“Forget the maps, follow your instincts” said the neon sign in the Hostels International lounge in Chicago. Alas, with only four nights in Chicago, I needed some structure, though I…
Why go to Detroit?
Detroit: Drab, Dingy, Dilapidated, Deserted and Dangerous? by Marjie Courtis “Why are you going to Detroit?” It was the question Australians kept asking me before I left. And it was…
Consider Connecticut
Travel article: Fanning out from a village base in Connecticut by Marjie Courtis It was long-term friendships that led to me spending two and a half weeks based in the…
A Glover Experience in Tasmania
A Glover Experience in Tasmania. I had a whirlwind encounter with John Glover’s paintings and followers, on a recent visit to Tasmania from Melbourne. I was focused on the Glover…
Two-for-one tours. What’s in it for a traveler?
Two-for-one tours. What’s in it for a traveler? by Marjie Courtis For those who consider themselves travelers rather than tourists, a bus tour can be anathema. But what if the…
Five world heritage sites in five days
From the jungle to 5 World Heritage sites in 5 days Starting at a hotel embedded in the jungle, I was able to travel to five World Heritage sites in…
Out and about in Negombo
By Marjie Courtis Negombo had its beautiful Indian Ocean Beach. I’d been there, when I’d first arrived in Sri Lanka via Sri Lankan Airlines and Bandaranaike International Airport. Negombo is…
Maria Island, Tasmania – Escape to a Convict Island
Escape to a Convict Island By Marjie Courtis 9 October 2023 Bound for Maria Island, Tasmania I was bound for Maria Island in June. A billboard at Hobart airport gave…
Rutherglen, Victoria. A destination and a base
Rutherglen as destination The wineries – Buildings, bottles and bullshit?! My partner and I chose Rutherglen, Victoria for a three day getaway. I thought we’d spend it primarily around the…
Great Ocean Walk or Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road was progressively opened from 1922 to 1932. The official Great Ocean Walk didn’t arrive until 2004. Which is the best way to see this great ocean…
A Bright Autumn
Bright is a Victorian town in the Alpine Shire, close to the Mt Buffalo National Park, Alpine National Park and Mount Hotham. I visited before winter set in, just after…
A Flying Visit to Flores, Indonesia
The Carnivorous, Cannibalistic Komodo Dragons The gentle, endearing geckos of Bali are hardly an introduction to their relatives, the carnivorous, cannibalistic reptiles of Komodo National Park – the Komodo Dragons….
Inle Lake in Eastern Burma (Myanmar)
Boating activity on Inle Lake, Burma : © Marjie Courtis Inle Lake – Not quite Venice Inle Lake in Burma (Myanmar) is no Venice, but it shares Venice’s proliferation of…
Madagascar : Follow the Lemur
My lemur route through Madagascar (“Mada”) first took me to Lemur’s Park out of the capital, Antananarivo (“Tana”). As a sanctuary, it’s an excellent place to be introduced to a…
Colour, Catastrophe & Criminals: La Boca, Buenos Aires
The solid blocks of colour on the buildings at La Boca, Buenos Aires, strike you the minute you arrive. Bright blue juxtaposed with bright yellow distinguishes one building, and reflects…