Completed the Seven Continents of the World

Pinoy Solo Backpacker journey to complete sightseeing the Earth's Seven Continents
2010 to 2019 #lakbaySevenContinents

Completed My Personal Choice of Seven Natural Wonders of the Philippines

Sightseeing the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

Completed the Seven New Wonders (Man-Made) of the World
#lakbay100 Quest Completed (2010-June to 2019-July)

Geologically, the continents largely correspond to areas of continental crust that are found on the continental plates. A continent is defined as a large unbroken land mass completely surrounded by water. The seven continents are North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. The island groups in the Pacific are often called Oceania, scientists consider them the remains of a continent.

Lakbay Seven Continents of the World beyond #lakbay100

Lakbay Seven Continents of the World beyond #lakbay100

Continent: Spectacles of Australia / Oceania (visited 6 of 14 Countries)

exploring the world's best tourist spots on a Filipino style budget backpacking

"Being lost in Australia gives you a lovely sense of Security" - Bruce Chatwin

Interesting Facts about the Continent of Australia / Oceania;
1. The term Oceania is often used to denote the region encompassing the Australian continent and various islands in the Pacific Ocean that are not included in the seven-continent model.
2. Australia is the largest island and the smallest continent in the world.
3. Australia is the 6th largest country in the world in terms of land mass.

Continent: Spectacles of Australia / Oceania (visited 6 of 14 Countries)

COUNTRIES OF AUSTRALIA / OCEANIA (6 of 14 = 43%)
1	Australia	4	Marshall Islands	7	New Zealand	10	Samoa	13	Tuvalu
2	Fiji	5	Micronesia	8	Palau	11	Solomon Islands	14	Vanuatu
3	Kiribati	6	Nauru	9	P. N. Guinea	12	Tonga

Budget Solo Day Trip in Cairns for Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling

6 Days Budget Solo Trip in Samoa - Cairns - Papua New Guinea

January 25 to 30, 2019

Solo Day Trip in Apia, Western Samoa

2019 birthday adventur​​e goes to my 4th spot on Seven Natural Wonders of the World :)
2013 - Mt. Everest in Himalayas via EBC trekking
2018 - Rio de Janeiro Harbor via Mt. Colorado trekking
2018 - Victoria Falls via Zambesi River water rafting
#livealifeyouwillremember #lakbay100  

Day 3: January 27, 2019 Sunday
1415H ETD Sydney SYD; flight VA1421
1620H ETA Cairns CNS UTC+1000H; Return Shuttle to Hostel 28; Caravella Backpackers; Indonesian meal 18; beer 9
Total: 55 AUD

Day 4: January 28, 2019 Monday
0700H Shuttle pick-up 6; Cairns Marlin Marina, 'A-Finger', Berth 18
0730H-1730H Compass Cruises Great Barrier Reef Day tour; breakfast 5; snorkling photo 25
1st time snorkling and its above the World's Natural Wonder, another live a life I will definitely remember on my birthday. 2 hours very fast cruising; seasickness at its worst!
2019 Birthday adventure - snorkling above the World's Seven Natural Wonder :)
Budget Great Barrier Reef Day trip for non-swimmer, my 4th on Seven Natural Wonders of the World #cairns #australia #greatbarrierreef #birthdaytreat #livealifeyouwillremember 
walk to central; chinese massage + souvenirs 52.5; dinner 15; Esplanade walk to Caravella Backpackers 
Total: 103.5 AUD

Day 5: January 29, 2019 Tuesday
0845H ETD Hostel; shuttle to airport
0920H ETA Cairns Airport
1145H ETD Cairns CNS UTC +1000H; flight PX93

Solo Day Trip in Cairns for Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling

6 Days Budget Solo Trip in Samoa - Cairns - Papua New Guinea

93rd and 94th on my continuing saga to accomplish the #lakbay100 journey
January 25 to 30, 2019

My 73rd solo backpacking trip, 4th and 5th country to visit in Australia and Oceania continent, 94th country visited on my journey #lakbay100, 5th continent on my list and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.

