Destinations, San Francisco

The San Francisco Bucket List

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I’m ba-ack!

After five unforgettable weeks in the United States, I’m finally back on Australian soil with a whole wealth of stories, tips, and photos to share from the epic Great US Road Trip.

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Stop #1 on the trip was one of my favourite cities in the United States – San Francisco. The City by the Bay is one of America’s most recognizable cities and was especially abuzz during my visit due to the upcoming Super Bowl festivities.

Accompanied by the lovely Cherie from Flight of the Travel Bee, I had a few days to explore this colourful, quirky city and tick off a number of bucket list worthy items along the way.

If you’re plotting your own visit to San Francisco, I’ve put together 15 things worthy of your bucket list.

Bucket List Focus: San Francisco

#15 – Visit Muir Woods

The hustle and bustle of San Francisco is one liberally interspersed with manicured parks and areas of quiet seclusion, but for those really wanting to get away from it all – the nearby Muir Woods National Monument is a must.

With its slender, towering redwoods and its vibrant greens, Muir Woods is located just a short drive from the city but feels a world away. This drive takes you across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and by some quaint Californian coastal towns as well, so it’s definitely worth the trip.

muir woods hiking
The peaceful trails of Muir Woods are a great escape from the city noise.

Whether you visit it on a mist-shrouded, rain bejeweled day like I did or on a busier summer day when the crowds are out en masse, there’s a number of hiking trails and hidden secrets to be discovered along the way.

Entry is just $10 for those over the age of 16, but get there before 9am and you’re likely to get in for free as well. It’s also a great way to avoid the inevitable crowds.

My own visit was facilitated by the very cool SF Adventure Tours, who I’ll write more about later this week.

#14 – See the Sea Lions on Pier 39

It’s true to Pier 39 is a bit of a tourist trap with its boutique stores, chain restaurants, and oftentimes tacky attractions, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit.

I paid a visit to Pier 39 back in 2012 and wrote about the various things to do on Pier 39, but a few highlights include:

  • A number of restaurants ranging from Mexican to seafood to fast food;
  • The supremely tacky but enjoyable Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze;
  • A double-decker carousel;
  • Live performances;
  • A huge variety of stores ranging from magic to high class fudge to western apparel;
  • The famous Aquarium by the Bay;
  • Nearby departure points for boat rides.

If none of the above immediately grab your attention, there is still one attraction that has become synonymous with the San Francisco experience, and that’s seeing Pier 39’s resident sea lions sunning themselves.

sea lions pier 39
Pier 39’s resident sea lions enjoying a rare patch of sun on an overcast Saturday.

Anywhere up to 2,700 sea lions call K-Dock by Pier 39 home during the year, and it’s a rare day that the fascinating marine mammals are not in evidence.

Wander Pier 39’s left hand side for your opportunity to see them, and feel free to ask the naturalists from Aquarium by the Bay any questions you might have between 11am and 4pm on most days.

#13 – Wander the Streets

It must be said that San Francisco is a walker’s city. It’s a nightmare to drive, but a hell of a lot of fun to wander on your own two feet.

yoda statue san francisco
Trolling my nerdier friends at the Yoda Statue in San Francisco.

While there is no shortage of San Francisco walking tours for you to avail yourself of, I had the most fun when it was just two people wandering aimlessly and seeing what they discovered along the way.

During my four days in San Francisco, we wandered the foreshore from Pier 39 to the little known Yoda Fountain twice, wandered from Haight-Ashbury to the Tenderloin, and explored districts such as Mission and Castro to boot.

For some suggestions and  routes for your walks, EveryTrail has a great list of San Francisco walks.

#12 – Visit the Palace of Fine Arts

Like something transplanted from ancient Europe to the American mainland, the Palace of Fine Arts is a sight to behold.

With its towering columns and manicured gardens, the Palace of Fine Arts is hands down one of my favourite spots in San Francisco and one I visited twice during my time there.

palace of fine arts san francisco column
The Greek inspired architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts makes it a blast to photograph.

Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Convention, the Palace of Fine Arts is all that remains in San Francisco of the fair, and has become a popular spot for art displays, wedding photos, and as a stop for those wandering the San Francisco foreshore.

#11 – Bike the Golden Gate Bridge

While it’s possible to tackle the Golden Gate Bridge as a walk as well, San Francisco is such a fun city for cycling that it would be a shame not to take on its most iconic location from the saddle of a bicycle.

golden gate bridge overcast san francisco
The Golden Gate looks beautiful even on a rainy day.

