​For over ten years, the Maldives sat firmly at the top of my travel bucket list. After visiting 49 countries, I finally ticked it off—and it was everything I dreamed of and more. From luxury overwater bungalows to unforgettable marine encounters, this was the ultimate “pinch me” holiday.

Absolutely! If you’re going to make the journey to the Maldives, don’t skip the upgrade--stay in an overwater bungalow. Stepping into our villa, we were greeted by a glass floor panel peering straight into the turquoise water and a private deck with stairs leading directly into the Indian Ocean.

​Waking up each morning to the sound of the sea, taking a dip just steps from our bed, and watching fish swim below while sipping coffee—it was a dream come true. This is one splurge you’ll never regret.
​

Our very first evening delivered one of the most jaw-dropping sunsets I’ve ever seen. We couldn’t tear ourselves away from the deck. As the sky lit up in golds, purples, and fiery pinks, we sat in complete awe—with a cocktail (or two) in hand.

​Honestly, every night felt like a postcard come to life.
​

I’ve snorkelled all over the world, but the Maldives marine life blew me away. On our final day, just 50 metres from our bungalow, a graceful manta ray glided right beneath me. After years of trying (and several tours chasing them!), it was pure magic to see one naturally and so close.

And yes—there was a shark! When a reef shark swam past me unexpectedly, I panicked. (Nobody told me they’re harmless!) So here’s your heads-up: reef sharks in the Maldives are totally safe to swim with. They're part of the unique underwater ecosystem that makes this place so special.
​

We stayed on an all-inclusive island resort—and let me tell you, free-flowing cocktails from 10am set the tone. The drinks were strong (the bar staff weren’t playing!), and after the first couple, I started ordering a glass of ice with each one. Maybe I’m just a lightweight?

The meals were delicious, and while I would have loved some bubbly by the pool, sparkling wine was only served with lunch and dinner in the restaurants. If you’re a champagne fan like me, that’s something to note—but not a dealbreaker.
​

I booked this trip as part of the TripADeal Maldives and Sri Lanka all-inclusive tour, and it was excellent value. It combined beach bliss with cultural adventure—and everything from transfers to meals was taken care of.

🧳 Itchy Feet Tip: Book a bungalow with a sunset view side if you can. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone pouch, and a good snorkel mask—you’ll use it daily!
​

Whether you’re planning a romantic couples retreat, a luxurious girls’ getaway, or simply chasing that next pinch me moment, the Maldives delivers. From the turquoise waters to the underwater wonders and the pure barefoot luxury—this trip left me floating long after I flew home.
​
Ready to make your dream trip happen? Start planning your own Maldives escape today—you won’t regret it.

​Penny
Itchy Feet Family
​

If you are heading to North Bali and need somewhere to stay we recently discovered The Lovina Bali and would not think twice about recommending it. Booked on a Trip a Deal (available to book until June 2024) this was an amazing special and incentive to try a new part of Bali for us.  Here are eight reason why you should consider The Lovina Bali Resort in North Bali.
​

1. An Authentic Bali Experience
North Bali is an authentic Bali experience.  There are no night clubs in Lovina, no fancy beach clubs or day spas - this is relaxed and back to basics. There are a few restaurants we discovered, but mostly Warungs and bean bags on the beach where you can enjoy a large bintang for AUD$4 or a fresh coconut for AUD$2.  It is a simple, slow paced environment in the north and it is definitely somewhere you can go to relax.  Most of the tourists were European - we bumped into a few fellow Australian travellers - but Lovina is certainly not an Aussie Bogan destination. A 2.5 hour drive from Denpasar airport (on a good traffic day) you have to be prepared to travel to get there - but we thought it was well worth it. 
​

2. Beach Side Location
The Lovina Bali is a beachside resort so if you like evening strolls on the sand, cocktails whilst watching the sunset over the water and a place to swim or kayak - The Lovina has it! The beaches in North Bali are calm and relatively clean, they offer good snorkelling and calm waters for SUPs and kayaks.  And The Lovina provides all the equipment you need at no extra cost - including snorkel gear.
​

3. Morning Yoga
If you like to start your day with a stretch and some meditation, The Lovina provides daily 8am yoga classes included in your stay. A great way to start the day - and to meet fellow travellers. The resort did also have a small gym room with a few weights and a treadmill if that's how you like to start your day - and there were also bicycles available to use free of charge. 
​

4. Breakfast Buffet
If you want to start your morning with a hearty meal, the breakfast buffet at The Lovina had something for everyone.  Eggs made to order, fresh juices, asian and western dishes - there was no complaints from us here. And there were two options for dining - beach side or overlooking the rice fields - we alternated and enjoyed the varying views. The coffee was basic black American style - no almond half strength barista made coffees here to rival an Australian Cafe start to the day - but the surrounds and the staff certainly made up for that. 
​

5. Free Shuttle
The free shuttle service was invaluable for getting around in Lovina.  At any time (up to 11pm at night) guests can walk into reception and request a shuttle service to local amenities.  A trip to the supermarket, the money exchange or drop off at a restaurant.  And once you are out you could simply WhatsApp the hotel and the shuttle would come and collect you if you had not pre arranged it.  They were so attentive and responsive on one occasion we were planning a walk back but got caught in the rain, we messaged them and they were there in 5 minutes! The next time we went out for a walk we took our provided umbrellas - but of course it didn't rain.

