Hello, Tourism Australia? I would love to help your cause.
I'm sure this isn't news to any Aussie, but Australia rocks. And it takes some serious travelling around to appreciate how amazing our wonderfully brown country is. Mind you, I didn't even have the best experience possible (being cooped up in a rental car with no tinting in a country with the most prevalent rates of skin cancer worldwide isn't fun), but I'm still amazed at how uniquely beautiful Australia is.
So, why should you come to Australia? Let me count the ways
1. Kangeroo Island is gorgeous, with bounteous wildlife and amazing scenic locations. Which you may find in many places in the world... but how many places offer completely deserted roads that stretch for kilometres on end where you can drive at 160 km/h? [not advocating this at all, but just saying, for all you speed maniacs out there]
2. Alcoholism is alive and rife. You can't walk two kilometres in Australian civilisation without stumbling into some 'cellar door'. Our wine industry is in a glut, which means that you can buy excellent wine for amazingly cheap prices. Better still, company is the best part of drinking... you know how they say when you drink alone you're surely going to be an alcoholic? Well, in Australia, you don't have to drink alone. Rest assured, at any particular time, 40% of the Australian adult population (or more!) is drinking with you ;)
3. Honey. Australia has so much of it, you may as well swim in it. Honey has some amazing nutritious properties and it tastes divine (Australian honey tastes particularly divine. Cup Gum honey tastes like butterscotch sauce). And I also learnt a few things during the trip. I always knew you shouldn't heat honey beyond room temperature, and microwaves are a definite no-no, but did you know that you aren't suppose to consume honey with a metal spoon? Apparently, the honey and the metal react to negate the honey's nutritious properties. So use plastic!
4. Australian water. Well, at least water in Sydney and Victoria. I always wondered why people didn't drink more out of taps in Australia (and in other places I visited where the water was of drinking quality). And after visiting Adelaide, it is apparent that sometimes water ain't that tasty. Come to Sydney! Our tap water is clear, fresh and refreshing! (Better stll, take a hike in the Victorian wilderness, or some place in the bushland. The water there tastes better than anything that you can ever bottle).
5. Seafood! Japan might be the number one destination for yummy fresh seafood... but d'you know where they get their seafood from? Yup. Australia. If you're feeling extravagant and feel like eating lobster, eating the lobster in Australia is the best way to go... because it's the freshest! Australian oysters are also great to eat [and safe to eat!]... and most of all, Australian ocean trout and salmon... yum.
[There's more than five... but they're the five that won me over.] :)
Once again, Happy New Year! I can't believe the first day is almost over!