By Adam McCulloch from Forbes Traveler

Start out on the right foot - trek, hike, rock climb and more.

When newlyweds Dani and Rob Dario considered their honeymoon options, the thought of lying on a beach for a week never crossed their minds. “It kind of drives me nuts,” says Dani. Like many well-traveled couples, they wanted to celebrate their wedding with a vacation that stood out from the exotic locales they had already visited.

They decided to travel through Vietnam, Cambodia and Borneo, where they marked their union (somewhat painfully) with a traditional hand-tapped tattoo, applied using sharpened shells by the grandson of the last remaining headhunter Ernesto Kalum. “My design is a binjal flower and Rob’s is a double dog. The rhythm of the tapping tended to mask the pain,” the new bride explains.

While the Darios were happy to do much of the organising themselves, many tour companies like Abercrombie & Kent report that newlyweds are turning to them for help creating the ultimate romantic adventure. A&K guide Toby Fenwick-Wilson recalls one particularly memorable request. “The bride’s grandparents were from Kenya,” he says, “so we organised a blessing ceremony on the Oloololo Escarpment overlooking the Masai Mara and Serengeti.” The verdant plains are abundantly populated by zebra, hippopotamus, elephants, lion and leopard (thanks in part to the efforts of the bride’s mother, who set up an anti-poaching NGO in the region). “The elders from the Siria Masai clan were eager to join in. Hospitality is a huge part of Masai culture so it was an absolutely authentic experience.”

Exotic destinations like Kenya and Thailand - where an elephant safari in the Anantara Golden Triangle makes for an adventurous honeymoon - rank highly for many couples, but remote doesn’t necessarily equal romantic. No one would deny that a polar odyssey is an incredible experience, but adjoining sleeping bags isn’t exactly a formula for passion. This is, after all, a honeymoon, so a king-size bed and a modicum of luxury tend to be desirable.

Even a traditional destination can take on an exotic dimension when you add a little adventure to the picture: try rock climbing in Italy, for instance. The Rosa Alpina Hotel and Spa, in village high in the Dolomites, may have just invented Michelin-star climbing. The property’s two Michelin star restaurant St. Hubertus is the perfect culinary base camp from which to explore the region’s crags and peaks. Enthusiastic guides like “Pippo” Cola (who is also a professional chef) provide fascinating history lessons by exploring the vie ferrata (a network of suspension bridges, cable ladders and boardwalks used during the world wars).

Travcoa custom journey planner Nichole Coudayre has helped make many honeymoons special, often by adding romantic touches to an already-adventurous itinerary. She believes that newlyweds are far more invested in the experience they’re booking than the average vacation traveler. “Certain adventures, like climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, take a fair degree of preparation and that’s something that draws couples together,” she says. “Depending on the trip, they might need to start training at the gym or take up hiking or scuba diving lessons. Sharing these new experiences with each other is invigorating, and the honeymoon therefore becomes a shared accomplishment.”

In creating our shortlist of ten adventure honeymoon tours, which range from a world beach discovery tour to camel camping in India, we talked with some of the most established luxury tour operators, including Abercrombie & Kent, Travcoa and Greaves. We asked for excursions most suited to an adventure honeymoon, and excluded tours that mark the occasion simply with a bottle of champagne.

Adventure travel isn’t always easy, but, for many couples, that’s exactly the appeal. Some bond over a close encounter of an animal kind - consider gorilla trekking in Uganda - while others connect through the camaraderie an extreme adventure delivers. Many of the operators found that, in practice, it was difficult to distinguish between newly betrothed and those celebrating their paper, cotton, leather, even silver anniversaries, such was the aphrodisiac qualities of the trip they’d chosen. “A grand adventure has the potential to be a wonderful honeymoon, no matter how long you’ve been married,” says TCS vice president of marketing, Martha Wharton.

