New Zealand: Nature and Adventure At Its Best

Travel Buzz

A little birdie along the pristine shores of Lake Wakatipu (New Zealand)

It’s been a while since my last article (sorry about that dear readers). The reason is honest and simple: I’ve been Netflix binging (isn’t everyone else?) especially these past months where I can’t go to the movies (which is one of my favorite things to do until COVID happened). If you’re wondering what shows have been on my playlist lately, I can say that I have an eclectic taste in series/mini-series and film genre. My interests range from loosely referenced royal true-story like The Crown (started watching the series while recuperating from my spinal surgery late 2019 and finished the latest season a coup]e of months ago) and The Last Czars (can’t imagine how I finished all seasons of this sad and tragic series), period shows like Bridgerton, an inclusive game-changing series that transcends racial lines in depicting royal characters in its first season alone (very timely after the tell-all Oprah interview of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex where racism has been one of the most talked about takeaways from that interview along with mental health), and novelty/vanity shows like Emily in Paris where fashionistas will be delighted with how the show’s costume design and stylist have put together a parade of chic, eye-candy clothes for the main character (like stepping into a fashion show) as well as my way of indulging in and reminiscing one of my favorite cities in the world. Another new series is Lupin, a smart and intelligent French heist show that, like Bridgerton and Emily in Paris, I can’t wait for the next season. There’s Homeland, a very engaging, edge-of-your-seat spy thriller like a good book that you can’t put down (I finished all 8 seasons). With the same Homeland show-runner, The Blacklist is currently the series I’m hooked on (I’m on the 4th season already, where in the previous season, Reddington mentioned the name of Filipino concert icon Pops Fernandez). Then there’s Vikings, a show that is probably loosely based on historical facts (the show was originally screened on History channel), where it started slow (it almost lost my attention on the first few episodes) until it got interesting (I think the turning point was when Athelstan, my favorite character along with Ivan the Boneless, was held as a slave of Ragnar).

(Left) Catamaran boat for the Whale and Dolphin Safari; (right) our guide prepping us for the sea adventure

Since Vikings is a show about, wait for it, the exploits of notorious vikings (of course), the location shoot was splendid. A lot of the sceneries in the show remind me of places in New Zealand (though no scene in the show was shot in New Zealand). I’ve been to New Zealand twice in 3 years (that was I reckon the validity period of my tourist visa). For the first visit, I did Auckland, Rotorua (and the vicinities), and Queenstown. For the second visit, I did Auckland (again), Devonport, Waiheke Island, and Wellington. The first one was more than a decade after the last of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was shot and a few years after The Hobbit was shown. We all know by now that these movies were mostly shot in New Zealand, which made the country not just known for its sheeps (did you know that there are more sheeps than locals, where there are about 6 sheeps for every person) and dairy, but also the spectacular natural sceneries featured in these movies.

A mother dolphin and her young amidst a pod of other dolphins swimming ahead of the catamaran

New Zealand is also popular for adventure activities. So first on my itinerary when I got to Auckland was to go Whale & Dolphin Safari. This activity involves going out to the sea for hours on a catamaran boat. Think of it like a cruise, but with a purpose: to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. I got so excited like a kid (I love whales and dolphins and it was supposed to be my first to see them up close) that I didn’t mind the occasional bumpy ride and getting wet from the saltwater splash on the open deck. A couple of hours out, we started to see dolphins swimming along and ahead of the boat, like leading us to somewhere. It seems that they are already used to these visits that they are so at ease with the visitors, like welcoming us in their home. Though I didn’t see any whales (it’s seasonal apparently, so I didn’t get to see my Orca), it was worth the ticket I paid considering that the money will go partly to the conservation and research fund. It was for this charity that made me wrote my first review on Tripadvisor (I later asked to take down my account after the Mykonos incident where it was evident that the said platform is enabling scamming establishments and I can’t be part or support any travel site that is complicit in any form of deceit and deception). My review though can still be seen in there, where I wrote: “The highlight of my Auckland trip was when I saw a baby dolphin trying to show off by flipping its tiny body amidst the frenzy in a pod of adult dolphins leading our boat. It was so cute. I would have rated this experience ‘excellent’ if I’ve only seen a glimpse of any whale (probably not a whale season during this time). Crew was great too plus your way of helping out a good cause while having fun.”

