Adelaide

Adelaide, a city of suburbs, has a reputation for being a bit...well boring. Having spent 1 month there on my travels, I wouldn't recommend going if your time is limited.

However, if you're going to visit family and friends, or just finishing the Great Ocean Road, there are some things to do whilst you're there (not much though...)

So what to see?

Depending upon your budget here are some Lazyshark suggestions on how to spend your time and Australian dollars whilst you're there:

Money to burn?

The Clare Valley - One of Australia's great wine producing regions, it's a great area to explore by hiring a car and simply driving around. You can also take a tour which might work out a bit cheaper.

If you are lucky enough to be in Adelaide at the time of the Barossa Wine Festival then ensure you visit and enjoy the unlimited wine to sample all set against a background of live music.

On a shoestring?

The Tram - takes you from the town to the beach and is a perfect cheap way to see the tourist sites on route.

Adelaide Zoo - If you haven't yet had your fill of seeing koalas then a trip there is definately worth it.

Blue Mountains survivor

The recent news story of the English backpacker crawling out of the Blue Mountains after loosing his bearings and getting lost for 12 days raises the importance of safety (once again) when travelling around Australia. It's often harsh climate can catch even the most experienced hiker, let alone tourist, off guard.

If going off hiking or exploring the great outdoors in Australia it is essential to tell someone where you're going, take plenty of fluids, have a mobile phone and map, and try to ensure you know where you are at all times.

Jamie Neale had a stroke of luck when he realised he had a penknife on him, which thankfully tipped the scales slightly in his favour and contributed massively to his survival; but you're better off being a bit more prepared than that.

Members of Lazy Shark can take advantage of the Travel Safety section on the site which enables you to keep family and friends informed when you are likely to be out of contact for some time. You can submit info on where you are going, how long you are likely to be out of contact and your expected date of return, plus any emergency contact numbers.

The dangers of extreme sport

Earlier today extreme sports company Black Sheep Adventures based in Queenstown, New Zealand admitted two health and safety charges relating to the death of Emily Jordan whilst river boarding on the Kawarau river.

This tragic case demonstrates the dangers involved in partaking in extreme adrenalin based activities whilst travelling. Most backpackers who travel to the South Island and more specifically Queenstown, known for being the adrenalin capital of the world, take part in some form of extreme activity whether it be a bungy jump, white water rafting or paragliding.

Undoubtedly partaking in some form of thrill based activity is a highlight of many a travellers trip abroad. However Emily Jordan's case demonstrates the need of all travellers to not only have the correct insurance cover but be diligent in researching the most safety conscious tour company to go with - especially as you often have to sign a waiver form against sueing the company if anything was to go wrong.

Time will only tell whether this case brings about changes to New Zealand law which currently means no tour company can be charged with corporate manslaughter following the death of someone partaking in an extreme based sporting activity.

In the meantime our thoughts go out to Emily's family and friends at this sad time.

England win the Ashes

Congratulations to Andrew Strauss and his team for regaining the Ashes yesterday evening with a comprehensive 197 run victory at the Oval. Another awesome series where the momentum has swung back and forth between the two sides over the last couple of months. How sweet it is to finally silence the Aussies once again...although Ponting couldn't resist one final dig in his post match interviews!

The turning point was definately Andrew Flintoff running out Ricky Ponting when Australia looked set to mount an improbable challenge to Englands massive total. You just can't keep big Fred out of the spot light and England will miss his massive personality and ability to lift the side at crucial points throughout a long test series.

I am guessing that there are going to be a few sore heads amongst the England camp waking up this morning... I am certainly nursing a slight victory hangover!!

Congratulations England. Only 18 months to wait until it starts all over again in Australia. Bring it on...!

Bluff Oysters

If you consider yourself in any way interested in food (and let's be honest who isn't!) no trip to the South Island New Zealand is complete without trying some of the famous bluff oysters native to this part of the world.

I have happy memories whilst staying in Queenstown of a night at Fishbone seafood restaurant where I ordered half a dozen Bluff oysters. They arrived looking enormous, succulent and very very tasty. My friends (who had been foolish enough not to order this delicacy) dived right in and relieved me of 3 of the 6 much to my annoyance! However the remaining 3 were delicious.

This was 2 years ago and as a seafood lover, all the oysters I have had since just haven't compared... I will just have to go back to New Zealand again!!

The Ashes - 4th Test

Defeat in two and a half days...Have England gifted the Ashes to the Aussies after all their previous hard work...?

Hopefully not - victory at The Oval is still possible but all I feel now is embarrassment at England's inept performance and the stick I will now be receiving from all my Aussie friends over the next few days.

All I can pray is we wipe the smile off their faces come 24th August...!

Fireworks at the Bristol Harbour Festival

Bristol City council has just laid on yet another fantastic evening of fireworks, syncronised perfectly to music at the annual harbour festival. Every time we thought the display had reached its final climax yet more explosions of massive fireworks were set off. The only disappointing part of the event was the weather - heavy drizzle throughout the day put quite a dampner on the festivities, and standing on the docks at 10pm waiting for the fireworks to begin there was a definite chill in the air. It felt more like a 5th of November display than a mid-summer festival and here-in lies the problem with planning firework events in England as compared to elsewhere in the world.

Australia and New Zealand put on loads of outdoor festivals every year - how lucky they are to never have to worry about the rain...!

Brighton Gay Pride - Summer Festival Week

Brighton has yet again hosted a truely fabulous Pride festival, maintaining its reputation for being the gay and bi capital of the UK. For the last few years Brighton has put on a week of events, one of the largest Pride festivals in Europe.

Worldwide one of the original and previously the best 'Gay festivals' was held in Sydney - The Mardi Gras. Sydney has long welcomed gay tourism to its shores. I was lucky enough to be in Sydney a few years ago for the 2001 Gay Pride and was awestruck by the spectacle of the swirling costumes, dancing bands and the traditional "Dykes on bikes" parade. Of all the Sydney outdoor festivals, it is perhaps one of the most colourful, vibrant and fun to attend.