Monthly Archives: November 2016

Kathmandu, Nepal – Part One

travelgracefully-c-2016-1
Flying into Kathmandu (KTM), Nepal with Korean Airlines was a seven and half-hour journey from Seoul and the stopover there being a welcomed break. No visa is required for Australians stopping in South Korea.

img_3273
My very friendly Immigration Officer was happy to pose for me and extremely helpful with our entry into the country.

However, in regards to Nepal it’s possible to apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport and the cost is USD25.00 cash (no cards), with applications given on board the aircraft, you can fill it out and be ready. Just need to pay with US dollars at a designated counter before proceeding to Immigration. Otherwise, if you prefer a visa prior, it can be obtained before leaving Australia (or any other National might wish to check with their own country’s requirements). Information given here was correct at the time of writing this post.

travelgracefully-c-2016-2
Like most travel plans, the unexpected will always happen and it’s best to go along with the flow and accept Nepal does the best it can, when it can. If you think this country is going to be a ‘box of chocolates’ forget it.  For it’s about doing the best you’re able to do – with the best you have – learning that the less materialistic goods you have in life, may actually be a better way. Not to mention enlightening you on a different level – both physically and mentally! Less baggage sounds about right to me, just have to put it into practice now – especially leaving Nepal with less than what I came with …

I know – give all the old stuff away and make space for the goodies to take home.

travelgracefully-c-2016-4
The country’s beauty and rawness make it a drawcard for travellers and tourists alike, to visit and experience its friendly people, and perhaps it helps seekers find their  inner self, thus creating prosperity in their own life’s journey. Just remember, it’s not always about you. The captivating  culture of the people here is contagious … Be warned!

An example of a true faithful and following thereafter his famous ascent of Mt Everest, Kiwi mountain climber Edmund Hillary devoted most of his life to helping the Sherpa people of Nepal through the  Himalayan Trust which he founded. Through his efforts, many schools and hospitals were built in Nepal.

Unlike many of the other trekkers who visit the better-known Base Camp and beyond, with this trip our group is visiting the southern region of the country to experience hiking, swimming and an elephant safari – just to name a few of the activities planned ahead.

travelgracefully-c-2016-7
With our guide Raj who has lived here all his life, we have the pleasure of his first-hand knowledge and wisdom to keep us enthralled with his never-ending stories and anecdotes.

Raj being our guide with boutique operator from Australia, Crooked Compass (of which our group is touring ‘The Soul of Nepal’), he too believes in immersing the traveller deep into the culture while protecting its immediate environment to ensure its systematic conditions and values are not implicated.

travelgracefully-c-2016-8
Beautifully packaged and healthy food choices make it clear there’s not too many obese people in Nepal that’s for certain. It’s simply grown and sold without all the preservatives.

travelgracefully-c-2016-9
When was the last time you bought pomegranates by weight? Makes for that delicious, refreshing drink when the heat has been turned up somewhat since our arrival.

travelgracefully-c-2016-13
Nepalese people make extensive use of spices such as turmeric, coriander, cilantro – the leaf of the coriander plant, pepper, timmur – a unique Himalayan pepper, cumin, chilies and mustard. Who needs additives in their food other than these kinds of flavour enhancers?

travelgracefully-c-2016-10
Not much in the way of refrigerators … Just letting you know.

travelgracefully-c-2016-12
Anyway, might be time become a vegetarian … Heaps more choices.

travelgracefully-c-2016-15
This is one place you’ll be carefully consider your baggage on the way home. Possibly the nicest souvenir ever made is a Singing Bowl. Made of metal its rim is rubbed in a circular motion by a small wooden stick to produce a low/high pitch sound. Aside from the sound the theory behind the singing bowl is that the sound causes a vibration in the air which has healing qualities. If you come across a very large singing bowl, have the vendor make it sing next to your stomach and feel the vibrations run through you.

There are basically two types; machine and hand made. The latter is more scarce and expensive and is usually a plain brass colour with a beaten quality about them.

