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Grandmother's plea after tragic fatal school excursion

<p>A 13-year-old girl from New Zealand has tragically died after sustaining an “unsurvivable head injury” during a school excursion to an ice skating rink.</p> <p>Kymani was rushed from Alpine Ice Sports Centre to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition on Tuesday morning, after falling while skating with her classmates. </p> <p>Following her sudden death, the young girl's grandmother created an online <a href="https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ice-skating-school-trip-unexpected-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fundraiser</a>, where she explained, “Sadly while on a school excursion Kymani fell, sustaining an unsurvivable head injury.”</p> <p>“This is a parent’s worst nightmare — sending your child to school and to never return home,” Kymani’s family said.</p> <p>“Her parents, brothers, sisters and whanau are devastated. Kymani was a beautiful girl, only 13 years old."</p> <p>“As this is an unexpected tragedy, any funds would be gratefully appreciated and will go towards preparing for what comes next.”</p> <p>"Aroha nui Hiley-Hetaraka whanau (Much love to the Hiley-Hethara family)."</p> <p>The skating rink was closed on Tuesday, as spokesperson said the staff’s “thoughts are with the family at this time”.</p> <p>The Ministry of Education also released a statement, which read, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news and our thoughts are with the family and school community. Our traumatic incident team is available to support the school for as long as needed.”</p> <p>WorkSafe NZ is looking into the incident.</p> <p><em>Image credits: givealittle.co.nz</em></p>

Caring

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Elephant tourism often involves cruelty – here are steps toward more humane, animal-friendly excursions