My 2012 visit to San Fran saw me cross the bridge and bike to Sausalito with Blazing Saddles, and it remains one of my fondest memories of my time in the United States.

After winding your way along the San Francisco foreshore (with obligatory stops for photos), you eventually cross the world-famous bridge before descending into quaint Sausalito for lunch before your ferry ride back to the city.

#10 – Eat a burrito in Mission

San Francisco isn’t Mexico, but it’s a city famous for the quality of its Mexican food. Specifically, it’s a city with a nationwide reputation for producing some damned fine burritos.

mission burrito san francisco
Don’t act like you’re not impressed. Image courtesy of Kin Lane.

San Francisco’s Mission district is undergoing something of a gentrification these days, but its roots as a predominantly Hispanic community remain in the form of a huge variety of little taquerias serving some of the best burritos in the United States.

It’s hard to go wrong in picking one of the many little hole in the wall establishments that line 16th and 17th street in the Mission district, but the general consensus leans towards the imaginatively named La Taqueria, which won Best Burrito in America for its mouth-watering carnitas burrito in 2014.

I’ve tried the burrito in question (and about five others in San Francisco) and it is good. Definitely worth the trip!

#9 – Eat clam chowder or crabs at Fisherman’s Wharf

Sticking to the theme of food, it would be hard to overlook San Francisco’s other touristy foreshore attraction.

True to form, there are a bunch of attractions such as Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Madame Tussaud’s, and the San Francisco Dungeon to cater to the easily amused, but it’s for the seafood that I’m suggesting a brief stop.

Whether you help yourself to a steaming serving of clam chowder served in a sourdough bowl or something more recognizably dead like crab, it’s one of those stops that any tourist in San Francisco should make before heading on to less well populated locales.

clam chowder fisherman's wharf san francisco
A delicious bowl of piping hot clam chowder from my 2012 visit to Fisherman’s Wharf.

#8 – Wander Golden Gate Park

San Francisco is blessed with a number of beautiful parks, but Golden Gate Park is an experience unto itself.

It’s the kind of place you can’t do justice to in a single day, with the park complimented by a number of museums and other attractions such as the De Young Museum, the picturesque Japanese Tea Gardens, or the Conservatory of Flowers.

japanese tea gardens pagoda san francisco
I loved my brief visit to the Japanese Tea Gardens. Such a photogenic stop!

With a variety of terrains to explore and a selection of cafes and food carts to keep you in high spirits, a day in Golden Gate Park is definitely something I’d recommend to any visitor to the City by the Bay.

A special shout out to the beautiful Japanese Tea Gardens as well. While the $8 entry fee might seem a little steep, the manicured gardens and the famous Drum Bridge (shipped from Japan in 1894) are well worth a look.

#7 – Cruise to Alcatraz

One of San Francisco’s most famous landmarks is undoubtedly the former prison island of Alcatraz. Rated by TripAdvisor as the #1 thing to do in the city, it’s an experience that certainly lives up to the hype.

We visited on a cold and windy February afternoon that really emphasized just what a barren and unforgiving place it must have been for the criminals (and guards) who called it home for so many years, and the howling of the wind in the barred windows was a fitting accompaniment to the sometimes grisly audio tour that guides you through the cells and mess halls of the old prison.

Alcatraz
An ominous shot of Alcatraz. Image courtesy of Daniel.

Learn from my mistake: budget plenty of time to do the island justice!

Our visit allowed only enough time to tour the prison, but the island itself is worth wandering around to take in not only its historic significance (it was also a Civil War era fort prior to being a prison) but it’s natural beauty as well.

#6 – Visit Lombard Street

I don’t really see the appeal myself, but people flock to the ‘Most Crooked Street in San Francisco’ for the opportunity to snap a photo of its eight hairpin turns and the gardens that adorn them.

lombard street san francisco
The most crooked street in San Francisco. Image courtesy of David Yu.

Thankfully for you, most tours of the city will include passing by the well known street, so you won’t need to make a special trip unless bent streets really do it for you.

#5 – Visit the Oldest Chinatown in the Americas

San Francisco isn’t just home to the oldest Chinatown in the New World, it’s also home to the largest Chinatown anywhere outside of Asia.

san francisco chinatown night
A country within a city, San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America.

So big that it has begun to encroach upon the territory formerly recognised as Little Italy, San Francisco’s Chinatown is a city within a city – a dizzying concoction of sights, smells, lights, and flavours that seems world’s away from the bustling, modern city that it exists within.

