board? Ed Kavanagh: Yeah, absolutely. I think that trust comes from experience I think. I've been lucky enough to do a lot of travel before this trip. This was certainly the biggest single trip that I've done, but I've spent a lot of time traveling around the world, and there's been times ... The last trip I did for example in Vanuatu which is sort of late last year, before I set off on this trip, I got into a moment where I was terrified, and I didn't trust the people I was around, and it was through my kind of own ignorance. I was basically in this very remote corner of an island and these locals came up to me bearing machetes, and my ignorance really perceived that as a threat, where it was just totally benign, and they were actually coming to offer their own assistance, and after that experience I just realize that you do need to be aware. You can't be naïve to real dangers, but almost every single time someone's coming to engage with you it's through curiosity and through a determination to help you out, and having that knowledge, and having that experience really means every interaction you have is ... you go into it with a pretty optimistic frame of mind. Speaker 2: In the article I read about you, you said Sydney is a gateway to every corner of the globe, and then you go on to talk about the talk about the people that you dined with, including a Mongolian throat singer who we featured in a previous podcast on Mongolia. Tell us about that. Ed Kavanagh: Is that true, you spoke to [Anclaya]? Speaker 2: We spoke to [Booko]. Ed Kavanagh: Okay. So yeah, before I left, and this is a trip that I'd been planning for some time, I was living in Sydney before I left as well, and having done the travel that I'd done before I know how absolutely valuable it is when you meet up with local families and connections from back home, and I was going to some pretty off the beaten path destinations you could say, rural parts of Mongolia, all across central Asia for example. Before I left I spent several months just literally getting onto Facebook and sending messages really at random to people who were members of the Mongolian Community in Sydney or the [Kyrgis] Community in Sydney, and letting them know my plans, and that I'd really love to catch up with them before I left and perhaps get some of their connections all across the world. And these connections that I made through this process which only really happened over a few months, they really served as my beacons across the entire world. I had some really great experiences staying with people in Malaysia, in China, in Mongolia, all across central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan in particular, and then all through the Balkans as well. I was really lucky to be basically housed by connections I'd only very superficially met back in Sydney, and yeah, it really just validated my kind of knowledge about how intimately connected Australia is to the entire world, and yeah, it just was a really fascinating exploring the planet doing it through those connections you made back home. Speaker 3: Using Facebook what was originally designed for. Awesome. Ed Kavanagh: Exactly, Mark Zuckerberg would probably be pretty happy with that use. Speaker 2: Okay, tell us about Tajikistan and the scene of the indoor volleyball incident. Ed Kavanagh: Yeah so this ... a few chats I've had after I got back, some people have asked what is the sort of thing that stands out? And I think some people want or expect there to be some dangerous, crazy episode that saw me hanging off a cliff or something ridiculous. For me there was this one experience that happened in Tajikistan, which reemphasizes how absolutely familiar kind of everyone's experiences of life really can be. I was in this very, very remote village. It's called [Zubervand]. It's a few hundred people that sits right on the border with Afghanistan in the deep south of the [Parmia] area, and I was lucky enough to be housed by a family who had picked me up along the way, and I ended up staying with them for a few days, and they had two young kids who really reminded me of myself and my brother. They were two young brothers about seven or eight and ten or eleven years old. And the older one was just a mad volleyball fanatic, and his dream was to go and play volleyball for Tajikistan, and he was just always running around with his volleyball, and any bit of rubbish, a tennis ball, whatever, volleyballing it over the rafters and all this sort of stuff. And one day I was just sitting there reading a book in their living room, and him and his younger brother were engaged in this rally and the inevitable happened, and they knocked down this precious family portrait, smashed all over the place, and the kids just went into action freaking out. And they were cleaning it up madly, looking at me, kind of willing me not to dob on them, which I didn't, Speaker 2: Good boy. Ed Kavanagh: Yeah, and they'd cleaned it up, rehung it, and hoped their dad didn't notice, and we're at dinner later that night, and they were kind of smiling and giggling with each other and kind of saying, "We've got away with it. We've got away with it." And when I was looking at that, it was just really interesting, because I was in basically the most foreign place I've never been in my life, and I was watching this scene from my own childhood being played out in real time. I mean I did the exact same thing playing cricket and football in my living room. Me and my brother had our own coded language, and it was one of those moments where you just realize how absolutely familiar our experiences can be even if we're separated by half a continent and a different language and everything in between. Speaker 2: Nice story. Speaker 3: Yeah, it's lovely. Speaker 2: Now you also met refugees. Ed Kavanagh: I did. That's something I'm really curious and interested in just as an Australian, it's obviously a very controversial and difficult issue in Australia, and it was really interesting to me seeing ... not only in our region there were a lot of refugees. I mean, I did meet some in Indonesia. I had a really good chat with an 18 year old, [Hazaro] refugee who was stuck in Indonesia indefinitely as there are about 15 to 20 thousand other refugees at the moment, and he dreamed of coming to Australia like so many do, and had been really told that