Looking Back on my Year of Travel - From Bali to Melbourne, Boracay to the Greek Islands, London to New York City

Sunset in Seminyak, Bali

On my 24^th birthday last year I was standing on a beach in Seminyak, Bali when I made the monumental decision to move to London. It was something that I’ve always dreamed about – travelling around Europe, working overseas and making the most out of life. It was finally time to get out of my comfort zone and actually do it!

The London dream is shared by thousands of twentysomething girls. So I admit I don’t feel like I’m unique, as I am but just another girl working in Central London catching the Tube each day. Yet I still feel a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes I feel like pinching myself – that I actually moved all the way across the world with nothing but a 12 kilogram backpack!

A Western Australian sunset at Cottesloe Beach

A Melbournian start to 2010

Soaking my feet in Torquay, Victoria

I started the year in Melbourne, devouring a book about living and working in the UK whilst enjoying balmy summer evenings. I went jogging with my brother in the Royal Botanical Gardens, walked along the beach in St Kilda and spent quality time with my best friend drinking cocktails in secret laneway bars and having high tea.

A Filipino Getaway

Boracay's White Beach

Pagsanjan Falls

In April I embarked on, and survived, a group holiday to the Philippines. I was astounded by the beauty of Boracay – the white beaches with sand so fine that it’s used for day spa treatments, the fresh value for money seafood and crazy beach bars. Most of all, I was humbled by the generosity of my friends and their family in Manila.

Once my UK work visa came through and I quit my job there was no looking back! 

A European summer

Falling in love with Santorini

Octopus handing to dry in Paros

I’ve always wanted to ‘summer in Europe’. Landing in sticky, hot Athens the weather didn’t disappoint my travel buddy Kassie and I. We sailed around the Greek Islands, enjoying beautiful sunsets in Santorini and even hiked up the volcano. On the Amalfi coast we ate spoonfuls of gelato every day and then ventured to Rome to be immersed in history in the hidden churches discovering Michelangelo in the unlikeliest places. Paris meant plenty of macarons, an escape to Disneyland before we relaxed in Nice and gambled some Euros in Monaco. 

Sacre Coeur in Paris

Capri, Italy

Then I sailed the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia on a 7 day cruise. The scenery in Croatia is simply stunning – untouched national parks, pristine beaches and imposing mountains. My biggest feat was climbing to the top of a 16^th Century pirate fortress!

London -  a home away from home?

Serpentine bridge in Hyde Park

In London the holiday was officially over. I needed to get a flat and a job asap. In four weeks I traipsed all over London looking at 10 flats, meeting with recruiters and interviewing for jobs. How would you describe yourself in one word? Exhausted!

Time escapes you when you’re endlessly hunting and by sheer chance I ended up living in a hostel run by nuns. Despite the weekday lock out by 11pm it was the best experience of my life! It’s here where I met my ‘London family’. Having a support network is the most important thing you need when you arrive in a big city. Even though you never know who’s going to stay in London as the hellos and goodbyes are always constant, my friends ground me when the grey skies and cold causes bouts of homesickness.

Weekends away in the UK

It's exciting to be able to escape London for the weekend. I visited Edinburgh and was charmed by the amazing B&B we stayed at and then also drove around Inverness in one day! In Bath, I channeled Elizabeth Bennett and went to the thermae spa, browsed the charming Christmas markets and enjoyed eating a cinnamon butter Sally Lunn bun.

View from Edinburgh Castle

Bath Abbey at nightfall

I’m ending this year on a high in NYC with my brother Ryan – I survived my first blizzard and am looking forward to seeing the ball drop. 

This year has been a tough, challenging, emotional roller coaster. Travelling is always about big highs and lows. My biggest high this year is waking up every day in a new city, feeling like my next adventure in 2011 is just around the corner. 

Wanderlust Wednesday - Central Park After the Blizzard

Snow will always be surreal to me. It’s not something I’ve grown up with or will ever be used to. So when spending Christmas in NYC and hearing that a blizzard was forecast for Boxing Day it was like something out a movie.

Then it started snowing hard and fast when I was enjoying the sales at Bloomingdales. Despite the snow, a lot of extreme shopping was happening in Macy's where it was incredibly crowded!

The next morning when I woke up the city was pure white. It was very quiet outside except for the sound of snow shovels hitting the pavement. 

To make the most of the snow day we headed to Central Park. The biting wind swept more snowflakes into our faces when we entered the west side of the park.

