Here’s a summary of where I went in 2018; although none of the 6 countries were new to me, the places I visited and experiences I had TOTALLY were! Enjoy.
Australia
I lived in Australia on and off for about a year and a half between 2008 and 2010.
I started out volunteering in trade for free accommodation about 1.5 hours NE of Melbourne, in a rural area between Marysville and Alexandra. As a wildlife sanctuary, I became intimately acquainted with Australian critters during that time; I even had a kangaroo that followed me everywhere I went! (It was cute, and also a bit creepy).
Then, my boyfriend (at the time) and I decided we'd stick around for a while longer, and rented a place. Shortly thereafter, we were hit by Australia's worst-ever natural disaster: The Victorian Bushfires in February 2009. My diary account of the event was archived by the National Library of Australia as a piece of history.
Although I had a home base near Melbourne, I covered a TON of territory in Australia, including all of the epic train rides like The Ghan and the Indian Pacific - which ended up forming a big part of my book about trains.
In 2018, I returned to Melbourne for a month, to stay with some friends of mine who were helping me with some physical ailments.
There’s a Huntsman in my Car! (VLOG Ep. 7)
In this month’s vlog, I share a story about the huntsman in my car. It’s part comedy, part horror flick, and part metaphysical drama. Have a look!
18 of the World’s Fastest, Highest, Longest (etc) Things to Do
Here are 18 of the world’s fastest, highest, longest, deepest, happiest, smelliest, most dangerous – and more – things I’ve done:
A Week-In-The-Life of Steven Sirski: Farm Hand in Australia
Steven Sirski has spent 4.5 years working and travelling around the world. Here’s a week-in-the-life of Steven in Australia, working as a farm hand.
A Week-In-The-Life of Charli and Ben: Transporting a Yacht in Australia
Here’s a week-in-the-life of Charli and Ben of Wanderlusters, transporting an Australian yacht, and then serendipitously a 4×4 deep in the outback.
Taking the Indian Pacific Train Across Australia: PART SIX
This is the last installment of my mammoth series about the Indian Pacific train, which is part of an 11,000km train journey I took across Australia – and back again. My mission: to see if spending eight days on a train could inspire boredom. So far, no luck. Let’s see what the last two days […]
Taking the Indian Pacific Train Across Australia: PART FIVE
What a journey so far! I’m two/thirds of the way through my 11,000 km Indian Pacific train journey across Australia and back. After four nights on a train (with a night in Perth nestled in there), I’m still three days away from Sydney. And to my surprise, I’m still not bored. DAY SIX In the […]
Taking the Indian Pacific Train Across Australia: PART FOUR
So far in my 11,000km train journey across Australia and back, I’ve been aboard the Indian Pacific for three nights since getting on in Sydney. We’ve stopped in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook, and Kalgoorlie. Today, I arrive at my halfway point and destination of sorts: Perth. DAY FOUR I awake earlier than 6:30am, preferring […]
Perth in 24 Hours
I had but a mere 24 hours (26 to be exact) to enjoy Perth, between getting off the Indian Pacific train from Sydney, and getting right back on it the following day to return to my point of origin. “Why aren’t you staying in Perth for longer?” was a question I often fielded in describing […]
Taking the Indian Pacific Train Across Australia: PART THREE
At this point in the series, I’m four days into my epic 11,000 km journey across Australia (and back), and have spent the last two nights aboard the Indian Pacific, traveling from Sydney to Perth (and back). DAY THREE My early night to bed last night has paid off; I’ve made up for lost […]
Taking the Indian Pacific Train Across Australia: PART TWO
Thus far in this series, I’ve set the stage for my epic 11,000km train journey, boarded the Indian Pacific train in Sydney, explored my digs, and settled in for the night. Day Two Accounting for a half-hour time change back before bedtime, I awake (somewhat self-begrudgingly) just before dawn. Apparently catching the sun rise […]
Taking the Indian Pacific Train Across Australia: PART ONE
My reasons for taking the Indian Pacific train across Australia in the way that I did are not why most normal folk would have. In reflecting on my three-day adventure riding The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide, I was surprised at how quickly the time passed. I had figured that, despite my love of long-distance […]
Train Travel: The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide – Day Three
