Ben & Jerry’s Flavour Election – Vote for me!

HEY loyal friends and family,

 

 

So we knew it wouldn’t be long before I was off on my next adventure!!

 

 

This is it:

 

www.flavourelection.com.au!

 

From March 7th – April 12th I will be campaigning for Ben & Jerry’s and my favourite flavour to win!!!

 

 

HALF BAKED!

 

 

You can now call me half baked!

 

Flavour =

Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Creams Mixed with Chunks of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough & Fudge Brownies

 

 

Also known as = YUMMY!!

 

 

Photos are here and on my page:

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benandjerryaustralia

 

 

my fb:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=291823&id=511114236&l=2f0556e6d8

 

You can vote by LIKING – through facebook – HALF BAKED via the flavour election.

 

 

Please contact me for any more instructions.

 

 

I’m also looking for friends and family to be secret squirrels/ noisy noisy promotions team and flavour campaigners. I need as much support as poss.

 

 

Anyone in the world can vote! just LIKE my Half baked on Facebook.

 

 

I have already won an I-phone 4 just for taking part and I have the opportunity to win a return trip to ANY Ben and Jerry’s anywhere in the world.

 

 

 

Vote #1 HALF BAKED!

 

 

 

 

Lovelly Em (Half Baked Emma

 

Tale of Australia from an American Sailor

This is a poem written by an American Sailor in 1944 when he was serving in Australia with my Cousin, Bill Hunter.

-

This is about the Australians from the American sailors:

-

 

Down below the South Pacific

In the sunny Tropic Sea,

There lies a country called Australia,

which once was new to me.

-

Since the time that I have been here,

Which is several months or more.

I’ve met the people, learned their ways

And would like my home once more.

-

For I’m sick of mates and cobbers,

Trams, pubs and teatime too,

And i’m damned tired of these Aussies

bumming smokes the way they do.

-

It’s uncle this,uncle that

More planes, more bombs, more guns

and when the nips are whipped

Don’t ever ask who won

-

Cos you will hear the Aussies holler;

“We Anzacs are the ones

Just give me 2 bob and a cigarette,

I’ll tell you how twas done”

-

Yes, i’m tired of Australia

and the whole of this Anzac race

If anyone wants to trade

they sure as hell can have my place

-

Cos now i’ve seen Australia,

and when this war is won

This bloke is going right back home

and on the bloody run.

-

Recited by William Hunter

(aka Bill “Magic 500″ Hunter)

for more info on this time period

go to Ozatwar

see stories about Frank Morill

http://www.ozatwar.com/usnavy/usnavalbasehospitalno10

Freedom Travel

Freedom Travel means no commitments, nothing to return to, no time restrictions and no worries.

 

I have travelled a lot over the past 5 years, but I’ve always had a purpose, a deadline, something that I must get back for or to or someone to go back to. This is the first time I’ve travelled that I haven’t had any thing waiting for me back home.

Before I left australia in December 2010 I sold my car, I stepped down or walked away from a few of my jobs, and I didn’t give a date of return. Although I have a return ticket, I have no extended that 3 times. I love this feeling.

 

I have now graduated University, I am free to choose any career I want and literally the world is my oyster. I can go anywhere and try anything. 23 is a great age to be.

I’m blessed to have so many people around the world supporting me- both emotionally and physically by giving me beds to stay in haha.

 

I hope I can have this peaceful feeling on more of my trips in the future.

 

Thom and Sean Travel the GLOBE

This week is an exciting DOUBLE DOSE with the travelling duo – Thom and Sean from the UK.

I met Thom and Sean via their great posts on Twitter and by xploring their awesome blog, http://www.thomandsean.com. These two certianly know how to write. I can’t wait to follow the guys as they travel around the world and eventually arrive in Australia to party with me!

Here Thom and Sean reflect on their home country, England and share the best with you.

1.      Name

Thom Cornall and Sean Fraser

2.      Occupation

Theatre technician (T) and photographer (S)

3.      Country of Residence

Currently the United Kingdom

4.      Country of Origin

United Kingdom

5. Website

http://www.thomandsean.com

6.      Why do you love Travel?

I think for us it’s the opportunity to meet new people and experience new things, trying out the world and seeing what else it has to offer.

