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5 Stops for an Epic Road Trip to the Great South West Edge of Western Australia

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road trip australia
4WD Driving near Walpole.

Have you ever dreamed of going on a road trip but not sure where to go? Well, guess what – Western Australia‘s Great South West Edge offers a host of routes for a self-drive trip across its five main regions that are bound to be relaxing for a road trip for families, friends or couples.

With Perth only being a five-hour flight away from Malaysia, your adventure begins the moment you get past the arrival hall at the airport. With so many affordable car rental services available at Perth airport, you’ll be on your way to an epic road trip in no time!

Take a trip down to the Great South West Edge; the 11-day drive offers multiple scenic stops that begins and ends in Perth, with a great number of beautiful sights of nature that are sure to rejuvenate your spirits and give a memorable holiday experience.

Check out some of these must see-places on your epic road trip to the Great South West Edge.

1.Get up close and personal with friendly dolphins at Bunbury

dolphin watching australia
Group swimming with wild dolphins in their natural environment in Koombana Bay. ‘Swim with the Dolphins’ tour is operated by the Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury.

We may have dugongs and Irrawaddy dolphins in Malaysia, but seeing a dolphin up close is still a pretty rare occurrence for us.

If you’re headed to Bunbury along your road trip, you are in luck. Bunbury, a city famed for its wild but friendly bottlenose dolphins, is located just a two-hour drive away from Perth and is the perfect spot where you can swim alongside these playful mammals, among other fun activities suitable for the whole family.

To meet with these friendly locals, head to the Dolphin Discovery Centre, where you can learn all about dolphins and other local marine life.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, then try heading to the shores of Koombana Bay, which has a dedicated interpretive centre and interaction zone that lets visitors get up close with the bottlenose dolphins that frequent its calm waters. Alternatively, if you want to swim with the dolphins, join a tour for a viewing and swimming activities for a completely out-of-this-world experience!

2. Drink in the best of what Margaret River has to offer

wine drinking australia
Couple walking through the vines at Wills Domain, Margaret River

Located a little over an hour away from Bunbury is Margaret River that has evolved from a chilled-out surfer’s town to a popular spot that lets visitors enjoy the region’s spectacular sights and flavours. Blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine, there is something for everyone to enjoy during your stop here.

For wine aficionados, you’ll be happy to know that Margaret River is the producer of over 15% of Australia’s premium wine and offers a whole array of wine-tasting experiences. With over 100 wineries, boutique breweries and produce such as exquisite cheeses, we can guarantee that you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you’re looking for an adventure, it will be hard to miss the 40 top spots along the coast of Margaret River to catch the best big-wave surfing opportunity. These spots offer waves suitable for all levels, from powerful reef breaks to fun beach surfs. For an activity the whole family can enjoy, take a relaxing stroll along the sandy beaches and take in the remarkable view of the sunset.

After a stop at the beach, take a scenic 30-minute drive inland and surround yourself with the world’s tallest hardwood trees at Boranup Karri Forest. It is also the perfect spot for a romantic picnic under the canopy of majestic 60-metre timber giants. You can also explore one of the many captivating caves in the forest with a guided tour to Jewel Cave where you’ll find the world’s longest straw stalactite.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Margaret River also offers rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing and whale watching tours. You might even want to try your hand at fishing at one the many designated fishing spots as well. Now that’s what we call an adventure.

3. Go on a Tree top walk at Walpole

AustraliaWalpole 1
Valley of the Giants, Tree Top Walk

Walpole is a charming town located just three hours away from Margaret River and is a must-see stop for nature lovers. It is an adventure waiting to happen with its expansive national parks, state forests, wide sandy beaches, pretty picnic spots and tranquil rivers that offer more than a day’s worth of exciting activities. From bushwalking to white water rafting to four-wheel driving on the beach, there’s something for nature lovers of all ages.

The real beauty of Walpole lies when you take a gentle 600 metre stroll through the canopy of 400-year-old tingle tress on The Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. During the walk, take in the spectacular views of the tallest timber trees on Earth while having a relaxing lunch under the trees. 

