Merry Christmas

The team at Lazyshark would like to wish all our members and business partners a Happy Christmas. Whether you are spending it basking in the glorious sunshine on a beach in Australia, hiking up a mountain in New Zealand, or huddled round a roaring fire in snowy England we hope you have a day packed full of festive cheer.

Celebrating New Years Eve

With New Years fast approaching the team at Lazyshark have taken a nostalgic trip down memory lane to recall a few of their classic (both good and bad) New Years Eve celebrations:-

1. Sydney, Australia - One of the world's best New Year street parties is meant to take place in Sydney, so it was with great disappointment that I discovered that I was rotared to be working....until midnight! Naturally no-one would swap with me, and so my New Year in Sydney was spent working in a packed A&E unit; then cheering the New Year in with the various drunks in the waiting room before dashing down to the beach to catch the end of the night. Apparently the fireworks that year were legendary!

2. France - Millenium in rural France staying in a friends parents idyllic country farm property. Massive meal followed by a walk to the nearest town where we met a load of locals and ended up partying the night away back at the cottage. Entente Cordiale!

3. Glasgow - Spent a New Years Eve here during my student days. Pub crawl in central Glasgow followed by the Tunnel club until the wee early hours. Remember having to walk about one and a half hours home at 5am - no joy flagging any cabs down... Then crashing at a friends flat - 12 people squashed into a tiny space. Found a spot in the airing cupboard floor!!

4. Trafalgar Square, London - Saw the New Year in at one of London's iconic landmarks some 15 years ago now. Sadly was a bit of a damp squib as it was before the days of fireworks and other organised visual celebrations. Just remember being herded into the packed square, freezing cold with no drink to toast the moment. Then no-one really knew when midnight came so there ended up being loads of sporadic mini celebrations across the square. Not one of the greatest places for seeing in the New Year but it was a great party before and after 12 midnight!!

5. Mendoza, Argentina - One of the most unusual, but beautiful New Year celebrations I have enjoyed was spent in the Argentinean wine growing region of Mendoza. We hired bicycles and cycled around the various Estancias on New Year's Eve to 'select our favourite wine', enjoying the experience so much we forgot which was our favourite and had to go back for seconds! New Years Day was spent eating large amounts of beef at the famous Argentinean 'Parillas' - the best barbeque I have ever tasted, all washed down with lashings of the local Malbec...

Mr and Mrs Smith go down under

Reading the papers at the weekend there was an article about Mr and Mrs Smith venturing into the Australia and New Zealand market. I am a member of this boutique hotel club and have stayed in a couple of their recommended hotels - Fawsley Hall and The Miller of Mansfield whilst on UK breaks and always been very impressed.

Although the majority of their listed accommodation is on the more expensive end and out of the financial reach of most backpackers (unless you win the pools or lotto whilst on your travels down under!!) they have introduced a small section on budget Australian boutique hotels.

I know that staying in dorms night after night on a long backpacking trip can sometimes get a bit taxing and you often long for just one night of private time with a little bit of luxury to recharge the batteries. If you have a few spare dollars to splash out on something that little bit more special then I can recommend you check out Mr and Mrs Smith. Enjoy!

Brighton Santa Dash '09

Where do you find 2,000 Santas at 10.30 on Saturday morning?

Yes, the 2009 Brighton Santa Dash took place last weekend along Brighton/Hove seafront. Much to the bemusement of the onlookers, we completed a 5 kms course dressed from head to toe as St. Nick himself.

Managed to wear the beard for a full 1 km before it became so tickly that it had to be jettisoned!
More than mince pies, Mariah Carey or Christmas markets, if you really want to experience the festive spirit there is nothing more guaranteed to get you ready for Christmas than a Santa Dash - heartily recommend.

Sports Personality of the Year 2009

The voting public delivered a shock result last night - Ryan Giggs, Sports Personality of the Year 2009. In fact Giggs himself was visibly shaken at his unexpected win to the point he had obviously not planned any kind of acceptance speech.

I myself voted for Jessica Ennis but fully expected Jensen Button to walk away with the main prize. But back to the main man himself. What can you say about Giggsy... The most decorated in English football history - 11 Premier League titles, 2 Champions Leagues, 4 FA Cups. Still going strong at the veteran age of 36. For an outfield player to be playing at any kind of professional level let alone for one of the best sides in the world (and what's more as a member of their starting eleven) is unique. On top of which he, alongside Rooney, has been United's best player for the last couple of seasons. Still at Old Trafford when he celebrates his 40th birthday..? Unlikely, but it looks like he still has a few more seasons in him.

As an ardent Arsenal supporter the Giggs wonder goal in the 1999 FA Cup semi final against Manchester United at Villa Park still haunts me but I am nevertherless big enough to salute a deserving winner of the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year 2009 in Ryan Giggs. A true legend of the game - just wish he had been wearing the red of Arsenal and not Manchester United for the last 20 years..!!

