Captain Cook Cruises Hop On Hop Off Sydney Harbour Explorer

'Get out on the harbour!' - This is the one piece of advice I always give visitors. You can't truly appreciate Sydney without seeing it from the water. I also used to say it didn't matter whether you went on a tour or a ferry, but David and I recently spent a day with Captain Cook Cruises Hop on Hop Off Sydney Harbour Explorer and the experience was so much better than riding the ordinary ferries I can't believe how much we have missed over the years.

One of a Kind apartments, Canberra

One of a Kind apartments, Canberra prides itself on its eco-friendly design and environmentally sustainable business practices. I sometimes worry about the massive carbon footprint David and I create with our constant travel. At One of a Kind my conscience was able to take a break for a few days.

The apartments are quiet, modern  and well-located.  David, not a green warrior in any sense of the word, just loved the tranquil surroundings.

Seven things you need to know before you visit Alaska.

Last year David and I drove to south-east Alaska. Yes, I know - there are very few roads and you can't actually drive there. We drove anyway. Most visitors see this part of the world from the deck of a cruise ship and if this is what you are planning, don't worry, we called in at the same towns and ports as the cruise ships so my advice applies equally to you.

Sitka, Alaska

Travel Photo Tuesday

Sitka was once the capital of the Imperial Russian Empire in Alaska. Now it is a sleepy little town with a population of less than 9,000 inhabitants. When Russia sold Alaska to the U.S in what turned out to be one of the best real estate deals in history the Russian population left, but enough of their history lives on to make this a fascinating place to visit. Yet another town which is unconnected by road to the mainland of Alaska, Sitka suffers less from cruise ship overload with the ships calling in less frequently than other south-eastern Alaskan ports.