Chinatown draws more annual visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge, and while food is an obvious drawcard for visitors, the alleyways and architecture of this corner of the city are also worth a look.

#4 – Ride a Cable Car

As synonymous with San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, the San Francisco Cable Cars are a landmark unto themselves.

Dating back to 1873, the San Francisco Cable Cars are more than just a way to get around town – they’re an experience that no visit to San Fran would be complete without.

Tickets are $7 for a one way trip and you’ll need correct change, but there’s something very fun about taking in the city from the rattling, clanking confines of a beautiful cable car.

san francisco cable car trolley
The cable cars of San Francisco are a fun way to get around the city.

#3 – Run the Bay to Breakers

It’s not for everyone, but for those who like to challenge themselves with a little physical exertion, San Francisco’s annual 12k fun run is a great way to stay fit, raise money for charity, and see the city in the process.

Starting in the city and making your way through Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach, the Bay to Breakers is open to everybody from serious runners to the zany ones who like to run/walk in costume.

bay to breakers nude run san francisco
Or, y’know, no costume at all… Image courtesy of Kelvin Chu.

A smidgen shorter than Sydney’s City 2 Surf, the race takes place each year in May.

#2 – Browse in the Ferry Building

Opened in 1898 as a ferry terminal, today the Ferry Building is a bustling farmer’s market alive with smells and flavours as local produce and cuisine take over the lower floor of the lengthy steel structure.

ferry building san francisco
The Ferry Building plays host to more farmer’s markets than ferries these days. Image courtesy of Chris Chabbot.

History and architecture buffs will get a kick out of the building’s storied history, while foodies can sample locally made cheese, coffees, meats, breads, vegetables, and fruits.

The Ferry Building is open from 10am until 6pm on weekdays, and has slightly shorter operating hours on the weekend.

#1 – Attend a 49ers or Giants game

Sports fans will find plenty of options in and around San Francisco.

In addition to being home to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and the San Francisco Giants in the MLB, neighbouring Oakland also has teams in both leagues.

san francisco 49ers
They didn’t exactly set the NFL aflame in 2015, but they have an Aussie! Image courtesy of Victor Lee.

Whether or not you’re a fan of either sport, there’s something quintessentially American about a day out at the baseball or football. I’ve had my day at the baseball in Seattle, but the NFL continues to elude me.

I couldn’t exactly afford Super Bowl tickets!

Football (soccer) fans will have to head farther afield to San Jose to see a local team taking part in the rapidly developing MLS.

Your Say

What is on your San Francisco to do list?

Have I missed something obvious? Included something that you think is infinitely missable?

Destinations, Sydney
centrepoint tower sydney

My Five Favourite Spots in Sydney

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centrepoint tower sydney
Got to love that Sydney skyline.

It’s been a long while now since I’ve was lucky enough to call Australia’s greatest city (that’s Sydney, you sneaky Melbourne dwellers) home, but one of my favourite bonuses to my traveling lifestyle is that I regularly get to pass through the Harbour City on my way in or out of the country.

As I prepare for the Great US Road Trip at the end of next week, I’ve already started contemplating what I’d like to get up to when I touch down in Sydney again in early March.

I recently created the Definitive Aussie Bucket List of 95 things any visitor to Australia should consider checking out, and in doing so I had to exclude some of my favourite Sydney spots.

Never fear! I’ve highlighted them for you here.

My Favourite Spots in Sydney

#5 – The Inner West

While I have a deathly allergy to hipsters (I had a beard before it was cool, dammit!), it’s hard not to love the chilled out vibe of the Inner West. With its boutique coffee houses, only slightly pretentious cafes, and abundance of bars – the Inner West is more than just patchouli smelling King Street in Newtown.

With an ethnically diverse population, the Inner West is heaven for those wanting to find foreign foods that aren’t Chinese, Thai, and Indian (not that all three aren’t available in spades). Marrickville’s Vietnamese bakeries do amazing banh mi (pork rolls), Dulwich Hill has its own Little Portugal, there’s Polish in Ashfield, Turkish in Balmain, and passable Mexican to be found in Newtown.

cornersmith hipster marrickville
Being tragically hipster at Cornersmith in Marrickville.

Has that not got you salivating, check out Urbanist’s 50 Best Restaurants of the Inner West (and Beyond).

There’s also no shortage of fun bars and pubs in the area, with TimeOut recently listing the best Inner West bars.

My personal favourites? Batch Brewing Company and The Henson.

