Thursday 29 November 2012

Changing face of Lake Eyre, Australia

Going to Australia? Consider visiting South Australia and view Lake Eyre from the air.

Have a glimpse at this remote part of Australia and see this magical place through low level aerial pictures with their astonishing detail.

Award-winning Australian artist Peter Elfes has been documenting the Lake Eyre and the encompassing desert for the last four years.

View of Lake Eyre in South Australia
'Silcrete Island' - Lake Eyre, SA, Australia
Water coloured by pink algae surrounds an island in Lake Eyre. This rare transition in water colour only occurs once the water has been present in the Lake for several seasons - Peter Elfes.

Clouds reflect off the surface of Lake Eyre at the beginning of a rain period
'Lake Eyre Reflections' - Lake Eyre, SA, Australia








Clouds reflect off the surface of Lake Eyre at the beginning of a rain period - Peter Elfes

Monday 26 November 2012

Travel to Australia during the Winter in Europe and US

Top Winter Sun Destination: GO TO AUSTRALIA

going to australia, see the Great Barrier Reef from the air
Getaway to somewhere warm and sunny. Somewhere you don't have to worry about wrapping up in layers of thermal cloths to stay warm. 
 Somewhere safe and friendly where you can forget about the hassle and bustle of your everyday life. Well at least for a few weeks.


With the winter season in Europe and North America in full gear, we're dreaming of warm destinations that suit the sun-seeker in all of us. Whether you're looking to lounge poolside in sunny Queensland or sip champagne in some of the best wine region in the world you'll find it Australia.

sydney, going to australia, sail syndney harbour
In the land down under the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. It means that from November to April it's the hottest and most sunny in the Southern Hemisphere which makes it perfect holiday destination to travel to. So instead of visiting exotic destinations when it's summer in Europe, save up your annual leave to energize and reinvigorate in the sun and experience

summer, australia, swim, snorkel, great barrier reef

A visit to Australia and New Zealand is always the answer. Both countries are the number one holiday destination on many people’s wish lists and with increased number of flights and new connections appearing on horizon almost every day, it has never been easier to make your dream a reality.

All you have to do is pack and we can take care of the rest.

Friday 2 November 2012

Going to Australia: What to Pack

What to pack and what to wear on your holidays in Australia?

You basically want to create a small yet versatile capsule wardrobe. On holiday less is always more so make sure you take only the clothes you really love to wear. And keep it casual. 

1. You are likely to be exposed to intense sunlight wherever you go in Australia, therefore remember to pack sunglasses, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+, a broad-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirts with higher neckline to prevent burning. And a good moisturizer will be a nice relief after a day in the outdoors. 

2. It is very casual in Australia and you can even wear jeans to casinos but if you plan to visit restaurants, smart casual attire is the winner. If you plan on experiencing the nightlife of Australia's major cities, also pack some evening wear and dress shoes, as many clubs and bars have dress codes and will turn away if wearing sneakers or thongs.

3. For women, a little summer dress comes in handy in the evening. For a smarter look for sightseeing or shopping during the day, take a lightweight jacket.


4. Natural fibres will work better in the heat (for me linen is always a winner) and it is worth popping in a lightweight cardigan and a scarf for cooler weather or overly fierce air conditioning. 

5. Complete with Accessories. Take a few nice statement pieces of jewellery which you can throw on in the evening to feel a little bit more dressed up but it's not wise to take anything too valuable - suitcases have a tendency to go missing.

6. For men again the word is casual and calf-length shorts/ board shorts and casual shoes will be perfect. But in the evening a jacket, long pants and covered shoes 

7. Packing a rain jacket, ideally with a detachable lining, is also a good idea. 

8. Outside of the main cities, do not bother with dressy wardrobe.

9. Take comfortable, lace-up footwear for all the walking, thongs for the beach and sandals for going out.

10. You can buy all your toiletries here and best shopping malls to do that are David Jones and Myer but beware as you might find that they are cheaper in your country

11. And don't forget your swimsuit if you plan to spend some time on the beach. You might even consider learning to surf when visiting Bondi Beach

When arriving in Australia make  sure you are NOT carrying food of any description in your suitcases or hand luggage. The dogs at the airport have a very sensitive sense of smell and they will find it and you may be fined, which is not a great way to start your trip.