For their part, the Darios found their adventure honeymoon so affecting they’ll soon be hearing the pitter patter of roughly 100 little feet. They’ve decided to leave their jobs in Sydney, Australia and move to Cambodia to help run an orphanage. How many resort-based honeymoons have the power to do that?

http://au.travel.yahoo.com/special-features/great-australian-summer-holidays/index.html

Expedia brings back the great Australian summer holiday

With international travel currently more expensive, there has never been a better time for Aussies to rediscover their own backyard.

Australians are incredibly spoilt for choice when it comes to the variety of summer holiday options available within Australia, with beaches, islands, mountains and bushlands all in their very own backyards.

Louise Hurbert-Burns, Marketing Manager, Expedia Australia, says “Our cities too are great in summer. Apart from being less congested and more relaxed during the summer months, there are great festivals and other iconic outdoor events to get involved in. Plus, they also offer an ideal base for day trips,” she said.

“With summer just around the corner, and with local accommodation costs falling, it is a great time for Aussies to rediscover the joys of a summer holiday in their own country. Booking a local break has also never been easier, and with the internet, can save money and take literally minutes,” Ms Hurbert-Burns concluded.

Sydney and beyond

Needing no introduction, Sydney is one of the world’s most spectacular cities, with a magnificent harbour side setting and famous landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Sydney is also known for offering cuisines from every corner of the globe, a bustling nightlife and a cosmopolitan shopping experience. In summer the city comes alive with a number of festivals and events including the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race commencing on December 26, the Sydney Festival in January, Chinese New Year in January and February and the Mardi Gras in February and March.

An ideal day trip from Sydney is the famous Blue Mountains, a mere two hours’ drive away. The Blue Mountains National Park offers panoramic views from lookouts, waterfalls and a variety of activities including bushwalking, rock-climbing, swimming, Aboriginal sites and picnics areas. The Katoomba village is famous also for its alternative lifestyle, hosting many artists’ works from surrounding areas.

A three-hour drive north of Sydney is the picturesque Hunter Valley, famous for producing some of the country-s best wines and offering many other activities to enjoy such as crafts, wildlife, extreme sports and bushwalking.

For more information visit: www.visitnsw.com

Melbourne and beyond

Melbourne is world famous for its creative energy and is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Australia. The CBD is bursting with chic restaurants, theatres, galleries and one-off fashion creations as well as some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. In the summer months Melbourne plays host to the Tennis Grand Slam Australian Open, which commences on January 19.

Just north of Melbourne, Fitzroy is home to Melbourne’s bohemian culture with an edgy mix of alternative, artistic and trendy elements. To the east, Richmond is famed for its Greek and Vietnamese eateries as well as its bargain shopping, while just south of the Yarra are the stylish suburbs of South Yarra and Prahran, the city’s premier destinations for designer fashion and food. Head west to the bayside suburbs of Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and Albert Park for food markets, delis and elegant nineteenth-century streetscapes.

Phillip Island makes for a great day trip being just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, where visitors can see Australian wildlife like penguins, seals, koalas and birds in their natural habitat.

Also about an hour from Melbourne, a drive along the Mornington Peninsula could have you thinking that you have left Australia when you see rolling hills of olive groves and vineyards. Local produce is served in quaint restaurants and sold at bustling farmers’ markets.

The Great Ocean Road follows the contours of Victoria’s rugged south west coast and offers visitors one of Australia’s greatest and most spectacular coastal drives. Along the coast, seaside resort towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay offer stunning beaches as well as some of Australia’s best rainforest scenery in the nearby Otway Ranges. One of the most visited stretches of the road is Port Campbell, which has been sculpted over millions of years to form a series of striking rock known as the Twelve Apostles.

For more information visit: www.visitvictoria.com.au

Brisbane and beyond

Brisbane showcases a unique combination of the old and new where sandstone cathedrals blend with steel and glass skyscrapers. A network of grassy parks, drooping palm trees and a picturesque river reflects the sub-tropical environment of Queensland’s Capital City.

