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The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at 30: more important, enjoyable and vital than ever

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-gaunson-265553">Stephen Gaunson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>The lavender painted bus named “Priscilla” continues to pick up new fans while never going out of favour with its legion of original devotees, 30 years after its release.</p> <p>The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was shot on location in and around Sydney, Broken Hill, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs over six weeks in 1993.</p> <p>Directed by Stephan Elliott, the film screened in the <em>Un Certain Regard</em> section of the May 1994 Cannes Film Festival, winning <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-885750952/view?sectionId=nla.obj-888737519&amp;searchTerm=priscilla+queen+of+the+desert&amp;partId=nla.obj-885806856#page/n13/mode/1up">critical and popular acclaim</a> for its positive portrayal of LGBTQI+ characters.</p> <p>Awards came, most notably for costume designers Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner who won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for their sparkly, sequin-filled costumes.</p> <p>The film’s cultural brilliance lies in juxtaposing the extreme flamboyance of the costumes and props against the equally extreme rural natural desert landscape. The unexpected revelation for audiences was how perfectly these contrasting elements harmonised.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wGWWeourHUg?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>A smash hit</h2> <p>Less than 12 months since its release, the Film Finance Corporation (FFC) of Australia had the rare success of <a href="https://if.com.au/why-the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-turned-the-government-a-profit-in-just-12-months/">fully recouping</a> its A$1.67 million investment.</p> <p>Initially hesitant due to Elliott’s disappointing box office return on his debut feature, Frauds (1993), the FFC was convinced after the screenplay gained attention at Cannes. The film exceeded predictions, grossing more than $16 million in Australia.</p> <p>The film was socially and critically embraced as an instant classic.</p> <p>Ask cinema employees from this time and they will all share similar memories of lines of people outside the cinema doors eager to watch and rewatch (and rewatch again) the musical road movie about a pair of drag queens (Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce) and a transgender woman (Terence Stamp) as they set out from Sydney on a bus journey across the Australian outback.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tex3dw3RjGk?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The casting today seems like more of a sure bet than it did in 1994. Stamp was a British actor of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/12/terence-stamp-i-was-in-my-prime-but-when-the-60s-ended-i-ended-with-it">legendary status</a>, having gained critical accolades in the 1960s in films such as Billy Budd, The Collector and Far from the Madding Crowd. However Stamp was equally a <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-4869258/Terence-Stamp-79-bids-farewell-active-sex-life.html">regular tabloid subject</a> for his high-profile romances with film star Julie Christie and supermodel Jean Shrimpton.</p> <p>Would audiences be willing to go with the idea of this playboy as the trandsgender woman, Bernadette?</p> <p>It is now impossible to consider any actor better able to deliver Terrance Stamps’s deadpan sardonic lines so perfectly: “Don’t ‘Darling’, me, Darling. Look at you. You’ve got a face like a cat’s arse.”</p> <p>Pearce and Weaving also were a risk. Neither were box office marquee stars at the time. Pearce was known as a lovable Mike from the popular television soap opera, Neighbours. Weaving was a critically respected actor known more for his quirky small parts than as a star in his own right.</p> <p>Both were perfect casting, launching them onto Hollywood careers. Pearce as Adam was a remarkable revelation.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p2QiCFAQ-qQ?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The chemistry and connection between the three lead actors makes the film truly succeed.</p> <p>Never do their performances seem showboating or forced. Each has their own arc, personality and journey. And when they climb Kings Canyon in full drag regalia at the film’s end there is something moving about what they have been able to accomplish together.</p> <p>A film that begins to be a slight and joyful comedy about drag performers becomes a deeper essay on the importance of lived experience and friendship (or, dare I say, mateship).</p> <h2>More vital than ever</h2> <p>Drag has a <a href="https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/3894/drag-through-decades-film-tv/">long history</a> in mainstream cinema with its own codes and references.</p> <p>The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is crucially different by it not being about “straight” men masquerading as women to mask their actual identity. Instead, Elliot’s film rather positively celebrates these characters in drag as their true and authentic selves.</p> <p>This film stood with others as a wave of Australian cinema in the 1990s unashamedly wanting to celebrate an Australia juxtaposing the blokey masculine stereotype.</p> <p>Ocker characters (men and women) appear in this film, but ultimately they are publicly humiliated for their homophobia. Bernadette kneeing in the groin the vicious and vulgar Frank (Kenneth Radley) often receives a big cheer from cinema audiences: “Stop flexing your muscles, you big pile of budgie turd,” Bernadette scorns.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9nc12yOA4jM?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Perhaps the true star of the film were not the actors as much as the iconic 1976 Japanese model Hino Freighter Priscilla bus that became the set for several scenes in the film. Because the bus interior was such a small set, there was no room for the crew with many actually in shot, hiding under clothes and other props.</p> <p>The bus, long thought to be lost, was <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-12/bid-to-restore-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-bus/103699136">rediscovered</a> on a farm in New South Wales in 2019. The bus is currently being restored, with an aim to have it on display at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, Adelaide Hills, in 2026. Perhaps it will be good timing for shooting the recently announced <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/04/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-movie-sequel-original-cast-1235890358/">potential sequel</a>.</p> <p>30 years after its original release The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert seems more important, enjoyable and vital than ever. All aboard, Priscilla. Long may she run.</p> <hr /> <p><em>RMIT Capitol will be hosting a <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/thecapitol/events/2024/september/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert">screening and introductory panel discussion</a> on September 11 with the film’s costume designer Tim Chappel, executive producer Rebel Penfold-Russell, Melbourne Queer Film Festival program director Cerise Howard, historian Kristy Kokegei and Stephen Gaunson.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/235424/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-gaunson-265553"><em>Stephen Gaunson</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Metro Goldwyn Mayer</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-at-30-more-important-enjoyable-and-vital-than-ever-235424">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Movies

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“Adventure of a lifetime”: Terri Irwin’s emotional tribute to Steve Irwin

<p>Terri Irwin has shared an emotional tribute to late husband Steve, on what would’ve been their 32nd wedding anniversary. </p> <p>Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" passed away in 2006 at the age of 44 when a string ray barb penetrated his chest while he was filming at The Great Barrier Reef. </p> <p>"It was 32 years ago today that Steve &amp; I said 'I do' and began the adventure of a lifetime!" she wrote in an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, alongside a photo of the couple embracing while Terri held a Joey. </p> <p>Terri Irwin, a wildlife expert herself, married Steve Irwin in 1992, getting engaged just four months after meeting Steve for the first time at Australia Zoo. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7xXbzgS0rx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7xXbzgS0rx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Terri Irwin (@terriirwincrikey)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Steve and Terri Irwin share two children, Bindi and Robert Irwin, and their two kids have also dedicated posts to their parents. </p> <p>"Happy Anniversary to my incredible parents. I love you both beyond description," she shared on Instagram, with a photo of her parents crouched down taking a photograph.</p> <p>Robert shared a photo of  his parents with a snake wrapped around their neck with a caption, "It was 32 years ago today that my mum and dad got married… Special day." </p> <p>Fans were quick to send their messages of love and support. </p> <p>“What a love story,” one fan wrote.</p> <p>“The most beautiful love story ever! Happy anniversary, Steve and Terri,” another wrote.</p> <p>“God bless you Terri and your beautiful family and carrying on Steve’s legacy. We were at your zoo last month — so, so special. Felt Steve all over there,” a third commented. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Culinary legend closing famous restaurant

<p>Australian chef and TV presenter Kylie Kwong is closing the doors of her famous restaurant after three years. </p> <p>The Sydney-based chef has been in the culinary industry for 30 years and is known for her unique blend of Cantonese cuisine and native Australian ingredients.</p> <p>Her restaurant, Lucky Kwong in South Eveleigh, will close on June 26, a tough decision that she had to make amid the high costs of running a business. </p> <p>“Everyone is feeling it. I have never seen the restaurant industry in such tough times as it is right now,” she told the <em>Sydney Morning Herald</em>. </p> <p>Despite this, Kwong said she was lucky to have been in the hospitality industry and that she plans to "relax and reflect" during her break from the restaurant business. </p> <p>"For all the many challenges that come with being in the hospitality industry, I consider myself fortunate for I have had far more positive experiences than negative," she said.</p> <p>Kwong opened her restaurant in 2021, after she shut the doors on her previous Sydney venue, Billy Kwong in 2019.</p> <p>She said that she also planned to further her work with charities focused on First Nations and multicultural communities, as she looks for more opportunities to  “amplify other people’s stories”. </p> <p>“I’ll still be very much connected to the food industry, but just I’ll be doing it in a different way,”  she told the<em> ABC</em>. </p> <p>She also announced that she's "hanging up my restaurateur hat" on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7KkTNgSXw9/?img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, and thanked everyone who has supported her throughout this journey. </p> <p>Celebrity chefs, Nigella Lawson and Darren Robertson shared their well-wishes on her post. </p> <p>“I feel a pang knowing that the next time I come back to Sydney there won’t be your restaurant to make a beeline for, but I’m so happy for you to have the time to do what’s right for you,” Lawson said.</p> <p>Robertson said he had massive respect for her contribution to Australian food and added: “Now try and get some bloody rest before your next adventures!" </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Food & Wine

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My Royal Melbourne Seniors Classic Adventure: A day on the greens (and in the bunkers!)

<p dir="ltr">G'day to all past, present, and emerging golf enthusiasts!</p> <p dir="ltr">If you're a senior golfer like me, hunting for inspiration, adventure, and authentic golf yarns — this is for you.</p> <p dir="ltr">Picture this: a crisp August morning, and sixty-two senior golfers gathered on Royal Melbourne's West Course for the Vic Seniors Classic 2023. Here's the story of how it all went down...</p> <p dir="ltr">Before anything else, I mustered the guts to jump in. Ever heard of "imposter syndrome"? Trust me, I was its best mate. But the requirements were clear: age 55+ (I'm a proud 65-year-old), GA Handicap under 24.5 (18.5), and a $225 entry fee. Wait, $225? Given that Royal Melbourne's green fees dance around $1000, caddy fee included, it was a no-brainer.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fueled by the temptation of playing a top-notch course for a quarter of the fee, I submitted my application without hesitation. Before I knew it, my name adorned the list of players.</p> <p dir="ltr">As the day approached, I was geared up to tackle the Royal Melbourne challenge.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 8 am shotgun start meant groups teed off from various holes. I found myself at the 11th tee, flanked by two fierce competitors: Peter (Daily Handicap 1) and Damian (12). Yours truly? A modest 20.</p> <p dir="ltr">Standing over the ball, knees a tad wobbly, I swung that driver. The ball sailed gracefully, landing centre fairway, while their shots had taken a wilder route into the rough. The lesson? 'How near,' not 'how far'.</p> <p dir="ltr">Now, let's talk about those Royal Melbourne greens. Rumour had it, they were "super fast". Super fast? Imagine sliding a ball across your kitchen's polished tiles — yep, that rapid.</p> <p dir="ltr">Around the course, bunkers became my stern mentors — big, deep, and oh-so unforgiving.</p> <p dir="ltr">Post 18 holes, scorecards were in, followed by the triumphant crowning of winners over lunch.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rodney Ware (75 gross) and Kevin Naismith (81 gross) led in men's gross, while Wayne Moon (72 net) and Craig Lonsdale (73 net) dominated the net division. Melinda Crawford (16, scratch stableford) and Louise Yuen (29 handicap points) shone in the women's.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kudos to winners, fellow players, Royal Melbourne and Golf Australia for the unforgettable day.</p> <p dir="ltr">By the way, can you see yourself on those hallowed Royal Melbourne greens? If your inner golfer nods, I'm your cheerleader. Consider joining me for the 2024 Royal Melbourne Seniors Classic.</p> <p dir="ltr">And as I wrap up, let me leave you with the timeless words of the legendary Peter Thomson: "Golf is a game of how near, not how far".</p> <p dir="ltr">Until next time, keep those swings buttery, putts steadfast, and steer clear of those tricky bunkers.</p> <p dir="ltr">PS: My result? T43rd (net) among the 48 male players. Next time I'll be swinging even better.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><em>About the Writer: Mike Searles is a Melbourne retiree who's living the golfing dream.</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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“Unfortunate timing” for Play School’s underwater adventure

