LauraKS's VirtualTourist Home Page

Greetings and welcome....thanks for stopping by. April 2006, just been on a cycling safari across the south west of Western Australia. Starting in Albany and and ending in Perth, it was 877km long. with 3 rest days, it wasn't too bad, even for me....a first time (distance) rider. There were some considerable hills on the first leg, but flatter with a headwind toward the end. I loved every minute of it...even setting up the tent and blowing up the mattress. My camping skills have been refined, thanks to my persistent boyfreind!

Thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding : Let's just say I want to invest in a new bike.
You can even volunteer on these trips ( they are held regularly on the east coast ) as an infomation person, in medical, massage, catering, you name it! It is good value for money as well. If this sounds interesting, contact me for more information or visit www.bv.com.au. Photo album on the way soon!
I have certainly neglected my backyard for way too long. I still love Scandinavia through!

From the last trip I would have to say Denmark was my favourite. I plan to return there within the next couple of years to do a full country tour/cycle maybe even live there for a couple of months. I'm even starting (trying) to learn Danish in my spare time - I am fascinated by the language. It is was simply magical, and left a special place in my heart !

As for myself, I was born and have lived most of my life in the most isolated city in the world - Perth Western Australia. It takes forever to get anywhere - but in that I've learnt there is a beautiful solitude (somewhere).
No really, I know deep down I have the aptitude to be really patient....
and when you live out here, you learn that.
Perth really is a beautiful city for what it is, a bit of a sleepy hollow, but it is slowly becoming more cultural.There are some spectacular areas and beaches to be appreciated here, and the weather is fairly temperate throughout the year. (Stay tuned for Perth pics and overview).
Ive only travelled to the north of Western Australia and to Melbourne & Sydney - but I think the best is yet to come, I intend to travel to the centre one of these days.

Travelling to me is the ultimate freedom, the stuff dreams are made of and more. I love the way our dreams expand and mutliply as we go on living and experiencing different cultures, ways of life, it opens up our worlds - as you can guess, Im a bit of a dreamer!

Visual imagery is a big part of my life and I like to bring this home with me wherever I go - I have a passion for graphic image and design.
What is particularly beautiful to me is a cultures own specific style, or expression through its architecture, art, language, customs and dress. There is so much to be gained from watching and listening to others.

Music is also a lifelong passion - travelling also serves to inspire me beyond the dreams I have today - travelling then is in my 'muse' - and serves me (unknowingly) quite well!
I write computer based music and am soon to release my first album...... I'm inspired by the sounds and images of a bustling metropolis yet also a silent clifftop, far from anyone or anything. Music is an ambitious dream I have and its how I spend any spare time - which isnt much !!

Just browsing on VT, it's amazing to see how many places some people have travelled to - blows my travels right out of the water, but you have to start somewhere. To experience another culture is a luxury, and a gift as far as im concerned. As I've heard so many other people say, we are part of a privileged class to do what we do, travel.

My travel history begins when I was whisked away at the age of 11 by my parents on a European holiday to Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain. As my family is Italian, we spent most of our time in this amazing and mesmerising country. It was unbelieveable and etched on my mind - memorable and funny, and the food was all divine. I remember it vividly, especially being in Sicily in my fathers home town - breathtaking mountainous views ,cobblestone 'roads' ,stealing hazelnuts from the hazelnut trees and proudly showing off my new gameboy to the local kids (as you do).

The next time offshore was to Hong Kong as a Nanny for my aunt for 2 weeks - amazing, in the same street - poverty juxatposed with insane wealth, incredible clothing, silks, jewellry, electronic goods...Mass culture in your face....then peaceful stillness in the outer parks and villages - was a heady combination for me.
White, lush snow, Sheep everywhere, New Zealand was great the first time round - I couldnt get enough, so I revisited, mainly the South Island and toured the Otago region extensively.
Mini Europe, I like to call it, in regards more to the landscape... ANY sport or mindblowing adventure available - Bunji-jumping froma helicopter anyone? Great wineries too, esp. central South Island, great music and entertainment scene in Dunedin
(south) and Wellington (north) - the original capital of New Zealand.Oh it just goes on & on. Shut me up!

Then finally, after years of trying to save, I gave in and finally jumped on a plane to London, with only a backpack & no fixed plan except that of maybe finding work....of course after one month with the lovely Australian dollar I did, but then hopped it to the west to Bristol -found a couple of jobs & stayed there for a year or so.
This was around the time the of Foot & Mouth epidemic/disease that swept the nation so for fear of no sights to see I dashed to the 'continent' (as they say in the UK for Europe) to Paris, southern France trekking and snowboarding through the Pyrenees, to Rome, Skiing in the Dolomites in the north and ended sitting in sunny, enchanting Spain until I ran out of money and came home to dear old Aussie.
Been to Melbourne & Sydney a couple of times and thats' it to date - until 31 March 2005 -Tickets booked to Denmark and I cant wait!..........

A list of dream destinations, ( when the bank balance is healthier, of course )

JAPAN
CHINA
ANTARCTICA
CANADA
HAWAII
MOSCOW
ESTONIA
GERMANY
HUNGARY
ROMANIA
WEST INDIES

Places I would have no hesitation in re-visiting -

SICILY
HONG KONG
VICTORIA ( Australia )
ITALY
SPAIN
FRANCE
ENGLAND

Ah, what a glorious world we live in.........

There is nothing more to say except that Australias' Socceroos are going to GERMANY!

There is so much fun to be had in general. I love Australia and I love my freinds!! Below is a photo I've taken watching Jamiroquai at the Supreme Crt Gardens with my mate Curtis (left) and my beautiful boyfriend Mike!! (right)