The race for Gold at London 2012

As a passionate sports fan I can't wait for the London 2012 Olympics to start. Team GB won their best ever medal haul for 100 years at the Beijing games with 47 in total - 19 Gold, 13 Silver and 15 Bronze. This won us 5th place in the overall medals table - one place ahead of Australia who won one less medal in total and one less gold over the course of the games. After being embarrassed by the Aussies at the last 5 or 6 Olympics this was a rather sweet moment. It even riled them into claiming us Brits could only win medals when we were sitting down! You know you have got under the skins of the Aussies when they have to resort to such stinging banter... it is their way of giving a backhanded compliment!

So it is with regret I read that the Australian government, following a report on sports funding, are redirecting monies away from the Olympic sports such as taekwondo, archery and water polo to more mainstream non Olympic sports like Aussie rules, cricket and surfing.

This has caused more than a few ripples of discontent amongst the Australians who have a passion for sport like no other nation. Personally I am sad that the Aussies are getting in their excuses early about them having to compete on an uneven playing field. When we out medal them at London 2012 I don't want it to because of funding!

Happy 80th Birthday to The Ghan

2009 marks the 80th anniversary for the legendary Ghan - named after the Afghan camel drivers who opened up Australia's interior. On the 4th August 1929, The Ghan departed Adelaide for its inaugural journey bound for Alice Springs. However it was only as recently as 2004 that the line was finally extended to Darwin; due to multiple problems with money, aborginal land right issues (famously recounted in the Bruce Chatwin book 'The Songlines'), and flooding.

Today The Ghan operates a luxury service between Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Darwin. The classic rail journey takes 48 hours and covers 2,979 kms, taking you through the heart of Australia, crossing deserts and the rusty reds of the McDonnell ranges heading northwards to Katherine and tropical Darwin.

Sadly journeying on the Ghan across the middle of the Australian outback is an experience I have not yet enjoyed. I have heard from friends who have done it that it is simply breathtaking. For info on fares and the journey check out Australia's Great Train Journeys.

Boring Boring England

So the tedious autumn rugby internationals have come to an end for England with 2 losses against Australia and New Zealand and 1 hard fought win against Argentina. A good return for Martin Johnson and his team? The way he was talking up England's performance in his NZ post match interview you would have thought so.

However returns of one try in over 240 minutes of rugby is poor. Plus it makes England dull and boring to watch. With the RFU now charging between £70-£85 for a match day ticket, car parking fees of up to £30, £5 match day programmes, £7.50 for a burger with cheese, £4 for a pint etc...the costs to watch England play rugby at Twickenham are astronomical. Maybe if we were playing free flowing edge of the seat rugby that was a pleasure to watch I would still entertain the thought of parting with this sort of cash but not to watch 80 minutes of England playing ping pong kick ball with the opposition.

On the bright side if England continue to play such soporific rugby then fans will vote with their feet and refuse to pay sky high ticket prices. Then the RFU will be forced to lower their prices. I am a mad rugby fan and I long for the day that England once again entertain the capacity Twickenham crowd with some quality champagne running rugby. I'll be the first in the queue to buy my ticket when this day arrives and I might even buy an overpriced £7.50 burger with cheese!

Uluru or Uluwrong - That is the £12 million question

A new £12 million viewing platform was unveiled at Uluru in October by the Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett - named Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, or "place to look from the sand dune" in the Aboriginal Pitjantjatjara language.

It is an impressive structure that offers the visitor panoramic views over the desert especially at sunrise. It also solves a growing problem of people climbing the Rock and causing damage. More than 300,000 tourists visit Uluru every year and approximately 38% climb the rock against the wishes of the traditional owners.

However, rather embarrassingly, it has since emerged that the viewing platform has been built in the wrong place. The viewing area is 3kms from the Rock and is in shadow in the mornings during the popular winter season. Veteran landscape photographer Ken Duncan says the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku site is a "second-rate location at best", which only "takes us all further away from the Rock".

"To call it a sunrise viewing area is laughable", he suggests.

It has also emerged that there were 2 alternative site proposals put to Park Australia on the north east side of Uluru that would have cost a fraction of the final cost. This is a rare own goal from a country who have long been experts in marketing Australia to the international tourist as the top global destination to visit.

Ways not to get bored whilst sunbathing

Let's face it, sunbathing isn't one of the most exciting activities to do whilst on holiday.

Some people seem to have more stamina than others and are able to lie for hours in the sun - but if you're anything like us here at Lazyshark after 20 minutes on a sun lounger you've applied the suntan lotion, adjusted your position so that you're comfortable - and you're already bored!

So here is a tongue in cheek list of ideas to stop boredom whilst sunbathing:

1. Sleep - A risky strategy, as it may lead to sunburn/dehydration. However it does make the time pass quickly.

2. "People watch" - i.e. check out the hotties around the pool!

3. Draw hilarious comedy shapes on your partners back - using suntan lotion when they're not paying attention.

4. Try to guess the nationalities of your fellow tourists (Speedos = German; Fake tits = Russian...!)

5. Play the "Guess who's going to be sunburnt later" game - most often me, as I'm usually the whitest man around the pool - probably because I hate sunbathing!

