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From the Red Centre to the green tropics, Australia’s Outback presents a palette like no other

<p><strong>By Reader's Digest, in partnership with APT</strong></p> <p>From the sunburnt sands and ochre-hued escarpments of its Red Centre to the lush green rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, Australia’s Outback packs a punch when it comes to the kaleidoscope of colours on show. <a href="https://www.aptouring.com.au/?utm_source=readersdigest&amp;utm_medium=advertorial&amp;utm_content=20200302_outback2020_readersdigest_native&amp;utm_campaign=outback2020">APT</a> has been operating tours in the Outback for more than 50 years, and are experts in tailoring holidays to showcase the best of each magical region.</p> <p><strong>A world of rainforest and reef</strong></p> <p>In Cape Tribulation, rainforest-clad mountains tumble down to meet the coastline, where pure white sands and turquoise waters dazzle. This is the only place on Earth where two World Heritage-listed sites meet – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The Daintree is the oldest tropical lowland forest in the world and is home to thousands of species of birds, animals and reptiles. Here, giant fan palms, emerald green vines and ancient ferns tangle together, forming a dense rainforest that makes you feel as though you are stepping into Jurassic Park.</p> <p><em style="font-weight: inherit;">On tour</em></p> <p>APT offers an 11-day 4WD adventure through Cooktown &amp; Cape York. Arrive in Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas, where you’ll spend a night at the luxurious Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Travel to Mossman Gorge in Daintree National Park and set off on a Dreamtime Gorge Walk. Explore Cape Tribulation and Cooktown then visit Split Rock, an intriguing Indigenous rock art site. Take a helicopter flight into the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve before continuing north to the tip of Cape York. Here, set out on a walk to the tip of the peninsula and enjoy a helicopter flight for an aerial perspective on this incredible landscape.</p> <p><strong style="font-style: inherit;">Be moved by the outback’s heart</strong></p> <p>As the light shifts and changes throughout the day, so does the landscape at Uluru – the Outback’s spiritual heart. At sunrise, feel an overwhelming sense of calm as you watch this mighty monolith come to life against a pastel-coloured sky. In the afternoon, Uluru appears as an ochre-brown hue, scored with dark shadows. As the sun begins to set, it bathes the rock in burnt orange, then a series of deeper and darker reds, before it finally fades into charcoal as night falls. Spend a night at the Field of Light and savour dinner under the stars, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the didgeridoo. With Uluru in the background, watch in awe as 50,000 soft lights cover the desert floor behind you.</p> <p><em style="font-weight: inherit;">On tour</em></p> <p>On APT’s 11-day Central to South Explorer tour, start your journey in Uluru, where you’ll embark on a base tour at sunrise and experience a night at the Field of Light. Learn about the history of opal mining in Coober Pedy then travel along the iconic Oodnadatta Track to WIlliam Creek. Take an included scenic flight over spectacular Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre before journeying to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. While here, spend two nights at the Ikara Safari Camp – the perfect base for exploring Wilpena Pound National Park. A winery lunch in Adelaide’s Clare Valley is the perfect ending to your journey.</p> <p><strong style="font-style: inherit;">Getting your fill of Lake Eyre</strong></p> <p>Few sights in Australia stir the soul more than that of the normally dry Lake Eyre filling with water and suddenly teeming with life. The lake, properly known as Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, relies on monumental rains in Queensland and the Northern Territory for water to begin to flow into it. Last year saw the lake reach levels unseen for almost half a century, and it is hoped that 2020’s northern monsoon season will see the region once again alive with fish surging through the rivers that feed Lake Eyre, and its surface thronged with an array of birdlife including hundreds of thousands of pelicans. In a land battling drought and bushfires, the vision of water shimmering on the surface of the lake is life affirming. And it is something to be treasured and celebrated, so take this rare chance to go with the flow.</p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.413612565445px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843791/red-centre-2-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5655363ea89d4bf1b0684a7bf50cfbba" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Paradise found amid corals and blooms</strong></p> <p>Stretching over 1,100 kilometres of seemingly untouched coastline, Western Australia’s Coral Coast is a marine paradise like no other. Here, waves lap lazily on pristine white-sand beaches and turtles sweep through sheltered turquoise bays.</p> <p>The crystal-clear waters of Ningaloo Marine Park harbour the world’s largest fringing reef. Beneath the surface, you’ll find dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, and more than 500 species of fish. There’s more to discover on land, where colourful blankets of native wildflowers burst into bloom between August and September along the spectacular Wildflower Way. For a whole new perspective on the region, take to the skies on a helicopter flight over the Dampier Archipelago. The staggering contrast between brilliant white beaches, aquamarine waters, and the rugged red Pilbara landscape is a breathtaking sight – one that can only be experienced from the air.</p> <p><em style="font-weight: inherit;">On tour</em></p> <p>Board the MS Caledonian Sky in Broome and navigate the remote islands of Western Australia’s Coral Coast on a 15-day small ship expedition cruise and 4WD adventure. Discover life below the surface while snorkelling the clear waters of this marine paradise. Disembark in Geraldton and continue the adventure as you explore Kalbarri National Park and the eerie limestone Pinnacles. To finish up your journey, there’s a stay in a luxury eco-tent on the beautiful Rottnest Island.</p> <p style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><em style="font-weight: inherit;">This </em><em>article originally appeared on <a href="mailto:https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/from-the-red-centre-to-the-green-tropics-australias-outback-presents-a-palette-like-no-other">Reader's Digest.</a></em></p> <p><em>Photos: Reader’s Digest</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Rounding the cape

