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	<title>Brooke vs. the World</title>
	
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	<description>Getting the most out of travel.</description>
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		<title>You Can’t Go to Oman Without Doing This</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BrookeVsTheWorldTravelBlog/~3/bc3ftm5pqFs/</link>
		<comments>http://brookevstheworld.com/one-thing-to-do-in-oman/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 12:07:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#oman2013]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deserts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quad biking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13723</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Making a list of things to do in Oman? I've got the one thing you can't visit the country without doing, and it might involve some adventure, some wildlife, and definitely some sunsets.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/one-thing-to-do-in-oman/">You Can&#8217;t Go to Oman Without Doing This</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>I spent 9 days exploring the Sultanate of Oman courtesy of Oman Tourism.</em></p>
<div id="attachment_13755" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0364-600x600.jpg" alt="desert nights camp" width="600" height="600" class="size-large wp-image-13755" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Desert Nights Camp in Oman &#8211; A luxury camp worth splurging on.</p></div>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/oman-opening-doors/" title="The Sultanate of Oman:  Opening Doors">Oman</a> is an interesting country, and what&#8217;s really interesting is how little the normal person actually knows about it. </p>
<ul>
<li>A unique mix of Middle Eastern, Indian and African cultures. <em>Check.</em></li>
<li>Delicious food and amazing hospitality. <em>Check.</em></li>
<li>A wide range of landscapes including <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/cottesloe-beach-sunset-in-photos/" title="Day 88:  The Cottesloe Beach Sunset in Photos">beaches</a>, mountains and desert. <em>Check.</em></li>
</ul>
<p>Everyone asks me about my trip to Oman, and I can&#8217;t help but feel like a paid advertisement while gushing forth this and that because&#8230; <strong>it was just that good</strong>.  Honestly, I&#8217;d send my non-travel-y family members to Oman and not think twice about it. <em>Yes, mom, you should go!</em> Not only was it beautiful, peaceful and culturally interesting, it also possessed a feeling of being rather safe. You can leave your passport behind in a hotel (someone on our trip did this) and not fear for its return because, as locals told us: <strong> If you lose something in Oman, it comes back to you.</strong></p>
<p>Not a person in our media group left Oman without being wowed by the wonders of the country that so few set off to explore.</p>
<p><strong>Did you know that Omani capital city, Muscat, is just a 45 minute plane ride from Dubai? Yep. </strong></p>
<p>So get over there!</p>
<p>And when you arrive, make sure that you don&#8217;t leave without doing this.</p>
<h3>Dune Bashing</h3>
<div id="attachment_13726" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0338.jpg" alt="Dune bashing and going down steep hills." width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13726" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Dune bashing also involved going down some crazy steep slopes.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13731" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/P1100586.jpg" alt="Dune bashing, Oman. Trying to video and photo a very bumpy ride!" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13731" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Trying to video and photo a very bumpy ride!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13729" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/P1100584.jpg" alt="Dune bashing, Oman." width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13729" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Having a blast in the backseat!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13730" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/P1100585.jpg" alt="Dune bashing, Oman." width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13730" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Spotting the other car off in the distance.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13727" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0345.jpg" alt="Dune bashing, Oman - so much fun!" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13727" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Dune bashing, Oman &#8211; so much fun!</p></div>
<h3>Quad Biking</h3>
<div id="attachment_13733" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0387.jpg" alt="Quad biking, Oman" width="448" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-13733" /><p class="wp-caption-text">I&#8217;m such a badass.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13734" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0389.jpg" alt="Quad Biking, Oman" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13734" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Don&#8217;t ask, because I don&#8217;t know.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13735" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0391.jpg" alt="Quad biking Oman" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13735" /><p class="wp-caption-text">One of the funnest things EVER.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13736" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0393.jpg" alt="Quad biking Oman" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13736" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Ben living in the moment.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13737" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0395.jpg" alt="quad biking oman" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13737" /><p class="wp-caption-text">You MUST go to the desert and go quad biking. Fun guaranteed.</p></div>
<h3>Camel Riding</h3>
<div id="attachment_13739" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0369.jpg" alt="Camel riding in Oman desert" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13739" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Picture perfect camels at Desert Nights Camp.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13740" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0371.jpg" alt="Camel riding in Oman desert." width="448" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-13740" /><p class="wp-caption-text">On the back of some fluffy camels.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13741" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0377.jpg" alt="camel riding in oman" width="448" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-13741" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Camel at the Desert Nights Camp.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13742" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0381.jpg" alt="camel riding in oman desert" width="448" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-13742" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Cute camel crossing sign. I guess that&#8217;s what that means?</p></div>
<h3>Taking in the View in the Dunes</h3>