6. Negotiate a compromise with the girlfriend - e.g. 1 day sunbathing for her = 1 day white water rafting for you. At least it gives you something to look forward to at the end of the torture!

I'm always on the look-out for more suggestions...

Tour Guides

Even if you are travelling independently sooner or later you will want to do something that requires a guide. A good guide can turn an otherwise uninteresting tour into something thrilling and captivating. In contrast a guide who seems simply to be going through the motions and treating their job as more of a chore rather than a passionate hobby can lead to you switching off from what they are saying in a matter of minutes.

Having experienced both good and bad guides on recent trips to Cairo and Rome here are Lazyshark's tips to finding a good guide:

1. Do you homework - Reviews posted on travel websites can be very helpful in choosing a good company and avoiding the bad ones. (but you need to take this with a pinch of salt)

2. Ask around - Other travellers you meet may have done the same trip as you are considering.

3. Try to meet the guides before booking - You can often have a quick chat with them over the phone. Do not be shy of asking question to give you an idea of whether they know their subject.

4. Ask the operator - Not quite as good as having a chat with the guide but the sales people in the kiosk should be able to answer your questions about the guides, levels of qualifications etc.. If they can't then it is probably a bit of a shabby operation.

5. Level of experience - One way of ensuring that you get a good quality guide is to try and get someone with higher level qualifications. This reminds me of going on a trip into the Kakadu National Park. The first guide I went with was a young unqualified guy who was very nice but not particularly knowledgeable about wildlife. His main role seemed more to be about driving us from point A to point B. The second time I went with a more experienced naturalist qualified guide who pointed out the multiple bird and plant species that we passed and was briming full of fascinating information which really brought the tour alive.

6. Consider smaller independent tour companies - From previous experience smaller independent companies tend to employ guides who are doing the job more for the love and joy of it and their passion for the subject matter shines through more brightly.

Epic Backpacking Coach Journeys

I had the dubious pleasure of an 8 hour coach journey from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo recently - all in the pursuit of seeing the Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx. Most of this time was spent listening to very loud, bad Egyptian movies sitting in non-reclinable seats and suffering from the pharoah's revenge (thank god for imodium!) A worthwhile cause as it happened in the end!

I mentioned this to my girlfriend who immediately dismissed an 8 hour coach journey as a mere "trip down to the local shops". She countered with relaying the time she spent 36 hours on a coach (and not a comfortable one at that!) from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires.

Now that is an epic coach journey!

Package holidays - the better budget option?

I consider myself an independant traveller. It's the way I prefer to spend my holidays - unplanned, turning up at a destination and exploring.

However, sometimes backpacking can, well, be more expensive than the package options. There are absolutely fantastic last minute "off the peg" deals to be got, flight and hotel packages that can be very tempting. In fact, my recent "4 star luxury" week in Egypt flight and hotel package cost less than the flight would have done!

I must admit to some misgivings when herded like sheep towards our transfer bus from the airport - but once I arrived I quickly adjusted to the different way of travelling and really enjoyed it.

You can still approach the trip in an independent way - seek out off the beat and track restaurants; go on a local bus to somewhere close for a couple of days; but actually, there is a lot to be said for a beautiful hotel with a nice pool somewhere hot.

Independent travel comes in all shapes and sizes - you can still make a package holiday your own individual experience.

The Pyramids of Giza - A 7th Wonder?

Here at Lazyshark we love lists - the biggest, the best, the largest...

But of course lists are just someone's opinion - a source of debate and open for argument and possible errors of judgement.

On a recent trip to Cairo we learnt from our local guide that the Pyramids of Giza are no longer classified as one of the seven wonders of the world - a rather surprising fact.

However 'The Seven Wonders of the World' are in fact chosen by a panel of experts on a regular basis and these marvels of ancient architecture no longer make the cut - having recently visited them a crazy omission in my opinion.

Diving vs Snorkelling

Recently returned from a holiday in Egypt where I did some diving for the very first time. Initially apprehensive, in the hands of my expert young blonde diving instructor from the Camel Club, Naama Bay Sharm, I soon was at ease.

My first open water dive was like a scene from "Finding Nemo" crossed with James Bond. (in my head at least!) The abundance of underwater life in all its colours was dazzling. Being able to get to the same level as the fish, the feeling of flying, and staying undewater without having to worry about the next breath was wonderful.

Also whilst in Naama Bay, we went on a days snorkelling trip, to Thomas and Jackson reefs. We still saw a lot, but glancing down from the surface to see divers below, made me want to be back down there! You might want to snorkel because it is cheap, easily accessible, safe and you don't need any training. Certainly this is why I have not previously tried diving. But I have now been converted.

In my opinion, there is no question - the only way to see the glories of the coral reef is by diving rather than snorkelling.

Classic Australian tourism website Q&A's

These questions were posted on an Australian tourism website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a great sense of humour (not to mention a low tolerance threshold for cretins!)

Q1: Does it ever get windy in Australia ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q2: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q3: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.