7.      Favourite place in your home country and why?

Sean: I think the favourite place that we both share is Brighton.  It’s a seaside town (technically a city) on the south coast of England and it is brilliant.  It has gorgeous Georgian architecture, friendly people, lovely little shops and vintage interestingness and then there’s the beach.  Although not a sandy beach but a pebble beach it’s still fantastic.

Thom: Definitely agree with Brighton, it’s a damn lovely city. I’d probably throw in Chester too. It’s where I went to university so holds lots and lots of good memories for me. The town itself is quite small and easy to get around but holds loads of interesting shops, pubs and restaurants within the (Roman) city walls.

8.      Best place for tourists to visit in your country?

If you accept that London is a given for every tourist, which it should be because it has so much to offer, then we would recommend WHERE????

Thom: I guess it depends on the tourist! The UK has got so much to offer and can cater to pretty much any taste! If you like the countryside and fancy yourself a bit of a rambler then head up to the Lake District and Northumberland or down to Cornwall and Devon. Both areas host stunning natural beauty spots and the very best of the English countryside!

If you’re a history buff, your in luck – we’ve got shedloads of it. From Tudor houses Roman ruins you could pick pretty much any town or city and have something to look at. For me, Edinburgh would be the pick of the bunch simply for the castle alone.

If you like you nightlife and consider yourself very much a city-based tourist, then it really does have to be London. Huge, sprawling and crowded it may be but you could spend weeks here without running out of things to do!

Sean: I think I would recommend London, you can’t avoid it, but once you have I’d pick somewhere like Bath, Bristol or Manchester. London gets a lot of stick from the rest of the UK for not being a true example of British life. So, mix it up and visit somewhere outside the south east of England.

9.      What other country would you live in if you had to leave your country?

Thom: Difficult one to answer this. I’d probably go for Australia. Good climate, good beer and good people. What more could you need?!

Sean: The United States. The older I get the more I appreciate the liberty and freedom of the USA. Also, I like the eccentricity. I know I’ll love Australia but I don’t know if I can live that far away from everything else that I know? Part of our year there is to find out if we can!

10.  Best travelling experience anecdote in your own country?

Sean: When me and my friends were 16 we went on a mini-holiday to Bristol where we were going out to celebrate a birthday (bear in mind the legal drinking age in the UK is 18). We walked through all of Bristol trying to find a guest house with vacancies and we finally found one that we named Toad Hall. There were statues, pictures and toys of frogs EVERYWHERE. The landlady was something out of a Hammer Horror Film who insisted: “NO MONEY, NO KEY, NO MONEY, NO KEY”.

Suffice it to say we told her we would go and get cash, at which point we legged it! We found a new hotel and 10 or more years later we still chant ‘NO MONEY, NO KEY!’

11.  Favourite activity when around your city?

Thom: Going down to the Greyhound Racing track in Wimbledon and putting on a few bets! Such a fun night out and very easy to pick up.

Sean: Photography. London is just absolutely amazing for photography, there is every conceivable kind of back drop or setting and I know that I’m really going to miss that flexibility and inspiration once we’ve left.

12.  Do you feel you know your country well, or is more exploring of your homeland needed?

Thom: I’d certainly like to do some more exploring as you can always learn something new about a place. Saying that, I think I know the country quite well. As a kid we couldn’t afford to go on family holidays abroad so I’ve been to many and varied places in the UK.

Sean: I definitely need to explore the UK some more, I’ve still not been to Northern Ireland (or the Republic) and the last time I was in Cornwall I was a baby. I think I’ve got a fairly good handle on my country though. The south is hard and stuck up and the north is soft and friendly. Luckily for me I like stuck up and I like friendly!

13.  Any warnings for travellers visiting in your country?

Thom: Um, not that I can think of. It’s a very safe place. Of course, city’s and towns have there dodgy areas, as they do anywhere, but nothing major springs to mind.

Sean: The UK is expensive, I think Japan is one of the only countries more expensive than the UK. You won’t get value for money I’m afraid. Visit now though because the £ is barely worth the paper it’s printed on so it won’t seem so bad!

14.  Must see movie featuring your country and Why?

Thom: Withnail and I. Possibly quite dated now, but a very very funny film. And very British.

