AussieLand...

I'm BACK!!!

It's been quite some time since I last posted to this ruddy blog (almost 2 years exactly!) Life has taken me on some incredible journeys. A new career in wine and real estate. Buying my first home (hell, I'm 30, It's about time), and finally planning for my next big trip: Australia:) My incredible, strong, intelligent, outgoing, and beautiful cousin Lauré recently moved to the land down under to play Australian Rules Football for the good ol' USA (and to find herself an Aussie husband, obviously). I am totally excited to be traveling south of the Equator to spend some time drinking beer and exploring the outback. Consequently, having a career in the wine industry offers some additional fun bonuses when traveling. I can't wait to explore the vineyards and wine regions that Australia's booming wine industry has to offer. From McClaren Vale, a host of over 65 boutique wineries, to Barossa Valleys old world European charm, Australia offers endless opportunities for even the most novice of travelers to enjoy the class and upscale experience of New World wine tasting on a shoestring budget.

Now obviously, wine tasting is far from the only awesome thing to do while in the only country that is a continent. Australia is an incredibly vast and diverse country. You could easily spends years exploring and still not see everything the Aussies have to be proud of. After visiting the quintessential Australian locals like the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney's Opera, Kangaroo Island is an exciting addition to any savvy and outgoing traveler. Located just south of Adelaide, this gorgeous green carpeted paradise has incredible beaches and delectable local cuisine. From the endless positive things I've heard about this less than appreciated secret spot, it is definitely on my to do list while in AussieLand.

Newcastle. No, sadly not the beer. Nominated as Lonely Planets #9 on the top 10 cities to visit in 2012,  Newcastle will not disappoint. While not as glitzy and glamorous as its neighbor Sydney, Newcastle has plenty of lo-fi charm that is sure to please. This is the place to get in with the locals, find the best watering holes, see amazing local live music, or relax and soak up the sun at one of the many beaches. You can even jump into the convict-carved Bogey Hole ocean baths. Who wouldn't want to bathe with some felons?

Whether you want to experience the calming, quaint beauty of the rolling vineyards, or drink and party up like it's 1999, Australia offers loads of entertaining and exciting options for both the experienced 5 star traveler, or the broke as a joke backpacker.

Cheers,
Danni

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DON'T Give a Dog a Bone.....

So for those of you who have traveled before you might already know this, but for those of you who have not, the following short story might shock you a bit. In many countries, especially poorer ones, stray dogs run rampant. And I mean rampant. They travel in packs, are treated poorly by locals, and are in desperate need of food. For those of us who are avid and loyal dog lovers seeing the number of stray animals can be tough emotionally. There are a few things you want to keep in mind when you find yourself in a country that does not value the lives of animals the way we do. One: you cannot judge or criticize the way local deal with stray animals. To them a stray is nothing more than a flea infested, diseased mongrel that is nothing more than a nuisance. People are brought up to be culturally different and when you are in someone elses backyard, you have to play by their rules. Second: do NOT feed them. Pack animals will fight over scraps and it's a scary and sad sight. And if you feed them they will follow you around until you get back on a plane to go home. It is definitely not the way to spend your awesome vacation at the beach in Greece. Take my friend Karina for example. She is a huge sap when it comes to dogs. While we were in Vrahati, Greece, she decided she would give a small pack of stray dogs some bread to eat. Little did she know that is doing such an act of kindness, she had unintentionally adopted 5 filthy strays. They followed her back to the house we were living in, waited outside until she came out again, and followed her everywhere. We even went out drinking one night and found her passed out on the lawn surrounded by the pack. It was almost like they were protecting her. It was a ridiculous scene to say the least. She even named them all: Bob, Rufus, Will, something to that effect. Needless to say in feeding the pack Karina established a bond, but unfortunately our time in Greece was limited. The dogs became dependent on her for food and once we left they were forced to scavenge again. Feeding stray dogs is like feeding ducks. Once you throw them a bone, they won't leave you alone. I have more stray dog stories, funny stories, but they will have to wait for another day.

Cheers,
Danni

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Untitled...

As I sit here re-watching Eat, Pray, Love....again.... I can't help but think about the events in life that help us transition and transform from one epic chapter to the next. How each person we meet influences who we become. How each challenge we face with fear and determination alters how we chose to perceive what is valuable to us and what is not. We are constantly transforming, growing, becoming more like the people we hope to be. At least that is how it should be. Change is overwhelming and scary, but it is necessary if we ever hope to be truly happy. When we encounter those rough patches in life when we'd rather feel nothing than feel pain or weakness, there is an innate part of us that longs to fight that darkness away so we can just feel again. How each of us copes with those episodes of sadness varies, but we all know it doesn't last forever. For me, the beautiful experience of encountering something or someone new, in a place that is completely foreign to me, changes me for the better. Everyone has their own history, their own lessons to teach and stories to tell. When we take the time to slow down and take in what is going on around us, the world becomes a much more welcoming and enjoyable place. Have you ever felt so consumed by your routine that everything you do becomes mundane and boring? Where it feels like the life is being drained from you because of a lack of emotional, intellectual, or spiritual stimulation? I have. Multiple times, actually. And each time I made the decision to seek out what I felt was lacking in my daily life, instead of waiting for those things to find me. The world may be small in the grand scheme of things, but if that is true, then how small are the trials we face that bring us down? Find what motivates you and inspires you, and then do it. Whether it be traveling the world or engaging in a conversation with a war vet, allow yourself to step outside of your routine and change.