Q4: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia ? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?

Q5: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A: A-Fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not ... Oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

Q6: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q7: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do...

Q8: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is Oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Q9: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)
A: You are a British politician, right?

Q10: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q11: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q12: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia , but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q13: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia ? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q14: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.

Q15: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first

The Rise and Fall of TripAdvisor?

Do a Google search for almost any travel related topic and one of your first hits is likely to be a review posted on TripAdvisor. This website has established an enviable reputation for being a great place to go for advice from other travellers on a range of topics from tour companies, restaurants, hotels etc...

However whilst it is a great format it is very open to exploitation. Two recent examples come to mind:-

Firstly a restaurant in Sharm El Sheikh is handing out business cards imploring people to write reviews about them on TripAdvisor. Whilst not exactly fraudulent this is surely a blatant attempt by them to boost their profile.

Secondly one of the top things to do in Marrakech on TripAdvisor in their "The Best Things to Do" list is a Moroccan cuisine course run by a man who works for them. He has obviously found that promoting his business in this way has been very successful for him.

TripAdvisor seems increasingly to not contain unbiased reviews from travellers but rather be becoming more commercialised in its content. A bad thing? Depends upon your outlook. However I am sure that when they first set up the site this is not how they intended it would end up.

England v Australia Semi Final

As I write this blog England could have been playing New Zealand in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy...

Who am I trying to kid?!! England are still ridiculously inconsistent and simply not able to string more than 2 good matches together. This presents something of a problem when you are trying to win a tournament. If you peak too soon as England did you get knocked out in the business stages of the competition. If you try and leave it late so you build up momentum going into the final then England would simply not qualify from the group stages...

Dilemma - Would you rather be lulled into a false sense of hope as England blow away top quality opposition in the form of South Africa and Sri Lanka (probably the best 2 one day sides currently in the world) at the start of the tournament only to follow perfection up with total incompetency in the next 2 matches and disappear out of the competition with a whimper. Or just simply fail to qualify from the group stage so as to spare a large section of England cricket lovers getting hopelessly caught up in the belief that England could eventually win the cricket world cup.

Now does that ring any bells regarding another popular sport in England..!! The mere mention of South Africa 2010 gets me excited that about 44 years in the wilderness this could finally be our year...

Call me a sadist but give me a false sense of hope any day of the week. If we carry on believing surely one of these days either the English cricket or football team will follow suit and match the achievements of the rugby team.

The Great Australian Road Trip

America has long had a history of great road trips to undertake and is often the best way to move around and explore this vast country - immortalised in movies such as Road Trip, Little Miss Sunshine, Thelma and Louise and Easy Rider.

However Australia lends itself to the great road trip as well. It is a good way to see the in-between places and appreciate the vastness of this country.

Australia has a network of well maintained roads which makes driving a pleasure. The other thing that surprised me about driving in Australia rather than the UK is the quality of their roadside food. It puts Little Chef to shame..!

So grab yourself some scooby snacks, fill up the tank and set your radio to ABC Radio National. Here's a Lazyshark run down to the best Australian road trips:

The Great Ocean Road - A must do. This famous stretch of coastline includes the Twelve Apostles. Good network of campsites along the route.

The West Coast - A much less visited coastline of Australia where you can go a long way without seeing much but it is beautiful and feels like the true Australia.

Sydney to Cairns - A much travelled route by backpackers it is not so much a drive in itself rather than a collection of different experiences as you wind up the coast. Probably cheaper to do using public transport however a somewhat different experience.

Cairns to Port Douglas (and on to Darwin) - Careful with your vehicle choice for this trip... A Smart car might not be the ideal choice (especially in rainy season!)

Fraser Island - Hire a car from Hervey Bay or alternatively many of the hostels offer organised trips across to Fraser Island in larger groups. Great fun and a must do for all backpackers.

England v Australia One Day Series

After revelling in writing a blog about England retaining the Ashes earlier this summer, it is only fair that I write a follow up blog lamenting England's woeful performance in the recent one day series.

The only positive thing that I can think to say is that at least we avoided the ignominy of a 7-0 drubbing. I won't be putting any money on England winning the upcoming Champions Trophy...

Ooops - almost forgot, although it pains me to write, congratulations to the Aussies; you gave us one hell of a beating.

The Great North Run 2009

Just completed my first half marathon at the Great North Run this weekend - what a buzz!

The spectators were great, lining the road almost from start to finish. The weather was glorious - have come back from Newcastle with a suntan - wouldn't have thought that was possible!

Next stop the London Marathon...(if my knees can take it!)

The spirit's willing but the flesh is - well - still a bit too fleshy...!

Great Backpacking Stopovers on the way to Australia

Australia and New Zealand are a long way away from the UK and all airlines stop at least once on route to refuel.

If you like you can take advantage of this and explore one of the stopovers before resuming your journey to Australia/New Zealand. This adds a different dimension to your trip and is worth considering especially as, apart from your cost of living whilst there, you can theoretically see a new place for free.