Batch might look like just another warehouse in a fairly industrial stretch of road, but step inside and you’re surrounded by fantastic beers. The Henson, on the other hand, has a truly orgasmic food menu of which the highlight is a softshell crab burger with Sriracha coleslaw and Old Bay mayonnaise.

I die.

#4 – Darling Harbour

I know it’s touristy as all hell, but there’s just something about Darling Harbour that has always felt like home for me.

Maybe it’s the fact it’s where I rang in one of the most life-changing years of my life beneath a sky afire.

Maybe it’s because it was where I brought my (ex) girlfriend on her first day in Australia as we started our new lives together.

Maybe it’s because it’s where I spent my last day in Australia before setting off on my first trip abroad?

family photo harbour bridge
Looking insanely awkward in my pre-travel days. Transition lanses, Chris? Really??

Whether you’re here to dine out at some of Sydney’s best restaurants, checking out tourist traps like the Sydney Aquarium, taking some time to explore the Chinese Gardens, or make like in the movies and try out the roulette tables at The Star – there’s something for all walks of life.

Whatever it is, there’s something about the chaos of competing sound systems, squawking seagulls, and shouting tourists that is just very zen for me.

#3 – Hyde Park

It’s hardly an undiscovered gem, but I’ve always loved Sydney’s Hyde Park.

Not quite as grand as New York’s Central Park, Hyde Park is nonetheless an island of tranquillity at the heart of Australia’s busiest city. The bubbling fountains, murmuring trees, and even the distant honking of traffic combine to at once take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and remind you that you’re still very much a part of it.

Transformed each year into an Asian street market for the Night Noodle Markets, Hyde Park becomes one of the best places in Sydney to sample cuisine from all across Asia, but for most of the year it’s a quiet escape for people snatching an hour’s respite from the rat race.

night noodle markets sydney hyde park
EAT ALL OF THE THINGS!

#2 – The Royal National Park

It’s a bit of a hike to get all the way down to the Royal National Park. You’re looking at a decent length train ride down to Cronulla before taking a ferry across to sleepy Bundeena.

It’s totally worth the commute though, and you’ll be hard-pressed to believe that this slice of paradise exists so close to a city of over 4 million.

One of the world’s oldest national parks, the ‘Nasho’ or ‘The Royal’ is a haven for hikers and kayakers. It was in this last capacity that I visited in 2010, and spent one blissful hour out on an isolated island enjoying a sun-dappled nap after a picnic lunch.

Kayaking in Bundeena
Kayaking in Bundeena in 2010. You wouldn’t believe it was winter!

Whether you’re in Sydney for a week or a year, it would be criminal to overlook the Royal National Park.

#1 – Shelly Beach

I’ve said before that I think Bondi is grossly overrated, and I’ll restate that here.

Is it a nice beach? Sure.

Is it worthy of the huge numbers that flock to it every year? Not on your life!

My personal pick for the best beach in Sydney is a bit out of left field, as you’re not going to find great surf or ideal sunbathing conditions at Shelly Beach.

shelly beach sydney northern beaches
How’s the serenity?

What you will find is a sheltered cove perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving, or for kids to paddle about it.

Up from the sand is a shady lawn perfect for barbeques and a little touch football. It’s just a great spot for mates to hang out or for a family to catch up.

For those wanting a more traditional stretch of beach, it’s a short but scenic walk to nearby Manly Beach – another beach that leaves Bondi for dead. In fact, nearly any of the Northern Beaches trumps Bondi in my eyes.

———-

As you can see, there’s a lot more to Sydney than the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. I know I’ve included some touristy spots on here, but this wasn’t designed to highlight hidden gems – it’s just a little exercise in self-indulgence.

With so many cool hotels in Sydney to choose from, why not plan your Sydney escape this weekend?

Looking for more Sydney inspiration? Check out my Top 10 Must See Sights in Sydney.

Your Say

What are your favourite spots in your hometown?

Travel Tips

Like Aussie on the Road? There’s an app for that!

 3 Comments

Preparations for next week’s Great US Road Trip continue to move along, with a few new partners joining the party including Park Lane Guest House in Austin coming to the party as an accommodation host and New York City tourism offering to show me the sights with a pair of complimentary CityPASS tickets. Looks like I’ll be seeing the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the 9-11 Memorial after all!

I’ve also been stocking up on random travel crap. Y’know – new selfie stick, SD cards, travel toiletry kit, 14 pairs of shiny new underwear, peanut butter Tim Tams for Where is Kait etc. etc.

The usual.