<p dir="ltr">Aussie children’s show <em>Play School </em>has prompted debate online after airing an episode focussed on the underwater adventure of two characters. </p> <p dir="ltr">The episode, while harmless enough on its own, caused eyebrows to raise over its timing - with ABC airing the content in the wake of <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/surprising-cause-of-death-revealed-for-missing-titan-sub-crew">the Titanic-bound Titan submersible’s implosion</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The segment in question, titled ‘Sea and Space: 2’, saw characters Jemima and Kiya dive deep to the ocean’s “cold and dark” midnight zone at the hands of hosts Kaeng and Rachel.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rachel was delighted to inform audiences that the dolls were “going to the bottom of the sea”, with a close-up shot showcasing the dolls’ descent in their submarine-like prop vessel. </p> <p dir="ltr">“They’ve made it all the way to the bottom of the sea floor,” Rachel went on to share, before revealing that it was “very dark” down there, and wondering whether or not the explorers would get to see any creatures. </p> <p dir="ltr">After taking a look around, Rachel sang about how “two explorers went to sea sea sea to see what they could see see see see, but all that they could see see see was …”</p> <p dir="ltr">Rachel’s fellow host, Kaeng, got involved then to show off a torch fish, and the dolls had the opportunity to check out a whole host of deep-sea creatures along with another few verses of the song.</p> <p dir="ltr">But that wasn’t the end of it, with some concerned viewers taking issue with the timing of the episode, and taking to social media to share their thoughts with like-minded users. </p> <p dir="ltr">One Reddit user shared a clip from the episode, noting that it was “bad timing for the scheduling this morning.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another shared a screenshot from the same segment, writing that the show was “trolling with an episode this morning about submarines”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“OMG I saw this and thought the same,” one shared. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Disgusting!” someone else declared. </p> <p dir="ltr">“<em>Play School </em>just rubbing it in! How vicious,” another said. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, others were not so quick to condemn the network, instead suggesting that the episode - and <em>Play School</em>’s schedule - had been planned out months beforehand, and the timing was not intentional, just unfortunate. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Not sure this was a fresh episode probably just an unaware scheduled repeat,” one wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Unfortunate timing for this morning's Play School broadcast," someone thought. </p> <p dir="ltr">And as another put it, “you do realise how far in advance these are filmed and scheduled, right?”</p> <p dir="ltr">And while social media had had plenty to offer, a spokesperson for ABC confirmed to news.com.au that they’d so far received no complaints over the episode. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Play School / ABC</em></p>

TV

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5 films that prove ageing is just another adventure

<p>Not all cinemagoers want to see non-stop violence, fast cars, guns and explosions. It seems that older Australians are hitting the flicks more than ever, and their tastes are influencing the sorts of films that are being released.</p> <p>Not only that, more older actors are starring in these films, with some great character parts on offer.  These five films were not only hits at the box office, they also make the most of some of the older actors that we know and love.</p> <p><strong>1. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)</strong></p> <p><em>“Everything will be all right in the end. So if it is not all right, it is not yet the end.”</em></p> <p>Starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy</p> <p>This is a lovely rom com, with a group of pensioners who move from England to a retirement home in India run by Dev Patel (the lead from this year’s Lion). It was one of the highest grossing films in Australia in the year of its release. The film explores the possibility of reinventing yourself when taken out of your comfort zone.</p> <p><strong>2. Quartet (2012)</strong></p> <p><em>“Four friends looking for a little harmony.”</em></p> <p>Starring Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly</p> <p>Based on the West-End play of the same name,<em> Quartet</em> is directed by Dustin Hoffman and is set in (another) retirement home for professional musicians. The annual concert hits a snag when a diva from one of the resident’s past appears on the scene. Empire Magazine hit the nail on the head when they said that the film is one<em> ‘that will keep Downton fans happy.’</em></p> <p class="photo-deck"><strong>3. The Intern (2015)</strong></p> <p class="photo-deck"><em>"Experience never gets old."</em></p> <p class="photo-deck">Starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway and Rene Russo</p> <p>When widower Ben finds himself unhappily retired at 70, he decides to head back to work. Trouble is, the workplace has changed since he was a CEO and Ben finds himself trying to understand the world of online fashion while working for a young woman.</p> <p><strong>4. Last Vegas (2013)</strong></p> <p><em>“One legendary weekend.</em>”</p> <p>Starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman</p> <p>This film could be described as being like <em>The Hangover</em> with a seniors’ card. When four best friends hit Vegas for a bachelor party, they find that they might not be able to hit it like they used to. But that doesn’t stop them giving it a red-hot go.</p> <p><strong>5. Stand Up Guys (2012)</strong></p> <p><em>“They don't make 'em like they used to.”</em></p> <p>Starring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin</p> <p>This is a fun comedy film with a bit of crime thrown in. With a group of Hollywood gold as the leads, this film sees some past-their-prime con men trying to get the gang back together for one last job. Other actors in these roles may have seen this film slop, but these A-listers make it work.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Movies

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"Shattered hearts": Culinary world mourns tragic death of Jock Zonfrillo

<p>Jock Zonfrillo, celebrity chef and host of <em>Masterchef Australia</em>, has passed away at 46. </p> <p>The entertainment and culinary industries are in mourning - and the fate of the hit cooking competition in question - as friends, family, and fans try to come to terms with their tragic loss. </p> <p>The news was broken - and confirmed - with a statement from Zonfrillo’s family, who wrote of their devastation and “shattered hearts” as they faced life without him. </p> <p>"With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday," they wrote.</p> <p>"So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words.</p> <p>"For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.</p> <p>"We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend."</p> <p>Zonfrillo’s body was reportedly discovered by police after they were called to a Carlton address at around 2am for a welfare check.</p> <p>It has been said that Zonfrillo had flown home early from a trip to Europe with his wife, Lauren, and their two young children - two-year-old Isla and five-year-old Alfie - ahead of the season 15<em> Masterchef Australia </em>launch. </p> <p>Production on the series had wrapped a month prior, and while it was set to premiere on May 1, it was delayed out of respect for their late host. </p> <p>Zonfrillo’s co-star and fellow celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was one of the first to take to social media to share his grief with supporters, posting a picture of the smiling <em>Masterchef</em> judging panel alongside the caption, “I’m in total shock to wake up to the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo. </p> <p>“We had the best time working together for this year’s master chef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him! Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful … Jock will be so very missed”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrsMZQislgH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrsMZQislgH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Gordon Ramsay also turned to social media to pay tribute to his friend, writing of how he was “saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo's passing … sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo's passing. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time Gx</p> <p>— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) <a href="https://twitter.com/GordonRamsay/status/1652913279684190208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia also posted a heartfelt tribute on<em> Masterchef Australia</em>’s social media, writing that they were “deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the <em>MasterChef </em>family.</p> <p>"Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and <em>MasterChef</em> judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son.</p> <p>“Determined and talented and with plenty of grit, Jock was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother, which meant his formative years were heavily influenced by two strong cultures and it was his obsession with food and desire for a new pushbike that at just 12 years old fuelled Jock to knock on kitchen doors looking for a job.</p> <p>“Jock’s love and passion for food saw him become one of the youngest culinary students to do an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at just 15 years of age.</p> <p>“From that point onwards there was no holding him back and by 17 he was working alongside Marco Pierre White at his eponymous Restaurant Marco Pierre White.</p> <p>“Throughout his career he worked with world famous chefs and in restaurants all over the world.</p> <p>“His talent saw him shine in the world’s most formidable kitchens and he opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana in Adelaide after moving to Australia.</p> <p>“Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

News

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Dame Joanna Lumley opens up on stress, adventure and ageing gracefully

<p>After a stellar career that has seen her become an award winner, a dame, a comedy legend, and a household name, Joanna Lumley knows a thing or two about balancing priorities. </p> <p>In a candid interview with <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a43008716/dame-joanna-lumley-april-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Good Housekeeping</em></a>, the 76-year-old opened up about the stress she handles in her everyday life and the importance of realising you can slow down. </p> <p>After speaking honestly about experiencing a stress-induced breakdown in her 20s due to burnout, she says she approaches life very differently these days. </p> <p>"I will never, ever misread anything so badly again in my life," she says. </p> <p>"Now, if I’m tired, I will make sure to put my head down and go to sleep. If there’s something completely awful happening, I deal with it head-on or I let it go. I don’t do stress any more; I won’t let myself go there."</p> <p>Despite learning how to slow down when it comes to work, there's nothing Joanna loves more than adventure, with her work recently taking her to the Banda Islands, Zanzibar and Madagascar for a new series exploring the centuries-old spice trade.</p> <p>"You can have an adventure at any age," she says. </p> <p>"I’m not saying everyone should go and do a 14-day trek up some very steep mountains. But, if you’re like me and you’re scared of something, be brave. Chances are, you’ll come back and say: 'Well, wasn’t that something?"'</p> <p>When not travelling to explore every corner of the globe, Joanna finds solace in her latest creative venture: a podcast, called Joanna &amp; The Maestro, which she hosts with her conductor husband, Stephen Barlow.</p> <p>The couple chat about their shared love of classical music, which Joanna revealed was born out of one of the pair's evening rituals. </p> <p>"Every night, I have a bath and listen to Classic FM while Stevie is in the bedroom reading. During my bath, I’ll shout out questions about the music, such as: 'How old was Tchaikovsky when he wrote this?'" she says.</p> <p>"Without fail, Stevie, who’s a musical genius, patiently puts his book down and answers me. So the podcast is me in conversation with him, asking all the silly questions that somebody like me has."</p> <p>The pair first met when Joanna was 31 and they've been married for more than 35 years, but Joanna explained that marriage wasn't always on the cards.</p> <p>"The truth is, if I wasn’t married to Stevie, I wouldn’t be married," she says. </p> <p>"I’ve always loved men, but I never thought: 'Oh, I want to settle down.' It simply didn’t cross my mind. But there was something different about him; I was drawn to his whole mindset – and his knowledge of music."</p> <p>While Joanna is always keeping busy with her various work ventures, one of her most incredible achievements remains when she was awarded a damehood from Princess Anne: even if she fumbled over her words while meeting the royal. </p> <p>“I was met by Princess Anne, but sadly I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I could barely speak," she says.</p> <p>"I apologised and she said: 'Don’t worry, you have a lovely brim on your hat.' She kept on talking before I curtseyed and went out into the Picture Gallery. Stevie was there waiting and I just burst into tears."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

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10 exciting retirement adventure ideas

<p>In the words of Mark Twain, “Years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the one’s you did.” Now you’ve got a little bit of extra time up your hands heed these words and start your own retirement adventure, like one of the 10 ideas mentioned here.</p> <p><strong>1. Drive the Great Ocean Road </strong></p> <p>We’ve already talked about eight reasons everyone should drive the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Observe what remains of the 12 apostles, visit the many amazing sites and enjoy some of the best scenery Australia has to offer.</p> <p><strong>2. Discover the Red Centre</strong></p> <p>By land, air or water there’s never been a better time to discover the Red Centre. And because you’ve got nothing else going on you could do it all. It’s surprisingly cheap to book a helicopter tour of Uluru, a four wheel drive is classic and even a river cruise through Katherine Gorge is nice!</p> <p><strong>3. Head to a music festival</strong></p> <p>There are a number of festivals that cater to older (and more discerning) musical tastes. The Bluesfest in Byron Bay is a popular choice and recent festivals have included classic acts for all ages like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Crosby, Stills and Nash.</p> <p><strong>4. Head to Asia</strong></p> <p>You’ve probably been to Asia before, but now you can really explore. Bhutan is one of Asia’s best kept secrets and retirement is a great time to finally explore it. This land of rugged mountains, ancient shrines and awe-inspiring natural wildlife is a must now you’ve got more time.</p> <p><strong>5. European Peace Walk</strong></p> <p>This newly started walking trail (self-guided) sees you walk 550km across central Europe from Vienna to Trieste, via Bratislava, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia. This annual walk marks the anniversary of World War I and is designed to celebrate and promote the creation of peace in Europe.</p> <p><strong>6. Cross the Arctic Circle </strong></p> <p>This is an ambitious trip, but now that you’ve got some more free time you can afford to be a little bit more adventurous! Depending on your age, budget, fitness and appetite, you can do anything from a four hours trip to an extensive, week-long trek where you’re camping under the stars!</p> <p><strong>7. Master a new sport</strong></p> <p>Now’s your big opportunity to try and master a new sport! Sure, maybe you’ve left it a bit late to try cliff diving, or to get into the octagon as an MMA fighter, but that doesn’t mean there’s any reason to not give any sport you’ve considered trying (but never had the time to) a red hot go.</p> <p><strong>8. Go caravanning</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="../travel/international/2016/01/how-i-drove-a-motorhome-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As recently mentioned in our recent community contributor article</a></strong></span>, how I drove a caravan around the world in retirement sometimes retirement can signal the start of your adventures rather than the end! Explore Australia or even head abroad and enjoy the bliss of life on the open road.</p> <p><strong>9. Volunteering in retirement</strong></p> <p>Giving up a little bit of your time to help others can be an adventure in its own right. As we outlined in our article, <a href="../lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/12/reasons-to-volunteer-in-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>5 reasons to volunteer in retiremen</strong></span>t</a>, evidence shows that giving a little time to help others in retirement isn’t just good for the community, it’s good for you.</p> <p><strong>10. Pick up a new hobby</strong></p> <p>With a little bit of extra time on your hands, you’ll relish the opportunity to explore some of your interests. Whether it’s a new musical instrument, arts and crafts, or even <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="../news/news/2015/11/octogenarian-flies-helicopter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learning how to fly a helicopter</a></strong></span>, with less restrictions on your time you’re only really limited by your imagination. </p> <p> </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <div class="advert" style="margin: 20px 0 20px 0; float: right;"> </div> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/retirement-income/2015/12/8-tips-to-help-downsize-in-retirement/"><strong>8 tips that will help you downsize in retirement</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/retirement-income/2015/12/driving-in-retirement/">Do I need a car in retirement?</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/retirement-income/2015/12/common-mistakes-first-time-investors/">5 common mistakes first time investors make</a></strong></em></p>