Picking an airline with a great stopover is sometimes worth paying that little bit more for. Current options include:

Bali/Jakarta: British Airways (BA)/Quantas
Dubai: Emirates
Hong Kong: Cathay Pacific/BA/Quantas/Virgin
Tokyo: BA/Quantas
Bangkok: BA/Quantas/Thai
Johannesburg: BA/Quantas
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Airlines
Los Angeles/New York/San Francisco: BA/Quantas
Singapore: BA/Quantas/Singapore Air

Over the next couple of months Lazyshark will write a blog on each stopover destination and explore what there is to do and how much fun can be had at each city before deciding which one is the best. More to follow soon...

The Australian Abroad

Bumped into an Aussie friend the other day walking down the street in central London. Even if I hadn't known him I could have easily guessed where he was from as he was sporting the national dress - flip flops (or thongs), shorts and a rugby shirt. Clutching a 4 pack he was on his way to a match having left the house without any concern for the weather. Guessing he would have been dressed the same even if it had been snowing!

Other ways you can spot an Australian abroad, other than the accent, include:

1. Picking up the phrase "Yeah it's a nice.... but not as good as back home."

2. A traveller with no return ticket. I have rarely met an Australian in Europe who has come for less than 2 years.

3. Anyone ordering a jug of beer in a pub. (although South Africans are known for this as well)

4. Anyone throwing a frisbee or kicking a rugby ball around in one of London's many parks in the summer. (and winter for that matter!)

5. Anyone staying in Kings Cross.

Australian Beer

The slogan goes "Australians wouldn't give a Castlemaine XXXX for anything else".

However I haven't found this to be the case. Each state has its own beer and Aussies, being parochial types, they tend to stick to the local brew. So here's a quick Lazy Shark guide to ordering the correct local brew when you are travelling around OZ:

NSW - Tooheys, Hahn, KB lager
Victoria - VB, Carlton Draught

W. Australia - Swan

N.T. - NT Carlton
Queensland - Castlemaine XXXX
S. Australia - Coopers
Tasmania - Cascade, Boags

Backpacking - The good v The bad

Like marmite, backpacking is either something you love or hate. Sometimes you can both love and hate it. Here is a Lazyshark list of those times:-

The open road v A lack of forward planning
With backpacking you have the freedom to go anywhere, stay as long as you like and visit whatever you fancy. However with this carefree attitude you can occassionally run into trouble...Like the time I got stuck in Tierra del Fuego for an additional week because there was no space on the bi-weekly bus!

Budget travel v Budget travel
Travel on a shoestring gets you close to the local culture. The often financial necessity to use the local transport means you are far removed from the tourist bubble many package holidays operate within. Having a chicken/pig on your lap for 12 hours on a bus though is the price you might have to pay. (Guatemala springs to mind!)

Local Cuisine
It's fantastic to be adventurous with food whilst travelling. However sometimes you don't really know what you are ordering especially in cheaper local restaurants with no English menu. (Like the times I have unknowingly ordered boiled sheep stomach and deep fried bull testicles...!)

Clothes
Morning decisions about what to wear are simplified by living out of a backpack. No-one expects you to look glamorous or even co-ordinate! However you get to know the true meaning of the expression "I don't have a thing to wear" when you are having to turn your pants inside out to last another day!

Hostels
They can be fantastic places to meet people especially if you are travelling alone. However having to listen to someone else in a dorm of 12 snore/have sex/ignore their alarm going off at 3am can start to test the patience of even the most hardened backpacker...!

Hope these tales haven't put you off backpacking! It really is the only way to see the world.

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.

Perth

In recent years Perth has been transformed from a sleepy backwater to a vibrant international city. The large numbers of Asian and Indian immigrants have swelled the population and added to the diversity and sense of culture. Perth is an unashamedly youthful city and whilst it lacks the glamour of Sydney or the sense of history of Adelaide it has its own unique charms.

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?

Swan River - A great way to see Perth is from the river. We hired a small motor boat and careered around the many smaller waterways and coves.

Margaret River - Depending upon your budget there are many vineyards to visit and wines to sample.

Science Museum - One of my memories of the museum is attending a special exhibition they had in the run-up to the Sydney Olympics. They allowed you to pit yourself against Olympic greats (although naturally with an Australian slant!) in boxing, rowing and long jump. I'm sure they have just as good exhibitions on presently...

Restaurants - Many great culinary establishments in Perth. One way of making it more of an experience is to take a ferry from Central Perth to Matilda Bay where there is a strip of restaurants across the bay with great views of Perth's skyscrapers (and the food isn't half bad either!)

Rottnest Island - A short ferry ride from Hilary's Boat Harbour in north Perth, Freemantle in the south or Barrack Street jetty in the city centre, Rottnest Island is where the locals go to cycle. A picturesque island with many quaint bays the best way around is by bike. This differs somewhat to friends we have who live in Perth who view Rottnest as a party island, somewhere to go over for the day, have a barby and a few beers and play "quocca soccer".

On a shoestring?