<p><em>Justine Tyerman heads to Cape Irozaki, the southernmost point of the Izu Peninsula, Japan, where she is told of happy events ahead.<br /></em><br />“Skiing field,” the sign pointing to the sand dune read.</p> <p>“Great! I’ll have a go at that,” I thought, clambering up the 70m-high, 100m-wide sand slope above a rocky cove.</p> <p>Created by wind action, the steep dune near the tiny beach town of Toji, is a popular spot for sand skiing and sledding.</p> <p>But not only was it incredibly difficult to climb to the top, it was impossible to glide down without short fat skis or a board of some kind. Great exercise for the leg muscles though!</p> <p>The Toji sand slope was our first stop on day four of the Izu Geo Trail with Walk Japan, as we drove south along the coast towards the tip of the peninsula, passing sandy and rocky beaches, lush green bush, precipitous cliffs and many tunnels. The further south we went, the less the traffic on the roads. In fact most days we encountered no other people on our hikes. It may be close and accessible from Tokyo but the Izu Peninsula feels like a remote wilderness.</p> <p>At Toji beach, the rock formations on the headlands were wonderful examples of ancient submarine lava flows.</p> <p>A short distance away, down a steep set of steps, we came to the Ryugu Sea Cave, a phenomenon shaped by wave erosion. At the rear of the cave, the roof had collapsed creating an opening to the sky 50m in diameter. The cave entrance is still intact, a great place for photos.</p> <p>We hiked in the sunshine along a gentle trail with spectacular views of the cobalt blue Pacific Ocean and craggy coastline. We also passed through the Tsubaki Park Camellia Garden where 1050 trees have been planted.</p> <p>A side track took us to Cape Tarai, a headland with a stunning panorama of the many offshore islands including Mikomotojima which has a lighthouse perched on the top.</p> <p>In the distance, we could see Cape Irozaki, the southernmost point of the peninsula.</p> <p>Far below, fishermen were casting lines into the swirling waves.</p> <p>At the end of our morning hike, we met up with a lovely lady named Mieko Takesawa on the beach at Yumigahama. A local surfer, she was the provider of our delicious organic lunch boxes full of salads, homemade bread and dips. Sitting by her beautiful pristine white beach, I devoured every morsel.</p> <p>A little shop with live fresh lobster, abalone and other shellfish in huge tanks took my interest. The owner was selling dried and frozen fish and presumably live creatures too.</p> <p>Back on the coach, we continued our journey southwards through tiny picturesque villages, coves enclosed by dramatic volcanic headlands with rocky islets, and green hillsides. My eyes never tired of the coastal scenery and volcanic landscapes, largely untouched by tourism.</p> <p>Our afternoon hike took us to Cape Irozaki and the site of a shrine built precariously into the cliff face high above the ocean. It’s one of Japan’s Top 100 sightseeing sites but our group of 12 were the only ones seeing the wondrous sights that day.</p> <p>A pathway along a narrow ridge takes hikers out to a rock on the point with a rope around it to signify that it’s sacred.</p> <p>I was hypnotised by the action of the waves swirling into narrow fissures in the rock and smashing into the cliffs sending curtains of spray high into the air, creating small rainbows in the sky. The headlands in the distance were jagged like a child’s scribble, and disintegrated into fragments as they thrust into the sea.</p> <p>Before leaving the shrine, I tossed a small coin into a box and took a slip of paper that told my fortune. Yohei translated the Japanese characters saying there were happy prospects ahead. Turns out it was right! I’m about to become a grandmother for the first time.</p> <p>The nearby Irozaki lighthouse, originally built in 1871, was replaced in 1933 after being destroyed in a storm. Today it plays an important role in the safety of ships and fishing vessels.<br /><br /><strong><u>Remote and untouched</u></strong></p> <p>Rounding the tip of the peninsula, we left the east coast behind and began our journey up the west coast. Under clear skies, the seascape with black rocks against a shimmering aqua sea was breathtaking, and even more remote and untouched than the east coast. The road hugged the coast and around each corner, there were ‘wows’ from everyone.