Learning Lessons in NYC

It was a tough start on our way to NYC this morning as Max and I caught up with the pedal to the metal. The lights of one of New Paltz’s finest flashed and we were pulled over. My local coppers did us okay as an easy citation was issued instead of a major ticket. It’s been a great day as we have hit all the connections so important to the online travel world. After meeting with Judy Lee at Spring O’Brien to thank her for setting up my trip to Morocco we headed to the offices of Travel Ad Network. Listening to Max and Ben go over GN’s ad setup was a great lesson in the power of the web. Max also angled GoNOMAD into some smooth future ad moves. Tonight we head out hook up with Tim Leffel and some others in the city, bottoms up.

Hudson River Valley Institute

It was fitting that the day before I head out to Morocco I was reminded about how lucky I am to live in the Hudson River Valley. A wonderful speaker, Col. James M Johnson, reminded me when he spoke at the Howard C St John Distinguished Lecture Series at Ulster Community College. The program is sponsored by Ulster Savings Bank where my Dad was CEO for many years.

Col. James M. Johnson is the Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Institute and a Military Historian of the Hudson River Valley. His lecture about the significance of the area was extremely well done and all in a period uniform. His enthusiasm about this area will serve all of us that live here well as history can build a future for the area. I immediately subscribed to the Hudson River Valley Review that Col. Johnson recommended. It is nice to be reminded about my home area and its importance, it has always been a wonderful place to be. I look forward to learning more from this two-time winner of the U.S. Army’s Legion of Merit.

Fes Morocco, Sheep Heads, Goat Balls and Pigeon Poo

Got this little bit of Fes, Morocco info from the web, cameras at the ready. This is the underworld of Fes. This is where time chose to stop and rest about two hundred years ago, and never quite got going again. Entering the medina is like taking a huge breath and going underwater, to experience total bombardment of your senses -- to feel life in its most frenetic form. It is quite literally almost stomach-churning in its excitement, as sheep heads and goat balls flash past you, and as the excruciating stench of pigeon poo and sulphuric acid hits your nostrils from the tanneries. Almost ten thousand alley-ways form this walled rabbit warren, so you will need to keep coming up for air.

Movies in Morocco

It is going to be a busy week this late Nov. First up the European Media Show in NYC on the 30th. Max and I will hit the Big Apple the day before to meet up with some PR people and other writers. The night of the 30th I should be catching a plane to Marrakech. While reading Time Out, Marrakech I came across a list of movies filmed there, Alexander, Gladiator, Hideous Kinky and Kingdom of Heaven being the most recent.

In a later section of the book was the cinema section that revealed that there are no more than a half-dozen city-center cinemas. That works out just fine because I don’t want to see Morocco on the screen but up close and personal.

GoNOMAD Versus ???

I've been having a little fun this morning on Google Fight. A fun place where you get to pair up topics or sites and see how they measure against each other. I pitted GN against several other travel sites this morning and am proud to say that we are past the Golden Gloves and in the pros. We doubled what many others have and are still training daily, "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee"!

Thanks All

Thanksgiving is over but the thanks remain, people and places also remain deeply embedded. Cruising on the Canal du Midi, Fish Market in Sydney or swimming with Rays in Tahiti have made me think about the places visited recently. More importantly are the people I come home to. They understand that I am doing what I love and better yet understand that I love them. Besides family I thank many others for good fortune in pursuing dreams, may they follow theirs and may I be as understanding, thanks all!

Press Trip to Saudi Arabia, Not Likely

Its unlikely that I’ll ever get to post about a press trip to Saudi Arabia anytime soon but you never know. I am fascinated by cultures of the Middle East ever since visits to Israel and Jordan. On my last trip to Australia I brought a book called The Saudis: Inside the Desert Kingdom by Sandra Mackey. It is a great read and filled with her personal observations. Sandra’s husband was a doctor in the country for years and Sandra lived there with him. She smuggled out articles under the aliases of Michael Collins and Justin Coe while living there. Her book points out the schizophrenic nature of Saudi Arabia in transition from backward to modern power player. If I ever get that press trip invite, I’ll be prepared.

