Blue Cockatoo Traveller

Friday, April 3, 2015

Vertigo: where the Peregrine Falcons nest

Cliff view ©AP BCTraveller.

Out on a limb (rock!) to photograph the boronia on the cliffside. The Peregrine falcons nest in a little cave, centre left. Wedge-tailed eagles on the other side of the plateau, when they choose us. Yesterday we had a visit from yellow-tailed cockatoos, glossy black cockatoos, a lyrebird, several satin bowerbirds, wonga pigeons, brown cuckoo doves, king parrots plus a host of little birds including fantails and yellow robins.

Sulphur-crested looks on. ©AP TBTraveller

Brown Cuckoo Dove. ©AP TBTraveller

Wonga Pigeon ©AP TBTraveller

Swamp Wallaby.©AP BCTraveller.

Here's a swamp wallaby in our pond, just about to drink from what's left of the water. A possum has been trying to get in to our place at night, seems very keen after it managed a raid on the bananas.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Private entree into the cuisine, wine, gardens and art of New Zealand's Canterbury region.

A "Taste of Heaven" with Edible Tours.

An exceptional 5-day fully escorted tour of New Zealand’s
stunning Canterbury region is newly available for lovers of
panorama, cuisine, wine, gardens, art and local nuances
from 28 October to 1 November inclusive this year.

Titled “A Taste of Heaven” it offers private entrée to the
elegance of the South Island’s lifestyle. The calibre of this
25-place intimate and fully escorted tour is extraordinary.
Listed accommodation is premium and guests travel by
luxury air-conditioned coach.

Special privileged entry to the annual showcase event
The Culverden Christmas Country Fete on Wynyard Station
offers guests over 200+ stalls of finest produce and hand crafted
gifts - even running to a welcoming Pimms’ tent.

The fabulous Art in the Garden event at Flaxmere Farm
showcases works by some of New Zealand's most talented artists,
sculptors and jewellery makers and is set within a garden deemed
one of the country's most significant, near Hawarden.

Hamner Springs, a stunning alpine village is also on the
itinerary offering natural thermal hot tubs, spa treatments,
local cafes, fly fishing with professional guides and walking
tracks – plus extreme sports for the more daring.

A particular highlight is a fine regional dinner in a private,
secret venue hosted by the Rural Women of New Zealand
and local winemakers. The chefs will feature wild caught
salmon and venison. Another is a full Pegasus Bay Estate
private wine tasting and Chef’s Choice 3-course seasonal
menu luncheon.

A rare cultural Maori experience bookends a day visit to
the delightful French colonial bayside village of Akaroa.
Guests will be welcomed by Maori elders on to the Marae
and will then be invited to assist in the preparation of the
Hangi - a feast prepared in an underground pit. After
exploring Akaroa’s charming streets and stores there is
a return 4 hours later for this authentic ‘Marae” food celebration.

Both the Marae and Regional Dinner by Rural Women of NZ
are charity events and fees charged within the package
for these are donations.

A Taste of Heaven is organised by
Edible Events/Gourmet Journeys, based
in Sydney and owned by
tourism /hospitality expert Anne Stewart.
She personally escorts this tour, which
explores New Zealand's
North Canterbury Food & Wine Trail.

Anne is a regular contributor of varietal food tours for
Fairfax’s GOOD FOOD, runs tours to regional farm gates
and trails and has been a providore in her own right.

She has an extensive background in the travel industry -
Qantas Holidays, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines,
and Carlson Wagonlit Travel included.

A Taste of Heaven is priced at $AUD2299.00 per person
and includes all arrangements in NZ including coach transport
and accommodation, event entrance fees, most meals.

* For further details visit
http://www.edibleevents.com.au/tours.html

http://www.foodandwinetrail.co.nz

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Save on French Cycling Tours with Tour de Vines.

If France is on your radar for 2015, consider Tour de Vines’

leisurely cycling gourmet tours of regions including Provence,

Dordogne or the Loire Valley.

Tour de Vines has a number of exclusive offers that just might

entice you to take that long awaited trip. These offers are limited,

and with small group sizes, probably won’t last long.

Tour de Provence Roman Heritage – 15% Off
Departing Sunday 10th May (guaranteed departure)
Save $A660 per person or $1,020 per couple.
Tour de Loire Valley - 15% Off
Departing Sunday 7th June (guaranteed departure)
Save $A675 per person or $A1,080 per couple.
Tour de Dordogne - 15% Off
Departing Sunday 28th June
Save $A630 per person or $A1,020 per couple.

See all France Cycling Tours, with 32 departures across

7 different itineraries there is a tour for you. Choose from:
Alsace Cycling Tour
Bordeaux Cycling Tour
Burgundy Cycling Tour
Dordogne Cycling Tour
Loire Valley Cycling Tour
2 x Provence Cycling Tours – Roman Heritage or Luberon

Contact Tour de Vines on 1300 665 330 or
damian@tourdevines.com.au for full details of the
France Cycling Tour specials.

Monday, March 16, 2015

See the highlights of Southern Africa with Interlude Tours, the small group specialists.

Your fearless leader: the lovely Jeanette Savage, with lion!

23 day tour to Southern Africa: 22 October to 14 November, 2015

Join experts Interlude Tours for an exclusive 23-day journey ex-Australia, including the Kruger National Park, the Stellenbosch wine region, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Victoria Falls.

This original small group touring company has just released details of its outstanding 23-day relaxed and fully hosted 2015 tour featuring the highlights of Southern Africa. The fully escorted tour departs Australia flying with South African Airways on 23 October. Costs of $12638 pp twin share includes international and domestic economy airfares with first class hotels and lodges, all breakfasts, five lunches and 11 dinners, providing outstanding value for the seasoned traveller and first timers.