Different scenes in Hobbiton (including inside the pub where the hobbits meet for drinks)

Next adventure was going to Hobbiton. Don’t laugh, dear readers (coz I’m not dreaming this), Hobbiton actually exists. I remember in one of the episodes of The Graham Norton Show (on Youtube) where Norton mocked guest Elijah Wood statement that he wants to go back to Hobbiton. Realizing his on-air cringe-worthy blunder, Norton even joked that if ever he’ll be visiting New Zealand, he’ll be held at passport control as persona non grata for making fun of Hobbiton. Yes dear readers, Hobbiton is the same place where The Shire of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit was shot. It has become a popular tourist destination after the movies were shown that New Zealand Ministry of Tourism decided to preserve the set location and name the place Hobbiton.

(Left) Visiting one of the hobbit homes; (right) zooming in on the new face of Hobbiton (lol)

The set occupies a vast track of land (if you could recall, director Peter Jackson travelled the world to look for that perfect place for the location shoot and found it in New Zealand) that after the filming has wrapped up, everything on the set, from those hobbit houses to the pub where the hobbits meet for drinks were kept and maintained. It’s like a small town (no pun intended) where just being there felt like you’ve already been part of these iconic movies. Being a movie fan myself, I can’t help but reminisced those scenes of Gandalf, Frodo & Bilbo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and the rest of the party loving hobbits in the same place where I’m on “party business.”

Bubbling mud pool and shooting geyser (from afar and up close)

Not far from Hobbiton is Rotorua, popular for its bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, and a museum showcasing the Maori culture. So this leg of the trip was more like nature and culture adventure. What happened next though was more than just nature and culture. It became an adventure on humanity as well. While on this trip, I met an older man on electric wheelchair with his daughter, both of whom, if my memory serves me well, travelled all the way from Argentina just to see the natural beauty of this country. What struck me really was that not only was the senior grew fond of me (maybe because I occasionally kept him company while his daughter was taking photos or picking up food, drinks, or souvenir items), but the close father-daughter relationship that they have. I reckon that the daughter shared that it was her Dad’s wish to be there, that she obliged to take him there fully aware of the difficulties of mobility given his condition. It reminds me of my Dad, who suffered a mild stroke and has mobility concerns as well (he can still walk though) and yet has that same vigor to travel and overcome whatever difficulties while we were on our European tour (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/02/23/italy-how-thou-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-part-1-of-2/). On the way back to Auckland, we made a short stop by a lake, where the senior took a photo of me by the lake, and said “I now have a photo of my new friend from the Philippines.” That was 5 years ago, and here’s hoping that the father-daughter tandem travelled on with the adventure of their lives, wherever that may have taken them, with filial bond that only gets stronger each passing day.

(Left) Able bodied men from the audience participating in a Maori ritual dance; (right) Maori cultural presenters

Next stop was Queenstown. This hub for nature and adventure is a few hours by plane from Auckland (Auckland is up north, Queenstown is down south). I say it’s the hub coz it is the jumping-off point to various high octane adrenalin rush adventure options, not to mention the numerous lakes, rivers, mountains, fjords, rainforest, and waterfalls in the area. Right next to my hotel (Novotel Queenstown Lakeside) is Lake Wakatipu, with crystal clear waters amidst the backdrop of mountain range (it was summer then so just imagine how beautiful and magical the scenery is at winter when the mountains are snow capped) that kept me spellbound during my whole stay where I told myself that if ever I get married someday, I want the wedding to be here (the only other alternative is on one of the beaches of Budva). Lately, I’m thinking this is where I want my ashes spread when the day comes.

This is where I wanna get married or my ashes spread, whichever comes first. Imagine that mountain capped in snow (Lake Wakatipu)

I’m not someone who is an adrenalin junkie, but I can be adventurous without really taking on high risk activities. I know my physical flaws, so I know how far I can go and my adrenalin limits. So I opted doing the heart-racing jet boat extreme ride and the more risky river rafting. The former is riding a jet boat that races across Lake Wakatipu, maneuvers some sharp turns on the Kawarau River, and speeds thru the waters of Shotover River. The jet boat then makes a few 360-degree spins on high speed (splashing river water all over), like a roller coaster ride on water.

