VLOG 2015

This is our final part of the assignment! It is a video blog describing things to do in Sydney and how technology has come so far in helping us travel and see the world.
We hope you enjoyed it, as we had a lot of fun making it!

Much love,
Merita, Nick and Austine

Here is our link if you are interested in watching the video:
https://youtu.be/526_AkUrOFw

Conclusion by Nick, Merita and Austine

As a group, we would like to thank you for your time and hope you enjoyed our blog.

Here are the final remarks from the authors.

Austine:

Hopefully our posts were interesting to you and that you've learned more about us and about the places we like to travel to.

I hope to see you soon on our upcoming video blog! Which will be released very soon.

Merita:

I hope that you all enjoyed my posts and that my blog posts provided you with valuable information when visiting these countries. These blog posts have been fun to write and I also learned a lot about new places that I want to visit.

Nick:

It was great to make these blog posts, and perhaps you've learned a thing or two about certain places that you want to travel, or maybe even found out about a place that you may want to visit. Either way, I hope this blog has been entertaining and educational for you.

Hong Kong by Nick

This will be my last individual post on this blog for our ISYS100 group assignment, and I'd like to thank you all for reading the posts we've made. Anyway, for no good reason that I can think of (that's not a bad thing), I've always thought it'd be nice to visit somewhere in Asia, and Hong Kong is the place I'll be dicsussing in this post. Hong Kong is a small territory which is part of China, connected to the mainland on the north side. 'Hong Kong' means 'Fragrant Harbour', and so you can naturally assume it is renowned for its harbour views.

The Peak

As I said before, Hong Kong has a wonderful skyline and harbour view. The Peak is Hong Kong's equivalent of Sydney's Centrepoint Tower or Toronto's CN tower, and is located on Victoria Peak, a mountain in Hong Kong. Here, you get to see the entire city with the uniqueness of not actually being within the city, amongst other skyscrapers. The Peak is considered to be the #1 attraction in Hong Kong (it goes without saying that this is a subjective opinion).

Disneyland

Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where there is a Disneyland, so if you're in Hong Kong, is there much of a reason not to go visit? I don't think much needs to be said about Disneyland, although I will mention that because this one is located in Hong Kong, the food may be different. Other than that, however, it's exactly what you'd expect it to be. But I will point out-- the Disneyland at night is truly spectacular.

Disneyland at night

Chinese New Year

If you're in Hong Kong during Chinese New Year, you can experience the greatest cultural festival in Hong Kong. The city is filled with parades, markets, fireworks, great food, and many more festivities during the New Year season, as everything is bustling with energy. No matter where you are in Hong Kong, you can witness the celebrations.

A parade during Chinese New Year

Image sources and information:
The Peak:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/top-10/the-peak.jsp
Disneyland:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/top-10/hong-kong-disneyland.jsp
New Year:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/events-festivals/highlight-events/chinese-new-year-celebrations.jsp

England by Nick

Hello everyone. England, and more spceifically, London, is a city renowned for its old Victorian style buildings and the bustling vibe that it has like New York, as well as being the capital of England, is a place I've always been somewhat interested in visiting. Here are three of some of the many attractions available:

Stonehenge

While the Stonehenge is not in London, it think it is definitely a site to see when in England. It is a famously bizarre and mysterious stone structure that isolated out in the countryside of Wiltshire, and has been around for presumably 3,500 years. What its purpose is, we do not know, but it is theorised to be an ancient burial site.
I believe that it is a must-see when in England due to how iconic it is.

Warner Brothers Studio tour

The tour of 'The MAking of Harry Potter' in the Warner Brother Studio, London, is considered to be one of the biggest attractions, and it's not hard to see why. The tour is filled with interactive displays, up to scale props, and replicas of the sets, including a 1:24 scale Hogwarts used in the first film. For me personally as a child, I was a big Harry Potter fan, and so this would be a very nostalgic and magical (pun 100% intended) experience.

Part of a set used in a film

Walking tours

London itself is a great city filled with fantastic architecture and buildings, such as the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square, just to name a few. London is one of the most famous cities in the world, and so simply touring through it is a great experience in its own right. There are plenty of companies you can book a tour with, or, if you're feeling independent, you can explore the city on your own. Seeing as there is no language barrier, it shouldn't be terribly difficult.

