This poisonous spider, which grow up to 2 inches in length, is particuarly aggressive and can jump up to 18 inches to attack its prey. Experts are warning that the unusually damp and warm Australian winter has lead to a bumper number of funnel web spiders especially around Sydney.

If you are unlucky enough to get bitten by one of these nasty spiders, be aware that the advice is to go directly to a hospital to be administered an antivenom. Their venom induces vomiting and convulsions and can prove fatal without treatment.

Firstly, it makes it cheaper. Even just knowing some numbers and the phrase for ‘too much’ drastically improves your bargaining power.

Secondly, it’s polite. You get treated much better and with less suspicion if you greet people pleasantly, and even if you can’t then take the conversation much further, most would appreciate the effort.

Finally, it can lead to some amazing experiences. One such time was in Mexico, when a tour guide we’d been chatting to all day (in our best Spanish!) invited us all back to his house for a party he was hosting. The night included a feast of roast pig, bottles of local tequilla and an impromptu guitar session! We left later that evening, slightly worse for ware, having mixed with the locals and sampled something you can’t easily find on the well trodden tourist path - an experience of true local life.

Most Australians I know see it mainly as a day off, a good a reason as any to have a few beers and a barbeque - the Australian national dish! My preferred way to spend Australia Day would be out the back of a pub in a large beer garden with a good group of friends.

Around the country there are a few parades, bands, and races of various kinds. Also it is common to see flag raisings and local citizenship ceremonies, welcoming new immigrants into Australia. I found watching people taking the Australian Citizenship Pledge surprisingly moving - and you can do it whilst relaxing in the park - even whilst having a beer!

By far the biggest ceremonies and events take place in and around Sydney. This is because Australia Day commemorates the “first landing day” or “foundation day” in 1788 when the first fleet arrived at Sydney cove. Australia Day, in other words, commemorates the founding of New South Wales, so it is unsurprising that it is more warmly celebrated there than in the other states. The main events include the Sydney Regatta, events in Darling Harbour all day (best dressed vessels, gun salute, fireworks in the evening) and a free outdoor Jazz concert – Jazz on the Water – that often has fantastic bands and singers and is definitely worth a look if you’re around there.

Australia Day is also seen as a “day of mourning” or protest by Aboriginal groups, the “anniversary of the Whitemen’s seizure of our country”. In response to this there have been various attempts to make Australia day more inclusive, but this tension continues.

That said I recall the time I was travelling across the South Island New Zealand in a campervan. On the way to Glacier Country a stop off at The South Westland Salmon Farm in Paringa had been recommended by another traveller. That hunk of smoked salmon on toast consumed in the back of our campervan was the best meal we had eaten for 2 weeks and well worth the rationing that followed!!

What’s backpacking without the occasional indulgence…

In 2002 the deadly bombing of the Sari Club at Kuta beach by the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah killing and wounding many tourists and locals alike badly damaged the image of an island paradise, but Bali remains a deservedly popular destination, either for a short stopover beach break in Kuta, or a longer trip taking in the cultural sights of Ubud, Bedgual and the mountainous regions to the north. Here is a ruthlessly short list of personal highlights.

Kuta - Shop and eat

Most of the guesthouses and cheap eateries cluster around Poppies lane, and this is as good a place as any to start. Grab a banana smoothie, and watch the world go by. Then, when you’re bored of that, wander the streets and haggle over the price of a sarong / necklace / carved wooden ornament. Then eat some more. Go to the beach. Then go back to your guesthouse, get changed, maybe play some cards, then go out. Repeat.

Ubud - Cultural centre

1. Treks and cycling trips - there are many cycling tour companies, or walks, that you can do around and about Ubud, taking in traditional paddy fields, coconut trees and surrounding villages and art galleries.
2. “Homestays” – an interesting thing to do in Ubud is to stay inside a family’s compound. You are accommodated often in a small separate ‘outhouse’ while the family carries on with their daily life right in front of you, rituals, ceremonies, food preparation, artwork, all going on. This can provide a fascinating insight into the traditional Balinese way of life.
3. Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) – Many menacing looking animals and demons carved right into the rocks above a cave – dating apparently from around the 9th century. Beautiful surrounding gardens. Make sure you cover up (covered legs and shoulders) as it is a sacred site.
4. Monkey Forest – There are hundreds of monkeys everywhere you look, roaming freely in and around this forest, temple and cemetery dedicated to them. Very strange, cool, but be careful – they can bite (and steal your money)

Lovina

Beautiful black sand beach – a more “upmarket” end of Bali, it’s quieter than Kuta, but still with some budget options.