The itinerary includes cosmopolitan Johannesburg, the unique wildlife and spectacular scenery in The Kruger National Park, the Garden Route to the wine region of Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Victoria Falls.

With a maximum of 12 guests, the tour features leisurely travel in a family atmosphere with no rushed starts and ample free time to explore on your own with new friends or by yourself. It is expected that singles and couples who have enjoyed other exciting and well catered Interlude Tours travel programs during the past 30 years will join the Inspiring Southern Africa tour, which is being hosted by principal, Jeanette Savage.

Jeanette has hosted more than 50 tours to popular global destinations and built a reputation for innovative and relaxing journeys. Her detail, reliability and personality have seen over 300 happy travellers and many repeat customers join the Interlude family. Interlude Tours excel in personable worry free and relaxing travel. A pre-tour get-together to meet other travellers and review the tour arrangements is also included in the program.

Interlude tours in association with Venture Holidays are presenting this fully escorted tour from Australia.

Contacts:

www.interlude-tours.com http://www.interlude-tours.com (for full itinerary)
Tel: Interlude Tours (612) 94052218
E interlude@optusnet.com.au <mailto:interlude@optusnet.com.au>

Tel: Steve at Venture Tel:Venture Holidays (618) 8238 4511 or 1300 303 343 (all areas excluding SA)
E groups@ventureholidays.com.au mailto:groups@ventureholidays.com.au

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Blue Cockatoo Traveller: Hot from Vienna: See Andy Warhol's Jewish Geniuses...

Blue Cockatoo Traveller: Hot from Vienna: See Andy Warhol's Jewish Geniuses...: Andy Warhol's Jewish Geniuses Jewish Museum of Australia Image: © Vicki Jones Photography Curated by the Jewish Museum of Vienna a...

Catch Andy Warhol's Jewish Geniuses in Melbourne and join a study tour to Vienna.

Curated by the Jewish Museum of Vienna and coinciding with the 150th anniversary of Vienna's splendid Ringstrasse Boulevard.

The Jewish Museum of Australia (JMA) in Melbourne is exhibiting Andy Warhol’s Jewish Geniuses from the Jewish Museum of Vienna, featuring ten screen portraits of famous Jewish personalities of the 20th century. From a list of almost 100 names Warhol chose ten personalities who reveal the depth and breadth of Jewish contribution to 20th century cultural life.

Curated by the Jewish Museum of Vienna, the exhibition features portraits of psychologist Sigmund Freud, Vienna’s most famous Jewish personality; Viennese-born philosopher Martin Buber; writer Franz Kafka; physicist Albert Einstein; composer George Gershwin; The Marx Brothers actors; writer Gertrude Stein; judge Louis Brandeis; actress Sarah Bernhardt; and Golda Meir, first female prime minister of Israel.

This is the first time that this body of work is being exhibited in Australia allowing the audience to view such captivating portraits with an intriguing narrative. The exhibition appeals to both the arts and the Jewish communities alike.

Andy Warhol’s Jewish Geniuses also includes photographs of Andy Warhol, a copy of the list of 100 names; as well as a short documentary film.

Extended until 26 May 2015, Andy Warhol’s oeuvre is on display at the Jewish Museum of Australia, 26 Alma Road, St. Kilda; www.jewishmuseum.com.au http://www.jewishmuseum.com.au> .

To combine the visual treat with a culinary one, the JMA has joined forces with the upcoming Melbourne Food & Wine Festival: “Table for One” - a Warhol inspired dining event will be offered at the JMA on Wednesday, 11 March and Thursday, 12 March. Inspired by the artist’s vision of Andy-Mats, a chain of restaurants based on automatic vending machines, the JMA is hosting an Andy Warhol themed dining experience and guided tour – a unique Warhol-centric event. Bookings through the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au <http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au> .

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Jewish Museum of Australia in co-operation with The Shalom Institute in Sydney is hosting a special educational Study Tour of Jewish Vienna from 1 to 9 June 2015. Led by Dr Paul Forgasz, Director of Jewish Studies at the Monash University in Melbourne, the program highlights the contribution of the Jewish community to Vienna’s past and present. Names such as Freud, Schönberg, Zweig and Herzl are forever linked with the capital’s rich tapestry of intellectuals and artists.

This tour coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Ringstrasse Boulevard, the world’s most beautiful boulevard around Vienna’s city centre featuring imperial palaces, museums, public buildings and splendid private residences. In the salons of the Jewish bourgeoisie along the Ringstrasse, hostesses entertained their wealthy friends and artists alike; creating space for artistic expressions.

Few European cities have a history as closely connected with Jewish history as Vienna. Participants of this study tour will experience the dark days of Jewish Vienna as well as the revival of the small but vibrant Jewish community. During the past three decades, the city has stepped up efforts to face up to the history of Jews in Vienna, including both positive and negative aspects, and to reexamine Vienna’s Jewish heritage.

In addition to the Jewish institutions that have sprung up over the last few years – thanks to the support of the City of Vienna – a number of museums and memorials evoke the city’s Jewish heritage: the Jewish Museum of the City of Vienna, the Judenplatz Museum, the Sigmund Freud Museum, the Arnold Schoenberg Center, the Memorial against War and Fascism on Albertinaplatz and the Shoah Memorial on Judenplatz, to name only the most important.

For further information on the Study Tour of Jewish Vienna and tour bookings contact:
FBI Travel in Melbourne, call 03-8573 0900; www.fbitravel.com.au/group <http://www.fbitravel.com.au/group> .

Source: Vienna Tourist Board