Six Minutes Somewhere Else

I am at Adventure Bay on Bruny Island, off Tasmania, watching a super-cute white wallaby feeding at the edge of a car park. This very rare animal is only found here, where they are protected. If you are asking yourself 'how rare are albino wallabies', 'where are the white wallabies in Tasmania', 'where can I see an albino wallaby' or 'what can you do in Adventure Bay, Tasmania', this podcast episo...

I am enjoying a perfect late spring evening in an English village. The sun is setting over the wheat fields, rabbits play in a meadow, the hedgerows are bursting with life and there are swifts and swallows on the wing. In the distance I can hear the mournful bleating of lambs and an owl begin to hoot in the woods. These are just some of the numerous natural wonders of an English village in May. If...

I am in one of my favourite green spaces in Asia: Singapore's magnificent Gardens By The Bay. There’s something wonderfully peaceful about being here and doing nothing but staring at nature. In Singapore, this is the best way to start the morning and give you the mental strength to tackle whatever the day may throw at you later. If you are keen to find out 'what is special about Gardens By The Bay...

Tasmania is a treasure trove of wildlife and wilderness. It is a place of ancient forests, wild coastlines and primeval landscapes, some of which have barely changed in millions of years. It is a place I visit as often as I can to immerse myself in nature and temporarily forget the fears and frictions of the world... and it never fails to calm me. If you are wondering 'what is so special about Tas...

I spent a week admiring 'my' iceberg in Grates Cove in Newfoundland. I watched it from dawn to dusk and sometimes even at night. It turned, rolled and drifted. It was hypnotic and very relaxing. If you are wondering 'what is the best time of year to see icebergs in Newfoundland', 'are there any icebergs off the coast of Newfoundland' or 'what to see on the Avalon peninsula' then this podcast episo...

I travelled to the Åland Islands to spend a day sunbathing and exploring the forest on my very own islet. This is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy nature. The islands are also somewhat quirky: they are technically autonomous and part of Finland yet most people speak Swedish, and they have a weird flag rule. If you are asking yourself 'where are the Åland Islands', 'are the Åland Islands be...

I found peace and calm in a natural oasis in the middle of Tokyo and it was totally unexpected. I went for a walk looking for a spot to sit on the waterfront of Tokyo Bay and watch the seabirds. Instead, I found the Hama-rikyu Gardens, which date back to the 1600s. The gardens are full of graceful cedars and include groves of plum and cherry trees, a bank of peonies and a wisteria trellis. There a...

I travelled to New Zealand’s South Island at Maori New Year to witness a dark-sky spectacle in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. These reserves are being established across the globe, which is good for astronomers but – more importantly – for animals and birds, as more and more human-created light is disrupting and threatening their migrations and survival. I learned about Maori...

I travelled to Costa Rica in Central America to climb a volcano called Arenal, which was an exhilarating experience. If you want to know 'is it worth going to Arenal volcano', 'what lives in the Costa Rica jungle' or 'how to see Costa Rica rainforest' this podcast might be able to help. WARNING : Arenal is currently not erupting but an eruption could happen at any time. Climbing live and even dorm...

I spent a blissful summer day on a beach on the Gower peninsula in South Wales. Gower was the first place in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and for good reason. It’s full of idyllic, sandy beaches such as Pobbles and its neighbour Three Cliffs. If you are wondering ‘is the Gower peninsula worth visiting’, ‘what are the hidden gems on Gower’, ‘where is Pobbles bay’ or...

I travelled to the haunting Skeleton Coast of Namibia in southwestern Africa to experience one of the world’s most remote places. This is a lonely land of sand, shipwrecks, skulking jackals and a very clever ‘fog beetle’. If you’re asking yourself ‘why do they call it Skeleton Coast’, ‘why are there so many shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast’, or ‘is the Skeleton Coast worth visiting’, this podcast...

I travelled for several days to reach the remote Pacific island of Yap to meet the locals and learn the story behind their giant stone coins. This must be the most beautiful Pacific island I’ve ever seen. I felt like I had travelled back a hundred years or more to a simpler, slower time when nature dictated our pace. If you’re wondering ‘where is Yap island’, ‘what is Yap island famous for’, or ‘w...