<div id="attachment_13744" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0346.jpg" alt="Oman desert" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13744" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Desert sun.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13745" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0347.jpg" alt="Oman desert" width="448" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-13745" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Breath-taking.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13747" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_0351.jpg" alt="Oman desert footsteps" width="448" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-13747" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Oman desert footsteps</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13749" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/P1100590.jpg" alt="oman desert views" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13749" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Sands blowing in the breeze.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13751" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/P1100604.jpg" alt="oman desert footprints" width="600" height="400" class="size-full wp-image-13751" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Amy in the dunes.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13750" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/P1100603.jpg" alt="Desert footprints and sunset." width="600" height="400" class="size-full wp-image-13750" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Watching the sunset on top of the sand dunes.</p></div>
<p><strong>In other words, you can&#8217;t go to Oman without visiting the desert!</strong></p>
<p>Seriously, your mind, body, and soul will thank you for the magical experience of being in the sandy dunes.</p>
<p>As long as you&#8217;re not there in the middle of summer.</p>
<p>- &#8211; - &#8211; -<br />
<em>If you&#8217;d like to learn more about Oman, check out the site on why it is the <a href="http://sidetripofalifetime.com.au/" target="_blank">Side trip of a Lifetime</a>.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/one-thing-to-do-in-oman/">You Can&#8217;t Go to Oman Without Doing This</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>The Future of the Tasmanian Devil</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BrookeVsTheWorldTravelBlog/~3/fzS9eOt1eoc/</link>
		<comments>http://brookevstheworld.com/future-of-tasmanian-devil/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:45:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oceania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#discovertasmania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[devil facial tumour disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devils@Cradle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DFTD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tasmania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tasmanian devils]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13670</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[His name is Aussie, born and raised in captivity, so I DO NOT RECOMMEND TRYING THIS AT HOME (the claws on those little guys are impressive). However, I do recommend paying him a visit at the lovely Tasmanian devil sanctuary, <a href="http://devilsatcradle.com" target="_blank">Devils@Cradle</a>.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/future-of-tasmanian-devil/">The Future of the Tasmanian Devil</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>I visited Tasmania as part of the Behind the Scenery campaign. To see more of my stories and photos, visit the <a href="http://mag.gobehindthescenery.com.au/" target="_blank">Behind the Scenery magazine</a> site.</em></p>
<p class="aligncenter">* * * * *</p>
<p>It comes into view as a whirling tornado, causing destruction and chaos while sounds of crazed gobbledygook fill the air.</p>
<p>For most of the world, this is what a <strong>Tasmanian devil</strong> looks and acts like – like the Looney Tunes character known and loved throughout television watching generations.</p>
<p>But did you know that the Tassie devil is both <strong>real</strong> and mostly <strong>docile</strong>?</p>
<p>True story.</p>
<p>In fact, on my <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/journey-to-the-edge-of-the-world/" title="Journey to the Edge of the World">recent trip to Tasmania&#8217;s North West</a>, I pet a real, live, <em>calm</em> Tasmanian devil.</p>
<div id="attachment_13673" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 410px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Brooke-and-Tassie-Devil-400x600.jpg" alt="Brooke, Danielle, Aussie the Tasmanian Devil" width="400" height="600" class="size-large wp-image-13673" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Brooke, Danielle, and Aussie the Tasmanian Devil</p></div>
<p><strong>His name is Aussie</strong>, born and raised in captivity, so I DO NOT RECOMMEND TRYING THIS AT HOME (the claws on those little guys are impressive). However, I do recommend paying him a visit at the lovely Tasmanian devil sanctuary, <a href="http://devilsatcradle.com" target="_blank">Devils@Cradle</a>. </p>
<p>Devils@Cradle offers visitors an open pen experience, where peering over the top of an enclosure lets us see into the daily lives of these cute little creatures. The sad side of this story, however, is the reasoning behind the need for such a sanctuary.</p>
<div id="attachment_13680" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/aussiethedevil2-600x422.jpg" alt="Aussie, the Tasmanian devil" width="600" height="422" class="size-large wp-image-13680" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Aussie, the Tasmanian devil</p></div>
<p>See, Aussie has been raised and prized as a resident of Devils@Cradle because of his genetic background, with one of his parents having come from the area near the Arthur River. Tasmanian devils of this area are believed to have a natural genetic resistance to the devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) that has been heavily endangering the wild population in recent years.  DFTD, while once thought to be caused by a virus or carcinogens and pollution, is now understood as a cancer, and one that is actually transferred through physical contact – like fighting, which in devils is both common and done with aggressive bites to the face. </p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf/TheDisease/BD2717C762779EE8CA2576F1001D0110?OpenDocument" target="_blank">Sources say</a> that the overall devil population has declined in the region of 80-95%.</strong></p>
<p>Luckily, there are still healthy devils around, like Aussie, and animal sanctuaries, like Devils@Cradle, battling the disease through research, education and protection.  Years of looking closely at the disease has unveiled that lack of genetic diversity in the population may enable the mutation of the facial tumor to run rampant.  <strong>That&#8217;s where our little Aussie comes in.</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_13677" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 508px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/danielle-and-aussie-498x600.jpg" alt="Danielle and Aussie" width="498" height="600" class="size-large wp-image-13677" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Danielle and Aussie</p></div>
<p>Because of natural barriers separating the east and west sides of Tasmania, the population in the north west presents a slightly different genetic background, and one that hasn&#8217;t seen the same effects of the disease. The key at this point in devil conservation is simply breeding devils of different regions and backgrounds in hopes that it strengthens the remaining population.</p>
<p>During my brief visit to Devils@Cradle, Aussie was introduced, for the 3rd time, to a lovely little lady devil.  You could tell he was walking on eggshells after being placed in the pen where potential lady friend rested in her shelter; after hearing about the encounters on the two previous occasions, it was not hard to understand why!</p>
<div id="attachment_13675" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Aussie-the-Devil-600x400.jpg" alt="Aussie the devil, walking on eggshells." width="600" height="400" class="size-large wp-image-13675" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Aussie the devil, walking on eggshells.</p></div>
<p>All was calm and peaceful for several minutes until, apparently, Aussie got a bit too close for comfort. Lady devil spun right out of her shelter and chased him away in that cartoon-like aggressiveness.</p>
<p><strong>Talk about playing hard to get!</strong></p>
<p>I guess she just doesn&#8217;t know the severe importance of this particular mating encounter. You know, the whole future-of-the-species-depends-on-it kind.  No, lady devil, this is not just another lame pick-up line.</p>