I’m sure I had something more interesting to talk about…

What was it?

Oh, right!

Aussie on the Road is an app now!

Aussie on the Road now has an app!

You can download the Aussie on the Road app at the iTunes Store or on Google Play.

aussie on the road app itunes google play
Shiny app! Shiny app!

That’s right, you can now read the latest Aussie on the Road post, comment, follow the action of Twitter, or watch my YouTube channel right from your iOS or Android mobile!

aussie on the road app menu

Features

  • Up to date posts straight from the site. Read, comment, and share from your phone!
  • Live Twitter feed to keep up with my inane rambling!
  • In app access to my YouTube channel just in time for all of my US road trip adventures!
aussie on the road app youtube
All of my Dubai adventures are there to see, and the US ones will be coming soon!

If you enjoy reading Aussie on the Road on the go, but perhaps don’t have the patience to load it up in your browser – you can now just open the app and see the latest.

The price? Free, of course!

Big thanks to Boom for making it happen.

Your Say

I’d love your thoughts on the app so I can improve your user experience!

Let me know what you love, hate, or don’t see the point of!

Destinations, Uncategorized, United States
grand canyon sunset

From San Francisco to New York: The Great US Road Trip

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It’s happening! It’s really happening!

It doesn’t seem so long ago that I was writing about my daydream of someday driving across the United States, but that was last August and suddenly I’m exactly two weeks away from making it a reality.

That’s right – the Great US Road Trip from San Francisco to New York City is happening and it starts on January 29th!

Along with my trusty cameraman and drinking buddy, I’ll be spending five weeks across fifteen cities, tackling local landmarks and eating all of the things in the process.

The entire trip couldn’t have happened without the tireless work of Zorica from EuroTribe. She’s been a dervish contacting potential partners and helping me keep track of my comings and goings.

Want to follow along? I’ll be giving daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope with the #GreatUSRoadTrip hashtag!

The Great US Road Trip: January 29 to March 6, 2016

The process of driving from San Francisco to New York is a pretty daunting one at the best of times, but especially when you’re having to cram it into the five week Chinese New Year vacation so that your driver/camera man/friend can join the fun.

san francisco to new york road trip
The itinerary in all of its squiggly glory!

With the help of hundreds of friends and well-wishers across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, we’ve come up with an itinerary that we think covers the best that the US offers without the aid of snow chains or extra layers.

I’ve managed to link up with a number of fantastic partner tour operators and hotels along the way to help bring the trip to life, and I can’t wait to share the highs and lows of five weeks of virtually non-stop travel with you!

If you’re inspired by this post and want to emulate our feat, don’t forget to insure your rental car and keep your vehicle clean. There’s nothing worse at the end of a vacation than being hit with cleaning fees!

ford mustang convertible
Oh yeah, and we got a Mustang!

January 31 – February 3 – San Francisco, California

I last visited the City by the Bay back in 2012, spending an afternoon on Pier 39 and riding to Sausalito with Blazing Saddles. I felt an immediate attachment to San Francisco, which very much reminded me of my own favourite city in Australia – Sydney.

Taking a break from my ride from San Francisco to Sausalito.
Taking a break from my ride from San Francisco to Sausalito.

My San Francisco return not only sees me spending a few days with the enchanting Cherie from Flight of the Travel Bee, but will also see me exploring the city and nearby Alcatraz on a pair of tours courtesy of The Urban Safari and Streets of San Francisco.

While in the city, I’ll be spending a few nights at the swank Hotel Carlton before re-visiting HI San Francisco City Centre to learn more about how HI is encouraging inclusive, tolerant travel through its fun tours and unique hostels.

Partners: HI San Francisco City Centre, The Urban Safari, Streets of San Francisco Bike Tours, and The Hotel Carlton.

February 3 – 5 – San Luis Obispo, California

A drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to photograph Big Sur and Bixby Bridge might add a few more hours to our travel time, but I speak from experience when I say that the views are totally worth it.

bixby bridge highway one big sur
America’s second or thirst most photographed bridge, Bixby Bridge.

Our next port of call will be the couch of the divine Where is Kait?, who will also be acting as our guide for our time in the city recently voted the Happiest in America.

February 5 – 7 – Los Angeles, California

We make our way to the City of Angels with low expectations, as travellers have been almost universal in their dismissal of Tinsel Town as a stop on our trip.

I spent my last trip to LA dining with Disney Princesses and visiting the beautiful Leo Carrillo Beach, so this time around we’ll be seeing all of the iconic LA sights with the All of LA in a Day tour.

