ASK JOHN ENGLISH » Sightseeing http://www.askjohnenglish.com Learn English and Make New Friends! Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:03:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Australian Big Things! http://www.askjohnenglish.com/culture/australian-big-things http://www.askjohnenglish.com/culture/australian-big-things#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:16:32 +0000 John http://www.askjohnenglish.com/?p=1054

Bondi Tsunami!

Have you ever seen any Australian films?Last week I saw an interesting one! Australia is famous for being a multi-cultural country and this film is definately so!

It is an Australian film, starring Japanese actors, and the whole film is in Japanese!

The film is called ‘Bondi Tsunami‘.

The film is about Japanese surfers, who come to Australia to go surfing. It shows their lifestyle and the surfing culture.

Overall, I thought the film was a bit strange and the characters were too stereotyped, but it did include some famous Australian ‘big things’, such as the Big Banana, the Big Pineapple and the Big Marino, which was interesting.

Along most of  the major highways in Australia you can see ‘big things’. Usually they are great places to stop and do some sightseeing and buy some souvenirs. Take a look at the film and you’ll see what I mean!

  
 
Question: Have you seen this film? What did you think of it? Do you think it shows how Japanese people really are?

Put your answer in the comments!

]]> http://www.askjohnenglish.com/culture/australian-big-things/feed 2 Backpackers and Youth Hostels http://www.askjohnenglish.com/culture/backpackers-and-youth-hostels http://www.askjohnenglish.com/culture/backpackers-and-youth-hostels#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:46:46 +0000 John http://www.askjohnenglish.com/?p=701

generalToday, let’s talk about backpackers (youth hostels)! 

 Q: I want to know about staying at backpackers in Australia. I’ve never stayed at a backpackers before and I don’t know what I need to do to stay there?

A: Backpackers are great places to stay. They are cheap, usually comfortable, clean and a great place to meet people from all over the world and make new friends. Backpackers are also called a ‘hostel‘ or a ‘youth hostel‘.

The best place to learn about backpackers in Australia is the YHA (Youth Hostel Association) website: http://www.allbackpackers.com.au/  This website can be viewed in English, Japanese and Chinese!

The International website is:

http://www.hihostels.com/

There are even backpackers in Japan:

http://www.hihostels.com/dba/country-JP.en.htm

Q: Are backpackers a safe place to stay?

A: Yes, most backpackers are safe places to stay. Of course, you should use your common sense.

Points to Remember:

  • Don’t leave your bag , money or anything valuable unattended.
  • Always keep your valuables (money etc) on your person (e.g. in your pocket). 
  • Be especially careful when you take a shower, go to the toilet or go out sightseeing, that your valuables are either locked in a locker, or with you.
  • Many hostels will require you to use a ‘sleeping sheet’. This is to keep the beds clean.
  • Alway keep the kitchen and toilet areas clean.
  • If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, talk to the hostel staff.

Backpackers are a great way to save money, make new friends and enjoy your travels!

Question: Do you use backpackers when you travel? Why or why not?

Put your answer in the comments!

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