Trafalgar Square

Sources (images and information):
Stonehenge:
http://www.viator.com/London-attractions/Stonehenge/d737-a113
Warner Brothers Studio tour:
http://www.viator.com/London-tourism/Warner-Bros-Studio-Tour-London-The-Making-of-Harry-Potter/d737-t12654
Trafalgar Square:
http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/trafalgar-square-redevelopment/

New Zealand by Merita

Hi everyone! This will be my final post for the ISYS100 assignment and its about travelling to New Zealand. If you are living in Australia, its a good country to visit as its close and cheaper to visit. These are the top 3 places that I would visit while there.

1. Milford Sound

Milford Sound

Milford sound contains a deep, narrow sea between high cliffs, located in the south west of New Zealand within Fiordland National Park. Things that you can do while there include hiking and boat cruises. In the past it has been stated to be one of the top travel destination in the world.

Sources of information and images:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milford_Sound

http://www.fiordland.org.nz/about-fiordland/milford-sound/

2. Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands

If you are visiting Bay of Islands there are a range of activities which you can do while there. These include finishing, sailing or taking scenic flights around the the area. Furthermore, you can take a boat trip to discover the islands in the Bay.

Sources:

http://www.bay-of-islands.co.nz/activities.htm

http://www.newzealand.com/int/bay-of-islands/

3. Skye tower Auckland

Skye tower Auckland

Something less geographical based to visit while in New Zealand is the Sky Tower in Auckland. This tower gives a great view of the city and you can also bunny jump off the top if you like.

Source of text and image:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g255106-d256867-Reviews-Sky_Tower-Auckland_North_Island.html



Watch the following video for more places to visit while in New Zealand:

Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qys0R5YZvN8





I hope you liked my last post and thank you for reading. Merita

Things to do in Sydney continuation (part 2) by Nick

I don't think I need to put much of an introduction here, but I'll briefly mention that living is Sydney all my life has given me experiences with many of the things you can do here.

Beaches

Australia is famous for its beaches, with many different beaches in Sydney that are all worth visiting at least once, and this is coming from someone who doesn't really like beaches. The reason why I didn't name a specific beach is because there are so many in Sydney that you can visit, such as Bondi, Manly and Dee Why beach. Each location has restaurants and stores nearby, and there is great weather almost all year round for the beach. The only problems are of course safety at the beach--general beach and swim safety applies--, and getting to the beaches themselves, which can be somewhat confusing for some people.

 

Bondi Beach

Taronga Zoo

Located near the harbour, in the suburb of Mosman, Taronga Zoo is the main and most popular zoo in Sydney. Taronga Zoo is very large and has a great range of animals, including native Australian animals such as koalas, which makes for a great trip to any non-Australians who would liek to see them. A zoo is also in general just a great place to spend the day, especially if you're travelling with children. Many different shows are held during the day in different parts of the zoo if you want a more structed visit, or you can just roam around and do whatever for a more relaxed time. There is over 4,000 different animals at the zoo and over 20 shows a day, so there's plenty to do.

 

Bird show at Taronga Zoo

 

Vivid Sydney

Vivid is a light festival that ran for 3 weeks from May 22nd to June 8th this year, and runs every year. Sydney Harbour is decorated with light displays made by various artists and designers, and spans all the way to the Rocks (as far as I'm aware). Some of the displays are interactive and the event is free, and there are even displays on the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Crowds, however may be an issue, and many roads are closed during the event. It should also go without saying that this event cant only be observed to its fullest at night.

 

The Opera House during Vivid, 2015

 

Image sources:

Bondi Beach: http://sydneycitytour.com.au/blog/entry/the-world-famous-bondi-beach.html

Taronga Zoo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taronga-Zoo-before-bird-show-pano.jpg

Vivid: http://hhhhappy.com/6-events-to-check-out-at-this-years-vivid/

Dubai by Merita

Hi everyone this next post will be about Dubai. Dubai is one of the most popular and visited city in the United Arab Emirates. It is well known for its luxurious style and contemporary buildings. These are the top 3 places which I would visit while there.

1. Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab

This well known building has become the most iconic image of Dubai. This building is a hotel which has been referred to as the worlds most luxurious hotel. Even if you do not plan to stay at the hotel you could simply go to any of the restaurants inside or even just look at it from the outside.

Source of information and image:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Al_Arab#/media/File:Burj_Al_Arab,_Dubai,_by_Joi_Ito_Dec2007.jpg

2. Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall

Dubai is well know for this shopping centre as it is the largest shopping centre in the world. Not only is it a place to shop, but it also contains a range of other attractions inside including Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

Source of information and image:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dubai_Mall

3. Dubai Dessert Conservation Reserve

Dubai Dessert Conservation Reserve

Something more traditional and part of the 'Old Dubai' is the Dubai Dessert Conservation Reserve. Visiting such place gives you an opportunity to look at the sand dunes, Gazelle and the wild life Orek. A must do activity there is to have dinner at the desert.

