Travel & Lifestyle Blog
Have you applied for an Australian visa and its been rejected? Or maybe you’re just overwhelmed by all the options available on the Department of Home Affairs website. Either way you’re confused and need some assistance. We can help.
When most people start the application process for a visa they don’t realise what they’re getting themselves into. At Success Migration, they see this all the time.
If you are divorced and have children, family lawyers will tell you that if you wish to take them out of the country for a vacation or any other reason, then there are certain procedures and documentation that should be completed. Some of the documents you may already have, including the children’s passports and birth certificates, however, there is another which you may need, namely a Child Travel Consent Form.
Child Travel Consent Form – What Is It?
A child travel consent form is a document that can be used by parents and guardians of children to prove to authorities that a child is lawfully able to travel with them, including overseas, and has permission to do so, either from both parents or an absent parent where the child’s parents are divorced. Depending on the divorce settlement and orders relating to child custody and visitation, it may also be required to travel with a child to another state.
Whenever you plan on going on a long trip or a vacation overseas, a long list of matters must be decided upon. For many reading this, that will include the importance of what valuable jewellery you are taking with you. Checking your passport is up to date, booking a taxi to take you to the airport, and ensuring that the clothes you are taking will all fit in your luggage are important, but for lovers of their jewellery, this will take precedence.
To many people, the jewellery you take with you might be an automatic choice. That could be because you only ever wear a small range of beloved jewellery special to you, or you have jewellery which is your ‘go to’ jewellery every time you travel. However, suppose neither of those two scenarios applies to you. In that case, might be unsure how to proceed when taking valuable jewellery on vacation or a long trip away from home.
Fear not, because if you read further, you will see that we have outlined five tips we have gathered from seeking out the best advice and recommendations from those who travel often and, more significantly, from those who travel with valuable jewellery when they are away from home. These tips from jewellers give you some pointers on choosing what jewellery to take and ensure your valuable jewellery will be safe.
If you are keen to have a holiday in Bali and plan to rent one of the stunning Bali villas which are available, there could be several things that prevent you from doing so. It might be work or business commitments meaning you cannot get the time off, family matters which you must attend to, or it could be what prevents up to 7% of people from having an overseas holiday, and that is an extreme fear of flying, also known as aerophobia.
Let us first say that there are lots of people who consider themselves nervous flyers. Even people who have several overseas holidays per year admit that they get a sense of uneasiness whilst flying, especially if the plane they are on encounters some severe turbulence. However, whilst they might be nervous flyers, they can at least to can get on a plane and fly to their holiday destination.
What we are going to address, or rather who, are those whose fear of flying stops them from even getting on a plane and, as such, prevents them from booking overseas holidays, including to Bali. We cannot wave a magic wand, and suddenly, your fear of flying will disappear; However, what we can do is give you some advice that can hopefully get you closer to a point where you can fly, especially for your dream holiday to Bali.
One thing that every tourist loves to do when they travel to a different part of the world on vacation is go shopping, and if that destination happens to be Bali, then they are spoilt for choice. Bali is home to some of the most diverse shopping experiences you can imagine, with everything from traditional street markets to huge air conditioned shopping malls.
The range of products that you can purchase is also huge with handcrafted goods, local brands, international goods, and of course, the quintessential souvenirs of Bali that every tourist wants to take home. To give you some indication of the diversity of shopping destinations you have in Bali, here are seven of them.
Ubud Art Market: If you are looking for local and traditional art, carvings, jewellery, and textiles then Ubud Art Market is the place you will find them. Many of them come from local villages and prices are very reasonable. This market is referred to as Pasar Seni Market by locals.
Beachwalk Shopping Centre, Kuta: If you wish to combine a bit of upmarket shopping with some entertainment you will find them at the Beachwalk Shopping Centre in Kuta. Modern, with all amenities, it plays host to a host of brand name stores such as H&M, Gap, and Fossil. It also has plenty of places where you can eat, a children’s play area, and as for entertainment, there are dance shows and a musical fountain.