<p>But Devils@Cradle worker Danielle and her team are determined to keep pushing the pair. Hopefully, with a little match-making and a watchful eye, the future of the iconic Tasmanian devil will not be written alongside the likes of its <em>once upon a time</em> neighbor, the Tasmanian tiger.</p>
<p class="aligncenter">* * * * *</p>
<p>Devils@Cradle is open daily from 10am, and is easily accessible on the way to Cradle Mountain. </p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/future-of-tasmanian-devil/">The Future of the Tasmanian Devil</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Sultanate of Oman:  Opening Doors</title>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:23:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#oman2013]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[architecture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Omani doors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photo essay]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13625</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The first post on my recent trip to Oman - my first jaunt to the Middle East. Was I surprised I loved it so much? Definitely! Get a visual perspective in this post.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/oman-opening-doors/">The Sultanate of Oman:  Opening Doors</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>I spent 9 days exploring the Sultanate of Oman courtesy of Oman Tourism.</em></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/omani-doors.png" alt="oman: opening doors" width="600" height="400" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13640" /></p>
<p>Our youngish Omani male tour guide somehow has managed to acquire the most eclectic and, dare I say it, ridiculous mix of pop music, mostly from the 80s and 90s, on his Samsung. It&#8217;s connected to the Prado&#8217;s sound system, and while we drive through the various landscapes of the <strong>Sultanate of Oman</strong>, we intermittently hit a song or two where we can all sing a line. Then it happens.</p>
<p>The theme song from Aladdin, <em>A Whole New World</em>, hits the speakers and we hush, momentarily, in a collaborative recognition that this is the most ridiculous, cheesy and therefore <strong><em>perfect</em></strong> accompaniment to our trip in the Middle East that could ever possibly be.</p>
<p>Yes, there is some singing.</p>
<div id="attachment_13637" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/brooke-amy-dusk.jpg" alt="Brooke, Amy and Dusk" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13637" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Brooke, <a href="http://www.donteverlookback.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a> and <a href="http://www.theduskzone.com/" target="_blank">Dusk</a> in the back of the Party Prado.</p></div>
<p>It was, as you could expect, corny in every which way, but it worked. We were on one of the most magical trips imagined in Oman, and it was a whole new world for us. For me, especially, since I had never been to the Middle East before – the closest prior being <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/category/turkey/">Turkey</a>.</p>
<p><strong>And now I find myself enamored with the sights, the sounds, the smells of this part of the world.</strong> Which could be a bit of a curse. I&#8217;m still living with a dream of hitting up the former <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/category/soviet-travel/">Soviet countries</a> of the world; too many options on my list make future travel decisions&#8230; hmm&#8230; difficult.</p>
<p>So, hat-tip to you, Oman. You&#8217;ve definitely done your job at <strong>opening doors</strong>.</p>
<p>With that in mind, I&#8217;d like to leave you with a collection of Omani door photos. The doors of Oman are a famous feature of the local culture, bright and vibrant with an aura that speaks of invitations (hopefully accompanied with <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/coffee-in-america/" title="Day 159: Coffee in America">coffee</a> and dates). Imagine solid sand-colored buildings that blend into the backdrop with one boldly decorated front door.</p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_0185.jpg" alt="colorful omani door" width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13635" /></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/omani-doors-1-600x450.jpg" alt="omani doors" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13627" /></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/omani-doors-2-600x450.jpg" alt="omani doors" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13628" /></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/omani-doors-3-600x450.jpg" alt="omani doors" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13629" /></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/omani-doors-4-600x450.jpg" alt="omani doors 4" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13630" /></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/omani-doors-5-600x450.jpg" alt="omani doors 5" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13631" /></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/omani-doors-6-600x450.jpg" alt="omani doors 6" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13632" /></p>
<p><em>If you&#8217;d like to learn more about Oman, check out the site on why it is the <a href="http://sidetripofalifetime.com.au/" target="_blank">Side trip of a Lifetime</a>.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/oman-opening-doors/">The Sultanate of Oman:  Opening Doors</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<title>Journey to the Edge of the World</title>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:24:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oceania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Behind the Scenery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tasmania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Edge of the World]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13549</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Day one of my North West Tasmania adventures takes me to the far reaches of the island... to a place known as The Edge of the World.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/journey-to-the-edge-of-the-world/">Journey to the Edge of the World</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>I visited Tasmania as part of the Behind the Scenery campaign.</em><br />
<div id="attachment_13568" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/the-edge-of-the-world.jpg" alt="the Edge of the World" title="the edge of the world" width="600" height="400" class="size-full wp-image-13568" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Journey to the Edge of the World</p></div></p>
<p>Day one of my whirlwind tour of <strong>Tasmania&#8217;s North West</strong> starts in a bit of a blur, strengthened by a missed connecting flight the night before to the small, regional airport of Burnie. Luckily, Don Monk, my personal tour guide for the next three days, is there waiting for my morning arrival. After doing the somewhat awkward <em>is-that-you</em> glance upon scanning the faces of the small group of people at the arrival gate, we confirm that we each are who the other is expecting and make our way to his lovely 4WD plastered with the logo for his Edge of the World Locations tour business.</p>
<p>Immediately, that tour company name rings a bell, and as I speak to Don about why he started his business with that name, I get a little pumped. I once wrote an article on unique place names in Australia, and yes, there is actually a place that honors the name of <strong>The Edge of the World</strong>. And&#8230; guess what&#8230; Don says he&#8217;ll take me there. <em>To The Edge of the World</em>.</p>
<div id="attachment_13561" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/edge-of-the-world-locations-vehicle1.jpg" alt="edge of the world locations vehicle" title="edge of the world locations vehicle" width="600" height="416" class="size-full wp-image-13561" /><p class="wp-caption-text">My sweet ride for 3 days.</p></div>
