There's No Place Like Oz

Melbourne Day Trips: Dandenong Ranges & Ballarat

Although the city centre kept me occupied for days, I’m glad I ventured out to join James in the Dandenong Ranges and Darren and Cherril in Ballarat. Photos are the best way to showcase my day in the Dandenong Ranges! We had a beautiful drive! He liked me because I had food If the birds […]

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Visit, See, Experience: Melbourne

During my first trip abroad in 2003, my dad and I saw as much of Ireland as we possibly could in one week. It was great to see so many places, but our fast pace meant we never got to linger anywhere and simply enjoy our surroundings. So ever since then I’ve taken a different […]

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Culinary Corner: Melbourne

Last week I mentioned that many consider Melbourne to be the culinary capital of Australia, and if you’ve seen my Twitter feed or recent Flickr photos, you’ve already figured out that I love food. While I’m no foodie, and I am definitely on a budget traveler’s meal plan, I do appreciate being in a city […]

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Meetups and Tweetups

Meeting new people is one of the primary motivations of travel. It can be rewarding, educational, entertaining, and life-changing — and yes, sometimes frustrating, overwhelming, or irritating! It didn’t hit me until just a day or two ago that I’ve rarely traveled by myself. If I haven’t traveled with someone to my destination, I was […]

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Sumo Salad: 11 meals in 15 days

For years I’ve had a salad for either lunch or dinner almost every day of the week. Now by salad, I don’t mean lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion alone like you’d have for a side salad in the restaurants back home. I prefer spinach as my base, always include a protein like chicken or turkey, […]

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Melbourne: Good Food & Wine Show

After falling in love with Sydney four years ago and again last week, I wondered how Melbourne would fare in comparison. Everyone says there’s a rivalry between the two cities — for lifestyle, food, atmosphere, you name it. I figured at the very least I would like Melbourne…how could I not when I heard it […]

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No Umbrella at the Footy!

My dad raised me to love sports. As soon as I could hold a plastic bat in my hand, he was pitching a plastic ball to me. When he thought I was old enough to appreciate going to a game, I went to my first college basketball and football games. I love watching sports (on […]

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Banking and business with the WHV in Australia

Choosing to “move” to another country (thanks Work and Holiday Visa) means that there is definitely some work involved — it’s not all fun and games like my previous 3-week trips abroad! In typical Heather fashion, I researched options months in advance to learn what I’d have to do to set up a bank account, […]

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Safe and Sound in Sydney

If you haven’t caught it on Twitter or Facebook yet, I’m safe and sound in Sydney! I’m just finishing up my first full day so I’m a little tired but nothing like last time 🙂 Things I’ve learned/observed/experienced so far: 1) Do yourself a HUGE favor and pack your bag early. I procrastinated and waited […]

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