Moorea a Glimpse of Paradise

The Way it is, Its the Real Me. Kent E St John

Every time I travel I am told that my picts on GoNomad and the Lincoln Eagle look nothing like me. I hate to get my picture taken and far prefer to be at the otherside of the camera. I was told by my traveling partners that it was time for a change and coaxed to stand still and get one taken with Byron Bay as background. So here it is the one I promised to post and the last time I ever pose for one, I have long ago realized I have a face for radio.

Under Tahiti's Surface

Getting fish to pose isn't easy but having a water proof case for a camera is just great!

Petting the Rays in Tahiti

Despite what happened to the Croc Hunter, we had a chance to pet the rays that swirled around just below the surface.

Under the Sea on Moorea

Yesterday we snuck away from the hoards of honeymooners and went to a small island and lagoon off Moorea. First we swam amongst the stealth Sea Rays and actually held them, such gentle creatures. Then we had hours to snorkel above the reefs and watch the daily life that occurs under the clear waters. I got to try out my underwater casing for my Olympus 710 and it was so much fun trying to capture the multi-colored fish for showing back home.

After I got back to the hotel I ended up eating dinner with a young very pregnant Spanish woman who is having a fling with an ultra wealthy New Zealand businessman. As we chatted I looked around at all the young couples and realized that people must have thought we were also. I also realized that I must have looked like an old geezer starting a new family with this young girl. I felt kind of sorry for this pleasant girl, Mr. Rich had to cancel the trip and was home with his wife. Life sure seems easier out on the reef!

Last Bang Up In Sydney, Spot On

 We ended up our Sydney visit with a bang, huge platters of seafood at Nick’s right on the water. Lobster, shrimp, oysters, mussels and fish piled high and artfully. The sun lowered in the sky and we talked about the creatures we had just seen at the Wildlife World. Then a water taxi over to see the new hit play Priscilla Queen of the Outback, based on the Oscar winning movie, over the top and outrageous and fun with great costumes and sing along music. After it was time to say goodbye to a wonderful guide and hostess Margot Cuthill, she was fabulous to travel with and someone I will keep in touch with! It is only the fact that we are stopping over in Tahiti for some adventure that keeps us moving. Sydney and Byron Bay were a great combination, one I would love to do again! 

Cheap Camper Rentals in Australia

 wickedcampers.com 

Last Night to Woop-Woop in Sydney

 Flying back to Sydney today for my last night in Australia. The Northern part of New South Wales has been an incredible experience, one I would love to repeat some day. Last night we had a pub experience at the Bangalow Hotel (a hotel is sometimes just a pub) in Bangalow, a town in the hinterland. Bangalow had a wild west look and the pub the center of action. As I downed some massive prawns with mango dipping sauce the skies opened up in torrents. Lighting larger than any I've ever seen filled the sky. This morning as a last adventure we hike from the Byron Lighthouse to Wategoes Beach for a breakfast set up on the beach, a fitting farewell. 

Yoga, Meditation and Byron Bay, Kents a New Man

 Sheldon the Yoga instructor at the Byron at Byron knew he had his work cut out for him when he saw this bloke take a mat, not even dressed in the proper attire. Still he used his yoga meditation to make it through the class. Breathe deep and pull your belly button to your spine he kept repeating. That’s not an easy thing to do when you’ve been eating three squares a day in Australia. Still after 45 minutes he had me feeling like trying out for a part in Swan Lake. He is a Californian that came to Australia years ago on a 45 foot sailboat.

The town of Byron Bay is a funky place where hippy, surfer, backpacker and upscale blend Oceanside. The hills outside the town are called the hinterlands and are covered with Macadamia Plantations as well as rumored pot plots. Yesterday at a place called the Crystal Castle high in the hills I had a picture of my aura taken and then read. Every color of the rainbow was covered in my picture, seems there is a lot going on inside this guy. After my massage today at the Byron I am sure the violent purple has mellowed some what, after all that is what Byron Bay is all about! 

