The World OverTraveling the world over does have to take the life out of your pocket book.Vol. 5 Is. 2

1

Aussie’s Top Snorkeling Spots1. Ningaloo Reef, WAAs the only fringing barrier reef on the

western side of the continent, Ningaloo Ma-rine Park houses a diverse plethora of more than 460 species of fish and 200 species of coral. Snorkelers can walk directly to the reef from the beach on the northwest cape.

2. Julian Rocks Marine Reserve (Byron Bay), NSW

More than 500 tropical and temperate species live in these shallow, crystal-clear waters atop ancient sedimentary rock. Snorkelers boast of their encounters with leaf scorpion fish, pineapple fish and white anemone fish.

3. Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserve, TAS

This Tasmanian reef includes a great variety of marine life, such as sponge gardens, kelp forests, sea dragons, fairy penguins and migrating whales. These reefs differ greatly from those of northern Australia because of the south marine temperatures and low light infiltra-tion.

4. Busselton Jetty (Geographe Bay, WA)

Calm, crystal clear Geographe Bay hous-es the longest Jetty in the Southern Hemi-sphere, stretching 1.8km into the water.

5. Thevenard Island (Mackerel Islands), WA

Lying off the coast of Onslow in the northwest of Western Australia, 10 distinct islands dot the seascape. The snorkel site, Black Flag, is only 10m deep and features large black coral trees. Sleeping nurse sharks are often seen around the islands.

6. Jervis Bay, NSWTh real attraction of this bay is the

variety of different mammals - including the playful bottlenose dol-phins, penguins, seals and whales.

7. Shoalwater Is-land Marine Park, WA

These shallow lime-stone islands lie less than an hour south of Perth. Mammals such as penguins, sea lions, and dolphins are common in

these shallow waters. Shades of light lime-stone rock greatly contrasts with the green algae that grows on it, making for a beauti-ful underwater scene.

8. Knuckle Reef Lagoon (Whit-sunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef), QLD

Giant clams, spotted fish, slow-moving sea turtles and friendly clownfish are only a few of the vibrant wildlife that you will en-counter while perusing through these reefs.

by Jessica Passananti—Editor

DownUnderDiving

Ever want to meet a traveler?

Page 2

Want to know how plan trips?

Page 3

Want to taste our coffee?

Page 6

Who owns what in the Bahamas?

Page 7

Where is G'nomie?

Page 8

The World Over Staff

Editor:Jessica Passananti

Managing Editor:Davis Wallace

Layout:Suzanne Ocsai

Photographer:Sammy X. Carter

Staff Writers: Gabi LoganDiane Bair

Sabah KarimiPamela Wright

Jennifer ChapmanRochelle Connery

The World Over The World Overtravelocity.com/two travelocity.com/two

Two years ago, we hit the road with our four kids, ages six to 14, in search of FAMILYFUN’s “Ten Family-Friendly Cities.” The result was a list of urban gems--too many, in fact, to fit in a single article. While that story focused on giants like Chicago, Wash-ington and San Francisco, we now present the rest of the story.

Although the major cities get all the ink, these smaller cities stole our hearts with their delightful mix of small-town ease and big-city personality. One of these small cities you might like to explore

on your next family getaway is fabulous Austin, Texas. Go there, and you’ll come to know what the locals know: Good things don’t always come in the biggest, fanciest packages.THE BIGGEST LITTLE TOWN IN TEXASTravel Tips for Austin, Texas”Batman would feel right at home here,” nine-year-old Connor declared to his mom, Diane, who was affixing an “Ask Me About Bats!” button to his T-shirt. But who needs a guy in a black rubber suit when you’ve got the real thing? Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. From March to October, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats swoop into the sky to feast on insects. When the bats come out, appearing like a pouf of magician’s smoke in the twilight, all eyes look skyward.Alas, during our last visit, the bats didn’t come out to play (we’d seen a gazillion of ‘em the summer before), so we flitted around town looking for other amusements. Most people think of Austin as a grown-up playground, due to its reputation as a live-music mecca. Guess what? We discovered super parks, swimming holes and a city that revels in its role as the rowdy little sibling among Texas towns.

2

Sam In Seattleby: Gabi Logan

Never Alone in the Lone Star Stateby: Diane Bair and Pamela Wright

From Seattle, it’s a 21-hour, 850-mile drive through Canada to the ferry port of Ketchikan, Alaska. As far as time is concerned, driving is the middle of the road. A flight can whisk you there in three and a half hours, or you can work your way up the coast over the course of a week on a cruise line, stopping in Victo-ria and Vancouver on the scenic voyage through the Strait of George. Which method of travel works best for you is a function of how much time you have and how much money you want to spend.

