Stereosonic is a festival for the lovers of house/dance music, short shorts, warm weather and most of all fun.

In 2009, international house dj’s Deadmaus and Fedde Le Grand will be headlining the festival and are sure to put on a fantastic act, as they are two of the highest demanded dj’s in the world. No doubt Fedde Le Grand will have you ‘putting your hands up for Melbourne, cause we love this city.’ As well as international artists, Australian dj’s, Andy Murphy, Grant Smile and John Course also have the chance to display their talents to a crowd of around 30,000. The Bloody Beetroots will also be playing for those who like a more hard type of dance.

Many party goers think stereosonic is the best festival, ‘I love stereo as the day has a great vibe, everyone is there for a good time and I really enjoy the rides!’ Erin D’amato said. As well as other music festivals stereosonic provides 3 or 4 rides on the day for that little bit of extra fun.

Stereosonic is the first of many music festivals over the summer, and one of the most popular- so if you aren’t already going why not? These aren’t the type of things you can really go to when you are older- and if you did it would never be as much fun!

Keep posted for upcoming festivals as well as reviews of the festivals as I am very excited to say I will be attending most of them

Stereosonic is travelling around Australia. Visit www.stereosonic.com.au for details.

It’s your life, live it!

From my own experience, having been to 25+ countries in the world, I believe that we live in the most beautiful country in the world. Now that might sound clique, but I honestly believe it’s true.

Sitting here behind my desk, if I could be anywhere in Australia right now it would be back on Cable Beach in Broome at ten past six with a cold drink in my hand. And I would be watching the sun paint the sky the strongest colours I have ever seen.

Broome is on the west coast of Australia. The sun sets in the west and those who are sitting on Cable Beach have front row seats to the show that will have anyone amazed.

There are many remote beaches that stretch along the west coast, and many of these beaches allow tourists to camp on the beach.

I couldn’t think of anything more relaxing than camping on the beach with a group of friends. The beach is remote, the weather is hot, the company is good and the view is front row, and spectacular. Best of all though, is that the accommodation is free!

During the day, alternate activities to swimming can be organised, as the water itself is out of bounds due to the sharks that surround the area. The beach is completely serene and peaceful, which is a bonus for those who want to relax. Your closest neighbours may be 2km down the beach. This is great for the privacy but also great for those who want to make a lot of noise! No one will be disturbed by the late night music and chatter, so friends can relax and act as they wish too.

Its your life, live it!

Whoah! Back To The Island


Whoah! We’re Gonna Have A Party


Whoah! In The Mediterranean Sea”

As a young teen listening to this song I didn’t understand that Ibiza was a real place. The way it is described by the band, The Vengaboys, it sounds dreamlike, as well as the greatest place on earth. 

Now that I am 20, mention Ibiza, and the first thing that comes to mind is hot sun and music. Not just any music though, the best music and clubbing scene in the world. 

“Ibiza is now world renowned for its club scene and nightlife, and is attracting more and more young people from all over the world,” says Amy Becket, STA travel.  “Young tourists from all over the world make their way to Ibiza for non-stop partying.” 

Ibiza Rocks festival kicks off in May every year. Unlike festivals in Australia that run for a maximum of 3 days, Ibiza Rocks Festival runs non-stop for 5 months. 

Along with everything else In Ibiza the clubs are no ordinary clubs. The clubs on the island have the capacity to hold over four thousand people and many are situated along the Cala des Moro, which is a location with one of Europe’s most amazing sunsets. 

If you need an escape from the partying for a few hours, what better way to do it than to go and relax on some world class beaches? Ibiza is world heritage-listed for its beaches, rich wildlife and architecture dating back hundreds of years. Ibiza is extremely visually and culturally stimulating. 

If the sole purpose of your trip to Ibiza is for Ibiza Rocks Festival then the only place to stay is the official Ibiza Rocks Hotel.  This is the only hotel you can eat, sleep and and party without even leaving your room. The balconys overlook the pool and dance floor where some of the greatest DJ’s play rocking sets! This hotel is aimed at young people as the hotel is inexpensive and sleeps up to four people. If you book early you are looking at $25 a night.

I haven’t visited Ibiza yet, but it’s definitely on my to-do list in the near future!!

Its your life, live it!

The atmosphere was very chilled out at the AJ Hacket Bungee Jump site in Queenstown, New Zealand. Sugar Ray was playing through the speakers and the day was mild and calm. Everyone who worked there was laid back. I felt as if I was in Australia, and surprisingly I felt at ease when booking in my turn to jump off the bridge.

I watched two others jump off, screaming and laughing as they plunged 50m into the water and bouncing up and down again.

