Las Vegas, United States

Glitz and Glamor in Las Vegas

 2 Comments

The one where I realize gambling isn’t for me, eat some of the fattiest foods known to man, cry during The Lion King, drink icy beverages, and am unimpressed by the M&M store while exploring sin city.

Coming to Vegas

From the moment we touched down in Las Vegas, the city grabbed me. Stepping from the arrival lounge and into the baggage collection area, I was immediately assaulted from all sides by the sights and sounds of the original city of decadence and excess. Penn & Teller watched on from overhead as I collected my bag, and I couldn’t exit the terminal without moving beneath the steely gazes of the men of the Thunder from Downunder. Businessmen in expensive suits share the same space as overweight middle aged women with ugly perms and intimidating acrylics.

Rather than the usual sounds of people hurrying about that I’d come to expect from airports, I was instead greeted by the tinkling the merry chiming of slot machines interrupted by the occasional rattle of pennies dropping into the collection tray. Even as they left Vegas, people were intent on pursuing that elusive jackpot.

Nobody leaves Vegas with full pockets.

The contrast between the air conditioned interior of the terminal and the searing heat of the Nevada desert was sobering, and it was hard to believe a place of such superficial beauty could exist in such a harsh environment. It wasn’t hard to imagine a similar city existing in the baking hot red centre of Australia, but of course Alice Springs doesn’t have a Hoover Dam to draw on.

The roller coaster at New York New York

 

The ride into the city proper takes us through the suburbs with their wilting gardens and peeling paint, but you soon forget about the sadder side of Vegas as the suburbs gave way to the glittering towers of the strip. The Stratosphere stretches up into the clear blue sky defiantly, while the black glass of the Luxor’s faux pyramid seems to soak up the oppressive heat.

Our cab speeds by the famous fountain of the Bellagio and the cityscape facade of New York New York, but our destination lies beyond the glamorous Strip. We’re headed for ‘old Vegas’ and the Fremont Street experience. Our hotel, the Golden Nugget, made me feel like a high roller before I’d even cast a die in anger. Its red carpet and gold trimmed fixtures make you feel like you could be that lucky schmuck who wins it big on one of the many craps tables and roulette wheels that dot the lower floor.

Finding our way to our room proved a challenge, the windowless halls create a labyrinth that you could get lost in if you were sufficently inebriated. And while we’re not in a suite to rival the one in The Hangover, our thirteenth floor room still affords us a fantastic view of the city and has a king size bed. Fallon and I had been sleeping in separate rooms out of respect for her father’s ‘not under my roof policy’, and Vegas offered up our first chance to share a bed since she’d left Korea a few weeks earlier.

We didn’t waste much time dropping off our bags and splashing water on our faces, and while Fallon had been to Vegas before, it was her first time over the age of 21 and we were both eager to make the most of our time in the city. Everything in the city is about excess, and our first meal serves up fries in a bucket. No utensils or plates here – just a small silver pail crammed to the brim with delicious fries served with a side of ketchup. As if that weren’t enough, Fallon and I also split some nachos and wash it all down with some ice cold Bud Lite. Our venue of choice is Mermaids Casino, although we save our gambling for the next venue.

The world’s largest flat screen TV

That venue just happens to be the Fitzgerald, which rates a mention in next week’s Top 10 Favorite Drinking Spots. Fallon’s friends Jeff and Pat were calling the slightly cheaper Fitz home, and had already staked out a balcony table overlooking the famed Fremont Street Experience. A massive flat screen television – the largest in the world – stretches across the roof of the entire street and periodically the entire street would darken and speakers would blare out a tribute to one of many American rock icons. While this happened, the street would come to a standstill as video and laser lights mesmerized the people in the street.

We didn’t do a whole lot of gambling in Vegas. In fact, we did all of it on the first night and decided enough was enough. A little video poker at the bar to earn that complimentary beer, and then some penny slots downstairs that took what little change I had and left me with no hope for a big win.

Bright lights and music dazzle the crowd on Fremont Street
Some guy from America’s Got Talent

With Halloween just around the corner, Fremont Street had periodic shows in the streets. Frank & The Steins put on hourly rock tributes to classic Halloween songs such as the Monster Mash, Time Warp, and the always popular Thriller. On other stages there were magicians, stunt performers, and some crazy guy juggling chain saws while his token attractive assistant posed in various suggestive poses.