Retirement Life

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The easiest way to witness one of nature’s most incredible natural displays

<p>With travel back on the cards for the first time in over two years, many Aussies are jumping at the chance to tick the world’s most breathtaking destinations off their bucket lists.</p> <p>For many, this includes seeing the famous Northern Lights. However, Australians can spend a small fortune to venture to the Arctic to experience these dramatic light transformations, and that’s assuming you’re lucky enough to not have bad weather or light pollution obstruct the natural show.</p> <p>But now, there is a revolutionary way for Aussies to experience the Southern Hemisphere’s equivalent, the Aurora Australis, without having to travel too far from home, thanks to the Southern Lights scenic flights with Chimu Adventures. The incredible Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, dance across the sky in amazing colours and formations, one of nature’s most unique scenes, but are best visible from the air, away from light pollution. </p> <p>The Southern Lights occur naturally in the earth’s sky around the magnetic north and south poles, producing an ethereal and dynamic exhibition of colours that are most visible in high latitude areas. </p> <p>When we observe this electrical phenomenon, we are witnessing billions of individual collisions of energy lighting up the magnetic lines of our planet.</p> <p>The Aurora Australis has received much less attention than the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, due to its accessibility.</p> <p>While the Northern Lights are most visible from Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden and Iceland, the Southern Lights shine brightest in one of the world’s most remote regions: the Antarctic Circle.</p> <p>While Aurora enthusiasts have been capturing rare glimpses of the Aurora Australis from Australia and New Zealand at a distance, they have been at a disadvantage due to their inaccessibility.</p> <p>But how much could we learn, and how much more could we see if we could get closer?</p> <p>Australians can now experience the Aurora Australis like never before with<a href="https://www.chimuadventures.com/blog/2021/03/southern-lights-aurora-australis-guide/"> Chimu Adventures</a>, with lucky travellers getting a front row seat to the Southern Lights.</p> <p>After boarding a private Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner with a team of expert astronomers, you will head over the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica.</p> <p>Leaving mid-evening to avoid light pollution and unpredictable weather systems, you will travel above the clouds to chase the Southern Aurora Zone.</p> <p>With flights leaving from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, you will witness the beauty of stars, constellations and planets unlike you’ve ever seen before.</p> <p>With Chimu Adventures being the only company to offer this extraordinary experience, the 12-14 hour flights are truly a one-of-a-kind travel adventure.</p> <p>Passengers will enjoy Qantas inflight services in both business and economy classes, as astronomers will provide expert information during the flight about how an Aurora is created.</p> <p>During the flight, travellers will witness the majestic curtains of light dancing across the sky, as the kaleidoscope of colours ignite the senses like never before.</p> <p>The colours of the Aurora differ depending on your altitude, with green the most common colour we see in both the Southern and Northern lights.</p> <p>The green in an aurora is caused by ions colliding with oxygen at lower altitudes, where reds are the result of collisions occurring at much higher altitudes, making them less common to see.</p> <p>Blue and purple lights also make an appearance in the Auroras, however our eyes are largely incapable of picking these up.</p> <p>What can help capture the wide range of colours in the natural Aurora shows is the invaluable lens of a camera.</p> <p>A modern, sophisticated camera is far more sensitive than the human eye and better at capturing the complexities of colours on display within an Aurora.</p> <p>The astrophotographers onboard will offer valuable commentary on how to photograph the Aurora, as well as capturing a series of images for your personal collection, allowing you to watch the natural light show first-hand rather than through a lens.</p> <p>With different booking classes and a seat swapping structure in place to share the best view of this amazing natural display from the large Dreamliner windows, there is an option for everyone to experience the Southern Lights in all their natural glory.</p> <p>To experience the Aurora Australis natural light show in stunning luxury, with a front-row view of the wonder of the Southern Lights, you can book your seat <a href="https://www.chimuadventures.com/en-au/antarctica/greatsouthernflights">here</a>.</p> <p>With Chimu Adventures offering rare and uninterrupted views of the Aurora Australis with the invaluable guidance of astronomy and astrophotography experts, an unforgettable trip to the Southern Lights should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Supplied</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.chimuadventures.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chimu Adventures</a>.</em></p>

International Travel

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The 10 most extreme travel adventures in the world

<div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> </div> <h4>1. The steepest peak on Earth: Mount Thor, Nunavut, Canada</h4> <p>At 1675 metres tall, Mount Thor is not the world’s highest peak, but it is the steepest. The most famous summit in Canada and made of pure granite, Mount Thor has a 1250 metre vertical drop, at an average angle of about 105 degrees. Despite the fact the mountain is in a remote area, it’s a popular destination for avid mountain climbers. If taking on the peak is too much for you to handle, you can also visit the site and camp out instead.</p> <p><strong>2. The coldest inhabited place on Earth: Oymyakon, Russia</strong></p> <p>As the coldest inhabited place on earth (with a recorded temperature of -71.2 degrees Celsius in 1924), the small Russian town of Oymyakon, with a population of 500, was once only used as a location for political exiles. Winter temperatures average at about -50 degrees Celsius, which has a serious effect on body function. The ground is permanently frozen all year long and the town currently has only one hotel. Popular sports include skiing, ice hockey and ice fishing.</p> <p><strong>3. The driest place on Earth: Atacama Desert, Chile</strong></p> <p>You’ll definitely need the right kind of sunscreen if you plan on travelling through this desert. According to both NASA and National Geographic, the Atacama Desert in Chile has soil comparable to that of Mars. (Fun fact: Mars scenes from the television series Space Odyssey: Voyage to The Planets were filmed here.) From October 1903 to January 1918, the Atacama Desert did not see so much as one drop of rain, making it the longest rainless period in the world’s recorded history. Sparsely populated, the Atacama Desert has several hotels to choose from that cater to tourists who come to explore the land.</p> <h4>4. The closest place to outer space: Mount Chimborazo</h4> <p>Most humans will never visit outer space, so our two best options for doing so are taking a virtual tour of the International Space Station or going to Mount Chimborazo. An inactive volcano that last erupted in approximately 550 CE, Mount Chimborazo stands at over 6096 metres high. While Mount Everest is over 8839 metres tall, due to the position of the mountain on the earth’s surface the peak of Mount Chimborazo is the furthest spot from the centre of the earth. That also means that standing on it will put you closest to outer space than man can ever reach on foot. Its peak is completely covered by glaciers, but this mountain has several routes for climbers.</p> <p><strong>5. The hottest place on Earth: Lut Desert, Iran</strong></p> <p>Here, temperatures soar as high as 70 degrees Celsius, so it’s important to have a game plan for staying cool and avoiding heat stroke. According to a local legend, the name Dasht-e Lut means ‘toasted wheat’ in Persian, referencing a story about a load of wheat that burst into flames after being accidentally left out in the desert for a few days. Though tourists visit this desert land, it’s a destination only for those willing to take on the challenge of surviving the heat and the unbearably dry climate.</p> <p><strong>6. The most isolated place on Earth: Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom</strong></p> <p>Looking for a getaway from the everyday? Forget these popular island getaways; this is about as far away from it as you can get. Though formally part of the British Overseas Territory, Tristan da Cunha is over 2816 kilometres away from the nearest land in Africa. Discovered by Portuguese explorer Tristão da Cunha in 1506, the island is home to fewer than 300 inhabitants and has no airport; Tristan da Cunha is accessible only by sea.</p> <p><strong>7. The coldest continent on Earth: Antarctica</strong></p> <p>With a population estimated at somewhere between 1000 and 4000 people, the world’s fifth largest continent is a land of extremes, the coldest and driest continent on the planet. Travellers can only reach it by ice-strengthened vessels made for toughing the rough seas. Though known for its breath-taking scenery, visitors who trek through the wilderness must be well-prepared or accompanied by a tour operator who knows the area well.</p> <p><strong>8. The wettest place on Earth: Mawsynram, India</strong></p> <p>This Indian town receives an average of 11 metres of rainfall every year. In 1985, the Guinness Book of World Records dubbed it the Wettest Place on Earth after it saw 25 metres of rain in a single year. Plagued by a subtropical climate and monsoons, Mawsynram is both a difficult place to live and an interesting trip for tourists.</p> <p><strong>9. The tallest waterfall in the world: Angel Falls, Venezuela</strong></p> <p>Although Angel Falls is located in an isolated jungle region and is not reached all that easily, it remains one of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions, and the pictures make it easy to see why. The falls are approximately 979 metres high and includes a 807 metre plunge and a 402 metres of sloped cascades and rapids.</p> <p><strong>10. The most treacherous waters on Earth: Gansbaai, South Africa</strong></p> <p>Since 1995, cage diving with Great White sharks has been a major tourist attraction in Gansbaai, South Africa. With one of the densest populations of these beasts in the world, Gansbaai is the top destination for an up-close view of the deadly creatures. If you want to play it safe and steer clear of the Great Whites, whale watching is also common in Gansbaai, from the sandy white shores of Pearly Beach.</p> <p>This article originally appeared on<a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/the-10-most-extreme-travel-adventures-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Reader's Digest</a>.</p> <div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444;"> </div> <div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444;"> </div> <div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444;"> </div> <div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444;"> </div> <div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444;"> </div> <div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444;"> </div> <div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444;"> </div>

Travel Tips

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Sophie Delezio celebrates huge milestone ahead of new adventure

<p dir="ltr">Sophie Delezio has celebrated her 21st birthday - but reaching the milestone will just be one big moment in a year that’s jam-packed with them for Sophie.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sophie - who suffered severe injuries from two horrific car accidents in the 2000s - spoke to <em>Woman’s Day</em> about the momentous day and what else she has planned this year.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-928b2d73-7fff-dd6b-0a8a-1204db749cf7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Turning 21 does feel huge,” she told the publication. “I had no idea where I was going to be [at this age], mainly because of my journey.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/sophie-delezio1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’ve tried to not have too many expectations and just live in the moment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve got a lot ahead this year and I’m excited to get things started.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Sophie celebrated with her nearest and dearest last month at her parent’s home on Sydney’s North Shore. Along with delicious food, they played prosecco pong - a “classy version of beer pong!” - and sang show tunes.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-57d9cf66-7fff-031d-08e7-d0e8e3721489">It was an emotional day for Sophie’s family, but she found the festivities marked a farewell to her old life and the start of her new one, kicking off with a seven-month trip hopping from country to country with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/he-s-so-good-for-me-sophie-delezio-has-found-love" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her boyfriend</a>, Joseph Salerno.</span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CatssL6LnfR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CatssL6LnfR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sophie Delezio (@soph.delezio)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“We’re so excited!” Sophie enthused. “We’re going to Canada, Alaska, New York, then over to Europe, back to the US and then ending in Japan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“People think we’re a little crazy for doing it now [due to COVID-19] but you’ve got to do it at one point, and you can’t stay inside forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair’s global itinerary includes seeing “a lot” of musicals - including Sophie’s favourite, Hamilton, for the 15th time - as well as catching Motley Crue, Joseph’s favourite band,  live in San Francisco.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sophie said she was particularly excited to celebrate her birthday for a second time in London - and Joseph has planned to make it a special day for her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve planned a nice little breakfast for us at a place called The Ivy,” Joseph, who works as a chef, told <em>Woman’s Day</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And then we’re off to high tea, and then to a gallery that’s showcasing the artist who did all the illustrations for the <em>Harry Potter</em> books, then a few bars, and then we’ll head to a cool restaurant called Sketch.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4fd68f79-7fff-3748-0cc6-972d8461314e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I [would be] happy with a picnic in the park, but he’s gone above and beyond. We’re going to have a special day,” Sophie added.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/sophie-delezio2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr">But their global tour isn’t the only thing in store for the couple this year, who plan to move in with each other when they return to Australia at the end of the year.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve got a home in Sydney we’ve bought off the plan, and it’ll just be us two,” Sophie said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a big step but I think if we can get through seven months abroad, then we’ll be OK living together.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s nice having something to look forward to when we get back home from travelling.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Having entered a new decade of her life, Sophie said she will be using it to reset, figure out her priorities and the future of her career.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m just excited for it all,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">To see more photos and read more of Sophie’s exclusive interview with <em>Woman’s Day</em>, head <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/sophie-delezio-21-birthday-71635" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a976eac0-7fff-5a6d-7826-359f0c37d71d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Woman’s Day</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Dreaming of an overseas adventure