Source of information and image:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g295424-d811036-Reviews-Dubai_Desert_Conservation_Reserve-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html

For a more detailed information about places you can visit in Dubai, watch the following video:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPOO1Coe2DI

Hope you everyone enjoyed this post and look forward to reading you comments. Merita

Things to do in Sydney: continuation, by Nick

Hello. This post is somewhat of a continuation of a previous post by Merita on the things to do in Sydney. I'd like to reiterate the fact that living is Sydney all my life has enabled me to see and experience most of the main attractions Sydney has to offer, particularly within the CBD, and once again, near the Darling Harbour area. For tourists and visitors, it goes wihout saying that the CBD and Darling Harbour are definitely the places to go when is Sydney, as not only is it home to the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but an abundance of other great things to see and do, even for people who live in Sydney and just want a day out.


Sydney Aquarium

The Sydney Aquarium has been a place that I have always loved, ever since I was a child. It's a totally relaxing and surreal experience with a variety of different creatures from the oceans near Australia. Exhibits can be viewed from many different angles, getting visitors as close to some of the magnificent creatures as possible, through glass tunnels, massive 'windows' and more.

  

Glass tunnel underneath shark exhibit

The aquarium is also right next to Wildlife World in Darling Harbour, if you're more into furry land animals.


Art Gallery of NSW

For anyone with an interest in art, the Art Gallery of NSW is a fantastic place to visit, with a great range of artworks and exhibitions that are changed on a regular basis. Classical, modern and traditional Aboriginal art can be seen as part of the variety of the artworks in the gallery. The gallery is located in The Domain, so it is a little bit away from Darling Harbour, but it is open most of the time, all year round, with free entry.

IMAX Theatre Sydney

The IMAX Theatre claims to have the worlds biggest IMAX screen, and watching a film there is a great experience and just another thing to do in Darling Harbour. The films screened at IMAX are usually in 3D and with an educational or documentary style approach. This combined with the sheer size of the screen and sound systems makes for an impressive show.

Image Sources:
Sydney Aquarium: http://dlrphoto.com.au/sydney-aquarium-grey-nurse-shark/
Art Gallery of NSW: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Gallery_of_New_South_Wales
IMAX: http://www.nolanfans.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=15634&start=10

Germany by Merita

Hi everyone! This post will be about places in Germany that I want to visit.

The following are the top 3 places that I want to visit while in Germany.

1. Erfurt

Erfurt is located in the state of Thuringia and there are many cultural sightings that I want to visit while there. This city holds large historical value with historical figures such as Martin Luther living and studying there. This town is well know for it medieval type architecture with a range of antique shops to visit while there. Another main attraction of the town in the new theatre and the old opera house which present traditional pieces with modern twists. 

City of Erfurt

Source of information and images:

http://www.hotel-gartenstadt.de/en/erfurt/ 

2. Rheinsberg Palace

As mentioned previously, Germany is well known for its medieval type of architecture, so if you are interested in this type of architecture Rheinsberg Palace is the place to visit. This was originally build during medieval times but it was reconstructed in a Renaissance style. Therefore, you get to see some medieval aspects of the building and also Renaissance style incorporated into it. If you want to visit this palace it is open all days except Mondays and see the following link for additional information.

Rheinsberg Palace

Source of information and images:

http://www.eupedia.com/germany/rheinsberg_palace-guide.shtml

3. Berlin

Finally, a place that I defiantly will be visiting while in Germany is its capital city Berlin. This is the place that I would probably spend the most time visiting as you can observe the historical culture while still experiencing other contemporary aspects of Germany. Some places to visit include the Great Berlin Wall, point Charlie, Reichstaggerbaude (the parliament building), and the Potsdam gardens. 

Berlin

Source of information and image:

http://www.mypartytravel.org/germany/german-tourist-spots/


Hope you guys enjoyed this post and if you have any suggestions of places that I should visit within Germany let me know.

Thank you for reading!

Canberra by Nick

Hello again, despite the long break between posts, I, Nick, am back.
In this entry I will be posting about Canberra, a place which I visited on the Labour Day long weekend, and many other times in the past.

Canberra is the capital of Australia, located inside the state of NSW. Because Canberra is the capital, it is of course filled with a variety of attractions. Two of the main attractions are the Old and New Parliament House.