We six meandered through the streets and let the night take us where it willed. We sipped on $2 coronas on the street and were horrified that a bottle of cold water sold for twice as much. We stopped by the Bayou and picked up a pair of its famous Hurricane iced cocktails to share. These need to be seen to be believed, and they taste as good as they look. Just beware of brain freeze.

Fallon double fists a pair of Hurricanes from La Bayou

We attempted karaoke hosted by a fat Elvis impersonator, posed with pretty girls in the street, and finally ended our night with the old staple of boozy evenings – Big Macs and fries.

Waking up in Vegas

Our first full day in Vegas dawned as warm as the one before, and with America gripped by the missing kid in the weather balloon, it made for interesting viewing over the decent buffet offering that the Golden Nugget offered up. Our day was to be spent exploring the Strip – so we snagged a ride on the confusingly named ‘Deuce’ and rode downtown past a slew of 24/7 chapels.

Oddly enough, my good friends Liz and CJ would tie the knot in one of those very chapels less than a year later.

Our first stop on the Strip was New York New York, although I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Las Vegas and a theme park. Sure, the cheesy mascots weren’t around and the ride were replaced by games of chance – but the bright colours, the crazy characters, and even the occasional rollercoaster jutting out the side of a casino reminded me that this was more of an adult playground than a real city.

Dueling pianos at the Bar from Times Square in New York New York

 

New York New York blew my mind. It was such a show in decadence. The lobby, modelled to look like a miniature New York, even has streets to wander. Delis, bars, souvenier shops, and cute little cafes line the mock streets – but it was the famous piano bar that grabbed our attention. A pair of dueling pianos, played by a gregarious duo, banged out customer’s requests as they sipped on $7 beers from souvenier glasses. I gamely stepped forward to request Downunder by Men at Work and was treated to a five minute interview by the host for my troubles.

After that it was time to snatch an authentic New York style bagel before moving back out into the heat. Fighting our way through crowds of people handing out flyers for strip clubs and prostitutes, we eventually made it across to the Coca Cola and M&M stores. It’s hard to believe that so much Coca Cola merchandise exists, but this place had it all. From boutique bottles to magnets to books to gigantic statues that sold for over $1000. On the very top floor the Coca Cola Cafe offered up a sampler of eight foreign takes on soda ranging from delicious mango soda from India to the eerily toothpaste like mint flavored soda from Italy.

Sampling a galaxy of Coke flavours
The M&M store – a lot of color, not much substance

The M&M store, for all of its bright colors, wasn’t much to explore – and so it was time for a little shopping and some dinner. We took our meal at a very good Mexican restaurant whose name escapes me, although if you’re ever in Vegas, it’ll have a guy in a plush Elvis suit standing out front handing out menus. Unless the heat finally got to him.

The Mexican restaurant I loved. Apparently it’s called La Salsa Cantina

After dinner it was time for our Vegas show, and we headed to the Mandalay Bay for The Lion King. Those of you who have seen the stage adaptation of Disney’s timeless movie know how good it is – and those who haven’t probably won’t understand just how amazing it is until they see it for themselves. I went in expecting it to be good, and came out with a renewed love for the theatre.

Preparing to see The Lion King

The opening scene, in which a lone Rafiki sings The Circle of Life and dozens of amazingly costumed performers make their way out is just a thing of beauty. I’m not ashamed to admit I was moved to the brink of tears by the entire spectacle, and it was a feeling of wonder that held on until the final note echoed out into infinity and all that was left was applause and a feeling that you’d witnessed something pretty damn special.

Fallon’s birthday celebrations weren’t yet over, and we returned to Fremont Street for more drinking and stumbling around. We took $2 deep fried twinkies and Greek style hot dogs at Mermaids; ate the famous 99 cent shrimp cocktails while table dancers gyrated and smiled cheerlessly in the Golden Gate, and returned for more Hurricanes from La Bayou.

Deep Fried Twinkie – Better than it looks

While the adults retired to their rooms, Fallon and I stayed out until the streets began to empty. The casinos wouldn’t be closing, but the night was over for us. Nursing our hurricanes and crawling back to our hotel room, we prepared for the fact our trip was over in a few short hours.

Leaving Las Vegas

A water slide through a shark tank. Win.

