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 - Salad Nicoise in Paris

I miss Parisian food. Somehow since being in London the produce just isn't the same.

In Paris I was served this delightfully large salad nicoise. Fresh greens with the right balance of saltiness from the anchovies, olives and dressing. If I could only replicate it somehow...it's so simple but yet so good.

Wanderlust Wednesday - Disneyland, Paris, France

Is Disneyland, Paris a place where dreams come true?

Whether you're six or sixty years old, Disneyland effortlessly charms you with it's fairytale magic. Even though it's artificial, the children around you are high on sugar and you may get stuck in line for the Thunder Mountain roller-coaster - you can't help but feel like you've escaped to a place of innocent fun. Disneyland is the only place in the world where you can unleash your inner princess...just for one day.

Six Pieces of Paris – For Second Time Visitors

Dear Paris, I confess that I’ve always been in love with you. Your six level high buildings with ornate balconies are so charming, your bistro food is divine and the pastries you offer are delectable. I adore saying ‘bonjour’ to strangers and attempting bad French. It’s fun, non?

Depending on who you’re travelling with, a second timers visit to Paris often ends up being a mix of seeing tourist spots you originally missed and discovering new places.

This time around I stayed in the Latin Quarter for four days, managing to carve out a slice of Paris that truly felt like my own.

1.     1. Climb the steps to Sacre Coeur

This church is beautiful but perhaps it’s more well known for the views outside. The uphill climb is worth the absolutely stunning 360 degree view of the city. Be careful of hawkers on the way up though.

2.     2. Eat Macarons

Macarons taste better in Paris. My Parisian goal was to eat at least one macaron or “sweet burger” every day. Pistachio. Caramel. Strawberry. On one day I think I ate three mini macarons, it was a very good day…

3.     3. Visit Shakespeare & Co

Messages on the wall from visitors

At this English bookstore I overheard an American lad ask, ‘why is this bookstore so famous?’ It’s  independent, charming, rustic, old and has been in movies like After Sunset. You can purchase second hand books and I bough Dreams from the Endz by Faiza Guene for 5 Euro.

4.     4. Do a jump shot in front of the Eiffel Tower

This is devastatingly touristy. But doing a perfect jump shot requires precision and a camera that has a 'jump shot' function... I actually lost my first time visit to Paris photos so an Eiffel Tower photo was a must for my scrapbook/blog.

5.     5. Pretend to be a local on Rue Mouffetard

This delightful street is what you imagine ‘suburban’ Paris to be like. It’s filled with fromageries, boulangers, wine shops and restaurants. Cute fashion boutiques also appear in between as well as the delightgul Gelati d'Alberto where you sample the best gelato in Paris. My friend Kassie and I also learnt the hard way that chantilly means cream not ‘ice-cream shaped like a flower’.

6.     6. Shop hard on Avenue du Montaigne

This street is all class. High end designers line the avenue. Make sure you have your credit card on you before visiting any of these stores! Note that this Dior bag isn't mine...unfortunately!

I highly recommend staying at the Hotel Maxim in Latin Quarter. It’s not exorbitantly priced and is in a great location right by Censier Daubenton metro station. It has lots of affordable bistros nearby and a supermarket just around the corner. It actually felt like my home in Paris!

NB. Sorry for the delay in posts, I'm now in London so posts will return to a more regular schedule.

Wanderlust Wednesday - Paris

A beautiful day in Paris, December 2006

Je pars en vacances à Paris en juillet.


I am going on holiday to Paris in July. Recently I met a bubbly French lady when I was selling off my shoes, clothes and jewellery at the markets.


After purchasing a substantial collection of my earrings for $7, she told me how she met her Aussie husband in Paris, whilst he was on a working holiday. 


He spent eight years over there until they finally moved back to Australia together. Now she is visiting Paris with her daughter also en juillet. 


Her advice was, "just tell everyone you are Australian, they will love you!"


Je suis Australienne! 


Everyone loves a Parisian love story.