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Whilst many of us are perfectly happy visiting our local dentist at dentalosogentle.com.au for check-ups and routine appointments, the desire to do so is not so great when we need or want to have other treatments, such as cosmetic dentistry. For it might the thought of any pain which might be experienced, however, for many others, the pain is not much in our mouths, but with regards to our bank balance being reduced significantly.
Whichever way you look at it, many dental procedures are costly, and as such, lots of patients are looking at alternative ways of having dental treatments, and one which is growing in popularity is travelling abroad for them.
Known as ‘dental tourism’ what it basically amounts to is travelling overseas to a country which has high standards of dental care, but due to the nature of their economies, the cost of dental treatment and procedures is a fraction of what it costs in Australia.
There are a number of countries that might be candidates for dental tourism and for Australians, the primary locations are Thailand and Indonesia, with the island of Bali being the one that has the greatest appeal.
If you have never considered travelling overseas for dental treatment or a cosmetic dental procedure, then it is something you should give some thought to. If you are looking for reasons to justify it, then here are some which may sway your decision towards saying ‘Yes’.
Candidasa is in the remote Karangasam area of Bali. Until recently, it was very difficult and very time-consuming to travel to Karangasam due to the condition of the roads.
Visiting this beautiful, remote area used to take more than 2 hours on rough roads. Today, though, there has been a lot of development in northern Bali, including the construction of good roads. Visitors can reach Karangasam in just about an hour thanks to these new roads. It is definitely worth the trip!
This area of Bali is also growing as a tourist destination, constructing several luxurious hotels and many beautiful private villas that have been designed and landscaped by leading landscapers. Principal Landscapes. The hotels and villas are the perfect place to stay while you enjoy all that Karangasam has to offer. One area of Karangasam you should consider visiting is Padangbai which is a lovely fishing village that offers some of the clearest and bluest water and the best white sand beaches in Bali. This village can be found on Amuk Bay. Manggis is another beautiful area with the Amankila and Alila resorts which are known world wide.
Following their divorce or separation, the parents of a child have a number of matters that will have to either be agreed or failing agreement, ordered by the Family Court. For these, seeking the help of your family lawyers is strongly recommended to ensure that you, and more importantly, your child has the appropriate legal advice and representation.
Although it is an unusual occurrence, one matter which family lawyers are often asked to advise on is where a parent is in receipt of child support from the child’s other parent but then the payments stop, and the reason for that is the parent liable for the payments has gone overseas.
The immediate thought of the parent still here is that given the child support order came from a family court in Australia, that there is little that can be done if the other parent is now living in another country, where for the most part, an Australian law, family or otherwise, has no bearing.
For many laws, and legal scenarios that might be true, but the fact that a parent is now overseas despite being liable for child support payments, does not mean that the remaining parent has no recourse in order to try to get the child support payments from them.
Apart from seeking help from a family lawyer, one step which should not be regarded as pointless is to try to communicate with the parent who has gone overseas to try to persuade them to restart and continue to make the child support payments. If you are still on friendly terms with their family such as the child’s grandparents, it could be that they have some influence to bear in terms of persuading them to do the right thing.
Visitors to Kuta find that there is something for everyone. This is a world class destination that is visited by people from all parts of the world. There are elegant and luxurious Bali villas available for a very reasonable price when you compare prices on Bali villas in other parts of the country. There are also many excellent hotels available including the Hard Rock Hotel, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, Harris Hotels, Kuta Bali Hotel and the Mercurre Hotels. All of these hotels and Bali villas will allow you to feel comfortable while in a very elegant setting.
Kuta Villas
A lot of people visit Kuta to go surfing. You can get to the beaches where surfing is amazing by car, by taking a taxi or on a motorbike. However, if you choose the right hotel or Bali villa you will be able to walk to the beach. This is the best choice for people who want to surf because the traffic in Kuta is very heavy and it can take a long time to get anywhere.