Snow had swallowed parked cards, decorated tree branches, covered up benches and had frozen the top layer of the lake.

Everyone who had braved the cold was making the most of it. Parents were pulling kids along in sleds and toboggans. Kids were making snow angels and screaming in delight when sledding downhill.

I've got my snood and my new snow boots to keep me warm!

NYC dogs were delighted by the snow, running around in their jumpers or snow boots. This 11 year old pooch was having a rest in the snow as his paws were starting to get sore from the freezing conditions. His owner promised him some bacon bits to warm up!

A Christmas Mission in Perth, Western Australia

At the registration desk a small crowd has gathered in the summer heat.

“Chow family,” my father announced to the volunteer.

Shirley wore tinkering Christmas bell earrings, “Ok my dears, Mr and Mrs Chow are table hosts and Natasha - this is for you.”

She handed me an enormous blue t-shirt which proclaimed STEWARD.

A rainbow of balloons filled the marquee, tied to hundreds of plastic chairs. My mother placed her handmade Christmas tree compiled of gold gumnuts at the centre of the table.

After greeting guests of all ages, I brought out lunch trays of turkey, salad and mince pies. Crackers continually popped whilst a choir sang Jingle Bells.

Lynette was savouring her lunch when my mother surprised her handing her a present. She tore away the wrapping to reveal a handbag. All ten guests at the table cheered excitedly.

“Do you like it?” Mum asked.

“I love it, I haven’t had a present in years.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks. “Thank you so much!”

Lynette wrapped her arms around my mother tightly.

A motorbike roared to life outside the marquee. Santa had arrived on a Harley Davidson. He wore red shorts and sunglasses and greeted children with a hearty “Ho ho ho!”

My family’s new Christmas tradition is volunteering at the Mission Australia luncheon in Perth. Christmas Day lunch is provided for hundreds of people – their simple Christmas wish is to have a welcoming meal in a safe place.


This post has been entered into the Grantourismo HomeAway Holiday Rentals travel blogging competition. www.holidayrentals.co.uk

The Most Beautiful Christmas Trees in New York City

New York City has Christmas trees in every building, shop, park and sometimes even on street corners! It's a heartwarming sight to behold, particularly at night when the lights of the trees glow majestically. It may be very cold and chilly outside but every Christmas tree you see gets you into the holiday spirit.

Union Square Park

Wall Street

Trees near Ground Zero

A Christmas tree made out of broken CDs in Chelsea Market

The most famous tree of all with the Swarovski star at Rockefeller Centre

Wanderlust Wednesday - The Christmas Tree at Somerset House

On the search for the most beautiful Christmas tree in London I discovered the Tiffany themed tree at Somerset House. It sparkles day or night with its signature blue baubles and silver decorations. Ice skaters glide around the rink in its stylish shadow. 

How to Host a Cross Cultural Christmas Dinner

When it's cold outside, having friends over for dinner warms up your spirits instantly. My friends in London speak a mix of Italian, Spanish and English. Hosting a festive dinner party with them involves eating new foods, having discussions with big hand gestures and learning new vocabulary.

My main tip for hosting a dinner party is to be flexible. You can’t plan for everything – for guests to be on time when there’s snow outside and for all dishes to be perfect. The unexpected fun and frivolity is the best sort though!

Have a starter with lots of oozing cheese and bread

For starters we enjoyed caramelized red onion, olive, sundried tomato and brie tarts. This was also accompanied by baked camembert cheese stuffed with garlic and fresh thyme and drizzled with olive oil. Ciabatta bread was on hand to mop up the cheese.

Learn to make an impromptu dish – Le Con Tomate

Maria showed me a very easy Spanish tomato and bread dish which I incorrectly called bruschetta. On a piece of ciabatta grab a tomato sliced in half and squeeze it onto the bread. Rub it against the bread so all the juice soaks in. Add a sprinkle of salt and olive oil. You can top this up with more cheese or ham if you like too.

Make your oven work overtime

Before dinner the oven was pumping out Christmas cookies right before it finished off roasting the main course - a whopping 3.3 kg roast pork! The crackle was crisp and crunched nicely in your mouth it was perfectly roasted by Lorraine.

We also devoured Chiara’s Italian ragu – she makes her own special tomato sauce.

Improve your food vocabulary in Spanish and Italian

Did you know that salad is called ensalada in Spanish and insalata in Italian?