My Life in Ruins..

SO there are many sights and attractions, so to speak, that you can visit while globe trotting the world. Beaches, the Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall, and of course, the worlds largest rubber band ball (in Lauderhill, FL, in case you were wondering). However, there are some things in life I think everyone should make the effort to see. They may not be glamorous or exotic. They won't help you get a nice golden tan. Hell, they won't even look that cool in pictures. But seeing some of the worlds greatest ancient ruins should be on everyones bucket list. Although it would be virtually impossible to see them all, there are a few countries that all travel lovers should hit. Greece is an obvious option, as is Italy. But Macchu Picchu in Peru is a must, as is Ayutthaya in Siam. Chichen Itza is a favorite Mayan ruin amongst travelers, and if you are feeling particularly adventurous, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. So let us break down some of these ruinous sights.

Greece:
The Acropolis in Athens is an incredible sight to see. Sitting atop a hill in the middle of the city, the Parthenon shines at night like a beautiful tribute to the mythology of the past. The Erechtheon and the Propylaea, the small temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike, still stand tall and majestic, inspiring travelers from the world over. Although the ruins have experience some decay due to weather and human intervention, the Acropolis is most certainly worth the trip. The city of Athens also opened a new museum dedicated to the monuments in late 2009 highlighting ancient Greek culture and history. For 1 Euro the museum is a must see.

The Temple of Apollo in Corinth is also an incredible experience. The number of ruins in Greece in too high to count, so just make the trek out there and explore.

As for the other ruins I mentioned, they are going to have to be saved for another post. I just got called into work :( If you've been to any ruins that you think are worthy of highlighting, let me know!! I am always open to suggestions. 

Cheers,

Danni

October, the month of BIER!!....

Since October is upon us, that can only mean one very important, yet not necessarily responsible thing: Oktoberfest. Ah, yes. Excellent German beer served by busty blonde haired, blue eyed German babes, bratwurst, and more German beer. If you have never experienced the joys of participating in the traditional Oktoberfest lalapalooza, you are missing out. There's nothing like waking up at 7 a.m. and heading to the nearest beer tent to get your liter on. Just make sure you leave time for an afternoon nap, because you won't last through the first day. If you are planning a trip to Munich for the real deal, remember that the legit Oktoberfest festival is actually the last two weeks of September. And it is expensive. It is most certainly going to cost a pretty penny, but not for tickets to the tents. The real expense comes from travel, room, and board. You should look into places to stay at least 6 months in advance. Rooms will book up fast, so plan in advance. If you can get a group to go, you could always look into renting an entire apartment. This could be a much more financially doable options because you can split the cost amongst everyone, plus you'll have a kitchen, which can save you a shit ton of money on grub. If you are planning on attending sans amigos, check out couchsurfers.com. It's an option for a place to stay that is free and also gives you the opportunity to meet some locals. The website is easy to use and everyone who participates is reviewed and rated, so you know what you're signing up for before you go. Essentially couchsurfers.com is exactly what you're thinking. You sign up to stay on a random strangers couch. It's a great way to travel around without the added expense of paying for a bed. I recommend bringing a bottle of wine as a thank you gift for your host. I have been the host couch before and it is an awesome experience. I had 2 danish folks crash at my place and we had a blast. Plus I now have friends in Denmark I can go visit anytime. When planning to rage at Oktoberfest, there are 2 ways to go about it. You can make reservations at the tents in advance, which will guarantee a place for you to booze it up, or you can wing it and hope to get into a tent. If you're going for the latter, get to the tents EARLY. I mean like 6:30 a.m. If you're at the tents early you can be rest assured you'll get served a frosty brew. Although reservations in the different beer tents are usually free of charge, they are a tad difficult to obtain. You can find websites that will list the different tents, but you have to contact the tents individually to book reservations. That mean long distance calling! It's totally worth the At&t charges. So at the end of the day, Oktoberfest should be on every beer lovers bucket list. And if any of you need a drinking buddy, I' your gal:)

Cheers,
Danni

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C'mon Ride That Train! Ride It....

