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Chasing the sun.

There is something about the sun. Everything slows just a little. Conversations meander, crowds linger and breakfast turns into lunch turns into dinner…. We all need a little heat and relaxation in our lives. While the local beach or river can do the trick, and sneaky weekends away are divine… there is nothing quite like escaping to a resort island to completely unwind and refresh.

Malaysia offers a myriad of stunning summer escapes, particularly during dry season (December to February). Langkawi Permata Kedah is a jewel. The sparkling sapphire and turquoise oceans, white sands, islands to explore, tall palms, fragrant tropical flowers and fresh fruits of Langkawi will certainly hit the spot. And if you happen to have a rush of adrenaline and manage to drag yourself away from languid days by the ocean (sigh) … the local markets, famed Malaysian cuisine and forests are a fine diversion.

For those who aren’t able to steal away for an indulgent escape this season, our heavenly selection of JW photographs give you a taste.

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My island home and yours.

Beaches, national parks and hiking trails…. Australia is truly an island that spoils us with natural wonders and spectacular beauty. And it’s home.

The decision this month to award native title to almost seventy percent of the Eyre Peninsula is significant for the Barngarla people, South Australia and everyone who calls this island home. The decision was long overdue and followed almost 20 years of establishing evidence to support the claim, consideration and argument.

The idea that a connection to land can be proven to be extinguished astonishes and challenges. A sigh of relief was apparently heard when the implications of the decision became clear: the connection has not been extinguished, “we can still call this place of our heart and history ours…”

The anthropological and international significance of the culture, history and contribution of the traditional owners of this island home is remarkable.

It’s been a clumsy road, fraught with difficulty… But this decision opens a way for co-habitation to be acknowledged without undermining claim to native title. It’s one more step in the right direction. Hopefully the next one won’t be so overdue.