Royal Botanic Gardens - On a hill overlooking the bay with fantastic views. Large and well maintained botanic gardens. Free entry.

The Perth Mint - A collection of the largest number of gold nuggets uncovered in Australia is one of its many charming and unusual exhibits.

The Pinnacles - Look into the many backpacker tours that take you south of Perth. You can often combine The Pinnacles, Rainforest Walk and Margaret River in order to stick within a tight budget.

Art Gallery of Western Australia - Free entry (apart from the Special exhibitions). Not all of it was top quality but lots of hidden gems for all you art enthusiasts out there.

Freemantle Market - On every Friday until Sunday. It is nice to get a tram down to this bohemian district of Perth, have a wander and soak up the atmosphere. In the evenings the district of "Freeo" comes alive with bars and nightspots.

Australia for a Tenner

STA Travel have recently launched an advertising campaign which seems too good to be true - fly to Australia for a tenner. Like most things that seem too good to be true it probably is. Most people will unfortunately not be able to take advantage of this promotion. One of the restrictions is that you have to be between the ages of 18-30.

However for the eventual lucky 150 this is the deal:

1. Register online here

2. Queue up outside one of STA's 8 select branches on Wednesday 5th August at 8am (or to guarantee you will be one of the lucky ones start camping outside a few days before!)

3. Hand over your tenner

4. Get a working visa (STA are charging £149)

5. Start packing for an adventure of a lifetime down under.

Good luck!

Great Natural Sights in Australia

They don't call it "Australia Fair" for nothing. Australia is a stunning country. The countries low population together with their relatively good environmental policies help protect the many areas of natural beauty. Amongst the more spectacular are:

Uluru (or Ayres Rock) - You have seen it depicted on a thousand postcards but it is so much more spectacular to visit in person. Its many changing colours at sunrise or sunset give you the perfect holiday snap of your own! Although costly to get out there in both time and money (so much so that we almost left it out) in hindsight thank goodness we didn't as we would have regretted it in a big way. Its sheer size is jaw dropping and you can understand why it is so important to the Aboriginal people.

Great Barrier Reef - Does breathtaking natural beauty get any better than this? Maybe, but as far as colours, sights and diversity of sub aquatic life it is unsurpassed in my experience. The first time I just snorkelled around the inner reef. The second time I went on a diving holiday and explored the outer reef in more detail. If you have the time, inclination and budget try and dive - it is so much better.

Kings Canyon - Protected from the harsh desert climate by the steep sides of the canyon are pre-historic ferns and rainforest fauna. I didn't really expect to be so impressed by the sheer size and beauty of the canyon. I guess you prepare yourself for Uluru and just think of Kings Canyon as a side-show...something to break up the journey on the way to the coast. This couldn't be further from the truth. A visit is a must.

Blue Mountains National Park - The Mountains look blue from a distance due to oils released by all the eucalyptus trees creating a blue haze. (Now you know!) Conveniently located a short drive from Sydney the Blue Mountains provide welcome respite from the summer heat. Go there to walk, climb or just sit back and admire the views. Just remember to take plenty of water!

Jenolan Caves - The biggest and best caves I have ever seen (not that I am a cave expert!) If stalactites and stalagmites are your thing I am sure you will love them...!

Twelve Apostles - You can see these monolithic limestone stacks whilst driving along the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide. Sadly they will not be around for ever due to coastal erosion. Within recent years one collapsed and the famous London Bridge caved in.

Whitehaven Beach, The Whitsunday Islands - Do beaches get more pure white than this? Australia has its fair share of beaches but this is the one that always tops the charts.

The Pinnacles - Perhaps not as impressive as the other sights listed here but certainly the West Coasts most bizarre natural beauty. If you have an interest in geology then you will have a greater understanding of how they were created by tectonic plates. For the rest of us this multitude of limestone stacks in the middle of the desert provides the perfect opportunity to take lots of ridiculous photos!

Melbourne

There is a historic rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne. In my opinion Sydney wins hands down with its picturesque harbour, stunning architecture, golden beaches and wide array of museums.

However Melbourne has much to offer. In terms of a place to live I know many Australians who have chosen Melbourne for its European style climate, bustling metropolitan life, varied cuisine and vibrant nightlife.

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?

Restaurants - Melbourne is a gastronomical paradise with a vast array of restaurants to suit every pocket. Access to food ingredients and the Asian/Greek influence to the cuisine has led to Melbourne attracting world reknowned chefs.

Sporting events - Home to the Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open (one of the 4 slams in tennis), and the Melbourne Cup. Why not get yourself a hat and have a flutter at Australia's biggest horse race! This sports mad city comes alive as the eyes of the country and world fall on it. If you are lucky enough to be in the city at the time and flush enough to afford a ticket they are must see events.

The Arts - Take your pick - Melbourne plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year. A few of the more well known ones include the Melbourne International Arts festival, the Melbourne Fringe and Australian Fashion week.

Wine Festivals - Melbourne and the surrounding area has many great vineyards. A few of them host annual wine festivals including Budhurst and Brown Brothers. Why not pop along and sample the fine array of local Victorian wine...?