A pleasant day trip from Brisbane is to the one time rival as the site of the state capital, Maryborough, which has some of Queensland’s finest heritage architecture. The city lies along the banks of the Mary River, overlooked by the heritage precincts around Wharf Street. Today, Maryborough is widely recognised for the abundant examples of colonial and Queenslander architecture, majestic public buildings and beautiful gardens.

The Gold Coast is just an hour by car from Brisbane and hosts a plethora of beaches, rainforests, theme parks, shopping and nightlife. Carefree days of sun and beach combined with vibrant nights are what have made this place popular for many generations of Australians.

Further afield is the Fraser Coast, gateway to the world famous Great Barrier Reef, and home to pristine beaches and coral islands. The Fraser Coast region is filled with natural wonders and some of the most unique attractions such as World Heritage listed Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, with spectacular coloured sands, freshwater lakes and towering rainforests.

For more information visit: www.tq.com.au

Perth and beyond

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the sunshine, natural parklands and relaxed lifestyle of Perth. The weather is fantastic, the beaches are clean and uncrowded, and the city, situated on the banks of the Swan River, is in a postcard-perfect setting. Stroll through Kings Park botanical gardens or try the treetop walk for a unique view of the city. Lined with well-kept lawns and riverfront cafes, Perth’s skyline is especially spectacular when the city’s glittering skyline is reflected in the Swan River. Head to Subiaco for some of the country’s best bars and night life.

Visiting Fremantle (30 minutes south of Perth) is an absolute must. Situated at the mouth of the Swan River, the multi-cultural city has a charm of its own. ‘Freo’ has retained its authenticity, anything-goes attitude and creativity. Browse through crafts, clothes, jewellery and food in the bustling Fremantle Markets, or stop for a pint at a heritage pub to watch the buskers. The famous West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots Festival is on in March and the Fremantle Festival is in November, both offering great entertainment.

Just offshore from Perth, Rottnest Island is where the locals go to snorkel in turquoise water over shipwrecks in the 63 sheltered beaches, surf or fishing. ‘Rotto’ is a car-free zone, which adds to its relaxed feel. Once used as an Aboriginal prison, the island has a fascinating history, including early colonial buildings, a lighthouse and underground tunnels to explore.

For more information visit: www.westernaustralia.com.au

Adelaide and beyond

If you want to immerse yourself in South Australia’s rich arts and culture, stroll along North Terrace - Adelaide’s cultural boulevard. With more than 700 restaurants, cafes and pubs to choose from, sample the al fresco styles of East Rundle Street, try the seafood and Asian cuisine at Gouger Street, and treat yourself to some fine dining at the restaurants and cafes of North Adelaide. Adelaide, known as ‘the festival city’, has an abundance of events to be enjoyed over summer including the annual Guitar Festival in early December and WOMADelaide, the annual World Music festival held in the Botanic Gardens in early March.

The Barossa Valley, Australia’s most famous wine region, is only an hour’s drive north of Adelaide, which makes it an ideal day trip. This region was listed in October 2008 in the world’s top 10 wine destinations, alongside regions including Bordeaux and Tuscany, by the largest online travel community, TripAdvisor. The Barossa Valley is home to some of the oldest Shiraz vineyards, acclaimed Rieslings and iconic wine brands. It is a gourmet lover’s paradise with a strong cultural heritage reflected in its wine, food, buildings and people. Diverse experiences including festivals, events, the arts, bushwalking, golf, cycling and shopping can be enjoyed amongst a stunning Australian landscape of rolling hills, manicured vineyards, and closely linked towns and villages.

For more information visit: www.southaustralia.com

Hobart and beyond

Tasmania’s capital Hobart combines heritage charm and cultural diversity in a setting of great beauty. You can take in art, craft, music and theatre at Salamanca Arts Centre and enjoy the sounds of South American flutes, pub rock, street buskers, string quartets and theatrical performances whilst enjoying an alfresco meal in the quaint Salamanca Place precinct near the waterfront.