he wasn't able to for the next 15 years. So he'll be waiting in Indonesia without legal work or education status for that duration of time, and it really ... putting a human face on it and making friends with these people is really striking. And then in the wake of the Syrian crisis at the moment, all through the Balkans, Turkey, and the Caucuses, you just meet Syrian refugees everywhere. They're extraordinarily educated, highly motivated, really great people, and it's just so unfortunate for them that they really have been absolutely exiled from their homeland, and are really trying to make their way just anywhere in the world that twill have them. So that was a really eyeopening experience. It really pinned this trip to this moment in history as well. It's something I will certainly look back on in years to come, and know that I actually did see kind of face to face the reality of this issue that's gripping the entire world. Speaker 3: So you came across refugee camps? Or you just find people on the move? Or how did that happen? Ed Kavanagh: I didn't go to any camps per se, but there are quasi camps all through the Balkans. I mean we're looking ... as we're recording this there is a lot of news about a migrant caravan in central. There is a similar occurrence going on all through the Balkans. Lots of Syrian refugees go through to Turkey and then continue all the way up to Hungary effectively, where they're ... well they're not so much anymore, but they were at the time, and there are cities and towns in Bosnia and Serbia and elsewhere which do have often hundreds of refugees camped out in parks, just kind of sitting idle waiting a chance to claim asylum somewhere, and it's just incredibly eyeopening thing. As I said you go and speak to these people, and Syrians perhaps even more than some other places, are incredibly educated, smart, engaged, internationally focused and minded people, and it's really eyeopening seeing it first hand. Speaker 2: You just paint this amazing picture of this experience that you had, but then you end up in London. When you get there did you reflect on all those experiences? Those moments like that that really affected you? Ed Kavanagh: It was a weird sort of anti-climactic moment in some ways getting into London. I got there about midnight and went into typically dodgy hostel, like I'd been staying in the entire year, and I remember speaking to some people at the check in and they're saying where did you come from? What did you do? And it was kind of a silly thing to explain to them, well I've just traveled in 150 odd planes across 30 countries and 23000 kilometers to get here. I didn't really go into that. When I got there I was so ready to go home to be honest. I spent a couple of days in London just enjoying just being there, but it wasn't really til I got on the plane, and even now, a few weeks after I've been back, that you can start to really put it in perspective what you've done. When you're doing this trip it's really hard for it to feel like one continuous thing. Often it feels like you're doing a series of small, little trips in between, and you really need to look back on it with a broader lens to get a prospective about it as a whole, and I think I'm still in the process of digesting that. Speaker 2: Well you've documented it on your blog 'One road to London,' surely you're not going to be idle for too long? What's next? Ed Kavanagh: No, look I'm very much enjoying being back home for now. It's summer in Australia, Adelaide is an incredible city to come home to, and I haven't lived here for quite a few years. So I think my family will be a little concerned if I elucidate my future travel plans in too much detail, but I'm certainly keen to see much more of our region. Some of the places I really fell in love with this trip were [Flores] in Indonesia, and East Timor, and I really want to get back there as quick as I can, and I want to see more of the Pacific. I've done a little bit of exploring and journalism work in Vanuatu for example, and I'd love to see more of the Pacific, more of my own region, and really focus on even seeing more of Australia soon. So that's where I'm thinking. Speaker 2: Beautiful. What car are you driving, now that you're- Speaker 3: Got rid of the Magna? Ed Kavanagh: I'll have you know I still have not owned a car from this century. I actually pivoted from a 1999 Magna to a 1999 Commodore which I got free [inaudible] the country. So cars aren't my specialty but I'm happy if it gets me from A to B then that's absolutely fine. Speaker 3: That's right. It's a box with four wheels in each corner. It gets you from A to B. I'm with you on that one. Speaker 2: Yeah, Ed, look, great story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Ed Kavanagh: Thanks so much for having me. Speaker 5: This information is only a brief summary. Read the full policy, wording very carefully. Visit worldnomads.com, that's all you need to do. It's general advice and it may not be right for you. Read the full policy, it really won't take long. At worldnomads.com. Speaker 3: And catch you next week when we share some of our favorite chats from 2018. Speaker 1: Amazing nomads. Be inspired. </div> </div> </div>Photo Supplied: 3500 Meters above Georgia - Atsunta Pass 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/australia-discoveries-land-of-adventureNiamh goes abseiling and hiking in Tasmania, scuba diving in Western Australia and throws herself out of a plane in New South Wales.2018-11-28T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/australia-discoveries-land-of-adventurehttps://www.worldnomads.comShe tries abseiling and hiking in Tasmania, sees her first shark while scuba diving in Western Australia, and gets completely out of her comfort zone jumping out of a plane in New South Wales.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/oceania/australia/australia-discoveries-connecting-to-countryNomad Niamh Geaney connects deeply with indigenous culture as she learns about the world's oldest civilization.2018-11-28T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/oceania/australia/australia-discoveries-connecting-to-countryhttps://www.worldnomads.comMeeting local indigenous guides in New South Wales and Western Australia, Niamh is moved by ancient rock art, dinosaur fossils, and stories of the Dreamtime.World Nomads 0