VIDEO: Riding the CityCat - Brisbane

Brisbane's favourite mode of transport, the CityCat ferry plies the Brisbane River from Hamilton (downstream) through the city heart to the University of Queensland at St Lucia (upstream). A Cat arrives approximately every 10 minutes at all stops along the way, providing a seamless and pleasant method of travel which is a big hit with tourists and locals alike.

The complete one way journey takes approximately one hour.

We rode the CityCat from Bretts Wharf, Hamilton to the city and beyond on a recent weekend, capturing many of the passing Brisbane landmarks on video. This is definitely the best way to see my home town!

PODCAST: Around the World #44-08

Original CRN Australia broadcast date: 29 October, 2008


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Program details:

1. John Crook’s wine report highlights Toolangi Estate Pinot Noir produced in Australia’s Yarra Valley district.
2. Budy Winston and Richard Mineards, in the US studio, chat with Arthur von Wiesenberger who calls in from Greece,
3. Euro correspondent Frances Beasley reports on Montignac and markets in the Dordogne district of France.
4. John Crook meets and chats with Kurrun Jeet who runs Herb’s Hus, in Warnambool (Australia).

Norfolk Island and all that Jazz!

JAZZ buffs can score themselves a double-dose of holiday fun with a package that combines both this year’s Norfolk Island Jazz in the Pines Festival, and the opportunity to delve into some of Australia’s most fascinating convict-era history on this picturesque island that’s just 2-hours-10-minutes from Brisbane, and twenty-minutes more from Sydney.

The Festival will run from December 8 to 12 with a line-up that includes Dorian Mode, Julie Wilson, the Malcolm McNeil & Mike Walker Trio, Les Crosby and Shoalhaven Jazz, Trevor Furner & Unsafe Sax, the Jo Elms Band, and Al Dave & the monSTARS.

Norfolk & Pacific Holidays has week-long packages that start from just $1409pp twin-share from Brisbane and from $1459pp twin-share ex-Sydney at the Hillcrest Motel, with bonus Continental Breakfast daily.

This includes return air and taxes, airport transfers, an Island Tour, two Jazz Festival Dinner Shows, a Festival Lunch Show, Matinee Concert, two Night Concerts, Reserved seating at Concerts, and a free Souvenir Program; a $30 Departure Tax is payable on leaving the Island..

See travel agents, Freecall 1800 111 653 or email res@norfolkpacific.com.au

AS WELL as the fascinating ruins of its convict-era penal colony and its Bounty Mutineer heritage, Norfolk Island also offers exceptional diving, snorkelling and fishing, and is a magnet for garden buffs and star-gazers.

It is also a duty-free haven for bargain-shoppers and is unhurried, uncrowded and knows no such thing as peak-hour traffic.

Visitors can also visit several Island homes that are open for inspection, and which offer refreshments during meetings with the locals to hear of their connections with the Bounty Mutineers and about life on the Island.

-David Ellis & Associates

PODCAST: Around the World #43-08

Original broadcast date on CRN, Australia: 15 October 2008


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Here's this week's edition of my travel radio show, Around the World'. The program is featured weekly on CRN-affiliated radio stations throughout Australia as well as ZFM-net radio and includes segments of its US-based parent program of the same name, as well as locally contributed and produced items. To listen, just click on the arrow on the embedded player above. I will post the new show on this site every Wednesday. For more details, check out the program's official podcast website:
http://aroundtheworldradio.podbean.com

Program details:

1. Australian contributor John Crook reviews Shaw Smith Sav Blanc and also a book titled ‘Palace Counsel’.
2. Euro correspondent Frances Beasley visits the Nailhac Nut Fete in France.
3. US-based co-hosts Arthur von Wiesenberger and Richard Mineards chat with Ray Bartlett about his visit to Onsen Baths, Japan.
4. John Crook visits the Afghan district in Dandenong, Victoria (Australia).

PODCAST: Around the World travel radio #42-08

Original broadcast date: 15 October, 2008


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Program details:

1. John Crook reviews a new travel guide - ‘Time Out Sydney’.
2. Arthur von Wiesenberger and Richard Mineards chat with Max Hartshorne of gonomad.com about Columbia as a tourist destination.
3. Frances Beasley reports on the French city of Bordeaux.
4. John Crook interviews Australian resident Margaret Jasper who has recently returned from a business trip to Iran.
5. John then ’sends’ us an audio ‘postcard’ from Phillip Island

VIDEO: Viva Las Vegas

In September we spent six days and nights enjoying the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip. This video shows some of the highlights of our trip into the 'gambling capital of the western world.

Last year we holidayed in Macau (southern China) and it was interesting comparing the two gambling cultures on opposite sides of the world.

If I had to decide between the two, Macau would probably get my vote as the better of the two places for a casino-related holiday. It's got all the colour and excitement of Vegas inside the massive casino hotels but outside these 'edifices' Macau maintains an old world charm with its mixture of Chinese/Portugese heritage.

However, there's no denying Vegas is a fascinating place - and this video hopefully brings home some of its unique atmospher and colour.

VIDEO: Holiday in Honolulu

We shot this colourful video in and around Honolulu, Hawaii on our recent holiday staying at the Waikiki Circle Hotel, right on Waikiki Beach. It features lots of beach scenes, some Hawaiian culture and beautiful sunsets. Enjoy!

Radio show nominated for international award

I'm proud to announce that the US-based parent show of my travel radio show, 'Around the World' has been nominated for the 'best of travel and dining in radio' award in the 2008 Irhas International Restaurant & Hotel Awards.

The show, which originates out of the studios of KZSB AM 1290 in Santa Barbara (California) will be competing for the coveted 'gong' with co-nominees The Food Programme (BBC Radio 4, United Kingdom); The Travel Show With Arthur Frommer (WOR 710 HD New York, United States) and Chef's Challenge (702 ABC Sydney, Australia).

For many years I have hosted and produced the Australian spin-off of the US show, featuring locally produced segments as well as grabs from the US show. I'm also the Aussie correspondent for the nominated US show, so have a close connection with the program. Thus we will keep our fingers crossed on the awards night, November 16, at the home of the 'Golden Globes', the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The star-studded event will be hosted by Mark DeCarlo from 'Taste of America' on the Travel Channel.

We will keep you posted on the outcome of the awards. Meanwhile, my congratulations on being nominated to the US team, led by amiable co-hosts Arthur von Wiesenberger and Richard Mineards.

For more details on the US edition of Around the World travel radio log on to www.aroundtheworldradio.com