I was thinking, “I can do this no worries, and I can’t wait to tell everyone at home I’ve done it!”

It was my turn, Mum and Dad were wishing me luck as I walked out onto the bridge. I went over to the guys who would literally have my life in their hands as they tied a rope around my legs.

“Ok, you ready Jenna?” One guy said. They helped me up and over to the platform.

There I was, standing over the Shotover River, Queenstown.

The bridge...

After giving me some direction on how to jump off the bridge they counted me down.

“3,2,1….” Nothing. I could not move. My body would not let me throw myself off the bridge.

“Its ok Jenna, we’ll try again- look Mum and Dad are watching you- give them a wave, now let me help you back onto the platform.” I heard the guy say all of this, but in my head I was thinking “no, no, no, no, no.”

We, well they, tried a few more times to countdown and convince me to jump. I wanted to but I wouldn’t let myself. Eventually, something they said worked.

“Jenna, you’ll be so disappointed if you don’t do this, but if you do do it you will be on a high for the rest of the day, I promise.”

I don’t know why I believed him, but I did. I looked across at Mum and Dad who were waiting in anticipation. I gave them a wave and I jumped.

It was over before I could think about it. Bouncing up and down I was laughing my head off and clapping. I was giving thumbs up to Mum and Dad. The world was upside down.

The jump itself I can’t really remember because it was so quick. The fact that I did something that I had to really push myself to do is what sticks in my mind. I felt like I had accomplished something big and I loved that feeling.

I recommend Bungee Jumping to everyone so that everyone else can feel that rush, and experience that high- as well as bragging about what a thrill seeker you are to your family and friends!

It’s your life, live it.

On our way to the small community of Devondale (5 hours out of Johannesburg) I couldn’t breathe without coughing due to the amount of dust that consumed the bus. Whatever we were driving on (you couldn’t call it a road) was causing one of the biggest dust storms I had ever seen. All I could think the whole time is “where the hell are we going.”

South Africa has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, and I was about to see the worst of it. Nothing can really prepare you for that.

As we pulled up, I was sure we were at a tip.

To the left of me was an ocean of steel, cardboard, dirt, mud and stone walls, I was to quickly find out that that was where they lived. To the right were three buildings which were the church, the school and the dormitories for the students who had no other family. These buildings were also worn and torn on the outside but at least they were built up.

It was not until we went inside each that I realized so much needed to be done.

painting the dorms

While we were there we reconstructed the dormitories and the school. We did this by stripping the paint and giving it a new coat, putting together bunk beds so that the students weren’t sleeping on the floor, providing them with blankets and importantly we hung doors to keep the children safe at night. Girls and boys ranging from the ages of 6-18 were staying in dorms with no doors at all- using a blanket to try and protect them at night from the weather and worse…

Although we enjoyed restoring the dorms and the school for them, from my point of view the most rewarding experience of spending a week there was spending time to get to know these people, young and old. Language may have been a barrier, but somehow the connection was very strong, particularly with one little girl for me, her name was Ompinence and she was 6.

When I first saw her I thought she was a he. No hair on her head and dressed like a little boy. She looked much like the other hundred kids that was surrounding us, however something stood out about her. She had the most amazing eyes I had ever seen which matched her equally big smile.

Getting to know the community..

Once all the hype had died down, I sat down with this girl and we exchanged names, we did try this by saying our own name and pointing to ourselves. Before I knew it we were getting along great, laughing and trying to talk to each other. Over the week that I was there we became best friends. She followed me around everywhere, and was enthusiastic to help out.

Ompinence was smart, she was thoughtful, she was enthusiastic and inspiring. She deserved more than what she had and I wanted to give the world to her.

Ompinence wanted me to meet her family. I ventured into the ‘tip’ holding hands with her. She took me to her mother who hugged me so tightly. She could not speak English either, but I sat with her in a shelter made out of tin and mud that they call home and she showed me the three photographs she had of Ompinence when she was a baby.

Out of this community of around 2000, more than half have contracted or have been born with HIV, making their lifespan minimal. I will never know if Ompinence was one of those who had it. How was I meant to ask that, and would I really want to know. It was heart breaking to think any of these beautiful people had the deadly disease.

Our last day in the community was incredibly hard. Who would have thought that I would have a hard time leaving what looked like a dump. But let me tell you, leaving there knowing I would possibly never see these people again was harder than leaving any tropical island to come home to work and uni life.

The community gave us a send off that will I will never forget. We all stood in a circle half the size of a football field. They sang together, in voices that would have the potential to win Australian Idol, they danced with immense passion. Ompinence was the youngest of all the performers. She was dancing and singing her heart out. I wanted to take her home.