The Best of the Best - Park Hyatt Sydney

An iconic Sydney experience. The Park Hyatt Sydney certainly delivers. Nestled between two world-famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the panoramic views are second to none.

The recent $65 million renovation brought many improvements, but the real treasure is it's Sydney suite which beckons with a suite-to-parking-spot lift, cozy fireplace and a balcony just the stone's throw away from the Opera House.
What we love the most: new floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the 155 guest rooms open onto private balconies and unequaled panoramas of Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House.  

The iconic Park Hyatt Sydney has recently been reopened after an 11 month dramatic refurbishment that saw every aspect of the hotel being transformed.
The new rooftop pool at the Park Hyatt Sydney features a heated outdoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, plush day beds and three new private cabanas with breathtaking views of the harbour and Sydney Opera House. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

The 21 year-old Park Hyatt Sydney was first built in 1990 and was previously the site for the NSW Water Police Station, dating back to 1913.
 The new restaurant, The Dining Room, serves an Australian-inspired menu using produce sourced from specialty local farmers and fisherman. The dining space has large open-air windows allowing for natural light and fresh air. — in Sydney, New South Wales.
The architecturally designed guest rooms at Park Hyatt Sydney feature floor-to-ceiling glass and open onto private balconies – to make the most of the breathtaking harbour views. — in Sydney, New South Wales.
The Sydney Suite is one of three new rooftop suites at Park Hyatt Sydney, with near 360 degree panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, a private outdoor terrace, king beds, sauna, fireplace, indoor and outdoor dining area for 8 and round-the-clock butler service. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

 




The Park Hyatt Sydney is situated in one of Sydney’s most scenic harbour front locations – right between the world-famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

Thursday 1 November 2012

Planning your next holidays? Lessons travellers can learn from Hurricane Sandy


Storms can strike at any time and yes there are things we can do to avoid some major dramas. Being stranded and not able to go back home is stressful enough so here are some precautions to take into consideration




 
Read a small print when buying travel insurance.
There are plenty of travel insurance policies out there but watch out as not all of them will cover you for money lost if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather. Also, not all of them provide 24/7 emergency travel services which is not ideal when stuck far away from home. Another thing to remember is to make sure a travel insurance policy covers all planned activities e.g. skydiving, diving, skiing, abseiling and white water rafting

Call an airline’s overseas reservations number to avoid being on hold for hours.
When an airline's local phone lines are busy, try to call it's overseas office. To make the call cheaper, remember to recharge your Skype account before you leave home.

Be proactive and search for flight and seat availability yourself.
Whenever the crisis strikes, travel agents all around the world are working really hard to find seats for those whose flights were cancelled. So if you want to have someone who will do all the hard work for you, talk to the travel agent who specializes in airfares. But if you decide to book your flight online you will have to deal with the airlines direct. To speed up the rebooking process, use some tools to find out seat availability yourself. This way you can tell the airline agent what exactly you need and you won't have to wait on hold for hours. One of the best free tools is FlightStats.com which allows you to check both flights and seat availability out of the airport where you are grounded.

Tech Travel Essentials

Everyone has got favourites when it comes to travel essentials. Here are a few essentials that Stephanie from My Life Scoop always takes with her. Happy travels, everyone!

1. wooden iPad cover and stand, $90
2. wood tripod, $400
3. DIY tech organizer
4. universal converter, $25
5. solar powered charger, $70
6. bluetooth headphones, $99

 1. ear bud holder, $27
2. iPad mini cover, $58
3. alarm clock, $24.80
4. point and click translator, $279
5. car charger, $39.99
6. solar powered water bottle, $29.95

Source: http://mylifescoop.com