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-szydlowski-1495781">Michelle Szydlowski</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/miami-university-1934">Miami University</a></em></p> <p>Suju Kali is a 50-year-old elephant in Nepal who has been carrying tourists for over 30 years. Like many elephants I encounter through my <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2022.2028628">research</a>, Suju Kali exhibits anxiety and can be aggressive toward strangers. She suffers from emotional trauma as a result of prolonged, commercial human contact.</p> <p>Like Suju Kali, many animals are trapped within the tourism industry. Some venues have no oversight and little concern for animal or tourist safety. Between 120,000 and 340,000 animals are used globally in a variety of wildlife tourism attractions, including <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0138939">endangered species</a> like elephants. Over a quarter of the world’s <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/7140/45818198">endangered elephants</a> reside in captivity with little oversight.</p> <p>Wildlife tourism – which involves viewing wildlife such as primates or birds in conservation areas, feeding or touching captive or “rehabilitated” wildlife in facilities, and bathing or riding animals like elephants – is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2022.2156523">tricky business</a>. I know this because I am <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YbweA2MAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">a researcher studying human relationships with elephants</a> in both tourism and conservation settings within Southeast Asia.</p> <p>These types of experiences have long been an <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/06/17/tourism-is-nepal-s-fourth-largest-industry-by-employment-study">extremely popular and profitable</a> part of the <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1002074">tourism market</a>. But now, many travel-related organizations are urging people not to participate in, or <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2018/04/27/animal-welfare-travelers-how-enjoy-wildlife-without-harming/544938002/">calling for an outright ban on, interactive wildlife experiences</a>.</p> <p>Tourism vendors have started marketing more “ethical options” for consumers. Some are attempting to truly improve the health and welfare of wildlife, and some are transitioning captive wildlife into touch-free, non-riding or lower-stress environments. In other places, organizations are attempting to <a href="https://www.fao.org/documents/card/es/c/b2c5dad0-b9b9-5a3d-a720-20bf3b9f0dc2/">implement standards of care</a> or create manuals that outline good practices for animal husbandry.</p> <p>This marketing, academics argue, is often simply “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2017.11.007">greenwashing</a>,” <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2280704">applying marketing labels to make consumers feel better</a> about their choices without making any real changes. Worse, research shows that some programs marketing themselves as ethical tourism may instead be widening economic gaps and harming both humans and other species that they are meant to protect.</p> <h2>No quick fix</h2> <p>For example, rather than tourist dollars trickling down to local struggling families as intended by local governments, many tourism venues are owned by nonresidents, <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/japfcsc.v2i1.26746">meaning the profits do not stay in the area</a>. Likewise, only a small number of residents can afford to own tourism venues, and venues do not provide employment for locals from lower income groups.</p> <p>This economic gap is especially obvious in Nepalese elephant stables: Venue owners continue to make money off elephants, while elephant caregivers continue to work 17 hours a day for about US$21 a month; tourists are led to believe they are “<a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/book/10.1079/9781800624498.0000">promoting sustainability</a>.”</p> <p>Yet, there are no easy answers, especially for elephants working in tourism. Moving them to sanctuaries is difficult because with no governmental or global welfare oversight, elephants may end up in worse conditions.</p> <p>Many kindhearted souls who want to “help” elephants know little about their biology and mental health needs, or what it takes to keep them healthy. Also, feeding large animals like Suju Kali is pricey, <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010171">costing around $19,000 yearly</a>. So without profits from riding or other income, owners – or would-be rescuers – can’t maintain elephants. Releasing captive elephants to the jungle is not a choice – many have never learned to live in the wild, so they cannot survive on their own.</p> <h2>Hurting local people</h2> <p>Part of the problem lies with governments, as many have marketed tourism as a way to fund conservation projects. For example in Nepal, a percentage of ticket sales from elephant rides are given to community groups to use for forest preservation and support for local families.</p> <p>Increasing demand for <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Tourism-and-Animal-Ethics/Fennell/p/book/9781032431826">wildlife-based tourism</a> may increase traffic in the area and thus put pressure on local governments to further limit local people’s access to forest resources.</p> <p>This may also lead to <a href="https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/latest/news/un-world-tourism-organisation-urged-create-better-future-animals/">increased demands on local communities</a>, as was the case in Nepal. In the 1970s, the Nepalese government removed local people from their lands in what is now Chitwan National Park as part of increasing “conservation efforts” and changed the protected area’s boundaries. Indigenous “Tharu,” or people of the forest, were forced to abandon their villages and land. While some were offered access to “buffer zones” in the 1990s, many remain poor and landless today.</p> <p>In addition, more and more desirable land surrounding conservation areas in Nepal is being developed for tourist-based businesses such as hotels, restaurants and shops, <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/japfcsc.v2i1.26746">pushing local poor people farther away</a> from central village areas and the associated tourism income.</p> <p>Some activists would like humans to simply release all wildlife back into the wild, but <a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/book/10.1079/9781800624498.0000">there are multiple issues</a> with that. Elephant habitats throughout Southeast Asia have been transformed into croplands, cities or train tracks for human use. Other problems arise from the fact that tourism elephants have <a href="https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315457413">never learned</a> how to be elephants in their natural elements, as they were <a href="https://www.pugetsound.edu/sites/default/files/file/8342_Journal%20of%20Tourism%20%282009%29_0.pdf">separated from their herds</a> at an early age.</p> <p>So tourism may be vital to providing food, care and shelter to captive elephants for the rest of their lives and providing jobs for those who really need them. Because elephants can live beyond 60 years, this can be a large commitment.</p> <h2>How to be an ethical tourist</h2> <p>To protect elephants, tourists should check out reviews and photos from any venue they want to visit, and look for clues that animal welfare might be impacted, such as tourists allowed to feed, hold or ride captive wildlife animals. Look for healthy animals, which means doing research on what “healthy” animals of that species should look like.</p> <p>If a venue lists no-touch demonstrations – “unnatural” behaviors that don’t mimic what an elephant might do of their own accord, such as sitting on a ball or riding a bike, or other performances – remember that the behind-the-scenes training used to achieve these behaviors can be <a href="https://doi.org/10.21832/9781845415051-014">violent, traumatic or coercive</a>.</p> <p>Another way to help people and elephant is to to use small, local companies to book your adventures in your area of interest, rather than paying large, international tourism agencies. Look for locally owned hotels, and wait to book excursions until you arrive so you can use local service providers. Book homestay programs and attend cultural events led by community members; talk to tourists and locals you meet in the target town to get their opinions, and use local guides who provide wildlife viewing opportunities <a href="https://nepaldynamicecotours.com/">while maintaining distance from animals</a>.</p> <p>Or tourists can ask to visit <a href="https://www.americanhumane.org/press-release/global-humane-launches-humane-tourism-certification-program/">venues that are certified</a> by international humane animal organizations and that <a href="https://www.su4e.org/">do not allow contact</a> with wildlife. Or they can opt for guided hikes, canoe or kayak experiences, and other environmentally friendly options.</p> <p>While these suggestions will not guarantee that your excursion is animal-friendly, they will help decrease your impact on wildlife, support local families and encourage venues to stop using elephants as entertainment. Those are good first steps.<!-- 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/219792/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><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-szydlowski-1495781">Michelle Szydlowski</a>, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Project Dragonfly, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/miami-university-1934">Miami University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </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/elephant-tourism-often-involves-cruelty-here-are-steps-toward-more-humane-animal-friendly-excursions-219792">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Tips

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5 golden rules for safe shore excursions

<p>While safety is paramount on any holiday, there are a few key things you can do to stay safe when disembarking your cruise for a trip to shore. These are our top tips for staying safe on excursions.</p> <p><strong>1. Do your research</strong></p> <p>As with all travel, safety can vary hugely between destinations when you’re cruising. On cruises around Australia, in the South Pacific or New Zealand you’ll feel as safe as you do at home and shouldn’t need to take any extra precautions. For other destinations, do some research online before you go, looking at sites like Smartraveller that list any official government warnings in place. You can also chat to your cruise director or some of the shore excursion team to see if there are any specific details you should be aware of.</p> <p><strong>2. Minimise your risk</strong></p> <p>Generally, the best advice is to try to blend in and avoid looking like an obvious tourist. Don’t wear lots of jewellery or carry an expensive camera around your neck. Always keep your belongings with you and be particularly careful in crowded places like markets. Try to travel in groups rather than on your own and keep alcohol intake to a minimum – a drunk target is an easy target.</p> <p><strong>3. Only take the essentials</strong></p> <p>If the worst should happen and you are robbed, you don’t want to be carrying all of your money and every credit card. Only take what you need and leave the rest in your cabin safe. You shouldn’t need your passport to reboard the ship, so never take it ashore with you. Mobile phones are one of the most commonly stolen items from tourists, so unless you desperately need it this is another one to stick in the safe.</p> <p><strong>4. Join an organised tour</strong></p> <p>If you’re nervous about exploring a port on your own, then book a shore excursion through the cruise line. That way you’ll be travelling with a group of other passengers and at least one guide, most likely a local. Cruise lines only work with reputable companies so you can feel confident that you won’t be ripped off or left in danger.</p> <p><strong>5. Check the safety gear</strong></p> <p>Many cruise ports offer exciting excursions like hiking, ATV tours, diving or zip lining. Unfortunately, not everywhere is as strict with their safety standards as Australia and you may arrive at your excursion to find out of date equipment, no protective gear or a route that makes you feel uncomfortable. Use common sense – if you don’t feel safe, don’t do it. You also need to be aware of your own physical limits. Don’t push yourself too hard, especially in the heat, or you could quickly find yourself in the local hospital.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Cruising