<p><em>Reliving the magic of a summer sailing expedition in Greece, Justine Tyerman looks back on her last big voyage before the world changed forever and wonders – did that truly happen?</em></p> <p>The idea was born over a glass of wine... as the best plans often are.</p> <p>‘Why don’t you meet us in Greece this summer and we’ll take you sailing on Birgitta?’ asked Murray and Lyn.</p> <p>‘Are you serious?’ Chris and I chorused in unison, trying not to sound too ridiculously enthusiastic.</p> <p>Coincidentally, we were planning a trip to Europe over the northern summer so my brain went into overdrive. We could actually do this. We could rendezvous at a port somewhere, eat fabulous Greek food, drink ouzo and go for a little sail in a sheltered bay, and maybe even stay the night on the yacht.</p> <p>Chris, on the other hand, had more grandiose ideas of sailing on the high seas, conveniently forgetting his history of severe seasickness and my terror of sailing. So, ever the sensible one, I tempered my husband’s enthusiasm before things got way out of hand. ‘Just a couple of minor problems. Chris gets seasick and I get scared. So we’d better stick with lunch on board and a sedate sail around the calm waters of a sheltered bay.’</p> <p>Murray and Lyn just nodded and smiled.</p> <p><strong>September 5</strong></p> <p><strong><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846322/4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/de7d9aed021440b990170fe17f0914bf" /></strong></p> <p><em>Sunset on our first evening anchored off Paros.</em></p> <p>I felt quite emotional when, six months later, Birgitta sailed into the bay of Naussau on the island of Paros. We were standing on the dock looking out to sea and spotted the tall mast of the yacht with two figures onboard. Murray and Lyn had sailed big seas all the way from Turkey and here they were, our good friends from Gizzy, coming into port to pick us up, just as we’d planned long ago.</p> <p>We boarded in a high state of excitement, stowed our far-too-bulky luggage in the vacant bunk room and had a grand tour of Birgitta. The Swedish-built, 55-foot, six-berth Hallberg-Rassy was absolutely magnificent, far more luxurious and spacious than anticipated. Teak deck, gleaming stainless steel riggings, polished mahogany cabinetry in the lounge, and a fabulously well-equipped galley. The salubrious master cabin had a king size bed and roomy ensuite bathroom while the super-comfortable guest cabin had a V-berth bed, great storage and a bathroom shared with the bunk room.</p> <p>Murray’s thorough safety briefing gave me confidence that this was a vessel where no shortcuts had been taken. There were backups for every essential piece of equipment and in some cases, backups for the backups. For example, there were six fire extinguishers where two would have been sufficient and a special dry-powder system for the engine room because, as Murray emphasised, fire is one of the greatest concerns at sea. He also explained about how the weight of Birgitta’s keel would self-right the yacht if it leaned too far in either direction. Safety was clearly the number one priority on this ship.</p> <p>After collecting some essential food items in Naussau we motored out of the crowded port and anchored in a nearby bay for lunch. Greek salad and lasagne never tasted so good. The tomatoes and sweet red onions exploded with an intensity of flavour I’d never experienced before. And the same applied to the fruit. Peaches, nectarines, melons and grapes bursting with sweetness and juice.</p> <p>The day drifted by like a reverie. Swimming off the back of the yacht in the tepid, crystal clear, aqua-turquoise Aegean and relaxing on the deck with a good book was sublime. Life on board Birgitta was sweet indeed. I could see how days would easily melt into weeks and months . . . even years. Calm seas, blue skies, endless sunshine, the backdrop of the arid, rocky Cyclades with their characteristic blue and white chapels, tasty food and wine, the company of good friends.</p> <p>Late afternoon, Murray stoked up the portable barbeque on the back of the yacht and we dined on Greek lamb garnished with mountain thyme and other local herbs, accompanied by a fresh Mediterranean salad.</p> <p>The evening was the stuff of dreams. The light in the Greek Islands was soft, gentle and luminous. The ice-cold, local rosé plucked from the freezer and sipped at sunset added a rosy hue to an already euphoric experience. The conversation was nothing short of scintillating.</p> <p><strong>September 6</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846358/6b-murray-at-helm-brigitta-the-island-of-serifos-with-its-clusters-of-white-houses.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a7cc0f23d4674a07ba5dfa647a505c7d" /></p> <p><em>Left: Murray at the helm of Birgitta. Right: The island of Serifos with its clusters of white houses.</em></p> <p>Next morning, I expected we’d sidle around the bay and then Murray and Lyn would drop us off at the jetty and set sail for their next destination. However they had other ideas.</p> <p>‘Sail with us to Serifos,’ Murray said. ‘You can disembark there if you want to.’<br />The look of excitement on Chris’s face was priceless. Even more so than the prospect of a round of golf.<br />‘What about your seasickness?’ I asked my husband.<br />‘All sorted,’ he replied flashing a big grin and a packet of pills at me. ‘I’ve discovered a magic drug,’ he said.<br />‘Wonderful,’ I replied wishing there were a potion I could take to stave off my fear.</p> <p>I’ll never forget the moment the big diesel engine was cut, the sails unfurled and Birgitta began to lean into the wind. The sea beyond the sheltered necklace of the bay was anything but calm and Birgitta adopted an angle that made me instinctively adopt my counterbalancing routine. Even when an aeroplane banks after take-off, I automatically lean in the opposite direction as if to hold the aircraft steady. So too on the yacht. I sat on the high side, leaning back with my feet braced against the lower seat, hanging on for dear life.</p> <p>The first few times the bow dived into the trough of a wave and the sea water washed over the canopy of the cockpit, my heart skipped a beat and my knuckles turned white from clutching my handholds. My facial expression must have been a dead giveaway. Lyn began to distract me with ‘grandma chat’. She has eight grandchildren and we were awaiting our first so the topic was well-chosen and offered endless absorbing discussions from baby-wear to birthday cakes.</p> <p>But after an hour of witnessing Murray’s expert helmsmanship, feeling the solid strength of Birgitta and observing the way she self-corrected when the angle was too extreme, I began to relax and enjoy the experience.</p> <p>The teamwork between Murray and Lyn was most impressive. There were incredibly in sync with each other. No raised voices or shouting of orders. They seemed to communicate by telepathy... and hand signals.</p> <p>Chris was in his element, listening intently as Murray instructed him in the art of sailing, and beaming from ear-to-ear as he took control of the wheel for short stints.</p> <p>After about four hours of weaving our way across the seas, the rush of the water on the hull and the wind in the rigging the only sounds, we sailed into the satin waters of Serifos, a small island with clusters of white houses on a hilltop.</p> <p>We dropped anchor in an idyllic bay and began the daily routine of washing the salt water off the deck and windows, and furling the ropes... although they were not called ropes in nautical vernacular, as Murray went to great pains to explain.</p> <p>“The only rope on a boat is the one attached to the ship’s bell,” he said.</p> <p>“All other lines have special names like sheets, halyards and mains derived from the long-past era of sailing ships.”</p> <p>There’s one called the ‘lazy line’... because it’s always slack!</p> <p>Refreshed after a swim in the sea and an outside shower as the sun slid towards the horizon and set in an eye-popping display of amber and gold turning to crimson and mauve, I felt extraordinarily exhilarated and happy beyond belief. I also felt a sense of achievement that I had coped OK with my first open-sea sailing episode and had not disgraced myself too much. There was a glimmering of hope that maybe I could be a sailor after all.</p> <p>Later in the evening, we rowed ashore in the dinghy and caught a local bus up the narrow winding road to Marathoriza, a restaurant at the top of Serifos. One of the great treats of travelling with Murray and Lyn was their local knowledge. Over the past 10 years, they had discovered many hidden gems and this was one of them. The wine was not great but the cuisine was excellent.</p> <p>Walking back down the back streets we came upon two fine-looking Greek men outside a café. We struck up a conversation with them and when they discovered we were Kiwis, they immediately launched into a spirited haka. They were so enthusiastic, I had tears of laughter streaming down my cheeks.</p> <p>We passed by a bakery selling massive loaves of bread for a festival in honour of one of the island’s beloved saints. A bunch of exuberant young people on motorcycles were heading to a bay just around the corner for the festivities. They invited us to join them. ‘Visitors are very welcome — come with us!’ they said. Looking back, I wish we had. Next time perhaps.</p> <p><strong>September 7</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846361/20-laundry-delicious-greek-salad-foinikas-bay-island-of-syros.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/73be626b59b74cc8b9c296adbc71c6a9" /></p> <p><em>Left: I had enormous fun doing the laundry and pegging everything out to dry. Right: A delicious Greek salad, one of many we enjoyed on the yacht.</em></p> <p>At daybreak next morning, while Chris and I were still in the land of nod, our ever-alert captain launched the dinghy and rowed across to a neighbouring yacht to alert the sleeping occupants that their floating home was about to become a ‘permanent landmark’ in the bay.</p> <p>The weather overnight had deteriorated.</p> <p>‘The persistent wind from the north — known locally as the ‘Meltimi’ — is building to full force as it regularly does at this time of year,’ Murray explained.</p> <p>‘It’s a wind not to be underestimated, and I can see why the yacht beside us moved overnight, dragging its anchor.’ </p> <p>I got the impression Murray always slept with one eye open while onboard Birgitta.</p> <p>After breakfast, we went ashore by dinghy for morning coffee and delectable pastries at a lovely little café on Livadakia Beach — after which I thought we’d disembark.</p> <p>‘You may as well stay another night and sail with us to Syros tomorrow. You can get off there if you want to,’ said Murray as we munched our way through another round of pastries.</p> <p>A quick glance at Chris’s animated face confirmed he was dead keen to sail to Syros. Needless to say, we did not disembark. We were well-and-truly hooked!</p> <p>Back on Birgitta, Murray and Chris donned snorkels and flippers to swim along the anchor-line to make sure we were well-secured. There was no hurry to move on so Lyn and I did domestic jobs like washing and cleaning which I found absurdly pleasurable. The yacht had an efficient washing machine and no shortage of line-space on the riggings. I had enormous fun pegging everything out to dry. By the time the next load was ready, the previous load had already dried in the warm breeze. I can’t explain why it made me so happy to do this simple task.</p> <p>We whiled away the afternoon swimming and playing a board game Murray and Lyn had picked up in Turkey. It was mentally very challenging indeed.</p> <p>Lyn’s prowess in the kitchen is legendary. Dinner that night was exceptional, one of a collection of delicious one-pan dishes that were easy to prepare, even when Birgitta was tossing around in choppy conditions. Pork chops slow-cooked with granny smith apples, onions, potatoes, baby courgettes and prunes.</p> <p>Despite my best intentions, my services as a sous chef were abysmal. I was unable to go below decks while we were under sail. After 10 years’ sailing, Lyn, handled the galley in rough seas like the seasoned campaigner that she was. I marvelled at the gourmet dinners she was able to create, seemingly effortlessly. The limit of my culinary endeavours was to throw basic salads together . . . but even that was fun because of the hugely flavoursome fresh ingredients available at the local shops and markets.</p> <p><strong>September 8</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846362/19-chris-helm-lyn-and-murray-during-our-long-lunch-at-foinikas-bay-on-the-island-of-syros.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ca1aa28a274c4995b25b37d1f96e5c10" /></p> <p><em>Left: Chris takes the helm. Right: Lyn and Murray during our long lunch at Foinikas Bay on the island of Syros.</em></p> <p>After our customary breakfast of fresh fruit, muesli, Greek yoghurt and local honey outside on the deck on another glorious Aegean morning, we set sail for Syros, about 30 nautical miles away.</p> <p>We’d packed a picnic lunch in a chilly bin early in the day in case of rough seas... and rough they were. Chris relished the exhilaration of taking the helm and reading the oncoming waves. His concentration was intense as he followed Murray’s instructions and kept a close eye on the ‘wind instruments’. We were sailing hard on the wind and our captain was adamant that with concentration, we could make our destination with a minimum of needless tacks. </p> <p>When Lyn was not busy on the ropes, there was lots more ‘grandma chat’ that day. It worked a treat... I coped just fine thanks to my full confidence in our captain and his first mate, and the superior strength and stability of Birgitta. Released from fear, my senses were free to absorb the thrill of sailing and the joy of relying entirely on the power of the wind to propel us across the vast ocean. I marvelled at the responsiveness of the yacht to the slightest adjustments in direction, the tautness of the sails, the glint of the sun on the tall mast and the bow carving effortlessly through the foamy waves. Watching the radiant expression on Murray’s face as he navigated and guided Birgitta to our destination, I began to comprehend the allure, the magnetism, the compulsion to return to this life, year-after-year. </p> <p>Nevertheless, I was relieved to sail into pretty Foinikas Bay on the island of Syros by early-afternoon. We rowed ashore to a beautiful seaside restaurant where the concept of a leisurely, long lunch took on a whole new meaning — a fabulous Greek salad with a huge slab of feta on the top, tiny sardine-like fish, shrimps, fresh bread, beer, rosé and ouzo. I’ll always remember that lunch and the friendly local restaurateur who served us.