Step 1Travel by air. Choose your destination in Alaska. The major-

ity of flights to Alaska go to Anchorage, but there are airports in Homer, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kenai, Kodiak, Nome and Sitka. Fly from Seattle to Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau using a major carrier -- including Continental, Delta, United and US Airways -- and take a regional jet or prop plane to reach a smaller airport. Alaska Airlines offers up to 20 daily non-stop flights between Seattle and Anchorage in the summer.

Step 2Drive to Alaska. Calculate the cost of fuel, based on the aver-

age miles per gallon for your vehicle, before you settle on driving. The shortest route from Seattle to Anchorage is 2,265 miles via

the Alaska Highway. Round-trip, gas can cost more than plane tickets. Allow seven to 10 days to drive from Seattle to Anchor-age or Fairbanks, even though the actual driving time is about 48 hours. Bring maps and lodging information with you so you can adjust your plans along the way if you feel tired from driving or want to get in some extra miles one day.

(October 21, 2011 - Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)

Sam stands infront of the Public Market sign while in Seattle, Washington last February.

The World Over The World Overtravelocity.com/two travelocity.com/two

Planning Tripsby: Sabah Karimi

3

any federal or state courthouse or at a post office. You can also look for locations in the government listings of your phone book. You will need to pay a fee, and the passport will be valid for 10 years. To get your passport, you’ll need to provide proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization or a certificate of citizenship) as well as two

So you just got back from a Baz Luhrmann movie, and you’ve suddenly become infatu-ated with the land down under. You have no choice: You must go to Australia. However, Aus-tralia is a huge country. Don’t ruin your trip by just showing up and not knowing where to go or what to do.

If you’re an American, you can check out the U.S. State Department’s Passport Services website. American citizens can also get passport applications at

photographs.Don’t mess around with these visas. If you don’t have one, the airline

won’t let you on the plane. Also, be aware when purchasing your plane ticket that you will have to prove to Australian customs officials that you will be able to leave the country, either through the return por-tion of your ticket, or with a ticket elsewhere. It is a serious offense to overstay your visa. If your three months fly by and you find yourself wanting to stay longer, visit the Department of Immigration and Mul-ticultural Affairs.

The World Over The World Overtravelocity.com/two travelocity.com/two

Travelocity’s TENHighest Rated V

1

10

9

23

4

12

78910

3456

5

6

7

8

Paradise Island, Bahamas If the warm weather and beaches don’t draw your attention, the cultural will! English is spoken there and the American dollar equals that of the Baha-mian dollar. There are many things to do there.

Lake Titicaca, PeruThe largest freshwater lake resides in Lake Titicaca. It is a great place to fish.

Budapest, HungaryOne of the most beautiful cities in central Europe includes the romantic Danube River. There is local transportation, great places to visit, and a lot of history to study.

Houston, TexasInside of the United States so no passport is needed. Many sites to see downtown like: Reliant Stadium, Toyota Center, and Minute Maid Park.

Anchorage, AlaskaThere are colossal mountains for those who are interested in hiking/bike trails. Also there are plenty of places to fish and camp.

Cape Town, South AfricaBoasts a multitude of entertainment, ranging from outdoor activities and adventures in the sun to a roaring night life under neon signs.

Azores PortugalLocated in Azores are romantic destination, golf packages, and the Baia de Barca Hotel.

Doha QatarThe weather is hot but there are a lot of indoor things to do. For example the Museum of Islamic Art, City Centre Mall, and the Film City.

Sydney, AustraliaIt is known for the Sydney Opera House but in 2000 the summer Olympics were held there. They have many beaches, a Taronga Zoo, and a Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Kobe, JapanThere are many attractions in Kobe. Sorakuen Garden, Kobe City Museum, and Kobe Harborland.

4

The World Over The World Overtravelocity.com/two travelocity.com/two

Highest Rated Vacation Cities

1

10

9

23

4

12

78910

3456

5

6

7

8

Paradise Island, Bahamas If the warm weather and beaches don’t draw your attention, the cultural will! English is spoken there and the American dollar equals that of the Baha-mian dollar. There are many things to do there.

Lake Titicaca, PeruThe largest freshwater lake resides in Lake Titicaca. It is a great place to fish.

Budapest, HungaryOne of the most beautiful cities in central Europe includes the romantic Danube River. There is local transportation, great places to visit, and a lot of history to study.

Houston, TexasInside of the United States so no passport is needed. Many sites to see downtown like: Reliant Stadium, Toyota Center, and Minute Maid Park.

Anchorage, AlaskaThere are colossal mountains for those who are interested in hiking/bike trails. Also there are plenty of places to fish and camp.

Cape Town, South AfricaBoasts a multitude of entertainment, ranging from outdoor activities and adventures in the sun to a roaring night life under neon signs.

Azores PortugalLocated in Azores are romantic destination, golf packages, and the Baia de Barca Hotel.

Doha QatarThe weather is hot but there are a lot of indoor things to do. For example the Museum of Islamic Art, City Centre Mall, and the Film City.