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Indian Pacific: Off-train excursions highlight of train journey

<p><strong><em>Justine Tyerman continues her journey on the famous trans-continental Indian Pacific train from Perth to Sydney. On Day 3 of her epic 4352km, three-night, four-day trip across Australia, she visits the South Australian capital of Adelaide, learns the tragic story of two early explorers and meets a couple of drag queens… </em></strong></p> <p>The Indian Pacific was cruising sedately into Adelaide when I woke up on day 3 of my train journey across Australia from Perth to Sydney. Before boarding coaches to explore the city, we farewelled barman Brendan, hostess Nikki, dining room manager Mario and others who had looked after us so well since boarding in Perth. They were taking a break before heading north on the Ghan and we picked up a new crew for the Adelaide to Sydney leg of the journey.</p> <p>I managed to have a quick chat to Brendan before disembarking.</p> <p>He was such a delightful, gregarious fellow, and a whiz at making cocktails so it came as a surprise to find he’d only been behind the bar since April. Prior to this, he was studying for his masters in social work at Flinders University and before that he was teaching maths and science to years 7-10 and in Townsville.</p> <p>He enjoyed teaching and study but loves his new job.</p> <p>“On the train, I work with wonderful, caring, talented people and brilliant guests who are always seeking fun, happiness and good times,” said Brendan.</p> <p>“It’s great being involved in creating fun memories for guests and new friends in what is really a unique atmosphere, and watching passengers build relationships with each other. Everyone arrives as strangers and leaves as friends.</p> <p>“I work on the Ghan as well as the Indian Pacific so I get to see Australia and explore fantastic, scenic places. It’s an awesome job,” he said.</p> <p>“I’ll see you on the Ghan in September,” I said as I thanked him, hopped off the train and onto our smart tour bus. He thought I was kidding!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 333.33333333333337px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820238/1-the-famous-adelaide-oval.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3dbecbc48cae4166af281a0335135969" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The famous Adelaide Oval.</em></p> <p>Australia’s capital of festivals and the arts, Adelaide is a most attractive, well-designed city encircled by beautiful parks. Historic buildings like St Peters Cathedral have been carefully-preserved and the lovely River Torrens adds a tranquil feel to the busy metropolis. After an informative bus tour of the city and the option of exploring Adelaide’s fresh produce market, we enjoyed a lavish breakfast at the famous Adelaide Oval. The cricket buffs amongst us were frothing at the mouth with excitement. I watched a team of groundsmen meticulously grooming and conditioning the grass in preparation for the season ahead and envisaged the stands full of excited fans.</p> <p>No disrespect to lovely Adelaide but after two days in the Outback, I felt oddly resentful at the intrusion of civilisation into my bubble. I breathed a sigh of relief when we returned to the Indian Pacific and I snuggled into my cabin, waiting for the next phase of the trip through South Australia and New South Wales.</p> <p>Travelling north though the state’s green and gold fruit-bowl with vast windfarms on the horizon, we skirted the fringes of the Barossa Valley, a world-class wine-growing area famous for its shiraz. Passengers on the Sydney to Perth trip can take a tour of the region’s world-class boutique wineries and dine at a vineyard. I envied my NAMs (new Aussie mates) who were doing the journey both ways.</p> <p>We zipped through settlements rich in history like Peterborough in the wheat-lands, population about 1500. The rail line through Peterborough was once the busiest single track of railway in the world. A huge number of trains loaded with freight and ore, and the Ghan carrying passengers to and from Darwin, all passed through the town. A record was achieved in 1923 with 102 trains in a 24-hour period. An original 1880s Y Class locomotive sits alongside the track as a reminder of the steam-driven era.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820240/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6af1109e83294bef84d3f5cbdd31e9d9" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Indian Pacific near Port Augusta with the Flinders Ranges in the background.</em></p> <p>The cuisine on board the train was outstanding every day but lunch on day 3 was exceptional – a chicken salad with pistachio, currants, red onion, lemon rocket, pearl couscous topped with mint yoghurt dressing followed by rhubarb parfait with figs, honey ricotta ice-cream and praline. The Vasse Felix Filius chardonnay from Margaret River was a superb accompaniment, along with a lively political debate with a couple of retired school teachers.</p> <p>The landscape here was not as relentlessly flat as the Nullarbor and featured a few mulga trees and an undulating horizon. Somewhere near the Outback town of Manna Hill, home to about 66 people, I spotted a few kangaroos, emus and something that looked like a camel shimmering in the distance… but no one else saw it so it may have been a mirage.</p> <p>After lunch, my NAMs drew my attention to a plaque on the wall in the Outback Lounge. It told the tragic story of explorers Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills who set off in 1860 with the objective of crossing Australia from Melbourne in the south, to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north, a distance of 3250 kilometres. At the time there was much fervour for epic journeys of exploration. Most of the inland of Australia had not been explored by non-indigenous people and was largely unknown to European settlers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 333.33333333333337px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820241/3-passengers-enjoying-drinks-and-listening-to-mattie-in-the-outback-explorer-lounge-before-the-dancing-began.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/feab4d21e80549a6ada044b71caa131b" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Passengers enjoying drinks and listening to Mattie in the Outback Explorer Lounge… before the dancing began.</em></p> <p>The expedition team of 15 men, 26 camels, 26 horses, many wagons, 6 tonnes of firewood and enough food for two years left Melbourne on August 20, 1860 amid much fanfare. Bad weather, poor roads and broken-down wagons meant they made slow progress at first.</p> <p>Burke took an advanced party on to Coopers Creek and waited for the majority of the supplies to follow under the supervision of William Wright. But Burke was a man with a mission in a hurry to get to the Gulf of Carpentaria. So he departed with Wills, John King and Charles Gray on December 16 leaving most of the stores behind with four men who were instructed to wait three months until they returned.</p> <p>A diary note on March 28 1861 documented that salt water marshes stopped the explorers from reaching the open ocean at the gulf so they began the retreat just short of their destination.