Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Traveling Hillbilly Goes to Australia

Australia was the first destination on the Traveling Hillbilly’s wish list of places to visit. The beaches, the people, the beauty, the koala bears, the kangaroos. How could someone not want to go? So how is it with all the traveling the Traveling Hillbilly has done, Australia has yet to be on the list? Even the Traveling Hillbilly doesn’t have an answer for that. But that’s about to change. This November the Traveling Hillbilly tours Australia & New Zealand.

It’s been a while since the Traveling Hillbilly has taken a trip alone. It’s time. So Australia it is. Now I just have to decide where to go. Two weeks to do Australia and New Zealand just isn’t enough, Sydney? Melbourne? Tasmania? The Northern Territory? The Great Barrier Reef? Auckland? Christ Church? A bike tour of the wine region? A mountain bike tour through the Outback? What gets crossed off the list? How does one decide?
For those of you who’ve been, I’d love your suggestions. Please email the Traveling Hillbilly your Australian adventures.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Sleeping in the City that Never Sleeps

As a lot of you may know New York is known as the city that never sleeps. Is that because of the energy of the city itself? Is it because of the constant noise, sirens and horn honks that go on all night? Is it because people live in such small places, home is the last place they want to be so they stay out all night? Who knows? I do like New York though. There is just such energy to the city and you can’t help but feel alive just walking down the streets. It is such a fabulous place to visit.

So given all that how is it the Traveling Hillbilly managed to sleep for hours in this great city? I actually slept through the night both nights I was in New York, something the Traveling Hillbilly has not managed to do in months. Given the time difference, I was totally expecting to wake up in the middle of the night and lie awake for hours, only to be miserably tired the next day. However, I found myself well-rested and ready to take on the city. It was unseasonable warm but not hot, so the weather was perfect for walking the streets,

Two nights in a great hotel in So Ho, a little room service, perfect fall weather and this is part of work? What more could the Traveling Hillbilly ask for? Well, maybe another day or two to explore the city.

So for those of you who’ve never been to New York, the Traveling Hillbilly recommends you go and now. New York is a must on anybody’s travel list and fall is such a beautiful time to go. It truly is a great city. Don’t forget to take your walking shoes!