4. Take a refreshing dip in Greens Pool

snorkeling australia
Couple snorkelling at Greens Pool

Described as Mother Nature’s most inviting swimming pools, Greens Bay is located in William Bay National Park and is just under an hour’s drive away from Walpole. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a perfect view of clear emerald waters and pure white sand, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Once you’re out of the water, take a short stroll on foot to Elephant Rocks, where you can find natural elephant-like sculptures bathing in the clear waters. Take a peaceful walk along the stunning coastline to admire the breath-taking views of Madfish Bay, Waterfall Beach and if you are travelling during the spring, an abundance of beautiful wildflowers.

5. Enjoy Nature’s Best at Porongurup National Park

Porongurup National Park 3
Hikers on the Wansborough Walk and Bolganup Trail, located in the Porongurup National Park

Porongurup National Park is a haven for Australia’s most unique flora and fauna, including more than 100 species of birds and 750 varieties of plants. The park is located just over an hour away from Greens Pool and is home to the amazing Castle Rock Granite Skywalk – a walkway situated at the heart of Porongurup National Park that offer visitors affording breath taking views of the park below.

With over 1,100 million years in the making, it features a unique granite range of 12 peaks. For the more adventurous, there is also the option of scaling the last few metres via a short rock climb to reach the summit.

The park is also one of the best spots in the South West region to see wildflowers. Make sure to visit during spring or early summer to enjoy the colourful displays of Bluebells, Wattles, Hoveas, Banksia, Dryandras, Hakeas, Hrevilleas and Orchids.

With these top nature spots on your relaxing road trip, we’re sure you will be recharged and ready to come home rejuvenated and ready to face another day at work in the big city!

For a full itinerary of the Great South West Edge self-drive trip, head over to Tourism Western Australia’s website at https://www.westernaustralia.com.

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What you need to know about the Battle of Tarakan during World War II

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The Battle of Tarakan refers to different actions which happened during World War II on Tarakan island, off the northeast coast of Borneo.

The first battle of Tarakan happened on Jan 11-12, 1942 when Japanese attacked the island, defeating Allied forces. Meanwhile the second battle of Tarakan took place on May 1-25, 1945 as the first phase of the Allied campaign to retake Borneo from the Japanese.

Battle of Tarakan (1942)
Amal Beach Tarakan 3
A view of Amal Beach, east coast of Tarakan.

The Battle of Tarakan in 1942 began a day after the Empire of Japan declared war on the Netherlands.

Despite the fact that it is only a small island, Tarakan’s 700 oil wells, oil refinery and airfield put the island onto the Japanese forces must-conquer-list during the Pacific War.

Before the war, Tarakan was producing about 80,000 barrels of oil per month.

On Jan 10, 1942, a Dutch flying boat spotted an approaching Japanese invasion fleet. Knowing the Japanese army was coming, the commander of Tarakan’s garrison ordered the destruction of all oil installations on the island.

Today, one can only imagine the sounds and smells of these explosions as well as the anxiety waiting for your enemies to land.

By midnight of Jan 11, the Japanese forces landed on the east coast of Tarakan which today has become a tourist attraction called Amal Beach.

The troop was met with short but fierce resistance from the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. The Dutch surrendered in the morning of Jan 12.

Instead of accepting their surrender, the Japanese executed the entire crew of coastal battery together with some 219 prisoners of wars (POWs) via drowning.

The island then remained under Japanese occupation until May 1945 when the Battle of Tarakan 1945 happened.

Amal Beach Tarakan 2
Amal Beach, where the Japanese landed in 1942.
Tarakan under Japanese occupation

The Dutch thought they did a thorough job in destroying Tarakan’s oil fields. But the Japanese were able to recommission the first oil wells by August 1942. By early 1944, Tarakan was producing 350,000 barrels a month.

During the Japanese occupation, the locals of Tarakan suffered from malnutrition. The large number of Japanese troops on the island together with 600 Javanese labourers caused food shortage on the island.