Our final morning in Vegas dawned hotter than any before it, and with our time short, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend our day than by the pool that we’d walked by each and every day. With a water-slide that shoots through a shark tank and a lagoon like pool surrounded by deck chairs, it was a perfect place for us to nurse hangovers. The sun still hung high overhead when we dried off and headed out for one last decadent buffet meal, and then it was time to board our flights and head back to cooler, less glitzy Idaho.

I fell in love with Vegas, although I’m sure its ceaseless noise and action would have worn me down eventually. I do wish I’d managed to see more of the Strip and witness the famed fountain show at the Bellagio, but I enjoyed every moment of my Vegas experience.

And that’s what Vegas is about. It’s about spending too much money, indulging in too much food and booze, and leaving not sure if you regret the whole thing or just had the best weekend of your life. Want to create your own Vegas memories?

An Ode To..., South Korea

An Ode to the Shower

 7 Comments

Whether it’s a hot, steamy shower on a cold morning in Idaho or a deliciously cool one on a sticky hot North Queensland evening, there’s a lot to be loved about the humble shower.

Who amongst us hasn’t come back from a hard day of hiking and eagerly washed away the day’s sweat and dirt in the shower. Felt knotted muscles relax a little and messy hair become something just a tad more manageable as a day’s worth of dust, sweat, and detritus just washed away.

It’s probably odd that I remember this particular shower so well, but a good shower can be a near religious experience – especially after a day or several days of going without.

It was July 2008 and the day was as hot and sticky as the two that had preceded it. I threw open the door to my spacious (by Korean standards – which puts it on par with a large college dorm room in Australia) apartment and hurriedly threw open the windows to let some of the only marginally cooler air in. My travel bag was hurled into the corner and I was peeling clothes off within the first minute or so.

The site of the greatest shower of my young life

 

I was fresh back from two days at Boryeong’s very awesome Mud Festival and my skin resembled an impressionist artist’s latest work as a mish-mash of mud, sea salt, sand, and face paint used every inch of me as a canvas. Is there any reason that this all reads dangerously like a softcore porn title?

 

For those not familiar with the mud festival – imagine 70% of Korea’s party happy foreigner population packed into one small seaside town. Add liberal quantities of good quality mud, a beach with surf during typhoon season, plenty of cheap alcohol available in 1.5 liter plastic pitchers, and music for good measure. It’s a mix for the closest to a hedonistic orgy you’ll encounter in Korea.

My favourite weekend in my two years of South Korea was visiting the festival with a newly made mate  by the name of Dean. A fellow Aussie who liked a good beer even more than me, we paired up for the festival and found that a good wing-man is a thing of great value. A day spent running and cartwheeling on the sand and floating alongside our blissfully buoyant pitchers of Hite was just what the doctor ordered after a long week of dealing with hyperactive Korean kids in classrooms not blessed with AC.

I was fresh off of a breakup and looking to forget about all of the dramas, and the Mud Festival was a perfect way to do that. I mean seriously, if a gorgeous Korean beach covered in bikini clad drunken revelers isn’t enough to get you out of the dumps – what is?

Making friends with a wee bonnie Scottish lass and her definitely not high maintenance (sorry, in joke) American friend certainly helped matters too.

After just one hour of the festival. I was there for over twenty four.

 

The entire weekend saved my Korean experience from becoming a dreadfully emo one, and I remember bobbing in the Yellow Sea under the stars and realizing how glad I was to be alive as fireworks cracked and whistled overhead. It was a surreal moment and one that, in a lot of ways, further cemented the travel bug in me.

The weekend was fantastic and the shower was heaven. Two days wrestling in mud and messing around in the sand adds a lot of grime.

Maybe I’m giving too much credit to the simple shower, but I have a feeling I’m not alone in my appreciation of a good shower after a long few days of partying or hiking or whatever else takes your fancy.

Links

Boryeong Mud Festival
Just about the highlight of any Korean visit. As close to a hedonistic drunken orgy as you’re likely to come on the peninsula.

Australia, Cairns

Australia’s Hidden Rainforest – A Day in Kuranda

 7 Comments

The one where I ride a cable car over a steaming north Australian jungle, pet a koala, hand feed a kangaroo, go toe to toe with a cassowary, befriend a hungry macaw, and discover a hidden piece of paradise in far North Queensland.

