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Experience Aboriginal Australia

October 3rd, 2009 No comments
by Jennifer Schellington

No trip to Australia is complete without an understanding of the Aboriginal Culture

Aboriginal (or Aborigine) means Indigenous to Australia. They were the sole inhabiters of Australia before it was occupied by the British and other Europeans

There were over 300,000 Aboriginals in Australia before the settlers arrived. With them, they brought Old World Diseases which simply wiped out thousands of Aboriginals. As well as this, they were not given any rights to the land which pushed them out.

Nowadays, Aborigines account for just 3% of the Australian population and many suffer from alcohol and poor health problems. But there are pockets within Australia where you can still see their old values and traditions which are very interesting indeed. There are certain places, such as Ayers Rock, that are very sacred to the Aboriginal community. These are key places to learn more about Aboriginal culture and beliefs.[I:http://phila-airport-parking.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2009/10/JenniferSchellington0.jpg]

Music and art are two key elements of the Aboriginal culture. The didgeridoo is one of the most well known instruments but is in fact only really used by those from the East of Australia. The clapping sticks are in fact more well known.

Rock Art is the oldest of the Aboriginal Arts and can be found in places such as Ayers Rock and Kakadu National Parks as these are sacred Aboriginal lands. It is the dot paintings that are particularly popular with tourists and these are generally easy to find throughout Australia.

Where To Experience Aboriginal Australia

There are lots of places you can go to learn about the Aboriginal Culture. There is not room in this article to explore them all. Arnhem Land which is near Darwin in the top end of Australia is in my opinion the best place to go. Numbers are restricted to this sacred area so you can guarantee a less touristy approach. You really do get to appreciate the real culture and see real Aboriginals dot painting and making crafts. You can easily incorporate a day trip here as part of your trip to Darwin or Kakadu National Park and I highly recommend it. Remember that this area has defined seasons so only come here between May and October.[I:http://phila-airport-parking.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2009/10/JenniferSchellington1.jpg]

If Darwin is not on your to do list then consider an Aboriginal experience in one of the more visited areas such as Sydney. Two of the best experiences are The Blue Mountains Walkabout Tour or The Rocks Half Day Dreaming Tour. The second is taken by an Aboriginal Elder called Margaret Campbell and the tour is authentic and very interesting.

As the Aboriginals would say, lets go Walkabout. Discover Aboriginal Australia and see Australia in a whole new light.

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Stunning Sydney Australia

March 7th, 2009 No comments

It’s hard to choose one image that represents Australia: the moonscapes of the Outback;A surfer at one of the many stunning beaches; a kangaroo; the urban sophistication of its cities. And it’s hard to choose a cultural image as well: an Aborigine warrior; a weary sheep farmer; a young professional. All of these images represent Australia. It’s a land of stunning contrasts and diversity. When visiting, you can always find something you want to donarrowing your choices is the difficulty.

And because of its size, you can almost always find something in the climate you prefer. Keep in mind that it’s on the other side of the equator from the U.S., so their summer is our winter, and so forth.

We are going to explore Sydney, probably the most well-known city in Australia. Its Opera House floating in Sydney Harbor is one of Australia’s most famous images. Sydney’s laid-back outdoor lifestyle and physical allure make it one of the world’s easiest and most pleasant cities to visit. The people who live here are a friendly, energetic bunch with a tell-it-like-it-is approach to life as visitors to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games found out..

One attraction of Sydney is that almost everything you would like to do lies within easy reach of the downtown area. The city is built around the harbour, and life for the residents is built around it as well. The city has a vivid night life, trendy restaurants, and numerous cultural diversions. Within easy reach of the city, pristine beaches and an immense national park system offer day trips for stunning beauty and relaxation.

Getting Around Sydney is easy

1)Ferries: Ferries are the most pleasant and popular way to get around Sydney. With 37 wharves around the city, most Sydney residents use ferries for their daily commute.

2)Buses: Buses are a great way to travel around Sydney. They go everywhere, are cost effective, and are easy to use.

3)Trains: The CityRail network is fast, convenient and clean.

4)Monorail: Sydney’s Metro Monorail an above-ground rail systems. The route goes around Darling Harbour.

5)Light Rail: The Light Rail is environmentally friendly way, and travels all over the city. Just hop aboard.

Where to Stay

1)Four Seasons Sydney -The Hotel offers 531 rooms and suites, elegantly decorated in a luxurious contemporary style. Views from the guest rooms include Sydney’s most famous icons: the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and beyond.

2)Park Hyatt Sydney – a spectacular location on the harbour, elegance, attention to detail, spacious rooms and personalized service.

3)The Observatory Hotel- The Observatory Hotel is one of Sydney’s most acclaimed hotels, where stylish tradition meets modern efficiency. The sophisticated 100-room hotel puts guests at their ease and offers a relaxed and luxurious atmosphere. Located the heart of the historic Rocks district and only a short walk from the city and bustling King Street Wharf, the hotel offers easy access to nearby fashionable bars, restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment, including the Opera House. Spacious, elegant, beautifully appointed, the rooms and suites at The Observatory Hotel are designed to meet the needs of the most fastidious guest.

Sydney is truly a global city with its style, its exuberance, and its zest for life.

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