Imagine that the oilfield in Tarakan alone was operated by 250 men from the Imperial Japanese Navy.

By late 1944, the Allied forces started to strike back, launchinf air raids destroying oil production and storage facilities on the island.

Unfortunately, hundreds of civilians were also killed during these air raids.

Comfort women in Tarakan during Japanese occupation

If you are not familiar with the term ‘comfort women’, they were women and girls forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army.

The Dutch government did a study in 1994 about comfort women during the time of the Dutch East Indies.

It concluded that about 200 to 300 European women had been taken to become comfort women.

Besides Dutch women, many Javanese and east Timorese women were also forced into prostitution.

They were usually sent to Burma, Thailand and eastern Indonesia, including Tarakan.

According to records, it is estimated about 300 women from Java were brought into Tarakan. A number of them were of other origins including Eurasians and Chinese.

Similar to many human trafficking cases today, they had been lured with the promise of jobs in clerical work and clothes making.

But in the end, they were actually forced into prostitution at Tarakan’s garrison and sometimes on visiting warships.

Battle of Tarakan (1945) was just a political act?

Many historians believed the decision by the Allies to retake Borneo from the Japanese in 1945 was mostly based on political reasons.

According to an article by Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Australia, the plan to invade Borneo had only marginal strategic value.

It stated, “General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, planned the operation to alleviate concerns of the Australian government that its forces were being relegated to operational backwaters as New Guinea had become.”

During the war, MacArthur left Australian forces out of most significant operations.

So, the idea of invading Borneo was intended to make Australian forces more visible again during the war against Japan.

General MacArthur chose to capture Tarakan in order for the island to be used to support an invasion of Java. It was crucial to recapture Java so that the Dutch could formally restore its power on the Netherlands East Indies.

Another reason was to capture the oilfields in Borneo. But this did little effect on the Japanese operation. Taking Tarakan, for example, the last Japanese oil tanker left the island in July 1944.

Meanwhile, the American air and naval troops had blockades around Japan. So there was no oil being shipped into Japan from Borneo.

What went down during the Battle of Tarakan 1945

Regardless of the reasons, the Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945.

In an operation code-named Operation Oboe One, the Australian forces landed on Tarakan on May 1.

The engineers went in first and cleared gaps through the beach defences with explosives before the main assault.

Then, naval and air bombardments also destroyed or damaged many Japanese positions.

Over the next seven weeks, there was fierce fighting as the Australians pushed inland to take the whole island.

One of the primary objectives to retake Tarakan island was to build airfields.

The airfield did open for fighter aircraft to land in late June 1945 but it was not used as much as it was intended for.

The Australians underestimated the work as they found the existing airfields were badly damaged. Meanwhile the site selected to build new airfields had excessive boggy ground.

The Aftermath of Battle of Tarakan

In the end, more than 200 Australians were killed before the last Japanese positions fell on June 20, 1945.

Although the Battle of Tarakan in 1945 was a success for Australia, Australian historian Gavin Long pointed out that the results achieved did not justify the entire cost of the Tarakan operation.

So was the battle for a sideshow? Or was it to make Australia look like they contributed something during the end of WWII? The Battle of Tarakan 1945 remains debatable among historians.

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10 cafés in Sydney to experience food with a twist!

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If Sydney has one thing to boast about other than its sightseeing and adventure offerings, it’s that it sure knows how to dine – with a twist.

Much to the delight of foodies out there, there’s always a new café or restaurant swinging open its doors in Sydney, each with its own unique take on common dishes to stand out from the crowd.

Here are 10 cafés in Sydney to experience food with a twist!
1.Devon Café
Milk Bubble Tea photo cred wheresmy dang food
Devon Cafe

Devon Café, known for serving tongue-in cheek comfort food take on café staples, has become a favorite with locals.

Though the café differs slightly from branches, this foodscape never fails to serve up a delightful assortment of Asian-fusion mains and seasonal desserts.

Mostly, it is famous for its Japanese-inspired Breakfast with the Sakumas, a dish made up of a miso king salmon sprinkled with a smoked eel croquette and mayonnaise.