Almost 48 hours after boarding The Ghan on Day One in Darwin, and with only a few hours to go to Adelaide, I was surprised to wake up and discover that we were still very much in the Australian outback. However, as the minutes and hours rolled by, increasing signs of civilization became evident. One of […]
Train Travel: The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide – Day Two
On day two of my three-day epic journey on The Ghan, I awoke from my slumber and gazed out the window. One of my favourite things about overnight train travel is laying in bed and watching the sun rise over the moving landscape. And today was no exception. The earth was even redder than the […]
Taking The Ghan Train from Darwin to Adelaide – Day One
One of my motivations in returning to Australia for a few months has been to experience the world-class multi-day train journeys that venture through some of the most uninhabitable parts of this sunburned country. And The Ghan train is one of those world-class trains, also reputed to be one of the most luxurious. Lucky me: […]
Darwin: The Crocs, The Heat, The Attitude
“Watch out for crocs,” was the advice of a friend ringing in my ears as I slipped off the steps and onto the rocky beach in Darwin, Australia. I knew better than to swim in the ocean (rife with box jellyfish, salt-water crocodiles, and other lethal delights), but I figured the beach would be safe […]
The Australian Aboriginal Tent Embassy: The World’s Longest Protest
While I was visiting Canberra, my friend (also a Nora) and I wandered by a derelict collection of tents and temporary-looking dwellings in front of the old parliament building. “This is an odd spot for a campground,” I commented. “It’s not a campground,” Nora said. “It’s the Australian Aboriginal Tent Embassy.” Huh? That’s some kind […]
Why Would I Want to Visit Canberra?
Canberra (pronounced more like “Can-bra” with the emphasis on the “can”), gets a bad rap. “Why would you want to go to Canberra?” was a question I had to answer more than once about visiting Australia’s capital city. Most of the people asking this question were Aussies themselves. For many tourists, Canberra doesn’t even make […]
Australian Seagulls, Spider Bites, and Blue Mountains
My visit to Sydney and the nearby Blue Mountains was beautifully rounded out by staying with some friends just outside of the city. And aside from a chance encounter – or rather encounters (37 in total) – with some nasty spiders, all was beautiful. First, we took advantage of a gorgeous day (the first that wasn’t […]
A Week-In-The-Life of Russell: On The Road to Find Out
Russell Slater is a freelance journalist currently hopping on a bus, eating a baguette and listening to his walkman. It’s no surprise then that he likes writing about travel, food and music. He is a regular contributor to Uruguay Now, Brazzil, Matador Travel and A Different League, writes occasionally for a number of other websites. […]
The Manly Scenic Walkway, and How to Catch a Bus in Sydney
While enjoying Sydney, I decided to explore the 10km coastal Manly Scenic Walkway. And no…the walk isn’t particularly masculine in nature…Manly is the name of the Sydney suburb where the walk begins. This article was originally published in 2010 and has since been updated for accuracy of content and links Getting to Manly from Sydney […]
Random Observations from Sydney, Australia
If you want a guide to seeing Sydney Australia, this post is not going to be very fulfilling. But if you would like to enjoy some random observations and tips I have from roaming the streets of Sydney for almost a week, then please, feel free to continue reading. (I’m pretty sure it will be […]
Surviving Paradise: One Year on a Disappearing Island [Book Review]
I was given a free copy of Surviving Paradise: One Year on a Disappearing Islandfor review, and I’m very thankful for it. I love travelogues in general, and this one is written absolutely beautifully and strikes a few chords within me. Read on to learn more about Surviving Paradise and my reaction to it. At […]
Walkabout Woes – and Wonders
We’re barely into 2010, and I can already see that it will be an interesting year. Coming into the year, I’ve had a few reservations – not the least of which is an agenda that entails us basing ourselves in Australia for another year; one that my itchy feet are objecting to. However I truly […]
A Week-In-The-Life of Kelly & Mike: Have Internet Will Travel
After 10 years in the Internet industry, veteran web designer Kelly Hale and developer Mike Schimanowsky sold all their worldly belongings, bid farewell to friends and family, packed a laptop, and traded in the daily 9-5 for a life of nomadic freelancing and travel. Having just completed their first year in Southeast Asia, they’re doing […]
10 Rules for Being Human
Kelly stumbled on to some words to live by the other day, and I think they’re worth sharing. Both poignant and even humourous, these Ten Rules for Being Human are good ones.