So I'm back from my hiatus!! I'm sure you have all missed me, so I'll get right to it. Trains. Fast trains, commuter trains, metro trains, all excellent modes of transportation when traveling on a budget. Whether meandering through Europe, India, the U.S., or Northern Africa, trains are always available to get from one place to the other. Anything from half hour hopper trains to get from Guernica in northern Spain to Barcelona to a 7 day trek from Hong Kong to Moscow, this old school method of transport has yet to lose it's convenience and efficiency. If you're planning on using trains as one of your means of getting around, there are a few different things to consider. The length of your trip, the number or places you're planning on seeing, and the part of the world you're schlepping around can help you decide how to go about using the available train systems. Eurorail, the major train system through Western Europe, is a great way to get from country to country. Eurorail offers a number of different options if you choose to pre-purchase your travel ticket ranging from 5 rides to unlimited journeys over a designated length of time. When weighing the options on what type of ticket best fits your needs, consider this: many trips will require a reservation fee even if you have an unlimited ride ticket. These fees can range from $5-$30 depending on orign and destination. Sometimes it would be cheaper in the long run to purchase a regular ticket instead of using an unlimited pass, especially if you have a student travel card like ISIC. When I went through western Europe I pre-purchased an unlimited Eurorail pass for $1,100.00 With reservation fees and trips that weren't on Eurorail designation trains, I spent an additional $500. Given the individual cost per trip on the train system, I most likely would have spent less if I had pre-purchased a ticket with a limited number of train rides for a much cheaper price. Make sure you do some research and lay out some sort of loose plan about where you want to go. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.

A side note when considering using trains to get around. Some countries are a lot safer than others. Eastern Europe, for instance, can be pretty shady when using trains, especially over night trains. There have been instances of robberies and other not so savory occurrences. I had been made aware of these possibilities prior to traveling, and when leaving Budapest for Prague, I was warned to sleep with one eye open and keep my most important possessions on my person. Trust me when I say that overnight train ride was an uncomfortable and shitty one. I chose a cabin that was completely empty thinking that would be the safest option for me. I figured once my passport was checked I was in the clear and could lock my cabin door.... Big mistake. The customs officials unlocked the door and came in unannounced not 1, not 2, but 3 times throughout the night. I never even left the cabin! I can't lie. Each time they forced their way in I thought I was going to be gassed and all of my crap was going to be stolen. When the train finally arrive in Prague I felt blessed I made it all in one piece. Moral of the story? Know in advance what to expect with each ride and be prepared for whatever may come your way. Other than that, enjoy the ride. You never know who you're going to meet. I still have friends who I met on train rides.

Cheers,
Danni

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Follow the Yellow Asphalt Road...

Road tripping. A great way to to travel with friends (or alone), explore your own country of residence, and take a break from the real world without needing a passport. No matter where you live, there is always somewhere you can go to regroup that doesn't require a plane ticket. Just a somewhat functional mode of transportation, hopefully with 4 wheels, which can also double as your hostel room, and a map. I think most people underestimate the awesomeness their own homeland has to offer. Well, I'm here to enlighten you, my friends. The best part of a road trip? It requires virtually no planning. You can literally hop in car and just go. You figure out your destination once the trees, sky, and pavement are flying past you. Driving is a great way to clear your mind and put life into a new, different, and hopefully better perspective. When thinking of places to go, keep these pearls of wisdom in mind: venture off somewhere you've never been. Don't go somewhere familiar because it will be a reminder of the things you're trying to move forward from. Go some place new and exciting. This will introduce you to something unexpected. Try the Pacific Coast Highway in California or a trek across the Midwest. You will definitely find yourself surprised by the beauty of places you would have never considered going before. Plus, you never know who you'll meet. The hospitality you'll find from people in places like the south or the great plains will renew you belief in the goodness of other people, especially if you're from a state like California. No offense my fellow Cali folks, but we aren't the nicest of people. We definitely have some work to do. The good ol' U. S. of A. has so much to offer a highway bound traveller. So to all of you 'Mericans out there, so explore your own state, country, or coast, a find a reason to be proud of where you come from.  I recently spontaneously hopped in my dinged up Altima and just started to drive (silly broken heart). Once I was on the road traveling across northern Kentucky, I used the city signs to decided where I was going. First stop? Charlotte, North Carolina. Pure amazing. I visited an old friend and made amends (love you D Boog), ate some amazing food, and picked a city I will eventually randomly move to with no money and no place to live. From there my trusty sedan and I headed to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A great place to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf, but still enjoy the liveliness of southern charm and hospitality. The people are so nice and the seafood is killer, and you don't have to deal with the faux busty, spray tanned, folks you find in other beach side locales. It's just easy going enjoyability. And it helped me clear my ever rambunctious mind and put my love life (or lack thereof) in perspective. Just what the doctor ordered.


Cheers,
Danni


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