For those with a permanent sweet tooth, you can opt for the ‘DD Special’, a matcha and hojicha soft serve topped with well-seasoned hot chips.

If the hot-cold pairing is too much for your taste buds to take in, there are always other novelty desserts to choose from – a flaky pork floss cronut or a milk tea soft serve topped with black tapioca pearls.

WHERE: Devon Café Barangaroo, 19/200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, NSW 2000 | Open daily 7am – 4.30pm
Devon Café, 76 Devonshire St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 | Open daily 7am – 3.30pm

2.Manly Wine

Craving mouth-watering and Instagram worthy food? Hit up Manly Wine this Spring with its recent menu additions, poké cones and kombucha cocktails (limited time only).

Wrap your hands around the Hawaiian-influenced poke cones filled with a choice of rice and salad and two available protein – salmon and crispy tofu – for a scrumptious snack.

Next, wash them down with three thirst-quenching and refreshing kombucha cocktails: Spring Sour, Cherry Pop and the Kombucha Mule.

Aside from their specials, hit up other menu items that are worth trying, such as their roasted Spanish mackerel with heirloom beets and goats curd. Don’t forget to stop by for a lazy stroll along Manly beach afterwards – voted one of the top 25 beaches in the world on Trip Advisor.

WHERE: 8/13 S Steyne, Manly, NSW 2095 | Open daily 7am – late

3.Maybe Sammy
002.Blue Corn Taco with Lavendar Marinated Salmon

Cue the newly opened Maybe Sammy, a classic cocktail bar with its interior screaming 1950s Hollywood and Vegas.

Though food is not the focus at Maybe Sammy, outshone by its extensive list of signature cocktails and a selection of spirits, wines and beers, it is certainly not an afterthought.

Helmed by Maybe Frank’s chefs, the kitchen whips up bar food offerings that complement perfectly with their drinks, such as a delicate paper-thin blue corn taco with lavender-marinated salmon, avocado, corn and coriander, or a bagel with chunk strips of Wagyu pastrami.

WHERE: 115 Harrington St, The Rocks, NSW 2000 | Open Tuesday to Sunday 4.30pm – 1am

4.Don Taco (Redfern Surf Club)

The owner-chef duo of Sydney’s Bar Ume and Ume Burger will be opening Don Taco inside the inner-city bar Redfern Surf Club, known for its laidback beach vibes and canned cocktails.

Here, the pair will be unveiling their take on a ‘Japi-Mexi’ taco rice bowl, an Okinawan specialty of koshihikari rice topped with Tex-Mex flavours, catered for both carnivores and veggie-lovers.

The chefs hope to roll out more funky assortments on their menu soon, but in the meantime, enjoy food from this holy union between the two cuisines. 

WHERE: 60 Botany Rd, Alexandria, NSW 2015 | Open Tuesday to Sunday 4pm – 12am

5.Sash

Yet another ‘Japi-Mexi’ food instalment, Sash focuses on eye-searing technicolor Japanese-style pizzas, tacos and sliders, most known for its “sashizza” – an award-winning sashimi pizza.

Built on either squid ink dough or oven baked rice, the toppings consist of raw fish, avocado, mango, strawberry and wasabi mayo.

Bite-sized chili mayo prawn sliders and spicy tuna tacos with avocado salsa are available for sharing as well. For the afters, head for their raspberry macaron ice-cream sandwich —a dessert that’s as pretty as it is tasty.

WHERE: 82 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 | Open Monday 4.30pm – 11pm, Tuesday to Thursday 12pm – 11pm, Friday & Saturday 12pm – 12am, Sunday 1pm – 12am

6.Valet by V Lounge

Hopping on to the Butterfly Pea Flower trend is newcomer Valet by V Lounge, serving up their show-stopping Beach Balls – deep-fried sweet potato mochi balls paired with a blue butterfly pea flower custard as the dipping sauce – the embodiment of a summer beach on a plate.