When people think of Australia they perhaps don’t think of its rain-forests. Everybody is aware of Australia’s rich beach culture and its dry, red centre – but like Australia’s small alpine region, the steamy tropical forests of the nation’s north are often overlooked completely.

But believe it or not, the rain forests of far North Queensland are the oldest in the world. With trees over 3000 years old – the small but biologically diverse forests that include the well known Daintree and the smaller patches of forest on the Atherton Tablelands outside of Cairns. Over 36% of Australia’s marsupials, 48% of its birds, and 37% of Australia’s freshwater fish species can be found in this tiny (only 900,000 square hectares) stretch of forest that has existed for over 415 million years.

Those of you familiar with scuba diving might also be aware that after multiple dives, a time of 18 hours must pass before it is safe to fly. With that in mind, Fallon and I opted for a trek up to Kuranda – a small village in the very heart of the rain forest.

Accessible by road, a scenic rail, or the tourism award winning Skyrail – Kuranda is a mecca for alternative lifestyles, artists, and nature enthusiasts. Despite having a permanent population of less than 1000, the village boasts a number of zoos and museums as well as a slew of galleries, markets, and cafes.

DID YOU KNOW: Kuranda literally means ‘village in the rainforest’ in the dialect of the local aboriginal tribe.

With time at a premium for us, we opted for the slightly faster route that was the Sky Rail. Starting just outside Cairns, the scenic cable car ride took us up over the dryer of the parts of the forest and up into the steamy confines of the jungle proper. It wasn’t hard to imagine dinosaurs still existing in the dense growth that passed slowly by beneath us. Basket ferns and lawyer vines looked like something out of Jurassic Park, and the thick canopy was only occasionally broken up by a river or stream. In a nation as dry as Australia, it was hard to believe that an area of such vast natural diversity could exist.

The first stop on the trip was Red Peak Station, which sported a stunning boardwalk tour of the area immediately around the station. After the sticky heat of Cairns it was a pleasant surprise to step out into cool, moist air. Amongst the ancient giants of the forest, it was hard to believe that anybody had ever been crazy enough to press into the woods to investigate what lay within – but without big beasts such as tigers and jaguars to worry about, I guess Australia posed a slightly less daunting task for would be explorers.

Not that its snakes, spiders, ants, and wasps were to be taken lightly. And let’s not forget the Cassowary – a flightless bird weighing 80kgs and with a disembowling claw that would make a velociraptor think twice. These endangered and beautiful birds call the rain forests of North Queensland home and warning signs hung around to remind us how best to escape with our innards intact if we encountered one.

 

After snapping photographs of the fascinating trees surrounding the station, it was time to head on to the next stop – which proved absolutely breath-taking. Barron Falls is the kind of thing I definitely never expected to find just on Cairns’s door-step. Australia’s rivers aren’t particularly impressive and its waterfalls are even less to write home about – so to find the massive and beautiful falls there was a pleasant surprise. Dammed up river for the Barron River Hydroelectric Station – the falls are in no way diminished.

The next and final stop on our trek was Kuranda itself. Stepping out of the carriage and into the village was akin to arriving at a theme park – albeit without the oversized animal mascots or cheesy music. A street devoid of cars or garbage spread out before us, lined with restaurants and boutiques to tempt even the most tight fisted traveler.

With empty bellies on account of our early start, Fallon and I made a quick pit stop at a Dutch pancake vendor before making our way to the first of our three scheduled stops. A butterfly sanctuary might not sound like everybody’s piece of cake, but it was actually surprisingly interesting. The small aviary was literally alive with butterflies of all colours, and you really had to watch your step as you moved through its confines and were assaulted from all sides. It probably isn’t worth the rather hefty $17 admission fee they request, but since we got it as part of a package, it certainly wasn’t money wasted.

The opportunity is there to learn about how they breed the butterflies and even to have your photograph taken with an emerald blue Goliath butterfly – but we opted to move on to our next destination, Bird World. Fallon was particularly interested in seeing the enigmatic cassowary but as luck would have it, parrots and macaws proved to be the highlight of the visit.

Almost as soon as we entered the large aviary we were amazed by the vibrantly coloured variety of birds that greeted us. Black cockatoos, crimson rosellas, rainbow lorikeets, blue and red macaws, pink and grey galahs, and about a dozen other breeds of parrot I wouldn’t have any idea how to name.

