Lonely Planet Calm Book - Illustration Studio Lwnski

Lonely Planet Calm Book - Illustration Studio Lwnski

Lonely Planet  Calm: Secrets to Serenity From the Cultures of the World The above charming illustrations are featured in the book which was released in November last year. There are fifty of these calming cultural secrets as well as methods for applying them at home. When you need to keep your cool…

Read more: http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/world/calm/#ixzz30uGknPlw

Storm clouds gathering over the Coromandel Peninsula

One of the little cafe's on the Coromandel Peninsula

Inside you will find a log fire and a great cafe.

A recent holiday to New Zealand took me to the little towns of Wahi and Thames at the the beginning of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island.  A Art tour festival was on the agenda in the charming township of Coromandel which sits near the northern tip of the Peninsula. However, due to heavy rains in the region we were warned not to travel on the roads in this mountainous area as landslides were predicted.  Instead, the historic township of Thames which is the gateway to the Coromandel area, was a safer choice.  This charming and vibrant town has plenty to keep you occupied both in terms of gold rush architecture, the Saturday markets in Grahamstown, Gold history and delightful cafes. With native rain forest to dazzling white sand beaches, the Coromandel area is rustic, unspoiled and relaxed. Activities and attractions are plentiful. You might choose skydiving in Whitianga or a guided sea kayak tour around the coast. The peninsula is steep and hilly, and is largely covered in temperate rain forest. The Coromandel Range forms a spine for the peninsula rising to nearly 900 metres, and the large island of Great Barrier, which lies beyond the northern tip, can be thought of as an extension of the range.

One of the charms of this area is the beautiful coastal drive on the Hauraki Gulf side of the Peninsula featuring the calm waters of the Gulf and the water hugging roadway with beautiful overhanging Pohutukawa trees (stunning in November/December with red flowers). Charming little townships crop up along the way. Towards the end of Peninsula you  begin a steep ascent to the charming arts town of Coromandel where many fine artists have set up their studios.  I recommend a few days in this area.  Make sure you have a green lipped mussel fritter and chips at the local fish & chip shop. 

Continuing on with your exploration of this area you can descend down the other side of the mountain range to coastal surf areas and secret coves. Head to Cathedral Cove where a naturally-formed archway divides two small, perfect bays. Dig a hole at nearby Hot Water Beach and bathe in naturally heated mineral water that bubbles up from deep within the earth (only when the tide is out). Or, if you’re a keen surfer, head to Pauanui or Whangamata – both towns have beaches known for their consistent swell.

As well as stunning beaches, there’s a myriad of walking tracks on offer in this region. The most popular is The Pinnacles, a 2-day walk that takes hikers up to one of the highest peaks in the Coromandel Forest Park for spectacular views. The Coromandel Coastal Walkway is a day walk that winds its way along the coast and traverses bush, farmland and coastline; while walks in theWentworth Valley showcase a beautiful waterfall and abandoned gold mines. Ref: 100% NZ www.newzealand.com

Walpole, Western Australia

Mandalay Beach, Walpole

Banksia Camp beach, Walpole

A short break taken recently in the beautiful Walpole region of Western Australia vindicates my opinion that life is changing in this little hamlet.  One needs to look behind the main shopping strip and see the wonderful community facilities and growth of new housing on the outskirts of the township to appreciate the growing popularity of this area.  What I like about the region is that it stills projects a sense of wilderness where one can venture off the highway very easily and walk into the tall timbers of the forest.  If you have a four wheel drive you can tackle the sand dunes to various fishing locations like Banksia Camp. You can get a great view of Chatham Island at Mandalay Beach where the Danish iron barque ship 'Mandalay' ran aground in 1911. The Captain and all 12 crew survived and were found by Frank Thompson as they tried to make their way through the wilderness to seek help.  At Mandalay Beach there is a dramatic photo displayed of the Captain and crew with the beached 'Mandalay' in the back ground. Parts of the wreck can sometimes still be seen at low tide.

Coalmine Beach camping, Walpole

For a true bush living experience try Coalmine Beach camping ground.  You can be assured of seeing kangaroos at dusk foraging around the tents for food.  They love fruit so make sure you zip your tent up otherwise you may get raided in the night! Adjacent to Walpole are many special attractions such as swimming at Green Pool, the world famous Tree Top Walk, climbing Mount Clare for the superb views and taking a quiet kayak trip up the Franklin River amongst the tall Karri's.  Not to be missed is Gary Muir's WOW Wilderness Inlet Eco cruise especially the delicious 'Tingle Cake' served at the landing. The cruise takes you through the Walpole Nornalup Marine inlet. www.wowwilderness.com.au

We camped with a group of friends and one of the prerequisites of the week was to come up with a bush poem for a poetry night.  Here is one of the scribes offerings:-

Oh Walpole, Oh Walpole, land of bloody March flies
and ants who like my fridge
Oh Walpole, oh Walpole, land of beautiful headlands, 
boggy sands and 4 wheel drivers testing out their city cars
Oh Walpole, Oh Walpole, from Thompson to Tolstoy to Tinglewood,
you live deep in the hearts of us all

I am at present reading the fascinating story of Frank Thompson an English draper who bonded with one of the world's greatest writers and later established Tinglewood Lodge in the heart of the Walpole wilderness. The book was written by local identities Gary Muir and Geoff Fernie after the exciting discovery of an old suitcase in a boat shed in Walpole in 2004.  It was a literary treasure chest with the contents containing letters from many influential people such as Leo Tolstoy, his secretary Vladimir Tchertkoff and Tolstoy's official biographer Aylmer Maude. Gary and Geoff took on a research expedition to Moscow in 2010 which included a pilgrimage to Yasnaya Polyana, the home of Tolstoy.  This book is a result of that journey and chronicles the many letters, papers and photos of Frank Thompson's connection with Tolstoy.

via palmgrove.net

If you are looking to be in the southern hemisphere for your summer break and are seeking a beach based holiday you need to go no further than Palm Grove Resort in Rarotonga.

