Leaving Sydney

The emotions are boiling up just under my skin. I'm exhausted and need a break, I've had enough of a 5km commute taking 40 min to drive, that a trip to visit my parents is 2 hours each way and a $25 return trip. Sydney has finally gotten to me and I'm dealing with it all in the best way I can. 

I'm running away from home.

I've never done this, I'm the responsible one. I started working at 19 and not had a break. I moved out of home and never been back. And just now it's all gotten too hard for me to handle. It's been a big year, my girlfriend Ms R, lost her mother, and it's wiped me out more than I thought it could. Work hasn't been fun either, and I realise that it used to be.

So today my notice was given, carpet replacement organised (slight issue with the hidden chihuahua) and we're moving to Forster. Yes a summer paradise in winter with hundreds of bogan cousins living next door. But no rent. Saving cash each month. If I just do it for a few months, I'll be ahead and refreshed. Well that is the plan.

I hate change, I'm a Taurus. However bring on July 1.

New York has ruined me

I survived. 19 days in total - 17 traveling with Miss JJ & Miss V. We partied, snoozed, rode bikes, ferry rides, the subway & a whole load of walking.

And I fell in love. Hopelessly and madly inlove with New York City. How can such a diverse and crazy city be so soothing for my soul. From its hot steamy subways, open greens in Central Park to the southern fried chicken waffles in Harlem.

Yes I never thought I'd say it. New York has ruined me.

I've been spoilt for all other cities in the world and that includes Santorini.

It's been months that I've been back from New York. And for those months, I've barely had a night or day that I've not had the city in my thoughts and dreams. I had a steak on the weekend, and compared it to Kingswood (www.kingswoodnyc.com/) which single-handedly , without comparison gave me the best steak of my life.

I feel that because the culture that is the US is so similar to my own home town, that I'm cheating myself .... but when a place fills your hear and soul as much as the great city of New York did, it can't be stopped. A love affair is born.

I dream of the walking the high-line, of the subways, the people, the food, the shopping, everything.

I MISS NEW YORK and I want to go back !!!!

There's nothing like Australia

There's nothing like Australia. I know that. Everyone knows that right?

Tourism Australia has created a new campaign (http://bit.ly/LiZHt9) at a cost of $250m to try and lure tourists to Australia. Unfortunately tourism to Australia will continue to decline whilst the Aussie dollar is so over-valued against other world currencies - no matter how clever and attractive are the advertising campaigns and the cost of EVERYTHING is also a serious problem, until that is addressed we are fighting a losing battle. Do we know the Chinese even want to see fluffy koalas and kangaroos?

Some of the places, actually the majority of places listed in the fabulous campaign are so hard to imagine any ordinary visitor ever setting foot in. Did you know that Cape Leveque is near Broome? Flights there range between $433 - $2184 per person each way.  El Questro is in the Kimberly region of Western Australia and it's web site references regular flights are available between Perth and Darwin. Sure, there is only 4000km between those locations. Eenie meenie miney mo - let's pick.

In my humble opinion,  we need to focus on a campaign that does two things, one is that gets overseas people thinking and BOOKING a holiday in Australia, the every day tourists, that can focus on shopping and coffee in Melbourne, Sydney sights, or the beaches of the Sunshine Coast because they are the repeat experiences, things that people do and love so much that they think of coming back because of how easy and fun it was. The second thing and a lower priority is a high end campaign taking in some of the amazing features of the current advertising. Just know that once they have visited, the likelihood of a return visit is very slim. They ticked the box, lived the high life and next they will be checking out what is new and hip in Russia or Scandinavia or wherever the next big thing will be.

Nice try Tourism Australia, but I think you're only half way there.