Planning a Round-The-World Trip? Start Here.
Brian Peters recently gave me a copy of his new e-book: No Debt World Travel: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the World – Even in an Economic Downturn. The fact is, I knew about the e-book long before its release. Why? Because I had a small part to play in its creation. First, the e-book. […]
My 3 Best Kept Travel Secrets
I was nominated not once but twice (lucky me! I guess I’d better do something about it!) to participate in Tripbase’s 3 Best Kept Travel Secrets blog tag collaboration; once by Katie @Tripbase and once by Dave & Deb @theplanetd. Here’s the idea: The aim of this game is to unite travel bloggers in a joint […]
2009 in Review: The Professional Hobo
As I sit in the remaining days of 2009, reflecting upon days past and planning for days to come, I realize that this year has seen quite a few adventures!
Merry Christmas! And New Lyrics for an Old Carol
Merry Christmas everybody! While people back home in Canada are playing in the snow, I’m playing with snakes here in Australia. Go figure. This year, Kelly and I are playing “tag along” with some friends of ours for a jam-packed few days of house visits, food, cheer, food, gifts, food, games, and probably – […]
A Week-In-The-Life of Kim: Cutting Edge Law
Kim Wright lived a nomadic life through her entire adulthood, with well over 40 addresses to her name. There were always good, rational reasons for the moves – bigger houses, new jobs, divorces, etc. A happy empty-nester since 2003, Kim has seen a total of 16 kids come through her home (birth kids, step-kids, foster […]
Special Post: Reflections on the 2009 Victorian Bushfires – by a Year Nine class in WA
I was recently contacted by a high school teacher in Western Australia, who said her year nine class was doing a project on the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, and having found my own diary entries on the ordeal, asked if I would be kind enough to read and respond to their reflections, as somebody who was […]
The Plight of a Writer Living Abroad: Lessons Learned About Getting Support
As a writer living abroad, I’ve been burnt by a lack of support – both professional and moral – from friends and family. Here are lessons learned about support.
Fire Spinning
When a fellow travel blogger recently wrote about fire spinning in Thailand, I realized in reading it that I have been amiss with you, dear readers. You see, I have blatantly (and unintentionally) kept you in the dark about a new part of my own life; a hobby that is both relaxing and actively playful….Fire […]
Camping with Koalas at Cape Otway
Enjoying a piece of the world famous Great Ocean Walk, I happen to find myself camping on night two in a little spot that wasn’t idyllic. As a former paddock, cows had trampled through not so long ago, as was evidenced by the dried out cow patties that consequently drenched the site drenched with flies. […]
Would you Like an Avo this Arvo?
You may want to do a double-take, but those are indeed Australian mountains, a couple of hours from where we live. Most of the snow has likely melted by now. …and if you don’t know what the title above means, you’re probably curious just about now. Okay, so here’s yet another quirky expression from this […]
Imagine: A Vagabond Story – Book Review
This is a review of Imagine: A Vagabond Story, by Grant Lingel. While his backpacker antics weren’t my cuppa tea, the vicarious debauchery was fun.
A Week-In-The-Life of Corbett: Free Pursuits
Corbett Barr is an entrepreneur and blogger who has spent the past seven months on a road trip with his wife through Mexico and the Western U.S. and Canada. You can find him at Free Pursuits where he writes about lifestyle design. Please enjoy a little insight into what a week-in-the-life of Corbett Barr looks […]
The Sounds of Australian Birds
When I was recently overseas in North America visiting family and friends, things were eerily quiet. Sure – there were sounds of traffic, laughter, and the hum of the city, but there was something inexplicable missing. When I returned to Australia, I realized what was missing: the sounds of the extraordinary life of Australian birds.
Joining the Gold Rush at Woods Point
A clip of conversation with the postmaster at Woods Point: Nora: “We just rolled into town here on the recommendation of a friend of ours. And what a lovely place it is! It’s absolutely charming – I love it. What is the population?” Postmaster: “The population of Woods Point? 37. But if you include the […]
Is Full-Time Travel an Act of Withdrawal?