Disney Princess and I
Sleeping Beauty teaches me how to stand like a prince at California Adventure

It might be a bit of cliche, but I can’t make my second visit to LA and not have seen the Hollywood sign, Venice Beach, or Beverly Hills. It just wouldn’t be cricket!

Partners: Dunes Inn Sunset and LA Insider Tours.

February 7 – 10 – San Diego, California

With a few extra days to kill thanks to the Super Bowl forcing us to rearrange our trip, we thought we’d duck down to San Diego to see whether the famous San Diego Zoo is all it’s cracked up to be.

While in San Diego, we’ll also be taking a food tour and, if time allows, ducking across the border to Tijuana.

What are your San Diego recommendations?

Partners: Bite San Diego and La Jolla Wine Tours.

February 10 – 13 – Las Vegas, Nevada

I’ve written at length about Las Vegas in the past, but despite having spent almost a week there in 2009 – our couples trip of live shows and sight-seeing didn’t quite do Sin City justice.

I'm sure they've missed me as much as I've missed them.
I’m sure they’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed them.

This time around, you best believe we’ll be doing our best to emulate The Hangovcr with the able guidance of Dani from Going Nomadic and Diane from D Travels Round.

Based out of the Tropicana and right on The Strip, you’d best believe we’re going to be enjoying every shrimp cocktail, buffet breakfast, and cheap drink we can get our hands on.

It won’t all be debauchery and dice however, as we’ll be heading out of the city for a day to see the ghost towns such as Chloride and El Dorado.

Partners: Tropicana Las Vegas, Speed Vegas, and Vegas Insider Tours.

February 13 – 15 – Flagstaff & The Grand Canyon, Arizona

I’ve spoken recently on Facebook about how I was a tad underwhelmed by the Grand Canyon during my visit in 2009, and it seems that the general consensus is that it really needs to be hiked to be appreciated.

grand canyon sunset
In hindsight, the Grand Canyon wasn’t half bad…

With snow falling on the canyon and creating some pretty photos of late, I’m not sure hiking is a possibility – but I’m definitely prepared to give the world’s largest canyon a second chance.

February 15 – 16 – Sante Fe, New Mexico

When I asked for pit-stops for the long drive between Flagstaff and Austin, the cries of Sante Fe were hard to ignore. The New Mexican capital has been heaped with praise by my readers and friends, so it had to be included on the itinerary.

While we’ve really only got time for dinner, breakfast, and a quick look around, I’m excited to see what all of the fuss is about.

February 16 – 17 – Carlsbad, New Mexico

Will Carlsbad Caverns match up to Australia’s Jenolan Caves? We’ll soon see!

Another popular recommendation for a stop along the way to Austin, Carlsbad’s famous caves are firmly in my sights.

February 17 – 20 – Austin, Texas

My travel companion originally wanted to visit Dallas, but the hype surrounding Austin’s hipster vibe were just too hard to ignore. We’ll be breezing into the home town of Over Yonderlust and Nick’s Travel Bug with a pretty empty dance card, so I’d love your recommendations.

We will (of course) sample the local food and beer with an Austin Detours tour.

Partners: Austin Detours.

February 20 – 23 – New Orleans, Louisiana

We arrive just a week or so late to enjoy the Mardi Gras, but I’m still very excited to wander Bourbon Street and soak in the ambience of The Big Easy with a few leisurely days in the city.

We’ll be working off some of the beer and food calories with a Free Wheelin’ Bike Tour of the city, but the rest of our time there is a bit of a blank slate.

Partners: Site 61 and Free Wheelin’ Bike Tours

February 23 – 25 – Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta wasn’t a popular inclusion on the itinerary, but I’m excited to have the chance to meet up with some of my favourite bloggers and travel photographers along the way.

We’ll also be taking a bicycle tour in an effort to fight the inevitable US road trip weight gain.

Partners: Bicycle Tours of Atlanta.

February 25 – 27 – Nashville, Tennessee

The country music capital of the world is one I’m really excited about visiting.

While others have insisted we instead visit Asheville or Greenville, I couldn’t resist the chance to indulge my long-distance love affair with country music by visiting the city where it all gets made.

We’ll be taking a tour of music row with Nash Trash Tours, but otherwise have a full day to enjoy the sights (and sounds) of the city.

Partners: Hotel Preston and Nash Trash Tours.

February 27 – 29 – Washington, DC

My last visit to DC was a brief one that saw me make a hit and run at the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum before returning to Annapolis.

capitol washington
Looking awkward in front of a famous building.