Parliament House

Now, if you're a politics fan or interested in Australian political history, these are both great places to visit. You can book a ticket to watch question time in the house of representatives and see real politics in action (yay).
But to anyone who's not very interested politics, you may find these places somewhat uninteresting, as most of the time, nothing much of relative interest happens.


While I was in Canberra, I also visited the Floriade festival, an event held in spring from the 12th of September to the 11th of October.

Floriade is a flower show, with activities targeted towards young children, such as small festival rides and paintable garden gnomes for $15 each. Once again, unless you have a great interest in florestry or have young children, this event is rather uninteresting, as personally I found the floral displays to be dull, with many of the flowers dying (that may be attributed to the extreme heat on the long weeked, however). Nothing was particularly noteworthy.
Note, my cynicism of the event and Canberra as a whole is porbably biased as the very hot weather made the mostly outdoors trip un-enjoyable.

Floriade, on a nice day

Note that there are plenty of other worthwhile things to do in Canberra, and Canberra itself isn't that bad of a place.

Photo Sources:
Parliament House: http://excursionsforschools.com.au/index.php?link=canberragallery
Floriade: http://www.anglicare.asn.au/site/testing.php?task=detail&id=0056

France by Austine

Hey guys!


Let me tell you about a place I've always wanted to visit - France. In high school, I studied the French language for 4 years and I really enjoyed the culture and the language itself! Such a beautiful looking city, what more is there to love? There's lots of life and ambiance within the streets with epic scenery. The food is definitely worth a try too! (I definitely would try snails, would you?) The history behind France is also so detailed and interesting, which is a huge reason why I want to spend some time there.

Specifically, there are 3 places I would definitely love to visit if I want to visit France.

1. Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower is the main tourist attraction in Paris, and for good reason! At 324 meters, it was the tallest man-made building (until the Chrysler building was built in 1930) in the world. Lots of couples and loved ones always take photos in front of this magnificent piece of artwork and I am definitely going to visit here some day.

Along with the Eiffel Tower, there are also some really amazing shows including Fashion Week, which is widely popular around the world. Click the following link to find out some more fun facts about Paris!
http://www.thelocal.fr/20150203/ten-facts-you-definitely-didnt-know-about-paris

2. Nice, France

Beaches! Sun! Ice cream! Nude beaches! Does this all sound enticing to you? (Perhaps not the last one, but you never know) Nice is filled with glorious sunshine and friendly locals (according to online reviews) which is something I am very, very fond of. I am a beach person myself so I am incredibly keen to visit this place.

3. Lyon, France

Lyon is known for its' history and fashion scene. So here, I would definitely want to go shopping and see the historical buildings. It also has many lovely cafes where you can sit down (or take a break from shopping). It's a highly regarded neighbourhood and is the final place I'd like to visit, when I visit France.

As unfortunate it is to say, this will be my final post for this project for ISYS100 in 2015. I've had a blast writing these articles and I hope you liked them too.
Thanks for your time, 
Austine

Photo sources:
1. Paris, France: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Tourism-g187147-Paris_Ile_de_France-Vacations.html
2. Nice, France: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/greentravel/2223322/Flight-free-Riviera-Nice-guide.html
3. Lyon, France: http://www.tntmagazine.com/travel/world-travel/gallic-retreat-48-hours-in-lyon---things-to-see-and-do

Night Noodle Markets, Sydney by Austine

The Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park, Sydney

Hey guys! It's that time of year again where the annual Night Noodle Markets occur in Hyde Park, Sydney. One of the most iconic night-time markets filled with lots of Asian-inspired food and desserts comes together in this extravaganza of a month in October. 

Personally, I love the atmosphere that comes with the entire festival and is a major reason why it is a must-thing to do/see if you're around in Sydney! 

A genuine favourite Asian cuisine of mine is certainly dumplings and the Night Noodle Markets are definitely stocked to the brim with them! Specifically the Din Tai Fung stand which had reasonably priced steamed dumplings which I personally bought plenty of them hehe.



Another wonderful Asian dish they had at the markets were in the Taste Of Shanghai's tent. It was called "robot-made" ramen as it was all made with bustling, robot-like speed. And to be honest, it tastes home-made! It wasn't too salty and it was nice and warm. 

The Night Noodle Markets run from October 8th - 25th in Hyde Park, Sydney.

• Monday - Tuesday 5pm-9pm
• Wednesday - Thursday 5pm-10pm
• Friday 5pm-11pm
• Saturday 4pm-9pm
• Sunday 4pm-9pm

This was such a fun place to take friends and I even shot some videos which will be uploaded on an upcoming project. So stay tuned!
Thanks for your time,
Austine

New York by Austine

New York, New York!