</p> <p>Small fishing villages sheltered in deep coves, some with tall walls for tsunami protection. Volcanic islands rose perpendicularly from the sea. Where there was flat land, every inch was cultivated in market gardens. The hillsides were like crumpled paper, screwed up and tossed aside.</p> <p>As we neared Matsuzaki, our destination for the night, beautiful white sculptures appeared on the side of the road. We stopped to examine and photograph one of them, a female figure sitting on a harp-shaped plinth. With the backdrop of the west coast stretching far into the hazy distance, and the late afternoon sun low in the clear sky, she was a striking sight.</p> <p>Matsuzaki, known for its historic Edo period buildings with distinctive lattice work of black tiles and white plaster, is regarded as one of Japan’s most beautiful villages. It may be well off the beaten tourist track but its charms have been recognised by movie makers who have used the town as a setting for films and television dramas.</p> <p>During the Edo period, the town was a hub for stones used in the construction of Edo Castle. Many of the original merchant buildings are open to visit either free or for a small fee.</p> <p>Our ryokan for the night, Shinshima Inn, is run by a husband and wife team, Emi and Hayato Sano, in a graceful historic house. My lovely simple room overlooked a river.</p> <p>After our onsen bath, I changed into the pretty green yukata that was pressed and folded in my room. Emi put the finishing touches to the ladies’ yukatas tying stiff, wide sashes into kimono bows at the back.</p> <p>It was a glorious warm evening so we dined outside, excited at the prospect of a Japanese-style barbecue cooked by chef Hayato. What a feast — fish, beef, sausages and vegetables all cooked over hot coals, followed by a fresh fruit dessert.</p> <p>After dinner, Hayato proudly showed us the original part of the house which is 140 years old. He took us up a steep set of stairs to a veritable museum of artwork and gorgeous ceremonial kimonos. There were also two sumptuous kimonos on display downstairs in the lobby along with a five-storey model of a traditional Japanese dwelling.</p> <p>Breakfast, set in a series of intimate alcoves, was buffet-style with options of toast, cereal and yoghurt, the first taste of Western food in a week. I hadn’t missed it but reverted to habit alarmingly fast.</p> <p>Day five was the longest hike of the Izu Geo Trail, around 12km with a steep climb or two, so I needed plenty of fuel for the day ahead. And it was time for the TBs (tramping boots) to have an outing . . .<br /><em>— To be continued</em></p> <p><strong>Factbox</strong>:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://walkjapan.com/tour/izu-geo-trail">The Izu Geo Trail </a>is a 7-day, 6-night guided tour starting in Tokyo and finishing in Mishima. The trail explores the Izu Peninsula in the Shizuoka Prefecture, one of the most unique geological areas on Earth. The mountainous peninsula with deeply indented coasts, white sand beaches and a climate akin to a sub-tropical island, is located 150km south west of Tokyo on the Pacific Coast of the island of Honshu, Japan.</li> <li>An easy-to-moderate-paced hiking tour with an average walking distance of 6-12km each day, mostly on uneven forest and mountain tracks including some steep climbs and descents. </li> <li>Walk Japan pioneered off-the-beaten-track walking tours in Japan in 1992 with the Nakasendo Way tour. Since then, the company has created 29 guided, self-guided and speciality tours introducing the geography, people, cuisine, customs, culture and history of the real Japan that often remain inaccessible for visitors to the country.</li> <li>Walk Japan has been widely recognised, including selection by National Geographic as one of the 200 Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.</li> </ul> <p><em>Justine Tyerman was a guest of <a href="https://walkjapan.com/">Walk Japan</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Read Part <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/living-like-a-local-in-japan/" target="_blank">One</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/a-mistical-day-in-the-highlands" target="_blank">Two</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/rainy-day-in-izu-japan" target="_blank">Three</a> of Justine Tyerman’s Japan visit.  </em></p>

