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 - Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

The view from Edinburgh Castle on a beautiful autumn day.

Wanderlust Wednesday - Inverness, Scotland

Inverness is known as the gateway to northern Scotland and the highlands. Travelling by train from Edinburgh takes 3.5 hours. When there's a mechanical failure and a broken down train ahead of you, it takes a total of 4 hours! Lucky we had Scottish shortbread to get us through the journey and a fellow passenger/ great Scotsman shared his malt whiskey with Chiara.

Perth, Scotland

The main reason why people visit Inverness is to get to Loch Ness. With a hire car, we drove along the River Ness to the closest point of the Loch Ness and looked out over Urquhart Castle. No Nessie to be seen in autumn, but the trees were turning beautiful, golden colours.

The drive to Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle

Culloden Battlefield is a popular destination in Inverness. It has a serene feeling about it as it's so quiet, particularly late afternoon when we visited. In respectful silence, we strolled along the main path in the crisp air.

A sombre sign at Culloden Battlefield.

To complete our Scottish adventure - a pub dinner is required before a very long bus ride home. 

Edinburgh in 24 Hours

How much can you do in Edinburgh in only 24 hours? The answer is...a lot! 

For my very first weekend trip away since living in London, my friend Chiara and I planned out a grand itinerary for our weekend in Scotland. It consisted of our main priorities:

• Eating Scottish food eg. porridge, shortbread, neeps and tatties
• Drinking tea and sampling whisky
• Soaking up Scottish culture

Edinburgh smells like...

Sweet corn. To be more precise, it's actually barley or "hops" from the Caledonian brewery. Depending on which way the wind blows, the air is permeated with this lingering smell. 

The autumn weather was slightly chilly but we basked in the sunshine and walked everywhere, breathing in the fresh "sweetcorn" air. 

I officially love B&Bs...

We stayed at Duthus Lodge, a quaint bed and breakfast. I've never stayed at a B&B before and now I understand why they're so popular. Greeted by Bracken, the bulldog, upon entering the B&B - it was warm, welcoming and utterly charming. The hosts were friendly and very helpful, even though it appeared that our booking hadn't been confirmed.

Our twin double room was bright and sunny, with a view overlooking the front garden. The room itself was well equipped with small touches like the white teapot, biscuits and chocolates making us feel right at home.

The breakfast on Sunday morning was the best part of our stay! We were incredibly pushed for time as we had to duck onto a train ride to Inverness. However the breakfast was better than any hotel breakfast I've ever had. It was a substantial Scottish breakfast with sausages, bacon, a poached egg on a pancake, baked beans and toast. A heartwarming feast.

Must Do's in Edinburgh

Visit the National Portrait Gallery
The NPS is incredibly patriotic. It boasts of its Scottish artists featured in the lowest level of the gallery with a large collection of William McTaggart. His watercolours were my favourite, evoking a sense of calm.

Visit Edinburgh Castle
This isn't just a castle, it's almost a miniature village as it's comprised of several separate buildings. We joined a short and sharp 30 minute tour which gave us an overview of the castle complex. Definitely check out the sombre War Memorial, the small but peaceful St Margaret's Chapel, which had only just hosted a wedding for its maximum guest space of 25 people, Mons Meg, the giant cannon and the Crown Jewels. You can also see the Royal Apartments where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI.

We lunched at Queen Anne's, eating wild boar sausages with tatties and gravy and Scottish brew so thick you could stand your spoon in it!

Walk the Royal Mile
Although it's touristy in some parts where there's wall to wall shops selling tartan, kilts and toy bagpipes, the Royal Mile brings you to the heart of Old Town. St Giles Cathedral is located further down the Mile. You can almost imagine royal processions taking place in yesteryear.

Savour an Afternoon Tea
A ladies weekend always involves afternoon tea - preferably with scones gently warmed just so your strawberry jam and cream can melt in your mouth. There's no such thing as too many scones...We enjoyed our scones at the Scottish Cafe.

Party at...Frankenstein Bar
On Halloween where else would you go but a bar named Frankenstein? The three level nightclub was full of zombies, witches, cats, lions, a Spongebob Squarepants and an Amy Winehouse. The bar's mascot Frankenstein made an appearance, as the mannequin was dropped down from the ceiling and brought to life on the table!