Port Arthur is only 90 minutes drive from Hobart and is a piece of the nation’s convict history not to be missed. In convict times, this is where soldiers and dogs guarded the Tasman Peninsula to ensure that escape from Port Arthur was impossible. Today surfing, sea kayaking and bushwalking are popular on this spectacular coastline.

Richmond, 30 minutes drive east of Hobart is one of the oldest Tasmanian towns and famous for its bridge, built in 1823, the oldest stone bridge remaining in Australia. You can enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage and pick up a memento from one of the many shops full of antiques and craft products. There are also cafés, old-time bakeries and restaurants.

The Huon Valley, a 40 minute drive from Hobart, retains the beauty, charm and heritage of a bygone era. Pristine rivers weave through valleys bordered by national parks. The numerous waterways provide the setting for kayaking, sailing or cruising and, for the more adventurous, whitewater rafting or jet boat rides. The area is also renowned for its produce, which can all be enjoyed at the “Taste of the Huon”, held in March each year.

For more information visit: www.discovertasmania.com

For excellent travel deals and a great travel experience, visit www.expedia.com.au

Joint effort: Robotic ankle research gets off on the right foot

Army vet demos MIT prosthesis; device is first of its kind

July 23, 2007

An Army veteran who lost part of his leg in Iraq walked with more spring in his step Monday as he unveiled the world’s first robotic ankle — an important advance for lower-limb amputees that was developed by a team at MIT.

Garth Stewart, 24, who lost his left leg below the knee in an explosion in Iraq, demonstrated the new powered ankle-foot prosthesis during a ceremony at the Providence, R.I., Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Stewart walked in the device, which, unlike any other, propels users forward using tendon-like springs and an electric motor. The prototype device reduces fatigue, improves balance and provides amputees with a more fluid gait. It could become commercially available as early as the summer of 2008.

MIT Media Lab Professor Hugh Herr and his team of researchers developed the ankle-foot. Herr, NEC Career Development Professor and head of the biomechatronics research group at the Media Lab, is a VA research investigator. He is also a double amputee who tested his invention: "This design releases three times the power of a conventional prosthesis to propel you forward and, for the first time, provides amputees with a truly humanlike gait," Herr said.

"It’s wild," he said, "like you’re on one of those moving walkways in the airport."

Because conventional prostheses only provide a passive spring response during walking, they force the amputee to have an unnatural gait and typically to expend some 30 percent more energy on walking than a non-amputee. The new ankle is light, flexible, and — most importantly — generates energy for walking beyond that which can be released from a spring alone.

This is accomplished through a device equipped with multiple springs and a small battery-powered motor. The energy produced from the forward motion of the person wearing the prosthesis is stored in the power-assisted spring, and then released as the foot pushes off. Additional mechanical energy is also added to help momentum.

Herr created the device through the Center for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine (CRRM), a collaborative research initiative that includes the Providence VA Medical Center, Brown University and MIT. The center’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals with limb trauma through tissue restoration, advanced rehabilitation and new prosthetics that give amputees - particularly war veterans - better mobility and control of their limbs and reduce the discomfort and infections common with current prostheses.

To achieve this goal, the center funds a team of researchers with expertise in tissue engineering, orthopedics, neurotechnology, prosthetic design and rehabilitation. The aim is to bring these complementary techniques together to create "biohybrid" limbs composed of biological and man-made materials - a melding of man and machine.

To meet this goal, the VA has provided an additional $6.9 million to construct a state-of-the-art rehabilitation research building that will house the center on the campus of the Providence VA Medical Center. Construction begins this fall.

"A major goal of the center is to develop artificial limbs that perform like biological ones," said Professor Roy Aaron, M.D., of Brown University, director of the CRRM. "Hugh Herr and his team have met that goal - and done so successfully. This device is a major step forward for Garth Stewart and other amputees."

Joel Kupersmith, M.D., chief research and development officer for VA, said a top priority for the department is providing state-of-the-art prosthetic care for veterans - especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. VA research, he said, is integral to this effort.

