Gold Coast (Schoolies)- The VLOG !

Introduction:

As the final post of our blog, the team here at quicktrek have decided to do something out of the box. We've decided on making a group vlog to detail one last location on our bucket list.....The GOLD COAST !

Synopsis:

"In the outskirts of Sydney, 4 teenage boys are planning their trip to Schoolies to celebrate their end of exams. Having no luck themselves, the confused teenagers visit Quicktrek travel agency to seek advise. Watch the video below to see what happens next !!

Video:

Credits:

Introduction: Emerson Brown

Subtitles: Alex Silvino

Music and Special Effects: Sargunn Sahota

Ending Credits: Lawrence Pan

Editing: Ranuli Athauda

Peru - a sight to see!

Peru

Machu Picchu

Introduction:

Peru is home to the Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu. The countries filled with archaeological sites and it's capital Lima holds important collections of pre-Columbian art.


Things to Do and Places to Visit:

Machu Picchu

A visit to this amazing place is a must for all visitors! This beautiful place holds immense history and still manages to hold it's beauty many years on!


Islas Uros:

This unique floating island is a must see for all visitors! It has been created entirely with the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake.

Islas Uros

Places to Eat and What to Try:

Isolina Taberna Peruana:

This restaurant offers rich and authentic food. It's been rated 4.6 from all locals and visitors making it an amazing quiet and cosy restaurant that everyone should visit!


Food to Try:

Ceviche:
This dish of raw fish marinated in lime juice is a popular local food. The best place to try this would be in Lima as it is close to the ocean!

Ceviche

Things to Look out For:


Safety: Exercise a high degree of caution in Peru because of the significant levels of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times, and monitor the media and other sources about possible new security risks.

The Place to Stay:


Palacio dek Inka: This is a luxury collection hotel located very central to everything with easy access. The hotel has everything to offer from pools to spas!

Airfare:


Flight to Lima from Sydney for one adult as of 15th October is around $2100 with LATAM Airlines.


Overall Opinion:


Peru is an amazing place with lots to offer! However, it's not a suitable destination for everything, caution and a decent fitness level is needed when travelling to this country.

Overall rating: 4/5




(all info sourced from:

https://www.whereverwriter.com/typical-foods-in-peru/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/cultureist/5-of-the-best-places-to-s_b_5378616.html

http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/americas/south/Pages/peru.aspx

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/peru

-Ranuli Athauda

New York City - A City That Never Sleeps

Introduction:

New York, where do I begin? The place many have as their number one destination to visit on their bucket list. The place people regret leaving and the place so many can not get away from must have something truly special. The iconic city is located where the Hudson River connects to the Atlantic Ocean and is an unmissable city. 

Things to Do and Places to Visit:

Empire State Building: 
Immerse yourself in the world-famous Empire State Building's unforgettable views, located in central Manhattan, and you will not be disappointed. These views are found on the 86th and 102nd floor observatories presenting unblocked views of New York City and beyond. Whether you’re in town for a week or a day, no visit to NYC is complete without experiencing the top of the Empire State Building.




Statue of Liberty: 
The Statue of Liberty is a fantastic piece of neoclassical art situated on Liberty Island in the New York Harbour. The copper statue, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States is an amazing sight to behold for all.



Central Park: For over 150 years, visitors have flocked to Central Park's 843 green acres in the heart of Manhattan. This relaxing area is the perfect compliment to New York's busy skyscrapers and an easy place to wind down from a packed holiday schedule. 

Place To Eat and What to Try:

The Odeon:
Plenty has changed in TriBeCa since the hedonistic 1980s, but one mainstay is The Odeon, the legendary eatery that birthed downtown's brasserie scene. Decadence remains a culinary philosophy at the establishment, so slide into a leather banquette surrounded by wood paneling and indulge in a time-honored classic, like the dynamite frisée salad with lardons.


Feinstein's/54 Below:
This is "Broadway's Supper Club and Private Event Destination", a place to enjoy an unforgettable, only-in-New York nightlife experience featuring Broadway’s best entertainers and classically inspired cocktails and cuisine. The club was created by theatrical producers and designed by scenic, lighting and sound designers for the Broadway theatre community and fans. With 16 shows per week, the supper club features cuisine by a world-class chef, whose brilliant creations can be enjoyed in a friendly, stylish and exhilarating atmosphere.