Set in the enchanting area of Vaima on the stunning Southern coast, Palm Grove enjoys the peace and tranquility of one of the best locations on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Thirteen garden bungalows set amongst hibiscus and tipani flowers are complemented with thirteen beachfront bungalows set alongside our secluded beach. All bungalows have full kitchen facilities, aircon, flat screen TV and private patios.

Rarotonga is renowned for its pristine beauty and offers activities from scuba diving to hiking. Experience the true paradise of our white sand beaches and clear blue lagoon, or enjoy acres of lush, quiet garden. Sit back, relax, and find your own private piece of paradise!

Les Gets, French Alps

If you are considering a family ski holiday in France this season look no further than Les Gets in the French Alps.  Situated near the French/Swiss border, Les Gets is one of the 12 resorts that make up the Portes du Soleil ski area. The great thing about this area is that it offers one of the shortest transfers from Geneva at around an hour so you can catch a morning flight from the UK or within Europe and be on the slopes by lunchtime.

From Les Gets it takes about 50 minutes to ski to the French purpose-built resort of Avoriaz then it’s a short distance to the Swiss border. It’s possible to ski the extensive circular tour, which you can do in either direction, travelling through both French and Swiss resorts.

On the other side of Les Gets is Mont Chery. This ski area, reached by gondola, has a variety of skiing, and spectacular views. At top is the La Grand Ourse, a highly rated restaurant run by an English family with 180-degree views of the Mont Blanc Massif. Les Gets itself is a small traditional, village, with cosy chalet-style restaurants and accommodation. There’s not much nightlife but it’s very popular with families.

Ski lessons are available for children from 3 years of age and a nursery day care centre takes in babies from 6 months to 4 yrs.  A snow park, sled dog rides, sled horse rides and a sledging track are some of the family activities on offer.

A recent holiday itinerary created for a client who in three weeks flew to Ottawa, New York, Ireland and France, incorporated a week at Les Gets.  My client, a young mum from Melbourne with two small children aged 5 and 2  flew from Ireland to Geneva and the transfer vehicle delivered her to Chalet La Rocade Chalet-LesGets.com This unique accommodation offers three levels of apartment accommodation at ranging from two bedrooms to five. What worked very well for my client is that breakfast and dinner were catered for in the communal dining room. She was able to relax and enjoy all the village had to offer.  Rowena writes :-

“Les Gets in France was AMAZING and I simply cannot speak highly enough of the place.  Geneva airport is crazy and filled with a million sets of stairs which is maddening when travelling with children, but we managed.  The accommodation was FANTASTIC and our whole experience was overwhelmingly positive.  We were met at the airport, provided with all the assistance one could wish for when travelling with small children and a bucket load of luggage, and bundled into their car which was happily parked very close.  The driver, Dave was lovely and happy to play tour guide.  A beautiful drive and an easy one up to Les Gets.  The chalet was absolutely beautiful.  I’m not sure what I was expecting but it was really lovely. Simply but elegantly furnished with everything we could possibly need, including plenty of storage.  It wasn't huge but it didn't feel small.  The food was astonishingly good and the well stocked bar fridge was an absolute favourite.

The bus stop into the village was right outside the front door and there was a mini supermarket about 100 metres up the road.  It was about 10 minutes into the village by bus but this never felt like a hardship because the buses run regularly and they’re free.  The village really is aimed towards families so there was none of the drunken loutish behaviour one generally associates with the skiing crowd (or more particularly the après-ski crowd).  It was simply wonderful and I am incredibly cross that we live so far away because I would visit every weekend. 

I cannot thank you enough for your assistance.  The logistics of it all overwhelm me and if I think too hard of what we accomplished – ten flights in that short space of time – my head hurts.  I am incredibly proud of my boys, and the whole experience has proved to me, beyond a doubt, how well we function as a family.  Which was a very important lesson for me to learn.”

Linda Wells from Globetrotter Lifestyle travel company based in Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia www.globetrotter.com.au coordinated all the flight, car and accommodation bookings for Rowena.  

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Geographe Bay, Busselton

Back from holidays and looking forward to the year ahead. We had family over from Melbourne for the Christmas period.  With seven adults and three children living under the same roof it was chaotic but fun. Weather was glorious and the beaches were superb.  We are so blessed with the amazing beaches on the West Australian south west coast.

Busselton Jetty

Dined at The Studio Bistro out of Yallingup in the south west of Western Australia.  We enjoyed a beautiful dish of Tasmanian salmon fillet, accompanied by a  mushroom tentsuyu broth and enoki mushrooms. Amazing flavours.  Salmon and mushrooms are my foodie flavours' for 2014! We can't wait to try it again.