Category: Travel
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The Great Beauty
In the movie “The Great Beauty”, the 2013 Italian film by Paolo Sorrentino, a tourist, after taking photos in Rome, collapses and dies. The message is clear: See Rome and die! Like the protagonist in the film, my abode while in Rome (in my case, the Palatino Hotel) was almost overlooking the Colosseum. A flight…
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Back to Cavtat in Croatia
Cavtat Harbour is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been to. Slate toned mountains against green hills, turquoise waters and blue skies; in the village terracotta roof tiles and cobbled stones, all combine to create an impression of stepping into fairyland for me. Beautiful Croatia has been the host country to the International Stuttering…
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High Flights: Beginnings and Endings
High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased…
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A Bird’s Eye View
We’re heading for the air space over la Belle Paris, where we will spend such a memorable few days, meeting up with Véronique and Thierry, and Manya and Hakeem. You can tell it’s France down below from the beautifully sculpted blocks of land, some tilled, others awaiting cultivation: the richness of the French agricultural tradition.…
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Why You Must Visit Sicily
Gorgeous Sicilia! It’s been on my bucket list, ever since hearing about its marvels and beauty from my Italian hairdresser. Over the years I’ve explored the north, middle and south of Italy, but never ventured down as far as Sicily. Following are some reasons I’ve gathered together for visiting this gorgeous island. Sicily is one…
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Adriatic Romance … Rijeka to Titograd
My Travel Journal through Italy and Yugoslavia in 1968 My journey from Paris towards the Ukraine in Russia continues … with entry into our first Communist country, Yugoslavia, and the drive along the spectacular coastline there. Once again we are delayed by car troubles, this time a forced stopover at Camp Borik, a beautiful lakeside…
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From Paris to Russia and Back in 1968
My Travel Journal The first leg: Paris to Italy I set out from Paris, with two girlfriends, Liz and Kay from Melbourne, in the summer of 1968. We were studying at university and I was working at the Air Attachée in Paris, which is where I met Liz. The trip stands out in my memory…
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Delphi and its Sacred Ways
Ancient Greece Ancient Greece gave such a lot to the world, including architecture, philosophy and theatre. I thought about this when I visited Greece with two friends in the late sixties. Stories of Delphi and the oracle had enthralled me when I was studying at Teachers College a few years previous to this. Armidale Teachers’…
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My 1968 Travel Journal: a metaphor
My European travels in a downbeaten French deux chevaux car, shuffling and chugging through 15 countries, is a metaphor for my earliest attempts at self development. During the months’ long trip, I kept a daily journal, developing writing skills that proved a helpful therapeutic resource later on. After I returned to Australia, I engaged a…
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Things To Do in Sydney
While Sydney is known for its spectacular beaches and warm weather, there are still plenty of places to visit and things to experience in The Harbour City during winters. What makes winter the perfect season to explore the beauty of the city is the lack of summer crowds that can make exploring Sydney a bit…