</p> <p>You guessed it, we didn’t disembark at Syros that day... but little did I realise what lay ahead.</p> <p>Before reboarding Birgitta, Murray circled his pride and joy several times in the dinghy so we could fully appreciate her elegant Scandinavian profile and design. What a beauty!</p> <p>After such a substantial lunch, we ate lightly that evening, enjoying the balmy temperatures and another breath-taking Aegean sunset.</p> <p><strong>September 9</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846363/31b-once-in-calm-waters.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a28bc09fff0245da826ceb74003b3ae1" /></p> <p><em>Left: There were moments on our passage to Kythnos when I secretly wished I had disembarked on Syros and was standing safely on terra firma. Right: Once in calm waters off the island of Kythnos, Chris and Lyn winched Murray up the mast to repair the damage. </em></p> <p>Next morning after breakfast, we rowed ashore with the intention of hiking to the top of the island but the heat and steepness of the terrain defeated us. We still managed to get high enough to gain a magnificent view of the barren, hilly island and sparkling sea surrounding it.</p> <p>The island of Kythnos was our destination for the day and as soon as we sailed clear of the sheltered bay, I knew this would be a real test of my ability to remain calm.</p> <p>There were moments on our passage to Kythnos when I secretly wished I had disembarked on Syros and was standing safely on terra firma. The Meltimi winds were strong and the seas were heaving. The waves seemed enormous as they loomed ahead of us but Murray skillfully weaved his way between them as if skiing a slalom course. The teamwork between helmsman and first mate was outstanding. My respect and admiration for them zoomed to an even higher level.</p> <p>Murray handed over to Chris in some seriously-challenging conditions, and continued his patient tuition despite the occasional drenching when his disciple misjudged the swell and troughs. At times like this I focussed firmly on the horizon, my eyes straining to decipher the hazy outline of our next island haven.</p> <p>Mid-afternoon, when Birgitta was heeling hard against the stiff wind, her sails under maximum pressure, there was a sudden jolt followed by an alarming flapping of the head sail. The snap shackle that keeps the sail aloft had failed allowing the sail to fall to the deck. Murray immediately pointed the yacht up into the wind but with our forward motion gone, it felt like we were floundering in the swell.</p> <p>In typical understated fashion Murray calmly said: ‘We might have a small problem here. I’ll need a life jacket please Lyn.’</p> <p>Murray donned the life jacket and went forward to retrieve and secure the sail. There was no panic or raised voices so I soon realised the situation was well under control and we were not about to abandon ship as my vivid imagination had concluded.</p> <p>I didn’t like the feeling of the yacht wallowing and rolling side-on to the waves so I grabbed a life jacket too and threw one to Chris.</p> <p>Lyn started the engine while Murray dealt with the detached sail and hoisted another sail. We were soon under way again, engine off, heading for a bay on the far side of Kythnos to anchor overnight and do some repairs.</p> <p>Once in calm waters, Chris and Lyn winched Murray up the mast to repair the damage.</p> <p>‘What it is to have a versatile Kiwi skipper who’s grown up on a farm and can fix anything,’ I thought as I watched Murray swinging across the spreaders near the top of the mast.</p> <p>The evening in the sheltered bay of Kolona on the western side of Kythnos was utterly sublime, well worth riding out the rough seas. I’m seldom able to live entirely in the moment but on this occasion, I experienced a state of 100 percent happiness.</p> <p>The walking tracks around the bay looked tempting but we were contented to just relax and chat after a challenging day at sea.</p> <p>I looked forward to our conversations in the evenings. They were always so stimulating and far from trivial, ranging from history and economics to philosophy and politics. We solved many of the world’s woes over a glass of wine at sunset.</p> <p>Lyn created another culinary masterpiece — a chicken dish with eggplant, tomato, onion, courgettes and feta served with fresh ciabatta and a salad of capers, gorgonzola, pear, baby lettuce and rocket... and rosé.</p> <p><strong>September 10</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846328/46.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1e59b861485a4782be4b40654485cae0" /></p> <p><em>Above: The exceptionally picturesque port of Hydra.</em></p> <p>We had an early start next day for the long sail to Hydra. After coffee on board at sunrise, we weighed anchor and hoisted the sails. I’d grown accustomed to the yacht heeling as the wind filled the sails and I no longer felt at all alarmed. The conditions were so calm that day, even I took the helm for a while. However, Captain Murray had to contend with hazards of a different type en route to Hydra. We were crossing a busy shipping lane with large ferries, naval vessels and container ships in all directions so he was busy on the radio most of the day, carefully plotting our course to stay well clear of these huge leviathans.</p> <p>Murray and Lyn are not big fans of the crowded, touristy port of Hydra so we anchored in a secluded bay called Mandraki just around the corner. To secure the yacht so close to the shore, Lyn dived over board with ropes and strops which she attached to rocks some distance from each other.</p> <p>Murray then rowed us ashore to a little jetty where we climbed steep steps to join the coastal pathway to Hydra.</p> <p>The first impression of Hydra was the strong Venetian influence in the architecture with its pastel colours and tiled rooves, so different from the all-white buildings of the Cyclades. The little port was teeming with tourists dining at cafes, strolling along the waterfront and shopping at the boutiques that lined the horseshoe-shaped bay. We could see why Murray wanted to anchor at Mandraki. The yachts were jammed together so tightly in the harbour, it would be a nightmare to disentangle anchors, especially in a storm. As we walked around the waterfront, a massive private launch muscled its way into port, scattering small vessels in its wake.</p> <p>Hydra’s famous donkeys were lined up to take luggage to various hotels in the car-free village. It’s an exceptionally picturesque port, especially with the late afternoon sun casting a pale apricot light on the dwellings. But we were relieved to be able to escape the crowds and go back ‘home’ to Birgitta for another of Lyn’s memorable dinners, pork and oregano meatballs... with a Greek salad of course.</p> <p><strong>September 11</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846329/53.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/df1f29bd156644789a2768f7ab06bd43" /></p> <p><em>Above: Justine and Chris relaxing en route to Ermioni.</em></p> <p>Chris dived overboard and saved Lyn the task of retrieving the ropes next morning, and soon we were sailing the gorgeous coastline of Hydra bound for Ermione on the Peloponnese Peninsula. I was mesmerised by the landscape with its stone windmills, ruins of fortresses and the remains of rock walls trailing up steep hillsides. We passed a tiny white chapel perched on a rocky islet.</p> <p>The sea was so calm we motored some of the way and for the first time, I lay on the deck and read and dozed. I picked up a brilliant book called Shooting Stars and Flying Fish written by Nancy Knudsen about her sailing adventures with husband Ted. The couple found it impossible to settle back into their former corporate lives after five years sailing the world’s great oceans. Knudsen’s beautifully-written story affected me so deeply, I’m keen to read the sequel one day.</p> <p>Knowing our trip was nearing an end, when the wind came up, I lay on my back, gazing up at the tall, graceful, white sails; listening to the sound of the water whooshing against the hull; feeling the undulating motion of the yacht; trying to commit all the sights and sounds and sensations to memory.</p> <p>Ermioni is Murray and Lyn’s base where they stay before and after their sailing expeditions. It’s close to Kalada where Birgitta is parked up in dry dock over the winter. So they are very familiar with the town. We walked through a waterfront park for drinks and nibbles at a fancy restaurant, wandered around the marina packed with yachts bucking against their moorings, and stopped for the most delicious icecreams I’ve ever tasted. We’d eaten so well all day, we didn’t bother with a big dinner that night.</p> <p><strong>September 12</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846364/70-lyn-and-murrays-warmth-generosity-humour-positivity-and-kindness-touched-our-hearts.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/64d4e077609c46ec99f3cf22c9f2944b" /></p> <p><em>Left: The moon rising over a calm sea near Portocheli. Right: Lyn and Murray on our last night together. Their warmth, generosity, humour, positivity and kindness touched our hearts.</em></p> <p>The dazzling red sunrise next morning may have been a portent of the storm that Murray said was brewing. He was keen to get to a safe anchorage at Portocheli before it struck in a couple of days’ time. We went ashore to stock up at the waterfront market which not only sold a splendid array of mouth-watering fresh fruit, vegetables and fish but also clothing. I bought a pair of light slip-ons for 5 euro which became my favourite summer shoes. Chris’s big purchase was a couple of ‘genuine’ Ralph Lauren polo shirts. It was hard to prise Chris away from the produce. He was in heaven.</p> <p>We cruised around the coast in calm conditions and moored at Argolis, a delightful little bay with an abandoned resort right on the waterfront. The complex was the topic of much discussion over lunch as we debated what should be done with the empty buildings overlooking such a perfect, pristine bay.</p> <p>The water was deliciously warm as we swam off the back of the yacht. I used one of the fenders as a buoyancy aid so I could float around effortlessly for ages.  </p> <p>A small uninhabited bay just outside Portocheli was our idyllic location for sunset champagne and dinner on our last dinner together. It was a magical, romantic evening, bathed in the warm, golden glow of the fading sun, a memory I often return to on grey winter days in New Zealand. We reminisced about the many highlights of our voyage on Birgitta and laughed at how many times we failed to get off at the next port. Next day, however, there was no choice but to disembark. Onward flights awaited us — Chris was returning to New Zealand and I was heading for a travel writing assignment in Switzerland.</p> <p>Later in the evening, we sailed into Portocheli’s ‘keyhole’ bay where Birgitta would shelter from the storm. </p> <p><strong>September 13</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846365/80-tears-dribbled-down-my-cheeks-as-we-pulled-away-from-birgitta.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4bdea230492546eea78cd07c38dee74b" /></p> <p><em>Left: Captain Murray presents us with the blue and white Greek flag that we had sailed under for the past nine days. Right: Tears dribbled down my cheeks as we pulled away from Birgitta.</em></p> <p>Prior to disembarking, Murray and Lyn conducted a little ceremony on the deck, presenting us with the blue and white Greek flag that we had sailed under for the past nine days. Dear Lyn also insisted I keep the panama hat she’d lent me from her large collection of Birgitta head wear.</p> <p>The wind was strengthening as we piled our luggage into the dinghy, ready for the rough ride to the jetty. A gust snatched off my precious panama but Chris heroically managed to pluck it from the choppy waves just before it sank. There was no way I was going to lose that coveted hat. Tears dribbled down my cheeks as we pulled away from Birgitta. I wasn’t ready to resume my landlubber-life.</p> <p>We hugged our friends farewell and boarded the ferry to Piraeus. As the huge catamaran thundered out of Portocheli, I could see Birgitta’s tall mast swaying in the wind like a metronome.</p> <p>Beyond the shelter of the port, the storm had whipped the seas into an angry squall. For the next few hours, the ship bashed its way through enormous waves but it didn’t concern me in the least. I was amazed at how seasoned a sailor I had become in such a short time. As for Chris, he was so relaxed he slept most of the way.</p> <p>I occupied myself the way I always do when I have time on my hands. I began writing about our Birgitta experiences, a life-changing adventure for us in so many ways.</p> <p>The voyage not only enabled us to visit beautiful, remote places that were inaccessible without a boat, but it took us both to another dimension. We overcame fears that have held us back for years — Chris’s seasickness and my terror of sailing. And Chris learned valuable new skills as a helmsman. No doubt Murray and Lyn have seen this transformation countless times before but I never would have believed it possible.</p> <p>Our friends’ warmth, generosity, humour, positivity and kindness touched our hearts. The experience also helped us understand the extraordinary life they lead when they disappear from Gisborne for six months every year. To us back home, it always seems like an eternity, but I can now see how the passage of time becomes irrelevant, something fluid not measured by dates but by the rising and setting of the sun.</p> <p>Our one day on Birgitta stretched into nine days, long enough to glimpse a deeply-fulfilling, simple way of life away from the pressures of the modern world. It all seems like a dream to me now... but our photos assure me that it really did happen. If they were of the old-school, printed variety, they would be very tatty round the edges.</p>