The Boards at Byron Bay

  

Byron Bay, Far Better than Okay

 This is the Game Warden for the Byron Bay area and she came to the Byron Bay Resort to release this wonderful bird into the rain forest that surrounds this amazing resort. She let him go and he flew straight into the tops of the trees. He had been clipped by a car. Byron Bay was once a hippy hangout and that air of vibes is strong, its laid back and cool. It is very popular with Aussies but off the US radar. The resort is stunning in every way, acres of forest to explore and a beach nearby that is pristine and a short walk gets you there. We had dinner with the GM's and founders Lyn & John Parche last night and it was so fresh and tasty, My favorite meal so far and that isn't easy considering the meals we have been having. As a couple they are so interesting and entertaining. My room is wonderful and the sounds of the forest surround my oasis. The layout is ultra sleek with two flat screens, kitchen, huge WC with pool size jacuzzi tub and open air shower. This place is as special as it gets for a coastal Oz visit. Heading to yoga class as a beginner, it must be the good vibes! 

U2, Borat and Myself

 I knew that U2 was in town and sold out a stadium that seats 70,000 both nights but until I glanced at my Sun-Herald at breakfast did I find out that Borat has now arrived. One of travels biggest pleasures is reading different newspapers. It isn’t the same as watching CNN, Fox or Sky News and that’s good. For example I now know that finals for Aussie students in Chinese. Latin and Japanese are this week. I happen to be here when meteors will fill the skies and that I would never have known without the local paper. Granted the headline that Bush ate crow last week isn’t news but fact. I am saving the Travel Section for my flight to Byron Bay later today. Who knows what I will uncover in it? 

Best Dining View in Sydney

 Good food is so much better with a great view and last night the setting was amazing! Aqua Dining over looks Sydney's Olympic Pool and the Harbour Bridge. Over the Bay the Opera House glistened as the sun sank. Soon the lights of Sydney proper blinked on one by one, just stunnning.The crowd was animated and lively as if the work week worries melted away and Sydney's beauty unfolded. Aqua Dining would have made a mark for its food alone but with this view it gets upgraded to a five star memory! 

Putting Shrimp on the Barbie & My New Australian Boy Band

 After catching the man-eaters at the Sydney Aquarium I decided to turn the tables and headed to the Fish Market for lunch. Never in my life have I encountered such great looking seafood. Perhaps the long flight over has finally put me around the corner but shear joy was flowing. Oysters, lobsters and leather jackets oh my! Of course the huge prawns drew me in like mice to cheese. As I ordered some from the barbie, some lyrics started coming out of my yapper to the tune of there ain’t no mountain high enough . Soon I had some blokes singing along to the words, there ain’t no barbie big enough, there ain’t no barbie wide enough, there ain’t no barbie hot enough, too keep me away from you. My new mates and I ripped up some tinnies and devoured the huge buggers.We started singing My Prawn to the tune of My Girl and the crowd gave us hoots and whistles.I may soon have a gig singing at Claudio’s, seems I've gone troppo! 

A Sydney Oyster a Day, Keeps Viagra Away

 No wonder the men of Sydney are viril blokes, here is the secret formula. 

Sydney's Food Scene

 It is 4 AM Saturday in Sydney and I awoke after a few hours sleep, strangely not tired at all. My room at the Observatory large, peaceful and perfect for my first cuppa tea and some blog time. When we landed in Sydney we were met by the S Wales rep Margot Cuthill who remembered me from a few years ago when I blew through Sydney. This time she is doing a great job of getting us oriented and well-fed!