I am befriended against my will by an inquisitive teenage macaw

Fallon and I were busy snapping photographs when a large blue macaw decided to make me its friend. Settling down on my shoulder, it proceeded to tear a sticker off of my shirt before attempting to eat my sunglasses. Squawking angrily if Fallon dared approach its new pet, the only way to save myself from it was to take it over to where the crimons rosellas clearly ruled the roost. Despite being about four times bigger than any of them, my parrot companion was quick to flee under their insistent assault.

After the excitement of the super friendly parrots, the rest of Bird World was a bit of a disappointment. The other varieties of birds, from Gouldian finches to the iconic black swan, were a lot less friendly and less interesting as a result. And while it was a bit of a thrill to have a cassowary pluck a grape from our hands – we couldn’t help but stop off at the parrots again before we left.

Not to be outdone, Fallon befriends two parrots

The final stop on our wildlife pass was Koala Gardens. While we had the opportunity to pose with a koala at Blackbutt in NSW – the laws in my home state forbid actually holding a koala. No such laws exist in Queensland though, so we made a beeline for the koala enclosure where Fallon was snapped posing with Australia’s most famous animal.

Fallon is clearly over the moon after fulfilling a life ambition
And I sure enjoying feeding young skippy

From there it was time to hand feed some rock wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos. Fallon got a real kick out of feeding a ‘little Rocco’, and I definitely enjoyed being so close to the big eastern greys. It’s just a pity they didn’t have any red kangaroos to see – as they’re really a sight to behold up close.

DID YOU KNOW: Many marsupials have multi-pronged penises.

With our sight-seeing done, it was time for the all important task of finding a place to eat and doing a little shopping. A detour down a back alley took us to what claimed to be the original rainforest markets, and while there wasn’t much to see, we did emerge on the other side with some delicious frozen fruit to tide us over until we took a lunch of burgers and kangaroo pie on the main street.

With our day drawing to a close and our flight not too far off, it was time for us to bid farewell to Kuranda. I’d definitely have liked an opportunity to spend a little more time there. There were countless galleries that went unvisited, the ominously named Venom World that caught my attention, and numerous markets and cafes could have held my attention (and my wallet) for at least another day. Not to mention the rain forest walks and river cruises that start and finish there.

It was a bittersweet thing riding the Sky Rail back to Cairns. Our four day vacation in Australia’s north had come to a close, and while there’s certainly plenty to look forward to, I’m certain I’ll be heading back to Cairns before too long.

One word of advice if you do head up to Kuranda. Look at getting the three park pass that covers Koala Gardens, Bird World, and the butterfly sanctuary. Individually they’re a tad over-priced, but at $42 for all three, it’s about on par with what you’d pay at any other zoo.

Links

Koala Gardens

Kuranda Bird World

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

Kuranda Skyrail

Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Plans, South Korea

Coming Soon

 4 Comments

While my life at this very moment might not be jam-packed with backpacking adventures and sight-seeing tours – there’s plenty on the horizon to be excited about. Just to whet your appetite (and remind me why I sit here and answer phones all day) – here’s what is on the horizon for me.

October 22

A late night visit to the annual Sydney Noodle Markets that overtake historic Hyde Park and turn it into an Asian street market.

October 23

A day trip out to the breath-taking Blue Mountains west of Sydney. With Fallon’s friend Adam in from the United States, we’ll be doing a little hiking, riding the trains and cable cars at Scenic World, and maybe browsing some of Leura’s boutique stores.

October 30th

We’re heading down to the south coast to take a two day surfing course with Adam. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve lived in Australia for 25 of my 27 years and I’ve never even attempted to catch a good break.

December 17th – New Zealand

This is one I’m really excited about. With Fallon and I going our separate ways in early January, we decided the best way to go out was to go out with a bang. Our ‘farewell tour’ will take us on a whirlwind eleven day circuit around some of New Zealand’s most beautiful sites.