International Travel

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The allure of Cape Town

<p>Sometimes it seems that Cape Town isn’t really part of Africa at all. Rather it’s a hipster chunk of Europe that somehow found itself at the bottom of Africa. The locals spend a lot more time discussing coffee and cuisine than you’d expect to find in the wild Dark Continent.<br /><br />The city is in a sublime location. When discussing the world’s most picturesque harbour cities we always find Sydney, Rio, Vancouver on the list. But for bay cities, Cape Town must reign supreme with Table Mountain looming behind it.<br /><br />Here are some of the highlights.<br /><br /><strong>Table Mountain</strong><br />For early mariners, the first sight of the flat summit of Table Mountain announced they were safely around the Cape of Good Hope and a well provisioned port lay ahead.</p> <p>Today, taking the <a href="http://www.tablemountain.net/">cable car</a> up to walk around the mountain and survey the city and bay beyond is the one essential thing to do. Walk around the corner and you can see most of the way to the Cape and over the upmarket suburb of Camps Bay and Hout Bay beyond.</p> <p>One unexpected delight of this excursion is the furry mammals you’ll find up there. They are called dassies or rock hyrax and look like marmots or large rats, depending how kindly you view them. But their closest living relative is the elephant. You’ll need a big step in imagination to see the family resemblance.<br /><br /><strong>Victoria and Alfred Waterfront</strong><br />The ongoing redevelopment of the waterfront has been a crowning glory to the city. Lots of hipster coffee shops, all the mainstream brand shops and a great African arts and crafts hall.</p> <p>I bought a painting made from used tea bags in a dedicated charity shop. Whoever in the village had the idea, it was inspired. And it is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront – not the Victoria and Albert Waterfront because it’s named after the queen and her second son, not her long-lamented husband.<br /><br />Cruises leave from here too – a sunset cruise is a great way to see this spectacular city and the mountain from the water and if you’re lucky you may see the “tablecloth” roll in.<br /><br /><strong>Food</strong><br />Cape Town has always been a cosmopolitan city and that’s reflected in the food. Whether seeking Cape Malay or any international cuisine there will be choice – and the local meat, fish and produce are excellent.</p> <p>You’ll find game, from crocodile to kudu, on many menus, too. The best restaurant in town is The Test Kitchen that is listed as one of the world’s best. But book well in advance and even then, good luck getting a table.</p> <p><strong>Company’s Garden</strong><br />Right in the heart of the city are the Company’s Garden, created in 1650 and featuring a large statue to Cecil Rhodes.</p> <p>Whether you appreciate the legacy of Rhodes or see him as an oppressor, wandering through the gardens is a pleasant way to cool down in the city. If you want a more expansive garden, head to the Botanic Gardens in the shadow of Table Mountain.<br /><br /><strong>Winnebagos on the roof</strong><br />Before the rest of the world’s hotels thought of sticking seven Airstream mobile homes on the roof of premises, the <a href="http://granddaddy.co.za/">Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel</a> on Long St did it first – and then put a rooftop cinema in the middle. It may not be five star but it’s certainly unusual.<br /><br /><strong>Robben Island</strong><br />If you wish to visit Robben Island it’s a very good idea to book tickets in advance as they often sell out. <br /><br />Most of us know of Robben Island - the flat 2x3km island about seven km from Cape Town - as the prison that held Nelson Mandela for 18 of his 27 years as a political prisoner during South Africa’s apartheid era. The 3.5 hour tour has two distinct parts.</p> <p>The first is a general tour of the island where you learn that it also served as a leper colony and an animal quarantine staion. The circumnavigation includes a stop where penguins can be seen on the beach.</p> <p>That’s a soft introduction to a tour of the prison on which you’re shown around by a former prison inmate. I asked out guide if he found it hard to be back here and he said that it took him a couple of years to come to terms with it. Of course, you are shown Mandela’s cell and learn how hard conditions in the prison were.<br /><br /><strong>Cape of Good Hope</strong><br />If there is one essential tour out from Cape Town, it’s down to the Cape of Good Hope. This is not the southernmost point of the African continent but it is one of the world’s three Great Capes – the other two are Cape Horn and WA’s Cape Leeuwin.</p> <p>It’s a rugged place and there’s always the chance to see wildlife like antelopes, ostrich, baboons and zebra.</p> <p><strong>Penguin patrol</strong><br />There are quite a lot of penguins to be found in the waters off Cape Town. These are African penguins and they look a lot like the Magellanic penguins of South America. Both are sometimes called jackass penguins for the braying sound they make. They can be seen on a tour of Robben Island.</p> <p>Or if you wish to get close to them you can head to Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town or Stony Point near Betty’s Beach – both have boardwalks and charge an admission fee.<br /><br /><strong>Helicopter overview</strong><br />If you are in Cape Town when the weather is good, it’s worthwhile taking a helicopter flight out over the bay for a spectacular aerial view of the city. We used <a href="http://www.nachelicopterscapetown.com/">NAC Helicopters</a> and the grand panoramas made the short flight great value.</p> <p><strong>Staying</strong><br />Cape Town has a wide range of hotels. Many are at the V&amp;A Waterfront. A personal favourite is the <a href="http://www.westincapetown.com/">Westin Cape Town</a>, particularly the Executive Club with a lounge that offers unsurpassed views across the city to Table Mountain.<br /><br /><a href="http://tintswalo.com/atlantic">Tintswalo Atlantic</a> is a very alternative option. It’s a unique luxury boutique hotel on Hout Bay, located within the National Park.</p> <p>The waves lap the rocks below your balcony so you feel very much in the wild although the city and airport are only minutes away. The wild surrounds and the absolute luxury within create a</p> <p> very special experience.<br /><br /><strong>Cape Province delights</strong><br />Whether your interest is in the whales and sharks of Hermanus, the Cape flowers, the wines of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, or setting off on the Garden Route, Cape Town is the perfect starting point. Just a few days here will convince you that Africa is a wonderland ripe for exploration.</p> <p><em>Written by David McGonigal. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/the-allure-of-cape-town.aspx"><em>Wyza.com.au.</em></a></p>

