Alistair Smith has discovered the wonders of Azerbaijan. This former Soviet state proved to be a surprise package. It's now a modern oil-rich nation with a rich cultural heritage that blends with modern architecture.
Photo: Alistair Smith in front of fiery volcanic roadside in Azerbaijan
Read Alistair's story published in New Zealand Herald: 
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/azerbaijan-the-destination-you-never-thought-to-visit/2AOJI4CBY5E4FDUQN6NR6TNEZU/

Oil-rich Azerbaijan is a surprising mix of culture and modern architecture - Alistair Smith

We have more food, wine,  lifestyle and travel stories from our team tonight.  Our correspondents cover a range of interesting destinations too, from Victoria to Bali, from China to Spain, plus Georgia and British Columbia in Canada.
If you want to get in contact, email: info@travelwritersradio.com
We'd love to hear from you with your comments, your suggestions, or perhaps you are a journalist who would like to be part of our team.
Thanks for listening.

What's New On Travel Writers Radio April 2 -Helen Hayes & Graeme Kemlo

The very latest from Travel Writers Radio covers food, wine, lifestyle and travel from our team of professional reporters and broadcasters.  Now in its 11trh year on air, Trasvel Writers Radio team members produce and present their independent and authentic stories from around the corner and around the world with No AI and No BS - that's a promise.
To get in contact email: info@travelwritersradio.com

What;s New on Travel Writers Radio April 9 -Helen Hayes & Graeme Kemlo

Another day, another drop in the stock market in a year in which the travel industry was feeling so bullish having rebuilt that sector following the COVID pandemic and with a quick stroke of his felt pen Donald Trump has 	flushed it all down the toilet. Billions of dollars have already been lost from Superannuation accounts here in Australia. But there have been some interesting developments over the past week as the real impact of the tariff announcement starts to bite and we will cover some of them both good and bad later in the show. Listen to Senator Adam Schiff address a joint sitting of both houses of Congress.
Photo: Wikipedia- Washington HandsOff Protest

$Billions Impact of Trump Administration Actions On All Of Us Including Travel

Maybe we're over-sharing but Helen Hayes was asked at a recent writers' festival whether she had suffered any travel disasters in her career as a traveller.  She asked Graeme Kemlo the same question and now you will all discover our most embarrassing moments on the road. 
We did offer for anyone who cares to share that you could email your story to info@travelwritersradio.com and we'll share the best one on air (we have a book to give to the best one)

Travel Disasters We've Suffered -Helen Hayes & Graeme Kemlo

Our Melbourne-based reporter Alistair Smith is certainly someone who has been known to take the road less travelled and we benefit from some of the unusual destinations he chooses to visit.  This week he speaks with Graeme Kemlo about his cruise north of Australia to Papua New Guinea, in particular the sites of Australia’s military engagement in Milne Bay and Rabaul where there’s still evidence of the World War II campaign to defend against the advancing Japanese forces.  Alistair spoke with Graeme Kemlo. 
Places mentioned in the interview: Kokopo War Museum; Bita Paka War Cemetery; 
Milne Bay port is Alotau/
https://papuanewguinea.travel/milne-bay-province/
www.enbtourism.com
Alistair's Website is: www.WeAreRealWriters.com
Photo: Alistair Smith - Tank at Milne Bay.

Reporter Alistair Smith on Veteran Tourism To Milne Bay and Rabaul PNG

Well that’s our theme for #Worth1000Words and this week’s image is from Graeme Kemlo who recently visited a magnificent building in Pattaya Thailand. 
Our Tuk-Tuks arrived atop a hill north of Pattaya City to find a large crowd, but in the distance with the backdrop of the Gulf of Thailand – it looked a bit like a battleship made of wood. It is the SSanctuary of Truth.  On closer inspection and wearing a hard hat since it was under construction we descended some stairs to the clifftop. It looks like a very different temple, but is not a religious site but a museum that includes a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and other philosophies and mythologies. Commenced in 1961 it is still a work in progress,  made entirely of local timbers using no nails at all,. Yet it soars 105 metres into the air with cathedral ceilings inside.
We think it is definitely #Worth1000Words

#Worth1000Words Graeme Kemlo At Sanctuary Of Truth Pattaya Thailand

Brent McKean doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk as the editor of a bi-monthly magazine, Great Walks and now as editor of his group’s first hardback coffee table book about Australia’s greatest coastal walks.  Graeme Kemlo, who in his youth was known to hike in Victoria’s high country, but has since hung up his boots, enjoyed the chat with Brent, even learning that Australia has its own Camino trail.
Photo by Grent McKean with new book - Great Coastal Walks Australia
More information or to subscribe to the magazine, go to: greatwalks.com.au

Choosing Australia's Greatest Coastal Walks, Editor Brent McKean speaks with Graeme Kemlo

Kristin Henning continues her deep dive into the culture and food of Valencia Spain. Kris identifies the best places to eat and explains why Valencia is also a design center and a European Green City. After our chat, you'll find a link to her detailed post about Valencia on Travel Past 50.  https://travelpast50.com/find-top-things-see-and-do-valencia-spain/

Kristin Henning's Deep Dive Into Valencia Part 2

Last week Alistair Smith explained perfectly why he chose to go the long way around, rather than speed the main highway from Melbourne to the Gold Coast. And giving himself four weeks on the road instead of a couple of days proved fruitful as he was free to explore interesting stops along the way. He continues his story tonight – a story you really could use to do your own round about adventure where you’;re in the outback but you never leave 		the bitumen.This week he turns south heading for Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Photo by Alistair Smith

Alistair Smith's Long Way Around The Outback to Gold Coast -Part 2

So why are we seeing lless cruise ships in Port Phillip Bay and at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, a great location for access to the city by public transport.
The truth is that Donald Trump is not the opnly government leader who uses the tariff to generage revenue,  In December 2023 the Victorian state Government levied with little notice a 15% tariff on cruise ships in a move they said was to help improve the facilities at Melbourne’s heritage cruise terminal, Station Pier..  Graeme Kemlo reports.
ImageL Cunard's Queens

Is Melbourne Bidding Bon Voyage To Cruise Ships After Tariff Hike -Graeme Kemlo

Interviews, reviews, features and news from the Travel Writers Radio Show, produced by PALAT - the Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers - our international network of food, lifestyle and travel journalists  and broadcasters.  Now heard live every Wednesday 5-7 pm (AEST) and Saturdays 1pm to 3 pm on Melbourne's J-AIR 88 FM; online at www.j-air.com.au  and on SoundCloud. 
Email us: info@travelwritersradio.com

Oil-rich Azerbaijan is a surprising mix of culture and modern architecture - Alistair Smith

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