About Briar
Briar Jensen is a Sydney-based freelance travel writer. Her blog covers travel tips, reviews, insights and inspiration, travel accessories and gadgets.
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Author Archives: Briar's Travel Beat
Shoe shopping in Madrid
The Spanish make some fabulous shoes; quality leather, good craftsmanship and contemporary design. I know because I used to be a footwear buyer. But walking the tourist trails in Madrid, I didn’t come across a single trendy footwear store. There … Continue reading
Last weekend for Bondi sculpture walk
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, finishes this Sunday 9th November. So it’s your last chance to see the exhibits, the work of 109 artists. We visited the exhibition this week, together with some friends from New Zealand. As my girlfriend … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Attractions, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel News & Events
Tagged Bondi, Sculpture by the sea
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A cooking safari dishes up more than food in Cape Town’s colourful Bo-Kaap district
With a history as varied as South Africa’s, it can be difficult for visitors to grasp its complexities during a short stay. Even more challenging is getting a feel for how events have impacted today’s citizens. One way to get a … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking School, South Africa, Travel
Tagged Bo-Kaap, bobotie, Cape Town, Food and Wine, home cooking class
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Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi – on now
It’s on again – Sculpture by the Sea Bondi opened Thursday 23 October and runs until Sunday 2 November. I love Sculpture by the Sea – intriguing, whimsical, inspiring and challenging exhibits set against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, along the Bondi … Continue reading
Posted in Attractions, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel, Travel News & Events
Tagged Bondi, coastal walk, family fun, interactive art, Local events, Sculpture by the sea
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Stolen identity? Not this time.
I’m overcome with guilt. How could I have ever thought ill of the three lovely young girls? The problem is, when travelling you can become paranoid about thieves and scams. And so it is at Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market. Billed as … Continue reading
Posted in Bangkok, Thailand, Travel
Tagged Bangkok markets, Chatuchak market, markets, shopping, travel misunderstandings, travel scams
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Teen-friendly family accommodation on the Gold Coast
Finding accommodation that suits a family with teens can often be challenging. You want to give them some freedom and a room of their own, especially if they are older, but you also want to have them close and know … Continue reading
Au naturel is best – please don’t wrap hotel soap
Ok, I’ll be upfront, this post is a rant about a first world problem, so if you don’t care if hotel soap comes wrapped, sometimes multiple times, then you might want to switch off now. I just don’t see why … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Hotels, Travel
Tagged accommodation, environmental initiatives, hotel amenities, hotel soap, soap
4 Comments
Funny dunny signs – quirky Aussie bathroom signs
When travelling it can be the quirky little things that give an insight into the character of a place – like unusual toilet signs. To Loos Le Trek is a case in point, a hint that McCrossin’s Mill Museum in … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Travel
Tagged bathroom signs, Fraser Island, Kingfisher Bay Resort, outback, Quarantine Station, toilet signs, travel
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Escape Hunt in Sydney – if you dare
We’re locked in. It’s pitch black. I have no idea how we’ll get out. And I’m scared. Scared I won’t be able to find the clues or solve the riddles that will help us unlock the door, and along the … Continue reading
Posted in Attractions, Australia, Sydney, Travel
Tagged attractions, challenges, escape hunt, family fun, fun, games
4 Comments
Trek with Camels for Drought Relief
How about this for getting away from it all – join a camel trek from Alice Springs to Port Augusta – and raise money for drought relief by tagging along. I’ve recently come back from the Uluru Outback Fest, in … Continue reading
Briar's Travel Beat 