In a philosophical conversation with an acquaintance the other day, I was informed that he doesn’t like the way I travel. Not only does he not like it for himself, but he doesn’t like it for me; he feels that full-time travel is an act of withdrawal from the world. For him, ducking out of […]
Airport Musings
Airport Musings: Thoughts that Happen During the Longest Trip on Earth This is the story of one girl’s determination to take a large trip without layovers, inexpensively, and somewhat stupidly. Please enjoy my antics. So. The longest trip on earth (or at least so it felt). I endured it recently, and lived to tell the […]
Canadian versus Australian Coins
Here is a conversation I had with an Aussie mate the other day: Me: “Do you have a nickel?” Aussie Mate: “A what?” Me: “A nickel”. Aussie Mate: “A what?” Me: “Oh for god’s sake. A nickel! You know – a five-cent piece!” Aussie Mate: “OH! A five-cent piece!” (hands over said currency) Me: “Why? […]
Photo of the Moment: Best Hours of Operation in the World
We saw this sign about a year ago while traveling through Australia’s ecclectic town of Nimbin, in New South Whales. While the sign is very much indicative of Nimbin in general, I also thought they could be fun hours to keep. From now on, I plan to be predictably unpredictable (in a predictable sort of […]
Australian Abbreviations
In my series of posts on Australian expressions and idiosyncrasies, I realize that I have left you, dear readers, sadly in the dark. You see, I have just now unlocked one of the secrets to speaking like an Aussie in no time. In a way it is so simple that I adopted it without realizing […]
Winter Fog: A Magical Hazard
The winter fog rolling through the Australian countryside in Victoria is epic. Check out these pictures of this magical (if not slightly hazardous) wonder.
Australian Expressions of Pleasure
Australian expressions of pleasure: I love traveling through different English-speaking countries. Although we all speak the same language in that we can (usually) order a burger and fries without much ado, at the same time we really don’t speak the same language. I’ve been baffled by heavily-accented fast-talking Outbackers, confused by sayings about drinking, and […]
Snow in Australia
This photo was taken yesterday from our backyard…literally. Although I’m a Canadian on a permanent mission to avoid winter, I’ve done a pretty crappy job of it. After summer in western Canada, I spent my first traveling winter in Hawaii. Now that was hardly a tough winter to endure – the only drawback to winter […]
Happy Winter, and Happy Anniversary
Happy Winter! Happy Anniversary! Two cool (one of them literally so) things happened this week: Winter started in Australia We have reached the one-year milestone of our Aussie adventures! A year ago when we arrived in Australia, winter had begun but we were none the wiser: we enjoyed a few days in Cairns before heading […]
Five Signs I’m Turning into an Aussie
We’re fast approaching the 1-year anniversary of our arrival in Australia. And in the course of our Aussie adventures, some of the local customs, slang, and other characteristics are slowly permeating my daily way of life that’s finding me turning into an Aussie. Here are a few: G’Day Mate My friends have become “mates”. No, this […]
I am a Published Author!
Monday May 18th2009, is a momentous day in my life: I am officially a published author! Whoopee! Having written about personal finance, travel, life hacks, and personal tips for Wise Bread for almost 2 years now, I have been impressed with how the creators of this site were always forward-thinking. So when they approached me […]
Australian Hamburgers, Lamingtons, Meat Pies, and Other Foods
As I was inhaling another Australian-style burger the other day, I realized I was eating a burger that nobody in North America (and other places for that matter) had ever seen the likes of. In explaining to some folks at home in Canada how Australians prefer to eat their burgers, the awed silence on the […]
Addicted to the Internet
Is there an organization out there to help people who are addicted to the Internet? If not, then I’m sure one will prevail before long. At least I hope so. I always figured that people addicted to the internet were either losers or office workers with way too much time on their hands. (And yes, […]
Criminals on the Run: Our Encounter with Aussie Country Police
Australians in general are a fairly cordial and friendly people. This is especially prevalent in the rural countryside, and even extends to the friendly police force, out to keep the peace and do their jobs. So I guess I should have expected that with such a friendly disposition in the country, the friendly police force […]
Wha-Huh? Bush Fires? AGAIN?!
I was racked with indecision the other day. It was something ultimately trivial, but something that had me flummoxed nonetheless. “I just want a burning bush to show me what to do. Is that so much to ask?” I said in frustration. Be careful what you ask for.
