Freewheelings Five Best Travel Articles on Friday

The good news in that we have a wonderful lineup to keep you from whatever else it is that you’re supposed to be doing right now.  I personally encourage you to keep not doing whatever it is that you’re supposed to be doing.  You might want to make that a goal.  Stop doing all the things you’re supposed to be doing and start doing what you want to do.  You’ll feel better in the long run.

The bad news is that I’m goin’ to be a headin’ down to the blue ridge mountains in a couple days to do what I want to do.  That’s be a whitewater rafting guide on the Gauley River this Summer.  That may spell temporary hiatus for the Freewheelings Five.  It takes a lot of work to put this together.  I sift through at least a hundred travel posts every Thursday to bring you the latest and greatest from the travel blogging world.  Alas, I just don’t know that I’ll have the time this summer.

Today we’re going on a lovely trip that is going to take us from the Pacific coast of Australia to the desert metropolis of Dubai.  We’ll pop into a couple of my favorite locations in the US of A and explore the possibility of an 8th wonder of the world.  Are you ready?

Legendary Pacific Coast Drive Sydney to Brisbane Australia

With any luck this is where I’ll be next winter, wandering around on Australia’s Pacific coast.  If you’re headed that way or are looking for a vicarious road trip down under check out this insiders guide.  You bet I’ll be making a mental note each time “beach camping” is mentioned.  If any of you Aussies are reading this I’ll probably be looking for a job in this neighborhood come the first of November.  Feel free to use the contact me section above…  Post from @ytravelblog

Dubai: Desert to Dream

This one comes from @velvetescape I do have mixed emotions about the unimaginable amounts of money that have been squandered in Dubai.  You have to stop and ask yourself at some point – Do I really need to build an island?  I had to get that off of my chest.  Dubai is a unique land of contrasts and it deserves to be featured here.  It is home to marvels of technology, architecture and culture.  And who doesn’t want to have Arabian nights in the Arabian desert?

The New Orleans School of Cooking

When I’m in New Orleans the last thing on my mind is cooking school.  I like to be taken outside of my box and that’s just what this post did for me.  In fact, Kat Robinson has me pretty much convinced that the next time I hit the French Quarter this will be my first stop.  You learn more than just to cook in a Southern style, you get the banter, hospitality and philosophy.  “Use what you got. That’s the heart of Louisiana cooking. You got this recipe, you don’t have crawfish, use shrimp. No shrimp? Use chicken. Use venison. Got a garden? Use squash. It don’t have to be perfect.”  I bet it’ll be dam good though.  Yes Suh.

Photo Essay: White Sands National Monument

@technosyncratic is a new discovery for me.  This White Sands photo essay found its merry way through my twitter stream today.  When I think of home – as much as I wouldn’t like it to be sometimes – that place is New Mexico.  Look at these photos.  How could it not be?  I’m a desert dweller.  I’m not going to deny it.  Just looking at this photo I can feel the dry air wrinkling my skin.

What is the 8th Wonder of the World?

This one is from the Canadian travel think tank @travelcanucks and you had better just prepare yourself.  This is a nomination post from the travel blogging community.  You’re going to see some amazing things and get some sound arguments for the 8th wonder of the world.  I would be interested to know what you’re voting for?  I’m torn and before deciding I reckon it’ll be best to see them all in person.

That wraps up the Freewheelings Five for this week.  It may be while until we get back to the series unless someone wants to volunteer to take it over…

Check out last weeks installment while you’re here and don’t forget to subscribe.  Also, wish me luck in the Blue Ridge, would ya?