My apologies that my last post was to wish everyone a Happy New Year and now we are just days away from March, however I have good reason, I have been away, no laptop, and in most cases no phone signal!
So, what's the best way that I can can give you an overview of the last 2 months, best plan keep it brief, so here goes:
Koh Samui - Go there now, stunning Island!! Play the name the runner (or walker game) email for details.
Full Moon Party - Go its an experience, but for gods sake take a private charter, spend the money its worth it!
Kangaroo Island - Remote, no phone signal, lots of wallaby's, no penguins!
Byron Bay - Give Byron a miss and avoid the f%cked up hippies hanging on to yester year, head to Suffolk Park - not a person in sight for miles, the beach is all yours.
Traveling - Fly Virgin Blue, never Jet Star or Qantas for that matter!! Or take a road trip like we did.
That's all folks....
FIJI here we come!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Happy New Year
Happy New Year to all Just Ben followers and readers!
I'm hoping that you all had an awesome New Years Eve. It's taken me a couple of days to get my first post of the New Year sorted so apologies for the wait, but its been a busy few days.
New Years Eve in Sydney should be something that everyone does at least once in the their life. The buzz that the city takes on is like nothing I have ever seen, and if I am honest beats London hands down.
I started the day with lunch at the Fish Market with a few friends and recommend that any Sydney newbies head down just as soon as they can. We thought we cap the afternoon off with some sparkling, I was pleasantly surprised that the $8.99 Clean Skin Sparkling could taste much better than most at least double the price.
Once darkness started to descend on Sydney, the city came to life with people on every patch of green with any vantage point of my favourite bridge. We were comfortable on my balcony with a view that was second to none!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eu3WMylhFY
The fireworks at 9pm, were out of this world, and just a taster of the most amazing show I have ever seen at Midnight! They filled the skies with a spectrum of colours that will leave all future displays muted. The fireworks just went on and on and left everyone with that feeling you had when you saw your first catherine wheel or held your first sparkler.
If you do one thing plan your trip so that you are here for NYE!
Ben
I'm hoping that you all had an awesome New Years Eve. It's taken me a couple of days to get my first post of the New Year sorted so apologies for the wait, but its been a busy few days.
New Years Eve in Sydney should be something that everyone does at least once in the their life. The buzz that the city takes on is like nothing I have ever seen, and if I am honest beats London hands down.
I started the day with lunch at the Fish Market with a few friends and recommend that any Sydney newbies head down just as soon as they can. We thought we cap the afternoon off with some sparkling, I was pleasantly surprised that the $8.99 Clean Skin Sparkling could taste much better than most at least double the price.
Once darkness started to descend on Sydney, the city came to life with people on every patch of green with any vantage point of my favourite bridge. We were comfortable on my balcony with a view that was second to none!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eu3WMylhFY
The fireworks at 9pm, were out of this world, and just a taster of the most amazing show I have ever seen at Midnight! They filled the skies with a spectrum of colours that will leave all future displays muted. The fireworks just went on and on and left everyone with that feeling you had when you saw your first catherine wheel or held your first sparkler.
If you do one thing plan your trip so that you are here for NYE!
Ben
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Summer Read
Monkey Grip captivates readers from the start, focussing on the drug scene in Melbourne in the 70's, the author skillfully draws you in to the lives of both the central character and her daughter. A fast paced page turner, we think this should be on your top 5 list this summer.
Purchase the book here:
Purchase the book here:
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Chillax on a Sunday
This bank holiday Monday took me to a first for me and institution for many, The Green Park Hotel in Darlinghurst.
http://www.solotel.com.au/GreenParkHotel/529/n/3/0/0/
I went on a Monday as it was a public holiday, but Sundays are the day that this pub becomes a cool, relaxed hangout for the kids (of all ages) to finish their weekends.
Play pool, chill out and people watch, where the kids that are too cool for school meet the clubbers reaching for that one last dance, with great music and an awesome selection of beers, wines and premium spirits, you'll never want your Sundays to end!!
See you there!
Ben
http://www.solotel.com.au/GreenParkHotel/529/n/3/0/0/
I went on a Monday as it was a public holiday, but Sundays are the day that this pub becomes a cool, relaxed hangout for the kids (of all ages) to finish their weekends.
Play pool, chill out and people watch, where the kids that are too cool for school meet the clubbers reaching for that one last dance, with great music and an awesome selection of beers, wines and premium spirits, you'll never want your Sundays to end!!
See you there!
Ben
Adelaide - South Australia
Step back, chill out and drink fine, fine wine.
Stepping off the plane the first thing you notice is the sky it goes on and on and then carries on some more, leading from the mountains to the coast the blue sky is endless and immediately reminds you of the vastness that is South Australia.
The capital city of the State of South Australia is one thats often knocked, before my journey, I was warned not to spend more than a day and that it was the most boring place to be - well to all the cynics, eat your words.
The city is small but has a sense of purpose and is well planned, your reminded of almost European cities with wide pavements and green space all over - the city is easy to navigate, one because its quite small, but equally because it seems well thought out.
What you'll notice 2nd, is the pace, its slow - refreshing slow, no one seems in a rush, however everyone gets where they are going.
