Travelling Starfish

Loch Ard Gorge

So it’s 2004 and I’m in Australia, I’m staying in my first hostel in Melbourne and I’ve just signed up for a tour to the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road trip is one of the two big trips people do from Melbourne.  It’s a full day trip down the coast to see natural formations and beauty.  Even though the alternative, Phillip Island where you can hang out with the penguins, is cooler (in more ways than one) I was more keen on the coastal drives and beautiful views.

Looking back, now nearly 7 years later, I’m glad I made that choice as it was an amazing experience and something special to see. I booked the trip at the hostel and got picked up from there. From memory, it was about AUD 60 and I got taken around in the coach for a full day, including lunch.

As I was staying in a backpackers, I was out the night before so I remember (very clearly) the early start we had at 6:30am.  I was staying in central Melbourne so we headed west down the coast towards Adelaide.  Along the way we stopped in a number of spots including Bells Beach. Not only is it an amazing beach populated by cute surfers (!) it is also where they filmed Point Break with Keanu Reaves and Patrick Swayze.  This is part of what I loved about Australia – the randomness and the unexpected.  This beach was so beautiful, remote but still had that special surprise.  Lovely!

Bells Beach, Great Ocean Road

After this trip down movie lane, we stopped for our quick lunch break.  The next ports of call included Anglesea, Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles.

The 12 Apostles are probably the most famous site on the Great Ocean Road.  They are a protected series of formations that have been created over thousands of years. These giant rock stacks rise from the Southern Ocean and are the central feature of the rugged Port Campbell National Park.  Their creation is from constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland that began 10–20 million years ago.  The stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs. The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore.

12 Apostles at Sunset

The views here are amazing and our tour waits so we can see the sunset over the 12 Apostles – the sunset produces a change in colour on the limestone from dark shadows to brilliant sandy yellow under the full sun.  It is absolutely gorgeous and so special – especially since this is a natural phenomenon.

Since this site is visited by so many, Parks Victoria has built boardwalks, tracks and viewing areas to ensure visitors get the most spectacular views possible of the 12 Apostles.

Even so many years later, I look back on these photos and smile.

I was told recently that one of the 12 Apostles fell due to weather – I guess I went at the right time.  Wouldn’t that make them the 11 Apostles now?  lol.

Oh – Australia, how I miss you.  It is such a lovely part of the world and I remember looking out onto the Southern Ocean and thinking that I was really (in some ways) on the edge of the world. 

I can’t wait to go back to this country of natural beauty and unlimited surprises!

Well, it’s that time of year again.  Growing up in North America, I always remember this time of year to be about snow, cold weather and lots of food & drink.  Even though I’m Jewish and don’t technically celebrate Christmas, I still did what many Jewish kids who grew up in Canada do – go for a visit to Santa at the local shopping mall for a photo.  Ah…the memories.

December and the holidays in general are a great time of year.  All of the hustle and bustle, the holiday parties and celebrations – it is just a joyful time for all.  Also we are closing down the year and starting the year off with a blank slate – something I’m looking forward to this coming year for a number of reasons.

Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate enough to celebrate the holiday season in different parts of the world.  I’ve been down under, in the UK, home in Canada and even in Israel.

Here are some of my observations of the different traditions at this time of year in the places I’ve been -

XMAS 2004 - Oz

2004 – Christmas / New Years in Oz -

As I mentioned before, I spent about 5-6 weeks in Australia between Dec ’04 – Jan ’05.  As most of you know, this is the summertime in Australia and my first experience in the Southern Hemisphere during Christmas and New Years.  Instead of snow and slush, I was confronted with Christmas trees in the middle of beach and sun.  No complaints.

Since I don’t technically celebrate Christmas, I decided to take a break from the backpacking life and booked a 5-night holiday on Great Keppel Island through Contiki tours.  Even on this remote and relaxed island, Christmas celebrations were still in full swing.  When I talked to some Australian locals they told me that their Christmas traditions are to have barbecues outside on Christmas Day with the family. A far cry from hibernating inside with a roast to keep warm.  On this Christmas, the resort hosted a toga party – the togas were Christmas sheets you bought at the resort and it all went to charity.  It was good fun and a nice way to celebrate the festive season.