<p>As a traveler who has a special sort of fascination with places that tend to be <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/category/kyrgyzstan/">remote</a>, hard to reach, <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/tag/kashgar/">less traveled</a> and miles away from anything I might normally know or associate with life when I&#8217;m sitting <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/why-i-dont-see-everything-when-i-travel/">behind the desk at a computer screen</a> – the opportunity to see and sense a place that has literally been named as such sent shockwaves of excitement through my system.  Give me the choice between big city and complete desolation and I&#8217;ll go with the latter, stand on the highest hill in silence and stare into the never-ending distance thinking that life, the Earth and the universe – in their element &#8212; are truly grand.</p>
<p>The stop wasn&#8217;t listed on my targeted itinerary. <em>Screw the itinerary; take me there.</em> I make my wishes clear, and Don sets off with the mission of showing me his backyard, and, as if we&#8217;d stepped into some sort of historical fiction, the most untouchable bits at the world&#8217;s edge.</p>
<p>Immediately, the road outside of <strong>Burnie and Wynyard</strong> – the main service towns for the regional area – displays rolling hills of green farmland and cattle land, growing everything from corn and potatoes (reminding me thoroughly of roads out in the Midwest of America) to medical grade poppies. Out the window, my eyes are met with straight lines of fields in colors of dark red dirt to electric green, while to the right we catch glimpses of the sea and it&#8217;s rocky encased beaches – both of which (rich farm and rocky shores) are a throwback to this regions volcanic history.</p>
<div id="attachment_13557" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/fields-of-poppies.jpg" alt="fields of poppies" title="fields of poppies" width="600" height="400" class="size-full wp-image-13557" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Fields of poppies.</p></div>
<p>Somewhere in the midst of this quiet rural bliss hides <strong>Table Cape Tulip Farm</strong> (Van Diemen Quality Bulbs), the home of one of the world&#8217;s best climates for growing bulbs (tulips being key here, but also Dutch iris and illiums). We speak briefly to David, the current owner&#8217;s son, who is in a bit of a panic given we&#8217;d popped by on the busiest day of their year:  the day they ship out a year&#8217;s worth of bulb orders to customers across the globe.  Also sad that we missed the tulip blooming season – from late September to October – when the fields explode with color, he suggests we have a peek at the <strong>Table Cape Light House</strong> which could be described as the 2nd most unique secret spot in the area. Climb to the top of this old lighthouse to see where the farm meets the sea in a <a href="http://vine.co/v/bHMTEMnXYTw" target="_blank">360 degree panorama</a>.  Not quite the edge of the world, but you could have fooled me into thinking otherwise.</p>
<div id="attachment_13556" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/table-cape-lighthouse.jpg" alt="table cape lighthouse" title="table cape lighthouse" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13556" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Table Cape Lighthouse</p></div>
<p>Our day continues with a calm journey along slow winding roads that dip into small passes of leafy, cool temperate rainforest.  I am content in the passenger side of the vehicle, listening to Don tell tales of anything and everything Tasmania related (he&#8217;s already proven to be the ultimate resource) in between blasts of cool air through the window – just what is needed to offset the strong, hot Tassie sun (you&#8217;ve been warned).</p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cool-temperate-rainforest.jpg" alt="cool temperate rainforest" title="cool temperate rainforest" width="600" height="393" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13562" /></p>
<p>&#8220;This is a really specky place,&#8221; becomes a common phrase from Don&#8217;s mouth during our 3 days together, uttered first at the <strong>Rocky Cape National Park</strong> lighthouse.</p>
<div id="attachment_13564" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/rocky-cape.jpg" alt="rocky cape national park" title="rocky cape" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13564" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Rocky Cape National Park</p></div>
<p>With the stop at Rocky Cape, I am certain we have crossed into places that are hours away from civilization (if only I hadn&#8217;t seen the occasional house, car, and locals who would always acknowledge and wave to our vehicle). My worries, whatever those might have been back in Sydney, seem long gone.</p>
<p>The first part of the day was but a taste of North West Tasmania, and speaking of taste, lunch time makes its presence known in my gurgling tummy. The best place to grab a bite in the area is <strong>Stanley</strong>; we head there for some quick grub at a local cafe, but leaving is another story. Don, having lived in Stanley for several years before, is summoned for a chat with several locals, a couple of which we stumble into on the streets.</p>
<p>Meet Tom and John Osborne, the father and son behind the operation of <strong>Osborne Aviation Services</strong> located right on the edge of Stanley.</p>
<div id="attachment_13553" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/tom-and-john-osborne.jpg" alt="Tom and John Osborne of Osborne Aviation Services" title="tom and john osborne" width="600" height="453" class="size-full wp-image-13553" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Tom and John Osborne of Osborne Aviation Services</p></div>
<p>Tom, a fellow American expat, quickly takes interest in my American whereabouts and before I know it, we are being invited to lunch or dinner with these kind fellows to which we sadly have to decline given our schedule.</p>
<p>But, I do take it upon myself to see why these guys love Tasmania so much to continue to call it home.  I ask Tom to sum up Tasmania in just 3 words, to which he replies – with a force and definition no one could argue with:  &#8220;Absolutely beautiful.&#8221;  See, he only needed two.</p>
<p>The son John, Aussie born, travels a lot for the company and finds himself spending time in bigger cities in Australia and even in America. So, I want to find out what it is about Tasmania that he – a young man with a lot of travel under his belt – really appreciates and thinks is unique.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s like old Sydney and Melbourne . . . It&#8217;s still a bit wild.&#8221;</p>
<p>Having only been in Tassie&#8217;s North West for a matter of hours at this point, I still couldn&#8217;t have agreed more with that statement. Smaller service towns populate the rural region, and I love the vibe it produces. It reminds me of <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/broken-hill-road-trip-a-taste-of-the-outback/" title="Broken Hill Road Trip – A Taste of the Outback" target="_blank">driving into the Outback</a>, only on a smaller scale.</p>
<p>I, however, am more interested in the wild part, and, of course, our journey to The Edge of the World now with full tummies.</p>
<p>Direct from Stanley, Don explains it can take a mere 45 minutes to reach the Edge of the World, but I&#8217;m lucky; we take the scenic route.  My peripheral is met with more of that cool temperate rainforest famous in the Tarkine region and even some cattle crossings to make life interesting.</p>
<div id="attachment_13566" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cow-crossing1.jpg" alt="Cow crossing on the way to The Edge of the World" title="cow crossing" width="600" height="440" class="size-full wp-image-13566" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Cow crossing on the way to The Edge of the World</p></div>
<p>Before I know it, we reach the point of no return&#8230; er, the point I&#8217;d been dreaming about all day:  <strong>The Edge of the World</strong>.</p>
<p>And it&#8217;s breathtaking.</p>
<p>Or, more likely <strong>breath-giving</strong>. This area of the western coast of Tasmania is scientifically proven to hold the world&#8217;s cleanest air.</p>
<p>Breathe that in, folks.</p>