6. Large Clean Rooms
We stayed in a beachside one bedroom suite with the pool just steps from our door and loved it.  The rooms are large and well maintained, they included a kitchen area with a full size fridge which was great for storing our supermarket Bintang purchases and the room included bottled water daily - essential for brushing your teeth!  The king sized bed was comfy and the room had both air-conditioning and ceiling fans. 
​

7. Onsite Spa
When travelling to Bali I always indulge in massages and spa treatments and the onsite spa (Body Tonic) was excellent.  The trip a deal accommodation package we booked included 2 x 60 minute Balinese Massages and the facility and service was professional, clean and relaxing. The prices in the spa were higher than massages in the street, however if you booked a day in advance a 20% discount was applied - although there was a 21% service charge. 
​

8. See the Dolphins
One of the attractions Lovina is known for is the dolphins that enjoy the waters off their coast.  Each morning small boats head out to the deeper waters taking tourists out to the hot spots to view the dolphins in the wild at sunrise.  As part of our package we had an included early morning tour to see the dolphins for ourselves.  A 5:45am wake up followed a short walk along the beach to join one of the many small boats that head out each morning.

Whilst it was great to see the dolphins (guests who went out the day before us also saw a whale) it is quite a touristy experience with in excess of 80 boats moving in packs in what felt close to chasing the dolphins. For European tourists that come from landlocked homes this would have been a highlight, for an Australian tourist I am not sure I would repeat the experience and rather leave the dolphins to enjoy their ocean. 
​

Penny
Itchy Feet Family
​

New Zealand is a country known for it's thermal springs and mineral waters that have medicinal and cultural importance which is why this all new spa in Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island is going to drive tourists to the lakeside town.

There are lots of fancy spa's in the world, however this one really is quite different - you will not want to leave. The attention to detail, the uniqueness of the experiences and the quality of the spa were all outstanding you could not help but be impressed from the moment you walk into the building. 

We visited and indulged in both the Sanctuary and the Restorative Journey, spending some four hours in pure relaxation bliss! Here are my top 5 reasons to visit Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in Rotorua, New Zealand.


 

1. Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is brand new!
The spa has only been open since June 2023!  Everything is brand new and it is in immaculate condition.  Your friends may have travelled to Rotorua on the North Island of New Zealand - but unless they have been there since June 2023 they have not been to Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, you will be the first to go!

2. Wai Ariki is locally owned
The spa is owned by local iwi, Ngāti Whakaue, which means a visit here is supporting the local people continue to succeed.  Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa takes visitors on a cultural experience whilst reviving the senses - it really was a blend of the two which I found unique and different.  The journey started with a guided tour of the cultural experience as you are walked through the Restorative Journey before you dive in.

3. A visit to a spa is forced relaxation
​Wai Ariki is a great place for a relaxing break on a travel itinerary - I am normally flat out on overseas adventures packing my itinerary with as much activity as I can possibly squeeze in.  Up early and out late my travels are normally go, go go! It was great to slow down the pace and take a moment to refresh. And with a visit that combined both the Sanctuary and the Restorative Journey I was in relaxation heaven for a good three hours!

4. Amazing saunas
The sauna room, a part of the Restorative Journey, included three options being salt, aromatherapy and hay - yes hay!  I had never even heard of a hay sauna, let alone been in one.  It was relaxing and unique and followed by a visit to the refrigerator room where you could pour a bucket of ice cold water over your body or scoop up a handful of fresh ice to bring your temperature down. Whilst that may not sound like something you may want to do - trust me it was invigorating! 

5. Smooth your skin with mud
​The final part of the Restorative Journey involved taking a bowl of mud and covering your body and face to cleanse and heal. Now we all may have done a face mask at home - however this is not something you can do every day at home where you can cover your whole body and then soak in the experience. I visited with a friend and we looked quite the pair lazing on the tiled heated lounge chairs whilst covered in local Rotorua mud!   The steam room that followed the mud soak was the perfect end to the Restorative Journey and a great place to spray off.
 
I visited in October 2023 where I enjoyed both the Sanctuary and Restorative Journey.  If you need to choose only one I would definitely recommend the Restorative Journey for the unique experience.  However if you have less time the mineral baths at the Sanctuary have fantastic views over the lake and offer a great option for some relaxing soaking time. 