I travelled to Upper Bavaria in southern Germany to climb the Kramerspitz mountain. I failed due to thick mist near the summit but was still rewarded with an incredible wildlife moment on the lower slopes. If you're wondering 'is it hard to hike the Kramerspitz', 'what are the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany', or 'what animals are in the Bavarian Alps', this podcast might shine a light for...

An afternoon of nature mindfulness among the wildlife of Australia's wonderful Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is very good for the soul. Photo © copyright Matthew Brace More information: https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/ Travel, nature, wellness. This is Six Minutes Somewhere Else. Contact me via LinkedIn . Don’t forget to like and follow/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

I travelled to the Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland on a cyclonic day to meet petrified trolls. After braving truly atrocious weather and perilous 'sneaker waves' on Djúpalónssandur beach I made it to Dritvík beach to see the ghostly stone trolls. Then, just for a few seconds, the weather cleared and I had a beatific nature experience. If you're wondering 'is it safe to swim at Djúpalónssandur bea...

I travelled to the southeastern corner of Oregon in the United States to visit the Alvord Desert. This dry, sunbaked salt pan is very different to the state's magnificent Pacific coast forests but it is equally as dramatic and far less visited. If you love deserts you'll love the Alvord. If you're wondering 'where is the Alvord Desert', 'how large is the Alvord Desert' or 'what is Eastern Oregon k...

I spent a searingly hot summer afternoon in Australia's capital city, Canberra, watching resplendent Crimson Rosellas. These are possibly the most beautiful and flamboyant birds in Australia and the great thing is they are relatively easy to see. If you are wondering 'what does a Crimson Rosella look like' or 'do Crimson Rosellas mate for life', this podcast might have some answers for you. Listen...

I travelled way up north to Finnish Lapland to try my hand at sledding with huskies. Heaps of fun but much harder than it looks. The winter wonderland landscapes were stunningly beautiful and the dogs taught me a valuable life lesson about relinquishing control. If you are wondering ‘what is it like husky sledding in Lapland’ or ‘what are the best things to do in Finland during winter’ this podcas...

I spent a blissfully peaceful day in Kyoto just after New Year strolling along the Philosopher's Path. I wrapped up warm, sat on benches and let nature relax me. I watched the slow movement of the canal water and listened to the song of a distant bird. If ever there was an idyllic spot for mindfulness, the Philosopher's Path in winter must surely be it. If you want to know 'is Kyoto good for New Y...

I took a Christmas walk in England and had the most uplifting experience of hearing a robin singing its heart out and bringing joy to the evening gloom. It was such a surprise to hear it singing at night and on its own that it felt like I was being treated to a Christmas miracle, courtesy of nature. If you are wondering ‘do robins stay in winter in England’ or ‘is Christmas a good time to visit En...

I travelled to the Jebel Akhdar mountains in Oman to spend a peaceful, sun-drenched day marvelling at the magnificent geology of this ancient range and learning about its hardy goat herds. If you're asking yourself 'is Oman a mountainous country' or 'is Oman tourist friendly' this podcast might be able to help. Oman is one of my favourite places to visit – I consider it the 'real Arabia', with hun...

I travelled to the wilds of northern Minnesota to see the first few feet of the Mississippi River as it is born from Lake Itasca and begins its long journey south to the Gulf of Mexico. Up here, near America's border with Canada, the forests seem to stretch forever, skirting lakes and streams, and housing all manner of flora and fauna. If you're wondering 'where does the Mississippi River begin an...

I travelled through India on a night train from Mumbai to Delhi in a second-class carriage to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Indian countryside after dark. It was a fabulous experience, meeting local people, eating vegetarian train food and being 'in the night' as the train trundled slowly past farms and villages. If you are wondering 'what is the best night train in India' or 'wh...

I travelled with an Emirati friend to the far western region of the United Arab Emirates, on the border with Saudi Arabia, to witness the heat and majesty of the mighty Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert. We spent most of a day climbing sand dunes and gazing at fabulous desert vistas in the height of summer and I learned from him about the powerful connection Emiratis have with their desert. If...

I spent a fascinating day with a local Aboriginal man in a secret part of the stunning Flinders Ranges in South Australia. He opened my eyes to the wonders of ancient rock art – 27,000-year-old messages and stories that his ancestors etched on sandstone boulders. This is a secret site and not on the main tourist trail, which made it all the more special. He also taught me how his ancestors lived o...