</p> <p>The return trip was plagued by delays and monsoon rains and the death of Gray from scurvy, apparently because the lime juice had been left behind.</p> <p>When they reached Cooper Creek on April 21, 1861, they found the camp had been abandoned just hours earlier. Wright had never arrived with the main supplies but some stores had been buried in a box under a tree marked with the word ‘DIG’.</p> <p>Rather than try to catch up with the rest of the party, Burke decided to make for Mount Hopeless. A relief party was sent to the site but did not find a note left by Burke.</p> <p>With their provisions and strength failing, Burke and Wills died in late June 1861. In September 1861, a search party found the Irish soldier John King living with Aboriginal people who had fed and sheltered him.</p> <p>The remains of Burke and Wills were discovered and returned to Melbourne for a public funeral in January 1863.</p> <p>At some point in the afternoon, the Indian Pacific crossed the path of their doomed expedition. Looking at the unforgiving landscape, I shuddered to think of the men perishing out there in the wilderness.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820242/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/312416c22e61499e8a0043e7be5ea9c8" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Indian Pacific near Broken Hill at dawn.</em></p> <p>Just as I was about to slip into my customary post-prandial reverie, our guitarist Mattie started tuning up in the lounge. In no time, his ‘fan club’ were singing and dancing in the aisle like a bunch of teenagers at a rock concert.</p> <p>Before I joined them in the ‘mush pit’, I stood at the end of the carriage and looked around the animated faces of my fellow passengers and NAMs who just three short days ago, were strangers to each other. Quite apart from the extraordinary landscapes we witnessed, the trip is an exceptionally social experience – a veritable party on rails with exquisite cuisine and cocktails included. It was hugely enjoyable even without close friends but with a carriage load of old mates, it would be quite a celebration. A great way to mark a 60<sup>th</sup>… or even an 80<sup>th</sup> as some of our fellow passengers were doing.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1f42c0143dbb4c2baabab412b3f05874" /><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/27625e741e2843349a0257e74f8af661" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 333.75670335873554px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820244/5-the-miners-memorial-at-broken-hill-an-off-train-excursion-for-those-travelling-from-sydney-to-perth.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/27625e741e2843349a0257e74f8af661" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Miners Memorial at Broken Hill, an off-train excursion for those travelling from Sydney to Perth.</em></p> <p>When we crossed into New South Wales, we lost a few hours and pulled into Broken Hill in darkness. Like many Outback towns, Broken Hill was built on precious metals. In 1883, silver, lead and zinc were discovered here, deposits that proved to be the largest and richest in the world. Broken Hill, known as ‘Silver City’, holds the distinction of being Australia’s oldest mining city. It’s also the base for the legendary Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air.</p> <p>The choices of off-train excursions at Broken Hill had me in a dither. I could opt for culture at the regional art gallery and the world’s largest acrylic painting by local artist Ando, or attend a live drag queen show. When I discovered that the cult movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was filmed right there at the Palace Hotel in Broken Hill in 1994, it was no contest. ‘The Main Drag’, starring the brash and brassy Shelita and Christina, was hugely entertaining. The high-energy, up-tempo show totally blew me away and had the audience singing, clapping and participating in no time. The glitzy, sequinned costumes, garish wigs and make-up worn by the two strapping local lads, one an accountant and the other a teacher by day, were hilariously OTT - their eyelashes were so long and thick, I’m surprised they could see at all and their stilettos were so high, they were like stilts.</p> <p>From the moment Shelita and Christina sashayed onto the stage with a couple of dancers, they wowed the audience.</p> <p>Their opening remarks set the outrageous tone for the show:</p> <p>“Welcome to the Main Drag! Firstly there are some simple rules of engagement. Flash photography is strictly…  mandatory!</p> <p>“Do we look gorgeous? Do we look beautiful? Do we look sexy? Well drink up! The more you drink, the prettier we look! Oh come on, you have to spend a lot of money to look as cheap as this.”</p> <p>With scenes from Priscilla projected on the wall above the stage, the girls sang well-known hits from the movie like ‘I will survive,’ ‘Hey, big spender’ and ‘I love the nightlife’ to the delight of the audience.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 363.6191915375897px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820245/6-justine-with-shelita-and-christina-after-the-main-drag-show-at-the-palace-hotel-in-broken-hill.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/70fb0e2a729d406697002fe62e3fdda9" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Justine with Shelita and Christina after the Main Drag show at the Palace Hotel in Broken Hill.</em></p> <p>After the show, I had a look around the grand old Palace Hotel. It’s an icon in its own right with grandiose murals on the walls and ceilings including a copy of Botticelli's Venus – quite surreal with a disco ball lighting effect.</p> <p>Dinner that evening was divine – as usual, there were three or four choices at each course which was always the hardest decision of the day. The lamb shoulder slow cooked in honey and black vinegar looked very tempting but I opted for carrot and coriander soup to leave room for the Hunter Valley beef fillet with Pacific oyster sabayon sauce, and blood orange meringue tart with wild berry salsa. The tart had a handmade chocolate pastry case. It was dreamy.</p> <p>The 80<sup>th</sup> birthday party celebrations continued in the lounge long after I retired. Such energy!</p> <p><em>Read Justine’s account of <span><strong><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/what-it-s-like-travelling-across-australia-on-board-the-indian-pacific">Day 1</a></strong></span> and <span><strong><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/on-board-the-indian-pacific-the-magic-of-the-nullarbor">Day 2</a></strong></span> of the Indian Pacific. </em></p> <p><em>To be continued… Look out for the final part of the Indian Pacific travel series next Wednesday. </em></p> <p><em>Justine Tyerman was a guest of Rail Plus and Great Southern Rail.</em></p> <p><em>* The Indian Pacific is a four-day, three-night 4,352km, 65-hour journey from Sydney to Perth and vice versa operated twice a week by Great Southern Rail. <a href="https://www.railplus.co.nz/australia-by-rail/australias-great-train-journeys/indian-pacific/itinerary.htm"><strong><u>Find more information here.</u></strong> </a></em><span><a href="https://www.railplus.co.nz/australia-by-rail/australias-great-train-journeys/indian-pacific/itinerary.htm"></a></span></p>

