Amazing Okavango Adventure

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Tara

I thought I would share this stunning video from National Geographic of a research expedition in the Okavango Delta. You can read the full story on their website.

The mission of the Okavango Wilderness Project is to secure the Okavango Delta and its vast untouched catchment in perpetuity. The film Okavango is a rallying point for the global community of stakeholders, government officials, researchers, activists, tourism operators, community members, conservationists and guides that support the protection of the Angolan catchment. Readers can help build up to our 8-week expedition over 1,000 miles down the length of the Okavango River in 2015 by sharing this epic, once-in-a-lifetime research and conservation expedition down the full length of the Okavango River through an abandoned wilderness into the Delta. — Steve Boyes.

PART 1

PART 2

Future of Travels Part 2

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Tara

Following on from part 1, Skyscanner brings us this fascinating look at what airports and planes of the future might be like. No more 1st class, business class, economy, there will be sitting zones, sleeping zones and eating zones. That should make redemptions interesting!

The trip to the airport will be positively pleasurable as our traveler spends his time surfing the web or chatting to friends and family in a taxi equipped with virtual reality and cyber-connected technology.

He will eagerly anticipate his arrival at an airport that has been transformed from the transit holding station of today into a luxury Aeroville, with body-morphing seats, shoppable virtual walls, 3D cinemas, rooftop swimming pools and yoga centers set amid atrium forests.

Molecular scanners, digital bag tags, and facial and retinal recognition technology will have eliminated lines at security and check-in. Holographic staff members will guide our traveler seamlessly to his seat that molds to his body shape and comes with 3D multimedia and internet connection as standard.

Rottnest Island – Perfect Day Trip From Perth

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Tara

Rottnest Island makes a great day-trip for eco-tourists and just about anyone! It is easily accessible from Perth and Fremantle by ferry. Rottnest Express departs from Perth’s Barrack St Pier, calls in at Fremantle where you may have to change boats, then docks at Rottnest Island. It’s a very pleasant trip down the Swan River and most people sit up on deck to enjoy the views.

Ferry to Rottnest Island

If you have the flexibility, there are often Tuesday specials for this day trip from Fremantle.

For a day trip, if you can’t do Tuesday special it’s probably better to book a ferry package that includes whatever excursions you want on Rottnest. The Adventure Tour is great because it includes a trip around the island on a smaller tour boat that gets you very close to fur seal colonies and other wildlife.

Rates for 2 adults

Here’s a few pics of what you can expect – ospreys, fur seals, dolphins and more!

You will arrive back on land in time for lunch. Rottnest Island has several options such as Subway for those on a budget and a few nicer sit-down cafes.

We came here hoping to see Rock Parrots which are known to be present near the lighthouse (see photo above taken from the boat). It’s easily walkable from the restaurant area. While you are walking, keep an eye out for other wildlife such as quokkas, peacocks and other birds. Check out the bird list here.

Unfortunately, we didn’t see the Rock Parrots this time, they are pretty elusive and even the local Quokka Tour Guide didn’t know anything about them. Watch your time as you don’t want to miss your ferry back, it’s a long way to swim! Of course Rottnest does have some nice accommodation if you prefer a longer visit!

If you are looking for Rock Parrots, the yellow-highlighted area is the best place to look.

Convert Your Starpoints Into AAdvantage Or US Dividend Miles – Earn 20% Bonus Miles

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Tara

This is one of the best ways especially for Australian Amex MR card holders to get miles in American AAdvantage. Most Aussies can’t get the more lucrative AA & US credit cards so have to resort to the Amex MR transfers to SPG, then on to the US based program.

And now US Airways has jumped on the bandwagon so you have 2 choices.

In a nutshell:

20,000 Starpoints = 20,000 AAdvantage/Dividend miles
Standard SPG bonus = 5,000 AAdvantage/Dividend miles
AAdvantage 20% mileage bonus = 5,000 AAdvantage/Dividend miles
Total = 30,000 AAdvantage/Dividend miles

Since 2 Amex = 1 SPG, 40,000 Aussie Amex MR = 20,000 SPG = 30,000 AAdvantage/Dividend.