Samoa is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It is part of the region of the Pacific known as Polynesia. Its population is around 185,000 but many more Samoans live outside the country, particularly in New Zealand, Australia and California.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Samoa

In more modern times, Papua New Guinea (known popularly as 'PNG'), the eastern half of the island of New Guinea (which is the second largest island in the world), was divided between Germany ('German New Guinea') and Great Britain ('British Papua') in 1884. The Dutch had West Papua, now the Indonesian territory of Papua.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Papua_New_Guinea

6 Days Budget Solo Trip in Samoa - Cairns - Papua New Guinea (souvenirs)

Sydney City Tour last part; the Harbor and others

4 Days Solo Trip in Winter Australia (Melbourne & Sydney)

June 08 to 11, 2018

Sydney City Tour 2nd part; Inside the Wild Life Zoo and Sea Life

Just like how I planned the Melbourne City walk tour, I stayed in 790 on George Hostel which is around 50 meters away only of Sydney Central Station. From this hostel, I started the rounds to Hyde Park, St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Tower then to Darling Harbour, where the Wild Life Zoo, Sea Life Sydney and Madame Tussaud's are located. After that,navigating the George Street for the The Rocks Area, Harbor Bridge and of course, the signature landmark of Australia, Sydney Opera House.

Sydney is known as the Harbour City. It's the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia with an enviable reputation as one of the world's most beautiful and livable cities. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, Sydney's set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. Long-term immigration has led to the cities reputation as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in Australia and the world. The city is also home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on this planet.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Sydney

Sydney City Tour last part; the Harbor and others

Sydney City Tour 2nd part; Inside the Wild Life Zoo and Sea Life

4 Days Solo Trip in Winter Australia (Melbourne & Sydney)

June 08 to 11, 2018

Sydney City Tour 1st part; At the Sydney Tower and in Madame Tussaud's

I availed the 4 attraction pass costs 75 AUD that composed of entrance fee to Sydney Tower, Madame Tussaud's, Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Sea Life Aquarium Sydney. I started from 0900H in Sydney Tower, then walk towards the Darling Harbour where other three attractions are located. I finished at around 1300H, long queuing made the time longer.

Wild Life Sydney Zoo features interactive displays, entertaining daily keeper talks and enhanced walk-through habitats. Step into an animal adventure and meet your favorite iconic Australian animals - meet koalas in Gum Tree Valley, interact with Ringo the wombat in Wallaby Cliffs, loop to kangaroo walk-about, platypus pals and huge saltwater crocodile in Kakadu Gorge. 

Here at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium they love the oceans and the amazing creatures that live in them. The park is compose of South Coast shipwreck, Jurassic Seas, Sydney Harbor, Dugong Island, Shark Valley, Penguin Exhibition Discovery Rockpool, Clownfish Garden, Bays of Rays, Art Aquarium, Great Barrier Reef and Reef Theater.

Sydney City Tour 2nd part; Inside the Wild Life Zoo and Sea Life

Sydney City Tour 1st part; Sydney Tower and Madame Tussaud's

4 Days Solo Trip in Winter Australia (Melbourne & Sydney)

June 08 to 11, 2018

Melbourne City Tour last part; Inside the Old Gaol

I availed the 4 attraction pass costs 75 AUD that composed of entrance fee to Sydney Tower, Madame Tussaud's, Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Sea Life Aquarium Sydney. I started from 0900H in Sydney Tower, then walk towards the Darling Harbour where other three attractions are located. I finished at around 1300H, long queuing made the time longer.

Sydney Tower Eye - often referred to by Sydneysiders as Sydney Tower, Centerpoint  Tower, AMP Tower, Westfield Tower or Sydney Skytower, was opened to public in 1981. Sydnet Tower is the tallest building in Sydney and stands 309 meters tall from bottom to the very tip of the spire. 

Revel in the unique atmosphere of glamor, fame and history at Madame Tussaud's Sydney and go on an interactive star-studded journey through the world of music, sport, culture, film and much more!