I stayed at The Hilton, which from the outside looks a bit unloved, like many large chain hotels, looks like it might of seen its best day. However, once you step inside the hotel is modern and efficient and like most Hiltons the world over has a fantastic breakfast. The champagne at breakfast an added extra that was a great way to start the day.
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ADLHITW-Hilton-Adelaide-hotel/index.do?WT.srch=1
Sign up for Hilton Honors and you may be lucky enough to get your room upgraded.
I spent sometime wondering around the city getting my bearings and headed down to the one of the many beaches, with my local guide and very good friend Renee we went down to Glenlg which was stunning. The beach was lovely and enjoyed by all even our four legged friends which was refreshing to see. I'd recommend having a Coopers at the grand!
We watched the sun set into the sea and enjoyed an early dinner in one of the many restaurants that line the road - pick one with lots of people, or ask a local.
With only a day left, I decided that I could not be in this beautiful part of the world without heading to the Barossa Wine Region - so called it an early night ready for my 7 am pick up!
http://www.barossa.com/
I went with Groovy Grape Tours and would recommend anyone to go with them - they were great, the driver was very informative, but did not give you an information overload. we packed a huge amount into the day and even had chance to see, and climb the worlds largest rocking horse.
http://www.thetoyfactory.com.au/index.php
The Barossa is famous for its Shiraz, so if you like your wines big, bold and spicy then this is the place for you. It's also known for it's Riesling - planted by the Lutheran immigrants fleeing there homelands. Your reminded often of this German influence.
You can fly with a number of low cost airlines and if your lucky get a flight for as little as $59 each way!
There are 100's of reasons to go and none to say that you shouldn't!!
Ben
Stepping off the plane the first thing you notice is the sky it goes on and on and then carries on some more, leading from the mountains to the coast the blue sky is endless and immediately reminds you of the vastness that is South Australia.
The capital city of the State of South Australia is one thats often knocked, before my journey, I was warned not to spend more than a day and that it was the most boring place to be - well to all the cynics, eat your words.
The city is small but has a sense of purpose and is well planned, your reminded of almost European cities with wide pavements and green space all over - the city is easy to navigate, one because its quite small, but equally because it seems well thought out.
What you'll notice 2nd, is the pace, its slow - refreshing slow, no one seems in a rush, however everyone gets where they are going.
I stayed at The Hilton, which from the outside looks a bit unloved, like many large chain hotels, looks like it might of seen its best day. However, once you step inside the hotel is modern and efficient and like most Hiltons the world over has a fantastic breakfast. The champagne at breakfast an added extra that was a great way to start the day.
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ADLHITW-Hilton-Adelaide-hotel/index.do?WT.srch=1
Sign up for Hilton Honors and you may be lucky enough to get your room upgraded.
I spent sometime wondering around the city getting my bearings and headed down to the one of the many beaches, with my local guide and very good friend Renee we went down to Glenlg which was stunning. The beach was lovely and enjoyed by all even our four legged friends which was refreshing to see. I'd recommend having a Coopers at the grand!
With only a day left, I decided that I could not be in this beautiful part of the world without heading to the Barossa Wine Region - so called it an early night ready for my 7 am pick up!
http://www.barossa.com/
I went with Groovy Grape Tours and would recommend anyone to go with them - they were great, the driver was very informative, but did not give you an information overload. we packed a huge amount into the day and even had chance to see, and climb the worlds largest rocking horse.
http://www.thetoyfactory.com.au/index.php
The Barossa is famous for its Shiraz, so if you like your wines big, bold and spicy then this is the place for you. It's also known for it's Riesling - planted by the Lutheran immigrants fleeing there homelands. Your reminded often of this German influence.
You can fly with a number of low cost airlines and if your lucky get a flight for as little as $59 each way!
There are 100's of reasons to go and none to say that you shouldn't!!
Ben
Welcome
Hello, Welcome to the first of my posts on my new Blog - Just Ben. Having spent the past few months wondering the best way to communicate views, news and reviews I've opened my MacBook Air have decided to take the plunge.
So, as I sit here looking out over the icon that is Sydney Harbour Bridge, I am pleasantly surprised that I can actually see it! Let me sum up the first 3 1/2 months for you in just 2 words RAIN and DUST.
According to Sydneysiders we've seen more rain over the last few months than they have ever seen. October was officially Sydney's wettest October in 25 years! Did it dampen the spirits - well not really, Sydney has too much to offer to let a bit of rain stop me!
So, over the coming months lets hope that I can inform, educate and most importantly entertain. The founding principles of the BBC are a good bench mark I feel.
So, thats all for now.
Ben
So, as I sit here looking out over the icon that is Sydney Harbour Bridge, I am pleasantly surprised that I can actually see it! Let me sum up the first 3 1/2 months for you in just 2 words RAIN and DUST.
According to Sydneysiders we've seen more rain over the last few months than they have ever seen. October was officially Sydney's wettest October in 25 years! Did it dampen the spirits - well not really, Sydney has too much to offer to let a bit of rain stop me!
So, over the coming months lets hope that I can inform, educate and most importantly entertain. The founding principles of the BBC are a good bench mark I feel.
So, thats all for now.
Ben
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