Told you, it won’t be easy leaving without some additional bits and pieces.

travelgracefully-c-2016-21
Three-wheeler rickshaws can be hailed off the street, though it might be a bit difficult to find after sundown. The charge for a metred taxi is Rupee 7 at the initial flag down and then add Rs. 2 for every 200 metres and for the tempos, it starts with Rs. 3. There is an extra 50% charge from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am.

travelgracefully-c-2016-20
I’m certain I didn’t see pigeon on any menus … they’re everywhere. No need to feed them.

travelgracefully-c-2016-17
And of course, not only Kathmandu but the whole of the country is filled with shrines, temples and sacred sites, almost all of which are UNESCO World Heritage protected.

travelgracefully-c-2016-18
Prayers being offered in the main Durbar Square. With a multiplicity of beliefs, Nepal has several cults, gods and goddesses which co-exist with the major religions. In its long cultural history, the country has always remained a land of religious harmony and perhaps one of the many reasons it’s a place you can feel safe to travel around.

travelgracefully-c-2016-19
A prayer wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather or coarse cotton. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. Traditionally they are used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma).

travelgracefully-c-2016-16
A truly mooooving experience. Moo to you too!

Hinduism is well and truly alive in Nepal and a cow is considered equal to one’s own mother and their slaughter or consumption is considered offensive. They are happy to wander around and enjoy the petting they’re given by locals and visitors.

travelgracefully-c-2016-3
Our accommodation for a couple of nights is at the Gokarna Forest Resort which is set on 470 acres within the Forest Reserve and just on the outskirts from the city centre. By the end of day one, it was great to relax in this delightful property and simply walk around viewing the lovely gardens, birdlife and extensive golf course.

Seoul, South Korea – Asia

travel_gracefully-c-2016-15En route to Nepal with Korean Airlines (KE) and Crooked Compass – a small niche tour company who encourages you to experience the lesser known and immersive side of many unique destinations. ‘Follow a different path’ is their mantra and we’re about to explore with our group the alternate southern side of the country rather than heading off to Base Camp style trekking.

One of the fantastic benefits of being a Korean Airlines member is that, once you have accumulated 4,000 points redeemable, you can gain entry into one of the participating lounges around the world – provided you are holding a KE boarding pass for onward travel.

Personally I would recommend at least three nights in Seoul as it’s one of those Asian cities which connects the senses by embracing culture, art and history, even though it leads a distinctive urban lifestyle.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-17-copy
And the start to a wondrous trip can’t be any easier than relaxing in the Sky Team Lounge at Sydney Airport.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-2
There’s a few transport options into the city from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport; the bus being one of the most convenient ways and will deliver at designated stops within its area. Check with your hotel as it could mean either the  bus or train may be the better path to their address. Additionally taxis are available and more expensive as the ride will take approximately one hour regardless.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-1
Entrance of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul exudes class and an undeniably stylish décor. It’s smack in the centre of all attractions in Gwanghwamun – the very heart of Seoul and not far from the Gyeongbok Palace.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-11
The Four Seasons Seoul being a five-star hotel, offers 317 guest rooms and luxury suites. My recommendation is to upgrade which allows entry into the Executive Club Lounge.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-8
Wish this was my desk everyday … And the TV, well it might have to go – too much of a distraction … not!

travel_gracefully-c-2016-9
Buffet lunch at the hotel cannot be missed. Endless choices from all over the world.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-10
And, what are some of the things we love about Korean food? It’s all those tasty condiments which go with the main dishes. So much to choose from and if you like spicy, then this is the country to visit.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-7
Isadong is a shopper’s dream with so much on offer – of course it’s the tourist precinct but can’t be missed.  It gained in popularity with international tourists during the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-6
Games, toys and techno? It’s all here.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-5
Smells divine too.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-19
A night out with my group calls for some cool décor and a place to relax such as Hangik, a neighbourhood wedged between two Universities which has a thriving arts and indie music scene. It’s home to an array of independent clothing labels and off-the-wall vintage shops. The relaxed vibe here can be best felt in any one of the area’s clubs, bars or cafés and is the closest city area to/from the airport. Located on Seoul’s Metro Line 11 is easy to find.

img_3251-2
In Hongdae, we  headed towards  the Mint Bar to enjoy their signature cocktail with Tom about to tackle his and yes, you have to sip and slurp with the bottle still in the glass.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-16
Even if you’re not a beer drinker, you’ll enjoy these,  the Coronarita! An icey blend of corona beer and a margarita.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-13
Going back to Incheon Airport by train is incredibly straight forward with a plethora of stations underground which feed into the main subway and effectively take travellers to where they need to go.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-14
Clean, fast and comfortable the train slices through any traffic hiccups. Cost is approximately A$4.00 one way per adult.

travel_gracefully-c-2016-3
Back at the airport and this has to be one of the most efficient airports in the world. Have your comfy shoes on because you’ll be running a marathon to check out all the duty free shops.

Next stop Kathmandu Nepal – Namaste till next week’s blog.

Sydney – A Weekend of Sculpture, Architecture and Art.