Sydney City Tour 1st part; Sydney Tower and Madame Tussaud's

Melbourne City Tour last part; Inside the Old Gaol

4 Days Solo Trip in Winter Australia (Melbourne & Sydney)

June 08 to 11, 2018

Melbourne City Tour 1st part; Sightseeing the Streets

Melbourne Gaol closed in 1924 but briefly reopened during World War II to house military detainees - mainly soldiers who were found to be Absent without Leave. From 1972, the cell block has been opened as a museum managed by National Trust of Australia. The Gaol's system of punishment and reform was based on two foundations - silence and separation. Most prisoners began their time in gaol in solitary confinement on the ground floor. 

How to Go to Melbourne Gaol;

Melbourne Gaol is located in Russel Street near State Library Victoria and Carlton Gardens. Entrance fee costs 28 AUD, tour time can take 1.5 hour including the Watch House Experience. Photography and Video taking is permitted.

Melbourne City Tour last part; Inside the Old Gaol

Melbourne City Tour 1st part; Sightseeing the Streets

4 Days Solo Trip in Winter Australia (Melbourne & Sydney)

June 08 to 11, 2018

Introduction to Australia and Arrival on Melbourne Airport

I intentionally stayed in Nomads All Nations Hostel since this area is very strategic for both the tourist spots and Southern Cross Station. In the morning, I started the walking in Flinder Street passing by SeaLife Aquarium, Skydeck 88 and Immigration Museum. Upon reaching the Federation Square, I continue navigating the St. Kilda Road passing by St. Paul Cathedral, Yarra River, National Gallery of Victoria, Shrine of Remembrance all the way to St. Kilda Beach and Pier. I went back by walking again St. Kilda Road then to Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Museum.

Melbourne, at the head of Port Phillip Bay, is Australia's second largest city and the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria. Serving as Australia’s undisputed cultural capital, Melbourne is bursting with Victorian-era architecture, famed cafés, great bars and restaurants, extensive shopping, museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens. Its nearly 5-million residents are both multicultural and sports-mad, and the city has year-round festivals, sporting events and the best of Australian culture on display.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Melbourne

Melbourne City Tour 1st part; Sightseeing the Streets (Hosier Lane)

How to Apply for Australia Visitor E-Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

an adventure of Pinoy backpacker in processing travel documents

general info:

* The Australian Embassy encourages Philippine passport holders to apply for a Visitor (Tourist) visa online

* If you are granted an online Visitor visa (subclass 600) you do not need a visa label in your passport. Instead, you will be sent notification of the grant of your visa to your nominated postal or email address. Please keep this notification as it describes the conditions that apply to your visa.
* Processing time is 21 to 31 days.
* Visitor Visa (subclass 600) conditions; you must not work while you are in Australia (visa condition 8101) and you are only allowed to engage in up to but not exceeding 3 months of study or training while you are in Australia (visa condition 8201).
* Visa duration is 1 year from the date of grant
* Length of Stay is 3 month(s) from the date of each arrival, multiple entries

Granted Australia Visitor Visa applied online (2018-2019)

4 Days Solo Trip in Winter Australia (Melbourne & Sydney)

sightseeing Melbourne and Sydney's best tourist attraction

June 08 to 11, 2018

"That might have a lot to do with it, but you know, I probably don't show fear, but I suffer from fear like everyone else. - Steve Irwin"

My 58th solo backpacking trip, 67th countries visited so far, 4th continent on my list and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research much for this country as I planned to concentrate on sightseeing the cities by foot only.

Australia is sixth-largest country by land area and world famous for its natural wonders and wide open spaces, its beaches, deserts, "the bush", and "the Outback". As Australia is in the southern hemisphere the winter is June-August while December-February is summer. The winter is the dry season in the tropics, and the summer is the wet. Australia has strict quarantine requirements regarding importing animal and vegetable derived products (any food, wooden products, seeds, etc). 
https://wikitravel.org/en/Australia

timezone - UTC +0800H to +1000H      capital - Canberra      
language - English                                currency - Dollar (AUD) 1 USD = 1.35 AUD
visa - Philippine passport holders need to apply first before travel

4 Days Solo Trip in Winter Australia (Melbourne & Sydney)