Things to Look out For:

Stopping Abruptly/Busy People:
New Yorkers are constantly in a rush, walking or even running with their heads down, phones in hand, always rushing to get somewhere. When tourists stop in the middle of the sidewalk to try and configure their cell phone GPS or take a “selfie,” it is simply-put annoying and dangerous. If you absolutely need to stop abruptly, just make sure you step to the side.

The Place to Stay:

The Plaza Hotel:
A cultural oasis amid a bustling metropolis, The Plaza continues the tradition of defining luxury through unmatched five-star service, with a contemporary spirit. This timeless landmarked New York hotel defines the next generation of style with sumptuous décor, impeccable white-glove service, magnificent meeting and event space, destination dining and a world-class retail collection. 

Airfare:

Air travel from Sydney to New York is upwards of $1200 currently but varies during periods of high demand.

Overall Opinion:

New York is on everyone's bucket list for very good reasons. With the busy people rushing around the tremendous skyscrapers there is a calm centre being Central Park and night-life like no other place in the world there is a perfect balance of action and relaxation. There are endless reasons as to why to go to New York from the attractions, restaurants, hotels and many more providing New York with a perfect score of 5 stars.

Information Sourced From:
https://www.nycgo.com/plan-your-trip/hotels?types=luxury&anchor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
http://www.esbnyc.com/
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g60763-d105127-Reviews-Central_Park-New_York_City_New_York.html

-Emerson Brown

Moscow: The heart of Russia

Moscow

Introduction

Moscow is a beautiful and historic place located in the heart of Russia. Bursting with culture and life, any traveler here will make many fond memories here.

Things to do

St Basil's Cathedral

You simply cannot say you've been to Moscow without visiting this beautiful icon of Russia. Commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in 1555, it displays the uniqueness of Russian architecture through its crazy usage of colours, patterns and shapes. It is divided into into nine chapels, each one unique in its own right and sure to catch your eye

Red square

At the heart of moscow lies the famous 400m-by-150m Red Square. The panorama of this place never ceases to amaze, especially at night and at the south end of this square is the icon of Russia, St Basil's Cathedral. The Russian name for this square is 'kransnaya' meant beautiful but now it means red and both meanings apply to this wonderful and historically significant square.   

Place to eat

Hachapuri

If you want to expereince a cosy, simple meal suitable for a family or for a lonely traveller, this restaurant is for you. Experience the fullness of a Gregorian meal with dishes including Hinkali and Hachapuri! In this restaurant there are also backgammon games and a ram named Tolik who takes centre stage where you can take pictures with him and feed him. This restaurant is guaranteed to give you an excellent impression of Russian dining

Foods to try

Borsch/Borscht

This delicious beet and and cabbage red soup is the best thing to have to warm up a cold winter day. A mouthwatering combination of flavour, it is served with or without meat, potato, herbs, Russian sour cream and rye or garlic bread topped with melted cheese, this starter dish is sure to leave you feeling warm and satisfied.

Russian Pancakes

Called blini in Russian, this savory or sweet dish is the Russian take on the French crepe and is a given in most Moscovian menus. Savory blini is usually made with buckwheat and sweet blini is usually made with white flour. Common toppings you will find on blini include  smoked salmon, jams, condensed milk, red salmon, black sturgeon caviar, and sour cream

Things to watch out for: the traffic

Driving in Moscow is something that should definitely be avoided. Moscow roads are fill of traffic jams, vague road rules and dodgy lanes, the rental car system is difficult to navigate and arbitrary pullovers and bribe requests are a definite possibility. The public transport system in Russia is one of the largest in the world and is very efficient, making it a  far better alternative.

Hotel: Aquamarine Hotel

This excellent hotel at AUS $102 per night has great rooms and service which will allow you to rest comfortably and gather your energy for another day. It is located within a 15-min walk radius of multiple metro stations and is situated in a vibrant area, filled with bars and restaurants.

Airfare

As of 13/10/2017 the airfare from Sydney to Russia is $1,114.61 but watch out for better deals in other parts of the year.