Penny
​Itchy Feet Family

*Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this visit by Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa .  Find details of how to book this experience at their website www.wai-ariki.co.nz

​I have had some adventures in my time – but this was probably one of the most indulgent and unusual experiences to date.  A helicopter pub crawl from Darwin, Northern Territory.
 
The Northern Territory is a unique place to visit.  The land is red and sparse and not very densely populated.  A lot of the townships are isolated and the humid, tropical, weather makes it a tough place to live. 
 
It is a unique destination where it is laid back, locals are very casual and they love a cold beer to beat the heat. 
 
The helicopter pub crawl allows in one day to visit a number of unique local pubs that would otherwise take hours to reach by land. And who otherwise would not receive very many tourists. 

The helicopter air strip was located approximately a 45-minute drive out of Darwin and on arrival we were met by a young pilot and what I considered a rather small helicopter! 

Up we went and over the sparse red land we flew travelling at some 200km per hour to reach our destinations. The scenery was diverse and spectacular – we saw wild buffalo roaming, crocodiles on the riverbanks and miles of harsh red land.

The locations for our visit were Crab Claw Island Resort, Darwin River Tavern, Goat Island Lodge and the Noonamah Tavern.
​
Upon arrival at the remote pub locations, we were greeted by the locals who – at whatever time we landed – seemed to be already drinking cold beer – and by bar staff who were happy to share a yarn.

The most unique destination on the itinerary was a stop at Goat Island.  Owned by an eccentric Danish man who goes by the name King Kai! He lives alone on the island with his pet crocodile Casey and his dog. Signs at the property entrance warn that “You are now entering a politically incorrect area” and King Kai makes up his own rules on this island.
 
Despite the isolated location of Goat Island, and the amazing fact that our pilot managed to land on the tiny island, there were cold beers waiting to be drunk and stories to be told.
 
The helicopter pub crawl is essentially a taxi service – the tour includes the transportation, all drinks and food for the day were at our own expense. We booked through Heli Fish.
 
It was a magical day out – a completely unique experience – and one I would highly recommend when visiting the Top End. 
 
Penny
Itchy Feet Family

Other blogs you may enjoy:

• Bali Airport - Arrival Guide for Aussies
• Blu Zea Resort Seminyak - Hotel Review
• Hard Rock Hotel Bali - Hotel Review
• Eight Reasons to Visit Brickendon Estate
• Noosa Heads Coastal Walk
• Fat Tire London Cycling Tour
• Christmas Cruising Pros and Cons
• Winter weekend in Hobart

As Australians we are coffee snobs.  We judge a café based on the barista coffee they serve.  We know good coffee and we expect it.
 
Bali is not somewhere I would rank up there as a nation that knows their coffee – so when out on a day trip with Bali Hai Adventure tours and they wanted to take us to a coffee plantation – we were dubious. 
 
And dubious we should have been – they served us shit coffee! Literally! The Luwak is a small animal that eats the coffee beans, digests them and poops them out!  The pooped out coffee beans are then cleaned, roasted and ground for human consumption. 
 
Now whoever discovered this as being a good thing to do – I have questions for. However, being the type of people that like to immerse ourselves in the cultures we visit – we went along for the ride.

​How did it taste?  Well it tasted like coffee.  I wouldn’t say it blew us away – but it also wasn’t unpleasant. 
 
The coffee plantation visit is more than just tasting the Luwak coffee – we were walked through the garden to see a variety of fruits being grown, shown the coffee production process and then treated to a tasting paddle of 15 different varieties of teas and coffee.  
 
With delights such as coconut coffee, avocado coffee, mangosteen tea, pandan tea and ginger tea – it was quite an assault on the taste buds.

And to top it all off they had a baby Luwak that was quite happy to be held.  The nocturnal animal was quite sleepy so safe to hold – apparently the adult animals are not quite as obliging! 
 
We visited the Hidden Garden in Baturiti on this day tour with Bali Hai Adventures – but there are multiple Luwak Coffee plantations in Bali just waiting to serve tourists a cup of shit coffee! 
 
Would you try it?
 
Penny
Itchy Feet Family

Other blogs you may enjoy:

• Bali Airport - Arrival Guide for Aussies
• Blu Zea Resort Seminyak - Hotel Review
• Hard Rock Hotel Bali - Hotel Review
• Chasing Waterfalls - North Bali
• Noosa Heads Coastal Walk
• Fat Tire London Cycling Tour
• Christmas Cruising Pros and Cons
• Winter weekend in Hobart

Bali is known for it’s beautiful instagrammable locations and the North of the Island doesn’t disappoint if you want to chase waterfalls.
 
On our most recent visit we booked a Bali Hai Adventures day trip to seek out some of the island’s waterfalls. Sekumpal is known as one of the most spectacular – it is a long drive from where we were staying in Seminyak, but it gave us a good opportunity to see some of the beautiful countryside and villages. 
 