Batur/Kintamini

Ever wanted to sleep beside a lake, inside a volcanic crater? Here’s your chance!

We got the ferry out mid afternoon. It was hot, no shade anywhere. At the ferry port in Isla Mujeres a smiling, short plump Mexican grandmother offered us a room.

The apartment was airy and comfortable. After a quick discussion on price, we happily accepted, and as soon as she left we clambered into our swimsuits and dashed down to the beach for the last of the sun.

We took a swim in the sea as the sun was setting over the horizon, and then from one of the beach shacks we bought our first frozen margerita of the evening, and toasted the perfect end to a great day.

So what to see?

Depending upon your budget here are some Lazyshark suggestions on how to spend your time and Hong Kong dollars whilst you’re there:

Money to burn?

Get a suit made - Ask around, ask in your hotel or any locals that you meet, there are always tailors around who will whip you up a suit/10 shirts/a beautiful evening dress quicker than you would have thought possible.

Climbing/Sailing - If you are interested in Rock climbing, Hong Kong is a fantastic place to indulge in this sport, the many small islands that form this archipelago offering apparently some of the best climbing in the world. Similarly, it’s a great place to splash out on a boat trip for a day or two, a beautiful way to explore and a welcome break from the craziness of HK central!

On a shoestring?

Star Ferry to Kowloon - To bag yourself the best pictures of Hong Kong island skyline, get the ferry to Kowloon either early morning or after dark.

Peak Tram up Victoria Peak - This used to be better a few years ago before they built all the shopping arcades etc (Madame Tussauds, anyone?!) at the top of Victoria Peak, but the views from the top are still great and you can walk around the back to some poorly maintained paths that make for a good walk back down the peak. (don’t forget to take some water with you though - it’s further than it looks!)

Stanley Market -This is a very touristy market these days, but the locals still go there to eat Dim Sum or Noodles. The atmosphere is great for a wander, and if you are needing anything from Bird cages to Silk dressing gowns it’s a good place to start. (even if you just go to find out the “price” before going to a less touristy market to haggle)

Hong Kong Museum District - This purpose built area contains several museums that are laid out in landscaped grounds, the collections change frequently so worth having a look to see if anything is on that might take your fancy.

Monasteries and Temples - There are a few, fairly modern temples in Hong Kong, of which I enjoyed the Wong Tai Sin Temple (lots of steps!) and the Po Lin Monastery. (the journey to get out there was a bit of an adventure in itself, involving tube, ferry then bus, but a beautiful place and worth the effort)

Temple Street Night markets - Great place to check out for an evening bite to eat and some late night shopping.

1. Sydney, Australia - One of the world’s best New Year street parties is meant to take place in Sydney, so it was with great disappointment that I discovered that I was rotared to be working….until midnight! Naturally no-one would swap with me, and so my New Year in Sydney was spent working in a packed A&E unit; then cheering the New Year in with the various drunks in the waiting room before dashing down to the beach to catch the end of the night. Apparently the fireworks that year were legendary!

2. France - Millenium in rural France staying in a friends parents idyllic country farm property. Massive meal followed by a walk to the nearest town where we met a load of locals and ended up partying the night away back at the cottage. Entente Cordiale!

3. Glasgow - Spent a New Years Eve here during my student days. Pub crawl in central Glasgow followed by the Tunnel club until the wee early hours. Remember having to walk about one and a half hours home at 5am - no joy flagging any cabs down… Then crashing at a friends flat - 12 people squashed into a tiny space. Found a spot in the airing cupboard floor!!

4. Trafalgar Square, London - Saw the New Year in at one of London’s iconic landmarks some 15 years ago now. Sadly was a bit of a damp squib as it was before the days of fireworks and other organised visual celebrations. Just remember being herded into the packed square, freezing cold with no drink to toast the moment. Then no-one really knew when midnight came so there ended up being loads of sporadic mini celebrations across the square. Not one of the greatest places for seeing in the New Year but it was a great party before and after 12 midnight!!

5. Mendoza, Argentina - One of the most unusual, but beautiful New Year celebrations I have enjoyed was spent in the Argentinean wine growing region of Mendoza. We hired bicycles and cycled around the various Estancias on New Year’s Eve to ’select our favourite wine’, enjoying the experience so much we forgot which was our favourite and had to go back for seconds! New Years Day was spent eating large amounts of beef at the famous Argentinean ‘Parillas’ - the best barbeque I have ever tasted, all washed down with lashings of the local Malbec…