Remember that these two programs are set to merge in 2015 and devaluations are expected so don’t convert unless you plan to redeem before then. Otherwise it is best to keep you SPG miles in the flexible SPG program so you maintain a better choice of airlines

AAdvantage Full details and T&C’s

US Airways Full details and T&C’s

Hotel Review: Comfort Hotel, Perth City

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Tara

Comfort Hotel Perth City is situated in East Perth, and offers affordable, clean hotel and studio rooms. Just 15 minutes walk to Perth CBD or use the free public transport (CAT BUS) nearby. A good buffet breakfast and other meals are available at Bluerock Cafe, located on site.

While you could use Choice Rewards points to stay here, at 25,000 points a night I don’t think they represent a good value. You would do better to book on their website if they have a special running or use Pointshound or Rocketmiles to earn miles with your booking. I think that Choice Rewards points are best saved for Europe.

If you like Korean food, there is a Bulgogi Restaurant just a couple blocks away that offers meat you cook yourself at the table which was good fun. I thought it was hilarious that there is a buzzer to call the waiter at each table even though it’s a small restaurant and easy to get the waiter’s attention with a wave.

Also in the area are some interesting old buildings and mini-parks.

King’s Park, Perth

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Tara

King’s Park in Perth is easily accessed by free CAT buses from downtown. Once you are there, have a look for a nice variety of bird species. Full bird list can be found here. You can also download a nice brochure with bird pics to help you identify them.

Although it looks close to the city, be aware that the park is on top of a hill.

We were there late in the afternoon but still managed to see Carnaby’s Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets, Ravens and more!

You can also enjoy wonderful views overlooking the city.

Mysterious Behavior Of Amazonian Macaws

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Tara

Wired Science recently did an article on the Mysterious Behavior of Amazonian Macaws of Tambopata. They interviewed several researchers, including the director of the project, Donald Brightsmith. Long-time readers of my blog know that Tambopata is a personal favourite birding location of mine and I plan a return trip in 2016.

The article is very interesting and gives a more in-depth look than most eco-tourists get. I do find it sad that the younger chicks are no longer being rescued and hand-fed by the researchers. They used to do this in the past, that’s why the “Chicos” still hang around the lodge and try to steal people’s breakfasts! I would be much happier if the younger chicks were still being rescued, even if they were subsequently relocated to another habitat to interbreed with other Scarlet Macaws.

Call me a softie or whatever, but it would be a shame if these beauties had been left to die!

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Adobe Photoshop CS6

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Tara

This is on my to-do list. I really need to learn how to edit photos. It’s just such a huge undertaking as I tend to come home with 1000’s of photos so just wading through them all is a Herculean task!

Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Tara

The Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris), or Slender-billed Corella is a cockatoo native to Australia, which is similar in appearance to the Little Corella and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. This species is mostly white, with a reddish-pink face and forehead, and has a long pale beak, which is used to dig for roots and seeds. It has reddish-pink feathers on the breast and belly.

While they are normally found in Victoria and New South Wales, small populations of Long-billed Corellas can be found in other areas of Australia usually public parklands in metropolitan areas. They are probably escaped pets or breeder birds. I saw these birds in Joondalup near Perth.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LONG-BILLED CORELLAS

VIDEOS

This is the only embeddable video I could find.

This one is longer, more recent and higher quality but since it’s on Vimeo I can’t embed it. It shows some wonderfully playful behaviour! Click here.

From Perthnow: The Top 10 Australian Birds To See On Holidays

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Tara

Here, the authors of new book Finding Australian Birds, Tim Dolby and Rohan Clarke, list their 10 bucket list highlights for the most amazing birds to see in Australia – and where to find them. Full article here.

Surprisingly I can only claim four out of the ten!

1. Little Penguins – seen in both Philip Island and Bruny Island, Tasmania.

2. Regent Bowerbird – seen at O’Reilly’s, Lamington, Queensland.

3. Major Mitchell Cockatoo – seen at Bowra Station, Queensland.

4. Superb Fairy-wren – seen at several places in Tasmania and Queensland.

I’ve been blogging about Western Australia so I have not yet gotten to my most recent sightings of these birds which was in March 2014, be patient!

How many have YOU seen in the wild?

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