Easter Down Under
Having recently survived Easter Down Under here in Australia, I continue to marvel at the little differences that exist between two strikingly similar countries – Canada and Australia. Although traveling in countries where the native language is the same as our own seems a little bit like “cheating”, there is a lot to be learned […]
Living the Dream: Climbing on the Rooftop of Australia (Mt Kosciuszko)
“Okay, ready to rappel – I mean abseil,” I say as I prepare to descend a small cliff near the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. “That’s okay, say rappel. It’s nice to talk to somebody who actually knows what rappelling is and doesn’t call me a Yank for it,” says Chris, our climbing and rappelling (I […]
Conquering Kozzy (Mount Kosciuszko) in the Off-Season
The mission: To climb Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko (pronounced kahz-ee-ahz-koh) at 2,228 meters above sea level. The highest peak on the continent. A feat for anybody aiming to climb the highest peaks on each continent. A real notch for the climbing belt, if you ask me. (Sshhh….don’t tell anybody that there’s a chairlift that […]
After the Fires: Our Multi-Coloured Backyard
After being home for a few days in the wake of a month-long evacuation due to the Victorian bush fires, we hear/smell/feel/see something that makes our hearts sing: rain. It pours overnight, and drizzles through the next few days. Although naysayers worry about erosion and the negative long-term restorative effects of too much rain, we […]
Anthony Bourdain, Why Didn’t You Call?
Anthony Bourdain has long been my hero. So imagine my distress when I learned that he was in the very same small town in Australia as I – and I didn’t know.
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 24th – DAY EIGHTEEN
Home, Sweet Home Tuesday, February 24, 2009 – DAY EIGHTEEN Home, Sweet Home After an extremely hesitant but positive response from a local authority that we could return home but must remain vigilant about the fires that are almost too close for comfort, we return home.
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 20-22 – DAYS 14-16
Enjoying the ocean, and a different kind of fire… Friday-Sunday, February 20-22, 2009 – DAYS FOURTEEN to SIXTEEN Too many “last straws” have come and gone…we need a rest. My own small break in taking a trip to Melbourne was not exactly restful, and Kelly has worked two full weeks in a highly-charged environment with […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 19th – DAY THIRTEEN
Thursday, February 19th, 2009 – DAY THIRTEEN It seems like every night I sleep somewhere else. I wake up in the middle of the night – as I do, to pee – and have to re-orient myself before trying to get up. I struggle to remember where I am, how I am oriented (is the […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 18th – DAY TWELVE
Although this image of charred ground may not look dramatic, you may think differently if you knew what it looked like before. Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 – DAY TWELVE The pleasant distractions of last night end when I cough and sputter my way into reality from a solid sleep; the smoke is thick and full. […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 17th – DAY ELEVEN
In addition to the hundreds of pumper trucks coming in and out of the Alexandra staging area, armoured personnel carriers are now part of the flotilla. These guys are serious. Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 – DAY ELEVEN Apparently we are not the only ones living out of our car…we pile our belongings into the car […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 16th – DAY TEN
There are over 400 tents pitched at the showgrounds, with over 600 emergency workers sleeping in shifts. (And this is not the only base camp established in the area). That’s allotta fire fighting going on. Monday, February 16th: DAY TEN As we pull up to the DSE/CFA base camp in Alexandra for breakfast, I see […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 15th – DAY NINE
A panorama of our smoky “stomping grounds” in Rubicon… Sunday, February 15th, 2009 – DAY NINE 8:00am Waking up in and living with smoke takes a toll over time. Your head constantly feels foggy, keeping headaches tenuously at bay. Your throat is raspy, sore, and dry, except for that little chunk of mucus in the […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 14th – DAY EIGHT
Saturday, February 14th, 2009 – DAY EIGHT Happy Valentine’s Day! Love is in the air….or is that smoke? The situation at the relief donations warehouse is out of control. We receive countless truckloads of generous donations, and despite requests to the contrary, lots of it is still used. Gently used clothing is one thing; bleach […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 13th – DAY SEVEN
One of the warehouses, filled and getting fuller with each truckload of donated goods… Friday, February 13th, 2009 – DAY SEVEN Dreaded Friday the 13th. Not only are there superstitious connotations to this ominous day, but it also marks the 70-year anniversary of the 1939 bush fires that devastated this very area. In fact, it […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 12th – DAY SIX