Some of the pit stops of the river rafting. Someone’s showing off to break the ice (not me!)

The latter, on the other hand, started as a funyak (fun kayak), but became river rafting when we started shooting rapids in some rough parts of the river. On quiet waters we passed by mountain ranges featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We made a pit stop in some forested area by the river to have lunch, where the notorious sandflies abound. These bloodsucking creatures leave nasty bite that causes not only inflamed bite area but also unbearable itch (and I’m not talking about mosquito bite itch that goes away quickly, this one doesn’t go away for days and the constant scratching will only worsen the affected area). We were already forewarned though, so insect repellant lotion kept exposed areas of our faces and hands free from these nasty bites (the rest of our bodies were covered up anyway). So for all thrill seekers out there who wants to have some adrenalin fun but with less risk, these are good options for you. Bungee jumping crossed my mind (it’s been on my bucket list since my brother told me a while back that he did it already), but the thought of that pulling my backbone and hurting my back (that was before my spinal surgery) made me rethink that option and decided not to go thru with it.

Stunning sceneries on the way to Fiordland (it feels like being transported to Jurassic Park)

Next adventure is what I was in Queenstown for: to see Milford Sound, one of the more popular fjords around the world. I’m a nature lover (but not the outdoorsy, camper type) and what better way to commune with nature than thru this excursion. The road trip to Fiordland (the jumping-off point for the cruise) is already an adventure by itself, where you drive thru forested areas, passing by waterfalls as well as making some brief stops on riversides and lakeshores. This ride gives one a better appreciation of how blessed this country is, and also why it’s always green all over, from open grasslands to forested areas: it always rains in this part of the globe. Given that there is still a thick forest cover across the country, the rainwater flows thru and ends up where it should be, preserving the water cycle and keeping the vegetation nourished. No wonder then that New Zealand has a flourishing wide variety of plants that are used for botanicals and herbal/alternative medicines and health supplements (as mentioned in my earlier article https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/28/my-gut-feel-against-the-virus/, this is where I got my first taste of medicine grade Manuka honey as well as honey based shampoo that I mentioned in my other article https://columbusbee.blog/2019/11/01/mlnrd-at-st-lukes-medical-center-global-city-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/).

At the dock waiting for my ride to cruise thru Milford Sound

Those landscapes and seascapes in the Viking show are what remind me of the sceneries while cruising thru the fjord. I’ve never seen so many waterfalls in my life, where every part of the high cliffs always has freshwater flowing on its side. It looks like a long wall with water leaking from every block. There are parts where the waterfalls are bigger, stronger, and heavier. The harmony of these landscapes and seascapes with the trimmings of the lush vegetation and serenity that is only disturbed by the noise from the endemic wildlife and splashing waters from the falls make this one of the most exhilarating experiences for any nature lover.

Sights of the Sound: wading thru the fjord; waterfalls and more waterfalls; seals on their natural habitat.

A trip to New Zealand won’t be complete without the food and drinks adventure. Aside from being the adventure capital of the country, Queenstown is known to have the best burger in the country (or arguably in the world). It’s served by burger joint Fergburger, or what the Kiwis simply call as Ferg’s. There’s always a long queue every single day I was there, where anyone who wants a taste of the best burger but doesn’t want to wait too long need to observe what time of the day the queue is at its shortest. That’s what exactly I did, where I was able to place my order after some 20-30 minutes wait in line. So you’re probably wondering how was it? It was definitely one of the best burgers I had, but I’m on the fence between Ferg’s and Shake Shack as the best burger in the world (so that’s Queenstown vs New York for you burger fans).