Sean: Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The British are a sarcastic bunch and also quite leftfield in their comedic tastes. If you can’t get the sense of humour then a visit here is going to leave you stranded.

15.  The best book to read before visiting your country?

Thom: I honestly can’t think of a single book that’s worth reading set in this country.

Sean: Probablysomething by Dickens or Shakespeare (technically plays not books)

16.  The must eat dish or delicacy of your country?

Thom: The classic Sunday Roast. Roast beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, veg, stuffing, horseradish sauce and lashings of gravy. Perfection.

Sean: Yeah, Sunday Roast is the best!

17.  The top three sayings to make travellers stay in your country easier? E.g. How much? Too expensive or Hello.

Thom: Beer comes in pints or halves. “I’ll have a pint/half of lager please barkeep”

The Underground public transport in London is called the Tube not the Subway. (Sean: and it’s pronounced ‘Choob’ not ‘te-u-be’

Never try to use Cockney rhyming slang – you’ll just end up sounding like a tool.

Sean: If someone asks “You alright?’ when you walk into a shop or when you first meet it means hello, how’re you? It doesn’t imply that you look distressed or dissevelled. You should respond in kind: ‘Yeah, you?’

‘Quid’ is slang for ‘pound’, eg that’ll be five quid = £5.

‘A cuppa’ is what everyone calls a cup of tea – ‘I fancy a cuppa’, ‘do you wanna cuppa?’ British tea comes with milk and often sugar, if someone asks how you like it they’re not getting fresh. ‘One lump or two’ means one teaspoon of sugar or two!

18.  Best time of year to visit?

Thom: I’m a summer man myself. Always lots and lots going on over the summer – music festivals, fetes, outdoor concerts.

19.  The 4 words that best describe your country:

Thom: Eclectic, Historic, Contrasting and Innovative.

Sean: Old, quirky, sarcastic, beer!

Follow the guys on Twitter @thom_sean

or see their blog -http://www.thomandsean.com

Courtney Crow- THE EXPLORER GIRL

Courtney Crow is the founder and operator of the amazing website http://www.explorergirls.com. I was lucky enough to find Courtney when looking for extra places to blog and how glad I am. Through this amazing travel website just for awesome, out there, adventurous girls, I have met some true friends.

Courtney is a freelance writer and photogrpaher. Her most recent posting was at the 2010 Winter Olypics in Vancouver. Meeting the likes of Shaun White and Torah Bright are just the part of a normal day for the adventurous Courtney.

Read about why she loves her home country the USA and make sure to check out the awesome website she has created for us travel lovers!

1. Name
Courtney Crow

2. Occupation
Online Publisher and Professional Photographer

3. Country of Residence
Australia
4. Country of Origin
USA

5. email/contact/ website
http://www.ExplorerGirls.com and http://www.CourtneyCrowPhoto.com

6. Why do you love Travel?

I love travel because it can open your mind up to all kinds of things…adventures, people and places. It’s the best way to learn more about the world and yourself. You always meet amazing and interesting people always along the way.

7. Favourite place in your home country and why?
Just recently I visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Monument Valley in Utah. I was blown away with the beauty of the landscapes. It was somewhere I had never been before and only seen in postcards. I went back to Utah to go ATV riding near the Zion National Park and again was taken back with all the beautiful terrain.

My other fave would be all the beaches…Florida, California and Hawaii!

8. Best place for tourists to visit in your country?
Now, I live in Australia and have for 8 years…I would say tourists who visit Australia have to go into the Outback. It’s somewhere people often skip because it can be hard to get to, but totally worth it. Uluru is just awesome!

9. What other country would you life in if you had to leave your country?
If I had to leave Australia I would consider moving to Canada. After visiting here for the Winter Olympics and living here for over a month I have seen so many great things about this country. The people are friendly and welcoming, the landscapes are beautiful and there are adventures all around us…snowboarding, heliskiing, dog sledding, hiking, biking, climbing, sailing….and the list goes on!

10. Best travelling experience anecdote in your own country?
People love travelling in Australia for the Great Barrier Reef, surf beaches in Sydney and along the coast lines and the Outback.

