Dreamworld

Dreamworld is a series of two theme parks (Dreamworld and whitewater world) on the gold coast in Queensland. It's the largest in Australia with over 40 attractions, all of which are really fun!

Dreamworld is split up into a bunch of different sections, from ocean parade, a water themed area, Dreamworks Experience, which is filled with dreamworks movie character themed rides, Wiggles World, which is for children and based off the children's TV show the wiggles, Gold Rush Country, which centers around the gold rush/early australian pioneer theme, and the australian wildlife experience, which is a wildlife park where you can meet animals and swim with dolhpins etc.

At $69 for an all world all ride pass for children and $99 for adults, it's a little bit on the expensive side, but considering it's the largest in Australia and a memory your kids will never forget, it's well worth the price! A full list of rides and attractions can be found here.

A confession.

Pat here, again.
I have a confession to make. Not tourism related, but very much related to this blog.
My theme-ing skills are terrible. This blog wasn't meant to look like it does.

This is what it was meant to look like:

Now I don't know if it looks better now or in my initial design, feedback would be brilliant, but for the life of me I cannot figure out to add a yellow highlight to each post just to break it all up.

If you like it how it is, let me know, if you want me to continue slaving at the design, let me know (if you want me to change it and know how, PLEASE, let me know!)


In other news, here's our much anticipated logo!!!!







Unfortunately it's transparent, it'll look better on a white background.
Thanks for your patience guys!

Pat, signing off until next time.

Incredible Italy

Italy

Image Ref: http://www.derenkoray.com.tr/Home/Sayfa/Italya-Dil-Okullari

Buongiorno!

I travelled to the beautiful Italy in the month of September, and spent a few nights in Rome, Florence, Venice and Sorrento. I went as a part of a tour so stayed at hostel like places, however I do recommend Camping Roma in Rome. I thought it was a fantastic location to be in Rome as you were a little bit out of the city, and therefore the chaos. The hostel was great for meeting new people, drinks and some traditional Italian food.

My favorite part of Italy was the Amalfi Coast, which is listed in the top ten drives in the world. I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful the views and scenery was. There was not much to do along the drive but take in the breath taking views, and it was nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of Rome.

Image Ref: http://holidayforce.com/italian-amalfi-coast-holidays.html

A word of warning though, Rome is notorious for pick pocketers, so make sure you keep your passport, money and important items close to you. Children with cardboard signs hover around tourists in order to distract them while they take their wallets. They are surprisingly good at it!

When going to Italy, your trip wouldn’t be complete unless you tried some traditional Gelato and Pizza. To tell if it’s good gelato- the banana and pistachio flavours are pale in colour and not brightly coloured.

Image Ref: http://www.lilitcafe.com/gelato.htm

Natural New Zealand

New Zealand

Image Ref: http://www.contiki.com/destinations/new-zealand

Kia Ora Bro!

Next stop on our travel blog is our neighboring country- New Zealand.

I have visited the country twice, both times being in May/ April- the start of their colder months (definitely need your winter woolies!). On my trip, I stayed with my boyfriend’s family in the Bay of Plenty, which is towards the top of the North Island. I stayed in two small towns- Te Puke (Kiwi Fruit Capital) and Greeton. My favorite location on the North Island is Mount Maunganui . It is a free local tourist attraction, 232m high and a 10/10 struggle for me to walk up! The pain and suffering on the way up is worth the amazing views of the bay!

My favorite activity was the traditional hot pools. They cost about $10 for entry, depending whether it is a public or private pool. The pools cleanse your skin, get rid of all of the dead skin cells and leave you feeling very relaxed. You also have the choice of hiring a private pool, for some alone time!

Image Ref: http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/apriltourism.html

For all you adrenaline seekers who love living on the edge, I would suggest you go to Rotorua. Activities here include zorbing and skydiving. Starting from $150.

I would recommended that when packing, pack swimmers for the hot pools, winter woolies for the cold and unpredictable weather, and some “jandals”- thongs are essential to fit in with the new Zealand culture!!

Eating wise- I recommend you try two things: 1. A traditional Hangi. A Hangi is a meal that is cooked underground by hot coals. It has the most amazing flavours, is hot and fresh and the Maoris who cook it, put so much love into it. 2. If you are ever in the Tauranga area, there is a fish and chip shop called “Bobby Palmers.” It is extremely popular with locals and is definitely the best fish and chips I have ever had!

Image Ref: http://nz.totaltravel.yahoo.com/experiences/a/-/16326583/bay-of-plenty-on-a-budget/

Magnificent Michigan

Michigan

Image Ref: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/usa/michigan/

Hay!

First stop on my travel blog is the American State of Michigan. I spent 3 months, in the state that looks like a hand, I had the best fun of my life.

During my time in Michigan, I travelled with my boyfriend to a small country town called Kalkaska- where we were counselors at a Summer Camp.

