Never Too Many Cooks

14 Sunday Aug 2016

Tags

bestofcookislands, bucketlist, cookislands, cookislandsmustdo, paradise, photography, southpacific, travel

Of course you will have heard the phrase “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, but I don’t think they were talking about the Cook Islands.

This little slice of paradise in the South Pacific has to be seen to be believed, and if blue is your colour, you will not know where to look first.

Be prepared for blazing blues, glittering greens, lovely locals and just a little bit of cloud porn. Seriously, the Cook Islands definitely deserve a spot on your Bucket List.

The number one must do for many visiting the Cooks is Aitutaki Lagoon. Flying into Aitutaki gives you just the teensiest glimpse of what you’re in for,

but it’s not until you’re floating on that ridiculous water that you realise just how truly incredible it really is.

And then when the moon rises, things go to a whole other level…

The Cook Islands also broke one of my long held truths – get off the main island as fast as you can. Rarotonga was a delight – easy to get around, friendly locals despite the number of tourists and the snorkelling! The whole island is surrounded by fringing reef, as well as amazing beachfront bars and a cute town centre – I would go as far as to say there is something for everyone.

I’m not an earlybird but even early morning is pretty spectacular!

But then it’s equally as easy to sit and drink in the view…that view…

Even when the clouds start rolling in (it is the tropics!) it’s still spectacular.

So have you packed a bag yet???

There snow festival like a Snow Festival

14 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by Where's Wiwi? in Japan, Photography, Travel, Travel Tips

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

best of japan, ice carving, Japan, Sapporo, snow, Snow Festival, snow sculpture, snow sculptures, travel, travel in winter, winter

And Sapporo certainly knows how to put on a Snow Festival!

Way up in the north of Japan about 60 odd years ago, a few bored students thought they’d kill some time sculpting snow. It was a huge hit and fast forward to today, it’s one of Japan’s biggest festivals, attracting millions of visitors a year.

For a week each year in early February, Sapporo turns into a winter playground as Odori Park in the centre of the city is crammed with snow sculptures, locals, tourists, food outlets and dogs.

A visit to the Festival isn’t just about seeing what fantastical shapes and edifices have been miraculously coaxed out of a heap of snow,

the people watching is fantastic,

Yes, this is grown men and women on a miniature train.

as is a tour through the food huts,

and spotting the dogs with nappies is a bonus.

Yes, that is a nappy.

For a great overview of the site and the beautiful mountains surrounding the city, head up the tower at the head of the park.

A second site at Tsudome is where you can whizz down snow slides and the Susukino site holds all the ice carvings.

Be prepared for crowds of tourists all trying to cram in front of your photo

so if you can stay awake, it’s worthwhile going back later at night after all the families have gone to bed.

I would thoroughly recommend a trip out to the Sapporo Beer Garden to kill some time where you can grill your meat at the table and buy a never ending stein of Japan’s finest. The setting is also pretty spectacular.

Wiwi’s top tip:

This is the north of Japan in winter, so come prepared for snowy and icy conditions

and a pair of strap-on ice grips for your shoes is an absolute genius idea and must have saved my bottom at least a dozen times. These are sold all throughout the city in convenience stores and are an inexpensive way to walk a tad more confidently.

Yes, that is a nappy.

Yes, this is grown men and women on a miniature train.

Happy New Year!

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Where's Wiwi? in Travel

≈ 7 Comments

Hands up who didn’t follow through with a New Year’s resolution this year?

You can’t see me, but I have both hands up! Despite my best intentions, I’ve sadly neglected this little blog of mine as I discovered the delights of Instagram for the first time (please feel free to come and find me if you’re also on)!

Yes I finally joined the 21st century, bought an iPhone and found myself oohing and aahing over the wonderful photography you can find on Instagram. I also discovered people make a living out of travelling and posting on Instagram – who knew?? Well not me obviously as that would have been my career aspiration as soon as Instagram started!!

Sadly I’ve not travelled that much this year. There was my NYE trip to Iceland which you may have read about at the time…

…followed by a short trip out to Uluru which was incredible…

…but that’s where I dropped off. I also visited the Vivid Festival in Sydney..

…and had a quick dash across the pond to visit the Kiwi rellies…

…and a few weekends with family and friends.

It’s not been my busiest travel year, but I can’t complain. Stay tuned for 2015 where I visit Bali for the first time as a tourist, and I join the throngs seeing in the dawn at Gallipoli on Anzac Day!

May 2015 bring you all happiness, joy, laughter and good health.

Flights of Fancy – the Rock from on High

18 Sunday May 2014

Posted by Where's Wiwi? in Australia, Photography, Travel

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

aerial photography, Ayers Rock, joy flight, Kata Tjuta, Olgas, scenic flight, Uluru

Have you ever decided on a whim to throw caution (and budgets) to the wind and splurge on something that turns out to be one of the most breathtaking experiences of your life so far?? I seem to be becoming a bit of a fiend for this, and my latest splurge of a joy flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta did not disappoint.

We decided on a sunset flight hoping for some spectacular colours and were excited to learn that for some reason we were the only 2 booked for that afternoon – we would have a plane to ourselves!

As our little aircraft took off from Uluru airport, I saw why people may have decided against a flight that afternoon – it was pretty hazy. I was miffed.

Oh well, I would just have to make the most of it. We passed Uluru and although it was hazy, it was still beautiful.

Then we neared Kata Tjuta and I had to remind myself to keep taking photos. What from the ground looked to be domes nowhere near as impressive as Uluru turned out to be the most incredible rock formations I’ve ever seen.

As we circled around, the view constantly changed and I could see the valleys in between, the green edged water run offs from the rain a few weeks back and the incredible colour glowing in the late afternoon sun.

I was almost considering asking our pilot for a second pass and to skip Uluru altogether I was so impressed. I’m so glad I didn’t, as even though another turn around Kata Tjuta would have been amazing, the Rock beckoned and proved that she wouldn’t give up her outback title without a fight.

Again, my preconceived ideas were turned on their head, and Uluru turned out to be every bit as spectacular from the air as Kata Tjuta.

The usual ‘loaf’ shaped image that had always been in my head was sliced as we flew past incredible striations, ripples and folds. We could even see pools of water catching the light at the top.

As the sun sank lower, the colour intensified lighting up the rock with an almost theatrically improbable glow.

We needed to be back by dark, so with great regret we turned back toward home. Over my shoulder the show continued and I could see Kata Tjuta putting in a final attempt to claim top billing.

Back at the airport with my feet on the ground, my head was still in the clouds reliving the incredible sights we’d just seen. It had looked to be a stunning sunset even from the ground with clouds catching the last of the light, but nothing can compare with that joy flight.

If you’ve made the trek out to Uluru, do not hesitate to have an opportunity to see it from the air – you won’t remember how much it cost next year but the memories of it will last a lifetime.