So what do you do in between trips? Of course, you visit your own city and enjoy a weekend of Sculpture, Architecture and Art.

2016’s Sculpture by the Sea enjoyed its 20th year of presenting some of the most thought-provoking ideas when artists and influencers took to the stage at Bondi to Tamarama’s annual event. From October to the first weekend in November each year, it’s a showcase of inspirational, moulded and mostly recycled relics which draw thousands to the area for their perusal and appraisal.

20161102_185739-2
Sang- Sug Kim, The Window of the Future, Sculpture by the Sea

20161102_190144
Hoo Roo! Richard Tipping, Kangoroo.

20161102_190636-2
There you are? Silvia Tuccimei, Flower Power.

20161102_193123
Tamarama is affectionately nicknamed Glamarama (or Glamourama) by the locals, as it is a beach where wannabe trend setters come to sunbathe and swim or simply try to be seen. Doesn’t matter  if you start at Bondi or Tamarama, my advice is to go early as the pathway fills quickly during the day with onlookers.

20161102_193447
This sculpture of a rhino buried in the sand of Tamarama Beach (whose belly children loved climbing over) raises awareness of the plight of these beautiful, vulnerable creatures who are threatened by poaching. ‘Buried Rhino’ has been gaining media attention across the world, in particular South Africa where it was on the front page of the Cape Times in Cape Town.

Source: http://sculpturebythesea.com/

20161106_115535
Wynyard Station’s Exit 4 leads you to Barangaroo and is easy access with an underground walkway to start my day. The Open Sydney Event organised by the Sydney Living Museums was a bi-annual event, however its popularity will foresee it being held each year going forward.

20161106_122540
Within Sydney’s newest commercial precinct of Barangaroo, there’s some of the finest views over the harbour and here looking out at White Bay Cruise Terminal – wouldn’t be  hard coming to this workspace each day …

20161106_124021
The Streets of Barangaroo aims to be the first climate-positive precinct of this size in the world and Australia’s first large-scale carbon-neutral CBD precinct within its confines. New shops are being opened within and a plethora of eateries and coffee shops can’t go unnoticed, especially if you’re on the go all day – take plenty of water with you.

20161106_124921
The Bond Building just further along from Barangaroo, is a nine-level building which has floor-to-ceiling windows to its Hickson Road façade. Fitted with aluminium solar louvres, which repel heat and allow natural, controllable light into its office areas.

20161106_124957
Inside The Bond, Its large sandstone cutface, one of many on Hickson Road was incorporated into the development as a stunning natural feature within the central atrium.

20161106_125844
View from Arup Studios and Workshop located at 201 Kent Street, Sydney.

Arup came to Sydney to help deliver the Sydney Opera House and continues to shape the city today, contributing to many of the buildings featured in Sydney Open

20161106_131220
The heritage-listed Glover Cottages in Millers Point are a rare surviving example of colonial Georgian architecture. They were first occupied by Thomas Glover, a miner from Somerset transported to Australia aged 19 for stealing a rabbit.

20161106_142700
Walking along, The Glover cottages are located on an artificial rock shelf on the east side of Kent Street. This rock shelf may have been created by quarrying from 1810 to 1830.

20161106_134807-2
A Post Box along the way for any of those prized post cards from the best harbour in the world.

20161106_135611
Sydney’s Harbour. Yes I know I’m biased, but it’s true – just look at this November day.

20161106_141949
The Argyle Steps in Argyle Street was named by Gov. Macquarie after County Argyle in Scotland, the place where he grew up. In the early years of Sydney, The Rocks was a divided community separated by a rugged and steep rocky outcrop which forms the ridge of the peninsular to the west of Sydney Cove.

20161106_152652
Foyer of Ernst and Young with natural light and open space, makes a great reprieve when wanting to take a rest. You’ll need to wear your running shoes on if you think you’re going to see all the buildings in one day.

20161106_153319
E & Y Building’s exterior. Opened in June 2016, Mirvac’s 200 George Street, known as EY Centre, is one of a new breed of skyscrapers designed to make a more considered contribution to both streetscape and skyline.

20161106_160614
One of only two World Heritage sites in central Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks was built by convicts, for convicts, and designed by a famous former convict – the architect Francis Greenway.

20161106_160916
Charged with forgery and sentenced to death in England, Greenway had been transported to New South Wales, where his skill as an architect was quickly put to use by Governor Macquarie in his ambitious public works program. Appointed the young colony’s first Government Architect in 1816, Greenway wasted no time completing Hyde Park Barracks in 1819, after just two years of construction.