<p>That fresh air just might have come to you from 22,000 kilometres away &#8212; from Patagonia to the Great Southern Ocean. <strong>Now, how is that for the universe proving it is, in its element, truly grand.</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_13571" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/edge-of-the-world-mist.jpg" alt="The Edge of the World in the Mist" title="edge of the world mist" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13571" /><p class="wp-caption-text">In the mist:  The Edge of the World</p></div>
<p><strong><em>To see more of my Tasmanian photos and stories <a href="http://mag.gobehindthescenery.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a> to view the Behind The Scenery magazine blog.</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/journey-to-the-edge-of-the-world/">Journey to the Edge of the World</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<title>Where Australia Wins</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BrookeVsTheWorldTravelBlog/~3/a4GzVrZpvlo/</link>
		<comments>http://brookevstheworld.com/where-australia-wins/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:27:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North America]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oceania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Australian culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carnival Spirit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coffee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expat life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living abroad]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13529</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Coffee, nature, tipping, shipping, online shopping and overall lifestyle -- I go through where Australia wins in my expat mind.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/where-australia-wins/">Where Australia Wins</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_13544" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Tasmanian-Beach.jpg" alt="Tasmanian beach" title="Tasmanian Beach" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13544" /><p class="wp-caption-text">A gorgeous Tasmanian beach.</p></div>
<p>As an expat, I find myself often debating on the pros and cons of my home country (USA) and my adopted country (Australia) &#8212; especially when life gets frustrating. When it comes to things like convenience, <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/australia-killed-budget-traveler-me/" title="Australia Has Killed the Budget Traveler in Me">cost of living</a>, shipping times, online shopping and so forth &#8212; anything logistical and cost-based &#8212; <strong>America wins</strong>. Almost every time. So, when I&#8217;m wanting to work on the business-related things I am working on now (that&#8217;s another post), trust me, I think nothing more than about how easy this would all be if I were still living in the land of Lincoln.</p>
<p>And then I hear about freezing cold winter storms dropping feet of snow on people, and honestly&#8230; <em>I cringe</em>. (Although Sydney&#8217;s weather has been less than stellar these days, too.)</p>
<p>With something like 11,000 <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/cottesloe-beach-sunset-in-photos/" title="Day 88:  The Cottesloe Beach Sunset in Photos">beaches</a>, tropical rainforest, desert, plains, waterfalls, gorges, mountains, <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/saturday-snap-rock-wallaby/" title="Saturday Snap:  Rock Wallaby">curious wildlife</a>, and <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/train-to-middle-of-nowhere-australia/" title="Day 182:  Train to the Middle of Nowhere, Australia">vast expanses</a> of open, natural wonder, one could argue that <strong>Australia wins</strong> the award for natural scenery. <em>And do notice that I say &#8220;argue&#8221;.</em></p>
<p>Talking about quality of life overall, with that <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/shoe-shortage-in-australia/" title="Shoe Shortage in Australia">laid-back Aussie lifestyle</a>&#8230; well, that&#8217;s no contest &#8212; so why even bother bringing that topic into discussion.</p>
<p>As funny as it may sound, I was reminded of two other places where Australia wins while <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/floating-vegas-carnival-spirit/" title="The Amazing, Floating Vegas">cruising on the Carnival Spirit</a>:  <strong>coffee and tipping</strong>.</p>
<div id="attachment_13540" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/napkin-folding.jpg" alt="napkin folding" title="napkin folding" width="600" height="367" class="size-full wp-image-13540" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Napkin folding from our very excited waiter &#8212; and one never expecting a tip.</p></div>
<p>You&#8217;ve probably heard me talk one time or another about <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/coffee-around-the-world/" title="Day 2: Coffee, a Spice of My Life, Around the World">coffee around the world</a> and how Australia has actually produced a rather snobbish coffee culture (don&#8217;t deny it people, it&#8217;s true). I didn&#8217;t believe it when my Aussie friends who were traveling with me back in the <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/tag/baltics/">Baltics</a> were mentioning how much they were missing a good coffee, but, yes, the Australians take coffee pretty damn seriously. With barista training courses and a quite decent pay for a top cafe barista, Aussies (and now myself) will tend to migrate to a joint that can give them a solid brew consistently.</p>
<p>In the same light, Australians tend to talk down on the American style of drip coffee – to which I immediately jump in to the rescue. When Sophie stood there on the deck of the Carnival Spirit and mentioned something in the line of how Australians view American coffee as being mediocre, I took it upon myself to explain that it&#8217;s just a different thing. See when Australians talk about a “coffee”, they are more than likely talking about something made from espresso – a cappuccino, a latte, and so on. Of course a drip coffee would taste watery after a life of that. But then Americans treat the drink of coffee more casually. It&#8217;s a throughout-the-day type of drink to many, and much easier to do so.</p>
<div id="attachment_13542" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/australian-coffee.jpg" alt="australian coffee" title="australian coffee" width="600" height="450" class="size-full wp-image-13542" /><p class="wp-caption-text">A cappuccino &#8212; how very Australian.</p></div>
<p>Anyways, my point was that the American cruise ship – the Carnival Spirit – has been Aussified before making its landing down in Australia, and one of the main points in doing so was giving all the staff proper coffee-making training.  I will admit, while I am perfectly content with a drip coffee, when it comes to a good cappuccino, the Australians have America beat; this was a fact I didn&#8217;t realize until after returning home for the first time in 3 years to be met with <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/coffee-in-america/" title="Day 159: Coffee in America">one poor cappuccino after another</a> (too hot, too burnt, too milky, etc.).</p>
<p>Now tipping is another contentious topic. To be honest, <strong>I do appreciate a tipping culture</strong>, and that is a post I plan to write later on. However, it does make life easy when you know your tip is already built into the cost of a dinner out. There&#8217;s no worry in your mind about sitting for too long and wasting a server&#8217;s time, or needing to tip for it. I appreciate the benefits of it in that regard, but&#8230;. but&#8230; the Aussified tipping structure on the Carnival Spirit made this point <em>INCREDIBLE</em>. <strong>No tipping required, ever! </strong> I could imagine that being a major win in the Aussie cruise ship over American simply because you don&#8217;t have to mentally factor that into your experience. Someone on Facebook actually warned me about gratuity at the cruise ship bars – not here!</p>
<p>Australia truly is a brilliant place. As with anything, there often comes a bit of the bad mixed with the good. Like&#8230; oh, how that gorgeous landscape with countless days of sunshine is accompanied by a very thin ozone. <strong>Damn&#8230;  Australia, you definitely do not win on the skin safety front!</strong></p>