To differentiate itself, this playful café is also introducing their liquid nitrogen infused Tiramisu bingsu and their udon topped with salted egg curry sauce that is both delicious and picture-perfect.

With that, this modern Pan-Asian cafe is not only bringing Cabramatta a wide array of decadent dishes, but also the new kid on the block for Instagram lovers.

WHERE: 38 Arthur Street, Cabramatta, NSW 2166 | Open daily 9am – 6pm

7.General Chao
080 General Chao Chatswood credit Anna Kucera
Generla Chao

Located in Sydney’s suburb of Chatswood, the kitchen of General Chao is not only busy preparing decadent culinary creations such as their Jasmine tea smoked duck dumplings and crispy caramelised pork belly salad, but also focusing on perfecting their in-house XO sauces.

Featuring flavours such as black truffles, abalone, dried scallop and shrimp, jamón and gold leaf, the XO sauces are a perfect accompaniment to the dishes.

Not forgetting the dessert lovers, indulge in an intriguing Shanghai Banana – a fried banana wrapped in crispy egg noodles served with coffee caramel and stem ginger ice cream, blending the flavours of east and west.

For something quirky, knock yourself out with their Thai green curry ice cream. Taking inspiration from street food of pan-Asian countries and preparing it with Western techniques, General Chao is definitely a go-to on days that you would like to tantalise your taste buds.

WHERE: District Dining, 436 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW 2067 | Open Sunday to Wednesday 12pm – 10pm, Thursday to Saturday 12pm – 12am

8.Mark + Vinnys
Beetroot Spaghettini 2
Beetroot Spaghetteni

Just when you think you know all about your pastas, hold that thought because you haven’t visited Mark + Vinny’s.

This intimate restaurant has a menu full of surprises that will tantalise your senses – from a neon-blue spirulina tagliatelle made with a nutrient-dense powdered alga topped with blue swimmer crab, bottarga and pangrattato, to a ruby-red beetroot spaghettini paired with truffle and cashew crème faiche and a charcoal-black bucatini finished with a vegan sweet potato “egg yolk”.

With a full menu of over 50 spritzes to offer, wash your meal down with a drink, or two. Perfect for the adventurous health-conscious millennials, this gem is the place to be. 

WHERE: G08, 38-52 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 | Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm, Fridays for lunch from 12 – 3pm

9.Speedos

Over at Speedos, you’re certainly not short of Insta-worthy opportunities, but the one that takes the cake is their Caramelised Banana and Chia Vegan Pancakes – a mouthwatering stack of three fluffy pancakes, topped with poached berries, fig, pistachio crumble and maple syrup.

For a lighter but equally yummy option, try their Raspberry, Lime and Ricotta Hotcake, a drool-worthy combination of fig, semolina, strawberry, pistachio ice cream, rose and lime reduction.

Taking up residence in Bondi’s trendy north side, Speedos Café is a favourite among locals and those just visiting.

WHERE: 126 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi, NSW 2026 | Open daily 6am – 5pm

10.Cuckoo Callay
Pimp Mi Goreng
‘Pimp Mi Goreng’

Cuckoo Callay has surely established a name for themselves with their very own Mi Goreng chicken thigh burger – packed with maple bacon, house-made kimchi, avocado and coriander aioli on a potato burger bun.

That’s definitely one way to do a burger right. This very café is the brainchild of two minds not content with providing a location for die-hard coffee lovers, nor subsidising Sydney’s impressive café eateries – but bringing together the perfection of both. You’ll find the ‘Pimp Mi Goreng’ at both outlets.

WHERE: 413-415 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 | Open Monday to Friday 7am – 4pm, Saturday 8am – 4pm, Sunday 8am – 3pm
BC1 Newtown Train Station, Newtown, NSW 2042 | Open Monday to Friday 6am – 4pm, Saturday 8am – 4pm, Sunday 8am – 3pm
 

This is a press release provided on behalf of Destination New South Wales.

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Top five shopping spots in Sydney this holiday season

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Sydney is known for its food and coffee culture, but it is also a top shopping destination brimming with luxury international brands, local artisan finds, and standout Aussie fashion.