On a shoestring budget?

St. Kildas - This small bohemian district just outside Melbourne is reknowned for its relaxed bustling markets and buzzing nightlife. A great place for a stroll and a smoothie at the weekends.

Great Ocean Road - You can start or finish at Melbourne. Best seen by hiring a car or grouping together with fellow backpackers to rent a mini van which allows you to stop and start when you want. The Twelve (now Eleven) Apostles make this one of, if not, the greatest ocean drives in the world.

Royal Botanic Gardens - Entry to the gardens is free of charge. A great place to stroll around during the day and take in a variety of different gardens and plants from the Cycad Collection to the Californian Gardens.

Phillip Island - A short drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is home to the Little Penguin amongst other wildlife. They come ashore at dusk climbing up the shoreline to their sand dune burrows for the night - 'the Penguin parade' as it is known is a spectacle worth seeing.

Endurance Sporting Events

Recently spent an exhausting 24 hrs at the Devizes to Westminster canoe race and I was only in the support crew!! Congratulations must go out to one of the Lazyshark founders Mike and his kayak partner James who completed the gruelling 125 mile non stop event in 25 hrs and 7 mins and this with only 4 months of paddling experience. Well done guys.

This got me thinking about other endurance events and in particular those in Australia and New Zealand. The Antipodeans definately have a penchant for hosting and competing in these kind of events. There are any number of ultra marathon, iron man and long distance cycling events you can undertake... A couple of sites worth visiting for any of you hard core competitors out there include Cool Running and Endurance Sport.

I think the challenge of competing in the Great North Run is more than enough for me at present...!

Compact v SLR cameras

I recently returned from a safari trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana. With so many fantastic photo opportunities I was clicking away constantly. However on my return home I was slightly disappointed with the quality of the pictures.

Back in the days of film cameras (remember those!) I used to take a bulky SLR camera with me. (a Canon EOS 500) It was a great camera and I took loads of fantastic photos with it. However what let it down was its sheer size and weight. When I got my first compact digital camera I never looked back and my SLR has been languishing in a draw collecting dust ever since.

At the moment I am weighing up the pros and cons of splashing out on a new digital SLR. These are my thoughts on the merits or otherwise of travelling with a SLR:

Pros

1. The ability to manipulate your pictures is far greater plus they cope better with different light conditions and depth of field. Those shots of beautiful sunsets are so much more vibrant.

2. Zoom - Particuarly with animal shots compacts often loose the definition on high zoom.

3. Kudos - You look more professional!

Cons

1. Size and weight - Even high end SLR's are pretty bulky. They certainly don't fit in your pocket!

2. Sign of visible wealth - Particularly when travelling in poorer countries it is an obvious sign you are carrying something expensive and worth stealing.

3. You may find yourself having nerdy conversations about lenses and filters with other SLR owners. Not a good way to attract the ladies!

4. The photos can take longer to set up and because it is a more intense process you find yourself looking through the view finder as opposed to enjoying the moment.

I've been wrestling with indecision for several years since SLR's fell into my price bracket back in 2006. I am still not convinced that I won't travel with my compact as well but I think for my next trip I will be accompanied with a new shiny SLR!! Let's hope it doesn't get stolen...

Skiing - Can it be a budget holiday?

Short answer - No - especially for Brits with a weak pound at the moment.

However there are ways to cut costs:-

1. All inclusive holidays - Action Outdoors is a good place to start. The food, accommodation and ski equipment is a bit basic but often cheaper than you can arrange independently.

2. Last minute/off-season deals - If you are flexible with dates sometimes there are last minute bargains for flights and accommodation to be scooped up using sites like lastminute.com and Expedia.

3. Discounted ski passes - A huge part of the expense of a skiing holiday is the ski pass. However certain resorts offer discounted passes. For example Val D'Isere offer a VIP pass or Eco pass which if booked online 15 days prior to departure gives you a 10% discount.

4. Packed lunches! - Eating up a mountain comes at a premium. Prices are often eye-watering and if the weather is fair there are plenty of spectacular spots on the sides of pistes to picnic.

5. Take food with you - If self-catering, supermarkets in resort know they have a captive market so you might find yourself spending £5 on some Weetabix or £2.50 on a tin of beans! It seems over the top but this can make a real difference to your total spend.

6. Cheap resorts - How about Bulgaria or Slovenia...? A good option particularly for beginners but make sure you do your research. You don't want to get stuck somewhere that is a combination of building site and no snow...!

Airport lounges

Writing this blog sat in Geneva airport waiting for a bus got me thinking about the hours I have suffered in transit holed up in uncomfortable airports. In comparison Geneva is relatively pleasant.

I don't know much about architecture but even an ignoramus like me can see the difference that has occurred in airport lounges over recent years. Gone are the loud clashing colours of the 1980's carpets designed to hide dirt, blood and vomit and in their place are sleek lines made of gleaming steel with plenty of use of natural light and air.