Lost in the vineyards (well not really, just trying to get to my first meal of the day)

Back north, Waiheke Island has some of the best vineyards and restos in the country. While on the island, I was craving for Spanish so I decided to look for the best Spanish resto. There weren’t many, but apparently the best one is Casita Miro, not just renowned for good food, but also for its location in the middle of vineyards (I reckon it used to be the house of a vineyard owner that was converted into a resto). So I took the hop-on-hop-off bus and got off on a stop at a vineyard that I thought was the closest to the walking path to the resto. God, I was so wrong. What I thought was a 10 minute walk turned into an hour of wandering under the blistering heat of the sun. Nevertheless, it gave me the chance to wander thru vineyard after vineyard, got up close to the vines and the grapes and a good exercise before a meal. When I got to the resto, guests (who probably came in private cars) were staring at me, probably because I was soaking wet in perspiration. Awkward as it may look, I held my composure while asking the receptionist if my reservation was still on, given that I was a few minutes late. Fortunately I still have my table, and right away asked for the menu and water (I was famished and thirsty). I didn’t do the wine tasting anymore, coz I was already dizzy from being under the sun for too long. It’s was nothing short of an adventure.

Casita Miro. You know it’s real Spanish when the bar and the deck are Gaudi’sh (Waiheke Island)

Though I have travelled much and to a lot of places around the globe, New Zealand rekindled my sense of adventurism. Maybe that’s what the name New Zealand is about, a new zeal in life. What made this country different from the other places I’ve been to is that this is as natural as it can get. If we are to talk about a green world, this could probably be the poster boy for a greener earth. What better way to bring more interests to this place and awaken our earth-y responsibilities than offering a variety of adventure options, from exciting water adventures to the fascinating nature excursions to thrilling river escapades to gastronomic food and drinks explorations. Communing with nature has never been this better.

Dining with view of the vineyards (Casita Miro)

If I have to sum up my experience (in both times I have been to the country), it would be like the date I had with one of New Zealand’s top TV celebrity chefs when I was there: it was good while it lasted.

Life is a Beach (Second of Two Parts)

Travel and Positivity Buzz

Cool, clear, blue Aegean Sea

There’s a proverbial phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” which embraces positivity and optimism amidst trying times. What can be truer than this than the situation we are all in right now where it feels like our lives have been taken over by the COVID virus, which is nothing more than the common cold virus except that it’s deadlier. I thought this can only happen in the movies, but looks like life is stranger than fiction. Like in the movies, the contagion has resulted to lockdowns where travel and mobility are restricted. Face mask and shield have become so common like underwear that you cannot be caught dead without wearing one. Given that the best way to handle this health crisis is to treat anyone as potential carrier, no matter how hideous and uncomfortable these protective gears are, we just simply have to appreciate these as something we cannot leave our homes without.

Count your blessings

So how do we make lemonade out of this pandemic? There are people who see opportunities out of a crisis (both good and bad ones) and there are those who simply accept the ‘new normal’ (I’m starting to get annoyed with this phrase). For me, it’s the time to count my blessings, to reflect on life with its ups and downs, and how I could see myself as a survivor. Sounds cliche and corny for most, but if you haven’t appreciated those things that you would normally take for granted (such as freedom to move around), then maybe the lockdown can facilitate such realization of how being free is precious yet vulnerable.

My happy place

This is also the time to go back to your happy place. For me, beaches have always been my happy place. Or any body of water for that matter. I’ve always been attracted to bodies of water. Maybe because my feng shui says that I am a water element, so that would probably explain why I would find myself in that blissful state of peace and serenity when I’m near a body of water. Like lemonade, it feels refreshing, that’s why even if summer went by without being able to go to the beach, just the mere thought of it would already alleviate whatever stress this lockdown has brought on our mental and emotional well-being.

Reliving the ghost of summer past

So to keep our sanity and emotional stability in check, let us continue our virtual trip to the different beaches around the world. In the first part of this article, we were able to cover the 3 A’s (Asia, America, and Africa). In this second part, let’s fly to Europe, Middle East, and Oceania, and explore the beaches that I have been to in more than 20 years of travels.

Europe

Praia da Ribeira (Cascais, Portugal)

Europe has always been a fave destination of mine. Aside from its rich history, art treasures, bustling culture, and century old architecture, some places have nice beaches. One such place is Barcelona (Spain). The home of Gaudi, this city is a mix of the old and the new. Modern skyscrapers blending in with the works of Gaudi makes this a very livable city. Not to mention beautiful people. To top it all, it has a beach called Barceloneta on its coastline that is easy reach by car, bicycle, public transportation or even by foot if you happen to be staying in one of the hotels that are lining up the whole stretch of the beach (in my case, I stayed at Pullman Barcelona Skipper which is about 200 meters from the beach). Just like any beach in a city, it gets packed on summers. You don’t need to go far or drive a couple of hours just to get to one. No wonder I fell in love with this city the first time I’ve experienced it. This is one of my top five cities in the world that I would love to live in if given the chance.