Overall opinion

If you're looking for a place filled with history, architecture and life, Moscow is the city for you. Moscow will go beyond your expectations and leave you wanting more
4.5/5

-Alex Silvino

All information sourced from
https://www.expedia.com.au/Flights-Search?rfrr=TG.LP.SrchWzd.Flight&langid=3081&trip=OneWay&leg1=from:Sydney,%20NSW,%20Australia%20(SYD-Kingsford%20Smith%20Intl.),to:Moscow,%20Russia%20(DME-Domodedovo%20Intl.),departure:13/10/2017TANYT&passengers=children:0,adults:1,seniors:0,infantinlap:Y&options=cabinclass:economy,sortby:price,carrier:&mode=search&paandi=true
https://www.trivago.com.au/?iSemThemeId=6182&iPathId=86737&sem_keyword=moscow%20hotel&sem_creativeid=223456424612&sem_matchtype=e&sem_network=g&sem_device=c&sem_placement=&sem_target=&sem_adposition=1t2&sem_param1=&sem_param2=&sem_campaignid=421106704&sem_adgroupid=34302048424&sem_targetid=kwd-118883040&sem_location=9071730&cip=6112001021&gclid=CjwKCAjwpfzOBRA5EiwAU0ccN7PlKTnG8UTTrUPadC110hUxbBfGqzBp0CAH5FrvtBRWilVlZQQfVRoCkcUQAvD_BwE
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/moscow/attractions/a/poi-sig/360429
https://www.likealocalguide.com/moscow/hachapuri
http://honestcooking.com/make-russian-pancakes/https://www.expatica.com/ru/about/Top-10-Russian-foods-and-recipes_108678.htmlhttps://matadornetwork.com/trips/what-not-to-do-in-moscow/

Leh-Absolute Himalayan Paradise

Leh at Night

Introduction:
Lying deep amidst the Himalayan mountain ranges, Leh is a high altitude desert city. At an elevation of roughly 3500 metres above sea level, Leh is one of the few high-altitude desert cities in the world. Leh gets it beauty from its arid landscape and the harsh climate which results in some genuinely amazing scenery. Getting to Leh is not for the faint-hearted however, because it lies at such a high-altitude we advise any potential visitors to acclimatise to the high altitudes of the Himalayas before proceeding to Leh. Failure to do so may result in severe mountain sickness (and possibly even Death).

Things to Do and Places to Visit:
Leh Palace/Shanti Stupa:  When at Leh, one simply must visit the Shanti Stupa and the nearby Leh Palace. The views from both these places are simply astounding and deeply relaxing. Remember to take several layers of warm clothes as it gets very cold.

Shanti Stupa (Winter)

Pangong Lake: Pangong Tso is a lake which extends for roughly 134km between India and China. Its known by locals as the place where the sky shakes hands with the earth. Words cannot do the beauty of this place justice. You must visit this place. Word of caution however, is that since this lake is at nearly 5000 metres above sea level don't spend more than 25 minutes.

Sunrise at Pangong Tso

Places to Eat: Perhaps the only major disadvantage of visiting Leh is that there are no renowned eatries-due to high altitude and severe weather especially during winter when temperatures have been recorded to dip below -20 degrees. However, with that being said Gesmo Restaurant near Leh Palace can provide a yummy meal for relatively cheap prices.

What to Try: If in Leh one should aim to have Momo's. Momo's are dishes native to Tibet and Nepal and seeing the large tibetan influence in Leh, its a dish to definitely try. Momo's are like Dumplings.

Momo

Where to Stay: The Zen Ladakh is unquestionably the place any visitors should stay. Although its a bit expensive its definitely worth it once you factor in the harsh environment.

What to Watch out For:
Weather: Because Leh is at such a high altitude one can never be too careful. Ensure to pack as many warm clothes as you can, they will come in handy. Also try to acclimatise to the surroundings before attempting any road trips or day excursions, because exertion at this altitude will lead to altitude sickness and maybe even death.

Airfare: 
Flight from Sydney to Leh (Via Delhi) for one adult as of 11th October 2017 is roughly $1312.

Overall Opinion: 
Leh, a genuine wonder city- a must visit for all travel enthusiasts. However, lack of luxury accomodation or food eateries may off-put certain visitors, because of these short-comings Leh receives a 3.5/5 star rating. However-if someone isn't worried too much about food or accomodation-this rating is revised to a 5/5 star rating.

(All info sourced from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir/leh)

-Sargunn Sahota

Bali - Island of the Gods

Introduction:

If you want to spend some time surrounded by flora and fauna then Bali is your go to place. Known for it's culture and scenery Bali became the No.1 destination for Aussie tourist in 2017 and for a good reason. During the day you get to experience the historically religious temples, the beaches and by night you get to treat yourself to tropical cuisines in amazing restaurants. But it's really the vibe you'll experience that'll make you want to never leave.

