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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Loved meeting the inspiring women getting their hands dirty and doing what they love for my story on Passionate Producers for @greatersydneyliving mag. Organic flowers, cheese and vegetables, many delivered to your home. Grab a copy Greater Sydney Living mag when you do your next shop. #passionateproducers #greatersydneyliving #freshproduceTurn the volume up and listen to the awesome sound of Vanuatu’s water music. These are the women and girls from Leweton Cultural village in Vanuatu. Using just their hands in the water, these girls evoked the sounds of a waterfall, boiling water, a big swell hitting a stone wall in a cyclone and landing a big fish ashore. The sound was hypnotic! I could have listened all afternoon, but it is exhausting work for them. Wow, what a privilege to watch this. @vanuatuislands @mindfoodmag #vanuatumoments #watermusicFierce young warriors in full ceremonial dress ‘captured’ us on arrival at Leweton Cultural Village in Vanuatu, escorting us into the meeting ground where we were able to convey we had come in friendship. Then we were welcomed with cultural lessons, ceremonial dances and their amazing ‘water music’ (more on the latter in next post). Vanuatu @vanuatuislands #mindfoodmag #vanuatuculture #vanuatumomentsCheck out my digs at @ratuaislandresortandspa made up of two vintage teak cottages transported from Java and Sumatra, one for the bedroom and one for the bathroom, linked by a patio. The worn and weathered timber evokes years of stories and the simple, rustic furnishings work perfectly. Swipe left to see the views from each room. The last photo is the view from my bathroom!!! #spoilt #vanuatumoments #mindfoodmag #ratuaislandresortandspaSwimming with horses is a thrilling experience! 🐎 From @ratuaislandresortandspa we rode bareback out along a sandbank, slowly sinking deeper and deeper into the water, then we turned and the horses swam through the deep water back to shore as we held their manes and floated above them. Amazing! (Only the horses who like swimming do this activity.) Check out the clarity of the water!!! #vanuatumoments #swimmingwithhorses #ratuaislandresortA cooking class may not be top of mind on a holiday in Vanuatu, but spending a few hours at @papayalococookingschool you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time learning to cook some island dishes for lunch, served with delicious sangria. The effervescent Marcus kept us entertained with endless stories (while partner Stoney tried valiantly to keep us on schedule) as we grated cassava for local dish tuluk, wrapped dolmades, and made tortellini. This energetic pair also offer a couple of rooms if you fancy getting off the grid, staying by the beach and enjoying their amazing food. Scroll through the images to see their ‘swimming pool’ and add a cooking class to your Island holiday. @vanuatuislands ##vanuatumoments #cookingclass- My Tweets
Category Archives: Thailand
Tai Chi with the locals in Bangkok
Apparently, tai chi is all about internal energy flow, but the only energy I’m channelling is nervous energy. How much of a goose (or perhaps that should be crane?) am I making of myself? But I don’t care. I feel … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Bangkok, Thailand, Travel
Tagged Lumpini Park, Sofitel So Bangkok, Tai Chi
8 Comments
Postcard of the week – National Thai Elephant Day
I’m a little late, but March 13 is National Thai Elephant Day, so I thought I’d post this picture I took several years ago at Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Chang Mai, Thailand. The centre provides a … Continue reading
Posted in Postcards, Thailand, Travel
Tagged elephant conservation, Elephant Nature Park, elephants
3 Comments
Postcard of the Week – Pullman Phuket Arcadia Pool
I’m sweltering in Sydney today. It’s over 40 degrees Celsius outside and my air conditioner is struggling to keep up. While I am lucky enough to have a pool in my backyard, I couldn’t help thinking about the gorgeous main … Continue reading
Posted in Postcards, Thailand, Travel
Tagged Hotel pools, Postcard, Pullman Phuket Arcadia, Resort pools, Swimming pools
1 Comment
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
2 Comments
Bangkok back in business
According to this report from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, as of the 3rd March the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has scaled back their protests in Bangkok, dismantling the temporary rally camps at major intersections in the city. This … Continue reading
Posted in Thailand, Travel, Travel News & Events
Tagged Bangkok, land of smiles, travel, unrest
2 Comments
Dreaming of a health resort – or ‘wellness retreat’
In my younger corporate days I used to watch older associates heading off to health farms once or twice a year. Back then I thought ‘what a waste of a good holiday’. I got all the rest and relaxation I … Continue reading