Have a hands on dessert like fondue

For the seriously decadent finale we had not one, not two, but three separate desserts. I made a sticky date pudding with Baileys dessert sauce and a cheesecake from Tesco. The cheesecake was surprisingly good!

Fondue is fun - dipping strawberries and grapes into chocolate feels naughty but oh so nice! Since there’s fruit involved you feel somewhat healthy even if there's 300g of melted chocolate to get through. The only thing left to do was to wash it all down with mulled wine and cider.

It’s not a Christmas party without crackers!

Bad jokes and hats are mandatory for a Christmas celebration, no matter where you’re from!

Wanderlust Wednesday - Sunset Over Athens

On a hot humid July day, travelers find solace away from the crowds. We perched on the hill near the Acropolis, waiting for the sun to descend and a summer party to begin.

What would Jane Austen do in Bath?

As you may know I love Jane Austen novels. So upon visiting Bath last weekend I undertook a list of things that an Austen heroine would do on a regular day.

•  Visit the Thermae Spa – would Jane spa?

The Thermae Spa in Bath is a natural mineral-enriched thermal spa. It's also mixed sex and, rather surprisingly, has a unisex change room! This would be utterly unacceptable in Austen’s time! 

In the modern world though, going to the spa is the ultimate retreat for pure, blissful relaxation. A two hour session at the spa costs £24 – which gives you access to all the pools and the steam rooms.

Although the temperature of the pools is comfortably warm I expected it to be hotter. It is less ‘onsen’ and more, well, ‘Bath’. The best pool is on the rooftop. Even though you shiver in your bathers once exiting the lift, you can plunge right into the steaming pool which looks over the rooftops of the city.

Once you’re done with the pools simply head to the different scented steam rooms – our favourite was peppermint. You can also dunk your toes into a cool footbath or step under the glowing jet showers.

• Have a traditional English Sunday lunch

Roaring fire, check. Roast lamb with potatoes and gravy, check. Mulled wine, check. At the Nineteenth House we indulged in traditional Sunday lunch fare enjoying pan fried bubble and squeak and grilled haddock and bubble as well. It was a bubbly, heartwarming meal in a very cozy pub that had a gorgeous Christmas tree.

•       Visit no.40 Gay Street

This the address of the Jane Austen centre. It’s terribly corny in some parts but also pays a respectful homage to Jane. The giftshop sells I Love Mr Darcy bags…I confess that I bought one…

•      Indulge in an afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is a ritual not to be missed, even if you have had a big lunch. At Sally Lunn’s I had the Jane Austen cream tea – which is a Sally Lunn bun with raspberry jam and clotted cream accompanied by a refreshing house tea. As ladies we sipped our tea, delicately ate our buns and we did not, I repeat did not, finish all our clotted cream.

Wanderlust Wednesday - Sally Lunn Bun in Bath

This Sally Lunn bun from Bath is drenched in cinnamon butter. The sweetened clotted cream  bun is the perfect condiment and melts in your mouth. You may only get half a bun but it's certainly bigger than it looks! And, of course, all you need is a pot of tea. 

The Beautiful Bath Christmas Markets

The city of Bath is full of old world charm. When you walk the streets, you feel like you should be hoisting up your parasol, wearing a bonnet and curtseying when you greet your neighbours. You may even feel like you’re a character in Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

The UNESCO World Heritage city is full of historical sandstone buildings and is framed in a small valley. On a crisp winter’s day, we were blessed with blue skies despite a 3 hour bus journey from London through foggy roads.

Once we escaped London we were pleasantly greeted by the relaxed pace in Bath on a sunny Sunday. In Bath people seem happier, they are in no rush and the main streets are full of families, couples and, surprisingly, lots of young people.

The Christmas markets in Bath stand in the shadow of Bath Abbey. In the Abbey churchyard there are over 100 stalls selling arts and crafts, foodstuffs, wines and liquers. We indulged in the free samples, savouring cheese and chocolate and the incredibly decadent toffee pudding for only £4 from Devon. I purchased Lick the Spoon chocolates, two packs of a set of three cinnamon infused, chocolate covered spoons and a chocolate star ornament for £10 – for a sweet Secret Santa.

Christmas carols echoed through the churchyard sung by the harmonious local choir. As dusk began, the lights framing the streets glowed and the Christmas tree in the centre of the square sparkled.

 

It may have been cold outside, but Bath certainly warmed us with the Christmas spirit and also with a glass of mulled wine. 

Oh Bath Christmas tree, we love thee!