Domestic Travel

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5 unmissable Aussie shore excursions

<p>There are so many beautiful places to cruise to in the world and some are closer than you realise. Here are five unmissable shore excursions in Australia.</p> <p><strong>1. Port Douglas: Daintree National Park</strong></p> <p><strong>Who goes there:</strong> Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, P&amp;O, Princess, Royal Caribbean</p> <p>A day tour from Port Douglas will let visitors see the old sugar town of Mossman, Daintree Village and enjoy a cruise on the Daintree River. One of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world, the Daintree is praised for its biodiversity and vast range of animal species.</p> <p><strong>2. Cairns: Great Barrier Reef</strong></p> <p><strong>Who goes there:</strong> Azamara, Celebrity, Crystal, HAL, NCL, Oceania, P&amp;O, Ponant Princess, RSSC, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking</p> <p>A visit to this national treasure is unforgettable. The reef is one of UNESCO’s Seven Natural Wonders of the World and despite the coral bleaching, the reef continues to house many marine lives.</p> <p><strong>3. Brisbane: Australia Zoo</strong></p> <p><strong>Who goes there:</strong> Cunard, HAL, P&amp;O, Princess</p> <p>This conservation park allows for visitors to hand-feed kangaroos, meet koalas and wombats and watch crocs and giant snakes. Australia Zoo is an hour’s drive from Brisbane and visitors should allow four and a half hours to tour the park.</p> <p><strong>4. Port Arthur</strong></p> <p><strong>Who goes there:</strong> Azamara, Carnival, Crystal Cunard, HAL, P&amp;O, Princess, Seabourn</p> <p>To get a glimpse of Australia’s rich history, Port Arthur is the place to visit. It is Australia’s most preserved convict site and has more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes and landscaped grounds. A shore excursion here includes a walking tour, a harbour cruise and access to buildings and gardens.</p> <p><strong>5. Melbourne: Great Ocean Road</strong></p> <p><strong>Who goes there:</strong> Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, P&amp;O, Princess, RSSC, Royal Caribbean, Silversea</p> <p>Besides from enjoying the views the mesmerising 12 apostles, visitors can also check out the Shipwreck Museum, complete walking trails and visit seaside towns.</p> <p>Have you been lucky enough to visit any of these places before? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

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5 cruise excursions not worth your money