<p>- &#8211; - &#8211; -<br />
<em>*My cruise on the Carnival Spirit was provided free of charge. Read about my initial cruise experience <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/floating-vegas-carnival-spirit/" title="The Amazing, Floating Vegas">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/where-australia-wins/">Where Australia Wins</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<title>Stop Teasing and Out With It Already</title>
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		<comments>http://brookevstheworld.com/big-bvtw-travel-news/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:34:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Europe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Netherlands]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oceania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#discovertasmania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#oman2013]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#tburtm]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[media trip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tasmania]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13517</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I'm going places. Here's the post that lays out the travel plans happening in the coming weeks and months. I'm extremely excited, especially to add a new region of the world to my resume.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/big-bvtw-travel-news/">Stop Teasing and Out With It Already</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_13522" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/oman.png" alt="Brooke vs the World is going to OMAN, Middle East" title="oman" width="600" height="388" class="size-full wp-image-13522" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Brooke vs. the World is going to OMAN, in the Middle East.</p></div>
<p>For reasons of pure enjoyment, but mostly sheer busy-ness, I&#8217;ve announced a couple of times on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/brookevstheworld" target="_blank">Facebook</a> that I had some big travel plans fast approaching &#8212; yet have lacked to explain those to anyone other than my <a href="http://eepurl.com/nkhAb" target="_blank">extra special newsletter subscribers</a>.</p>
<p>Sorry to leave you all hanging; these upcoming plans have come about in just a matter of the last few weeks. I&#8217;m still a bit shocked and definitely scurrying about in preparation for the upcoming weeks and months.</p>
<p>So, what sort of travels do I have in store?</p>
<h3>Behind-the-Scenery:  A Look at Tasmania&#8217;s North West</h3>
<p>I&#8217;m leaving on Monday afternoon for a special trip down to Tasmania&#8217;s North West region for a campaign that really speaks to me. After being set up with a private guide for the 3 days, I&#8217;ll be exploring and investigating the more off-the-beaten track areas of Tassie in hopes of uncovering secrets, quirks, and just the facts about how it all works behind-the-scenes. The requirement is not to worry about social media engagement while on the trip, but more to gather the facts and take it all in so that we can get ready to start sharing March 24th with the launch of a 3-month campaign.  Very cool.</p>
<h3>Cultural Excursion to Oman</h3>
<p>It&#8217;s not everyday you start your morning by getting a phone call asking you to go to <strong>OMAN</strong>. Gosh that was both a shocker and a pleasure at the same time! Having never been to the Middle East, but having tried to talk Pat into traveling there &#8212; and specifically Oman &#8212; once or twice before, I&#8217;m thrilled and ecstatic for this trip that leaves&#8230; on March 13th!</p>
<p><em><strong>What do you all know about Oman? Anyone reading this ever been?</strong></em></p>
<h3>Speaking Engagement at TBU Rotterdam</h3>
<p>And then after I have a little bit of time to recover from the trips in March, I&#8217;ll be heading off again in May to Europe to speak about the lovely world of travel blogging at <a href="http://tbueurope.com/tbu-rotterdam-speakers/" target="_blank">TBU Rotterdam</a>.  In case you don&#8217;t know what Travel Bloggers Unite is, it&#8217;s a travel bloggers conference <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/key-takeaways-from-tbu-umbria/" title="On the Business of Blogging:  Key Takeaways from TBU Umbria">I attended last year in Umbria</a>. It&#8217;s a good place to learn about this weird yet rapidly growing industry I&#8217;ve found myself in.</p>
<p><em><strong>Will you be there? Would love to meet you!</strong></em></p>
<p>And that should about do it for big big travel news. What&#8217;s going on in your travel world?</p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/big-bvtw-travel-news/">Stop Teasing and Out With It Already</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Amazing, Floating Vegas</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:25:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oceania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carnival Spirit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Las Vegas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Melbourne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sydney]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13482</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There’s something about Vegas… What would you say that is? The feeling of forgetting reality for a few days. The indulgence as you partake in buffets of tummy-filling, belt-loosening food.  Pat and I got that vibe again a week ago.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/floating-vegas-carnival-spirit/">The Amazing, Floating Vegas</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>There&#8217;s something about <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/3-days-in-vegas/" title="Day 168:  3 Days in Vegas, Not Enough or Too Much?">Vegas</a>&#8230;</strong></p>
<p><em>What would you say that is? </em> The feeling of forgetting reality for a few days. The indulgence as you partake in <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/paris-buffet-las-vegas/" title="Day 167:  Let Me Tell You About the Paris Buffet">buffets of tummy-filling, belt-loosening food</a>. The dancing at night in clubs. The lounging of the days by the pools.  The ornate architecture. The ability to gamble with a few bucks or your yearly savings.</p>
<p>Vegas is all those things. An adult wonderland where the overall vibe is just, simply, <em><strong>letting go</strong></em>.</p>
<p>Pat and I got that vibe again a week ago when we ventured for 3 nights on the <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/cruise-tomorrow/" title="So Let Me Tell You About This Cruise Tomorrow">Carnival Spirit from Sydney to Melbourne</a>. Yes, it was exactly 3 nights of letting go &#8212; with plenty of cocktails on-hand to smooth the transition along.</p>
<div id="attachment_13511" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/carnival-spirit-sydney.jpg" alt="Carnival Spirit in Sydney Harbour" title="carnival spirit sydney" width="600" height="404" class="size-full wp-image-13511" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Carnival Spirit in Sydney Harbour</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13487" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/carnival.jpg" alt="carnival cruise pat and brooke" title="carnival cruise pat and brooke" width="600" height="400" class="size-full wp-image-13487" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Pat and Brooke on our morning tour of the Carnival Spirit cruise ship.</p></div>
<p>Although on a much smaller scale (but not &#8220;small&#8221; by any means), a cruise ship will not ever equate to the <strong>grandeur of Las Vegas</strong>.  I just found myself saying, &#8220;Wow, this is kind of like Vegas,&#8221; on countless occasions.</p>
<p><strong>Such as when we indulged in buffet-like meals at Fat Jimmy&#8217;s or La Playa Grille.  Spicy cornbread.  Spicy cornbread! A little slice of America for my American heart.</strong><br />
<div id="attachment_13489" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/meat-eaters-rejoice.jpg" alt="Fat Jimmy's C-Side BBQ" title="meat eaters rejoice" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13489" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Fat Jimmy&#8217;s C-Side BBQ</p></div></p>