If you are heading out early on Christmas shopping, here are top five shopping spots in Sydney, Australia:

1. Birkenhead Point

Birkenhead Point
Levels of discounted shopping at Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre, Drummoyne.Credits: Destination NSW

This is Sydney’s answer to Los Angeles premium shopping outlets. Birkenhead Point has a classic, shopping mall feel with loads of top brands under one roof.

To top it all, it offers a free nanny service, Visitor Passport, bus tour drop offs and a direct ferry service.

The Shopper Hopper ferry is a great way to see the harbor and get to Birkenhead. Just jump on board for the 20-minute ride to Sydney’s largest outlet centre for $13 one-way or $22 return.

Once inside, both domestic or international travellers can present their IDs to the customer service desk to receive a complimentary Visitor Passport with over 35 discount offers.

There are plenty of to shop from luxury goods, fitness gear, shoes and children’s clothing.

End your shopping trip by enjoying crispy squid with soft polenta, tomato and herbs with a glass of bubbles at Café Birkenhead.

2.Mosman

Mosman
Boutique and designer brands lining Military Road, Mosman in Sydney’s lower north shore. Credits: Destination NSW

Located on Sydney’s north shore, Mosman had a bustling village feel with many sophisticated multi-concept retailers.

Walk its pretty streets where you can find cafes, florists and beautiful boutiques. Then, make a stop to fuel up at The Mews, tucked into a laneway in Mosman Square. There you can give the Poke Bowl and a Green Peace Smoothie with kale and coconut water.

At the newly opened Moya, visitors can find a carefully curated collection of Equipment shirts, AG Jeans and Max Mara.

Or you can to Fox and Dove where you can pick a stylish sunglasses, a Zulu and Zephyr swimwear and an Oganised Life Zodiac notebooks.

3. Pyrmont

Pyrmont
Women enjoying a day of shopping for Australian designs at Urban Oasis, Pyrmont. Credits: Destination NSW

With luxury shopping at The Star Casino and unique retailers popping up a round Union Street, innercity village Pyrmont is having something of a shopping renaissance.

The luxe arcade in The Star has high-end brands Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Gucci, Moda Emporio along with G-Star Raw and IM Lingerie.

For unique finds, Urban Oasis has cute gifts such as S ’Well water bottles and quirky stationery.

Meanwhile, go to St Frock as it is popular for its Aussie-designed, floral-print midi dresses.

For lunch, just head to The Star’s top eateries—sample Asian street food at Fat Noodle, a burger at Fuel or coffee from Antidote.

Then, what better way to end your shopping trip than perusing the bookshelves and sipping a martini at Edition BookBar.

4.The Intersection, Paddington

The Intersection Paddington
The Intersection shopping precinct, Paddington. Credits: Destination NSW

The Intersection is the tree-lined point where Glenmore Road meets Oxford Street,Paddington.

The Chic enclave is the home of high-end Australian designer boutiques; niche art galleries and hole-in-the-wall cafes.

Start at Jackie’s Café with a lazy sunlit brunch in their leafy courtyard. After that, head to Lee Mathews for sophisticated blouses, skirts and dress.

There are plenty to shop at this part of Syndey, from a cashmere-blend shawl from Jac+Jack or a standout accessory from Sass and Bide.

Then, enjoy a vegan coffee with almond milk at Orchard street or a crisp rosé at historic Village Inn.

5.Surry Hills

Surry Hills
French antiques, accessories and furniture on sale at ici et la in Surry Hills. Credits: James Horan, Destination NSW.

If vintage is your style, this is the shopping spot for you in Sydney. In this vibrant inner-city suburb of working-class origins, you will find one-off vintage finds and seriously cool collectibles.

Start with a taste of Surry Hills at Kawa Café with a Chai Latte and Generous ‘Best Breakfast’.

From here, you can find some of the best vintage clothing in Sydney. Zoo Emporium is a treasure trove of vintage dresses and accessories.

It offers treasures throughout the eras, from 1920s art deco sequined numbers to faux-furc apes, 1940s suits and delicate jewellery.