(Top left) Hotel rooftop view of the iconic fish art, the marina, and Barceloneta beach; (top right and bottom) Barceloneta beach, promenade, and topless sunbathers (Barcelona, Spain)

Another such place where the old and the new mesh well is Malta. It is the home of the oldest standing structure in the world (called Gigantia, much older than the pyramids of Egypt) in one of the two main islands called Gozo. Valletta, its capital city, is like an open museum with new architecture blending in. The city has pockets of beaches as well, which provide the locals enough space to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the sea. The city is very scenic and the people are nice. Another great place to live in.

View of the city, marina, and beach from my hotel room balcony (Valletta, Malta)

Europe also boasts of beautiful resort towns and islands full of fine beaches along its coastlines. The resort town of Cascais (Portugal) is one such resort town that has a few beaches to choose from. There’s the Praia da Ribeira, a wide stretch of beach that sits along the busy promenade where locals and tourists alike who find the water too cold for swimming (which is common in European beaches even during summers, unlike its Asian counterparts) can sit and enjoy the cool breeze, the sun, and the sights. There’s Praia da Rainha, a secluded beach which you can access thru rows of restos on a cliff, which gives you the option of having a table and order your fave drinks while basking under the sun and enjoying the bird’s eye view of the beach and seascape. You can go down to the beach and take a dip into the cold waters or just do your sunbathing on the fine sands to get that nice tan.

Praia da Rainha (Cascais, Portugal)

Aside from Spain, Malta, and Portugal, Italy and Montenegro also have nice resort towns with fine beaches. I wrote about the resort towns of Positano and Amalfi in Italy in my previous article (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/15/italy-how-thou-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-part-2-of-2/) as well as the island of Capri. Montenegro has the resort town Budva, which, just like any other resort towns in Europe, is deliciously beautiful with its old charm mixing well with modern marina and pebbly beaches. You can have lunch by the beach if the water is too cold and can sit through all day people watching as well as appreciating the scenery.

(Top) Beaches of Budva (Montenegro); (bottom) lunch by the beach

Then of course you have the popular isles of Greece. Two of which are Mykonos and Santorini, which I wrote about in my earlier article (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/07/21/greece-of-myths-mediterranean-food-and-beaches-part-2-of-2/). You can do beach hopping in any of these isles, as both have pockets of beaches along its coastline. Just be on a lookout for tourist traps, particularly in Mykonos. You need to be extra cautious in this place. You don’t want to get “robbed” (just like what happened to me as shared in my article) that can potentially ruin an otherwise enjoyable holiday. Tourist traps aside, the beaches tick all the boxes: fair share of sunshine all throughout summers, clear blue or green waters, white to black sands or pebbles from volcanic matter, and cool, light to windy sea breeze (Mykonos at times can be very windy).

Beach hopping in Santorini (Greece) from left (clockwise): Black Beach, White Beach, Red Beach

What is common among these European beaches is that these rest along the shores of the Adriatic, Aegean, and Mediterranean seas. I don’t know what’s with these seas, but there is something mystical and magical every time I’m near these bodies of water. It’s like something’s calling me to be near it, to feel it, to soak in it. Aside from its crystal clear waters that are always enticing (as well as baffling, like how waters along some of these big cities and towns have been kept clean thru centuries), there is something special and dreamy about these seas, like unicorns. If I have to get mythical about it, I may be a descendant of Poseidon or his demigod son Triton. It seems like I’m forever under the spell of these seas, that’s why I always keep on coming back.

Chillin by the Red Beach

The magical spell seems to also make people less inhibited. It’s not uncommon in these beaches that people can do the full monty regardless of age and let it all hang out like it’s nobody’s business. What can be more freeing than that feeling of being one with nature (or in this case, being one with the sea)? I haven’t done that yet, but if I did, it would be the most courageous and liberating act that I could ever do in this lifetime (I could probably consider skinny dipping lol).