Source: Sydney Living Museums

img_3758-copy
Opening of Nude at the Art Gallery of NSW took place on the same weekend for members with art from London’s Tate Collection. Renowned and memorable works from Picasso, Matisse, Bonnard and Bacon make it worthy of a visit and on show until 5th February, 2017.

Labuan Bajo, Flores Islands – Indonesia

20160614_091327
Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is 13 kilometres south of Denpasar. It’s Indonesia’s third-busiest international airport and currently one that has a visa waiver on Australians travelling to the country as a tourist (at the time of writing this post was still valid).  A saving of about USD35.00 per adult.

20160614_104430
A short flight of 90 minutes duration and Labuan Bajo (LBJ) is well serviced by Garuda Indonesia Airlines from Denpasar.

20160617_154340
Until not so long ago, Flores was hardly penetrable because of the chain of volcanoes which stretch across the 450 kilometre long but narrow island. Increasing numbers of tourists are visiting as Flores I’m told, is what Bali used to be like, but only 40 years ago.

20160615_100549
When you see the harbour for the first time, you’ll know this is a hidden gem, with stunning views of which even the locals will stop to take in the breathtaking aspect of this ramshackle hilltop’s vantage point.

20160614_122453
My stay was with the Jayakarta Suites Komodo-Flores is perhaps the best property located on the white sandy beaches of Labuan Bajo’s outskirts. It’s simply surrounded by beautiful sea views and stunning mountainous scenery.

20160617_075633
A walk along the foreshore from the property, it’s incredibly quiet and the water seems much calmer and safer here.

20160615_103427
A five-minute ride by Jayakarta Resort’s  shuttle service into the centre of the township reveals one of the jumping-off points for the trip to Komodo and Rinca Islands. It also marks the completion (or starting) point of the popular Lombok-Sumbawa-Komodo-Flores boat trips.

The giant pre-historic lizards, Komodo Dragons can be found in the Komodo National Park only half an hour or so by boat from Labuan Bajo. However, Rinca Island ( or Pulau Rinca) is a more convenient place to see them rather than Komodo island. The mating season for the dragons is July and August so they are often harder to spot during this time. Some privacy please …

20160616_084512
Yeah, yeah I know I shouldn’t be picked up by strangers on motorbikes, but $5.00 for a few hours seems reasonable for a bird’s eye view of the island – and besides I’m much bigger than my poor little driver.

20160616_085614
So this is what it’s like to fill up at the fuel station … hop in line and wait for your turn.

20160615_121607
Some absolute bargains around, just a little difficult to take home at times but worth considering.

20160615_121818
And some times, you’ll meet up with the youngsters from the neighbourhood. The cost for this photo was a pen each. Don’t forget when you travel to various destinations that pens, notepads and any other stationery is greatly appreciated by schools. Great way of clearing out the drawers at home and helping out because most of these items are quite expensive for young families.

Excellent to see children having fun with some old paint cans and not yet caught up in the techno age.

20160616_092837
There’s a number of other touristic sights in Flores such as Mirror Cave, Snake Cave, Cunca Rami Waterfall and the markets at night.

20160615_102436
Stall holders are always friendly and happy enough to do a deal.

20160615_102701
Hot, hot, hot are these chilies …

20160614_184256
Down by the waterfront of the township, it’s sort of l-shaped with a fish market worthy of an early morning browse in the centre. The main street only goes around one way – so if you’re in a vehicle and miss something,  you’ll have to go round again. And why not? The view from the top is spectacular.

20160615_102751

20160616_180603
The marketers set up early in the evening and are open till approximately 9:00 pm each night with a number of food stalls and small eateries. There’s also shops to purchase any necessities if need. Fresh grilled fish and other Indonesian dishes are on offer and the prices depend on the type of fish and its size.

20160617_134215
Like a good strong coffee? Flores is definitely the place to purchase your stash.

20160617_075504
As dusk sets in, so does the spectacular sights of the region, gorgeous coral reefs and more than fifty dive spots around the island. It’s a fantastic place to experience different adventures such as diving, snorkelling and fishing – just a divine paradise for all to enjoy.

20160615_193331
For dinner at the resort, I’m trying out the local dish of Kerapu which is a yellow fish soup with rice. The chef here makes it with so many of the traditional spices which Indonesia is famous for – don’t go past this one!

20160614_174752
Pool at the Jayakarta Resort is easily accessible with the most stunning sunsets each night – just absorb it as you’re soaking up the panorama whilst splashing around in the cool water.