Global Travel Writers: Articles

Australia's best beach houses

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:14:00 -0500

Around this time of year, something akin to an internal alarm clock sounds within almost every Australian who grew up within cooee of the coast. As the temperature slowly nudges north and we tumble head first into the pre-Christmas rush, a voice somewhere inside tells us it�s time for a beach holiday. Any sensible person has booked long before now. But if not, never fear. We�ve scoured the coastline, finding that cute retro shack with the sandy path leading to the beach, through to the new wave beach houses in a class all of their own. If they�re booked out, pencil yourself in for next year, or scour our other options for your place in the sun this summer break, or to escape winter if you happen to be in the southern states.

A taste of Taveuni

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:22:00 -0500

In an attempt to get away from Fiji�s image as simply a place to vegetate, the lush-green northern island of Taveuni, straddling the International Date Line, has been working on a full-scale eco-tourism program. One of the country�s first national parks, Bouma National Heritage Park incorporates both the stunning Lavena Coastal Walk and the Waitabu Marine Reserve. On the eastern side of the island, Rainbow Reef affords some of the world�s most colourful diving.

Edge of the Kingdom

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:52:00 -0500

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If Koh Samui�s powder sand beaches and secluded bays dotted with sun-bleached rock formations are not enough then there are jungle covered mountains concealing waterfalls and cool rock pools, exotic butterflies, wild orchids and gigantic ferns. Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting, but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more.

The allure of the pocket-sized island of Koh Samui is strong, but more temptations await in Thailand's far north west, in the province of Chiang Rai. This highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer. The Thai Government, in a concerted move to stop the practice, has curtailed poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods The scheme has worked well. An increasing number of tourists arrive each year, lured by the legacy of the region�s notorious past, its true scenic beauty and the distinct hill tribes of northern Thailand.

Standing on the Thai soil of a steep hill overlooking this small outpost at the very apex of the Golden Triangle I gazed out and over the mighty Mekong. On my left was mysterious Myanmar. On my right was even more enigmatic Laos. I had finally reached the edge of the Kingdom.

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Dingo: Have passport, can travel

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:55:00 -0500

Flopping into the gin clear water of Lake Mackenzie, the cool fresh water eased the swelling in my overheated feet. Midway through a 25km walk on Fraser Island, I wondered if we had underestimated the challenge of this trek, as we�re now weary, hot, hungry and somewhat reluctant to carry on. We lolled in the turquoise shallows beneath a cloudless blue sky. Watching a dingo trot casually out of the forest and onto the sand I was relieved that we had hung our backpacks containing lunch in a tree before we collapsed into the water.

Fraser Island has one of eastern Australia�s purest populations of wild dingoes, which, with the influx of tourists, are losing their natural fear of humans. Scavenging for food scraps has become increasingly troublesome behaviour for these cunning carnivores. Nearby, others had also noticed the dingo, amused as it idly sniffed through piles of belongings on the beach. Abruptly the dingo snatched a string bag in its teeth, bounded up the beach and disappeared into the bush with it.

�Hey that�s my bag,� one of the girls further out in the lake cried out in a German accent, while others in the group laughingly captured the dingo�s fleeing rear end on their cameras. �It�s got my passport in it!� she shrieked, as she bolted up the beach, waving her arms in pursuit of the fleet footed dingo.

Retreating to the comfort of Kingfisher Bay Lodge many hours later, my feet resemble bleeding stumps inside my inadequate shoes. Though these wounds will heal in time, I can�t help thinking of the troubles in store for a German tourist trying to explain to disbelieving authorities that a dingo stole her passport. Sounds suspiciously like the old �dog ate my homework� line. Guileful as they are, I wouldn�t be surprised at all if I saw one crafty dingo at the airport trying to board a plane to Berlin.

Looking for a humourous piece with a little tongue in cheek? Commission this piece by Fiona Harper which can run to around 600 - 800 words. Images are available. www.pbase.com/fionaharper/fraserisland

Thai Temptations

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:28:00 -0500

At any time of the year the mountainous hinterlands of Koi Samui look like the welcoming committee at the annual general meeting of Coconuts R Us!

As far as the eye can see only green palm fronds wave in unison. Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more.

The allure of this pocket size island is strong but more temptations wait in the far north western province of Chiang Rai, one of the most remote provinces of the country�s 76 self-governing administrative divisions.

A major reason for going to Chiang Mai is that the city can be used as a base for an excursion to the Golden Triangle.

Located at the northern extreme of Thailand, where the Kingdom of Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar (Burma) at the confluence of the Mekong River, this highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer.