Middle East

Nation Riviera Beach Club with the view of the Fairmont Marina (the one that looks like Atlantis The Palm) at Al Kasir Island and the Arabian Gulf (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

The only time that I was in the Middle East (aside from layover in Muscat in one of my long haul flights) was when I availed of the stopover promo of Etihad Airways where I spent a few days in Abu Dhabi (the airline’s main hub). The business class promo comes with accommodations at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi which entitle guest access to the private Nation Riviera Beach Club. The beach can be easily reached from the hotel thru an air-conditioned underground tunnel underneath the Corniche.

View of Arabian Gulf, Al Kasir Island, and Nation Riviera Beach Club from my hotel room (The St. Regis Abu Dhabi)

The beach is large enough and provides a good view of the Fairmont Marina Abu Dhabi (which is the emirate’s version of Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm) in Al Kasir Island. Coupled with turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf and the pristine sands give this beach that chill vibe aside from the exclusivity and luxury attached to these private beach clubs.

(Left) View of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi; (right) enjoying my fave drink while chillin in one of the beach loungers

Since it was the stopover before my flight back to Manila, it was the perfect break from all the flying and walking while on holiday. What better way to rest those tired feet (from walking) and back (from flying intra-Europe) than to lie on one of the beach loungers and sip my fave drink while enjoying the sun, the cool sea breeze, and the nice view.

Oceania

Pinky Beach (Rottnest Island, Australia)

Hopping to the other side of the globe, this region is known not only for its beaches but also for all bodies of water. Starting off with New Zealand, this country is not really known for its beaches but for its fjords, lakes, rivers, and extreme water adventures. But it still has decent beaches on the shores of its cities such as those in Auckland, Devonport, and Wellington and in the coasts of its islands such as Waiheke. The waters and sands in these beaches may not be as pristine as those in Asia and Europe, but these are still good spots to relax especially during summers (take note that summer in this region is between December to March so a good alternative for those living in winter regions or in my case, a good travel option to get out of Manila during December to escape the holiday madness and horrendous traffic).

Mission Bay Beach (Auckland, New Zealand)

Wellington, in particular, has pockets of beaches along its coastline where aside from an enjoyable walk along the long stretch of its promenade, the beaches are bustling with life where Kiwis (locals) that are not sunbathing on the sands are enjoying meals in restos lining up the promenade or having either cold drinks or ice cream from kiosks around the area. I remember going to these different beach spots from my hotel on foot. It was a long walk (about 30 minutes walk one way on my pace, which can be longer if you walk slower), but it didn’t feel like one cause I enjoy the stroll and the sights where not only you pass by shops, bars, restos, museums, a marina and activity center on the way to the beach, but also get a glimpse of Kiwi city life. I enjoyed each trip to the beach, not to mention the calories burnt from walking to keep that slender beach body in check (from all the good food during these holidays).

Bondi Beach (Sydney, Australia)

Australia, on the other hand, is a beach country. Every major city across the continent has its own beach, either natural or man-made. I’ve been to this continent a few times, which only speaks of how much I liked this place. Sydney, which is one of my top five cities in the world (along with Barcelona that I mentioned earlier), boasts of several beaches close to the city center, which makes this a very livable city (I would live there if given the chance). A few minutes by car or by public transportation is the popular Bondi Beach. A vast beach with strong currents and fine sands, this is the beach for both surfers and sunbathers alike. A few minutes by ferry from Sydney harbour is Manly Beach. This place exudes resort town vibe, where shops, ice cream and yogurt parlors abound. The beach and the commercial area are teeming with life, which only affirms that Aussies love their beaches. Not far by foot from Manly Beach is Shelly Beach. While Manly has fine sands, Shelly is a pebbly beach. While Manly has strong waves like those in Bondi, Shelly has calm waters as the beach is located in a cove that is sheltered from strong winds. No wonder Shelly Beach is the more suitable beach wedding scene than any other Sydney beaches.

