2020 was supposed to be another big year of travel for me, with a four-week Europe trip in August and September including Iceland, the top country on my bucket list of places to go. Safe to say, COVID-19 tore these plans to shreds and there’s no certainty on whether any international travel will be possible this year at all. So I thought I’d look back and blog about one of my most memorable overseas holidays, a solo car trip in New Zealand.
sightseeing
Europe Trip: Italy
I’ve never been to Italy before, but I had no doubt that I’d absolutely love it, and surprise, I did.
Europe Trip: Scotland
After having great time on tour in Ireland, I continued the Celtic leg of my holiday with a car trip around Scotland.
Europe Trip: Ireland
I’m finally back from my four-week holiday in Ireland, Scotland and Italy. Since I can’t go back in time, blogging is the next-best way to relive the trip.
Bali
Last time I went to Bali I was so determined to have a purely relaxing holiday I deliberately left my big camera at home and didn’t bother about photos. Though this recent week was also mostly about relaxing and pampering (hot stone massage, mmmm) I did take some shots of a few beautiful places we visited.
Bali Botanic Garden, a green oasis of calm
Bali Botanic Garden
Bamboo grove… now that’s proper Neighbours-Be-Gone hedge
Lake Beratan
Lake Beratan
Local market
View on the rice fields from our hotel in Ubud
Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud Monkey Forest
Macaw at the Antonio Blanco Museum
Antonio Blanco Museum – the roof
No idea what the deal is here, but it’s a striking sight
Sydney – Vivid Festival
Sydney is always great to visit, and this time I got to attend the annual Vivid Festival, when Sydney is illuminated by some amazing light shows. We were also lucky to catch the Archibald Prize portrait exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, spend some time at the Manly Beach, and enjoy some great food. I tried non-alcoholic beer for the first time, which was surprisingly nice (real beer still gets a no from me though).
Sydney Opera House is of course the most spectacular light show on offer
Light installations in the park
Light installations in the park
Light installations in the park
Manly Beach
Archibald Packing Room Prize winner, the portrait of Jimmy Barnes
Tasmania – Bruny Island
I’ve been to Tasmania at least five times before, and seen most of its major attractions, but never made it to Bruny Island off the south-eastern coast near Hobart. This beautiful spot exceeded all of our expectations and was very much worth the trip.