Sydney, AustraliaIt is known for the Sydney Opera House but in 2000 the summer Olympics were held there. They have many beaches, a Taronga Zoo, and a Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Kobe, JapanThere are many attractions in Kobe. Sorakuen Garden, Kobe City Museum, and Kobe Harborland.

5

The World Over The World Overtravelocity.com/two travelocity.com/two6

Aussie’s Last Drop

Australians are becoming more sophisticated when it comes to the coffee we drink.We’re also keen to learn more about where the beans we’re consuming come from and how to care for them in our

kitchens, says Toby Smith of Toby’s Estate.There’s a demand for coffee education in Australia, Smith tells AAP, from those wanting to make a cup at home to those

becoming involved in the industry.He says people at home are not only wanting to learn more about espresso brewing but also the tricks of the trade.“Just the simple hints on what is good coffee, what is freshness, how old is the coffee before it goes stale, how to store it,

how to grind it .. understanding its shelf life, and then what sort of equipment they should buy.”Although many of us have always been interested in coffee, Smith says that interest among the general population is

growing.“It’s always been there but it tends to be that the volume is increasing.“The statistics have always told us that although we’re a very sophisticated latte and espresso-drinking country, a lot of

us still do use instant coffee and I think the volume of people going for fresh roasted coffee is definitely on the rise.”Another trend is the move away from large cups of coffee to smaller servings that are more flavoursome, similar to what

is in fashion in European cities.“The takeaway-cup standard has been eight ounces (227g) here and you’ll see six-ounce (170g) cups becoming more

prevalent,” says Smith.In the past five or so years, he says cup sizes have been changing in Australia.“Our drinking coffees are actually smaller than the takeaway coffees so we’re trying now to match the takeaway with the

drinking coffee.”In cafes, the serving sizes vary a lot more than they used to, he says, however this hasn’t converted to takeaway coffee.Coffee connoisseurs may also be interested to learn that our styles are changing, too.“There’s a bit more of a trend toward lighter roast coffee that is filtered. Filtered coffee per cup is becoming very popu-

lar in our shops and then you don’t drink that with milk. It’s more like your light tea; it’s bright and it’s fruity.“Lighter roast represents the coffee better, so more flavour rather than being diluted with the brewing process or milk.”Speaking of milk, Smith says although we all love a milky, well-brewed coffee, we’re also making alterations there.

Where white coffee would come very milky, it is now being served with a stronger coffee flavour: “There’s a greater ratio of coffee to milk,” Smith says.

We are so glad to have special guess Australian writer, and coffee expert, Jennifer Chapman writes a piece about Australian coffee.

by: Jennifer Chapman

The World Over The World Overtravelocity.com/two travelocity.com/two

Living Room Bedroom

7

Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy’s island was within viewing distance from the Atlantis Resort. He owns Rooster Cay (also known as Long Cay), which is about fifteen minutes away from Nassau - depending on who’s driving. We almost got a look at his mansion while we were jet skiing.

Bill GatesNo multi-billionaire’s life would be complete without a hunk of Bahamian island. Bill Gates’ portion is situated on Harbor Island near North Eleuthera, Bahamas.

Chuck NorrisA man of Chuck Norris’ kicking talent needs to have wide open spaces to work out... the Bahamas must be about perfect for him. He lives near Oprah and Michael Jordan on the same strip of island—unless he owns more that I’m not aware of...

Johnny DeppApparently, good old Captain Jack fell in

love with the Bahamas so much whilst filming Pirates of the Caribbean 1,2, and 3, that he simply had to buy his slice of the Bahamian pie. So he purchased Little Halls Pond Cay Island, which is about 60 miles away from Nassau, for a sweet $3.6 million. He now juggles his time between France and the Bahamas with Vanessa Paradis and their two children.

OprahAs aforementioned, the empress of daytime talk shows owns a piece of heaven in the Bahamas, a pristine, white mansion all to herself. She’s also been rumored to have rented other Bahamian islands for $300,000.00 a week. But maybe that’s just talk...

Michael JordanDid you ever wonder what Mike did with all that dough he got from Nike? Yes, he too, bought property near Paradise Island in the Bahamas. As we recall, his mansion is in the vicinity of Oprah’s and Chuck Norris’.

Bahamas VIP lounge?Who’s Who in the . . .

by: Rochelle Connery

Track G’nomie

G’nomie is checking out the Big Apple. Which city carries that nickname, and who do you think he’s eating with?

The World Over53544 Piccolo Ave Macadoo, VA 52224

Kendra Stanton Lee1540 Springer St.Chiaotzu, NC 84379

G’nomie read the story about the man who lost his penny in a hole and starting digging until he found it. At the end, what did he create?`

G’nomie is getting some fresh air by the StoneHenge. Who built it, and what country is he in?