International Travel

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10 cooking tricks that are only taught in culinary schools

<p><strong>How to get the perfect steak</strong></p> <p><span>If you’re one of the many people who takes a piece of meat out of the refrigerator or freezer and throws it directly on the barbecue, it’s time to learn the error of your ways. For the best-tasting steak, you’re much better off taking it out of the cold and letting it sit for an hour or two before bringing the heat. If you start cooking the steak when it’s already at room temperature, it will cook much more evenly. Yes, it’ll take longer, but the difference is worth it!</span></p> <p><strong>How to get delicious juicy meat</strong></p> <p><span>How are restaurant chefs able to get their chicken and pork chops to have that perfect delicious amount of juiciness? The answer is (fairly) simple: they brine it. Nope, brining’s not just for turkeys! Soaking the meat in cold salt water infuses it with rich flavour and a juicy texture even before you cook it. Brining also helps keep your chicken or pork from drying out and provides a safeguard against overcooking.</span></p> <p><strong>Don't be scared of salt</strong></p> <p>C<span>ulinary students learn pretty quickly not to be stingy with the salt. “For the first several months of school, I kept getting docked for serving under-seasoned food,” Culinary Institute of America graduate Jesse Szewczyk told BuzzFeed. If your food tastes bland, there’s a good chance it just needs more salt. If you’re hesitant to ramp up your salt addition, use this trick to avoid over-salting: garnish your creation with salt continuously as you cook, rather than salting it heavily at the beginning and/or the end. Sprinkle the salt from up high so that it will be evenly distributed throughout your dish.</span></p> <p><strong>Sugar makes a great seasoning</strong></p> <p><span>It’s not just for baked goods anymore. If you add a pinch (or three) of sugar to a recipe that uses tomatoes, you’ll notice a delicious difference. The sugar counteracts the natural sour taste of the tomatoes to create a rich, pleasant flavour. Szewczyk even noticed that adding a bit of sugar to a dish he was making with slightly out-of-season tomatoes made it “taste like it was made with perfectly ripe ones.”</span></p> <p><strong>How to produce a perfectly-shaped burger patty</strong></p> <p><span>This super-simple tip will help you step up your hamburger game – and it takes less than ten seconds. First, toss the patty down hard on your cutting board to force out the air bubbles. Then, press an indent into the center of the patty. These two simple actions prevent the patty from puffing up in the middle and create a nice, even burger. They also keep the burger from bubbling while you cook it.</span></p> <p><strong>How to prepare a clear broth</strong></p> <p><span>The trick to making the clearest – and tastiest – chicken broth involves lots of chicken and lots of patience. Take your chicken meat – and bones, if you’re using them – and cook them in a small amount of water (just enough to cover them) for at least three hours. Cook on a low heat, and make sure to skim off any suds that float to the top. This will make the stock clearer and tastier. Don’t add your vegetables right away, wait to add them after about an hour and a half to two hours. For the clearest broth possible, strain the liquid through cheesecloth.</span></p> <p><strong>A little olive oil goes a long way</strong></p> <p><span>What do pasta dishes, pizzas, fish dishes and meat dishes all have in common? Well, aside from being super delicious, they can all be enhanced with a dollop of olive oil. Many professional chefs, including culinary instructor Sydney Willcox, top off nearly all of their dishes with a sprinkling of this liquid gold. Make sure you’re using a good quality extra virgin olive oil, which will add a flavourful kick and “make for a silky finish,” Willcox promised StyleCaster.</span></p> <p><strong>How to cook a perfectly crusted fish</strong></p> <p><span>One word: heat. You can’t produce a perfectly seared piece of fish without a piping hot pan. “If you are looking for a sear, you need to bring on high levels of heat,” says Willcox. Willcox also warns against overcrowding the pan while searing; that could seriously diminish the heat and prevent your fish from developing that succulent brown crust. Keeping the pan nice and hot also prevents bits of the fish from sticking to the pan when you flip it over; when cold, the proteins in the fish are more likely to adhere to the metal.</span></p> <p><strong>The only reason to use non-stick pans</strong></p> <p><span>They sound good in theory, but non-stick pans really aren’t going to produce the best dishes. If you’re cooking anything that you want to develop some kind of crust – think meat or fish – avoid using your non-stick pan. “It’s a different kind of heat, with non-stick pans,” chef Amanda Cohen told BuzzFeed. “It’s not quite as hot, it doesn’t get things as crispy since it’s really protecting things from the heat underneath.” The non-stick coating acts as a barrier between the heat and your food, which can prevent it from developing that rich, crispy texture. Don’t toss your non-stick pan altogether, though – it’s still great for eggs, pancakes and French toast.</span></p> <p><strong>How to cook the tastiest pasta</strong></p> <p><span>Want restaurant-quality, flavourful pasta no matter what sauce you’re tossing it in? Before your pasta is fully cooked, transfer it into the sauce for the last few minutes of cooking. Doing this will help the pasta absorb the flavour and help the sauce cling to them better. If the sauce comes out too thick, add a little bit of the leftover pasta water until it reaches the texture you want.</span></p> <p><em>Written by <span>Meghan Jones</span>. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/kitchen-tips/10-cooking-tricks-that-are-only-taught-in-culinary-schools" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. Find more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="https://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA93V" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Post or it didn’t happen: Live tourist snaps have turned solo adventures into social occasions

<p>In the years since <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32336808">selfie sticks</a> went global, it has become clear that the mobile phone has changed the way we travel. The ubiquity of social media means tourists can now produce content on the move for their networked audiences to view in close to real time.</p> <p>Where once we shared slideshows post trip and saved prints and postcards as keepsakes, we now share <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160738315000419">holiday images</a> and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1220969">selfies</a> from the road, sea or air — expanding the “<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/026327692009003001">tourist gaze</a>” from the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160738315300335">traveller</a> to include remote audiences back home.</p> <p><strong>Instagram-worthy</strong></p> <p>Travelling has gone from a solitary quest to a “<a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9780203861301/chapters/10.4324/9780203861301-21">social occasion</a>”. As such, gazing is becoming inseparably linked with photography. Taking photos has become habitual, rendering the camera as a way of seeing and experiencing new places.</p> <p>Travellers take selfies that present both locations and people in aesthetically pleasing and positive <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9780203861301/chapters/10.4324/9780203861301-21">ways</a>.</p> <p>Indeed, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/17/instagrammers-travel-sri-lanka-tourists-peachy-backsides-social-media-obsessed">“instagrammability”</a> of a destination is a key motivation for younger people to travel there - even if filters and <a href="https://twitter.com/polina_marinova/status/1146620000679022593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1146620000679022593&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel.nine.com.au%2Flatest%2Fbali-gates-of-heaven-attraction-fake-twitter-response%2F9014aa28-f31e-4ad7-912f-6749efc18b26">mirrors</a> have been used to create a less than realistic image.</p> <p>This transforms the relationship between travellers and their social networks in three important <a href="http://sk.sagepub.com/books/the-tourist-gaze-3-0-3e">ways</a>: between tourists and destination hosts; between fellow tourists; and lastly, between tourists and those that stay home.</p> <p>The urge to share travel imagery is not without risk. An Australian couple were <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-05/australians-released-from-iran/11576776">released</a> from detention in Iran in October, following their arrest for ostensibly flying a drone without a permit.</p> <p>Other tourists earned derision for scrambling to post selfies at <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/northern-territory/influencers-reason-for-deciding-to-climb-uluru-before-the-ban/news-story/b53928ee54800a6070bc0670b1679356">Uluru</a> before it was closed to climbers.</p> <p>Meanwhile, there is a sad story behind the newly popular travelgram destination Rainbow Mountain in the Peruvian Andes. It has <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/world/americas/peru-rainbow-mountain.html">reportedly</a> only recently emerged due to climate change melting its once snowy peaks.</p> <p><strong>Testing the effects</strong></p> <p>To understand the way social media photography impacts travelling, we undertook an exploratory <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40558-019-00151-4">study</a> of overnight visitors at zoological accommodation in lavish surrounds.</p> <p>We divided 12 participants into two groups. One group was directed to abstain from posting on social media but were still able to take photos. The second group had no restrictions on sharing photos. Though the numbers were small, we gathered qualitative information about engagement and attitudes.</p> <p>Participants were invited to book at <a href="http://www.jamalawildlifelodge.com.au/">Jamala Wildlife Lodge</a> in Canberra. The visit was funded by the researchers — Jamala Wildlife Lodge did not sponsor the research and the interviewees’ stay at the Lodge was a standard visit. We then conducted interviews immediately after their departure from the zoo, critically exploring the full experience of their stay.</p> <p>The study confirmed that the desire to share travel pictures in close to real time is strongly scripted into the role of the tourist; altering the way travellers engage with sites they are visiting, but also their sense of urgency to communicate this with remote audiences.</p> <p><strong>Pics or it didn’t happen</strong></p> <p>Participants Mandy and Amy were among those instructed to refrain from posting pictures to social media while at the zoo. They described having to refrain from social media use as a disappointment, even though it seemed to further their engagement.</p> <p><em>Interviewer: Did you look at your social media throughout your stay or did you refrain?</em></p> <p><em>Mandy: A bit yeah. But even then, probably not reading it as much as I often would. I don’t think I commented on anything yeah.</em></p> <p><em>Amy: Even today when we put something up [after staying at the Zoo] about the things we’d done today and only a few people had liked it, there was that little bit of disappointment that ‘Oh more people haven’t liked my post.’ Where we didn’t have that for the previous 24 hours [because of the experiment] … because nobody knew about it.</em></p> <p>The desire for social media recognition resumed after leaving the zoo. For Michelle, posting after the experience presented new concerns:</p> <p><em>Interviewer: How did you feel about not being able to post?</em></p> <p><em>Michelle: Spanner in the works! For me personally not being able to post was a negative experience because I wanted to show people what we’re doing, when we’re doing it.</em></p> <p><em>And I also feel, like a couple of people knew we were going to the zoo, right, and knew that we couldn’t use social media. So, when I eventually post it, they’re going to go, ‘She’s been hanging on to those and now she’s posting them and that’s just a bit weird.’ Like, to post it after the event. Everyone normally posts it in real time.</em></p> <p>Later, Michelle commented that withholding content from posting to social media also diminished a part of the experience itself:</p> <p><em>I sort of feel like if we don’t share the photos it’s like a tree fell down in the forest and no one heard it, like, we’ve had this amazing experience and if I don’t share them, then no one’s going to know that we had this experience, you know, apart from us.</em></p> <p>Tips garnered from travelgrammers fill lots of online video tutorials.</p> <p><strong>Centre Stage</strong></p> <p>Digital photography and social media transform the relationship between the travelling self and its audience, as individuals have an expanded — and potentially diversified — audience.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160738315300335">Selfies in tourist contexts</a> reflect the tourist gaze back at the tourist, rather than outward.</p> <p>The perfect digital postcard now incorporates the self centrestage. As one participant suggested:</p> <p><em>Shannon: It almost feels like it’s kind of an expected behaviour when you are doing something touristy … We’ve actually had tour guides before … kind of a bit disappointed if you don’t take a photograph.</em></p> <p>The purpose of photography has <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1470357207084865">shifted</a> from a memory aid to a way of sharing experience in the moment. There is tension now between the need to capture tourist experiences for digital sharing and individual engagement in the tourist activity. Decrying the desire to use photography as a way of communicating experience will not constructively address this tension.</p> <p>To ensure tourism sustainability, and engagement with their target market, tourism providers need to explore better ways to manage travellers’ face-to-face and digital engagement.</p> <p>Digital engagements have become a defining part of travel, and organisations should be encouraged to promote online sharing of experiences — phone charging stations and photo competitions were two suggestions offered by our interviewees.</p> <p>In contrast, device-free days or activities could be another way to encourage face-to-face engagement and prompt tourists to be more considered with their online sharing.</p> <p><em>Written by Michael James Walsh, Naomi F Dale and Raechel Johns. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://theconversation.com/travelgram-live-tourist-snaps-have-turned-solo-adventures-into-social-occasions-124583"><em>The Conversation.</em></a></p>

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Go tell it to the mountain: A Switzerland adventure