11. Favourite activity when around your city?
My closest city is Melbourne and when I’m there it’s all about shopping!

12. Do you feel you know your country well, or is more exploring of your homeland needed?
After touring around the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley I realised how much I don’t know about the USA and how many more places there are to explore…Yosemite National Park, Montana and so much more!

13. Any warnings for travellers visiting in your country?
When visiting Australia I would say just make sure you don’t travel into the bush or outback alone…it’s so vast and large and people can get lost and disappear.

14. Must see movie featuring your country and Why?
I would highly recommend ‘Australia’ the movie – it is a great tale about the history of Australia and shows some of the amazing landscape Australia has to offer.

15. The best book to read before visiting your country?
I would recommend ‘In a Sun Burned Country’ by Bill Bryson, because it tells you so much about Australia and it’s funny.

16. The must eat dish or delicacy of your country?
You must try Kangaroo! I know it sounds awful, but it free range and tastes really good!

17. Best time of year to visit?
Australia is best to visit in the summer, then you can advantage of all the warm beach days and hit the famous Aussie surf!

Garuda Air- A-OK

I have to admit that when boarding the Garuda flight to Indonesia I was feeling somewhat anxious. I might have even said a prayer or 6, just in case. But my worry was completely unnecessary. The flight was very, pleasant, the staff were delightful and the food was really nice too.

Garuda have had some aviation difficulties in the past and this has cast quite a shadow over their name in the industry. I hope to see this changing more and more as their technical standards increase and their security measures tighten.

I was surprised to find spacious and comfortable seating, also lucky to have 2 seats to myself. The entertainment system is state of the art with movies on demand, tv shows and music channels. The food came quickly and it was really tasty for aeroplane food. A paddle pop was given to us an hour before landing, a bribe or just a sweet treat? I’ll take it either way.

I actually felt bad for my doubtful approach to the service of Garuda. On the plane I watched a film called Love Happens starring Jennifer Aniston about continuing life even after tragedy has happened in your life. The message used through out the film is ”A-OK”. The stars in the film are encouraged to take on life’s challenges and face them. Even though something bad happened in the past, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen again and you can’t live your life in fear avoiding any tragedy or sadness. So being scared of airlines because they have had technical difficulties in the past just limits our options and our life experiences.

Arriving safely in the lovely tropical surroundings of the Jakarta airport, I felt rather sheepish. My fears were unwarranted. I would now recommend Garuda to anyone, especially those heading to the carriers host country Indonesia.

HAPPY FLYING!

Sydney Sunday

Sunday is just the best day to explore Sydney. Especially when it’s sunny with blue skies and you are surrounded by great friends.

I was lucky to have all these components working for me last Sunday 31st January 2010, to enjoy the best of what Sydney had to offer.

I started the day with a train ride to my favourite station Circular Quay, caught a Ferry to Mosman and checked out the shops. We then went off to the World famous Taronga Zoo to see Baby Luk Chai, elephant cutie!

Back on the Ferry at lunch time and then off to the IVY Marco Polo Pool for cocktails and chilled out tunes. Finishing the night in Martin Place with hundreds of cheering fans for Mr Roger Federers Australian Open Win.

Could one have a better day? Me thinks not!!

Details and a few tips for each venue and activity:

Ferry to Taronga Zoo

There is a direct ferry which goes from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo which takes aproximately 15 minutes and gives you stunning views of Sydney Harbour. However, it must be noted, when one arrives at Taronga Zoo and notices the sign advising that you have reached your destination, it is time to disembark. Do not do what my lovely friend Emma and I did and think that some nice chap will come and tell you it is time to get off. Two announcements were made and it was not until the ferry was pulling out that we noticed we should have gotten off. All was ok. Buses go regularly from the Mosman terminal and take you straight to Military Road and from there you can take another bus to the entrance of Taronga Zoo.

Ferry information:

www.sydneyferries.info/

Taronga Zoo

This Zoo has to have the most remarkable view in the world. The backdrop of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the brilliant blue ocean behind the giraffe or Bear enclosure. The Bird show is certainly a sight to see. Must remember to watch the birds and not the glistening sunlight on Sydney Harbour.

Little Baby Elephant, Luk Chai, is star attraction at the moment. See him and his friends having baths at 10.30am.