<p>Scratch these shore excursions off your list.</p> <p><strong>1. Sightseeing by bus</strong></p> <p>It’s hard to get much of a feel for a place when you’re just looking out the window at the scenery flying by. Simple bus tours can be surprisingly expensive when booked through the cruise line, so it’s unlikely that you will get good value for money. As an alternative, do a little research and jump on a local bus. You’ll get a good look around and get to see how people really travel in the region.</p> <p><strong>2. Shopping tour</strong></p> <p>There’s nothing wrong with buying a few souvenirs, but organised shopping tours can quickly turn into a forced march through an endless parade of stores. At worst, you may even find that you feel pressured to buy something you aren’t really interested in. It’s easy enough to take a walk through the shops yourself or hit up a local market for a more authentic experience.</p> <p><strong>3. Day at the beach</strong></p> <p>Do you really need to pay at least $50 per person to go to the beach? Probably not. You can easily arrange a taxi or local bus to get to the beach, so you don’t need to take a shore excursion. You can also look for a different beach to the one listed in the brochure, so that you won’t be crowded in with all the other passengers.</p> <p><strong>4. Galleries and museums</strong></p> <p>The cost of a taxi and entry to an art gallery or museum will generally be less than the price of a shore excursion. While your excursion will be accompanied by a guide, it generally won’t be an expert who can enhance your experience at the museum. You would be better off saving your money and looking at a private guide once you’ve arrived.</p> <p><strong>5. Most volunteer programs</strong></p> <p>For a few years, ‘voluntourism’ was touted as a way to give back to the places we visit. The problem is, most of the volunteer programs don’t actually do much good – and some can actually do harm. Unless you are cruising with one of the few official volunteer lines (like Fathom) or have first hand knowledge of the area and project, stay well away.</p>

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Cruising excursions that help wildlife and the environment

<p>If you want to have an adventure of a lifetime but also give back, then these shore excursions are for you.</p> <p><strong>Excursion: Kroschel Wildlife Reserve, Alaska</strong></p> <p><em>Cruise line: Holland America Line</em></p> <p>Run by celebrity wildlife expert Steve Kroschel, the Kroschel Wildlife Reserve is close to the port of Haines, Alaska, near the Glacier Bay National Park. The park covers some 60 acres of protected land where animals can thrive in a safe environment, as they sadly cannot be released back into the wild. Many are orphaned, including a wolf, Kodiak bear, wolverine, moose, porcupine and reindeer, and they are encouraged to learn their independence while at the same time trusting humans.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37495/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (329)"/></p> <p><strong>Excursion: Seal Bay Discovery, Kangaroo Island</strong></p> <p><em>Line: P&amp;O Cruises</em></p> <p>The Australian sea lion is one of the most endangered pinnipeds (flipper-footed marine mammals) in the world with only around 10,000 left in the wild. South Australia’s Kangaroo Island has a significant population in the Seal Bay Conservation Park and P&amp;O passengers can walk among the dunes to see these charming creatures sunning themselves on the shore. The entrance fee to the park goes directly towards ongoing research and conservation efforts.</p> <p><strong>Excursion: Reforestation and Nursery, Dominican Republic</strong></p> <p><em>Line: Fathom</em></p> <p>The Caribbean island nation of the Dominican Republic has a big problem with deforestation and damaged land caused by the felling of natural vegetation. Fathom, a small line dedicated to socially and environmentally conscious cruises, invites passengers to work with local schools and community groups creating nurseries, replanting depleted areas and protecting natural resources. The work also has the potential to improve the livelihoods of the local people in the future.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37496/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (330)"/></p> <p><strong>Excursion: Discovering the Birds of Hoonah, Alaska</strong></p> <p><em>Line: Royal Caribbean</em></p> <p>The only dedicated birding tour for cruise guests, this excursion explores the lush temperate rainforest around the village of Hoonah. You’ll use binoculars to spot bald eagles, seabirds, ducks and gulls, all with the assistance of an expert guide. The best part is, part of the proceeds from the tour go directly to the Juneau Audubon Society for the research and protection of bird communities in the region.</p>

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6 amazing cruise shore excursions to book now