Thursday, February 12th, 2009 – DAY SIX 12:20am We have accepted the generous hospitality of some friends who happen to have two dogs and a cat. Although the animals spend very little time in the house, I go to bed to an awful allergy-induced asthma attack. And where is my inhaler? At the home we […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 11th – DAY FIVE
One of the many trucks of donations being unloaded at the warehouse for sorting and distribution to those affected by the bush fires. Victorian Bush Fire Diary: Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 – DAY FIVE 7:00am We are heading back to the show grounds for another real meal to start off our busy day at the […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 10th – DAY FOUR
Kelly sporting a pair of pants donated for bush fire relief…exactly who will benefit from them remains to be seen! Victorian Bush Fire Diary: Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 – DAY FOUR 7:10am I sleep like a log on the floor of a back room at the local pub in Alexandra. It is amazing how we […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 9th – DAY THREE
An exhausted SES (Special Emergency Services) volunteer tries to call home. Victorian Bush Fire Diary: Monday, February 9th, 2009 – DAY THREE 8:25am We sleep solidly, despite lightning in the area (a big risk for additional fires). I snap awake with a start, with very little transition between my peaceful dreams and the stark reality […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 8th – DAY TWO
Looking directly at the sun is no problem with the smoke as thick as it is. Victorian Bush Fire Diary: Sunday, February 10th, 2009 7:00am We receive a text message from Melbourne that they are getting heavy rains. They sadly have not come yet here in Mansfield or any other affected area. Taggerty held off […]
Victorian Bush Fire Diary: February 7th – DAY ONE
The Victorian Bush Fire Diary commences: It’s so hot today, even the candelabra has melted. Saturday, February 7th, 2009 We are prepared for a forecasted day of dense sweltering heat. Temperatures in excess of 48 degrees are on tap. Although I love the heat, I am also keenly aware that with forecasted winds of 100 […]
The 100 Year Heat Wave
I got what I asked for, in spades. Heat, heat, and even more…heat.
If you Aren’t on the Move, Are you Still a Traveler?
A question asked of me recently by a reader, and possibly especially pertinent now that we are looking at staying in Australia or even longer, may be: “Do we still consider ourselves to be travelers?” You may wonder how I can satisfy the title of The Professional Hobo if I am in essence “settling down” […]
Moving On…But Staying…But Traveling…
I would say that our time in Australia is coming to an end and that it is time to move on. But that would be a lie. In fact, quite the opposite: our time in Australia is not coming to an end. But it is still time to move on. Let me explain.
“Fair Dinkum” Explored: Meaning and Origination
The meaning of “Fair Dinkum” in Australia is elusive at best. Here is what I learned, along with a whole collection of input from readers.
Legendary Heat and Total Fire Bans: Welcome to Summer in Australia
The air is heavy (but not humid) as I step outside from the cool respite of our practically-air-conditioned-it’s-so-cold cottage. I walk into the sunshine, and even at 3pm I immediately feel its rays burning through the first few layers of my skin. Even a breeze on this calm day is too much, creating a sense […]
Recipes From The Road: Chili
Kelly has a thing about chili: He figures he makes the best chili, and that’s that. I guess we are all fond of our own chili the most. (It is kind of like being fond of your own farts the most…also a topic closely linked to chili. Hopefully unlike your own farts though, other people […]
My Christmas Present to Australia: Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie…in Australia? Australians love their pumpkin. As part of a standard “meat and three veg” meal, a slice of roasted pumpkin is often tastefully and deliciously included. Go to the supermarket, and you will likely find at least three different varieties of pumpkin, such as butternut squash, Japanese pumpkin (very yummy), and grey pumpkin. […]
Enjoying a Brown Christmas
Further to my pre-Christmas rant about not having a white Christmas, nor feeling much of the Christmas spirit at all, I felt it only fair to follow up my Scrooge-esque premonitions with a dose of what my Christmas reality looked like. I like warm Christmases!
Gardening Down Under
“You must have a little veggie patch at your place, don’t you? Everybody does,” said one Aussie fellow to me when speaking about the Australian agriculture industry. “Chuck just about anything in the ground, it grows here,” were his wise words to me that day. As it happened, I had indeed just planted some seedlings […]
The Christmas Season in the Australian Countryside
Christmas in the Australian countryside is markedly different to the Christmasses I grew up with in Toronto. Here are some of the differences.