New Years in Australia is a pretty big deal.  The big party is in Sydney as it is one of the first places in the world to ring in the New Year.  I spent New Years in Fraser Island (as I mentioned in a previous blog) but the one thing that’s consistent across the country is that everyone is up for a good party.

If you are heading down under to escape the cold, enjoy mate!

XMAS ball in the UK - Yes, it's Elvis!

2006 – Christmas/New Years in Jersey, UK

2006 was my first year celebrating the holidays in the UK.  I must say, it is lovely to be on an island like Jersey at Christmas time.  Earlier in December, the Christmas Market comes out – La Fête dé Noué as they call it.  During this time, the high street is lit and the shops are bustling.  There are outdoor markets in the Royal Square and there is just a lovely feeling in the air.

My first UK Christmas was special – I loved how everyone got into the spirit with all the fun Christmas Balls, Christmas lunches and all the general festivities.  Christmas Eve most people meet up for a Christmas drink after they leave work (usually a bit earlier than normal).  Then on Christmas Day, after you open all your prezzies, we would head to the pub for a drink to chat to all the locals and wish them well.  Then came the meal – and boy was it yummy!  All of the roast turkey and pork (yes, I eat pork!) and all the trimmings – soooo delicious. The rest of the evening was spent watching Christmas specials of Coronation Street and Eastenders while chomping on snacks and chocolate.

I look back to those days and they will always put a smile on my face, that’s for sure.

Snowy Canada - 1st Jan '08

2007 – Christmas / New Years in Toronto, Canada –

In 2007, I spent Christmas Day on a plane back to Canada and New Years just outside of Toronto.  The holidays in Canada are lovely for a number of reasons.  Firstly, there is so much multiculturalism in a city like Toronto.  No holiday ever feels left out and there is almost something for everyone.  There are menorahs scattered around the city lighting an extra candle for each night of Chanukah.

For Christmas, there is a holiday feeling everywhere.  Usually there is some snow on the ground too and that always puts everyone in the holiday mood.  All of the bustling shopping malls and sales really get everyone out  Like the UK, there are lots of lights and glitter and even though it may be freezing outside, it’s always nice to take a stroll to get some holiday inspiration.

New Years in Canada is a tough one – I spent many a year getting all dolled up for fancy night clubs or parties only to be freezing cold and trekking through the snow.  In 2007, my partner & I just went to a friends house outside of the city.  To be honest, it was one of my favourite New Years celebrations I’ve ever had.  Good food, friends and laughter – who could ask for anything more to ring in a new year?

Israel - Dec 29th!!

2009 – Chanukah / New Years (Sylvester) in Israel -

Last year during all of the December celebrations, I was in Israel.  Chanukah started right when I arrived on Kibbutz Ketura. It is amazing to be in Israel at this time of year – well during any holiday celebration.  As a Jew who was born in an English speaking country, we celebrate Jewish holidays but they often aren’t as well known or widely celebrated as other holidays like Christmas or Easter.  To be in a country where the majority observes these holidays, is really something special.  It’s hard to describe.

Where I was, Christmas really was not a big deal.  I didn’t even realize it was happening until I looked at the date a couple days before.  First of all, the temperatures are warm so you don’t think you are in the month of December but also there are no Christmas decorations around like there are in North America or Europe.  I’m sure things would have been different if I went up to Jerusalem or Bethlehem though.

As for New Years, it also isn’t such a big deal here in Israel.  Dec 31st and Jan 1st aren’t holidays so if it falls on a working day, you work.  That’s not to say that people still don’t use New Year’s Eve as a reason to party – they do, especially on  a weekend.  Last year though I found out that Israelis actually call New Years Eve Sylvester – strange I know.  After researching I found out that this is named after a Catholic saint who has a feast associated with 31st Dec.  It’s a bit strange but I guess it caught on so Sylvester it is.

This year, I’m actually flying back to Israel just in time for New Year’s Eve (oops…Sylvester).  To understand more about what New Year’s is like in Israel, click here – an interesting article on the topic.

So – that’s my experiences on the holidays across the globe.  Do you have any others you’d like to share?

This Travelling Starfish wants to hear more…

Welcome to the first edition of the Travelling Starfish archives!

When I decided to start looking back at my travel adventures pre-Starfish days I knew that I had to spotlight one of the best trips I’ve ever taken – Australia.  At the end of 2004, I managed to convince my boss at the time to let me have nearly 6 weeks off to head down under.  Since I literally planned this trip a year in advance, he obliged and after a 24 hour journey I landed in this massive island.