For information on tickets, show times and opening hours visit:

www.taronga.org.au

IVY -Marco Polo -Pool Bar

Sunday sessions at the infamous IVY are a must for any Sydney socialite. Cocktails, DJ, high fashion and all of this pool side! You can easily get caught up in the glitz and glamour and spend your afternoon show-boating and checking that your outfit is picture perfect. Alternatively, do what we did and jump right in. Get in the pool, cool off and frolic about. There is a great vibe and on this steamy Sunday there was no better place in Sydney.

For info on how to get into this exclusive bar:

http://merivale.com/#/ivy/poolclub

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05O6h0xr1vI&feature=related

Tennis in Martin Place

For large Scale events, the lovely City of Sydney Council set up a HUGE TV for all of us to come together and watch. We sat with 100′s of others to watch Federer take yet another Grand Slam title. The atmosphere was great and it provided the perfect wind down for our hectic Sydney day.

For more info on events happening in Sydney:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/html/custom/2240-venue-details.asp?VenueID=1841

ENJOY SYDNEY!

The USA by Brooke Schoenman

Brooke Schoenman had the difficult task this week of analysing her country from a Traveller’s perspective. Why so difficult? Because she comes from one of the biggest and most well known country in the world, The big ol’ US of A.

Brooke has been living in Australia and is now getting the chance to reflect on her home country. She loves her adopted country but of course misses the creature comforts such as a quiet weekend with family and some yummy chocolate chip cookies.

Chech out Brooke’s awesome blog as she trots around the world, especially her video blogs! http://brookevstheworld.com/

1. Name Brooke Schoenman

1. Occupation Traveler / Writer

1. Country of (Temporary) Residence Australia

1. Country of Origin USA

1. email/contact/ website http://brookevstheworld.com, Twitter: @brookeschoenman

1. 6. Why do you love Travel?

That is a really tough question!  I love to see new places, experience other cultures and all that fun stuff…. but I think I also love travel because I feel like I am at my best when I’m doing it.  In my normal life, I’m quite reserved and shy, but when I head out on the road – by myself – I come out of my shell.

1. 7. Favourite place in your home country and why?

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio – It is THE BEST roller coaster theme park EVER!  I was raised from a young age on roller coasters, and I still look forward to the bigger and the better!

1. 8. Best place for tourists to visit in your country?

Uhm… Cedar Point?   The country is so big; it is hard to pick out the best.  Everyone should experience New York City and get a taste of the southwest states in my opinion.

1. 9. What other country would you live in if you had to leave your country?

Australia!  At least that’s where I am trying to live at the moment.  Hopefully, I will be applying for a partner visa with my Aussie boyfriend come later this year!

1. 10. Favourite activity when around your city?

It has been a while since I’ve been home!  Peoria, Illinois is not a small city, but it is not Chicago either, so there isn’t much in the area of tourist attractions.  I really just enjoy hanging out with friends and family, going to dinner, going bowling or catching a concert.

1. 11. Do you feel you know your country well, or is more exploring of your homeland needed?

I definitely need to explore more of America.  Perhaps, if I bring my boyfriend home with me, I will have more motivation to see the rest of the States.  The US is truly gigantic, and I have only been to Arizona in the West.  Many people laugh when they hear I’ve traveled to Kyrgyzstan but have never been to Washington D.C.

1. 12. Any warnings for travellers visiting in your country?

If English is not your native language, try to learn a bit before coming over.  Outside of large cities, people may not know how to help or understand foreign tourists as they don’t see them as often.

1. 13. Must see movie featuring your country and Why?

I’m drawing a blank… The only thing that keeps coming to mind is “American Pie” and all the other teen/college type movies that make us look ridiculous.  Please don’t base your idea of America on these

1. 14. The must eat dish or delicacy of your country?

A good burger, apple pie and chocolate chip cookies   As surprising as it was, I happened to miss a good burger (not McD’s style) when on the road.  They’re just never the same abroad!

1. 15. The top three sayings to make travellers stay in your country easier?

How much? Can you tell me where… ?  Thank you.

1. 16. Best time of year to visit?

I guess that depends on what you want to see.  For Australians that never see snow, winter (their summer) is a good time to visit many states.  The southern states get very hot in the summer, so try to get to them in the spring or fall.

