Travelogger

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.

Dealing with Jetlag and Climate Changes

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Jetlag Bug

People who love to travel are already used to the different time zones that most countries have. Sudden changes in the time and weather may prove to be a problem on adjusting to such if a person is not used to such fast paced evolution and lifestyle.

For people, traveling to any part of the world such as the United States, Europe and Asian continents would need body clock adjustments as well. The cultural practices and traditions are not the only immediate things that globetrotters should worry about but rather their ability to cope up with change.

Climate also entails being ready for the level of health a person is able to sustain. Sudden changes like cold and hot temperatures would need standby requirements of medicine or clothing just in case to ensure that the human body does not suffer a sudden burst of bodily reaction towards such external factors of nature from any part of the world that they may want to visit.

Travellers: Sir Edmund Hillary

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“My God! We’ve climbed the thing! We’ve done it!” ~ Edmund Hillary

Between 1920 and 1952, seven major expeditions had failed to reach the summit of Mount Everest. In 1924, the famous mountaineer George Leigh-Mallory had perished in the attempt. In 1952, a team of Swiss climbers had been forced to turn back after reaching the south peak, only 1000 feet from the summit.

Edmund Hillary joined in Everest reconnaissance expeditions in 1951 and again in 1952. These exploits brought Hillary to the attention of Sir John Hunt, leader of an expedition sponsored by the Joint Himalayan Committee of the Alpine Club of Great Britain and the Royal Geographic Society to make the assault on Everest in 1953.

The expedition reached the South Peak on May, but all but two of the climbers who had come this far were forced to turn back by exhaustion at the high altitude. At last, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a native Nepalese climber who had participated in five previous Everest trips, were the only members of the party able to make the final assault on the summit.

At 11:30 on the morning of May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit, 29,028 feet above sea level, the highest spot on earth. Edmund Hillary returned to Britain with the other climbers and was knighted by the Queen.

Now world famous, Sir Edmund Hillary turned to Antarctic exploration and led the New Zealand section of the Trans-Antarctic expedition from 1955 to 1958. In 1958 he participated in the first mechanized expedition to the South Pole.

Hillary went on to organize further mountain-climbing expeditions but, as the years passed, he became more and more concerned with the welfare of the Nepalese people. In the 1960s, he returned to Nepal, to aid in the development of the society, building clinics, hospitals and 17 schools.

Hillary was born in 1919 and grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. It was in New Zealand that he became interested in mountain climbing. Although he made his living as a beekeeper, he climbed mountains in New Zealand, then in the Alps, and finally in the Himalayas, where he made his mark in history.

Free Travel On Christmas Eve In Australia

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I wonder if this kind of thing will ever happen in the United States? I read an article about Australians getting a special treat for the holidays. This is what the Herald Sun published today:

LONG-suffering commuters will get an early gift in 12 days – free public transport on Christmas Eve.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky confirmed last night commuters would get free travel on trains, trams and buses as a goodwill gesture for the raft of cancellations this week. It’s on top of the free travel already confirmed for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The peak rail union late yesterday reached an agreement with Connex for a bonus to be paid to all staff in recognition of a smooth transition to the new timetable introduced last month. The bonus of about $1000 will be paid to 2700 staff next Tuesday, costing Connex about $2.5 million.

I am unsure as to whether this free deal extends to everyone – Australian or not – but it looks to be that way. If you know anyone who will be in Australia during the holiday season, it would be good for them to know about this deal.

It just got me thinking, this would be a sweet deal for all commuters in the US and other parts of the world. Maybe other governments and train/bus operators should consider offering similar deals in their own jurisdictions. What do you think? Any hope of this happening?

Helens’ Got Game

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The month of March draws many tourists in St. Helens Tasmania, Australia. Known as the game-fishing capital of Tasmania, St. Helens gives fishing enthusiasts more than their fair share of catch. From the number of different beaches around Georges Bay and the long stretch from St. Helens to St. Helens Point, there seems to be no end to St. Helens natural beauty.

With a population of around 2,000, St. Helens is considered to be the largest town in the east coast of Tasmania. The people there are very proud of their crayfish and oysters. Local restaurants known for the quality of their abalone, flounder and scallops also abound.

However, fishing isn’t the only thing attracting visitors to the town. St. Helens is also a popular with nature lovers. Their underwater caves are especially a hit for the divers.

For those who want to get to know the town a little more, a short walk around the port should provide more than enough information. The St. Helens History Room located at 57 Cecilia Street contains a lot of treasured memorabilia. From the ancient Aborigines to the Chinese immigrants, the collection is a solid record of how the town came to be. With a live narrator as a guide, guests would feel the warmth and authenticity of the St. Helens experience.

Surfing, swimming and nature walks are also popular activities in St. Helens.

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Meet the Twelve Apostles

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Mentioned in the Bible are the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. However, mentioned in Australian itinerary are twelve apostles of a different kind.

The Twelve Apostles of Australia are actually rock formations standing majestically on the coast of the Southern Ocean. They are a sight to behold especially during dusk and dawn when the rocks change colors from dark to yellow, depending on the angle the sun’s rays spread themselves. Couples would definitely enjoy the peace and serenity of this place. However, aside from basking in the scenic and romantic setting of the beach, there are many more activities in Twelve Apostles that are just waiting to be experienced.

A more striking view of the rock formations would be from the air. Camera shots will greatly benefit from this ride. Great Ocean Tour Helicopters, the largest aerial tour operator on the Shipwreck Coast, is the perfect place to go to for such an adventure. Their helipad is located just at the end of the Twelve Apostles Center on the Great Ocean Road. The best thing about this aerial tour (aside from the unrivaled view) is that the pilots actually provide interesting historical details during the trip.

Scenic boat trips are also a good option. These trips provide a different and more close-up perspective of the Twelve Apostles. Couples would absolutely love the sunset boat trips. Scuba diving and snorkeling activities are also permitted in the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park.