<p>There aren’t many countries where you can sit in the spot where it all began. Relaxing in a small meadow on Lake Lucerne’s shores, however, I can make that claim for Switzerland. Here on this patch of grass on 1 August 1291, representatives of three small alpine valleys got together and signed a pact from which modern Switzerland emerged. August 1 is now a national holiday, and the meadow’s name, Field of Rütli, resonates through Swiss history.</p> <p>True, I don’t find much happening in Rütli these days, but it’s a fine place for a picnic and a good location to start an exploration of the Swiss heartland around Lake Lucerne, where history and scenery are equally dramatic. It’s also the spot to start my hunt for William Tell, the local lad who fought for freedom and became the world’s most famous Swiss.</p> <p>I arrive from Lucerne by steamer on an astonishingly scenic ride down its lake, embraced in mountains. My aim is to walk parts of the 36-kilometre Swiss Path, created for the 700th anniversary of Switzerland. With Swiss precision, the pathway is divided into segments representing its 26 cantons. As I walk, signs informs me when each canton joined the confederation, and gives a background to their history. It’s a lovely walk, the path sometimes talking to footbridges across streams and tunnels through cliffs. The landscape is surprisingly wild and rugged: quite the contrast to the bourgeois prettiness of downtown Lucerne.</p> <p>The following morning, a yellow postal bus deposits me back on the Swiss Path at Altdorf, a pleasant town of cobbled squares, painted houses and elaborate shop signs. A twist of bread marking a bakery directs me to a scrumptious almond croissant. Altdorf is the birthplace of William Tell, whose statue I find at the base of a medieval tower. The hero stands with his crossbow over his shoulder, his arm around his son. The monument marks the place where Tell was forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head by Gessler, an arrogant Hapsburg overlord.</p> <p>As I walk onwards, the valley narrows and the cliffs close in. Steep ups and downs challenge my lungs and knees. There’s only enough flat land to support a few villages under towering snow-capped peaks. It’s a rewarding hike to the Tell Chapel along the lake’s shore, which is painted with scenes from Tell’s life. It was from this spot that the hero supposedly leapt from a boat taking him to captivity. Tell fled into the forest and later shot Gessler dead with his crossbow, sparking Swiss independence.</p> <p>Nearby Schwyz sits high above Lake Lucerne in a wide valley of cherry orchards surrounded by snowcapped mountains. This now-quiet backwater canton gave its name and flag to Switzerland, and became famed for its mercenaries, who returned to build the impressive townhouses. The Town Hall is exuberant: cherubs hang over every window and frescoes depict historical battles.</p> <p>In contrast, the Federal Archives are kept in an ultra-modern, concrete building on the edge of town. I drop by to see the original Oath of Alliance signed at the Field of Rütli. Other proclamations mark the adherence of new cantons to Switzerland, each becoming increasingly ornate with ribbons and wax seals. Few countries in the world have such delightful birth certificates.</p> <p>Back by Lake Lucerne, I follow the road to Gersau. Improbably, this was once the world’s smallest republic, independent from 1390 to 1817. At Vitznau I enjoy modern evidence of Switzerland’s fighting spirit at Mühleflüh Artillery Fortress, decommissioned in 1998. I enjoy a scramble through underground bunkers to inspect barracks, kitchens and artillery batteries beneath fake rocks.</p> <p>From here, legs weary, I take to the rack railway up Mt Rigi, and the views become ever more expansive around each dizzying bend. Lake Lucerne shrinks to a puddle and a 200-kilometre range of jagged snow peaks emerges on the horizon. Though less glamorous than more famous viewpoints near Lucerne, such as the James Bond movie setting, Mt Pilatus, Rigi provides a landscape to make my soul sing. Even the cows seem to pause in their chewing and bell-clanking to contemplate the scenery that plunges below their flowery pastures.</p> <p>At the western end of the lake I’m back to base at Lucerne, whose old town straddles the Reuss River and looks onto the yacht-studded lake and panorama of alpine peaks. In 1332, Lucerne became the first big town to join the alliance of alpine cantons. It’s crammed with old guild houses, baroque churches and ornamental fountains. I study a cartoon-like account of its history on the painted panels that line its famous symbol – a covered wooden bridge. One shows William Tell with his crossbow at the ready. The timeline shows me something that I’ve already gathered: Switzerland has a birthplace, a proper birth certificate, and a mythical founding father, providing a story to delight me.</p> <p><em>Written by Brian Johnston. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/switzerland-adventure-go-tell-it-to-the-mountain/">MyDiscoveries.</a> </em></p>

Cruising

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Discover Arnhem Land on an exclusive wilderness adventure

<p>On an exclusive <a href="https://www.outbackspirittours.com.au/destinations/arnhem-land/">Outback Spirit adventure</a> to this remote wilderness, you’ll be granted access to a part of Australia few people ever get to see: a sacred and mystical land occupied by Aboriginal people for more than 60,000 years. As the only tour company with permission to travel right through the heart of Arnhem Land, Outback Spirit delivers an extraordinary experience that no other tour company can provide.  </p> <p>Beginning in Nhulunbuy in east Arnhem Land, <a href="https://www.outbackspirittours.com.au/destinations/arnhem-land/">Outback Spirit’s 13-day adventure</a> travels west through Ramingining, Maningrida and Gunbalanya before heading north up the Cobourg Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll stay in luxury wilderness lodges and safari camps, established in consultation with Traditional Owners and the Northern Land Council. Situated in spectacular locations, these camps and lodges have enabled a journey that will awaken new perspectives and foster a deeper understanding of this pristine, ancient landscape. A landscape in which rugged coastlines, towering escarpments, remote islands, lush rainforests, idyllic billabongs and rivers teeming with fish are only just the beginning.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see the natural wonders that await you in Arnhem Land.</p> <p><strong>The oldest surviving culture in the world</strong></p> <p>Travelling through Arnhem Land is an adventure in culture, and it is the insights from local Aboriginal guides that form one of the biggest highlights of Outback Spirit’s adventures. Traditional Owners continue their Indigenous culture and ancient ceremonies to this day, and as a guest with Outback Spirit you’re invited to experience this through activities such as a 'Welcome to Country' ceremony on the beach at Cape Wirrwawuy, where you’ll be welcomed by the land’s original custodians to begin your journey of discovery. Locals share stories of their culture, custom and ancient traditions, including a bush medicine demonstration, all of which serves to help guests understand the deep connection to country held by Indigenous Australians.</p> <p>Over two memorable days at Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris, Mount Borradaile you’ll be guided by local experts to explore some of the best-preserved rock-art galleries in the world. Artwork dating back over 50,000 years includes a six-metre rainbow serpent snaking across the sandstone roof and vivid yellow and red handprints, portraying the world of its ancient inhabitants and inspiring awe and wonder.</p> <p><strong>Astonishing natural surrounds</strong></p> <p>Arnhem Land is abundant in wildlife and offers a wealth of natural riches. Besides the famous saltwater crocs, its coastal regions are important conservation areas for dugongs (often referred to as sea cows and even mermaids), nesting turtles and migratory birds.</p> <p>On this adventure you’ll discover the vast and sacred Arafura Swamp on a wetland cruise and 4WD safari, as Indigenous guides explain why this spectacular area is so significant to them. Covering 1,300 square kilometres, the wetland supports up to 300,000 water birds. Brolgas wade on spindly legs in the shallows and flocks of magpie geese skim across the top of the water. This was the location for the acclaimed film <em>Ten Canoes</em>, and it’s every bit as captivating in real life.</p> <p>Meanwhile, anglers will be privy to the best that Australian fishing has to offer, with the Tomkinson and Liverpool rivers teeming with barramundi, longtail tuna, giant trevally and more. Access to these regions is tightly controlled, but Outback Spirit’s special permits and licences at the Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge once again afford guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here, you’ll be accompanied by expert fishing guides as you navigate pristine rivers in state-of-the-art boats.</p> <p>In one of the least inhabited spots on earth, the Cobourg Peninsula, you’ll spend three exclusive nights exploring the treasures of the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park and the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary, where dolphins, dugongs and turtles ply the turquoise waters. Barramundi and other tropical species afford an unforgettable angling experience from one of Outback Spirit’s fishing boats, while the historic Victoria Settlement at Port Essington, the multi-hued cliffs of Rainbow Beach and the palm-covered bushland surrounding Seven Spirit Bay, all offer transformative experiences that will remain with you forever.</p> <p><strong>Unique lodgings </strong></p> <p>A highlight of the tour through Arnhem Land, and exclusive to Outback Spirit passengers, is the stunning accommodations – a network of luxurious, eco-friendly wilderness lodges and safari camps. On the banks of the Arafura Swamp is Outback Spirit’s stunning Murwangi safari camp, where your deluxe safari suite offers all the welcome inclusions you could want while barely making a footprint on the pristine surrounds.</p> <p>At the Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge near Maningrida, you can have the chef expertly cook up your catch of the day, while on the Cobourg Peninsula you’ll enjoy three nights in Outback Spirit’s flagship lodge; Seven Spirit Bay. Here, you’ll be amazed at the 5-star offering in such a remote location, with accommodation consisting of stunning Habitat Villas overlooking Coral Bay. As each day draws to a close, retreat to the Wawidada Pavilion for breathtaking sunsets, beautiful sea breezes and exceptional cuisine.</p> <p><strong>Early bird sale on <em>now</em>! </strong></p> <p>Don’t wait! <a href="https://www.outbackspirittours.com.au/destinations/arnhem-land/">Book a trip to Arnhem Land with Outback Spirit before 31 December 2019 and save up to $1,400 per person twin share</a>.</p> <p><strong>Outstanding value inclusions </strong></p> <ul> <li>Small Group Size – 22</li> <li>All meals provided while on tour</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Spend 7 nights in Outback Spirit’s network of luxurious safari camps and wilderness lodges, including 3 nights at the iconic Seven Spirit Bay.</li> <li>Spend 2 nights at Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris, Mount Borradaile</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Travel aboard a 5-star 4WD Mercedes Benz Coach</li> <li>All activity and attraction fees</li> <li>All permit fees to enter Aboriginal Land</li> <li>Escorted by expert tour guides</li> <li>Outback Spirit Explorer Pack featuring handy travel items</li> </ul> <p><strong>About Outback Spirit</strong></p> <p>Founded in 2000 by brothers Andre and Courtney Ellis, Outback Spirit is a multi-award-winning business and Australia’s largest premium small group outback tour operator.</p> <p>Outback Spirit strives to stay ecologically sustainable and limit its impact on the environment through good practice, innovation, and by providing financial support to the Australian Wildlife Conservatory. It also supports remote Indigenous communities across the Kimberley and Arnhem Land through employment opportunities, community sponsorships and support for Indigenous-owned businesses. Outback Spirit has been acknowledged for consistently delivering professional and authentic adventures to remote destinations of Australia.</p> <p>Why would you travel through outback Australia with anyone else?</p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with </em><a href="https://www.outbackspirittours.com.au/"><em>Outback Spirit</em></a><em>.</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Adventure is waiting, so bring it on

<p>Being bold isn’t just for the young. In fact, everywhere you look it seems like those with more than a few miles on the clock are rediscovering that a good life is a bold life. Stereotypes of how we should age are being smashed and people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s are grabbing life in both hands – and shaking it up.</p> <p>The inspiring Judi Dench was still keeping James Bond in line at 80 and this year she stepped out of her comfort zone to star as Old Deuteronomy in the film adaptation of <em>Cats</em>. David Attenborough is making waves and taking on world leaders at 93. And <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.feroscare.com.au/" target="_blank">Feros Care's</a> Dee describes herself as being “more flamingo than bingo” at 89.</p> <p>Ask those who are cherishing their current stage of life about what drives them and the common thread is having a purpose and knowing they are valued in the community. For every person, that purpose will be different. For some it will be maintaining their role in the workforce; for others it’s about remaining nimble enough to chase the grandchildren or fit enough to walk the Camino de Santiago. It might mean volunteering for a cause close to your heart, pursuing a new hobby or simply connecting with friends.</p> <p>There’s nothing more liberating than being the custodian of your own future. After all, you’re at an age where you have nothing to prove and everything to gain. So live fearlessly – seek new challenges and experiences every day. It takes courage to challenge conformity, but the reward is living an authentic life that renews and prioritises the parts of you that may have been neglected.</p> <p>Revel in the contentment of your accrued wisdom, but remember not to take life too seriously! Have fun, find your tribe of likeminded people and give yourself permission to get swept up in life. Turn ageing into an artform as you explore your creative side, ignite your curiosity and embrace enriching pursuits.</p> <p>At <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.feroscare.com.au/" target="_blank">Feros Care</a>, we have the privilege of supporting seniors who are determined to squeeze the most out of every day. But if you open your eyes, you’ll find them all around you. Seniors who live by the daily mantra of get up, get out and do the things that bring them joy. For 77-year-old Berenice that means daily ocean swimming; for Nina who is 98 years young it’s drumming and dancing; and for Klass, 87, it’s kayaking, entertaining and going to the gym.</p> <p>There’s no definitive formula for living well, but there are many defining truths. Lighten up, dream every day, get your feet wet and your hands dirty. Laugh, maintain friendships, shake things up and face the future with confidence.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.feroscare.com.au/" target="_blank">Feros Care </a>is fuelling a revolution where seniors genuinely embrace the inspiring adventure that is ageing. By exploring what growing bold means to you, we can help you live fearlessly too – from wellbeing programs that help you stay active, to support services that allow you to live well at home and stay connected.</p> <p>If you need some inspiration to help find your purpose, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.feroscare.com.au/feros-stories/articles/finding-purpose-over-70" target="_blank">this great article</a> could be your starting point.</p> <p>Or discover more about seniors living life on their own terms by enjoying our Fearless Films at <em><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.feroscare.com.au/fearlessfilms" target="_blank">feroscare.com.au/fearlessfilms.</a></em></p> <p>Then let <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.feroscare.com.au/" target="_blank">Feros Care</a> help you find your bold self, by calling 1300 763 583.</p>