The great thing about doing a private day trip is the flexibility it offers.  The drive to the North was about three hours so having a private guide meant we could stop whenever needed to stretch the legs or see some of the sites on the way.

​When we arrived at Sekumpal there were two options offered to us to get to the waterfall.  Option 1, jump on the back of a motorbike and be driven as far down as they could get us.  Option 2, be guided by a local on the walk.  The path was quite steep so whilst a motorbike sounded appealing – it also seemed a bit scary – we opted to walk. As we were going down – all I was thinking about was the fact that we would eventually have to come back up!
 
The walk down gave us an opportunity to be amongst the locals, we passed through local shops, houses and farming areas.  Although it was steep and many steps, it was a great opportunity to be out amongst it all at the grass roots level.
 
To reach the first waterfall we had to take our shoes off and walk through a rocky river but it was only about 10 metres wide so quite easily done.
 
The second waterfall location also required walking through a river – this one a bit wider and had a rope in place to guide us through.

The waterfalls are pretty packed with tourists, upon arrival people take turn to find their instagrammable photo spot and get that ultimate profile picture. Some people climbed over rocks to actually swim in the river – we opted to enjoy the view. 
 
It was about an hour walking to get down and see the waterfalls and once we got our pictures it was time to take the journey up. A level of fitness is required and on a really humid day I can imagine it would be a bit tough.  But there are plenty of stops along the way that you can buy a drink, take a pause and refresh before finishing the journey. 
 
The next stop on our day trip was lunch – but if you are visiting independently there are also restaurants in the area to grab some local fare.
 
If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, are looking for a way to see the landscape of the north -  this is a great day trip to take.  Bali Hai also took us to a coffee plantation, rice fields, lunch and water temple on this day out and it was a full day with pick up at 8am and drop home back at the hotel in Seminyak at 6pm. 
 
Penny
Itchy Feet Family
 
*Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours.  Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com
​ 

Other blogs you may enjoy:

• Bali Airport - Arrival Guide for Aussies
• Blu Zea Resort Seminyak - Hotel Review
• Hard Rock Hotel Bali - Hotel Review
• Eight Reasons to Visit Brickendon Estate
• Noosa Heads Coastal Walk
• Fat Tire London Cycling Tour
• Christmas Cruising Pros and Cons
• Winter weekend in Hobart

If you like a bit of luxury when you travel, and you are headed to Adelaide in South Australia, there are three great hotels I can recommend that are all in the Adelaide CBD - so offer a great location - and will provide that little bit extra to make your stay comfortable with a few unique touches.  

​They are the Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide Oval Hotel and EOS - here is a bit about each.
​

The Mayfair Hotel is an excellent choice if you don't have a car on your visit. There is no parking garage on location to this very central city hotel - but it is located in the best location to walk the city and utilise the pubic transport. Located on the corner of King William Road and Hindley Street you are also on the intersection to the start of Rundle Mall - a pedestrian shopping mall in the city centre.

The main reason I rate this hotel in my top three luxury hotels in Adelaide is because the beds are amazing!  They are the most comfortable bed I have every slept on and the linens are second to none. If you are after a great night's sleep you will get it at the Mayfair.

At the moment they also have an inclusive mini bar which sweetens the stay.  Stocked with a few drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, along with some snacks and sweets this is a nice touch to enhance your stay.

​The hotel opened it's doors in Adelaide in 2015 so is modern, clean and still relatively new.

The Oval Hotel Adelaide not only is a luxury hotel but it is also a unique place to stay.  The hotel forms part of the Adelaide Oval complex so for a sporting fan wanting to be close to the hallowed grounds of many sporting greats - this is the place to stay.

The bar at reception that offers a welcome drink upon arrival is a great touch to start your visit as you sip champagne whilst overlooking the grounds surrounding the oval and the beautiful Adelaide Cathedral. 

The room is luxurious and welcoming and offers all the touches you would expect.  The special part of this stay is a visit to the Bespoke Wine Bar and Kitchen for sundowners overlooking the stadium, the heritage score board and the hallowed turf. 

The hotel opened in September 2020 in the height of the pandemic.

The newest of the three listed, EOS by Skycity opened it's doors in 2021 with 120 rooms of luxury as well as a rooftop bar and restaurant.

When you walk into a room and you are greeted with a majestic tub you know you are in for a good stay.  There is something about a bathroom with a free standing tub, soft robes and fluffy slippers that says luxury. 

Added to this the complimentary glass bottled water and locally sourced complimentary snacks in the mini bar there is no need to leave your room.

However if you do venture out you are within the Sky City casino complex and will find excellent dining options including ITL and SOL rooftop restaurant and bar. 

Have you ever stayed at any of these hotels? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.