(Top left) Manly Beach; (top right) beach wedding at Shelly Beach (Sydney, Australia). (Bottom) St. Kilda Beach (Melbourne, Australia)

Another Australian city that demonstrates how Aussies mix their eclectic city living with beach culture is Melbourne. Aside from the fact that Melbourne is the cultural hub of the continent (and the most European among all the major cities in Australia), it has some of the spectacular beaches in the region. Not far from the city is St. Kilda, a resort town with a fine beach, promenade, and amusement park. There’s also a weekend market by the beach promenade that sells all kinds of stuff, from organic to art to basic necessities. Of course, Melbourne’s crown jewel is the Great Ocean Road, its coastline similar to Amalfi Coast where pockets of beaches with amazing views of the rock formations abound. A trip to Melbourne won’t be complete without seeing this postcard perfect coastline. This is where Australia’s own version of the 12 Apostles are, which comprised of several rock formations that used to be a dozen when counted but less of that nowadays.

One of the pockets of beaches along the Great Ocean Road (Melbourne, Australia)

But the beach capital of the country (and the region) is neither of these two cities. Gold Coast is where beach buddies, surfers, and sun worshipers go for the waters, the wave, or just for the sun. When I said in the first part of this article that Guam reminds me of Gold Coast, that’s because of the long stretch of beach lined up with international hotel brands and apartments. I haven’t been to Miami, but I’m pretty sure this is how Miami would look like. Not only a shore full of skyscrapers, but also full of sculpted and tanned bodies.

(Clockwise from top left) View of the Surfers Paradise Beach from my hotel room balcony; view of the skyscrapers from the beach; at the main entrance to the beach (Gold Coast, Australia)

Surfers Paradise is the main beach and this looks like the melting pot of summer holidaymakers. It also helps that it has that resort town vibe that makes it more attractive to vacationers all over the world. There’s always entertainment in Cavill Avenue (the heart of Surfers Paradise, which is Aussies’ definition of a mall) amidst the backdrop of shops, bars, and restos. What more can you ask for in a place that has the sun, the waters, the waves, the sands, the shopping, and the entertainment, not to mention beautiful people from all over.

(Top) Glenelg Beach, Adelaide, Australia; (bottom) man-made beach in the heart of Brisbane, Australia

As mentioned earlier, every city in this country seems to have its own beach. Adelaide has Glenelg beach, which looks like the sister of St. Kilda beach, but still maintains its unique old town charm. Brisbane has a man-made beach in the middle of the city, which is a first for me (though this is not the first man-made beach I’ve been to, where Plantation Bay in Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines has both fresh and salt water beaches). Perth does not have a beach in the city, but off its coast is Rottnest Island, an unspoilt, raw, and natural island blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to. Stunning would be an understatement to describe Pinky Beach. Reaching the beach from the center of the island reminds me of that same feeling I had the first time I’ve seen Boracay Island White Beach in the 90’s (at the time when it wasn’t the party island that it is today). The sun seems to be kissing the fine sands as it deflects the light (like it’s kissing back) while the seascape is mesmerizing. In the absence of any commercial establishments (except for a few restos and shops in the center of the island) and the cleanliness that has been imposed on the island. it has maintained its beautiful natural state over the years. Talk about sustainable tourism.

Rottnest Island, Australia

Ever wonder where the island got its name? Apparently an explorer in the 17th century discovered this island and thought the quokkas that are endemic to this island are rats. Since there were a lot of these gentle mammals at that time (and even up to this day), he probably thought the island is a nesting place for rats. Nowadays, people and quokkas have learned to co-exist, maintaining that balance as nature has intended it to be.

A quokka foraging for scraps (Rottnest Island, Australia)

So we have reached the end of the road for our virtual beach tour around the world. How did you find the trip, dear readers? Did you get some virtual tan while soaking into the joy and serenity that these beaches had to offer? While on quarantine, I hope this has brought sunshine in a phone or in a laptop, a temporary relief from the new reality that we live in right now. This part of our lifetime may not be the worst of experiences that we have gone thru, but if you are starting to feel like life is a bitch, think of all your blessings and come to the realization that life can also be a beach. This is coming from someone who has to go thru life with his own flaws (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/06/15/ihaveflaws/), personal tragedy, betrayal, pain, struggles, and lessons learned. But what’s life without these to live by and with? As the saying goes, what won’t kill you will only make you stronger.

Sunsets signify the end of day that was and the start of new day that will be

So if life gives you lemons, chill and make plenty of cool, refreshing lemonade. Coz you only live once, and life’s too short to realize you haven’t really lived at all. Smile and start living.

Living life like an island boy