Retirement Life

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Start your adventure in the Kimberley with El Questro

<p>If you have ever wanted to experience the timeless majesty of the awe inspiring Kimberley region but don’t know where to start, the El Questro Wilderness Park might be the perfect package.</p> <p>The sixty by eighty square kilometre park rewards the visitor with all the diversity and grandeur that this ancient region has to offer.</p> <p><strong>Accommodation options to suit every taste</strong></p> <p>To access the park, you can fly in from any capital city to Kununurra, where a regular road transfer service can take you into the park area. The park offers a range of accommodation options, all of them superbly integrated into the dramatic landscape. At<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.elquestro.com.au/stay/emma-gorge" target="_blank">Emma Gorge</a><span> </span>you can stay in the comfort of delightful tented cabins that give grand vistas of the ancient gorge escarpment, without sacrificing the modern touches of a contemporary licenced restaurant and pool. Emma Gorge has several self-guided nature trails and can also serve as a base for exploring the park.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUcGsLlV0G/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUcGsLlV0G/" target="_blank">Champagne Spring is a hidden wonder. Well worth the journey, the 4.8km riverside trail is long and filled with broken terrain, particularly in the second leg of the hike with a refreshing cascading waterfall at the end.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/elquestro/" target="_blank"> El Questro</a> (@elquestro) on Jun 5, 2019 at 12:16am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>If you are looking for more substantial lodgings, you can stay at one of the well-appointed bungalows at<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.elquestro.com.au/stay/the-station" target="_blank">The Station</a><span> </span>on the banks of the Pentecost River. With beautiful tropical surroundings, you can enjoy gourmet meals in the restaurant, a cooling drink in the bar or refresh yourself with a stroll down to the swimming lagoon.</p> <p>The premier accommodation in the park is<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.elquestro.com.au/the-homestead" target="_blank">The Homestead</a>; a sprawling property surrounded by lush tropical gardens and comprising a range of luxury suites. All are superbly decorated and enjoy sweeping views of the Chamberlain Gorge and River system. Tariffs are structured to be fully inclusive of an elegant room, gourmet cuisine, beverages and personalised guided tours in the valley.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1eDxUA_e3/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1eDxUA_e3/" target="_blank">Take in expansive views of the Chamberlain River and the Kimberley jungle from the private deck of your Homestead villa, a remote and exclusive retreat on the edge of wilderness. As you soak in your alfresco bath, you may spot swooping birds and jumping fish.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/elquestro/" target="_blank"> El Questro</a> (@elquestro) on Apr 29, 2019 at 3:05am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>The full Kimberley experience</strong></p> <p>The organised tours via boat, helicopter or horseback let you experience the enormous scale of the park and gain access to the best attractions, such as remote waterholes, cascading waterfalls and crystalline rivers that carve into the red rock.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwO16XwAlfE/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwO16XwAlfE/" target="_blank">Doesn't the majestic Emma Gorge look a lot different? All of her stunning layers are showcased at this height. Emma Gorge opens on 17th April. 📸: @ben_broady</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/elquestro/" target="_blank"> El Questro</a> (@elquestro) on Apr 14, 2019 at 3:03am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The flora and exotic wildlife that inhabit the region make for an intense natural experience and your ranger will ensure you get the most value from your time in this unspoiled and largely unexplored piece of unique wilderness.</p> <p><em>Written by Tom Raeside. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/start-your-kimberley-adventure-with-el-questro.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Edible adventures to try in NSW

<p>Planning an entire holiday around food may seem like overkill, but culinary tourism is booming right now. In New South Wales alone, travellers can try everything from oyster shucking to urban beekeeping. These foodie experiences showcase the best Aussie produce from local growers, bakers and chefs.</p> <p>As well as being fun and delicious, each of these food adventures in NSW play a hand in global sustainability. So feel free to go for seconds. </p> <p><strong>Mushroom Foraging, Oberon</strong></p> <p>In the magnificent Blue Mountains, food-lovers can take on a 4WD Foraging Tour in Oberon. I guess you could call it extreme mushroom hunting. Heading deep into the pine forest, visitors will learn to identify and collect wild pine mushrooms. </p> <p>The exhilarating two-hour expedition leaves from Oberon Visitor Information Centre. To book, head to <a href="https://detouradventures.rezdy.com/297003/forest-to-field-oberon-2019">detouradventures.rezdy.com</a>.</p> <p><strong>Vegetarian, Vegan &amp; Raw Food Trail, South Coast</strong></p> <p>Take the reigns on your own foodie adventure on the NSW South Coast. Tuck into a variety of culinary delights, from fresh Buddha bowls and meat-free bliss burgers to raw vegan sweets and baked goodies. In Berry, enjoy a bespoke retreat package at the Back 2 Earth Farm Stay. The perfect weekend away, you can indulge in wellness, massage and a raw food workshops. At Greendale’s in the town Pyree, feast on a vegetarian brekkie board with eggs and asparagus, or head to Craft Surf in Ulladulla for a 100% raw, vegan treat.</p> <p>The Shoalhaven Visitor’s Centre has put together a fantastic resource of healthy eateries, from quick bites to baking workshops. Check it out at <a href="https://www.shoalhaven.com/blog/vegetarian-vegan-food">shoalhaven.com</a>.</p> <p><strong>Gather and Cook Adventure, Southern Highlands</strong></p> <p>Venture into the lush green hills of the Southern Highlands and join an ingredient gathering expedition with award-winning restaurant, Biota Dining. Trace your meal from the very beginning, picking delicious produce born from rich, cool-climate soil. The experience begins with coffee and a snack at Biota. Fuelled and ready to forage, you’ll head out with the team of chefs to source your ingredients before returning for your hands-on cooking lesson. Of course, you’ll then get to feast on the fruits of your labour. </p> <p>Bookings are essential, so head to the website to find out more – <a href="https://www.biotadining.com/workshops">biotadining.com/workshops</a></p> <p><strong>The Original 100-metre meal, Hunter Valley</strong></p> <p>The concept of a 100-metre meal has taken off around the world, and we have local restaurant owners, Lisa and Andrew Margan, to thank for it. Every Sunday during May and June, Margan Restaurant hosts a 100-metre Meal where hungry diners enjoy a feast of foods all grown within 100 metres of the table. On the property, Lisa and Andrew manage orchards, vegetable patches, bee hives, livestock and a 100-hectare vineyard. </p> <p>If you can’t make it for the 100-metre Meal, you can visit Margan restaurant any time of the year to sample the stellar produce. Open for lunch Friday to Sunday, and dinner Thursday to Sunday. Book a table at <a href="https://www.margan.com.au/hunter-valley-restaurant">margan.com.au</a>.</p> <p><strong>Wild Harvest Sessions, Newrybar</strong></p> <p>You can help shape the menu at Harvest restaurant on the NSW north coast eatery. A short drive from Byron Bay, this well-known restaurant, bakery and deli does creative things with local produce in a beautiful setting. On Wednesday nights, the restaurant holds their popular Wild Harvest Sessions, where Head Chef, Alastair Waddell and Forager, Peter Hardwick try out their new food ideas on a panel of hungry diners. After a day of foraging, brainstorming and creating, the two put out a spread for guests to taste and provide feedback on. The winning dishes will feature on the restaurant’s seasonal menu.</p> <p>This interactive dining experience includes a four-course meal so make sure you arrive hungry. You can also opt for beverage-pairing for an additional cost. Find out more at <a href="https://harvestnewrybar.com.au/restaurant/wild-harvest/">harvestnewrybar.com.au</a>.</p> <p><strong>Wild Food Adventures, Southern Highlands</strong></p> <p>If you were stuck in the outback or in the bush, would you be able to find food? Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in a ‘Castaway’ situation but it’s always handy to know what is safe to eat in the wild. Wild Food Adventures teaches you exactly that. They offer bespoke day trips, seasonal foraging workshops and outdoor feasts in the Southern Highlands region. You’ll also visit authentic working farms, taste delicious cheeses and fruits matched with local wines and eat delicious meals crafted from local produce. </p> <p>Try the Fungi Forage Vine Tour with a mushroom foraging expert, or the popular Winter Truffle Hunts and explore the stunning Southern Highlands landscape. Book a tour at <a href="https://wildfoodadventures.com.au/">wildfoodadventures.com.au.</a></p> <p><strong>Oyster Shucking, Sapphire Coast</strong></p> <p>The stretch between Shoalhaven and Eden is known as the Oyster Coast, and for good reason. It’s the place to go for great seafood with plenty of fun catch-and-eat experiences to try. Narooma hosts an annual Oyster Festival where foodies can taste Angasi, Pacific and Sydney Rock Oysters. At Jim Wilds Oyster Service, Greenwell Point Rock Oysters and Pacific Oysters, the slippery treats are shucked while you wait. Taste the award-winning, locally-grown Sydney Rock Oysters at Tathra Beach Cafe and Tathra Hotel.</p> <p>To get hands on with your oyster tasting, make a day of it by joining Captain Sponges Magical Oyster Tour on Pambula Lake. You’ll learn all about oyster farming and get to sample some of the goods as well. </p> <p><strong>Foraging and wild food dining in Sydney</strong></p> <p>You don’t need to be out bush to give foraging a go. In Sydney, you can hunt for edible weeds, collect pure honey and sample delicious plant-based dining. </p> <p>Head to the <a href="https://theurbanbeehive.com.au/">Urban Beehive</a> for a beekeeping course where you’ll learn how to manage your own backyard or rooftop beehive. It’s not as scary as it sounds (if you know what you’re doing). Find out how to light smokers, open beehives, handle bees and identify eggs, larvae and pollen, and of course, harvest the honey. </p> <p>Learn about indigenous foraging practices from the traditional owners of the Sydney city area at the <a href="https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/whatson/aboriginal-bush-food-experience">Royal Botanic Garden</a>. Discover the way plants in the garden were used by Aboriginal people and taste seasonal bush tucker foods with the Aboriginal Bush Food Experience. </p> <p>Turn your backyard into a natural medicine cabinet. On the Wonderful Wild Weeds foraging tour of Centennial Parklands, discover the nutritional and medicinal remedies locked inside common weeds growing in your garden, and in parks and reserves.</p> <p>In the hip dining precinct of Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, you can savour a unique plant-based high tea at <a href="https://alibibar.com.au/">Alibi Bar</a>, Ovolo Hotel. Designed by plant-based dining pioneer and US chef, Matthew Kenney, the high tea offers sweet and savoury including Black Sesame Cream with Raspberry Rose.</p> <p>Pocket City Farms grows organic produce in the heart of Sydney’s inner west. They have lots of interesting tours and workshops to take part in from crop swaps to bush tucker workshops. You can also opt to simply enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant Acre, which crafts delicious meals from the kitchen garden. For more info, visit <a href="http://www.pocketcityfarms.com.au/events/wild-food-in-the-city-nov-11">pocketcityfarms.com.au/events</a>.</p> <p>For wild food dining in the city, try <a href="https://www.paperbarkrestaurant.com/">Paperbark Restaurant</a>. Here, Australian ingredients sourced from small-scale producers are central to every dish. For a more laid back experience, check out the Green Lion pub at Rozelle. You’ll find lots of veggie options, including the Green Mack burger with beefless patties.</p> <p><em>Written by Bethany Plint. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/edible-adventures-nsw/"><em>My Discoveries</em></a><em>.</em></p>

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