The Thai Government, in a concerted move to not only change this image but stop the practice has curtailed most poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods such as producing alternate agricultural crops like macadamia nuts and coffee and reviving almost-lost handicraft techniques.

An illustrated feature on the Thai temptations of Samui and Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words - depending upon editorial requirements - and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

Samui Strokes

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:18:00 -0500

The mountainous hinterlands of Samui seclude and nurture one of the most scenic golf courses in Thailand.

Even the most jaded of golfing globetrotters, however, are impressed after a round at the Santiburi Samui Golf Club.

Perfectly positioned among the jade green hills of north western Samui, Thailand�s second largest island, the palm-lined layout offers a championship challenge along a 6932 metre sloping mountain tract.

A sea of green surrounds golfers playing this testing course while the blue of the Gulf of Thailand and idyllic islands beyond provide irresistible distractions.

Waterfalls and creeks meander through the lush land adding even more spectacle to a pristine paradise.

An illustrated feature on the emerging golf scene in Samui can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words, depending upon editorial requirements, and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

In addition, a feature on the Thai holiday island of Samui can also be written to suit editorial requirements.

Echoes of elegance

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:03:00 -0500

Opened briefly during August 2009 to for the annual yachting delirium that is Audi Hamilton Race Week, the Hamilton Island Yacht Club opens its stylish, hand crafted doors to members and guests on 25 November. Cleverly designed and inspired by azure Coral Sea colours, this is one seriously well appointed club, creating an element of sophistication rarely seen in the Whitsunday Islands.

Fiona Harper checks out the uber stylish Hamilton Island Yacht Club and Hamilton Island Golf Club

Contact Fiona Harper www.fionaharper.com.au to commission this article. Images are available www.pbase.com/fionaharper/hiyc

Laucala Langour

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:39:00 -0400

There is something decidedly exotic about hopping onboard a private jet and being whisked away to a far-flung South Pacific Island. Particularly so when your destination has been declared one of the 100 most beautiful hotels and resorts of the world.

Laucala Island, east of far-flung Taveuni in Fiji, opened in 2008 for just 50 discerning guests who don't mind shelling out upwards of 3800USD per night for a beachfront Plantation Residence. Set amidst a working coconut plantation, at this level of opulence, privacy, exclusivity and exquisite service is de riguer. With astounding attention to detail, assisted by a guest to staff ratio hovering around 7:1, Laucala Island has perfected the art of fine hospitality infused with an element of Fijian warmth.

Fiona Harper is one of few journalists invited to visit Laucala Island. Contact Fiona Harper to commission your exclusively crafted feature or puchase the article for immediate download.

Images are available.

My island home

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:56:00 -0400

Christine Anu comes from the saltwater people and sings about her island home, growing up in a small beachfront community in the Torres Strait. But it�s not necessary for you to venture that far to escape the ever-increasing crowds at popular island destinations. Perhaps you�re looking for a simple little piece of paradise in a world becoming ever more technical and complicated? Perhaps you�d like to slow down and actually smell those roses? Or sniff the salty scent of the sea at dawn. To awake beneath a forest canopy and listen as the wildlife erupts into its own operatic chorus. Perhaps then you�re tempted to enjoy the carefree life of a castaway on an island?

Daniel Defoe wrote a fictional autobiography based on an English castaway named Robinson Crusoe, who spent 28 years on a remote tropical island. So, while you probably don�t have 28 years to spare, possibly you do have a week or so to meld into an island existence. Where days revolve around the setting of the sun and the rising of the tide. Where evenings are spent beneath the stars watching clouds skitter across the moon. Where shoes are discarded and the only footprints on the beach are likely to be your own.

Contact Fiona Harper if you'd like to commission this article. Images are available.

www.fionaharper.com.au

Vanuatu cruising

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:45:00 -0400

Cruising into Port Vila Harbour I�m reminded of those romantic South Pacific voyages I dreamt of as a teenager, having secured by chance a berth on a yacht through the Kimberleys. This tantalizing coastal passage introduced me to sailing, whetting my appetite for further adventures at sea. Reluctantly disembarking in Darwin, I left the yacht with my head filled with dreams to travel to far-flung exotic ports. The idyllic islands of the Pacific Ocean were then, as now, high on my �must see� list. I wasn�t alone as it turned out. Pulitzer Prize winning novelist James Michener long before was also seduced by similar dreams, crafting his epic novel Tales of the South Pacific based on his experiences in Samoa and Vanuatu......

Contact Fiona Harper to commission this article, or others along a similar theme from this yachting enthusiast.