Image Ref: http://www.facebook.com/CampTanuga

In our days off, the counselors local to the weather took us around. My favorite place in Michigan was a city, about an hour out from where I stayed- Traverse City. The place, although quiet, was full of tourist attractions, fine dining, fantastic shopping and luxurious hotels! In Traverse City I recommend you visit the Day Inn and Suites, it is fantastic accommodation for a reasonable price, a yummy provided breakfast and a very homely feel. We had a fantastic experience there.

Traverse City is known as the “Cherry Capital” so around August, many festivals and celebrations involving cherries happen. A great time of year to visit. However, eating in Traverse City, you MUST go to a place called G’s Pizzeria. The best food I have ever tasted! Was fantastic! Fresh, cheap, delicious and just AMAZING! You have to try their ‘Spears’ (Cinnamon or Mozzarella)!

The only things I advise when travelling to Michigan stay clear of Detroit (very scary place to stay in), pack lots of inset repellent (the mosquitoes are horrendous!) and pack clothes for every weather (Michigan is notorious for its unpredictable weather!).

Image Ref: http://defoenet.com/2009/04/gs-pizzeria-deli-bay-city/

Argileh's Around Sydney

Resident cheapskate Patrick returning to give you the much anticipated (just pretend it was at least) review of Argileh's around Sydney!!!
Wikipedia defines Argileh as "a single or multi-stemmed instrument for vaporizing and smoking flavored tobacco called shisha in which the vapor or smoke is passed through a water basin (often glass based) before inhalation."
One of these thingies (picture).
Now I must explain the appeal, a group of 4-10 University students with low wages who rarely see each other. Rather than go and 'boose' it up, which costs far more money, we meet up and get an Argileh, 1 between 3, and sometimes (those of us with stable jobs) will grab an accompanying meal.

There are four places being reviewed:
-Sweets On Queens:      57 Queens St, Auburn
-Armani Restaurant:       354 Church St, Parramatta
-El Sweetie Patisserie:    73-75 South Street, Granville
-Cedrus Restaurant:       100 Belmore Street, Ryde

Sweets on Queens     6/10

Formerly the location of choice, due to its cheap prices all round and great service; Sweets has recently gone downhill. While the food is still cheap and more than edible (quite good); the argileh has gone from a below market price of $25 each, it has risen to a market average of $35, despite not being as good as the market has to offer. The only thing worth anything at Sweets now are the memories. One of which I have uploaded now.

Armani Restaurant    7.5-8/10

The industry standard, Armani, is a crowd favourite, most people in western Sydney have heard of this place, on Parramatta's busy Church Street, it is a constantly busy powerhouse. Quality food, although you pay for it (albeit not as much as some of its competition down the road), it presents quality value.
The argileh is $35 dollars, and is amazing. The only downfall is the service, and this is by no means the fault of the staff, the service suffers because of the sheer amount of people fitting into the one space in a small amount of time. That and parking bring the score down.

Cedrus Restaurant    9/10

The jewel of the crop, Cedrus is great, an amazing argileh at $35 (our favourite), away from everyone and everything, great food (a tad over-priced), amazing views and location, belly dancers on Friday and Saturday nights, ample parking, incredible service, prime location (just down Lane Cove Road for you Macquarie Uni students). It really is the best of everything. I feel like I'm giving up a secret by telling you all about it, but it really is the spot.


El Sweetie              2/10

El Shitty. Went there once, never again. $35 for a terrible argileh (worse than Sweets) horrendous parking. Everything over-priced, and poor service. I don't even want to continue.




Alright guys, signing off, any questions give me a buzz in the comments!!!
Pat

The Big Banana

The big banana is a popular domestic tourism location in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Services available include many banana themed food including items such as banana smoothies, banana bread, banana cake, banana ice cream.

There is also a banana plantation which you can visit and take a tour, with guides who have very interestic facts such as that the modern banana is seedless while the original, non-domesticated banaa's had over 70 seeds and that the original banana was very bitter but after many years of natural selection they were able to make the banana's sweet like modern day banana's.

Also on site is a souvernier shop, where you can buy items such as little banana keyrings, or banana imprints, shirts, caps and keyrings that say "I visited the big banana" The site also features a downhill tobaggan ride, ice skating and a waterslide.

The big banana just recently celebrated 40 years in business, so if you are looking for a great tourism experience in NSW, or from the route from NSW to QLD, it's a definetly must for a stop off!

Hi and welcome!

Hello and welcome to everyone, this is our Tourism blog focusing on nothing in particular, I'm one of your four bloggers, Patrick. Our other 3 will introduce themselves on their first posts.
About me: I've traveled to the UAE, Lebanon and the States; but more importantly, I'm this blogs' resident cheapskate and as such will be posting about cheap fun nights in Sydney.
My first review will be of the best Argileh joint in Sydney that will hit shortly. In the interim, please enjoy a picture of what I'm referring to if you are unaware.




















Picture taken from http://www.paganspace.net/photo/argileh-1 I don't actually browse there, it is the result of a Google search....