So, the ultimate destination is New York. One of the most fabulous cities in the world and one of the most activity-filled cities too. Around every corner, there is a story and there are lots of wonderful little cafes and restaurants to discover. An important part of New York is certainly the museums and the history that comes with it.
I have been lucky enough to travel to New York with my parents when I was 16 and it's definitely safe to say that I was in awe the entire time.

There are 3 locations which I really enjoyed and these are:

1. Central Park
2. 9/11 Memorial
3. Radio City Music Hall Tour

So, without further adieu, here is my review!
1. Central park

So, Central Park is the first ever man-made park and one of the largest parks in the world. It's definitely a little bit scary during the night but it is genuinely so beautiful during the day. Having a bit of nature right in the middle of the city is a well-made choice. In the park, you are able to get carriages and be carried around by horses for a fee. You can also rent little canoes and have a little sail in the lake within the park. It's completely free to go for a run or jog and to take pictures around the area.

2. 9/11 Memorial

This is a truly humble and respectful place to visit in New York. The entire place was quite ominous and quiet but the entire area was appreciated. The fountain was surrounded by bronze plates and they bear the names of the 2,977 people who were killed in the attacks in New York, Washington and rural Pennsylvania. The names of the 6 people who were killed when a truck bomb exploded in the parking garage under the twin towers in 1993.


3. Radio City Music Hall Tour

Out of all the tours I went on in New York, this would have to be my favourite. I think it's because I have a bit of a soft spot for musicals and theatres hehe. The tour lasts for roughly 2 hours from what I remember and we got to have a glimpse of everything. From back stage to the costumes the actors/actresses wore during their performances. A truly magical experience! Would highly recommend this tour if you want something simple to do that doesn't require a lot of walking. Even the bathrooms were kept pristine and old-fashioned after all these years!

Thanks for reading my post!
Until next time,
Austine.

Photo Sources:
1. Central Park: http://veja.abril.com.br/blog/cidades-sem-fronteiras/
2. 9/11 memorial: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/29/us/new-york-911-memorial/
3. Radio City Music Hall: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g60763-d110164-Reviews-Radio_City_Music_Hall-New_York_City_New_York.html#photos

Austria by Merita

Hi everyone! This next post will be about Austria and the reasons why I want to visit this country in the future.

Austria is a country favoured by many tourists due to the Austrian alps, culture and architecture. Its capital city, Vienna, is a place definitely worthwhile visiting while there.

Austria's location

In this post I will provide the top 5 things that I want to do while visiting Austria.

1. Historic Centre of Vienna

The historic Centre of Vienna is filled with architectural buildings created throughout the centuries. Such buildings include the ones showed on the image bellow as well as other castles, gardens and parks. This place is best explored in foot as there is limited traffic and it is easier to enjoy the view while walking.

Historic center of Vienna

Source of information and image:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1033 

2. Schoenbrunn Palace

TripAdvisor rates this Palace as one of the top 3 places to visit while in Austria. This historical place is surrounded with different gardens and parks filled with plants and flowers, but what attracts tourists the most is the building itself. From observing the design of the building both inside and out you can see that this place is filled with Austrian history and culture.

Schoenbrunn Palace

Source of image:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g190454-d194165-Reviews-Schoenbrunn_Palace-Vienna.html

3.Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Named after the highest mountain in Austria, this road makes the perfect opportunity for a road trip. With beautify scenery it provides the best photographic opportunities and it leads to the Hope Tauern National Park. 

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Source of text and image:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grossglockner_High_Alpine_Road

4. Ischgl-Samnaun ski area

If you are visiting Austria in winter and you are interested in panoramic places like the one mentioned above, Ischgl-Samnaun ski area is definitely a place to visit. The resort not only provides and opportunity to ski and learn how to ski but there are also other things to do there such as going to concerts.

Ischgl-Samnaun ski area

Source of text and image:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g608670-d2513586-Reviews-Ischgl_Samnaun_ski_area-Ischgl_Tirol_Austrian_Alps.html

5. State Opera House Vienna

Other well known and iconic place to visit is the State Opera House. This provides the perfect opportunity to watch several concerts for those who enjoy classical music. However, the building is not always open to tourists therefore, it is advised to book in advance for concerts so you do not miss out!

State Opera House Vienna

Source of text and image:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g190454-d194164-Reviews-State_Opera_House-Vienna.html

Hope you enjoyed this post and thank you for reading.