Or go to Cream on Crown which is a busy secondhand den overflowing with seventies shirts, vintage denim and coats.

Across the road is Oscar and Friends Booksellers, with an interesting collection of non-fiction novels, teen tales and sweet giftcards.

For lunch, have a healthy buffet at About Life or settle into The Winery for their signature ‘Picnic’, $45pp and a glass of Bilpinapple cider.

This article is based on the press release provided by Destination New South Wales, the official tourism board for the state of Australia. 

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10 iconic dogs you should know in the year of the Dog

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The Dog is the animal zodiac for this year’s Chinese lunar calendar.

What better way to celebrate the year of man’s best friend other than to remember these 10 iconic dogs around the world!

1. The symbolic dog for loyalty – Hachiko (Japan)

Besides his famous bronze statue outside Shibuya station, you can visit his actual remains at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo where he is stuffed and mounted.
Besides his famous bronze statue outside Shibuya station, you can visit his actual remains at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo where he has been stuffed and mounted.

Hachiko is perhaps the world’s most famous dog known for his loyalty.

Born on Nov 10, 1923, Hachiko was an Akita dog owned by a university professor named Hidesaburo Ueno.

Hachiko used to wait for Ueno at Shibuya station everyday. When his master died in May 1925, the dog continued to wait at the train station until his own death nine years later from terminal cancer and filaria infection.

Hachiko was buried beside Ueno in Aoyama Cemetery, Tokyo.

He continues to be remembered in popular culture with statues, books and movies including an American version starring actor Richard Gere called Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

2. The faithful dog of Tolyatti – Kostya (Russia)

A German Shepherd was riding the South Highway in Russia with his human parents when their car crashed.

His human mum died at the scene and human dad a few hours later. He was the sole survivor.

He stayed at the site of the crash for the next seven years watching passing cars.

Nobody knew his name so people began calling him Kostya or “Faithful”.

Residents of the nearby city Tolyatti tried to adopt him but he only accepted food, always returning to his waiting place.

In 2012, Kostya was found dead in the woods, most probably due to natural causes.

Saddened by his demise, the people of Tolyatti constructed a bronze statue of Kostya.

The statue was officially unveiled on June 1, 2003 which also happened to be the 266th anniversary of the founding of Tolyatti.

3. The famous dog of Krakow – Dzok (Poland)

In 1990, Dzok (pronounced ‘Jock’) was out with his master when the elderly man had a heart attack at the Rondo Grunwaldzkie roundabout.

When the ambulance picked up his owner, the mix-breed dog ended up being left behind. While the man died en route to the hospital, Dzok continued to wait for his owner at that roundabout  a year later.

An old lady – and her dog – later adopted him and he enjoyed the warmth of a home again.

Sounds like a happy ending right? Wrong!

The old woman died six years after Dzok was adopted. He was taken to a shelter which he then escaped and was killed by a train.

People remembered his story and a statue was built in remembrance of his unwavering loyalty and dedicated to homeless animals.

You can visit Dzok’s sculpture made by famous Polish sculptor Bronislaw Chromy in Krakow.

4. The brave dog who worked at Ground Zero, New York (US)

ground-zero-81886_960_720
Bretagne and her trainer Denise Corliss’ first assignment as rescue team was at Ground Zero, New York. Credit: Pixabay.

When Bretagne and her trainer Denise Corliss were assigned to Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks, it was her first assignment as a rescue dog.

Later, she joined rescue efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Ivan.

Bretagne retired from rescue mission at the age of 9 in 2008 but that did not stop her from serving. She served as a reading dog in a elementary school.

When she was euthanised on June 7, 2016 after suffering from kidney failure, she was the last surviving dog from 9/11.

5.The loyal dog who is now sitting on what used to be a drinking fountain – Bobby (Scotland)

Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Bobby statue in Scotland. Credit: Pixabay.

Greyfriars Bobby was the Hachiko of the 19th century.

He spent 14 years guarding his owner’s grave at Greyfriars Kirkyard until he died on Jan 15, 1872.