Penny
​Itchy Feet Family 
​

If you are heading to Bali and are looking for something active to do - there are plenty of options when exploring this island. With two teenagers in tow on our most recent trip we planned full day activities every second day of our holiday to make sure everyone was entertained in between rest and shopping days. 

One of out best day trips was a packed adventure with Bali Hai Tours that included rafting down the Telaga Waja river in the morning followed by a downhill bike ride in the afternoon. They call it a combination tour Rafting and Downhill Cycling. 

The team from Bali Hai took care of all the details, we were collected from our hotel early in the morning and they packed the day with adventure and activities to take us all of our devices for the day!

Cycling is a great way to see a destination at a slower pace and provides access to areas that you otherwise would not see. What I loved about this cycling trip is that it was mostly downhill which meant although we were in the saddle for a few hours it was more of a roll rather than a demanding pedal challenge. 

The tour takes you through the back streets of the villages, through rice fields, on the streets, to temples and even through bamboo forrest. And with your hand on the brake, the bike just rolls you through the scenery - really you just need to be able to balance. 

​The tour came with two guides, one at the lead and one at the back, and on our tour it was just the four of us out on the adventure.

One of the stops on the tour was at Penglipuran traditional village where we were able to walk into the homes of the locals and chat with them.  They were very open to welcoming tourists into their homes and showing us how they live - the local children loved the opportunity to practice their English. We met the local school teacher who was more than happy to chat and show us his home.

Although mostly on smooth downhill paths, the tour takes you through varying terrains. There were a few steep descents and rough tracks throughout the bamboo forrest, and you do ride along a couple of busy roads, but we are not a family of regular cyclists and we all enjoyed the day.

The tour ended at Taman Narmada water temple where we could dismount and enjoy a freshly picked coconut as we enjoyed the view. The coconut juice refreshing the palette after the day's adventure. ​

If you like being active and getting out and seeing more than just the pool at your hotel - we can highly recommend this tour. 

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

*Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours.  Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com ​

A visit to Bali normally includes an itinerary of day trips and activities and rafting is one of the fun family adventures on offer when visiting the island.

We took the two teenagers to Bali for a week in January 2023 and included a combination day out tour of rafting and cycling - this was definitely one of the highlights of our week and an adventure we all enjoyed.

We have been rafting in Bali a few times before, but this time we went with Bali Hai Tours who took us for an adventure at Telaga Waja river. In the past we have been out of Ubud down the Ayung river - this river to the East of Bali was far more adventurous!

As it was rainy season there was plenty of water flowing down the river which made for some fun moments on the two hour 18km down stream adventure.

It was definitely all hands on deck paddling, ducking to go under low bridges and hanging on when we took on a 4-metre drop! At the 6km mark we stopped at a waterfall for some photos and the chance for a bintang and a rest - this activity is not for anyone wanting a peaceful paddle down a stream.

If you are looking for a day out for your trip to Bali - this is something you can add to the itinerary for the whole family to enjoy. 

Have you been rafting in Bali? Which did you prefer Ayung of Telaga Waja river?

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

*Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours.  Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com 

If you are visiting the nation's capital and want to see it at a slow pace - why not walk Canberra.  On my first visit for 20+ years I put on the walking shoes and spent a weekend seeing the city from the walking trails. If you also like to see a city this way - here are a few suggestions to see Canberra.
​

Telstra Tower a top Black Mountain

One of the iconic landmarks of Canberra - you can drive to the Telstra Tower - but there is also a great walking track. The Telstra Tower actually closed in July 2021, and has not been very cared for since,  however it is still an iconic piece of the landscape and worth a closer look. 

There is a good walking track that takes you through the National Park up Black Mountain to the iconic tower, you walk through bush and it is a decent climb requiring a moderate level of fitness. 

We enjoyed this walk but were a bit disappointed that the bush land was quite overgrown so there wasn't any fantastic views of the city to speak of when we got to the summit. 

Mount Ainslie Circuit

On the opposite side of the city from Telstra Tower is Mount Ainslie.  There are a number of walks you can take to reach this summit - we took the Mount Ainslie Circuit for the up route and got a broad view of the city suburbs as we wrapped around the mountain.

There are walking trails and bike trails - the signage is minimal we had to check google maps a couple of times to make sure we were heading in the right direction. It is not a spectacular walk - but you get views of the suburbs and then upon arrival at the summit you are rewarded with the perfect view of the parliamentary triangle. 
​

 Kokoda Track - Mount Ainslie

If you visit the Australian War Memorial, do yourself a favour and walk behind it to find the base of the Kokoda Track.  This walk will take you to the summit of Mount Ainslie for the most spectacular panoramic views of Canberra. 

The track is well maintained and sealed for the majority of the way.  It is a constant incline so again requires a moderate level of fitness - when you hit the stairs near the summit your legs will let you know they are there!  