Just to rattle off a few of our destinations:

–          A day hike up Franz Josef Glacier
–          Kayaking on Milford Sound
–          A day of black water rafting in Waitomo
–          Zorbing in Rotarua
–          A zipline canyon tour near  Christchurch
–          Backpacking around Christchurch, Queenstown, and Auckland

December 29th – Fiji

As if that wasn’t enough, Fallon and I will be ringing in the New Year on Robinson Crusoe Island in Fiji. While a zipline tour and a little scuba on Fiji’s soft coral reefs is on the agenda, the order of the day will be a little R&R after what will have been a hectic itinerary in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Fallon and I say our goodbyes on January 2nd as she flies back to the United States, but I’ve got a tour of my own to keep my mind occupied. Five days at Mango Bay Resort in the island’s south will give me plenty of chances to sip cocktails, do a little snorkeling, and meet new friends – and I’ll be being joined by my mate Grant; my brothers Dominik and Leigh; and Dominik’s girlfriend Bronte to ensure we have a full fledged posse.

After Mango Bay it’s across to notorious party site, Manta Ray Bay, for three nights of drinking, dancing, and harassing manta rays.

To unwind before the inevitable return home, we’re also having three cruisy nights at Waya Lailai Eco Resort. With little else to do but sleep, sunbathe, and swim – we’ll be well rested when we return to the mainland for one last night at Smuggler’s Cove before our flight back to civilization.

March 2011 – South Korea

As if all of the above excitement wasn’t enough, my third tenure as an ESL teacher in South Korea beckons. I actually just got off of the phone with a potential school who cold called me after seeing my resume on Dave’s ESL Cafe. They wanted me for a December start, but I’m hoping they can push it back to mid January or later so that I can jump on it.

While a lot of my friends ask me ‘Why do you want to go back to a place you’ve already lived if you want to travel?’, there is some method to my madness.

Primary amongst these is that Korea is a terrific place to save money. While the average monthly salary of around $2000 to $2500 Australian might not seem like much – the perks of not having to pay for accommodation and enjoying a very cheap lifestyle thanks to low Korean food and booze pricing are a big attraction.

On top of that there’s two weeks paid vacation and the close proximity to north and south-east Asia. As it stands I’m looking at taking a week to sun myself in the Philippines at some point, and then daring to be different by heading to Mongolia or eastern Russia. I hear Vladivostok is lovely.

Then there’s also the possibility of a weekend ski trip in Japan, a quick trip over to China for some sight seeing over Chuseok, and the many places in Korea I left unexplored due to my general laziness and a worrying addiction to World of WarCraft.

Beyond 2011

I’ve got no plans to call a halt to this travel thing any time soon. Once I finish up my next contract in South Korea, I’m giving some very serious thought to getting my CELTA accreditation so I can open up the Middle East and Europe for me as a teaching destination. The CELTA program is offered in a variety of locations, but on Fallon’s recommendation I am taking a long hard look at Chiang Mai in Thailand. For the same price I’d pay for just the course in Sydney, I get my accommodation and food for the entire month.

My free time might be at a premium while I study for the intense course, but there’s nothing to stop me back-packing around Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam after I’m done. Nothing, of course, except for my inability to save money or budget. I must work on that.

Exciting times lie ahead.

Australia, Busan, Cairns, Countdowns, Gwangju, and 6 more
Las Vegas, Portland, Seoul, South Korea, Sydney

Top 10 Favourite Cities – 2010 Edition

 14 Comments

This top ten theme will become a semi regular thing as I cover everything from favourite local beers to most surreal drunken experiences while abroad.

Today I’ll keep it simple as I list my favourite ten cities that I’ve encountered during my thus far limited travels.

10 – Newcastle, NSW

The view over Lake Macquarie at sunset.

The home of my two football teams (the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets) and a city I called home in 2004 and 2005 – Newcastle is where the NSW country meets the city. The second largest city in the state has every right to be a bustling metropolis, but it still maintains a lot of country charm and a pleasantly laid back attitude. If beaches are your thing, Newcastle is the city for you. Skip the crowds at Manly or Bondi in Sydney, and instead hit Merewether or Nobby’s.

While you’re in town, take a chance to walk through the newly developed Honeysuckle area; attend a Newcastle Knights game to experience rugby league at its most passionate; spend a day sailing on Lake Macquarie; and take a jaunt up to Nelson’s Bay to swim with the dolphins.

9 – Pusan, South Korea

Foreigners (myself included) being stupid at Busan's aquarium

The closest South Korea has to a beach city – Pusan (or Busan) is famous across the country for its beaches. Having come from Australia, I didn’t find it particularly amazing, but the city itself has a lot of charms. There’s a pretty fantastic aquarium, ferries across to Japan at a reasonable price, and a healthy foreigner community if you’re looking for a drink or some company for a temple visit.

