Episode 14: Bendigo, Victoria, Alcohol-cunsumption on airplanes, venomous animals etc

In this weeks episode we chat about a mining-town in Victoria called Bendigo where Mark and Bec just stayed for the weekend. We also chat about alcohol-consumption on airplanes,

And fees for guaranteed seats! EVERY time you fly on a budget, there is ALWAYS a hatch!

And apparently Mark has never flown the A380! Really? Anders tried it twice!

Anders also talk about the FREE Messe in Munich. And exhibition for anything holidays and leisuretime.

We have a brand new YouTube channel, so check out how it looks when we record:

https://www.youtube.com/@ssnwpodcasts

Find us on socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssnwpodcasts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567308293160

Welcome to another episode of "Southern Summers and Northern Winters," where Anders and Mark dive into a lively conversation filled with travel tales, cultural insights, and personal reflections. This week, Mark shares his recent trip to Bendigo, a historic town in Australia known for its rich gold mining history and Victorian-era architecture. The duo also explores the calming influence of religious sites, the nuances of air travel, and the evolving landscape of political dynamics in Germany and Australia. From the intricacies of booking airline seats to the unexpected encounters with wildlife in Australia, Anders and Mark offer a blend of humor, wisdom, and candid observations. Join them as they navigate through these diverse topics, offering listeners a chance to reflect on their own travel experiences and cultural perspectives.

Certainly! Here's an overview of the episode "Southern Summers and Northern Winters" with key timestamps:

**Episode Overview:**

- **00:06 - 00:28**: Introduction

- Anders and Mark greet each other and discuss the delay in recording due to busy schedules.

- **00:42 - 01:28**: Weather and Travel

- Mark talks about experiencing 39 degrees Celsius while sightseeing in Bendigo, a town with a rich history in gold mining.

- **01:31 - 02:20**: Bendigo's Historical Significance

- Discussion on Bendigo's history with gold mining and its Victorian-era buildings.

- **02:23 - 03:17**: Tourist Attractions in Bendigo

- Mark describes visiting a gold mine and the Bendigo Historic Tramway, as well as a giant Buddhist stupa.

- **03:30 - 04:44**: Reflections on Religion

- Anders and Mark discuss the peacefulness of religious places and the principles of Buddhism.

- **04:55 - 06:16**: Religion and Society

- A conversation on the role of religion in society and its historical context.

- **06:38 - 07:14**: Concerns about the Pope

- Brief discussion on the Pope's health and the tradition of electing older popes.

- **07:31 - 09:15**: Personal Experiences with Religious Places

- Anders shares his experiences visiting religious sites and the reflective nature they inspire.

- **09:50 - 11:22**: Hotel Incident in Bendigo

- Mark recounts an incident involving the police at their hotel in Bendigo.

- **11:34 - 15:01**: Alcohol and Travel

- Discussion on drinking alcohol while traveling, particularly on airplanes, and personal preferences.

- **15:04 - 19:02**: Changes in Drinking Habits

- Anders and Mark talk about how their alcohol consumption has changed over the years.

- **19:31 - 20:00**: Social Drinking

- The importance of atmosphere and company in enjoying drinks.

- **20:03 - 21:17**: Cultural Drinking Habits

- Discussion on different cultural practices with alcohol, such as mixing red wine with Coke in Austria.

- **21:20 - 22:08**: Beer and Lemonade

- The concept of mixing beer with lemonade, known as a Shandy in Australia.

- **22:34 - 23:12**: Preferences in Alcohol

- Mark shares his preferences for mixing drinks and the acquired taste of certain spirits.

- **23:28 - 24:45**: Willow's Experience on the Podcast

- Mark talks about Willow's experience on the podcast and her return to China for university.

- **24:46 - 25:38**: Airplane Seating Luck

- Mark shares Willow's luck in getting a whole row to herself on a flight.

- **25:39 - 28:45**: Airplane Seating Preferences

- Discussion on seating preferences on airplanes and strategies for booking seats.

- **28:48 - 30:36**: Travel Plans and Family

- Mark discusses upcoming travel plans to Cambodia and China, and leaving his daughter Marley at home.

- **30:36 - 32:29**: Airline Seat Selection Costs

- Conversation on the costs associated with selecting seats on different airlines.

- **32:31 - 34:19**: Airline Preferences

- Mark shares his preferences for airlines and the importance of comfort on long-haul flights.

- **34:20 - 35:56**: Travel Itineraries

- Mark outlines his travel itinerary and the decision to break up long flights.

- **36:21 - 38:28**: Flight Durations and Experiences

- Discussion on flight durations from Australia and experiences with overnight flights.

- **38:41 - 39:11**: Sleeping on Flights

- The challenges of sleeping on flights due to meal services and announcements.

- **39:36 - 41:17**: Experiences on A380 Flights

- Anders shares his experience flying on an A380 and the constant announcements.

- **41:23 - 44:03**: Airline Comparisons

- Mark compares different airlines and shares his favorite experiences.

- **44:13 - 46:19**: Travel Exhibitions and Camper Vans

- Anders talks about attending a travel exhibition and the advancements in camper van comfort.

- **46:19 - 48:14**: Camping Comfort

- Discussion on the increasing comfort of camping and camper vans.

- **48:16 - 49:10**: Rooftop Tents

- Anders mentions the trend of rooftop tents for cars and their practicality.

- **49:10 - 50:06**: Wildlife Considerations

- Considerations for camping in the bush and the presence of wildlife.

- **50:06 - 51:28**: Encounters with Wildlife

- Mark shares an encounter with a large huntsman spider at work.

- **51:29 - 52:39**: Snakes in Australia

- Discussion on the presence of snakes in Australia and personal experiences.

- **52:39 - 54:06**: Safety Around Wildlife

- The importance of being aware of surroundings and respecting wildlife.

- **54:14 - 55:54**: Sharks and Ocean Safety

- Conversation on shark attacks in Australia and the risks of swimming in the ocean.

- **56:17 - 57:39**: Crocodile Concerns

- Anders shares concerns about crocodiles while traveling in Queensland with his family.

- **57:41 - 58:25**: Beach Safety

- The dangers of swimming in unfamiliar ocean conditions and the importance of local knowledge.

- **58:25 - 59:11**: Tourist Safety

- The risks tourists face when not heeding local warnings about ocean conditions.

- **59:18 - 1:02:40**: Political Changes in Germany

- Discussion on the recent election in Germany and the shift towards a conservative leader.

- **1:02:40 - 1:04:04**: Political Dynamics

- The challenges of political compromise and the impact of elitism in politics.

- **1:04:04 - 1:05:11**: Australian Politics

- Mark shares insights into the political landscape in Australia and upcoming elections.

- **1:05:11 - 1:07:17**: International Tensions

- Recent military exercises by China near Australia and New Zealand and the political response.

- **1:07:17 - 1:09:45**: Closing Remarks

- Anders and Mark wrap up the episode, discussing plans for the next recording and wishing each other well.

This overview captures the main topics and discussions throughout the episode, providing a comprehensive guide to the content.