#travelwithash

[outwithashme-blog]

O W A .

A U S T R A L I A .

Truth be told, Australian’s don't travel within Australia as much as we should. Granted there is a big world (huge!!) out there and I'm here to help you discover it all, however I have found the Australian travelers tend to look outside of their very own home for a beautiful holiday. 

Most of my friends/client/colleagues/myself have spent more travel time overseas on international holidays than within our own backyard.I want to change this. There is a reason that people travel 24hrs on a plane to enjoy our white sandy beaches, our red dusty outback, our crystal clear waters, our dense national parks and our unique wild life.

So today I want to tempt you with everything in Australia that I feel must be covered on my #OMAbucketlist. I would imagine that all of this could not be covered within one trip - for some of you maybe and I’m jealous. But lets go through a little AUSTRALIAN #OMAbucketlist 

G R E A T  B A R R I E R  R E E F .

I don't have words.... this was one of the most amazing places I have ever been. I had high expectations - I’m not going to lie to you very high - I was shocked when every one of them was met and then some.

I had THE LIST - I had to find each of the following when snorkeling or I was not satisfied.

Nemo - (clown fish), Dory, turtle, star fish, shark, stingray, clam, crab, patriot fish, crystal clear aqua waters and some of the most colourful bright coral I was yet to see in my life.

I saw everything - I emerge looking like a drowned rat (jellyfish suites are to be worn during stinger season - they’re not attractive) but I had a grin from ear to ear.

T H E  G R E A T  O C E A N  R O A D .

My dream once I have taken over the world with travel, is to be with my best friend & my love driving around with a caravan attached seeing places within Australia in our own time and space. 

This is just what my Grandparents did, they were best of friends, they did everything together and driving the stunning 243km stretch of road connecting Torquay and Allansford is just what they did.

Along the drive, must stops include The Twelve Apostles, Great Otway National Park, Port Campbell National Park, Loch Ard Gorge and Apollo Bay.

M E L B O U R N E .

I LOVE MEL - I’m from Sydney so I cant talk it up too much - but man this place is awesome. Every time I have gone down to Melbourne I have come back with less money on my cards and more Kilos on the scales. The food, culture, restaurants, cafe and shops are some of the best I have been to. 

I have a thing for burgers - not just any burgers like MacDonalds, I mean the burgers that make your eyes roll cause they are so good it has touched a part of your soul! Melbourne has amazing burger bars.

Plus the Yarra Valley - within a 30min drive from Melbourne some of the best wines I have tried are from here. 

The city its self is stunning, well kept, Colonial and fresh. When the Cricket is on - I prefer it to Sydney - shhhh don't tell Sydney.

Blog to be Continued.............

 O W A .

[outwithashme-blog]

O W A .

B A L I .

For some reason, whenever I have suggested to a client "Have you ever thought of travelling to Bali?" The look on their face is that they have just stepped in dog poop.

It confuses me. I have been to Bali a hand full of times, through work, for a romantic get away - to get an upgrade on my current moon tan.

 I thought it was a good suggestion, it's close to where my travel agency and clients are based  - Sydney (from here it's about roughly 5.45 hour flight away), it's cheaper to spend a week in Bali than most days in Sydney, amazing weather, culture, food, history, beaches and the people.

 Then it crossed my mind, the media. My clients continue to explain that after seeing a program on the TV, they no longer wish to travel there. They don't want to be drugged or stuck in Kuta. Even my own mother refuses to even look at Bali as an option for travel, then again my mother needs to have 4 wines to fly to Byron.

 So I feel it's time this "idea" of what Bali is - #badbali - needs to be changed. Let's get down to it.

 No matter where you travel within the world there will always be a bad area within the destination. There are bad areas in Sydney and with the ever growing melodramatics the media push on our perception, this won't be stopping anytime soon.

 With that being said Bali is the same. If you're wanting a quiet relaxing holiday with no one insight, tropical fish and coconuts I will not suggest Kuta. If you're wanting to meet people, be on the beach, dance and have a great time out at new trendy restaurants and boutique fashion outlets I will not suggest Ubud.

 This is about having the right advise advised. Not relying on Barry and Shaz that just got back from their 16 annual Bali trip who directed you to stay in their favourite hotel that has been there since the first time they heard of Bali.

 From someone that has been up and down the East and South Coast of Bali and Sanur, Lombok and Gili Islands. My first trip involved moving around, travelling from Seminyak, to Uluwatu, then onto Ubud making our way to Padang Bai then into Lombok and finally Gili Trawangan.

 My other trips have involved the same routing, however my last trip I did a sneaky Sanar Island stay, it's close to the main land of Bali (to get to Gili - it took a 3.45hr drive and a 1.30hrs speed boat ride).

 I saw a lot, but mostly that Bali is not just Kuta. Staying in the one place can be done and if that is what you're after do it, however let's find the right place to suit your expectations to relax and spend your holiday in.

 Let's look at some mouth watering luxury accommodations that will not break your budget and look beyond the tile of #badbali - view it for the beautiful, unique and life changing experience that I did.

 ash

                                       O W A .