<p>If you embrace new cultural experiences and thrive off a sense of adventure then these shore excursions are for you. Not only can experiences that force you out of your comfort zone make you experience a new way of life, but they also make for great stories when you come back home. Here are six quirky shore excursions that cruise lines offer to their passengers.</p> <p><strong>1. Fiji Natural Thermal Mud Pool</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com.au/shoreExcursions/product/detail/view.do?sourcePage=shorexByPort&amp;ProductCode=FJ11&amp;DestinationCode=" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Who offers it</span></strong></a>: Royal Caribbean</p> <p>Fijians have used thermal mud pools for countless generations as way to rejuvenate their skin. You can experience the therapeutic experience for yourself with this shore excursion. First you rub the mud on your skin and then you enter the hot thermal pool to wash it away. The excursion also includes a traditional kava ceremony. To find out more about this experience <a href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com.au/shoreExcursions/product/detail/view.do?sourcePage=shorexByPort&amp;ProductCode=FJ11&amp;DestinationCode=" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here.</span></strong></a></p> <p><strong>2. Rainforest and Plantation Trail Ride</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.princess.com/excursion/exDetails.do?t=Z&amp;exType=S&amp;tourCode=VLI-430" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Who offers it</span></strong></a>: Princess Cruises</p> <p>If you go to Vanuatu you have the option to horseback ride through a coconut plantation. A coach will take you to plantation which has over 500 acres of rainforest, hills and beaches. You will be assessed on your riding skills and then be given a horse that is appropriate for your ability. This <a href="http://www.princess.com/excursion/exDetails.do?t=Z&amp;exType=S&amp;tourCode=VLI-430" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">trail ride</span></strong></a> also includes a visit to a lagoon.</p> <p><strong>3. Lord of the Rings and Weta Workshop Tour</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/plan-a-cruise/shore-excursions/productDetails?productCode=WL50&amp;productId=100000002614096626" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Who offers it</span></strong></a>: Celebrity Cruises</p> <p>If you are a Lord of the Rings fan than this <a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/plan-a-cruise/shore-excursions/productDetails?productCode=WL50&amp;productId=100000002614096626" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">excursion</span></strong></a> is perfect for you. The excursion starts at the summit of Mount Victoria and you will then take a walk through ‘Outer Shire’. You will also be taken to Weta Workshop which is a museum containing original movie props.</p> <p><strong>4. Atherton Platypus Experience</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/#qRsSUQHMh7b6ckHz.99" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Who offers it</span></strong></a>: Carnival Cruise Line</p> <p>If you want a true blue Australian experience then you should consider this excursion with <a href="https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/#qRsSUQHMh7b6ckHz.99" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Carnival Cruise Line</span></strong></a>. You will get the opportunity to travel into the mountains for the Curtain Fig Tree which is home to the endangered tree kangaroo. You will also get to see platypus at Tarzali Lakes and be taken on an educational walk.</p> <p><strong>5. Turtle Bay and Brush Island Boating Adventure</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/plan-a-cruise/shore-excursions/productDetails?productCode=II05&amp;productId=100000002836144869" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Who offers it</span></strong></a>: Celebrity Cruises</p> <p>This excursion in New Caledonia will allow you to <a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/plan-a-cruise/shore-excursions/productDetails?productCode=II05&amp;productId=100000002836144869" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">experience</span></strong></a> the incredible marine life in the Isle of Pines. You will be taken on a boat ride to view the marine life and you might even get the opportunity to swim with some sea turtles.</p> <p><strong>6. Slumber Safari Overnight at the Zoo</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.pocruises.com.au/en" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Who offers it</span></strong></a>: P&amp;O Cruises</p> <p>With <a href="https://www.pocruises.com.au/en" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">P&amp;O</span></strong></a> cruises there is an excursion that allows you to spend a night camping in a luxurious tent that overlooks the savannah at Weribee Open Range Zoo. Of course, the experience also includes the opportunity for up-close animal encounters and an evening by the campfire.</p> <p>What is the most memorable shore excursion you have been on? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

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What not to do on a cruise shore excursion

<p>Cruise shore excursions allow you to make once-in-a-lifetime memories as you do activities in places you’ve only dreamed of. Whether it’s sailing a yacht to an exotic private beach or bushwalking through a rainforest, here are a few things you should avoid when embarking on your cruise shore excursion.</p> <p><strong>1. Dress inappropriately</strong></p> <p>When going on your cruise shore excursion decide what to wear based on the weather and also the activities you have planned for the day. If you know there is a lot of walking planned for the day, wear running shoes instead of sandals. If you will be visiting places of worship then make sure you are wearing modest clothes that are culturally appropriate. Whether you have an active day planned or not, it is a good idea to leave your jewellery and valuables behind on your cruise ship so it is not stolen, damaged or lost.</p> <p><strong>2. Forget the necessities</strong></p> <p>The lifestyle of being able to walk back to your room to get whatever you need is gone when you embark on your port stop. To avoid being left without sunscreen or water, make sure you pack a small bag full of your essential items. You can include insect repellent, sunscreen, water, medication, band-aids and any other items that will be necessary for your adventure-filled day.</p> <p><strong>3. Bring valuables</strong></p> <p>Unless your tour requires a passport, it is a good idea to leave it on the cruise ship. Instead, carry your driver’s license as a form of identification. It is a good idea to have a little cash on your or a debit card, but do not bring all your cash with you in case it is stolen.</p> <p><strong>4. Be uneducated</strong></p> <p>Do you research on the culture and safety of the port stop so you can be aware of different risks while you are out and about. Familiarise yourself with key locations and phrases so that if you get separated from you group you will be able to navigate your way back to the cruise ship. Be sure to also research the activities you are doing prior to the port stop so you can understand the health and safety risks that are involved.</p> <p><strong>5. Lose track of time</strong></p> <p>If your excursion includes free time afterwards then remember to keep an eye on the time and your alcohol intake. The worst-case scenario is missing your ship but you also don’t want to ruin your port stop by stressing out because you didn’t schedule enough time to get back to port.</p> <p>What are your tips for enjoying a cruise shore excursion? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

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The world’s best shore excursions for 2017

