If you’re going to explore, you need maps. The map on your phone is indispensable, but it’s not enough. There are places both inland and along the coast of California where cell phone signals disappear, but there’s a solution for that: Paper resources. Two in particular have helped us out, the DeLorme Atlas and GazetteerContinue reading “Keys to Exploring California”
Tag Archives: Travel preparation
Travel Planning, the Schengen area, and Coronavirus
We begin planning our travels for the coming year just after we land in the US at the end of September. By the time we’ve hashed out where exactly we’d like to spend the following April-September, it’s some time in October and Jonathan begins scouring the Airbnb listings. This year we ran into a problemContinue reading “Travel Planning, the Schengen area, and Coronavirus”
Good to Know About Australia
Impossible to sum up Australia, but some things worked for us and others didn’t. Here are a few tips based on our experience over six months. All my $ figures in this post refer to Australian dollars, currently about US$.70=AU$1 Airbnb: We stayed in eight different Airbnb properties in Australia that ranged from passable toContinue reading “Good to Know About Australia”
Australia: Looking Back
At the end of six months in Australia there is a lot to look back on. Our experiences here have been excellent. We’ve met lovely people, had all kinds of adventures, and saw beautiful land and sea. I have such mixed feelings. There’s a pain in my heart for all that we are leaving behind,Continue reading “Australia: Looking Back”
Good to know about Darwin, Australia
We enjoyed Darwin very much, and were there for a very short time by our standards (10 days). Airbnb: Our place was excellent, with a large roofed outdoor patio and a small pool. We used both often. Air Conditioning: Is a must for Darwin, at least in the bedroom. The temperature is normally over 90°F.Continue reading “Good to know about Darwin, Australia”
Good to Know About Perth, Australia
Though we were only in Perth for two weeks, we saw a lot of wonderful places. It would be easy to spend six months traveling from the far south corner of Australia around Albany, moving along the coast until you reached Darwin. That’s about 5000 km, and part of the reason that we didn’t seeContinue reading “Good to Know About Perth, Australia”
Good to Know About Sydney
We said farewell to Sydney at the end of the month after a very good visit. The city is justly famous for its opera house. The surroundings are gorgeous, there are cafes to stop at for a drink or a meal, and the view over the Harbor Bridge is unmatched. Once you’ve seen that iconicContinue reading “Good to Know About Sydney”
Good to Know About Melbourne
Melbourne proved easy to live in, another testament to Jonathan’s Airbnb research skills. We were walking distance from the beach, very handy on hot days, and also close to public transport. We drove into the center of the city on our first day to go to my eye doctor appointment and it was as nightmarishContinue reading “Good to Know About Melbourne”
Good to Know About Tasmania
We always learn as we go, and Tasmania was no exception. Airbnb: Our Airbnb in Tea Tree was different. We enjoyed the view out over a vineyard, but it was a bit more rustic than we like. I didn’t mind the geese, but we did have to watch our steps. Car: We rented a KiaContinue reading “Good to Know About Tasmania”
I Love New Zealand (and here’s why)…
We have just spent two months in New Zealand, a truly wonderful place. People are interested in nature and the outdoors, conservation is important, and kids are taught to carry their trash home from the beach at the same time they are taught to surf. I like the balance. Our interests are the outdoor varietyContinue reading “I Love New Zealand (and here’s why)…”