Last night at the restaurant Galileo we had what can only be described as a food symphony, a six course tasting dinner paired with great Australian wines. The Chef Hiroyuki Saki is back and has a boundless imagination when it comes to food. Seriously amazing combinations of flavors and textures finished with a bit of 25 year old Port. Sydney is becoming a serious contender for food city of the world. This morning we head to the Sydney Opera House for a private behind the scenes look at Sydney’s Icon. Then the rest of the day is on my own to find some secret spots for GoNOMAD readers, and of course some more of the city’s markets and restaurants. I have a feeling that finding a good lunch here will not be difficult! 

Bondi Daydreaming

  

Icebergs in Sydney

 It was very tough to get us out of the wonderful Observitory Hotel after a long flight but with the restaurant Icebergs as an incentive it was done. We soon sat at the restaurant overlooking Bondi Beach for great food, its reputation is well deserved. Nothing like crab, soft polenta, chilli and garlic to fight flight fatigue. No wonder it has an international rep! Part owner Maurice Terzini is masterful at matching a food scene with Bondi's beauty and being a nice guy adds to the experience. Ah Sydney can lift the spirits! 

Sydney By Sail

 Sailing with Captain Mat on Sydney Harbor showed a side of the city that should not be missed! 

JFK to Sydney, a Flying Marathon

There was a nervous rumbling in my belly as I awoke way to early this morning; flying long distance is not like catching a flight to Florida. There was long ago a time that I thought a flight from NYC to London was a marathon. I learned over the years that it isn’t even a 5 K. Today is a bloody marathon, thirteen hours to Tahiti and after a two hour layover another eight to Sydney. Fortunately from all accounts I will be flying in great equipment on Air Tahiti Nui and no LAX change over. The airlines allow for a stop over and that will be surely useful on my return trip. Lace up the running shoes and focus on the finish!

Sydney and Byron Bay, on my way

It is the night before leaving for Sydney and Byron Bay and I must say that Tourism New South Wales, Australia has done a bang up job! The inti has some very special events and plenty of free time to cover the things I want to. The Hotel Observatory looks stunning online and will make a great base in Sydney. The restaurants booked look fabulous and food will no doubt fit in my pieces. We will attend a play (going by water taxi) and sail on the harbor with beach time on Bondi. A top on my list is the walk across the Sydney Towers Bridge, a great follow up to sky jumping in Macao.

Byron Bay also seems to be a great place to check out and the hotel is in a rain forest
with nature all around, all this before stopping in Tahiti on my way back. Special thanks to Diane Elliott from Spring O’Brien for setting up an amazing trip, check back in two days and follow along!

Air Tahiti Nui Great Rating

My tickets from Air Tahiti Nui arrived today for Wednesdays flight to Sydney. I will be flying in an A340-300 air bus in the front. Best yet is the great reviews I read from passengers on Skytrax. Comments all very positive and service mentioned in just about all posts. Food also got kudos and the fleet one of the newest. Global Travelers 2005 reader poll ranked ATN sixth in “On Board Best Service” up from tenth. It beat out Emirates, Singapore and United and that’s is impressive. Check Skytrax to see where your airline falls.

Skytrax Rates Air Tahiti Nui Tops

My tickets from Air Tahiti Nui arrived today for Wednesdays flight to Sydney. I will be flying in an A340-300 air bus in the front. Best yet is the great reviews I read from passengers on Skytrax. Comments all very positive and service mentioned in just about all posts. Food also got kudos and the fleet one of the newest. Global Travelers 2005 reader poll ranked ATN sixth in “On Board Best Service” up from tenth. It beat out Emirates, Singapore and United and that’s is impressive. Check Skytrax to see where your airline falls.

Above the Arctic Circle

 Got an email from Max today and he really seems to be loving his exploration to Greenland. It made me think about my trip last Feb on the Hurtigruten in Norway. The eight-day cruise took us up the coast and past the Arctic Circle. It was cold and stark and beautiful, the air clear and sunlight magical. What great gifts GoNOMAD has given us! Check his blog 

Female in Jordan

I am starting to look like a Leffel groupie but I came across the new issue of Perceptive Travel online today and in it was a story by someone that I met on a press trip to Jordan last spring. Shari Caudron. Shari was so nice that she even shared her pistachios on the bus. Her story about getting a Turkish bath in Jordan was very well done and I urge writers and those that want to, click here. It actually is the only article about the trip I have come across except mine. Her resume is great and I enjoyed reliving the trip through other eyes.