Airports have seemed to move from purely functional places towards calm tranquil environments designed to make you willingly part with your money at the numerous retail outlets on offer. Some airports are head and shoulders above others. At Zadar, Croatia recently I felt like I was sitting in an exclusive VIP club whilst waiting to board my flight. In contrast Gatwick North Terminal, whilst vastly improved remains like a cattle market on a busy Friday night!

I guess, if I happen to be marooned my favourite airports tend to reflect their countries culture rather than being neutral environments ensuring you are in a holiday spirit at all times.

Voluntourism

I was recently fortunate enough to be between jobs which meant having a bit of spare time on my hands. Split between going on a great holiday and adding a little something extra to my CV I decided to volunteer for a project in Zambia for a month.

A huge number of companies have sprung up to cater for the needs of the more altruistic tourists who go on holiday not only to lie on the beach but also perhaps to build local schools or teach local children.

It can be an extremly rewarding experience if you go with the right company. Just make sure you do your research - some are definately better than others.

Projects tend to break down into the following categories:

Environmental
Teaching/Education
Sports
Medical
Long-term Infrastructure

It is wise and sensible to choose a project that matches your skills and current aspirations. Alongside this I found the location a key decision maker. Although you are likely to be working pretty hard Monday to Friday often the weekends are your own. I wanted to pick a destination where I could make the most of my spare time - Zambia certainly ticked this box and I would thoroughly recommend it as a destination for volunteer work.

I've come back to the UK full of enthusiasm and ready for my next challenge. To be honest I'm not sure that the people I was ostensibly out there to help benefited as much from me being there as perhaps I benefited from the experience but working so closely with people in abject poverty has given me a fresh insight and new understanding for which I am most grateful.

Glacier Country

Glacier Country in the South Island of New Zealand is a place of breath-taking beauty where you can witness nature at its most awe-inspiring. A must visit destination for any backpackers itinerary. There are two glaciers to choose from - Fox or Franz Josef. In actual fact you have to drive past Fox to get to Franz Josef so you get to see both. The key decision is which to climb!

So what to see?

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

Money to burn?

A Glacier hike - A must in my book! There are loads of tour companies on the main high streets offering a multitude of walks according to fitness and experience. Alternatively alot of the hostels also allow you to book at their receptions often at slightly cheaper prices. Would recommend choosing a hike that involves a certain amount of ice-walking. There's nothing like strapping on the crampons to make you feel like an artic explorer and get the adrenalin flowing...

Helicopter flights - If you have that little bit more money burning through your pocket then taking a flight over either glacier is an amazing experience which allows you to appreciate the incredible size of them. If you visit outside peak season try bartering the price down with tour companies who are all often competing for your money. This can make this luxury option more affordable to the majority of backpackers.

On a shoestring budget?

Walks - There are free public walks which take you up to the start of the glacier ice for those with no money to do a guided hike.

Meal deals/Free drinks - Glacier Country is on the South Island backpacker trail so there are loads of bars and restaurants all competing for your NZ dollars with price sensitive deals. A couple of half price pitchers of beer after a days climbing/walking quench the thirst very nicely!

Aboriginal culture

When travelling around Australia many do not think about it as a particularly cultural destination. However hidden between the amazing beaches and stunning landscapes there remains the artifacts of earlier Aboriginal life and their culture. Many visitors choose not to visit and embrace this side of Australia which is a real shame.

For those of you who wish to soak up this side of Australian culture there are a number of key destinations to visit:

The Northern Territory - Home to the most famous of Australia's landmarks Uluru. The traditional owners of the Rock are the Anangu who believe as descendants of this ceremonial area that they are responsible for its protection. If you visit make sure you check out a performance of their traditional dance. The majority of the land in the Outback is Aboriginal owned which has allowed them to preserve their ancient culture more so than elsewhere in Australia. In fact the Aborigines have resided here for between 20,000 and 50,000 years and to this day one third of the states population are Aborigines. The N.T. is also home to Kakadu National Park, Australia's largest park covering over 4.3 million acres with the impressive Jim Jim falls at its heart. The Park is home to many superbly preserved Aboriginal rock art including the stunning paintings of Namaragan (or the Lightning Man) on Nourlangie and the depictions of local wildlife at Ubirr Rock.

Melville and Bathhurst Islands - Australia's second largest island after Tasmania, the island located about 50 miles off the north Darwin coast, is inhabited by Tiwi Aborigines. With no contact with the mainland for centuries a very different Aboriginal culture has developed. That the culture has survived to this day is due in part to the fact that the island is still owned by the Tiwi. Worth a day trip to visit the art centres and burial sites with their painted wood burial poles.

Queensland - Laura - A typical Outback town it is off the beat and track but home to some great Aboriginal art sites including the 'giant horse gallery'. Quinkans, large stick like figures designed to represent spirits can also be found here.

Sydney - If you can't make it to the N.T. then there are some equally spectacular rock engravings of more than 4,000 figures in the Hawkesbury area of Sydney. One whale engraving is more than 20 metres long!