A decline in the ‘quality of tourists’ visiting the Indonesian island of Bali has prompted authorities to re-evaluate their current tourist policies around temples.
In 2017, a photo of a Danish tourist went viral after she was seen sitting on top of the Linggih Padmasan shrine at the temple of Puhur Luhur Batukaru. The throne-shaped temple, according to authorities, is reserved for the most important deity, the supreme God, in Balinese Hinduism. The act by the tourist was seen as highly offensive to the faith.
After the photo went viral, the Indonesian Hindu Religious Council approached the police, asking them to track down the tourist and investigate the matter. Indonesia has strict blasphemy laws and new rules surrounding temple visits could improve the ‘quality’ of the tourists the island receives.
Tourists clambering over sacred temples are not the only problems the Balinese are trying to combat either. An influx of bikini-clad western tourists to the many hundreds of temples is being seen as disrespectful by locals. A tourist came under fire in past years, too, for wearing a bikini in front of a temple while carrying out a fitness pose for a photograph.
After you’ve finished lounging on the beach sipping cocktails then relaxing in Bali villas, anywhere else with lower temperatures will seem ice cold. After all, it doesn’t take long to acclimatise to the warm and tropical climes in Bali, soaking up the rays after being office-bound for eight hours a day.
However, now that you have experienced luxury and extremely desirable temperatures, have you ever thought about visiting somewhere on the extreme end of the scale? Here are five of the coldest destinations that are well worth a visit. They may not offer the warmth and tropical atmosphere of Bali, but they sure do offer something unique and special.
Rovaniemi, Finland
If the less than balmy “average” temperature of -12 degrees Celsius doesn’t put you off, then it might be worth a trip to Rovaniemi in Finland. While there’s no denying you’ll need to rug up – to the point of wearing all your packed luggage as soon as you arrive – it will be well worth the experience.
In Finland during the winter, you may be cold, but you will be rewarded. Visiting in the middle of winter offers plenty of Christmas-like festive fun, while the possibility of seeing the Aurora Borealis is also another draw card as well.
Rogers Pass, Montana
If you weren’t already daydreaming about travelling to Bali and relaxing in Bali villas or poolside, then the thought of freezing your extremities off in Montana, United States will encourage it. Believe it or not, some of the coldest temperatures you will ever experience are only a short trip away to the United States.
Even if you have been saving for years to be able to relax in Bali or see what the world has to offer, it’s still nice to be able to save a little money where you can. When you’re a tourist to a new country, it can be a challenge to know whether you’re getting a good deal or not, which is why doing your research beforehand can help. Aside from being aware of discount offers and the best websites for accommodation, these five tips below may be of assistance as well.
Consider Home and Pet Sitting
If you’re in desperate need of a holiday, but your budget doesn’t stretch to flights as well as accommodation, then why not consider being a house and pet sitter? There is an abundance of websites with people looking for reputable house sitters and pet sitters to take care of their precious possessions while they are away. The best part is, it doesn’t cost you a cent – saving you thousands in accommodation.
Know When to Book Flights
No one is a mind reader when it comes to booking flights. Therefore, there is always going to be a time when you book a trip then find out it is several hundred dollars’ cheaper the next time you look. Whether you’re booking one return flight to get you to Bali villas and back, or several for a world trip, it’s a good idea to do your research on flight booking tips.
According to CheapAir, you can save a significant amount of money if you book four months or three weeks before your holiday, and on a Tuesday or Wednesday. In most cases, Friday, Saturday, and Monday tend to be the most expensive days to fly.
It’s a great idea to travel overseas, explore different cultures and see how other people live. Often people just travel for fun and to see the world. However, if you intend to go into places where English is not the main language, it’s important to follow some tips to make your experience a positive one and ensure the time spent is not wasted.
If you were thinking the cost of an overseas holiday would be too much, there are many ways in which you can save. The biggest cost factors on holiday travel are for the travel fares, the accommodation and the food. If these three biggies can be reduced in some way, your holiday suddenly becomes much more affordable. And this applies to holidays in Australia, not just overseas.