There were various versions of his origin but he famously belonged to John Gray, a nightwatchman for the Edinburgh City Police.

In 1873, an English philanthropist so intrigued by the story commissioned a drinking fountain topped with Bobby’s statue.

The Greyfriars Bobby Fountain used to be a water fountain for both humans and dogs until the water supply was cut off in 1975.

6.The dog who jumped into fire for his master – Waghya (India)

Waghya belonged to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of India’s Maratha Empire.

When Shivaji died in 1680, he was given a Hindu funeral. Legend says Waghya was so sad over his owner’s passing, he leaped onto the burning pyre.

Waghya’s statue at Raigad Fort in Maharashtra, next to Shivaji’s memorial was a subject of political protest in 2012.

Sambhaji Brigade, an extremist political wing removed the statue, claiming the dog was a fiction.

Fortunately, the statue has been reinstated by the Archaelogical Survey of India.

7.The dog who stayed by his master’s dead body – Ruswarp (England)

Even when grief strikes, how long would you stay next to your loved one’s body?

This Border Collie stayed with the body of his master for 11 weeks in dead winter.

Ruswarp was accompanying his master Graham Nuttall for a walk in Llandrindod Wells, Powys on Jan 20, 1990. When they failed to return, the authorities called for a search and rescue mission for Nuttall.

A hiker found Nuttall’s body on Apr 7 by a mountain stream. Ruswarp was nearby in such a weak state that he had to be carried off the mountain.

Ruswarp died shortly after attending Nuttall’s funeral.

8.The wrongful death of Gelert (Wales)

Legend has it Gelert was a dog belonged to Llywelyn the Great, Prince of Gwynedd, one of the successor states to the Roman empire.

Llwelyn returned from hunting to find his baby missing and Gelert with a blood-smeared mouth.

He immediately assumed the dog had killed his child so he drew his sword and killed Gelert.

Suddenly, he heard a baby cry. Llwelyn found his child unharmed under the cradle, next to a dead wolf.

He then realised Gelert had killed the wolf in order to protect the child. Regretful and filled with remorse, Llwelyn buried the dog.

Gelert was famously associated with the village of Beddgelert ( which means Gelert’s Grave) in Wales.

There is a grave believed to be where the dog was buried with two slate memorials written in Welsh and English at the village.

However, now it is widely accepted that the village took its name from a saint named Celert, not the dog.

And the supposed grave? It is believed a hotel owner named David Prichard in the late 18th century connected the legend to boost tourism in his village. Talk about mad marketing skills!

9.The dog who who accompanied his master through sickness and health – Canelo (Spain)

Canelo was the constant companion of an old man who was suffering from kidney complications. Once a week, Canelo and his master would walk together to Puerta del Mar Hospital for his master’s dialysis treatments.

Since the hospital did not allow animals inside, Canelo would faithfully wait for his master at the door.

Sometime in 1990, however, Canelo’s owner did not come back out of those hospital doors. He passed away during his treatment.

Nonetheless, Canelo continued to wait for 12 long years until he was killed by a car outside the hospital on December 9, 2002.

The city of Cadiz was so moved by Canelo’s steadfastedness that they named an alley after him and put up a plaque in his memory.

10. The dog who lost his life after a fight with a cat – Islay (Australia)

Islay was owned by one of the most famous and powerful women in history – Queen Victoria.

Not much is known about his life except that he was a Skye terrier and was the queen’s favorite dog for five years before his tragic and unexpected death after fighting with a cat.

What makes him iconic, however,  is his life after death.

In Sydney, there is a sculpture of Islay next to Queen Victoria’s statue outside Queen Victoria Building, George St, Sydney.

Islay is sculpted begging above a wishing well set up for donations on behalf of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.

Sculptor Justin Robson modelled it after the queen’s sketch in 1843.

There is a recording played intermittently from hidden loudspeakers saying “Because of the many good deeds I’ve done for deaf and blind children, I have been given the power of speech.”

And of course, the recording concludes with two barks.

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