This time around, we’ve got a pair of bases in the city (care of Modus Hotels) and a bit more time to see what the city has to offer.

Aside from the obligatory photos out front of the various memorials and the White House, what would you recommend?

Hotels: One Washington Circle, Avenue Suites and Carpe DC Food Tours.

February 29 – March 2 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I’ll be eating the Philly Cheese Steaks for two since my travel companion is a filthy vegetarian, but our time in Philly is otherwise a blank slate.

philadelphia pats philly cheese steak
Another photo of me standing awkwardly in front of something. Oh, and Pat’s > Geno’s

What are your favourite things to do in the City of Brotherly Love?

And yes, I do intend to pretend that I’m going to lick the Liberty Belly.

Partners: The Philadelphia House and Philadelphia Urban Adventures.

March 2 – March 6 – New York, New York

The final stop is the City That Never Sleeps, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nomadic American and I preparing to explore Central Park on a tandem bike.
Nomadic American and I preparing to explore Central Park on a tandem bike.

While the Big Apple is likely to be cold and miserable when we breeze into town, I’m still determined to catch a show on Broadway and see a bit more of the city that so enchanted me when I last spent 24 hours in New York.

From there, it’s time to pack as much Captain Crunch into my suitcase as possible for the long trek back to Australia.

Partners: HI New York City.

Your Say

What do you think?

Any cardinal sins?

Any hot tips for one of the places we have included?

In one of these cities and want to grab a beer or a bite? Let me know!

Life and Love on the Road
amini life lodge picnic

My 2016 Resolutions

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Each year I put together a kind of existential shopping list of experiences and achievements I’d like to check off in the year to come.

Some years, like last year, are fantastic beyond my expectations but don’t quite check off the modest resolutions I’d set myself.

What had started as a year in which I’d return to school and maybe take a trip abroad at the end of the year turned into one of the best years of my life, and you can read all about my adventures in 2015 to see just how off script things got.

How Did I Do in 2015?

While 2015 was a huge year of successes for me as a writer and a traveller, I didn’t do quite as well with my resolutions.

10. Get rid of my credit card

9. Visit 4+ New Countries

8. Get back to my 2010 shape

7. Check off another ten bucket list items

6. Make writing my primary source of income

5. Finish my f***ing novel

4. Continue my education

3. Be happier

2. Launch an Aussie on the Road podcast/web series

1. Find somebody special

A 50% strike rate isn’t the best I’ve managed (I hit 85% in 2014), but I’m pretty pleased with the ones I did check off. Sure, I still haven’t written the next Game of Thrones or returned to the days when I could run a 5k for fun, but I had a lot of successes that I’m pleased with.

Successes

For a year that started with me returning to university and worrying about being able to afford even one trip abroad, I had a hell of a time.

I worked with Yahoo & Emirates on their Hidden Dubai campaign, spent four months living in East Africa, visited Indonesia with the Indonesian Tourism Board, and fell just a little bit in love with Namibia on a week long trip there too. My goal to visit four new countries was well and truly beaten, with seven new countries added to the tally.

hot air balloon dubai
One of the highlights of my visit was undoubtedly a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the desert outside of Dubai.

Despite all of this travel, I also managed to finish the first semester of my Bachelor of Tourism Management with a pair of High Distinctions and a Distinction. That’s the Aussie equivalent of three Honors classes!

textbook desk laptop
It’s not all been adventures and debauchery. There have been a lot of dull afternoons at a desk too.

Between that, finding a really rewarding (and lucrative) gig with Shadows of Africa, and making steady progress on the bucket list, it’s no surprise that I was also happier in 2015 than I have been in a long time.

Great success!

Failures

My failures in 2015 weren’t crippling blows by any means. Being on the road so much meant that launching a successful web series or finishing a novel were always going to be tough, and it’s hard to find Mrs. Right when you’re changing continents every few months.

I was a bit dismayed at my failure to get back into shape, but the last month of 2015 saw me hit the gym and the squash courts with a vengeance, and I’m pleased to say I’m starting 2016 feeling fitter than I have in quite some time.

As ‘failures’ go, it wasn’t a bad year…

Bucket List Update

I didn’t do half bad in 2015, checking off a whopping 22 items from my ever-growing bucket list of 1,000+ things to do before I die.

57. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

59. Hike Along the Great Wall of China

great wall jinshanling
On top of the world!