The panoramic views at the summit however are spectacular - there are a number of viewing platforms, picnic tables and a water fountain.  And on the day we climbed there was an ice cream van! 
​

Parliamentary Triangle

If you want to take in the top sites of Canberra - you can walk the Parliamentary Triangle. The three apices of the triangle include Parliament House, Defence Headquarters at Russell and City Hall.

This walk will take you along Lake Burley Griffin, across the Bridge on Kings Road to Parliament House and then back across the Lake on Commonwealth Avenue.  It is a fair walk - but one that will provide you with an opportunity to see some of the great iconic landmarks of Canberra. 
​

City to National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia is a free attraction in Canberra and a pleasant walk to get there from the CBD.  

This walk takes you along Lake Burley Griffin on a stretch that has recently been developed into what looked like is going to be a City Beach area.  Not sure I would swim in the Lake - but the development in this area certainly looked like that was what was being intended. If you visit after me (Dec 2022) leave a comment on this space as it develops. 

Upon arrival the National Museum of Australia is hours of viewing for a complete history of Australia. Stop for a coffee at the cafe after your 2km stroll from the city and then enjoy the exhibits on offer. 

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

My first post-pandemic overseas adventure and I wanted to do something off the bucket list.  I had seen amazing pictures on Instagram of the Mt Batur Volcano Sunrise Trek in Bali and decided that I wanted those images on my feed. But sometimes reality really does not replicate what you see on the Gram!

When the alarm went off at 2:45am in our Ubud villa the rain was coming down hard.  We ran through what felt like splash buckets at a water park dumping on our heads to get to our driver who collected us at 3am for our magical insta worthy adventure.

​Bali Hai tours website refers to the trek as a way to enjoy "Glorious sunrises and stunning morning views" - we were in!

A one hour drive through heavy rain and then thick fog was a miraculous feat by our driver - I closed my eyes and just hoped we would get there alive! At least there was very little traffic on the road which is an insta worthy moment in Bali of itself.

By 4am we had met our trek guide, donned a plastic poncho and a head torch, and the adventure began.  The rain had reduced to a drizzle and we held hope for our sunrise as we took off in a single file along with hundreds of other hopeful sunrise seekers.

For two hours we ascended in the dark, one step at a time in a single file with anticipation for the summit. The climb is not for the faint hearted - it was definitely a steady challenge with uneven surfaces and a rudimentary track. At no point did I think I was not going to make it - but it certainly put a burn in the legs.

​We passed a 20 something who perhaps had been out on the local cocktails the night before who had ended up in a bush just off the track - not sure her or her group made it. A boozy night before this trek is not something I would recommend. 

When we arrived at the top our guide seated us on a bench, prepared us a small breakfast and left us to enjoy the sunrise.  It was cold and the fog so thick we could barely see in front of our faces.  The insta worthy sunrise was an epic picture of thick fog and me in a plastic poncho!

​Our poor guide barely had time to catch up with her fellow guides for breakfast - we knew the fog was not going to clear, it was cold and we were ready to descend. We never imagined a trip to Bali we would regret not packing our thermals!

The track on the descent, in the daylight, was a surprise.  I think if we ascended in day light and could see the track we were on we may have thought twice! It was rocky and uneven, no tourist dollars have been spent here on any fancy walkways.

We had a glimmer of a sunrise on the way down, our guide desperately trying to get us an image but by the time we got the phones out it was gone.

We met with our Bali Hai Tour driver at the base and he delivered our weary bodies, along with our non gram worthy photos to the local hot springs where we soaked and debriefed our morning adventure.  

So it's not always like it is on the gram!  But no regrets - we still have a great story to tell and memories to relive. And who knows - maybe we will try again.

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

*Itchy Feet Family were hosted on this tour by Bali Hai Adventure Tours.  Find details of how to book this tour, and other Bali Adventures, at their website www.balihaitour.com 
​

Arrival into Denpasar - Station 1
The first queue is where you will pay for you tourist visa.  They will take many forms of payment including Australian Dollars, Indonesian Rupiah, Pounds, US dollar - whatever currency you have.  There is a conversion table for each country and it gives you the rate of the day.  On the day we went through it was $53 Australian Dollars per person.  

If paying by cash - they will only take notes (ie for $53 I had to give them $55 and I received change in Rupiah) You can also pay be credit card so they are happy for you to just tap and pay!

Station 2
The second station requires you to show 1. Passport 2. Your Boarding Pass (so don't lose that on your flight or leave it in the seat back! 3, Your receipt from paying for your Entry Visa and 4. You will have your fingerprint taken (although some people say this is not all the time?).

We have found this is always the longest line.  In August it took us about an hour at this point.  There is a line  for seniors (over 65) and families so if you fit that category you may get through quicker on that line.  