Cruising

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Duchess Meghan turns heads in stunning red cape dress in Morocco

<p>Just days after the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/you-ll-never-believe-the-extreme-cost-of-duchess-meghan-s-new-york-baby-shower">star-studded baby shower that cost a whopping AUD$420,000</a>, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has touched down for a royal visit to Morocco for a three-day tour.</p> <p>The royal couple are not ones to shy away from making a fashionable statement when they were greeted by the British Ambassador to Morocco, Thomas Reilly. Wearing an incredibly chic Valentino cape gown at Casablanca airport, it’s hard to believe she could outdo herself. But today the gorgeous royal showed up for an event at the British Ambassador’s home and blew us away with her cream kaftan-inspired Dior gown.</p> <p>Opting for subtle nude accessories and heels, the Duchess glammed up a little extra for the reception last night with diamond earrings and a Dior clutch.</p> <p>The makeup was simple and stunning, with an elegant up-do for the mother-to-be – proving to be an excellent choice for the warm African heat.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive in Rabat for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitMorocco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoyalVisitMorocco</a>!🇲🇦🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/5sXqyAeZtF">pic.twitter.com/5sXqyAeZtF</a></p> — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1099427095116238848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Her henna tattoo was also shown off, a good-luck charm for her pregnancy. Just on day two, the Duchess presented the designed tattoo to two young girls at a school in the Atlas Mountains.</p> <p>“Hi girls, so cute. What are your names? So sweet,” she told five-year-old Rania and two-year-old Rayhanna.</p> <p>Showing them the henna, she added: “Nice, isn’t it? So pretty!”</p> <p>The plant-based ink is deemed a symbol of good luck and a blessing for significant events, such as birth.</p> <p>While meeting young children in Morocco, Duchess Meghan opted for simple attire – going with a stylish navy blazer, black pants and shirt with matching heels.</p> <p>Prince Harry and the heavily pregnant Duchess plan to spend three days visiting charities and schools, however, will not be doing any of their usual walkabouts to meet the public due to security concerns.</p> <p>Swipe through the gallery above to see the stylish Duchess during her trip in Morocco. </p>