<p>With <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/worlds-most-dangerous-cruise-about-to-set-sail/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">new itineraries opening up all the time</span></strong></a> and cruise lines increasingly competitive to <a href="http://oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/2016/05/10-most-unique-cruise-attractions/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">offer something a little different</span></strong></a>, there’s never been a better time to take a cruise. And it’s not just the boats that have potential cruise-takers excited for 2017.</p> <p>Royal Caribbean sail to 250 destinations in over 70 countries, giving passengers the chance to get up close and personal with a range of experiences and attractions around the world.</p> <p>To see some of the highlights, watch the video above.</p> <p>If you’ve never been on a cruise before, or are looking for an excuse to go on another one, this might be the perfect thing to get your holiday into gear.</p> <p>Have you ever been on a cruise? If so, did you go on a shore excursion?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Video credit: YouTube / Royal Caribbean</em></p> <p><strong>Related link:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/cruise-passenger-spends-night-in-forest/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>79-year-old cruise passenger spends night in Alaskan forest after being left behind</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/5-golden-rules-for-safe-shore-excursions/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>5 golden rules for safe shore excursions</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/new-shore-excursions-for-royal-caribbean-cruises/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>New shore excursions for Royal Caribbean cruises</strong></em></span></a></p>

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New shore excursions for Royal Caribbean cruises

<p>Royal Caribbean has unveiled 18 new shore excursions for Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises, many of which are exclusive to the line.</p> <p>“We often talk about a Royal Caribbean megaliner being a destination in itself, but the places we sail to truly bring our style of holiday to life,” said Adam Armstrong, Royal Caribbean’s regional commercial director.</p> <p>“Our new and improved offering means there’s something for everyone; whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first timer, we’ll take you off the beaten track and show you a new side to a range of Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific destinations.”</p> <p>Brand new Royal Caribbean shore excursion experiences include:</p> <p><strong>Airline Beach – “Gone Fishing”</strong></p> <p>This small-group reef and bottom fishing adventure around the Whitsunday Islands lets guests test the fishing skills in the sparkling blue waters sheltered by the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, rich with reef fish like coral trout and red emperor.</p> <p><strong>Cairns – “Tropical Jet Boating”</strong></p> <p>Cairns locals take guests for a wet-and-wild jet boat ride on the Cairns waterfront and into the Trinity Inlet. Experience lush green mountains, rich wildlife and beautiful waterways only accessible by boat. It’s a great way to escape the humidity!</p> <p><strong>Hobart – “Mt Wellington Descent by Bike”</strong></p> <p>An exhilarating mountain bike ride down 4,000-foot Mt. Wellington gives guests the change to experience panoramic views of the city of Hobart followed by a gentle, scenic bicycle tour through the magnificent alpine forest and terrain.</p> <p><strong>Port Headland – “FIFO Mining Experience”</strong></p> <p>Port Headland is the centre of WA’s iron ore industry and this tour gives guests a real opportunity to see what FIFO (fly-in fly-out) working life is really like. Guests don high-vis gear and a hardhat and tour the extensive and interesting facility.</p> <p><strong>Port Headland – “Historical Town Tour”</strong></p> <p>Peel back layers of Port Headland history and take in the historic West End. Discover a colourful market teeming with arts, craft and food, as well as Don Rhodes Open-Air Mining Museum where you can see how much the mining industry has changed over the years.</p> <p><strong>Port Hedland – “Pretty Pool Discovery with Tea”</strong></p> <p>Port Hedland’s famous Pretty Pool area has an incredibly important ecosystem, and guests on this experience will learn how mangroves help support the flatback turtles that make this beach home year after year. </p> <p><strong>Suva, Fiji – “Kila Eco Trek”</strong></p> <p>Immerse yourself in Fiji's pristine rainforest at Kila Eco Adventure Park. The tour departs the Port of Suva, the capital’s large maritime gateway. Suva, which is situated on a hilly peninsula, is the most cosmopolitan city in the South Pacific.</p> <p><strong>Auckland, New Zealand “Tamaki Hikoi Maori Volcanic Walking Tour”</strong></p> <p>Join members of the Ngati Whatua tribe on a guided walk of their lands, exploring the heart of Auckland at Mt. Eden, a dormant volcano. For hundreds of years, Maori of this local tribe have passed down through generations their tribal history and traditions.</p> <p><strong>Bay of Islands, New Zealand – “Glow Worm Caves and Kauri Forest”</strong></p> <p>Enjoy the serenity of the Puketi Kauri Forest and explore caverns lit by twinkling glowworms. Get up close to the ancient and majestic Kauri trees during an educational guided walking tour of Puketi Kauri’s sub-tropical rainforest, rich in flora and fauna.</p> <p><strong>Tauranga, New Zealand – “Coastal Cuisine Tour”</strong></p> <p>This 'foodies tour' introduces you to the unique and delicious bounty of the Bay of Plenty. The rich soils and gentle climate have produced ideal growing conditions.</p> <p><strong>Wellington, New Zealand – “Craft Brewery Tour”</strong></p> <p>Beer lovers can go on a tasting tour of Wellington’s finest craft brews. An array of breweries in the heart of the city are an integral part of the capital's vibrant cultural scene. This tour visits four locations so you can sample an amazing assortment of beers.</p> <p>If these shore excursions sound like music to your ears and you’d like to book your own cruise with Royal Caribbean or would simply like extra information, <a href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com.au/?wuc=NZL" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/03/how-to-make-cruise-ship-towel-animals/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to make cruise ship towel animals</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/03/inside-worlds-biggest-cruise-ship/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Inside one of the world’s biggest cruise ships</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/02/can-the-historic-queen-elizabeth-2-cruise-ship-be-saved/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Can the historic Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship be saved?</em></strong></span></a></p>

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