Station 3
After collecting your bags you will need to show a QR code from your customs declaration for arrival.
​
Many people were standing around filling out the online arrival declaration (there is free wifi in the airport so it is possible to do this) or filling out the paper forms - however if you have pre-done it the process is much smoother.

The customs declaration can be completed up to three days before travel and you can complete it online.  Click here for the website - you will need your passport number, flight number and know how many bags you are checking and carrying with you.

Once you have done all three stations (queue) you will have access to exit to enjoy your Bali holiday!

A Few Helpful Tips
Transport
I always pre-book airport transfers - it is so much easier and cheaper.  Your hotel may include a transfer - great! Or you may want use someone like Viator who have cheap and secure options.  Click Here for More.

Hotels/Travel/Tours
Be sure to sign up for CashRewards before you do your travel bookings if you like to make bookings yourself online.  This a great way to save and get cash back on your travel expenses. 

Currency
I always use cash in Bali - take Australian dollars and simply exchange as you go.  There are plenty of money change locations throughout the island and it saves getting caught with a lot of currency left at the end of your trip. 

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

Some six years since our last visit to the beautiful island of Bali – we headed back in September 2022 for our first post-pandemic overseas trip and were welcomed by the Blu-Zea by Double Six Resort in Seminyak.
 
Seminyak is a great location if you are after some hustle and bustle.  A block away from the beach, this resort has restaurants, bars, market stores and massage spas all on your doorstep. When you are done with all the action – the resort offers an oasis to relax and chill.
 
The resort pool has the mandatory swim up bar, coupled with daily happy hour, a basketball ring for some in-pool activity and plenty of in-pool seating to chill.

​We stayed in a Junior Suite – room number 09 – which was a great corner location at the resort that comes with a private deck, an outdoor lounge area and direct access to the pool. The room was spacious with a second toilet separate to the bathroom complete with bath and rain shower.  The rooms were clean and well maintained and come with a daily towel animal left on the bed – it made me feel like I was on a cruise ship!
 
We really appreciated all the free bottled water left in the room every day – and there was an added bonus of a water refill station should you need more.  Bottled water is essential in Bali you need to use it for both drinking and brushing your teeth!
 
The breakfast was served in an open-air restaurant overlooking the pool beach area and offered a large buffet selection of both Western and Asian cuisine.  The egg station was well received and did made-to-order eggs from scrambled, omelettes, boiled, poached or fried.
​

​We traveled as a couple and found it to be a great option for adults.  There were not a lot of kids staying here that we noticed – plenty of adults that were repeat visitors and raved about the resort.

There is a kids club, a theatre room and free pool tables in the lobby for some entertainment.  And for those that value their exercise the gym was a good set up offering a variety of machines and weight stations.
 
We also tried out the onsite spa with one of their signature packages.  The whole experience is relaxing, and it felt very indulgent. The staff were fantastic and the facility very calming and well maintained.

The reception offered a money change service that we found useful as the rates were comparable and it was a safe place to change our Australian dollars as we needed it.
 
The Blu-Zea by Double Six is a great option for a trip to Bali. It was fantastic to be back in Bali and be able to support the local tourism that has been doing it so tough over the last two years.

Penny
Itchy Feet Family
​
Itchy Feet Family stayed at Blu-Zea Resort by Double Six as a Guest.  More details of the resort including rates can be found at their website www.blu-zearesort.com

A trip to Queensland's Gold Coast doesn't feel right without a trip to a theme park.  No matter how many times I have visited this location, I can't resist the draw of a thrill ride, a photo with a  superhero and an overpriced lunch to make the trip feel complete. 

So when is the best time to visit a theme park?  In the summer you have great weather - but with that comes the crowds.  So what are the pros and cons to visiting in low season?

We recently escaped for a cheeky weekend away and here are our thoughts on a visit to Movie World on the Gold Coast in low season - June 2022.

CROWDS
The number one pro of visiting in winter is there are much less people in attendance.  Try to go when there are no school holidays in any Australian State and guaranteed the crowds will be at a much lower level than they are in winter. Absolutely a plus.

MAINTENANCE
If you have your heart set on a particular ride - be sure to check the Movie World website before you book your tickets because the low season also means maintenance season.  The good thing is that they do at least publish a list of rides out of order due to maintenance on their website - the bad thing for us is that we didn't find that fun fact out until we got there!

On our visit in June 2022 there were major maintenance activity underway which included DC Rivals Supercoaster, Wild West Falls, Road Runner Rollercoaster and  Doomsday Destroyer.  And on top of that The Superman Ride also had some technical issues on the day we visited and Scooby Coaster had a delayed opening.  For someone looking for thrill rides, that was a big bust for our visit.  A con for a winter visit.

PRICING
Given the above, the pricing of your entry ticket does not reflect these outages.  Movie World has the same price for it's tickets no matter what time of year you go.  One the one hand you have less rides to choose from, but on the other you don't have to queue for as long so get more opportunity to go on more rides.  Pro or Con?  I'm undecided.

