Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

If you been to Dubai then Abu Dhabi is the spin-off city to Dubai.  Dubai seems more happening and things to do, but definitely you must see Abu Dhabi when in Dubai.  I went separate times and I love both these cities.  Abu Dhabi to me seems more like home and a lot quainter then Dubai.  Like Dubai; Abu Dhabi is exceptionally clean and safe.  I was so impressed with the hospitality in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi is incredibly easy to get around.  I stayed at the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel.  It was connected to the airport by a short walk, and if you are here on a very short trip like I was, then this hotel is the perfect stay.  Exceptional, immaculate hotel, with lots of amenities. The food was outstanding and so was the staff.  You can get all the transportation you need at this hotel because of it’s easy access to the airport, which makes it a convenient hotel also.

If you prefer not to take a taxi, you can take the A-1 Bus and that will take you to all the main locations within Abu Dhabi.  The A-1 Bus has many stops along the way, so I am sure one of your destinations will be on the list. Right outside the airport at Terminal 1, the buses come every 30 minutes.

When in Abu Dhabi head on over to Corniche.  The Corniche is one of the famous tourist spots in Abu Dhabi, not just because of its location, but because of the beautiful greenery with cafes and restaurants dotting the shoreline.  There is a public beach area and also a family area for those who like to bring their kids for some playtime on the beach.

Corniche is eight kilometers long which makes it a great if love to run, stroll or cycle. The beachfront is beautifully well-kept and there are numerous shops in the vicinity.  If you love to watch the sunset then this is the place.  After I seen Corniche, I walked down to see The Emirates Palace which is located at the southern end of the Corniche   I arrived here in the evening, and it was all lit up and even the water fountains were raining with beautiful colors.  Must see Emirates Palace when here and don't forget the Marina Mall. 

Sydney, Australia

Stunning Sydney !  I particular love relaxing at the harbor.  The Circular Quay area, in my opinion, is very much the definition of Sydney for most part with the Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Museums, Botanical Gardens, all in close proximity of each other.  Just like the Rocks ( an absolutely must and most visited place in Sydney) expect to spend a full day around this area to see as much as you can.

I was in Sydney for just a couple of days, and I totally love animals and definitely wanted to see the koalas bears and kangaroos since I was a child, so I decided to head on over to the Wildlife Sydney Zoo.  It was a very nice but small zoo, and if you want you can have your picture taken next to the koala bears.  One suggestion is to buy your tickets on the website and then can enter regardless of the timing on your ticket, you just need to go on the date you book to enter on only.  Just show the reply on your mobile and in you go.

If you love architecture and high-end shopping then stroll on over to the Queen Victoria Building.  The QVB one of the better shopping complexes.  The building is amazingly beautiful and I strongly recommend taking a stroll just to capture the beauty of the architecture.  These were my favorite and a must see in Sydney if you are only there for a few days.  All sites are within walking distance so you can hop on foot to all the sites and get a little exercise.  Happy Hopping :-)

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne has a really quaint, old-time feel to it.  I started with the Royal Botanical Gardens for a stroll in the morning.  It's a great place to unwind and relax.  Thousands of plant species from all around the world are in this garden and this is a must see if you love nature.  From the gardens I would then walk along the Yarra River to Federation Square. It is a lovely walk, and if you love to walk then I recommend walking, get some exercise, explore nature, and skip the transportation.

Federation Square is the hub of Melbourne where you will find all the cultural attractions, events, and other tourist experiences.  Here you will find restaurants, bars and specialty stores galore ! So stroll up to Federation Square for all the main attractions in the central Melbourne area.  I stopped by to see what all the craze was about Saint Paul's Cathedral.  This Cathedral is stunning and I can see why all tourist were coming and going inside this cathedral.

Across the street is the famous Flinders Street Station, and right outside from the station is the City Circle Tram and it is free.  There are many other stops to jump on the free tram also.  It is a nice way to see the the central city of Melbourne.  You must experience a ride on this heritage tram, so jump on-board for that nostalgic feel.  There is an audio playing during the entire time that provides details of city's major attractions such as; the City Museum, Parliament House, Federation Square, and the Melbourne Aquarium, just to name a few.

My highlight of my Melbourne vacation was going to the Old Melbourne Gaol, meaning prison.  I love this stuff, and with a degree in Criminal Justice, this is right up my ally.  Walking through this historic prison you can go in the cell rooms of the many cellmates from through-out Australia and other countries around the world where they were found guilty of some crime in Australia.  They have documentation in each cell of whom was housed their and what was their crime.  After your walk through they have a police officer that takes a group through a reenactment of life as an inmate during that time and a tour of the history of the prison.  That's all for now and a good day mates :-)

Auckland, New Zealand

You can’t beat Auckland when it comes to stunning beaches, beautiful parks and tons of walking trails, the whole area is a nature lover’s paradise.  Get outdoors and discover magnificent scenery and all the wildlife galore.

If you really enjoy scenic views and walking, then you will really enjoy your visit to Auckland.  It passes over many of the city’s best panoramic views and some of it’s best parks.   I walked most of the time to all my destinations when I arrived, except for heading to the Auckland Zoo which was quite a distance.

Mission Bay is a must, and a popular resort.  From the main city point, Voyager Maritime Museum, walk Quay Street which leads into (changes) to Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay, and it is only about a one hour hike.  The scenery is gorgeous and it hugs the coast along the harbor with breathe-taking views along the way.

Just for relaxation head to Aotea Square in downtown Auckland.  It’s a large open triangular plaza surrounded by the historic town hall.  Aotea Square is considered Auckland’s civic heart, with theaters and concert halls.  There’s also an intriguing arch-type sculpture in the middle of the square (pictured below).

There are so many outside things to do in Auckland, the list goes on and on.  I just seen a few major sites and one of them was the Auckland Zoo, that is a must.  I have posted pictures of the main sites in Auckland I have seen.  Pack some good sneakers or hiking shoes on your visit, your feet will thank you for it.  Happy Hiking :-) 

Delhi & Sonipat, India

I love the cows so much, they put a big smile on my face.  Awesome day petting, feeding and loving the cows.  Gaushala in India, February 2014.