Here are 10 tips to help reduce the cost of holidays.
If you want to delight the kids with an overseas holiday, Bali has many unique adventures suitable for kids and adults alike. Participating in these fun outings with them will guarantee to ensure a fun time for all with no chance of being bored – and you won’t need to hire a babysitter. Settle into your villa and start to enjoy.
Here are some of the great places in Bali that kids will love.
Whether you are going to your favourite holiday island such as Bali or another tourist destination there are certain things you can do to save money, if you just know about them. Most people are on some kind of a budget, so finding ways to save is something they look forward to. If you save money you might even be able to add a day or two to your holiday.
Here are some ways to save on the cost of an overseas holiday
Once they’ve settled into their luxury villas, many holidaymakers choose to rent a scooter to get around because there is no public transport. They don’t realise the driving rules and conditions are completely different from most other places such countries as India, China, Japan and even Indonesia. It may seem easy to ride a motor scooter too, but if you’ve never done it, Bali is not the best place to learn.
Here are some do’s and don’ts for riding a scooter in Bali.
Do’s
There are many things to do and see on holiday and all of it is interesting, especially after you’ve recovered from your jet lag in that nice, luxury villa or hotel room you rented. If you wanted to do something exotic after you’ve checked out all the best spots to surf in Bali and want something a little less touristy than visit temples and see monkeys, consider booking into an educational workshop. There are many of these in Bali ready to educate you on how to do any number of amazing things.
From having perfect weather the entire year and miles of sandy beaches, the reasons for visiting Miami are endless. In the lovely sandy beaches, visitors enjoy sipping their wine or mojitos to make the stay unforgettable. But there is more to Miami than relaxing on the lovely sandy beaches.
A trip to the Everglades will provide you with a perfect opportunity to meet or even feed the great American alligator. It will be a moment to remember for the rest of your life. Here are more places that you should visit when traveling to Miami.
The Everglades Safari Park
Whether using an airboat or a buggy, you can whip through the Everglades to get the best shot of the alligators in their natural environment. Make sure to wade from a safe distance. You can experience the fierce alligator fights as they try to control various territories or even pet the babies. The park is also full of other wildlife, and it will be an invaluable place to visit.
The Zoo Miami and Jungle Island
The design of the Zoo Miami and Jungle Island was meant to give Miami residents and visitors a taste of the wilderness. The management ensures there are as many animals from the entire world for people to see and learn. While the Tiger is Native to the mountains and jungles around the Himalayas, you do not need to book a flight; simply visit the Miami’s Jungle Island. Other animals you can experience in the Jungle Island include the Lemurs, howler monkeys, macaws, zebras, and giraffes.
Alaska, the northernmost state of the United States is famed for its unique wildlife and scenic beauty. Travelers enjoy sharing the same environment with the polar bears that roam far and wide from the Artic to Alaska. As a holiday destination, Alaska provides a separate experience from other regions in the US regarding culture and climate. To get more from this 49th state of the US, here are five must-do things.
The famous Riverboat Discovery is a three hours cruise journey through the rivers of Alaska. The trip takes visitors to the heart of this great state and introduces them to communities that have made Alaska their way of life. On the trip, you enjoy bush floatplanes taking off, visiting the home of the famous Iditarod winner, Susan Butcher, and her famous sledge dogs doing their thing.
The boat ride cannot be complete without experiencing the ancient Athabascan Indian culture. The expert tour guides will take you to the Chena Indian Village to get a slice of the Alaskan history. You will be surprised to learn how much Alaska has developed while keeping its history intact. It is the surest way to go native and be part of the great history.
The Chena hot springs are famous for their healing capabilities and beautiful aurora borealis, especially in winter. The natural spa creates a unique connection to nature that will have an impact in your entire life. While some explain that a dip into the hot springs is magical, the appreciation that the water has been heated by the hot rocks deep in the earth makes one appreciate the greatness of nature.