Why Down Under?

By: The Traveling Connoisseurs

For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have traveled the globe, there is allure in the ancient cities of Europe, intrigue in the desert sands of the Middle East, splendor in the fast growing cities of Asia, riveting beauty in the rain forests and mountain highlands of Latin America, and  the roar of wild animals in Africa (along with unparalleled beauty and scenic delights.) So much to choose from, where would we go if money was no object and we had time to wander the world?

For us, first choice is almost always Italy, the wine country, the old cities, the museums, the fashion, the crazy wonderful people and their special understanding that life is to be lived. No other people make us laugh and feel as good as do the Italians.

As Europe has become so much more expensive, we have had to turn our eyes elsewhere, look to places where the dollar might go farther. Our trip to Australia and New Zealand has opened new travel thoughts and they remain with us, constantly calling us back for more of the beauty and delights of the lands Down Under.

Australia is a mix of the old (their old and our old are pretty much the same, age- wise), their cities, like ours, are wonderfully reminiscent of yesterday, and at the same time, strikingly modern. In major cities, architecture takes you on a roller coaster ride of visual enchantment. In Sydney, we have San Francisco-like scenes, water all around you, ferry boats dotting the seas like little insects, taking people to and from work, taking tourists on delightful water trips from downtown to the suburbs. Melbourne, once a dowdy old lady, has become a hub of sports, culture, architectural beauty and fine dining. From coast to coast, Australia is delightful.

New Zealand is a nation of small cities, each one with a distinct personality. Auckland, the BIG city, has 1.4 million people. That’s slightly more than San Francisco and SF is one of our smaller major cities. It is a miniature country, beautiful beyond any words and populated by the most welcoming people. It is magic, not the magic of ancient civilizations but a special kind of magic that nature and great pioneer people bring to a culture.

We were asked if cruising is the best way to see this area. “Best” is a matter of personal choice However, a cruise that takes you around NZ and allows you to see various cities and regions in a week or so, is absolutely wonderful. It will stimulate your desire to return, let your imagination run wild in the anticipation of seeing more of this tiny Switzerland of the Pacific. Best of all, New Zealand is very affordable for Americans at this time.

Australia is another story, a bigger story (and for the ladies, it has Hugh Jackman and for the men, Nicole Kidman.). It is a nation as big as the US in size but with a population of only 24 million people.

Australia, is a land of beauty, huge deserts, great beaches, beautiful valleys and a wine country that is superb. It is a delight to visiting Americans because the language is almost the same (you have to get used to G’day Mate and some other local sounds), the food is wonderful, and people are so completely open and available. If we could not live here, Australia would certainly bear consideration. It is a place where fun and sports and living life to the fullest is an operational mantra.

A cruise to a few Australian destinations is a good taste bite, but this country, like ours, needs time on the ground, time to explore, time to visit. Our thought is that a cruise to NZ followed by a land trip to as many Aussie destinations as you have time for, is the way to go. You'll absolutely love it and come back home wanting more.

As a closing thought, if you let your mind wander, you will actually be able to picture living upside down in your mind. You learn to think of Kangaroos, Koala Bears, Antarctica, and yes, you keep looking to see if drains go in the opposite direction. We never saw it. But many say they do. It is just another intriguing reason to go Down Under.