Beauty & Style

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The ominous warning sign greeting travellers in loos

<p>With 5 million international visitors last year, the South African coastal city of Cape Town is one of the most popular locations in the world. But it’s also got a big problem.</p> <p>Visitors touching down one of the world’s most multicultural cities have been greeted with sings ranging from warnings like, “Don’t waste a drop!” to desperate pleas for help like, “Our taps will run dry if we don’t act now”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">There's a water crisis in Cape Town. Travelers should be prepared (and can help). <a href="https://t.co/dd7QDlSpaQ">https://t.co/dd7QDlSpaQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/HxjMgXfmx0">pic.twitter.com/HxjMgXfmx0</a></p> — The New York Times (@nytimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/946385322891497474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Cape Town is enduring a severe water crisis after three years of poor rains. Water levels in the city’s reservoirs are at 33 per cent and there are real warnings that without any action, a day where the taps will run dry is looming.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Dear Visitors to Cape Town! Please help us and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/savewater?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#savewater</a> as we are experiencing water crisis... use less than <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/87litres?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#87litres</a> per day. Speak to our staff about water saving measures at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oonkloof?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oonkloof</a>. <a href="https://t.co/gyImscF7bz">pic.twitter.com/gyImscF7bz</a></p> — O on Kloof Hotel&amp;Spa (@OonKloofHotel) <a href="https://twitter.com/OonKloofHotel/status/944126689759592448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Bob Scholes, a professor of systems ecology at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, explained the very real threat in an interview with Bloomberg.</p> <p>“Running out of water in places that have a highly developed water infrastructure is not that common,” he said.</p> <p>“I know of no example of a city the size of Cape Town running out of water. It would be quite catastrophic.”</p> <p>Taps are turned off once dam levels drop below 13.5 per cent, which would prompt a situation where residents would have to line up at checkpoints around the city to collect daily water rations. Some experts say that day could come as early as April 29.</p> <p>Tourists have been asked to do everything they can to conserve water.</p> <p>“We have to change our relationship with water,” Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille told Bloomberg.”</p> <p>“We have to plan for being permanently in a drought-stricken area.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Twitter / New York Times</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-banner&amp;utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a></p>

International Travel

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Why Cape Pillar is scariest cliff in the known universe

<p>Set foot on the edge of the earth.</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>When a site has the unofficial name of ‘The Scariest Cliff in the Known Universe’, you know they mean business. At Cape Pillar in the Tasman National Park you will find the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. They rise straight up from the dark blue waters of the Southern Ocean, soaring to a stomach-lurching 300 metres. The views are incredible, stretching out over an endless ocean, across to Bruny Island and back northwest towards Hobart. Tiptoe up to the edge – if you dare.</p> <p><strong>Where is it?</strong></p> <p>Cape Pillar is at the southeastern tip of the Tasman Peninsula, which is in the southeast of the main island of Tasmania. The drive from Hobart takes around one hour. It is the most southeasterly point of Australia and there is essentially nothing beyond it until you reach Antarctica.</p> <p><strong>How can I visit?</strong></p> <p>Get ready for a considerable hike. The sea cliffs at Cape Pillar are a two-day roundtrip walk from Fortescue Bay, around 30 kilometres to the north. You will need to cover 22 kilometres on the first day and eight kilometres on the second day, camping overnight at Wughalee Falls. Cape Pillar is also part of the newly developed Three Capes Track, a three-night, 46-kilometre route that opened in 2015. It starts in Port Arthur with a boat ride across the bay and then hugs (very close) to the coastline. You’ll need to be able to carry your own pack and provisions, and have a reasonable level of fitness.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JKG2O_YRHE8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>You can also see the cliffs from the water. Short cruises sail between Eaglehawk Neck (a narrow isthmus that joins the Forestier and Tasman peninsulas) and Port Arthur. Small boats will pass close to the base of the cliffs, giving an incredible perspective straight up the face.</p> <p>Have you ever visited Cape Pillar?</p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Save money with Over60 Travel Insurance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a></span> Or for more information, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p>

International Travel

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Rare right whale spotted in Cape Cod

