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.

911 Ten Years On

It's 10 years to the day since September 11. This day defined the first decade of the new century. It's also the day the world changed forever.
I remember the day or rather the next day for us with absolute clarity, almost like the 10 years haven't passed. I was at home getting ready for work and my partner turned on the TV and from that moment time stood still. Knowing he has friends in New York city, he took off for work in an attempt to ensure their safety.
I'd not traveled much at that stage and didn't really have a concept of New York, Washington or what it could possibly mean to be in a plane, let alone one that had been taken over by terrorists.
10 Years on and the images streaming into our homes are just as poignant as they were back then, maybe even more so. I still can't believe that something to this magnitude could be executed. That almost 3000 innocent people on their way to work, in a plane, or like the fire fighters, helping fellow countrymen lost their lives. It's such a waste.
In two weeks I'm heading to New York and Washington with friends. This will be my first visit. I'll be sure to pay my respects to those men and women who lost their lives and take a moment to think about those left behind.

Who says I'm not happy being me?

A year ago Mrs D asked me to be her maid of honour at her wedding. Sitting in a lovely conference room in sunny Sydney I was overwhelmed and wow excited. I’ve never been in a bridal party before let alone being maid of honour. And I agreed.

The wedding was taking place in Austria (no not Australia) in 6 months time AND Mrs D is a small size 6. Next to her I look like the elephant woman.

So I joined the gym, going at least daily, started eating calorie controlled frozen meals and cut out carbs. Everything I could to shed a few kilo’s to look just past half decent walking down the aisle next to her. And it worked, the wedding was amazing, my holiday after the wedding (well if you’re in Europe in July then it is a must) but I was depressed. I’m not a gym person and I don’t get any satisfaction out of eating a calorie controlled frozen meal. The part that depressed me more than the gym was the comments. Suddenly everyone started commenting or thought it was their right to encourage, offer pointers or tell me how great I was looking. I did this for myself, and not anyone else, and I don’t see when it became your everyone’s right to tell me how I was going. No one tells a skinny how or what to do to make them look different.
I stopped the gym and the cardboard foods a few months after the wedding, it wasn’t sustainable and I couldn’t justify the costs (getting slim is expensive) and the weight is slowly starting to creep up again.

Yesterday I rejoined a new gym, and I’ve made the first step into making sure that I’m doing something for myself again. Hopefully without the constant monitoring from all my friends this time. My goal in New York with a skinny Miss JJ. I realised though all of this that a number on a scale isn’t important but how you feel is. I need a personal goal to keep me motivated and that motivation isn’t something that comes from other people.

5 things to do in Bali

I've never been to Bali. I never wanted to go. My high school friend was 'rich' enough to go every school holidays and my memory was of her returning to school with her hair braided. In one week I am going to Bali with 3 girlfriends for the first time. We've got everything and nothing planned. A private plunge pool, a bike ride down a volcano and a breakfast that you need to plan ahead for (and bring a buffet dress apparently) and a lot of massage time.

I don't know what to expect really. Firstly it will be the first travel I've done with these friends, and secondly, being my first trip to Bali, will it meet my expectations, what even are my expectations. Will I come home with my hair braided?
I decided to create a top 5 things I plan to do in Bali, and I'll revisit my post with what I came to find.
1: Tanah Lot, the ancient pilgrimage temple. Preferably at sunset.
2: Bike ride down before mentioned volcano, taking in the rice terraces
3: Massage massage massage
4: Eat everywhere from food stalls, to the Rock Bar 

5: Quite possible some shopping time or chance to get my hair braided?

My girls in Bali

Lessons learned

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that good things start with self esteem. You need to have confidence in yourself – who you are and what your life is about. It will carry you though your challenges of your life whether it's a career or relationship crisis, or something else that's been handed to you through fate.

To gain confidence you first need to recognise yourself as an individual. It's about being your own best friend. Don't be so critical of yourself. It doesn't mean you have to be a braggart and say 'I'm the best' but rather "I'm working towards that goal".

A defeatist attitude can get sewn into your fabric early in life if you don't watch it. There are worldly achievements and there are achievements just for yourself, which may be about treating yourself better, getting a new set of friends, or getting a job that feels right. Fulfillment is what we're all looking for. I think it is a lifetime search and it changes as we get older.

It's difficult to allow things to happen, but it's important to be aware of making them happen. It's a fine line but a sense of self will always guide you.

Career or Job?

I posed the question to my dear friend Miss J today, 'What is the difference between a job and a career?"
Her response got me thinking... 'a job is something you have, to survive on a day to day basis; a career is a long term thing and you have something you want to achieve and you use your career to achieve what you want.' It made me realise that right now while I thought I had a career, I really only have a job and I don't have that drive for anything more long term.

It isn't that I don't want to do more or achieve more, it is just that I'm not really being enabled to do so. I used to have a ten year plan, and then got railroaded into an area of the business that I just realised, doesn't really value experience, diversity or me having an opinion and my career has stalled because of it. Not anymore I say. I put a plan to action - effective TODAY. The most important thing to do:

Option 1 or option 2.

Option 1: Make yourself visible to those above you. Your manager has a pretty good idea of what you are working on, but what about their manager? And your manager’s manager’s manager? Find ways to ensure that those in leadership roles know who you are and what you do. This can be done through projects or even chats over coffee, where the subjects can range from industry news to that person’s career history. If they know you, and know about you, they are more likely to think of you when a position does become available. They may be able to suggest a formal mentor in an area of the business you wish to move to. They can only do this once they know you.
 

Option 2: If you dislike your job, or see now real way out, you may want to consider looking for a new job in your current field, or try something totally new. Despite competition for jobs continuing to grow, it is also the best time to change careers, with the unemployment rate at 5.0%. This is amongst the lowest in the developed world. If you have your heart set on a change of career, the time to act may be now. Don't wait - you never know what is around the corner.

My love affair with Santorini

Some people come to Santorini for the magical sunsets over the Caldera, some come for the romance, and some for the nightlife. I’ve wanted to come here since I was a small child. I remember watching a television program about the lost city of Atlantis and I glimpsed the white washed blue domed churches that are synonymous with the island.

My first time was 5 years ago and I’ve been drawn back 4 times. The first time was as a back-packer, the second as lone traveler, the third with my boyfriend and the forth, crashing the honeymoon of my best friend. To say I’ve seen everything the island has to offer would be an understatement, but to say I’ve had enough would be a drastic exaggeration.

You start with the churches, those white washed blue domed churches that are all over the island. Climbing stair after painted white stair, every corner showing you more of the history and the enchantment that is on offer. Cruise ships arrive in droves to take in this startling island and looking up, makes you smile in absolute amazement at this picture perfect village perched on the top of a volcano.

My 6 things about Santorini:

• It's the ultimate romantic destination: Without being in your face. I love romance - even if it isn't me being romanced.
• The best weather: There is something about the sun there, even in summer, it is absolutely perfect.
• Look at me !!: It is no where near as showy as other islands in the Mediterranean. Comfortably chilled.
• Something new around every corner: Each time I visit, I have found a new village, or area never found before.
• Lots of my favorite animal ever... DONKEYS
• Greek food: Enough said

Photos: http://kelliejane.redbubble.com/