Travel Tips

Where to see penguins in New Zealand

Vi — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:01:29 +0000

When I was going to New Zealand kiwi the only bird I was interested to see. But when I was planning my last trip around South Island I read about couple places where it is possible to see penguins. It is not Emperor penguins but much smaller – blue and yellow eyed penguins but I never saw any penguins in the wild, so it was interesting to see them and added some places to my route.

Probably best place for penguin watching is Omaru town. There it is possible to see both kind of penguins. Every night they are coming back from the see to the land and you can watch both kinds at the same night even their colonies are on different sides of peninsula because yellow eyed penguins are coming back 1-2 hours earlier then blue eyed penguins. An hour before sunset go to Bushy Beach (about 5 minutes driving from city center) and wait in the hides for yellow eyed penguins appearing from the sea. Just be careful there are seals on that beach too, so don’t step on them
After sunset go to blue eyed penguin colony. There is entry fee there and you watching penguins there. Didn’t find any places where it would be possible to see blue eyed for free in the wild in New Zealand. Let us know if you know any such place and check this web site for other places there it is possible to see penguins.

Australian road conditions

Vi — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:01:11 +0000

It is big country and before heading into Australian outback it is good idea check road conditions as it can be long re-route in case some roads closure. Here is list of official websites where it is possible to check roads current status:

Have a safe trip!

What is best time go to …

Vi — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:01:12 +0000

Probably most asked question when preparing for any trip – what is best time go to some place. There is only one answer – NOW. Ok, in some cases you may need to wait couple months the rainy/wet season to pass by, but don’t delay for too long if you want to go somewhere. Things are changing too quickly in these days, especially in developing countries. Everyday more and more people are traveling and it is getting more difficult to avoid crowd in popular places. I met so many people who are telling this place looks so different comparing with what they saw here 10 years ago. So go now if you have place you are dreaming to visit. Prices are going up faster then you can save, so you are wrong if you are thinking to save money for couple years and go then. It is better to visit that place second time in 10 or 20 years and you will see it from different perspective – as everything and everybody will be different – you, place, people in that place. You are wrong if you think you’ll have more time then you have now. You most likely will be even more busy. So don’t postpone things you want and can do now and not tomorrow.

How much cost taxi from airport to Kuala Lumpur city

Vi — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:01:40 +0000

Price of course depends to which part of city you are going, but it should cost about 100-130MYR. Just buy coupons in the official booth to avoid touts and disappointment.

What’s on in Sydney in July

Vi — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:01:33 +0000

17th Biennale of Sydney is still running in different venues around the city through all July.

If somebody is missing snow and ice during winter in Sydney the Winter Festival is for whose persons. Festival will be in two places – Sydney (24th June – 4th July) and Bondi (16th – 25th July). If you’ll get cold during ice skating the best place to warm up will be at Aroma festival on 31st of July.

For photogtaphy lovers where are couple free exhibitions at State Library of NSW: The Sydney Morning Herald’s photography exhibition Photos 1440 (3th of July – 1st of August) and World Press Photo 2010 (3th-25th of July)

For those who want some exercise and check their endurance - Sydney Tower Run-up 2010 on 23rd of July.

What is best digital camera?

Vi — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 04:01:20 +0000

Is it Canon, Nikon or Pentax? DSLR or Point & Shoot camera? It looks like difficult question, but answer can be very easy.

Today It started heavy rain today when I was walking on the street. Didn’t have umbrella so jumped into closest store. It was book store. I was browsing between book stalls and one book caught my eyes. It was “The best camera is the one that’s with you“. Thought book more dedicated to iPhone users, but main point – it doesn’t matter what kind of camera you have, how many megapixels it has. Just go and shoot. May be quality of picture done with phone camera won’t be the same as it could be done with DSLR, but it most cases the most important thing is the moment you catch, not the quality of it.

How to visit skybridge at Petronas Twin Towers

Vi — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:01:06 +0000

For most people visit skybridge at Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur is on the top of list of things to do in Malaysia. Thought the view of the city is not the best from the bridge, but possibility of walking almost 200m above the ground attracts a lot of people.

Tickets for bridge visit are free, but if you want get one you must be there very early. I arrived to Petronas towers at 8:15, i.e. 15 minutes before tickets are starts issued and here what I found:

Some people were waiting from as early as 6am. Not sure I would sacrifice my sleep for it. But I was lucky and was one of the last persons allowed to stay in the queue. Amount of tickets are limited to about 1600 per day and all time divided in to 15 minutes slots. 40 people per slot.

The number shows how many tickets still available for that time slot. When you reach ticket officers you need to choose time you want to visit bridge – earlier you come, better or more convenient time you can get. So don’t make big other plans for the day you want to visit bridge, as the time slot you’ll get can ruin all plans.

Check official website of Petronas Twin Tower for any time/visit rules changes and don’t be upset in case you won’t get tickets. Go to Menara Tower which is located very closer to Petronas Twin Tower and allows you to see all city from observation deck.

Where to ski/snowboard in Australia

Vi — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 04:01:46 +0000

Snow probably not the first thing in mind of people who are going to Australia for holidays. But in case somebody is coming to Australia for longer period and is missing snow there couple places where it is possible enjoy snow activities even in Australia. Actually there are probably about 30 snowfields in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, but biggest and most popular ski resorts are in Snowy Mountains in New South Wales – Tredbo and Perisher Blue. So enjoy the snow but be careful and don’t underestimate snow in Australia, as it happened to these cross-country skiers.

Kakadu NP re-introduced a park use fee

Vi — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:01:53 +0000

This year one of most popular national parks in Australia – Kakadu – re-introduced a park use fee and became most expensive Australian national park to visit. The fee is $25 per person and valid for two weeks. Although all Northern Territory residents and children under 16 are exempt.

Don’t forget take power inverter to your road trip

Vi — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:01:42 +0000

Name Your LinkWhen I started my road trip around Australia I thought it will be enough places where I will be able plug my camera or laptop charger. Right…After first couple days I bought power inverter. It doesn’t cost so much and it is real time saver, as you don’t need search for the place where to charge your equipment. And it can be near impossible to find power in remote areas. Before long trip check how much power need for your devices and pick up one of so many available power inverters to be sure you’ll be able to charge your camera’s batteries and those precious moments of your trip.