Getting Back On Track

by Tasha in Pre-trip, Budgeting

There's a common anecdote about target fixation. A pilot in a fighter jet becomes so focused on his target that he either crashes into it, or misses it completely. It's one of the many pitfalls of the long road vs the quick fix. You have so much extra time to stare at your target, that it either seems unattainable or so attainable you don't even need to try.

Yes, as the sleuthy among you may have realised, this is all a clever metaphorical example that conveniently relates to my situation without me having to admit I screwed up. However, last time we were all together we talked about fear - fear of failure, fear of humiliation. So therefore, here for your scrutiny and judgement, I do declare: I, Tasha Pemberton, got so off track that I forgot what I was fighting for in the first place.

How Much is Your Fear Worth - How About $2000?

by Tasha in Pre-trip, Budgeting

I want to tell you a secret.

I am afraid.

I normally try and spin pretty words and appear like the confident gal who has all her ducks in a row, but the truth is, I am very very afraid.

Fear can be a great motivator. It's fear of being eaten alive that helps you sprint away from the lions and tigers and bears chasing you. It's fear that makes you backup all your computer data in triplicate just incase of a virus. and its fear as a child that makes you pause for a second to realise perhaps wearing a superman costume does not in fact, make you fly. These are all good fears.

Retake the City! - Sydney Spectacular

by Alex in Retake the City, Australia

Five Hours in Sydney City

Ah, Sydney. Australia's city that never sleeps (except on hungover Sunday mornings). After the eventful roadtrip up from Melbourne for a family wedding, Tash and I found ourselves with a spare day to kill before having to drive back down the Hume Highway for work in the morning. Rather than resting on our laurels, we opted to retake Sydney, and go on a one-day, self-guided highlights tour of our favourite places that may not make the travel guide.

Sydney Roadtrip and the Redemption of the Rural Mechanic

 by Tasha in Australia, In Transit

Okay let's set the scene.
 
3AM - We arise from our couple of hours of sleep bright and early (actually can you call it bright when it's still dark outside....maybe dark and early?) and are on our merry way within the hour. Spirits are high.

5AM - We pass through Seymour belting showtunes and giggling maniacly at the approaching sunrise (see there's a reason why most people aren't awake this early - it does things to people)

One Painted Elephant Balancing...

by Tasha in Retake the City, Melbourne, Australia

Whilst reviewing our mountain of awesome Sydney pictures and anecdotes, we took a short walk through the city and what did we find??????

ELEPHANTS! WILD ELEPHANTS IN MELBOURNE! MELBOURNE HAS BEEN OVERRUN!!!

Okay, I may be exaggerating slightly, however it is true that there are 50 painted elephants hidden around Melbourne - each sharing the same explanation:

Two Weeks in Three Minutes

by Tasha in Pre-trip, Budgeting

There has been so much going on and so little time to write about it, and since time travel is not yet a lower class commodity, here are just a few of the awesome things that have been happening lately:

1. Super heavy duty travel research
The ladies at our local libraries (yes, you read that right - librar-ies) were gobsmacked as I checked out a whopping 27 chunky Lonely Planet guides. They are by far not our only resource - but 90% of bloggers agree when you're looking at the drawing board, you're looking for a Lonely Planet. I have one for every specific region we are travelling to, except Poland and Turkey, which is rather frustrating really as we are planning quite a bit of time in both Poland AND Turkey. The former I already have a good knowledge base on, but for Turkey I'm pretty much in the dark. If anyone has any awesome suggestions I am all ears.