Here is a tease:

It's an overcast spring afternoon and I'm struggling to move a ridiculously awkward backpack-on-wheels through a noisy swirl of families inside Jordan's Queen Alia International Airport. Yes, I'm cranky. Yes, I haven't slept in 24 hours. Yes, I want to escape the smoky airport into the fresh air as soon as possible. I glimpse an opening in the crowd, dart toward it, and smack right into a middle-aged Jordanian man.
I freeze. The man turns and looks at my face. Then down at my luggage. Then back at my face. Then slowly, his face cracks into a wide Chesire-cat grin. here is a link about her new book Read about her new book at www.WhoAreYouPeople.com.

Aussie Speak

In preparation for a trip I try to learn at least thank you and please, it works wonders. Contrary to popular thought English isn’t universal, so I have been brushing up on Aussie Speak. My last visit to Darwin I spent hours listening to some of the strangest speak in the world and loved it. I tried some out on the little and only store in Cottekill NY this morning.

“ Morning Tim my good bloke, how are the lollies (candy) selling today? With the cold weather coming I didn’t have any problems with the mozzies (mosquitoes) or any rat bags. (Dishonest persons) I’ll take a few snags (sausages) but not the shonky (shoddy) ones. I’ll be back for my tinnies (beer cans) later. I got some cobbers (friends) coming by tonight. I sure hope I can flog (sell) a few pieces today, well ta (thanks) and I love your mate’s rates (discounts)”.

This should be a language option in school here!

Leffel's Latest Book

I have been on the lookout for Tim Leffel’s latest book, the Contrarian Traveler at the local B&N for the last couple of visits. No go so it is time for drastic action, order online. While it is available on Amazon I am going through the publishers, Travelers Tales’. GN’s Max Heartshorne has an essay included in the book. Here is a quick description.

This practical guide teaches travelers - novice or seasoned - how to take advantage of travel opportunities by avoiding the typical tourist mentality. Author Tim Leffel shows readers how to bypass the traps that drive up expenses and find the best value, whether as a young backpacker or a wealthy retiree. Drawing on his own extensive experience (including three yearlong trips around the globe as well as his experience as an industry insider), he also covers what steps to take and what resources to use to save money on every trip. Through specific strategies and a change in mindset, he shows everyone how to travel better - or more often - on a smaller budget.

Tagged and Left Behind

Today Max and Paul Shoul head off to Greenland, Max has tagged me before his departure. I am new to the concept but will give it a go. Her are eight things about me:

· I am really a homebody. I love flying off as much as possible but I equally love to hang out at the house and in the hood.
· I am passionate about books and always have one with me, I average two read per week.
· I was never a good student, I was always a self-learner, bounced from FPC College because I wouldn’t show up for classes I hated. To this day the only time I am scheduled is on a press trip.
· I get excited about a trip weeks before I leave, I love checking places out in books and online.
· I was a dog person for years; I now have three cats and love them.
· Having dinner with friends and good conversation beats going to any other events.
· I am far less out going than people suspect.
· I praise loyalty and believe it is a virtue.


I don’t know if it is allowed to name the blog that tagged you but I really do think Max’s read up on it is one of the best. It reflects his interest and enthusiasm in the world and life in general.

Tim Leffel’s blog Cheapest Destinations is a great travel read and his info well thought out.

Hotel Chatter is great because even as a homebody I love checking into a great hotel.

Gridskipper the Urban Travel Guide always entertaining.

The other blogs I go to frequently are the ones on GN itself. I get to check up on Steve, Sony and the rest of the GN team. Have a great time up there in Greenland Max and Paul.