<p>One of the rarest creatures on the planet — the endangered right whale — has appeared in the Atlantic Ocean. </p> <p>The marine mammals are thought by experts to have a population of just 500 worldwide, half of which have been residing near the plankton-rich Cape Cod Bay, near the US state of Massachusetts, the last few Springs. This year, it looks like they are back in record numbers.</p> <p>North Atlantic right whales have foraged for centuries in Cape Cod Bay, where their numbers were decimated by whalers who hunted them for their oil and plastic-like baleen bone. As a result, for a stretch in the late 1990s fewer than 30 whales were sighted each year. Now, up to 70 whales have been sighted. </p> <p>Charles “Stormy” Mayo, a senior scientist and director of right whale ecology at the Centre for Coastal Studies in Provincetown called the phenomenon “Rather extraordinary and somewhat mind-blowing.” He attributes the mass migration to shifting ocean currents-possibly due to global climate change — that are pumping more plankton into the bay, even as the whales’ traditional feeding grounds off the Maine coast falter.</p> <p>“They’re a little like cows in a field. They go away from places that are not good and go to places that are good,” he said.</p> <p>US Federal law forbids getting within 500 yards of a right whale and requires ships to slow to 10 knots — roughly 11.5 miles per hour.</p> <p>Scrollt through the gallery above to see these beautiful creatures.</p> <p><strong>Related link:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/best-countries-to-visit-in-2016/"><em>Top 10 countries to visit in 2016</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/best-value-travel-in-2016/"><em>10 best-value travel destinations for 2016</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/11/whistler-resort-canada-tourist-guide/"><em>The snow-capped mountain metropolis people never want to leave</em></a></strong></span></p>

International Travel

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How I walked the 1,200km Heysen Trail