That trip changed my life. I left Devondale on the final day a different girl. The feeling is hard to explain, but with tears streaming down my face I knew I had been touched by this special group of people. Spending time in a community helped me to grow into a more mature, wiser and grateful person. It’s definitely something I recommend for others.

It’s your life, live it!

The best beach party in the world awaits you….

The Full Moon Party is held in Ko Phangan in Thailand. As the full moon shines in the night sky once a month in Ko Phangan, the colours of the party goers create a rainbow on the soft sand on the beach as they dance the night away.

Although the Full Moon attracts many different groups of people from all over the world, the younger generation definitely make the most out of the party- Indicating that this is something to be done while you are still young and full of life!! The Full Moon party attracts around 10,000 to 30,000 people per month. Unless its the New Years Eve Full Moon party which attracts around 50,000 people- making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand for that period. 

The Full Moon Party kicks off with a full moon buffet at most resorts and hotels in Haad Rin. Your stomach will be lined with tasty Thai food or- Western food for those who aren’t so adventurous. Best to line your stomach before all the drinking that will occur during the night.. 

Buckets for Sale...

Drinking out of a ‘bucket’ is a must at the Full Moon party. A bucket consists of a flask of alcohol (your choice) mixed with your choice of soft drink and perhaps red bull syrup. The drinks are tipped into a bucket (literally) and taste the best when shared with a group of friends! Along with everything else in Thailand, the drinks are dirt cheap too. A bucket should cost you around $4.50 Australian and that should satisfy four people at a time. Cheap shout I say! 

On the night of the party the crescent shaped beach is not only filled with fantastic party goers, but also fantastic DJ’s and performers. All kinds of music is blasted from one end of the beach to the other. When the music begins the beach explodes into a massive dancing frenzy with techno, jazz, reggae, house, rock, pop and even bongo drum music filling the ears of all those around. During the night at some point though, you must stop boogying for a little bit and go and see the jugglers, fire eaters and other performers that are set up on the beach. Impromptu fire works will also catch your eye!

The party literally goes until sunrise, when things start to quieten down and everyone gets to relax by the pool and enjoy the memories from the night before… or can enjoy a good sleep.

If you love a good party, music, meeting new people, great weather and most of all the beach then the Full Moon party would be great for you and your friends!

It’s your life, live it.

Think about this, a group of friends, ten days in the sun, you only have to unpack once and are able to visit  four parts of two different countries. No airports, no cars, no lines. Just relaxing, swimming, sunbaking or even partying on your way to different places.

This can happen, on a cruise.

This is something every group of friends should do!

Seven girlfriends and I recently returned from a ten day holiday on one of the P&O Cruises, ‘Island Delights.’ And let me tell you, we had an absolute ball.

Our holiday begins...

The ‘Sail Away’ party kicks things off, the excitement buzzes as you cruise toward the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A band is playing, the cocktails are flowing and then the count down begins. ‘As soon as we go under the bridge, your holiday officially begins!’ The Cruise director yells, ’5,4,3,2…1.’

It takes two days to reach the first island. These two days can be spent in many ways. There are many activities that one can partake in, and all of the activities are listed in the Pacific Dawn Daily. The ship newspaper that is delivered to your room every night. 

Activities such as trivia, bingo, bean bag throwing competitions, kareoke, boat making competitions even ‘aussie survivor’ are all available for those who are looking to involve themselves, however if you’re looking to relax the two spas located on the back of the boat are perfect. There is also two spas midship, one which we took advantage of because it was right near a bar, close enough that we didn’t have to get out to order our drinks. So during our days at sea, the spa was a good option!

drinks in the spa..

Cruising is a great way to see different countries. The island trips run very smoothly, and the islands themselves are beautiful. All of the three islands have long stretches of beach with crystal clear water. Even in the middle of winter the water is so inviting. The locals are all extremely friendly offering souvenirs, drinks, food, hair braids and massages for cheap prices.

the water..

Every night on board is exciting and different. The themed nights are great fun, and everybody gets involved! On the island night the upper deck is lit up like a Christmas tree, and the crowd of party goers look like a rainbow, with everyone wearing different coloured leis and straw skirts. The band and entertainment crew encourage everyone to get up and party on the deck. This goes until about 12.30, when the party moves to the nightclub on board. 

fun on the island night..

Besides the fact that cruises are great fun, they are am extremly cheap overseas holiday too. Included in your ticket is all of your food on board, thats breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a wide variety of resturants to choose from, ranging from buffets to set menus and al a carte meals. The only expenses on board are drinks and of course a little bit of extra cash for spending money!

So why not grab a few friends and experience a cruise? Visit the P&O website to see the latest specials.  

It’s your life, live it!