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| Marti
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| Countries traveled: | 51 |
| US States Traveled: | 31 | |
| Essential item: | Hand Sanitizer |
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Place
Australia & New Zealand
Australia
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Style Free Spirit | Budget $$$ Comfortable |
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Sunbathing & avoiding cockroaches
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| Info Source: Lonley Planet |
| Trip Costs | | In general, my costs in US$ were: |
| For the Whole Day: |
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For a Night's Accommodation: |
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| For a Meal: |
8-15 |
For a Beer/Cocktail: |
4-12 |
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| Activities & Experiences | Work Programs
The first time I went to Australia I was on a work/holiday visa, which I organized through CIEE. I know a lot of people now also organize these visas through BUNAC. This visa allows you to work for a company for up to 3 months and then travel the rest of the time. It's a great way to go abroad if you are under 26. |
| Beach
Australia has the best beaches in the world. I highly recommend taking a road trip up the coast from Sydney through Queensland. You can also take the Oz Experience bus which goes all over the country and drops you off at hostels along the way. Here are some of my favorite spots:
SYDNEY - has beaches not to missed: Bondi, Coogee, Manly, Freshwater, Curl Curl.
BYRON BAY – It used to be the hippies’ spot on the beach. Now it’s become invaded by yuppies, but it is SOOOOOO worth going to. Do not miss it.
GOLD COAST – Surfer’s Paradise, Southport
SUNSHINE COAST – (Stop at Steve Irwin’s Zoo on the way out from Brisbane). This was my favorite area to enjoy the beach.
BUNDABERG – Sugar Cane and beautiful low-key beaches. Also, don't miss the Bundaberg rum factory.
AIRLIE BEACH and the WHITSUNDAYS – Airlie is best place for backpackers and a great place to see the Great Barrier Reef!!
CAIRNS – every backpacker seems to go here. It’s a ton of fun. Daintry rainforest (good tea) and the Reef. |
| Wine Tasting
Australia has some amazing wines. There are several major regions that are not to be missed. It's cheaper and more low key then going to Nappa Valley, CA.
Hunter Valley - near Sydney has amazing Semillons.
Margaret River- near Perth has mind-blowing beaches and excellent reds - Merlots & Cabernets.
Barossa Valley, Claire Valley - near Adelaide has great Shirazes.
Yarra Valley- near Melbourne has amazing rich reds. |
| City
Sydney is my favorite city. It's beautiful, has an amazing harbor and beaches, and is a great place to go out - restaurants, cafes, music. Probably the best city to hang out in over the summer!
MELBOURNE – It’s more like NY then Sydney. There is great culture and a ton of great cafes serving good coffee and great little dark bars like you would see in NY. It has has one of the best music scenes in Oz. Comedy & Film Festivals are also world class.
ADELAIDE - many churches. Go for the Adelaide fringe festival.
DARWIN is like nothing else – Kakadu National Park – take a backpacker’s adventure tour.
ALICE SPRINGS and AIRES ROCK – The red desert is unbelievable. take a backpacker’s adventure tour.
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| Local Interaction
Try and find a B&S party - Bachelor & Spinster party. You are given a cup with a string to go around your neck. There are buckets of alcohol and you just drink and party until you literally drop. |
| Festivals
Australia also has amazing summer music festivals - Big Day Out, Livid. |
| Transportation
If you are backpacking take Oz Experience. They go up and down the coast and drop you off at hostels along the way. Great way to meet people. If you are spending up, fly with Virigin Blue. It has it's own party going on. |
| Other
Uuug, the cockroaches. They are everywhere and the Aussies don't even blink an eye. You will be sitting in a cafe and they were run across the floor or across the walls. They are huge and they fly.
Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there as Australia is also plagued by big spiders (huntsmen) including the poisonous funnelwebs found around Sydney. There are also red backs that give excruciating bites and are found in dark places. Australia also boasts to having 18 out of the 20 most poisonous snakes in the world, including the top 3!
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Three essentials for India:
GET YOUR VISA ORGANIZED AHEAD OF TIME. The Embassy wait can be brutal!
A-Z of Adventure Travel Insurance from World Nomads as you will probably get "Delhi Belly."
Hostelworld was a great help for finding cheap, but decent accommodation in India!
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