"The robotic ankle is a sterling example of how our leading-edge research improves veterans’ lives," Kupersmith said. "Up to now, prosthetic devices have not been able to duplicate the complex functions of our feet and ankles as we walk and run. The ingenious computerized design of this new prosthesis changes all of this, as it constantly ‘thinks’ and responds, allowing the person to walk or run in a more natural and comfortable way."

Michael E. Selzer, M.D., director of Rehabilitation Research and Development for VA, agreed: "Hugh Herr and his Media Lab group are well-known for their scientific ingenuity and creativity on behalf of amputees. This new technology represents rehabilitation research at its finest, and is yet another milestone in VA’s long history of outstanding achievements in this area."

What’s next? According to Herr, within the next year he hopes to get small, wireless implants into his muscles near the neuromuscular juncture, so that when the muscle contracts, the electrical impulse will send precise information to control the artificial limb. Looking longer term, Herr is working with Brown’s Aaron to determine if an implant could be used to mechanically attach the artificial limb directly to the amputee’s residual limb bone. The goal: to transmit loads directly to the bone structure of the amputee, eliminating the discomfort now experienced with conventional prostheses.

I’m back from my conference holiday in Malaysia n Singapore. A bit blues about starting back to work. I’ll let you know more later. but for now.. i’m definitely back.

ni raya kedua azah raya di Sydney. nak rasa dekat dgn mama n abah n adik2, dgn telefon je la.. nak buat camana.. dah jauh… mama ada kirim baju raya, amir pilihkan kasut raya, handbag yg sgt cantik, matching dgn kasut dgn brooch rama2 sepasang kiri kanan… (hehe.. tgk la gamba tu.. > amir)

hari raya di Sydney ni ingatkan selasa jugak, rupa2 nya jatuh hari isnin. awal sehari. tak payah puasa hari isnin

asalnya plan nak pegi Msia Hall, macam tahun lepas, tapi sebab tahun ni Msia Hall buat open house malam selasa, tak dapat lah pegi. maybe sebab sekarang still dlm semester. budak2 belum cuti.. ada kelas lagi.. so, derang buat la petang - malam. malangnya, azah pulak yang ada kelas malam. kelas azah start 4.30 ptg-9mlm. camana?

hari raya pertama tu, kelas petang tu azah ada group presentation. biomechanics case study. 40% of final mark. takleh la main2. malam dpt tau esok raya tu, telefon kak yan. kak yan n suami n 4 anak2 derang ada di Lidcombe, baru 2 bulan, buat phd. so, azah pun dijemput lah ke rumah kak yan. raya la dgn derang.. makan sate, rendang, nasi impit.. hmm. sedapnya!!

anak2 derang kecik2 lagi. aina 10 thn, wawa 7 thn, atirah 5 thn, alif 4 thn (tu la yg gamba kat main page). sume lincah2, seronok layan. wawa bacakan azah buku cerita beauty and the beast, atirah asik berkepit dgn aiskrim dia, tanya itu ini.. hmm.. sweet je.

kitorang tgk citer rapunzel barbie, lepas tu tgk citer robin hood yg kevin coastner berlakon tu. teringat kat nieza, kawan sekolah azah, yg study kat nottingham. dulu masa pergi UK ada nieza bawak tgk istana robin hood tu. sebijik yg dlm movie tu.

hehe.. lpas pukul 2, mintak diri nak balik. anak2 kak yan peluk pinggang azah.. tenggelam.. lepas tu derang kata.. "kurusnya kakak ni!!" hahaha!!! masa pakai baju kurung tak nampak kurus agaknya.. tu la.. mmg azah kalau duduk sendiri dari thn lepas lagi, berat badan turun.. tahun lepas balik kampung, jumpa mak tok, mak tok tegur.. "kecut.. cucu mak tok ni.. " sayu je bunyi nya.. takpe.. yg penting badan sihat.. tak sakit2.. insyaAllah,..kurus ke tidak tu no 2. kan?