101. Start my own business

239. Swim with Sharks

244. Stay in a capsule hotel

291. Go flyboarding

319. Witness the Great Migration

326. Go sandboarding

411. Be mistaken for being much younger than I am

422. Drink real absinthe

447. Spend a night under the stars

480. Visit Sossusvlei

sossusvlei dune 45 sunrise
Climbing the towering dunes of Sossusvlei was an exhausting treat.

714. Visit Singapore

715. Visit Dubai

727. Holiday on a Houseboat

769. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial

784. Have a Singapore Sling at Raffles in Singapore

raffles singapore sling
Enjoying a pricey Singapore Sling at the bar that started it all – Raffles.

788. Attend a TBEX event

885. Work in an office

891. Eat Beijing duck in Beijing

947. Drink banana beer in Uganda

997. Go glamping

My 2016 Resolutions

Okay, here we go

10. Launch a web series and/or podcast

This one didn’t get off the ground in 2015, but after speaking with Roo Rover and Nerd Travels at TBEX last October, I think we’re closer than ever.

I’ve got the equipment and I’ve got the passion, so now it’s just a matter of pinning down the other two so we can shoot the shit.

As far as the web series goes, I’m hoping my upcoming US trip will allow me to build some decent content to use as a starting point.

9. Continue getting into shape

I’ve been really enjoying being back home and away from distractions.

Between twice weekly squash sessions with my Dad & brother, and thrice weekly weights sessions, I’m feeling fitter and finally starting to see some changes in my arms and chest.

I have triceps now!

Now to get some abs…

8. Visit 4+ new countries

I don’t want to get carried away and assume I’ll visit 6-7 new countries every year, so I’m sticking conservative with my 2016 ambitions.

Three of my trips for the year involved revisiting old favourites (Thailand, the US, and Tanzania), but I’ve also got plans to add Slovenia, Greece, Sweden, Ethiopia, and the Seychelles to my passport.

7. Check of 10 more bucket list items

I’ve had good luck consistently checking of 10+ items a year with this one, so let’s see if I can keep the streak going.

My plan to visit Europe and road trip across the US ought to help me check off quite a few.

6. Cook more often

I really enjoy cooking, but I never do it.

Aside from my Christmas tradition of baking delicious snickerdoodle cookies and hit or miss blondies, I’m rarely in the kitchen aside from microwaving something.

After taking a seafood cooking class in Sydney this past October, I’m really keen to be more adventurous in the kitchen and add some healthy but tasty recipes to my limited repertoire.

A delicious seafood paella
The paella that I made. Who knew I had it in me?

5. Be a better uncle and brother

One of the things I enjoy most about being home (and miss most when I’m gone for long) is spending time with my family.

I have a great relationship with all three of my brothers, and I’ve loved being able to play squash, drink beers, BBQ, and just shoot the shit with them while I’ve been home.

I’m now an uncle four times over, and it’s been really rewarding watching the little guys (and gal) growing up. I do like being the uncle who brings exotic presents from overseas, but I’d like it if they remembered who I was when I got back.

family photo garden party
The entire clan together for Christmas (and an only slightly posed garden party)

4. Finish my accursed novel

Dustbowl continues to be a frustrating work in progress.

After getting to around 180 pages in 2013, I was confident I’d turned a corner.

Now two rewrites later, I’m back on page one.

Maybe this year.

Maybe.

3. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

For a serial lazy guy like me, tackling Africa’s highest mountain is a daunting prospect, but my role with Shadows of Africa has had me writing so much about it, that it only seems reasonable that I try.

The entire Shadows of Africa team is hoping to take on the mighty mountain this May as part of our yearly team building trip, and I’m determined to give it all I’ve got.

2. Learn to speak another language

I’m sick of being asked if I speak Chinese and/or Korean and having to say no.

I’m going to learn to speak a language pseudo fluently this year if it kills me, even if it’s something esoteric like Swahili or Ukrainian.

1. Be happier on my own

Every year I’ve said that I wanted to find a partner or fall head over heels in love.

Every year, that’s not really happened.

Rather than pinning my hopes of happiness on somebody validating me, I’m determined to instead practice more self love.

(And no, I don’t mean masturbation, although that’s a likely side effect)

I want to be happier with my own company and to be a more complete person on my own.

I don’t think I’ll be a fitting partner for somebody amazing until I can do that, and the first step towards that is (I think) stopping this cycle of pinning my hopes of somebody else ‘completing’ me.

Your Say

What are your resolutions for 2016?

How’d you do with yours in 2015?