ShelleyKeating's VirtualTourist Home Page
| Page Views: 6,731 | Switzerland- and Slovenia- Ho! by ShelleyKeating - last update: Jun 15, 2009 |
Hello! Through my pages I endeavour to provide the intrepid traveler with insights into the places I've been to help enrich their own experience. I love this planet Earth, especially the natural wonders that envelop it. I do hope you take the time to enjoy my pages, although due to a busy lifestyle they may be in the process of development.
___________________________________
I Have just arrived home from a most wonderful month long trip in New Zealand. I completed a number of hikes with my boyfriend and saw much more of this beautiful country. Pages will slowly be created (working hard, studying hard)...
NEXT TRIP:
12 Jul- 12 Aug: SWITZERLAND!! To dance in the Basel Military Tattoo. Followed by Bern- Grindleald- Zermatt (Matterhorn)- Ljibjuana- Bled-Zurich!! |
| Mt Cook national park, New Zealand |
|  | Step-by-Step |
My Adventures At the age of 6weeks i boarded my first plane to New Zealand (to meet my grandparents and aunts and uncles for the first time). I must have caught the travel bug then. Between 6weeks and 18years i frequented New Zealand mainly for family holidays which i remember with many warm memories of a beautiful country.
1992: First trip to the UK and the USA - went to many a graveyard as my mum and nan were compliling family history notes. I was just 7 but remember the fresh lichen mossy smell that engulfed the cemetaries. Remember London, Lochness and competing in my first dancing competition in Scotland. On the way home i went to Disney Land, LA. A wonderous world for a 7 year old.
1997: Scotland: a 7 week trip to compete in various Highland Games as well as the Brittish Overseas and experience the World Championships.
2000: Scotland & USA: To copmplete the dancing loop which goes all around Scotland as well as dancing in a competition in California and seeing San Fransisco, the Monterey Coast and the 17 mile drive.
2002: July: Danced in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland
December: First visit to the North Island of New Zealand- the Bay of Islands and the Kauri forest.
2003: December/Jan 04: Canada and USA: Vancouver, Penticton, Seattle and Whidbey Island- first winter xmas!
2004: June: 1mth around both North and South Islands of New Zealand with my best friend. First 'backpacking' holiday.
2005: June: 1mth trip to Europe: Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Licthenstein, and Hong Kong on the way home.
November: 2 weeks to Oman in the Middle East to dance in the Oman Military Tattoo celebrating Sultan's 35th year of rein.
December/ Jan '06: New Zealand- did the Abel Tasman Track, Banks Peninsula track.
2006: June: Brief trip to New Zealand
November: South Korea to dance in the Wonju Military Tattoo
2007: January: New Zealand- explored the Coromandel Peninsula, Whangerai
May-September: Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, England, Scotland, Thailand
I really really really want to go to:
- Slovenia, especially Lake Bled
- Peru and Bolivia and do the Inca Trail
- Back to Austria, Czech rep and sth Germany....
-Whitsunday Islands in my own 'backyard' | | |
| | Life as a Dancer I began Highland Dancing at age 5, and it has taken me on a most incredible journey and been largely responsible for many travels. Actually, apart from New Zealand, all of my travels up until my 20s involved Highland Dancing, and hence I feel it deserves a segment on my VT page. I've been to Scotland five times now- it is such a beautiful country and I am sure i will frequent it for the rest of my life- and have seen it not so much as a tourist, but as a Highland Dancer following the Highland Games and other more prestegous competitions. This has taken me to some of the most remote places and definately off the beaten path. Not to mention the wonderful people i've met on my merry way:)
If you are heading to Scotland, have a look at my Scotland Page which i am developing to be a guide to the Highland Games of Scotland, so if you are in the right place at the right time you can add one of these authenic and fun traditional events into your travel schedule.
I have been most fortunate to be part of numerous performances including the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, Oman Military tattoo, Wonju Military Tattoo in South Korea and Scotland the Brave in the Sydney Opera House. |
Beer and Cricket- a healthy combination I quite like a good beer and have been sampling from various places round the world. I don't know quite where the Aussie's went wrong, but all beers of superior flavour seem to come from Europe or Asia.
My favourites include:
Hite and Cass from South Korea
Kriek from Belgium
Stielg from Salzburg, Austria
Hoegaarden from the Netherlands
Monteith's Gold from New Zealand
Singh from Thailand
Pretty much everything from the Czech Republic, especially Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus
I am very much open to recommendations.
Please note: most Aussies dont drink Fosters. This is our export beer and in my opinion terrible.
As for cricket, the much beloved game of Australia, I love it- nothing better than a five day test cricket match, or a one-dayer against England or New Zealand. Many people are not enriched with the passion for cricket namely due to not knowing the rules- there are a fair few and i can understand that people who don't know them may find the game 'boring'. But it isnt. It is sheer excitement. I like both the Australian and New Zealand teams as i am an Aussie with a Kiwi background (very rare- most go for one or anyone playing the other). My uncle played for the Black Caps (the NZ team). Anyway, just so you know, Australia recently re-gained the Ashes.This is a very joyest thing so let us all smile:)
I am quite fortunate as nothing goes better than good beer and good cricket- you'll always find me smiling when these two ingredients are combined (unless South Africa beats Australia) | | |
| | Random Photo of Elephant Ride in Thailand With no textual accompianiment |
Aussie Aussie Aussie I am a proud Aussie! | | |
 ShelleyKeating's Albums | | | |
|
 Comments for ShelleyKeating | | | | |
Waalewiener Tue Jun 23, 2009 02:32 UTC
Hi there Shelly Looks like we are going to meet in Airlie Beach VT meeting I will be in Sydney for a week and Aussiedoug has posted a VT meeting for Saturday August 29 Maybe you would like to join us Kelley | tiabunna Fri Jun 5, 2009 11:54 UTC
Thank you for your kind comment re my photo, Shelley. Must admit I was greatly assisted by having enthusiastic 'sitters'. Just reading your HP, fully agree with your comments on Fosters and most Oz commercial beers. PS tried Coopers? | austarman Sat Apr 25, 2009 22:49 UTC
Emporium at 5pm would be gr888 ma888. ;-P | aussiedoug Thu Feb 12, 2009 01:22 UTC
Hey Shelley couldn't agree more about Fosters..., very ordinary indeed. Clan MacKay on my paternal grandmother's side & shocked many wearing the tartan to our girls christening 10 years ago. |
|
|
email me
add as friend
