Monthly Archives: October 2012

One to avoid … Cairn Hotel, Newcastle

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I didn’t realise my friend Mark was a slow learner until I read his report on Trip Adviser . . .

“Stupidly I have stayed in this hotel 3 times. And every time I go back I remember why I wasn’t going to go back again!!! On my last visit, October 2012 my bathroom door had a hole in it which looked like it was created by a previous occupant’s fist. As it happened the hole was irrelevant as the door didn’t shut anyway.

There is absolutely no point in setting an alarm to wake you up in the morning because if your back ache (from the bed) doesn’t wake you up the plumbing certainly will.
At 5:30 on both mornings that I stayed at the Cairns I was awoken by a noise that sounded as if someone had installed a diesel generator in the corner of my room and was gradually revving it up to full speed. The noise continued for what seemed like hours but was only about 3 minutes. Nice 🙁
Oh and just to ensure your day could only get better, there is no cooked breakfast at the weekends.”

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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
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Can You Trust This Indian Travel Company? We Don’t.

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We had an agreement with Rare Holidays, an Indian travel company, to create an advertisement for them which we did, including several amendments and inclusions they insisted upon. In return they agreed pay just US$97 to advertise in traveljunkies for one year. We kept our side of the agreement and created their advert but after 3 months running  their advert they still didn’t pay and they have now said  “cancel our request”.
They have come up with excuses about why they can’t pay which we do not believe, so we no longer recommend this company as it is our experience they cannot be trusted.
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Cliff Chapman
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Our Whale Watching Trip In Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia

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Whale tail

Even though it was getting towards the end of the season before the Humpback whales head south to the Antarctic for the summer, Maureen and I together with our daughter Alison, her partner Matt, and our 2 year old grandson Matari took a whale watching trip from Hervey Bay, and what a trip it was.

 

Goodbye

Hervey Bay, known as the whale watching capital of the world, is a huge bay in South East Queensland, Australia, protected from the ravages of the Pacific Ocean by the world famous Fraser Island. This World Heritage site, 123 kms long and 23 kms wide is the largest sand island in the world and creates a resting place for the whales to relax and play preparing for their 4,000 km journey ahead.

We took the afternoon trip with Australia’s longest established whale watch operators Hervey Bay Whale Watch on their boat Quick Cat II.

It started with a light lunch and fruit, cakes and freshly brewed tea and coffee were provided on the return trip. The weather was beautiful with clear blue skies and the temperature was approaching 30C with clear blue calm waters.

Quick Cat II

Quick Cat II is a fast and stable catamaran which quickly got us to the whale watching area and we were soon surrounded by pods of huge Humpbacked whales, many of whom were mothers and their calves, spouting jets of water high into the air and thrashing about no more than a few metres from our boat. It was almost as if they were putting on a show for us.

An added bonus was the trip goes alongside Fraser Island so there was always something to see on the 45 minute journey including 4 wheel safaris on the beach and Sea Eagles circling above.

The owners Brian and Jill Ferry made us very welcome and the skipper Brent and crew member Tony certainly know their stuff finding the whale pods and and providing a commentary about the whales and their behaviours, and Tony videoed the trip so if your camera skills aren’t up to scratch you can still have something to show your friends back home.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

With the Skipper Brent.

Before leaving England to visit our daughter and her family in Australia we had whale watching on our agenda and along with seeing our family this was one of the highlights of our visit.

Hervey Bay Whale Watch http://www.herveybaywhalewatch.com.au/ is a multi award winning company with 40 awards, which has been family owned and operated for more than 25 years, and on the day of our trip they had just received their latest award for wheelchair access. Quick Cat II is a spotlessly clean boat designed for whale watching. Wheelchairs and prams can easily move around the main deck and we found it perfectly safe for an active 2 year old. It also has a bar so we have no hesitation in recommending it.

If you get to make the trip, say hello to Brian, Jill and the crew and tell them Cliff from traveljunkies recommended you.

So if whale watching is on your bucket list or if you are visiting Australia, try to take a trip to Hervey Bay, just a few hours North of Brisbane, to see one of the greatest shows on earth. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks guys, we had a great day.

