Travel Photo of the Week: Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia

This week’s photo of the week is the spectacular view from the Freycinet Eco Retreat at Mt Paul near Coles Bay out over Freycinet National Park. As dusk approaches, the view also included many of the local wallabies.

Photo courtesy of @monstermashrna

Travel Photo of the Week: Praia de Salinas, Boa Vista, Cape Verde

A fellow Twitter connection from the Netherlands who is also interested in #dream #travel destinations had a recent family vacation to Boa Vista. He kindly shared his favourite photo of nearby beach ‘Praia de Salinas’ to where they were staying at Riu hotel Karamboa. It was his favourite because of the empty beach. Warm sea. Nice clouds. Sun. Peak of Estância (little molar on the left of horizon) in the background.

Photo courtesy of @JeanD99 and you can read more about his trip to Cape Verde – Harvesting Clouds. No kidding

Travel Photos of the Week: Cultural Village on Efate, Vanuatu

One of the significant places we visited during our Vanuatu getaway, was the Cultural Village located on the eastern coast of Efate. We shared a small taxi/bus with a middle-aged couple who happened to be from Queensland, Australia (this was their first overseas trip) and their enthusiasm was contagious. The bus pulled off the main road which circles Efate and we drove for some 15 minutes along an extremely weathered dirt road. We soon pulled into a clearing, beside thick jungle and in the middle of nowhere, with the driver telling us to all hop out, adding ‘You can leave your bags in the bus!’. I suddenly felt dubious what was happening and was not going to leave bags behind. However, it turned out to be completely innocent.

The six of us headed into the jungle along the path we were instructed to take. It was quiet and beautiful but we were not sure where we were heading. Breaking the silence came the sound of the conch shell and then quite unexpectedly came tribal warriors out of the jungle towards us. Spears in hand, wide-eyed and yelling at us in a foreign aggressive manner, they charged. I got such a fright I swore!

Once they warriors realised we came in peace, we were escorted into the village and welcomed! We were shown how the traditional tribes lived and witnessed food preparation and preservation, fire walking and a tribal dance. The children were wide-eyed throughout. It was a wonderful experience.

Stripping the Coconut

Children in Traditional Dress

Spider

Preparing for the Fire Walk

Evidence of Past Sacrifices

Travel Photos of the Week: Manor home Maison Louis Richard

A close girlfriend of mine was fortunate enough to enjoy 4 weeks travelling France. She and her partner stayed in some amazing historical Chateaus, tasting the local wines and totally indulging! I get to write about it and share her photos! These photos of Maison Louis Richard near Saumur in the Loire Valley particularly caught my eye as these are the sites that are less well-known. Maison Louis Richard is a large, very elegant 15th Century manor home and also boasts a swimming pool. A perfect base to explore the wineries of the Loire Valley.

Photos courtesy of Australian reader Helen.