Some Culture in Sydney

by Erik Olsen on
Sydney, Australia is probably best known for its lovely beaches, hilly parks and, the glittering harbor. But the fact is, Sydney is a city rich in culture and history. Everyone is familiar, of course, with the shell-shaped Opera House. It serves as both a beacon to shutterbug tourists, but also serves as a locus of high-brow music and events. But more than that, for the visitor who just wants to wander all over, there are museums galore in Sydney, where you can experience a thriving art scene, and take in some science and history while there. A good place to start is the lovely Art Gallery of NSW, probably the best-known museum in Sydney. They are currently featuring an exhibit called Goddess: Divine Energy that takes a look at female expressions of divine female power (Barbra Streisand?). And there is also the Museum of Contemporary Art that is worth checking out. The Australian Centre for Photography is also a good place to check on after you’ve wasted giga-pixels on the Opera House. And for natural history buffs, don’t miss the Australian Museum and the Historic Houses Trust of NSW.

Of course, you can also just sit on the beach and read a good book with a Fosters in your hand. Not a bad alternative either.

The Traveling Guys

by Erik Olsen on

I was just browsing around and literally stumbled across this rather amazing site. Called “the Traveling Guys” it is a multi-media tour de force with an activist bent. The site is filled with maps, gorgeous photos, some interesting country-specific descriptions and video to boot.

It is the work of two guys, Lee and Patrick, who have done lots of traveling and are eager ,it seems to spread the gospel of travel…in the strictest sense of the word. The site’s stated mission is to “impact others around the globe” to promote “global change”, an admirable ,if somewhat nebulous concept…one, at least, that we can all latch onto. It does have a fairly heavy religious component, though, notably Christian, so it may not be for everyone, but I admire the quality of the design and the lovely multimedia work.

NG’s Adventurer of the Year Award

by Erik Olsen on

Some serious congrats out to two modern adventurers, Magellans if you will, who were recently awarded National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year award. The award went to Colin Angus and Julie Wafaei, a very hard-core couple of activist travelers. The pair pulled off a rather amazing feat, even in this day and age when it would seem so many of the great adventures have been thought of and accomplished. The pair circumnavigated the globe entirely on human power. they began their journey in their hometown of Vancouver, Canada, way back in June 2004 and then via canoe, hiking, biking and skiing made their way through tough terrain and some even tougher circumstances to accomplish their goal.

We blogged a bit about them earlier this year, but there is lots of information about the feat here ,as well as a sublimely cool video from some of their expedition here.

I Spy a Museum

by Iva Skoch on

The NY Times had a fun piece by a former CIA case officer, in which she talks about visiting various spy museums. He went to NSA’s National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, MD, and the International Spy Museum in DC.

Having visited the International Spy Museum myself, she describes the experience well, while adding in little tidbits about her experiences with the CIA in Eastern Europe in the 1990s. They showcase various disguises and old spy technology and allow you to do a little play-acting, by assuming an identity. And for Bond lovers, there’s even a fully-decked Bond Aston Martin DB5. And don’t pass up the chance to buy your own night-vision goggles in the gift shop. It’s fun kitsch.

Then, she was off to true geek-land: the Cryptologic Museum, rarely visited and free and open to the public. She said the best part was listening to stories told by the retiree volunteers who manned the place. There, you can even see the Enigma machine.

She’s also written a book: Blowing My Cover: My Life as a CIA Spy (by Lindsay Moran), which I’ll be looking for in the store.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 3

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time to wrap up the week that was with some of our some very tasty and foul entries.

5. How to Have A Bad Time in New York City:
Sad to say, but everyone who arrives in NYC doesn’t have a great time which is not a reflection of the city by any means. Instead it goes to show how much homework time they invested in seeing the Big Apple the right way. To avoid having a bad time on your first trip in try giving this article here a spin.

4. Find a Grave Tourism:
Over the last year or so I’ve been attracted to cemeteries for many reasons and thankfully none of which were to attend a funeral. When Neil posted this plug on finding graves of celebrities or even your own special loved ones I thought how cool! Not that I go stalking the dead on a regular basis, but there is so much history in grave yards. Anyhow, if this sounds like your sort of thing too then go take a look.

3. Low Rollers Guide to Vegas:
Looking to go to Vegas on a tight budget? Head to Downtown Las Vegas where Low Rollers remain Low Rollers and save a little pocket change.

2. No Lights on Flights:
Passing on gas on planes probably won’t earn the kind of fame and stardom you’re seeking in life, but lighting a match to your flatulence will. Read the tale about common sense lost and a plane grounded when a woman tries to cover her smelly toots from her caboose.

1. Smile! You’ve Been Secretly Profiled!:
For some folks being spied on is a high honor that shows someone really cares, but for others it is enough to boil the blood stream and do nutty things. What kind of nutty things? I don’t know for sure, but it sounds as though the government has been secretly collecting data on domestic and international travelers for the last four years. Flattered yet? What they’ve managed to soak up and put in your own personal folder may be of interest to you. Check it out.