Stephanie Brookes writes about Pejeng Kangin, a resilient weaving village just outside Ubud that has united the weavers of Bali and helped revive a long-lost artisan craft. Around 25 years ago in Pejeng Kangin Village, the women were spinning cotton, dyeing with...
The long trek to the village of Jungutan, East Bali, the site of the Karangasem World Cultural Village Festival was well worth it. I met Miliwanga Wurrben, an Australian aboriginal elder and healer, in a most unlikely place. We came across each other in the remote...
—There’s more to Bali than beach clubs and Bintang. Stephanie Brookes gets an intimate glimpse into the elaborate preparations for Galungan, a festival that reminds you of the spiritual charms of the island— Galungan is a wonderful time for the Balinese, Ibu Wayan, an...
Stradbroke Island – Island of Charm North Stradbroke Island is affectionately known to everyone as “Straddie”. Not only do you have beaches, wildlife and a chilled atmosphere but also unusual things happen on Straddie. From September to January you will see a...
It’s Friday afternoon and you’ve left work early. This well overdue weekend escape has been on your mind forever, and finally it is your time to relax. Your destination is Mount Tamborine, a mere 70 kms out of Brisbane. If you are searching for beauty and tranquility...
It’s not often a weekend in the countryside offers two free-roaming alpacas munching leaves outside your kitchen window at 6.00am. It is equally pleasing that as you step outside onto the porch at your lakeside cottage, you immediately have more encounters with...
Most tourists going to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef approach it by sea. Stephanie Brookes arrived by air. The experience was unforgettable; the beach world class. To fully appreciate the colour, diversity and pristine beauty of the Great Barrier Reef along...
A Romantic Getaway – Queensland, Australia The poet, William Henry Davies, wrote, “What is this life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare” and it is often true that we do not take the time to contemplate our surroundings. However, Crystal Creek...