<p><strong>And when we started off our afternoons with a beautiful cocktail (or 3).</strong><br />
<div id="attachment_13492" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/drinks-600x450.jpg" alt="drinks on the boat" title="drinks" width="600" height="450" class="size-large wp-image-13492" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Having some drinky drinks on the cruise ship.</p></div></p>
<p><strong>And when we walked through the casino, and lost Pat in the process.</strong><br />
<div id="attachment_13490" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/vegas-on-the-boat.jpg" alt="vegas on the boat" title="vegas on the boat" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13490" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Vegas on the Boat. Warning: You will lose Pat here.</p></div></p>
<p><strong>And when exploring themed rooms, such as the Pharaoh&#8217;s Palace (where we played Bingo).</strong><br />
<div id="attachment_13494" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pharaohs-palace.jpg" alt="Pharaoh&#039;s Palace" title="pharaohs palace" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13494" /><p class="wp-caption-text">We played bingo in Pharaoh&#8217;s Palace.</p></div></p>
<div id="attachment_13496" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bingo-on-carnival-spirit1-600x450.jpg" alt="Bingo on the Carnival Spirit -- off-the-charts popular!" title="bingo on carnival spirit" width="600" height="450" class="size-large wp-image-13496" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Bingo on the Carnival Spirit &#8212; off-the-charts popular!</p></div>
<p><strong>And when we just felt miles away from ordinary.</strong><br />
<div id="attachment_13499" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/water.jpg" alt="perfect blue water" title="water" width="600" height="400" class="size-full wp-image-13499" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Perfect blue water.</p></div></p>
<div id="attachment_13500" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/islands.jpg" alt="islands in the distance" title="islands" width="600" height="337" class="size-full wp-image-13500" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Islands in the distance.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13502" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 541px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/paper-water1.jpg" alt="paper water" title="paper water" width="531" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-13502" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Someone said the water looks like paper; I agree.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13504" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/sunset.jpg" alt="sunset" title="sunset" width="600" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-13504" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Watching the sun set from the edge of the ship.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13497" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/welcome-to-Melbourne.jpg" alt="welcome to Melbourne" title="welcome to Melbourne" width="600" height="338" class="size-full wp-image-13497" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Welcome to Melbourne</p></div>
<p>That was our <strong>Vegas at sea</strong>. For 3 nights, we forgot we were in Australia, especially when Captain Binacchi and his strong (and humorous) Italian accent hit the intercoms. The Captain was everything and more you&#8217;d want to see in a cruise ship captain.</p>
<p>I know this article barely begins to scratch the surface on the actual cruise &#8212; what&#8217;s on offer regarding food, activities, and then some. But, I guess you&#8217;ll just have to wait until next post to find out more.</p>
<p><strong>Or, you can leave a comment with a question below and I&#8217;ll do my best to address these in future <a href="http://www.carnival.com.au/en/Spirit.aspx" target="_blank">Carnival Spirit</a> posts. Thanks for reading!</strong></p>
<p><em>*I was a guest on the Carnival Spirit free-of-charge, but the thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are my own.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/floating-vegas-carnival-spirit/">The Amazing, Floating Vegas</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Australia Has Killed the Budget Traveler in Me</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BrookeVsTheWorldTravelBlog/~3/ggoMXEh2DgY/</link>
		<comments>http://brookevstheworld.com/australia-killed-budget-traveler-me/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 04:04:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North America]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oceania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accommodation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expat life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hawaii]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living abroad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sydney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waikiki]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13465</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is one thing to evaluate prices for accommodation and travel in general relative to the area you are traveling in, but it is another to evaluate those in relation to the cost of living at home. I now perceive budget travel differently after living in Australia.<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/australia-killed-budget-traveler-me/">Australia Has Killed the Budget Traveler in Me</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Originally, I started writing a post about choosing accommodation in Waikiki and how the moral of the story is to look at the prices of accommodation relative to the area you are in.  And, Waikiki is an area of expensive taste&#8230; well, expensive cost of living (I am told the 2nd highest in the US now after surpassing San Francisco)&#8230; so you really have to keep that in mind when wanting a quality hotel.</p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/queen-kapiolani-hotel-600x600.jpg" alt="queen kapiolani hotel" title="queen kapiolani hotel" width="600" height="600" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13475" /></p>
<p>The price of a decent budget hotel in your neck of the woods might be the bottom of the barrel in Waikiki.  <strong>In other words:  Be prepared to splurge a bit on your accommodation budget when in Hawaii so you&#8217;re comfortable.</strong></p>
<p>But, then I realized when writing that post that there was a bigger picture post I could be creating. I mean, because a post that talks just about my accommodation (the <a href="http://www.queenkapiolani.com/" target="_blank">Queen Kapiolani Hotel</a> to be specific), even when talking about Penthouse suites with wrap-around balconies and sweeping views of the beach, is a bit on the&#8230; boring side. Seriously.</p>
<p><strong>Instead, let&#8217;s talk about how living in Australia has killed the budget traveler in me.</strong></p>
<p>Yes, it is one thing to evaluate prices for accommodation and travel in general relative to the area you are traveling in, but it is another to evaluate those in relation to the cost of living at home.</p>
<p>Now, the problem here is that <strong>I used to be a hardcore budget traveler</strong>, especially when I used to evaluate those prices to the cost of living back in Illinois &#8212; where food, travel, and the like is quite reasonable.</p>
<p>However, now <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/from-4-years-ago-to-4-years-in-the-future/" title="From 4 Years Ago to 4 Years in the Future" target="_blank">I live in Australia</a> &#8212; the land of expensive things (even bottled water) and my whole perception of what is budget has been shaken around in a box and tossed out on its head.</p>
<p>A $10 <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/acai-bowl/" title="An Acai Bowl a Day Keeps the Doctor Away" target="_blank">acai bowl</a>? An $8 beer? A $100 tour?</p>