balik rumah, salin baju, n pergi kelas. ada presentation. esoknya, ada kelas lagi… begitulah raya saya di sini… tahun ini…

selamat hari raya, maaf zahir dan batin utk semua..

hi everyone! this may be a little too technical, but I’m happy to tell you about the work I presented last weekend.

well.. I don’t want to bore you with the details, but its about the exercise machine that I’m going to develop for paralysed people.

its not so much about the research, its about the oppurtunity to meet my Malaysian friends who lives close by UNSW. Many thanks to Azleen, whom I stayed at her place for the night of the conference, and to Aan, whom I stayed an extra night after the conference ended.

The other precious thing is to be able to join everyone for ‘berbuka puasa’ in Malaysia Hall, which is just 30 minutes walk from our homes. Seronokla dpt makan sedap, n dapat join the whole Malaysian for Solat Tarawikh for the weekend.

So I went there to see the wheelchair session, supposedly I should be there 6.30am. Hahh!!! no matter how early I tried to get there, I couldnt arrive in time to see them..

I arrived later that morning and I dont see anymore wheelchair participants

But I get to see the other family fun run.. running cheerfully accross the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge through the highways and towards the famous Sydney Opera House. Yup, I guess I wasn’t too late to catch the last bits of the Wheelchair Session, but too bad, I missed it.

You can see the huge crowd, even from the bridge.. all finishing thier run at the Opera House..

… see the tiny people from far?

But, hey! It was great fun anyway! The Marathon Session went a further long way, with routes spanding all over the city of Sydney. I didn;t expect an International participation, but the winner of the marathon was a guy from Kenya!! then another Kenya!! and a Germany!! and then an Oz!! phew.. they are all  panting all right!!

The other bunch of people I suppose only did the family fun run (the one from the Bridge to the Opera House I told you?) yup.. and you can see all the happy faces, with all the medals that some of them won.

Yup, It was great fun for me, just watching them! Well, these Aussies really love sports and running!! 

LALALA….!!!!

hehe.. last saturaday i joined hanan on her welcoming picnic with her supervisor’s other students. that very supervisor has 8 students and all of them are Muslims. they are all from middle eastern countries, including 2 students from Makkah. My limited exposure of Makkah is only the ‘Haram’ - where we do our umrah , ziarah, and the whole Muslim perform our Hajj. I didn’t know there were housing.. hehe.. silly me.. of course there is!

Well, as expected, all of them are at least married without children. I’m the only single girl there. =")

The kids are really cute, especially little Dana’s sister, almost 2 years old. She is learning to step - balancing herself, and stepping cautiously. I found it really cute!

This one’s my favourite. I just love her smile and her dark hair..

So, do you find this girl cute?

Dapat la.. makan sate.. 4 cucuk 5 dollar..     lain2 ada persembahan tarian melayu, dikir barat, ulek mayang, msian student band, nyanyi lagu negaraku pun ada. supanee ikut sekali! jumpa hanan n her hubby di Dataran Darling Harbour tu,

I was in class that evening when I learned Steve Irwin died doing what he loved - mingling with animals. He was filming a documentary on dangerous animals in Cairns, when he was struck by a poisonous stingray.

Being a student in Australia, I can’t help but not feel the loss of the truly Australian icon. We never saw him without his green khakis suit. Him and his wife, Terri, and 8 years old daughter, Bindi, runs Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia. Little Bindi did a good job adorably promoting Australia Zoo on TV! She’s really cute and passionate about animals too. They have a 2 years old, almost 3, little Bob, who will grow up being ever proud of his daddy. Its a great loss to AUSTRALIA.

Irwin Was a Self-Made ‘Wildlife Warrior’

Sept. 5, 2006 — Steve Irwin may have been best known for his wildly popular Crocodile Hunter series on Animal Planet, but he also dedicated a great deal of time and earnings to wildlife conservation efforts that many people — including some of his closest colleagues and friends — were unaware of.