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Please leave a comment and tell us about your whale watching experince. Thank you

Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
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Join The Folks Visiting The Great Wall Of China

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Huge crowds of tourists pack on to the Badaling Great Wall of China on Wednesday as extended national holidays brought many attractions to a virtual standstill. The China Tourism Academy estimated there would be 362 million travelers on the move this holiday. (Rex)

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Cliff Chapman
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Things To Do For Free In Prague

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Free Things to do on Prague City Breaks

 

The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, is one of the most popular cities to visit on a city break. It has the largest castle complex in Europe, a notorious reputation for nightlife holidays and some of the most romantic views in the world. However, with mass popularity comes tourist traps and hiked up prices, and your cheap weekend to Prague can become very expensive, very quickly. Avoid paying extra, with a look at this round-up of the best free things to see and do on Prague holidays.

Castle District

Prague Castle is made up from a number of castles, churches and courtyards. Since the 9th century it has been added to and refurbished by princes and rulers of Prague to create Europe’s biggest castle complex. You can buy a short or long tour ticket to explore all of the churches and buildings but there are some areas you can get into without paying:

  • Castle Entrance: The first courtyard has free admission and here you can admire the main gate on Hradčany Square and the giant battling Titans statues. There is also a changing of the guard ceremony every hour until 10pm all year around.
  • PlečnĂ­k Monolith: The Third Courtyard of the Castle is home to the Main Office (where you can buy tickets) but here, for free, you can see the granite monolith monument that commemorates those lost in World War One. There’s also a replica of the St George statue that shows him famously slaying a dragon.
  • The Cathedral of St Vitus: In the Third Courtyard you’ll find the St Vitus Cathedral which has recently removed its entrance fee and it now free to explore. It’s a great example of Gothic architecture with its spindly towers. Climb the 96m of the Great Tower for incredible views of the city below.

Mala Strana

The smallest and most bohemian of Prague’s districts has a couple of great free attractions:

  • Kampa Island: This small island is separated from Mala Strana by an arm of the Vltava River known as Devil’s Stream. It’s one of the prettiest areas in Prague with ancient mills and, at night, stunning views of the sparkling city lights on the water. Come here for a romantic walk, picnic or to take amazing photos of Prague.
  • Charles Bridge: One of the most iconic attractions of Prague, the Charles Bridge connects Malta Strana and Old Town. It has been standing for over 650 years and has played a crucial part in Prague’s history. It’s very busy between 9-5, so beat the crowds and come in the early dawn to see a sublime sunrise over Prague.

Old Town & New Town

Many of the most famous attractions in Prague are free to enjoy:

  • Take the obligatory visit to Old Town Square to see the intricate Astronomical Clock chime away.
  • David ČernĂœâ€™s mad sculptures are dotted through Prague for everyone to enjoy – find the ‘Hanging Out’ statue in Old Town.
  • In New Town, take a break from Prague’s Baroque and Gothic architecture and discover the world’s only Cubist lamppost and the curious Dancing Building.
  • Discover Prague’s amazing jazz scene at the Jazz Republic club in Old Town; it’s free admission and they showcase great live jazz and blues acts. See more Prague Jazz.

Find out more about Prague with the ‘Where to Stay in Prague’ guide from lowcostholidays.com

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Please leave a comment to tell us what you think. Thank you

Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
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Is Disneyworld For You?

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Disneyworld Orlando Florida

It is approaching that time of year where Halloween is just around the corner but where will you be travelling for it this year? Last year, I went to Disneyworld Orlando Florida and loved being out in the USA again. I can never get enough of the sunny state of Florida as it is beautiful and adventurous. I have been to Disneyworld four times in my life and every time I go it gets better and better, with a new attraction and event to see.


Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

If you have not visited Disneyworld in Florida in September or October time you are missing out because you get a Halloween Event that is so much fun to be at, this event is called Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The magnificent Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is located in Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom, which is the best park in my opinion. Set in the surroundings of Cinderella’s castle, it is an event for kids and adults of all ages, a chance to dress up in fancy dress and see amazing shows and the famous HalloWishes firework display that makes the castle come alive. You may even get to meet the Disney Villains as they wonder around the park and surprise you at every corner turned. Jafar from Aladdin really did give me a fright the last time I was there but it made the experience so much better by having characters from the movies interact with the crowds in the way they did.

So what is on the travel menu at Mickey’s Halloween party this autumn?
The Boo to You Parade will be a consistent feature, where Disney characters and a headless horseman take the streets of Main Street USA on a parade that combines the stars from the Haunted Mansion attraction. You can still join in the fun of the trick and treat adventure, hopping from one attraction to the next and picking up some candy on your way. Hope you are ready for a sweet tooth because by the end of the night you will be all sugared up and partying with Goofy in his dance off in Tomorrowland!

The best part of the menu for me was the Happy HalloWishes firework display, where you can see ghost illuminations appear on the castle and special lighting and music combine to make you feel you are in a haunted place. It is exactly as it states though; not so scary, the special effects are there to make things lively and fun and are not there to scare children in any way. It is a light hearted event and full of joy and laughter.

The great thing about getting to visit such an attraction in an amazing part of America is you get to live the Disney dream no matter what age you are. This is a destination spot where dreams really do come true.

Author Jeanna H suffered from a hair loss condition and everytime she thinks of Disney it gives her that magical miracle feeling back; Read more about her Alopecia hair loss advice and her journey to recovery.

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Please leave a comment to tell us what you think. Thank you

Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
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Discover Amsterdam’s Bars & Cafes #2 – CafĂ© de Dokter (Doctor)

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The second in a series of extracts from Paul Clutterbuck’s book Inside Amsterdam in which he re-visits some of his old haunts.

Café de Dokter (Doctor)
Rozenboomsteeg 4
1012 PR Amsterdam
Tel: 020-6242582
Hours: Tue-Sat 4pm-1am Sun-Mon CLOSED
Beer: 4 draft and 4 bottled
Wine: House red, white, rose
Whiskies a house speciality
Food: Dutch Snacks (particularly smoked beef sausage); fresh orange juice

200 years old and uniquely Dickensian

Where to start? Firstly the café was founded in 1798 by a doctor from the nearby hospital (closed in 1975).
He converted it from a resting place for stagecoaches to the cafĂ© we see today. Originally named ‘de Doketertje’ (little doctor) because it dispensed the medicine
needed, today it could be more appropriately called “The Old Curiosity Shop”.It is located very near the Begijnhof, Old City Orphanage (now
the Amsterdam Historic Museum) and the Spui.
.

It has been run by the Beems family for six generations. Jannie and Jan Beems took it overfrom Jan’s mother forty five years ago, when she was eighty six years old. Jan kept everything just as she left it. Yes, that does mean no dusting has been done. Jan’s mother stopped dusting when she was sixty five years old making the dust and cobwebs hanging from the doctor’s bag, birdcage and picture frames more than sixty five years old, creating a unique decoration. Expect Miss Haversham from Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” to appear any minute.

The classic brown café with wooden floor and sand is in evidence but the
brown café purist will note there is music wafting around. Jazz from the
Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday era gently plays in the
background most days but I’m told that when Jan Beems is in a bad mood
classical music can be heard. Many of these famous jazz artists have made
their way here over the years to pay homage to the homage being paid
them.
This café is an obvious candidate for the smallest café in town at less
than eighteen square metes and is full of interesting bric-a-brac, collectibles and memorabilia. The toilets are up the steep spiral staircase at the back (maybe Miss Haversham is at the top).
Jan takes great interest in his customers and usually asks two
questions; what do you do and where do you come from? He has an
impressive memory for his customers no matter how frequently they
visit or where they live in the world. Whether you find Jan and Jannie
or their warm and welcoming son-in-law behind the bar, you’ll find de
Dokter a very hospitable, unusual and curious place to down your
medicine.

Get your copy of Inside Amsterdam here and help kids with facial deformities worldwide enjoy a better life.

Thank you
Cliff

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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
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