<p><em><strong>Over60 community contributor, Rosie Kennett, shares the tale of how she walked the Heysen Trail, a 1,200-kilometre trek in South Australia.</strong></em></p> <p>In 2005 after retiring, I started a walking group with a few women friends, all of whom were over 60. The idea was to take country walks rather than city walks, ideally within an hour’s drive from Adelaide for convenience. We were very quickly amazed at the sheer number of walks available to us in beautiful, varied locations including quiet country lanes past local farms, recreational parks and national parks with expansive views over rolling hills, cityscapes and beachside fronts.</p> <p><img width="409" height="230" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11941/heysen-trail-photo-one_409x230.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo One"/></p> <p>We met once a fortnight and on an average day we would walk for four hours, over 12 to 18kms. We each took a light backpack with water and lunch. After a few months our numbers grew to 20 and included friends of friends and it was a lovely way to make new acquaintances. We shared humorous stories, sad stories, local news and we shared problems and gave opinions and advice to each other.</p> <p><img width="419" height="236" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11942/heysen-trail-photo-two_419x236.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Two"/></p> <p>All of our walks were found in local guidebooks written by experienced bush walkers. However, many of the directions were less than thorough such as “turn left at the narrow path next to the big gum tree” so on most of our walks we took wrong turns, but with enough strong opinions and a phone GPS we always made our way back to the cars amid laughter and relief! After a few years, the core of dedicated walkers decided on a bigger project – to hike the Heysen Trail.</p> <p><img width="417" height="235" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11943/heysen-trail-photo-three_417x235.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Three"/></p> <p>The Heysen Trail is a long distance walking trail stretching 1,200 kilometres from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, through the Adelaide foothills then up north through the Barossa wine district before finally ending in Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges.</p> <p><img width="407" height="229" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11946/heysen-trail-photo-four_407x229.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Four (2)"/></p> <p>The trail was developed primarily in the 1970s and 80s by the late Terry Lavender OAM. Warren Bonython AO originally proposed a long distance walking trail connecting the Mount Lofty Ranges. Between 1979 and 1992 the greater part of the trail was constructed, traversing public and private land with the help of local government, councils, volunteers, schools and individual landowners.</p> <p><img width="428" height="241" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11947/heysen-trail-photo-five_428x241.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Five"/></p> <p>Our group of 10, calling ourselves “Get Out Group” started the trail in 2011. The trail is closed during the summer months. Starting at Cape Jervis and signing the register, we found the first half of the trail relatively easy to organise as day hikes, generally around 16kms over 4 to 5 hours.</p> <p><img width="405" height="228" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11948/heysen-trail-photo-six_405x228.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Six"/></p> <p>After reaching Burra, some 145kms north of Adelaide, we have to organise accommodation for 2 to 3 nights hiking each day, and as we ventured further north we had longer stays and longer hikes – up to 28kms a day. In Burra, we were joined by one husband, a keen walker, who had just retired. Most people thought he was our guide and with his Heysen trail GPS, careful planning and attention to detail we came to rely on his navigational skills (but still managed to get lost on a few occasions!).</p> <p><img width="417" height="235" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11949/heysen-trail-photo-seven_417x235.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Seven"/></p> <p>Staying overnight gave us the opportunity to have drinks around the campfire at sunset and exchange stories into the dark. Most nights we’d crawl into bed early exhausted by the day’s hike. There is a range of accommodation along the way from local hotels that are generally fairly basic, bed and breakfasts, miner’s cottages, country town houses, shearer’s quarters and camp cabins.</p> <p><img width="414" height="233" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11950/heysen-trail-photo-eight_414x233.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Eight"/></p> <p>The hardest thing to plan is the car drop offs as the access to the trail can be quite difficult in some sections. Car drop offs requires dropping cars to the end of the days walk, driving back to the start of the walk, picking up the cars at the end of the walk and driving back to the start to collect the other cars. At times we had to walk 4 kilometres from the car to the start of the trail!</p> <p><img width="407" height="229" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11951/heysen-trail-photo-nine_407x229.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Nine"/></p> <p>The Heysen Trail showcases some of the best country SA has to offer. From spectacular cliff tops overlooking the ocean, panoramic views over Adelaide, lush green hills and vineyards, through sheep and cattle stations and quiet country towns and deserted ruins. You crossing babbling brooks and dry creek beds, ridge tops with expansive views to Spencer Gulf and Wilpena Pound, and deep gorges with amazing rock formations of Brachina and Parachilna Gorges in the Flinders Ranges.</p> <p><img width="400" height="225" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11952/heysen-trail-photo-10_400x225.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo 10"/></p> <p>Our journey ended at the wonderful Prairie Hotel where we were joined by our husbands to celebrate our amazing 1,200 kilometre achievement and shared wonderful memories with a few glasses of bubbly around a huge campfire under a clear star-lit night sky.</p> <p><img width="396" height="223" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11954/heysen-trail-photo-11_396x223.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo 11 (1)"/></p> <p>Walking the Heysen Trail was an unforgettable experience. Apart from the obvious health and friendship benefits, this type of hiking allows you to contemplate life and immerse yourself in country far from the noise and traffic of the city. However, it is not for the fainthearted!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/16-countries-to-visit-in-2016/"><strong>16 best countries for travel in 2016</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/10-cities-with-the-least-traffic/"><strong>10 cities where you won’t get stuck in traffic!</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/largest-flower-garden-in-the-world/"><strong>14 images from the world’s largest flower garden</strong></a></em></span></p>

International Travel

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UFO clouds form above Cape Town

<p>UFO-like cloud formations forming above Cape Town have left locals scratching their heads.</p> <p>Many have taken to social media to share this unnerving weather pattern.</p> <p>And while it may look like an alien invasion it’s actually a strange cloud formation.</p> <p>This eerie cloud formation is a phenomenon known as lenticular clouds, caused when high winds blow over rough terrain, such as mountains and valleys.</p> <p>Scroll down to see more images:</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10843/cloud-number-two_500x500.jpg" alt="Cloud Number Two"/></p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / <span class="Tweet-authorScreenName Identity-screenName p-nickname">Rory_OB1</span></em></p> <p><em><span class="Tweet-authorScreenName Identity-screenName p-nickname"><img width="499" height="405" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10844/cloud-number-three_499x405.jpg" alt="Cloud Number Three"/></span></em></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / joshua.oates</em></p> <p><img width="499" height="400" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10847/cloud-number-four_499x400.jpg" alt="Cloud Number Four"/></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / beanibop<span> </span></em></p> <p><em><span><img width="500" height="403" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10848/cloud-number-six_500x403.jpg" alt="Cloud Number Six"/></span></em></p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / <span class="Tweet-authorScreenName Identity-screenName p-nickname">DiBrown5</span></em></p> <p><em><span class="Tweet-authorScreenName Identity-screenName p-nickname"><img width="500" height="334" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10849/cloud-number-one_500x334.jpg" alt="Cloud Number One"/></span></em></p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Instagram / instagram_sa</em></p>

International Travel