Things to Do and Places to Visit:

Waterbom: Waterbom is a must-go for any Bali traveller who’s also a theme park fan. From extreme water slides like the snake-themed Constrictor to gentle lazy rivers, both the young and old can spend a fun day at this water park.

Waterbom

Ubud Monkey Forest: Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, is one of Ubud’s most popular attractions; a natural forest sanctuary that is home to a horde of grey long-tailed macaques. Besides watching playful monkeys in their natural habitat, swinging through canopies, lazing along pathways or feeding on bananas, the site offers cool walks along paved pathways through a leafy nutmeg forest.

Ubud Monkey Forest

Place to Eat:

Blanco par Mandif: Blanco par Mandif serves delicious local Indonesian food but with a twist, by offering a degustation style menu that, until now, you would be more likely to find in a French fine dining establishment. The emphasis at Blanco par Mandif is on local flavours and ingredients, and you can expect the freshest seasonal produce sourced from all over the island.

Blanco par Mandif

Food to Try:

Babi Guling: Also known as Balinese Suckling Pig, It’s one of the Island’s most famous local dish, where a pig is seasoned with local herbs and spices then roasted whole. The tender meat is served on rice with stewed vegetables, pork sausage, fried pork meat and most importantly the crispy skin.

Babi Guling

Things to Look out for:

Street Vendors: When you're a foreign tourist, you tend to have a particular way of dressing in a new country. Street Vendors can easily detect tourist and will try to hustle you for your money, keep your hands away from reach or they'll attempt to slip something on and demand payment.

Street Vendor

The Place to Stay:

Furama Villas and Spa Ubud: Stocked with loads of amenities for you like the spa, steam room, buffet, terrace and free shuttle service that will take you to where you can explore more dining, shopping and local attractions of the culturally rich area.

Furuma Villas and Spa Ubud

Airfare:

Flights from Sydney to Bali are approximately around $600 AUD, with further research you can even find cheaper flight prices at the $450 mark.

Overall Opinion

Bali is a tropical haven, full of fresh air and beautiful scenery to captivate you. You can visit temples and discover your inner self. Or visit the local markets and enjoy a little shopping spree. Maybe even go and have a bit of fun at the water parks. Bali has countless amount of activities to do day and night. Bali has a well deserved 4.5/5 stars

Information sourced from http://www.bali-indonesia.com/

-Lawrence Pan

Sri Lanka - A magic place!

Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Introduction:

Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavourful food make Sri Lanka irresistible.

Things to Do and Places to Visit:
Uda Walawe National Park: 
Herds of elephants, wild buffalo and all other animals roam free in this Sri Lankan national park as it is one of the nation's best. It's one of the best in the world for elephant watching.

Uda Walawe National Park

Ella:
Ella is a hill-country village with some of the best guesthouses there is to offer. There are many things this village has to offer from tea plantations to temples and waterfalls. Some of the best home cooked food and tea originate from here.





Places to Eat and What to Try:

Ministry of Crab: The name says it all! From everything crab, some of the best foods are offered at this restaurant.

Ministry of Crab, Colombo

Food to Try:

Fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry): As you'd expect from an island in the Indian Ocean, seafood plays an important role in Sri Lankan cuisine. Fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry) is one of the most beloved varieties of the many different fish curries available.

Things to Look out For:

Safety: All regions of Sri Lanka experience outbreaks of the mosquito-borne dengue fever. Over 80,000 suspected cases of dengue fever were reported in the first six months of 2017, a sharp increase from previous years.

The Place to Stay:

Ulagalla, Anuradhapura: It's a beautiful glass house amongst a pristine reserve. Wooden floors and airy windows make it a great place to stay! 

Airfare:

Flight to Sri Lanka from Sydney for one adult as of 10th October is around $1375 with Singapore Airlines.  

Overall Opinion:

Sri Lanka is a wonderful place to stay with lots to offer for all ages! If you're after a relaxing beach holiday or a more cultural experience, it has both options to offer.
Overall rating: 4/5

(all info sourced from:
http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/south/Pages/sri_lanka.aspx
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/cultureist/5-of-the-best-places-to-s_b_5378616.html
http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/sri-lanka-must-try-food/index.html
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka
-Ranuli Athauda