There’s a Rosella on my Head at Wilson’s Prom
First off, who the heck is Wilson, why am I at his prom, what on earth is a rosella, and why is it on my freaking head?! Never fear, it will all make sense.
Playing With Poppy the Wombat
After meeting Bracken our horny and insatiable kangaroo, and feeding the beautiful king parrots here at Kingbilli, we knew we were in the perfect place to become acquainted with native Australian wildlife in ways that most people – even Australians – don’t have a chance to. Such are the benefits of living on a property […]
She’ll Be Right Mate: Words to Live By
Your dog just died. “She’ll be right mate,” is the sympathetic response of your Australian friend. Climate change is upon us. The whole country, and in particular the state of Victoria has endured over a decade of drought. “She’ll be right mate,” replies an Aussie as they seem to shrug off an evident problem. You […]
Four Seasons in a Day…Literally
Four seasons in a day? Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. I always figured that Australians in general tend to exaggerate. The water levels can’t really be that low can they? (Actually yes: a huge nearby lake is at 23% capacity – 75 feet below its full level – due to more than a […]
There’s a Redback in my Kitchen
Australians and arachnophobes alike will know what I’m talking about here. Despite learning the hard way the punch a centipede bite can pack, seeing snakes slither in Springbrook, and discovering the Australian Huntsman taking over our microwave, we have become somewhat complacent about the dangers that abound here in Australia. We have had so many […]
Recipes From The Road: Homemade Flat Pizza Crust / Naan / Pita / Tortilla Chips
Yes, one little recipe can do it all! My hero, Jamie Oliver, was the one to show us this little number, although he uses it soley for pizza crusts. Once I got over my fear of using yeast in recipes, I embraced this one fully. It makes a huge amount, which is good because it’s […]
The AFL Grand Final: An Australian Institution
There are two specific sports in Australia, the culmination of which grind many places to a total halt, in some cases warranting an all out public holiday: the Melbourne Cup (a horse race, yes a horse race), and the recently held AFL Grand Final. AFL, which stands for Australian (Rules) Football League, is a […]
King Parrots: A Common Australian Sight
Local Australians tend to view the copious King Parrots with varying degrees of enthusiasm or converse nonchalance. Some people are quite interested to observe them when they land on a stair banister close by. Others don’t even bother to give them a second glance. Either way, nobody can deny that King Parrots are gorgeous birds […]
Slip Slop Slap: A Way of Life in Australia
With a giant hole in the ozone layer above Australia, there is an entirely different approach to spending time in the great outdoors here. One in three people suffers a bout with skin cancer, and evidence of it is common; I see many a reconstructed nose, bits of ears missing, or grafted skin on various […]
Eek! The Australian Huntsman
Eek! The Australian Huntsman. Over the last few months, I have managed to convince myself that there really aren’t an abundance of spiders and snakes here. Having heard from abroad about the proliferance (proliferance [proh-li-fer-ants]: derivative of prolific, meaning in abundance – I really wish that were a word; it makes sense to me) of […]
City Life vs Country Life: An Unbiased Analysis
Can’t decide if you’re a city person or a country person? Here’s an unbiased analysis of the pros and cons of city live vs country life, after having lived extensively in both. Enjoy!
On The Rescue: Koalas Up Trees
At 5:30pm, Georgie (the young and beautiful owner of Kingbilli) knocks on our door. “Any chance you guys would like to help me wrestle a koala out of a tree in Alex?” No sooner than the words are out of her mouth are our dinner plans put on hold, our shoes are on, and we […]
Spring Has Sprung and the Swans are a Swimmin’
Spring has sprung in Victoria, Australia, and it’s a grand and beautiful thing. Enjoy these observations (and pics) of the black swans and their chicks!
Recipes From The Road: 5 Layer Mexican Dip
Yay for having a full kitchen again! After almost two years of sharing a kitchen, or having substandard non-functional kitchens, we are set up again! We have our very own gourmet paradise, and we take full advantage of it. Kelly & I immensely enjoy cooking and creating new dishes together, and are back into the […]
Our (Creepy) Affectionate Kangaroo
He is our watch-kangaroo. Our sentinel. And our unrequited lover. I wake up bright and early, eager to get some writing done. I poke my head into the kitchen on the way to the living room, peering around the corner cautiously. I am on the hunt for a stalking kangaroo outside my door, hopeful that […]
