Lord Howe Island is an ancient volcanic plug sitting in the Tasman Sea about 2 hours flight in a Dash-8 aircraft from the New South Wales coast. We had planned our holiday there in February to maximise warm conditions for snorkelling. Even before we arrived, it became an adventure. After our aborted flight on Sunday … More Adventures in Paradise 1 – arriving on Lord Howe Island
We left South Golden Beach as the rain gauge topped 60mls at midday. Torrential rain followed us all the way to Brisbane as a tropical low hovered over the central east coast of Australia. Much needed rain was falling all up and down the eastern coast and ranges. Dousing fires that had been burning for … More Brisbane Adventure in the Wet
Turning 70 is certainly a milestone so I suggested to my adventurous daughter that we hike the 12 Apostles Walk together as a celebration. Revealing this piece of information to some people brought out horrified exclamations of ‘I couldn’t think of anything worse’ – this, after I revealed the weather forecast – or ‘why would … More Hiking with the Twelve Apostles Ladies
Our first 24 hours in Tbilisi were a bit of a blur, so returning at the end of our trip we were determined to experience the famous sulphur baths in the Abanotubani district. The warm springs which erupt from the Mtvari river were discovered when Vakhtang Gorgonsali’s falcon dropped to earth right at the site … More Tbilisi, ‘warm place’ – site of very hot springs
Mount Shkhara, Ushba and Tetnuldi are the highest mountains in the Svaneti Region of the Caucasus Range. Mt Shkhara towers over the remote villages of Ushguli at 5058m. Mt Ushba and Mt Tetnuldi, so the legend goes, were lovers whose families would not agree on their marriage, so Tetnuldi turned into a mountain whose snow … More Mounts Shkhara, Ushba and Tetnuldi in Svaneti
If you think these names are unpronounceable, you are right. Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe, however are important for their ancient monasteries and their unique heritage. In our 12 day tour of Georgia we visited 15 monasteries or churches and most involved climbing up steep hills or steps. The reward was always the view and learning more … More Monasteries, Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe
The Georgian Military Highway is the only route whereby Georgians and Russians can visit each other’s countries. Early 19th century paintings show Russian military personnel travelling by horseback up a narrow track through the towering Tergi gorge. During the 20th century, German prisoners rebuilt the road and a cemetery is dedicated to them at the … More The Georgian Military Highway over the Great Caucasus to Kazbegi
In Georgia, wine making is so intricately bound to religion that the grape vine is the symbol of the Virgin Mary and the grape, fruit of the vine, Jesus Christ. Archeologists date grape seeds back to the 5th millennium BC. In the mountainous Svaneti region, the fertility goddess Lani was replaced with the Virgin Mary … More Georgia – 8000 years of continuous wine making tradition
On our third day, we set off from Tbilisi to the south eastern border of Georgia with Azerbaijan. Eka informed us we would be driving through the green desert to the sacred monastery of Davit Gareja. Davit Gareja was an Assyrian escetic who came to Georgia to spread Christianity in the 6th century. He made … More Georgia, cradle of European Christianity
Our journey began at the Brisbane domestic Virgin Airlines check-in. Just escaping a downpour, we scurried inside with our minimalist luggage and fronted up to the ‘International passengers’ sign, hoping our luggage would be booked right through to our final destination-Tbilisi. ‘Tbilisi?’ Said the gorgeous airline attendant, behind the counter ‘Where’s that?’ Even prompting with … More Why would anyone go to Tbilisi?
Come wandering 