1. 17. The 4 words that best describe your country:

Diverse.  Gigantic.  Expensive.  Proud.

My Australian Australia Day

It had been 5 long years since  I had celebrated the National Day of my country in my own country. I had forgotten what it was like to celebrate with Australians, in the heat of Summer on our own turf.  So this year had to be a big one and 2010 certainly lived up. My Australia Day was jam packed full of Aussie goodness! Beaches, bikinis, Bondi and burnt to a crisp. What a day!

I wanted to also take this time to review  my last 5 Australia Days:

2006 – Delhi India.

I actually forgot it was Australia Day until the enving as it is also Indian Republic Day

2007 – London, England

Beers at 9am, watching the movie Chopper, singing the Anthem on the train and being denied from the Temple Walkabout. An English Australia Day with all the class.

2008 – BIG WHITE, BC, Canada

Working in housekeeping until 12pm, started drinking 12.30pm, BBQ outside our snowlobile hut. Riding a Snowmobile in my Australian Bikini before heading to Happy Valley Tavern, The Happiest Place on Earth! Freezing Cold, but we still wore our bikini’s and boardies.

2009 – Monterrey, Mexico

Student Exchange in Mexico with 35 other Aussie students provided us with an unusual setting for our Australia Day Celebrations. Triple JJJ Hottest 100 on the 25th (the day before due to timezones) and all day BBQ as we returned from a weekend in the dessert, followed by a Birthday Party/ Australia Day BBQ on the 26th. VB shirt was donned and beverages were consumed. FIESTA!



2010 – SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Bondi Beach, Havaina Thong Challenge (http://www.havaianasthongchallenge.com.au/), Mr Muscle Sprout (www.musclesprouts.com.au), my best girls, sun, sand and fun!

My Day in point form:

• Up at a ghastly 7am to get to Bondi by 9am for HAVAINA registration.
• Met Mr Mark Bouris from the Australian Apprentice.
• Ran around with Mr Muscle Sprout to promote the Amazing China Challenge (View the Amazing China Challenge 2010 adventure brochure)
• Lazed on the beach with my lovelies
• Attempted a world record with 1200 other Sydney Siders
• Got snapped by 2day FM cameras and appeared on the website – http://www.2dayfm.com.au – HOMEPAGE
• Met with 2 other mates for summery lunch
• MORE SWIMMING and more sun = more burn
• Northies, Conulla at Night for Dancing with local mates

EPIC DAY! Amazing!

I am so lucky to have been able to share my National pride over 5 countries over the past 5 years. I must say though…. There is no place like home!

Thanks Sydney for a truly memorable Australia Day 2010

Havaina Thong Challenge at Bondi Beach, NSW

Australia Day is one of our greatest National Celebrations. It’s the day we all get together and feel proud to be called Australian! We have BBQ’s, parties, we drink a lot and we tend to sing. But what else do we do to revel in our country’s greatness.

This year I will be trying to break a World Record in honour of our great day at the HAVAINA THONG CHALLENGE, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA!

Each year we attempt to set a new World Record for “The longest line of inflatable airbeds”. In 2009 we set the record in Bondi with 908.  So this year it is again to be held in Bondi and we need to beat the 4 other Australian states holding the event.

The locations for all the Havaina Thong Challenges in 2010 are:

NSW- Bondi

VIC – Torquay

QLD – Mooloolaba

SA -Glenelg

WA- Cottlesloe

Sydney is Australia’s largest city so we can’t let these small fry beat us. Otherwise we have to listen to the bragging for a whole year!

2010 Beach activities to include:

• Giant Havaianas Inflatable Thong Race
• Havaianas Dash For Thongs (Beach Flags)
• Giant Havaianas Relay (Running Race)
• Havaianas Thong Throwing Competition

  Whatever you do this Australia Day, Have fun, Be Safe and Be Proud to be an Aussie!

Visit http://www.havaianasthongchallenge.com.au/registration to register or pop down on the day to try your luck.

$25 gets you entry to the activities on the beach on the day, A world Record certificate  (if we are successful, and Sydney will be!) and the giant inflatable Thong to laze about on the ocean all day!