I travelled across the eastern side of Australia as south as Melbourne and as north as Cairns.  Through these archives, I’ll be highlighting most of my journey but for the inaugural archives post I thought I’d highlight my time in Fraser Island, which I look back on with fond memories.

Fishing on Fraser

For those of you who don’t know, Fraser Island is in the mid-upper part of Australia’s east coast in the state of Queensland.  It is approximately 300 km north of Brisbane and was declared a World Heritage site in 1992.  The island is considered to be the largest sand island in the world at 1840 km².  I can say that, for me, it was a real highlight of my trip.

When I went to Oz I did the backpacking thing – I stayed in hostels, took the Oz Experience (hop on, hop off bus) – and I totally recommend it.  Even though you are roughing it, you really get a chance to meet people and have some fun.  I wouldn’t have done it any other way.

When you start backpacking in Oz on the East Coast you typically hear of 2 trips – sailing the Whitsundays and taking a 4WD around Fraser Island.  Due to the fact that I only had a month & a half and had some places I needed to be by certain times in my trip I had to choose between the 2.  In the end, I decided to do Fraser as I thought it would be a bit of adventure and a lot of fun – boy, was I right!

Maheno Shipwreck

There are 2 types of trips you can book – both are 3/4 nights on the island. You can elect to do a self-tour or guided. The self-tour option is what most backpackers sign up for.  Basically you agree to spend 3/4 nights in a Jeep and bring all your own food in a cooler.  You camp out under the stars in wherever you want to on the island (but special camping areas are recommended).  The other tour, guided, is what I went on.  Essentially you stay in a cabin with a few others, have meals included and you get a tour guide who tells you about the island.  It’s a bit more expensive but I felt it was worth the money.

Both types of tours often start out at Hervey Bay.  Hervey Bay is a small town where you will need to stay at a night before you go to Fraser and the night you return.  There isn’t too much going on there but there are lots of backpackers to mix & mingle with.  From memory, we arrived early in the morning on Fraser Island and it was all systems go from the beginning.  There are no roads throughout the island so it’s quite an adventure to spend 4 days off-roading – so much fun!

Over the next 4 days we saw all the different areas of the island, hiked up the sand dunes, walked through rainforests, swam in the beautiful naturally occuring lakes (ah, heaven) and walked our butts off!  It was honestly one of the best times I’ve ever had.  We also had the good fortune to celebrate New Years in this incredible place.  Most people who come to Oz at this time of year start making their way to Sydney for New Year.  Don’t get me wrong, Sydney is an amazing city and I’m sure it’s lovely ringing in the New Year in style on the harbour.  However, I still look back at that New Years with warm thoughts – it was just such a different experience being somewhere so quiet and remote and partying into 2005!  I honestly can’t believe that was over 5 years ago!  It seems crazy, really.

Lake McKenzie

The biggest thing I remember about Fraser (outside of the beautiful scenery and glorious sand) is all the warnings of dingos.  Dingos are an ancient, free roaming, primitive canine or wild dog unique to Australia.  There is special concern in Fraser Island because of the high degree of tourism and the majority of reported incidents have originated there.  As the island is protected, so are its animals, including the dingo.  I just remember our guide telling us to be calm if we encountered a dingo – we should always be careful at night as that was when they came out.  The way, he said, we’d notice them is by their glowing eyes.  Stay calm, indeed.

I actually had a bit of a face-to-face with a dingo New Year’s eve.  I came back from the party and honestly think I saw some glowing eyes in the bushes.  I didn’t think much of it at the time as I was pretty intoxicated but maybe that made me less freaked out by it.  When I woke up in the morning and remembered, I got a fright so maybe a few glasses of wine isn’t such a bad thing after all sometimes!:)

Despite the dingos, I can’t say enough good things about this place – the beauty of the 7 mile beach and the gorgeous swim in Lake McKenzie (you will never see a more crystal clear body of water in your life) and the shipwreck on the beach all provide something for everyone.

Thinking about it makes me want to go back and I fear from this post that as I reminisce I’ll be having to put more money away for some more holidays.  It’s a tough life being a Travelling Starfish.

Until next month,

Travelling Starfish Archives