8 – Cairns, QLD

I make a new friend at the Kuranda Bird Sanctuary just outside of Cairns

I only recently discovered Cairns during my visit to get my Open Water certification, but I fell in love with this backpacker’s haven in far North Queensland. If you can deal with the humidity and the completely unpredictable weather, you’ve found a perfect gateway for a world of scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and water sports on and around the Great Barrier Reef.

If water isn’t your thing, there’s the nearby Kuranda Skyrail to take you through the world’s oldest rainforest and into a charming community of artists and zoos in the mountains outside of Cairns. There’s countless cafes ranging from the very basic in backpacker fare up to high end steakhouses and Italian restaurants, and there’s the all important night spots to escape the heat. Check out The Woolshed for cheap beers and affordable meals, or splash out at Grill’d for a delicious healthy burger.

Note: Interested in learning more about Cairns? See my entries on scuba diving and neighboring Kuranda.

7 – Seoul, South Korea

No matter how much you like kimchi and bibimbap, you'll nearly cry when you get some authentic Mexican in Seoul

The bustling, cosmopolitan hub of South Korea boasts a population larger than that of Australia and everything a traveler could want to find in a city. Want history and heritage? It’s there in spades. If you want to shop there are countless upmarket malls, ‘Plus Size Stores’ that sell clothes you’d consider normal back home, and massive markets at Namdaemun and Damdaemun for the haggler.

Nearby you’ll find amusement parks such as Everland and Lotte World to amuse the big kid in all of us, and there’s numerous hikes within a short train or bus ride for the outdoor enthusiast.

If you’ve lived in Korea for a while, you’ll come to rely on Seoul as your main link with the outside world. While most cities have McDonalds and TGI:F, you’ll find a far broader selection of Western restaurants and retail outlets than anyplace else. There’s also a very healthy night life due to the big foreigner population comprised of teachers and US military personnel. My personal preference was always The Wolfhound, but Rocky Mountain Bar has its charms as well. There’s also plenty of clubs, the infamous Hooker Hill, and the nearby international airport that you’ll rely on to get launch off on your next adventure.

6. Las Vegas, Nevada

It may not have the glitz of the Strip, but Fremont Street definitely has its charms

‘Sin City’ isn’t just about gambling. Pay a visit to the neon oasis and you’ll find cheap eating, live performances ranging from stand up to world famous musicians to Broadway quality musicals, and enough sordid delights to help you create your own Hangover moments.

If you’re looking for the true Vegas experience you’ll obviously want to splash out and stay somewhere on the Strip, but if you’re on a slightly tighter budget there’s plenty of old Vegas charm to be found beneath the world’s largest TV on Fremont Street. Prices on Fremont Street are drastically lower than any you’ll find on the Strip, so it makes a good base of operations from which to launch visits on the glitzier end of town.

5. Flagstaff, Arizona

Walnut Creek Canyon outside of Flagstaff is an interesting look into Native American history

Nestled high up in the hillier areas of Arizona, Flagstaff is a very new age town in a very old school kind of state. You wouldn’t expect to find the cute town full of artists, hippies, and musicians in a state with Arizona’s reputation – but Flagstaff is a breathe of fresh (and decidedly colder) air after the heat of Phoenix. A short skip from the Grand Canyon, it makes a nice base to visit the big hole in the ground. There are plenty of nice restaurants and diners in the city, but I personally can’t go past any opportunity for Pita Pit.

4. Sydney, NSW

Sydney's CBD offers plenty of photo opportunities

Australia’s true capital is blessed with both natural and architectural beauty, and there’s few places on earth more famous than Sydney Harbour. Riding across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the way to work every morning affords a wonderful view of the harbour and Opera House, and by night there’s also the twinkling lights of Luna Park.

It’s often a traveler’s first experience with Australia, but they’d be forgiven for thinking they’d touched down in another country. Sydney is a multicultural melting pot in which you’ll find cultures from all over the world. If you’re looking for an old school experience you can spend the day walking through the historic Rocks district. If you’re after a more laid back day you can pay a visit to hippie haven, Newton. There’s Chinatown for cheap souvenirs and even cheaper eats, and the gorgeous beaches that Australia is famed for. Bondi is the obvious choice for most newcomers, but there’s a lot to be said for Manly (and the beautiful ferry ride across), nearby Shelly Beach, and the beaches farther south in Cronulla.