<p>They all seem quite reasonable to me now, and I wouldn&#8217;t bat and eye in many cases as they are simply close to what we would pay for things here in <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/tag/sydney/" target="_blank">Sydney</a>.</p>
<p>This is also why those $3 <em>pitchers</em> of beer back in Peoria were mind-blowing for Pat and I. How? HOW is that possible?!</p>
<p><strong>And, yes, we&#8217;ll have 5 more of those.</strong></p>
<p>Tour costs, dinner costs, going out costs &#8211; where I used to play back in my head how much I could mentally afford to spend, I now tend to roll with it.  An extra <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/taxi-cab-homestay-bishkek/" title="Day 60: Taxi Cab Homestay in Bishkek" target="_blank">taxi ride</a> here or there&#8230; not a big deal.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s all relative now to the cost of living life in Australia, and that, my friends, <strong>might be the death of uber-budget-traveling Brooke</strong>.  Even though I still hate getting ripped off in the cheap countries, and I will tighten the belt when staying under a certain amount is absolutely necessary, I will say that I no longer feel *sticker shock* quite the same.</p>
<p>And that is a big part of what I discovered when traveling in Hawaii. Even though I knew the prices were higher than what you would get in most parts of the US, I simply shrugged my shoulders and told myself that this is the price you pay to live/travel in a placed called Paradise.  Geesh&#8230; I&#8217;ve totally lost my hardcore budget travel edge.</p>
<p><strong>Anyone out there with a similar story to share? Anyone with changed perceptions of budget travel after living in an expensive city for a period of time?</strong></p>
<p><em>**I was put up in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel free of charge by Hawaii Tourism.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/australia-killed-budget-traveler-me/">Australia Has Killed the Budget Traveler in Me</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<title>So Let Me Tell You About This Cruise Tomorrow</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BrookeVsTheWorldTravelBlog/~3/iFpJVkReQyg/</link>
		<comments>http://brookevstheworld.com/cruise-tomorrow/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:40:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oceania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carnival Spirit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Melbourne]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13444</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Going on my first ever cruise tomorrow on the Carnival Spirit. We're heading all the way down to Melbourne on a 3-night tour. Super excited!<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/cruise-tomorrow/">So Let Me Tell You About This Cruise Tomorrow</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As much as I have traveled, it might seem a bit shocking to hear that I have never actually gone on a cruise before.</p>
<p>Nope, not in all of my 29 years.</p>
<p>Tomorrow, though, that all changes. <strong>Pat and I are experiencing the good life and venturing out on the open seas on a 3-night excursion aboard the <a href="http://www.carnival.com.au/" target="_blank">Carnival Spirit</a> all the way from Sydney to Melbourne!</strong></p>
<p><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/carnival-cruise.png" alt="carnival cruise" title="carnival cruise" width="600" height="311" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13449" /></p>
<p>I mean, when your PR email comes to you and says that the ship is equipped with a whopping <strong>20 bars and lounges</strong>&#8230; that&#8217;s kind of indicative of a good time, am I right?</p>
<p>Not only that, but more news about the ship tells me that it has:</p>
<ul>
<li>24 hour pizza and ice cream</li>
<li>3 restaurants</li>
<li>American bacon, despite being &#8220;Aussified&#8221;</li>
<li>the steepest and fastest waterside at sea</li>
<li>mini golf</li>
<li>nightclubs, comedy shows, etc.</li>
<li>a luxurious spa</li>
</ul>
<p>Uhm&#8230; yes please?  I&#8217;m beginning to question why we haven&#8217;t done this whole cruising thing before. </p>
<p>My whole travel philosophy revolves around the journey there being half the adventure. Long, enjoyable <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/trans-mongolian-railway-route/" title="Our Atypical Trans-Mongolian Railway Route">train rides</a>, <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/broken-hill-road-trip-a-taste-of-the-outback/" title="Broken Hill Road Trip – A Taste of the Outback">road tripping</a> to the far reaches&#8230; and now, cruising.</p>
<p><strong>Have you ever been on a cruise? What did you think?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/cruise-tomorrow/">So Let Me Tell You About This Cruise Tomorrow</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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		<title>Chat With Us, Today</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BrookeVsTheWorldTravelBlog/~3/NmYNF3PPuPc/</link>
		<comments>http://brookevstheworld.com/chat-with-us-today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:13:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brooke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Contests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Her Packing List]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[packing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pinterest]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://brookevstheworld.com/?p=13433</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yep, today at 7pm EST (that’s for folks in the USA), we’re (Beers and Beans and I) talking “Adventures in Packing” because, let’s face it, we’ve all had them!<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/chat-with-us-today/">Chat With Us, Today</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Things have been a little quiet around here lately because I&#8217;ve been dealing with several other projects and spending a lot of my time hanging out at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.  My other site has been doing quite well for the past several months &#8212; like extremely well actually &#8212; and the reason really comes down to one thing:  Pinterest!</p>
<p>And today, I&#8217;m excited for another Pinterest win:  being the special guests for the weekly <a href="http://pinterest.com/earmarksocial/pin-up-live/" target="_blank">Pin-Up Live</a>!<br />
<div id="attachment_13434" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><img src="http://brookevstheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pinuplive-info-600x401.png" alt="pin-up live" title="pinuplive info" width="600" height="401" class="size-large wp-image-13434" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Join us, answer the questions, and be entered for the prize!</p></div></p>
<p>Yep, today at 7pm EST (that&#8217;s for folks in the USA), we&#8217;re (<a href="http://beersandbeans.com" target="_blank">Beers and Beans</a> and I) talking &#8220;Adventures in Packing&#8221; because, let&#8217;s face it, we&#8217;ve all had them!</p>
<p>The prize, supplied by eBags, is valued at over $100!  Remember my <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/silk-roadistan-packing-5-items/" title="Silk Roadistan Packing:  5 Items I’m Excited to Have with Me" target="_blank">awesome eBags backpack</a> I took with me on the Silk Roadistan Tour? Well, we&#8217;re giving it away&#8230; and with matching packing cubes to boot!</p>
<p>>> <a href="http://beersandbeans.com/2013/02/05/pin-up-live-join-us-wed-26-on-pinterest-to-talk-u-s-travel-with-herpackinglist/" target="_blank">more details on today&#8217;s event</a></p>
<p><strong>So, if you love Pinterest, packing, and winning things &#8212; do stop by! We&#8217;d love to have you.</p>
<p>Shall I be expecting you?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://brookevstheworld.com/chat-with-us-today/">Chat With Us, Today</a> is a post from: <a href="http://brookevstheworld.com">Brooke vs. the World</a>.  Don't forget to check out more awesomely awesome travel goodness at <a href="http://herpackinglist.com">Her Packing List</a>.</p>
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