Go to Australia, get dressed

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Put your clothes back on.

Fitzroy Island, not far from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is famous for its nude beach, but a $100 million makeover has taken the fun out of it. This destination for those who detest clothing has gone upscale, and clothing is no longer optional. Several hotels have popped up to accommodate 450 people, shrouding them in suites and one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Now that Fitzroy Island has sold out, restaurants, bars, conference facilities, retailers and theaters have invaded, and they’re not the kind that let you shed your threads upon arrival. There’s plenty to do … if you want to be conventional.

There is some good news in all this, though. Up-market hotels do tend to have comfortable beds, so you can still get naked someplace. And, if you look hard, I’m sure some of the apartments have kitchen counters.

[Via Sydney Morning Herald]

Five Places To See Before Climate Change Ruins Them Forever

by Kraig Becker on

CNN.com has an interesting article naming the five places that everyone should see before they are forever altered by climate change, which is already having an indelible effect on our planet.

This list was compiled by Bob Henson, the author of The Rough Guide To Climate Change, who wants to give travelers a heads up on the best places to visit in the near future, as they are also the most likely to see the most drastic changes in the near future.

The list includes The Great Barrier Reef, whose coral reefs are now threatened by warming waters, causing them to die at an alarming rate. The GBR is a popular tourist destination and is considered one of the best places to SCUBA dive and snorkel in the world, which has hastened some of the damage. With so many people visiting, and the environment already fragile, the likelihood of causing harm is increased.

New Orleans, Louisiana also finds its way onto Bob’s list for obvious reasons. Hurricane Katrina made us all painfully aware that the city sits below sea level and is precariously protected by a series of walls and levies. As the planet warms up however, and the polar icecaps melt, the sea levels are going to rise, endangering New Orleans further. It’s possible that the city may not even exist at all in the future.

Of course, the ongoing debate is, should we rush off to visit these places, as well as the other three on the list, thereby increasing the chances of those places being altered forever. Or should we stay home, and limit our footprint? That is a question that all travelers will be wrestling with for years to come.

That island dream job in Australia? Osama bin Laden wants it along with 9000 others

by Jamie Rhein on

When the dream job to work as a caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef islands in Queensland, Australia was announced, more than 9,000 people applied–including Osama bin Laden. At least from the video posted in the article in The Sydney Morning Herald, it looks like Osama bin Laden applied.

Full, scraggly beard? Check. White robe with matching hat? Check. A certain droning quality to the voice? Check. The video, though, as real as it seems, is dubbed.

The guy saying that he is versed in “sandy areas” and is experienced in “large scale event coordination” is not really bin Laden. Instead, the application was sent in as a joke. The dubbed voice also claims to have interests in the arts, crafts and renovating. The people collecting the applications did toss this one out. There are loads of legitimate contenders, however.

At this point, people from 162 countries have applied. If you’re one of them, your competition is fierce. As Scott stated in Gadling’s original post that announced this job, the application period closes on February 22. Eleven candidates will be chosen to be flown to Hamilton Island for an interview.

To see the video, go to the article and scroll down. Supposedly, the video is posted on YouTube, but I couldn’t find it. The video reminded me of the video spoofs that David Letterman does on bin Laden from time to time.

The best job in the world comes with an island and a $100,000 salary

by Scott Carmichael on

If the current economic climate is starting to make you feel a little down, how about taking a job as a caretaker at the Great Barrier Reef?

You’ll work very hard (for several hours a week), posting to a blog, picking up the mail and feeding the fish.

And for all that hard work, you will be paid about $8400 every 2 weeks (or $100,000 for the 6 month duration of your contract).

When your contract starts, you’ll be flown from anywhere in the world to Hamilton Island and you’ll live in a 3 bedroom house, all for free.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s all part of a job hunt/pr stunt by Queensland Tourism to find their next caretaker and promote the area.

Of course, this isn’t as simple as sending in an application and packing your bags. You’ll be competing with thousands of others who think they are better suited for this job than you. That said, it is a real job, and the offer is most certainly legitimate.

If you feel up to the challenge, and think you have what it takes to send in an interesting application, head on over to their “apply now” page and keep your fingers crossed.

The final selection process for candidates takes place on Hamilton Island, and if you make the final cut, you’ll be flown there, all expenses paid!

The PR part of the job means you’ll sit on your island telling the world what a fantastic place the Great Barrier Reef islands are. To help you with your job, the tourist agency even provides you with Internet access, a computer and some video equipment.

You have until February 22nd to submit your application!

UPDATE: Please don’t contact Gadling with applications or questions about this job. Gadling is NOT sponsoring this job. If you have questions, please visit IslandReefJob.com to learn more.

UPDATE 2: If IslandReefJob.com does not load, it’s because their server is getting crushed from visits. Please be patient and try again soon.

Click the pictures to read about the 10 stupidest laws you could encounter abroad … are any in Australia?


Seven (new) natural wonders of the world: cast your vote!

by Catherine Bodry on

The seven wonders of the world were one of my earliest inspirations for travel and learning. Seven is a manageable number, and it seemed plausible to see them all. Well, evidently there’s more than seven wonders, since earlier this year seven new ones were chosen. Over 100 million people participated in selecting the new destinations. Among the new person-made structures are Machu Picchu, Peru, and Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue. (The pyramids of Giza are the only structures carried over from the original list).

Now it’s time to nominate the seven new wonders of the natural world. Currently there are around 300 suggestions from 6 continents. Beginning in January 2009, people will be able to vote via mobile phone, Internet or telephone.

Original wonders include the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, and the Grand Canyon. What would you choose?

Thanks to munkeygirl on Flickr for the photo of the Great Barrier Reef.