Live music, theatre, festivals, and all manner of sports mean there’s always something to do. Check out a Swans game, catch the fanatacism of State of Origin as Queensland battle New South Wales, catch a Wallaby’s game, or get behind the beautiful game by taking a look at the emerging A-League.

Sydney’s also a gateway to the rest of Australia. A short train ride takes you up to Newcastle and the Central Coast or down to Wollongong, and the airport links Australia to the rest of the world. There’s plenty of work for backpackers and a thriving ex-pat scene for those feeling a little homesick.

3. Coeur D’Alene, Idaho

Soaking in the last of the summer sun on Hayden Lake

I’m perhaps biased because I had such a fantastic four weeks staying here during my American visit last year, but I’m hard pressed to think of a more naturally beautiful town. Surrounded by picturesque lakes and verdant pine forests – Coeur D’Alene is a photographer’s dream and an outdoors-man’s playground. If you’re up for a hardcore ride you can trek the Trail of the Coeur D’Alene’s or the intense Route of the Hiawatha (winding through old rail tunnels and across towering bridges). There’s plenty of opportunity for water sports, Silverwood for rollercoaster enthusiasts, and it’s only a short drive from Spokane if you want access to a bigger city.

At the end of the day, Coeur D’Alene isn’t a bustling hub – but it’s a beautiful part of the world and one I’m glad I had a chance to experience.

2. Portland, Oregon

Good times with good friends in Portland

The original sin city doesn’t have the best of reputations and is often forgotten in favour of nearby Seattle, but visit Portland and you’ll fall in love with this thriving city. There’s delicious food on every corner, plenty of gorgeous architecture, and all of the perks of a big city without the gridlocked traffic. The drive to Portland alone is worth a visit as you follow the curves of the powerful Colombia River and pass by the stunning Multnomah Falls.

If you’re up for a short drive you can pay a visit to Astoria of Goonies fame or quaint beachside towns like Seaside. There’s also the fact it is America’s unofficial capital of microbrewed beer. A visit to Rogue, Widmer’s, or Laurelwood is definitely something you should look into. Art and jewerly enthusiasts will find plenty to love at the Portland Saturday Markets as well.

History buffs can explore the city’s seedier underbelly, and the colleges ensure a healthy night life. If you’re into drag queen shows or just like a bit of karaoke, you’ll find something to do in Portland on a Saturday night.

Note: If you want to know more about my time in Portland, you can read my entries on it here and here.

1. Gwangju, South Korea

Enjoying shabu shabu with good friends in Gwangju

I spent two years living in Gwangju and maybe that makes me biased. I know everybody who has lived and taught in Korea has their favourite city, but I never did come across a city with a better foreigner community than what I encountered in Gwangju. With the Speakeasy recently being voted the fourth best foreigner bar in South Korea, there’s also a number of other night venues for the big foreigner population. Have Mexican fare at Tequilaz, mix with the locals at Bubble Bar, dance the night away at Houze, sing your heart out at German Bar (whose gregarious owner brews his own German style beer), or shoot some lazy pool at Soul Train.

There’s a wealth of historic sites nearby, and the May 18 Memorial is a particularly moving tribute to just how far South Koreans have come since the Korean War. The Kia Tigers and Gwangju Phoenix give you your sports fix, and the massive Bus Terminal doubles as a shopping centre and a hub to get to virtually any town or village in South Korea.

Gwangju is considered a bit of a backwoods by other Koreans, and it’s definitely a little slow to catch up with the foreign invasion, but the people are still friendly and there’s a growing demand for ESL teachers in the city. If you’re feeling a little homesick there’s plenty of the regular Western outlets as well as the well stocked Underground Grocer’s and the newly opened First Alleyway.

A worthwhile side excursion to nearby Mokpo and the many tiny islands that lie off of the west coast is a must see. Some time spent camping and drinking on Oaedaldo or Bigeumdo is a great way to while away a summer’s day.

—————–

There you have it! My favourite cities thus far. Unlucky to miss out were Armidale in New South Wales, Mooloolaba in Queensland, and Fukuoka in Japan. Hoping to add some new cities when I visit New Zealand and Fiji later this year.