EASY PARKING
With low crowds, it means less chaos in the car park.  There was no need to get to the park much before opening time and we were easily able to find a car park, head to the gate and scan our tickets for no fuss entry.

And with the ability to scan in and out of the park as many times as you like - another bonus was that we could pack our lunch, leave it in the car for the morning and then run out to the car to get it at lunch time. No need to carry around big bulky back packs with snacks and lunches - the car was easily accessible when we needed to refuel. Tick for another pro!

NO WAITING FOR THE BATHROOM
There is nothing worse than leaving your visit to the bathroom to the last minute as you cram in your day full of activities - only to be faced with a lengthy queue.  In the low season we could duck in and out of the bathrooms as often as required and with minimal wait times.  Tick!

MILD WEATHER
In the high season the weather can be quite hot and  often humid.  A Queensland winter on the other hand is mild in comparison to other parts of the Country.  Shorts with layered t-shirts, jumpers and jackets were common amongst visitors providing what we found to be perfect weather for a day at the theme park.  Tick!

What would you add to the list of pros and cons? Have we missed anything major?

Regardless of the pros and cons - any travel experience is a pro in our eyes and a visit to Movie World is a fun day out no matter if you are young or old, hot or cold!

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

Other blogs you may enjoy:

• Finding fish balls in Hong Kong
• Best way to travel to Macau
• Fat Tire London Cycling Tour
• Christmas Cruising Pros and Cons
• Winter weekend in Hobart
  

Tasmania, for a small island state of Australia, packs a lot of punch for it’s size. It took me more than 40 years to take my first visit and have now been four times.  Each time a new and varied experience. The most recent an unplugged getaway to the north west corner of Tasmania for an unforgettable and unique adventure at Corinna Wilderness Experience.

This place is rugged, rustic and off the grid situated on the south end of Australia’s largest temperate rainforest - the Tarkine.  No phone reception, no television coverage and certainly not any wifi - this is an unplug and breathe in the air kind of vacation.

We flew into Launceston on the new direct Virgin route from Adelaide and made our way North West visiting Brickendon Estate and Cradle Mountain on our itinerary before weaving our way through the windy dirt road through thick forrest to reach the Pieman River which can only be crossed via the Fatman’s Barge - yes that’s what it’s called - I thought the barge operator was solid but I wouldn’t have called him fat!

Corinna Wilderness Experience consists both camping and cottage accommodation and has a restaurant/bar/general store.  And apart from that there is a river to kayak on, fish to be caught and forests to be hiked.

Corinna was settled as a gold mining town in the 1880’s - according to census surveys at the peak it was populated by some 2000 people.  However women, indigenous, children and migrants were not counted so the population was likely much higher

The accommodation are refurbished original cottages from the old mining town with an old post office, general store and butcher’s store amongst the historical offerings sharing the site with 16 wilderness retreat cottages built to replicate the original town. Much of the history is told through story plaques scattered across the property so if you are a history buff there is plenty of information to soak in.

The old cottages offered great balconies to take in the sunsets and enjoy sundowners while the local wildlife, mostly pademelons, came up to the lawns to feed.

The site is powered by an eco friendly solar system and as you don’t have mobile phone reception the accommodation does not exactly encourage you to power up all your tech while staying there.  Power points were notably lacking - there wasn’t even a power point in the kitchen to boil a jug or a hair dryer in the bathroom - prepare to go eco friendly here.  

If you like hiking then you will love this location - there are a range of walks to take through rainforest, along boardwalks, up hills and along the river. From short strolls to three hour treks there is a great range for all levels and the location is well worth discovering on foot.

If you are keen to hit the water there are kayaks to hire and plenty of idyllic locations which provide breathtaking scenery down the Pieman River.

And you can’t leave this location without taking the historic Arcadia 11, a 17m craft built from Huon pine in 1939, for a leisurely cruise down the Pieman River to Pieman Heads. On the edge of Western Tasmania - venture directly west from here and you won’t hit land until you reach South America!

The return trip offers a leisurely commentated cruise down spectacular river flanked by forest and wildlife - quite a peaceful and memorable experience to fill a day at Corinna.

If you are looking for something different - whilst absolutely spectacular! - when in Tasmania we highly recommend adding the Corinna Wilderness Experience to your itinerary.

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

Itchy Feet Family stayed at Corinna Wilderness Experience as a Guest.  More details of the resort including rates can be found at their website www.corinna.com.au

Other blogs you may enjoy:

• Rathmore Farm Stay Tasmania
  
• Exploring Tasmania's Southern Region
  
• Eight Reasons to Visit Brickendon Estate
  
• Noosa Heads Coastal Walk
• Fat Tire London Cycling Tour
• Christmas Cruising Pros and Cons
  
• Winter weekend in Hobart