Movin' over and out

For better or for worse I've switched my blog over to this site

http://joyinthejournee.wordpress.com/

I've been maintaining both while I decided which platform to use. Thanks for your views and I'd love you to join me at my new page for all these posts and more to come!

Follow, like, share, link up, I'd love to see you guys over there!

The most essential travel item you will ever need ladies!

I’m the kind of girl who when I wake up in the morning tries to determine the balance between what would classify as a decent appearance, (the kind you could answer an unexpected knock at the door without apologies and embarrassment, even if it is only a mail courier) and, what would require “too much effort”, effort being, do I really need to wash my hair? Nope, a pony-tail will solve that problem, or, should I wear those pants that I love but require heels because the hems are too long? Nope, fold them up at the cuff and wear flats, it’s just the supermarket.

For me, make-up doesn’t even make the consideration list most days.

I know Grandmas around the world are chiding “You should always wear clean underwear, lest you get hit by a bus.” Unlikely. But better to be safe than sorry. Sigh, thanks Grandma.

There's also the consideration of the risk that you'll meet someone that you know…

The guy you used to date, or the girl he’s currently dating (who never seems to have such dressing battles. The “effort” option is standard). Yup, at these times you want to look awesome, but…sigh, I will usually take the risk on this one too.

That’s where accessories are interesting. Accessories to me mean effort.

Shoes, handbags, hats, watches, scarves and jewellery including Ding! Ding! Ding!...Earrings!

 

4 continents worth of earrings

Despite the effort category I put most accessories in, (shoes are a bit hard to overlook), I often leave the house only to discover I forgot earrings, belt, watch etc. However, when you are travelling, accessories become IMPORTANT.

Any repeat traveller will know that accessories are the subtle way you can change your outfit without having to pack numerous pairs of bulky jeans, sweaters, shoes etc.

Same shirt from yesterday but today it’s buttoned up and you’re wearing a scarf. Whaaat? Completely different outfit!

Okay, so it’s a lot easier to err on the side of decent vs. effort when you’re travelling. Blame it on the disorganization of your backpack (I swear I had another pair of shorts in there), the filthiness of hostel showers, (I can hold out one more day)…or just the pure excitement that you’d rather be “out there” than “in here” primping and preening as you would if you actually knew you were going to an event where you’d see your old flame.

To sum up, pack your basics and minimize on most of the aforementioned accessories e.g. shoes are pretty hard to overlook, but you can still choose versatile sneakers and/or flip-flops. One neutral handbag that fits your daily necessities is all you’ll need. Get your (trusted) photo-taker to hold your bag so it’s not in all your pics if you want to shake up your look further.

BUT and I say this in all seriousness, the single most important item I have ever found for travel wardrobe diversity are…earrings.

I’ll explain. Earrings are compact and light-weight (2 golden words of packing). You could take enough earrings to wear 2 pairs a day and still take up less room than one shoe.

Most photos (especially selfies, an art solo travellers must master) are head shots, or body up shots. They will show case in your photos and brighten your look immeasurably.

The other important travel item for me (since I’m fairly make-up less most of the time) is mascara.

With these two items - a noticeable pair of earrings and some black on my lashes, my photos look a million times better. Undoubtedly you will have days where you are tired, hungry and travel-weary but if that’s on the day you climb the Eiffel tower or reach Machu Picchu, you don’t want your photos to reflect that.

Before you call me superficial and vain, don’t tell me you haven’t gone through some travel pics and thought oh, those dark, baggy eyes completely ruin my photo. I wish I was wearing earrings to brighten/soften my face and mascara to highlight my eyelashes vs. tired, ashy skin).

Have you ever dreaded returning from a trip? Everyone is so jealous, “Show us your photos!” but you know they all look like you’re wearing dirty underwear with frizzy hair AND a massive pimple AND the same blue/white stripe top in all your photos. Might as well have seen your ex-lover that day too.

Just in case you’re not sold yet. We travel to make memories right? (hence the wanting of photos to show good-looking memories!) Well, the other great thing about earrings is that they make awesome souvenirs because they are light and compact.

Different cultures create different styles, use different colours, certain gems might be cheaper where they are abundant, soon you’ll have no end of unique designs from all over the planet.

It even helps cure my “how-much-can-I-get-away-with-and-still-appear-decent” grooming habits when my accessories remind me of their location of purchase.

“These earrings are from Prague…”

“Oh, you don’t say”

  

The Astronomical clock in Prague, Czech Rep.

What song runs through your head as you travel?

Almost without fail if I hear the words "What about me..." I will complete the sentence by singing (and yes, often it's out loud)..."It isn't fair, I've had enough now I want my share, caaan't you seeee..." I could keep going, this song is a classic!

I have many such association songs, that brighten up my day, despite the looks of oddity I may attract, but surely I'm not alone in this right?!

If a song's going to be stuck in your head, it's great when it's at least relevant.

The states and towns of the US of A are embedded in many more songs than you might think.
For example: I say New York - you sing...Frank Sinatra's New York, New York song right? Maybe a little hands on your hips and kicking your leg across the other one kind of action. "Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today, I want to be a part of it, New York, New York..."

Well, each city I visited in America, came with it's own little theme song, I couldn't get it out of my head for as long as I was there...until of course, new city, new song.

Let me know if you've had your own travelling theme song play list. Or if something else pops into your head than it did for me.

New York - Obviously for me it was good ol' blue eyes crooning away that he was "king of the hill, top of the heap...it's up to you New York, New York."

Baltimore - The movie "Hairspray" had been released a few months earlier and so fresh in my mind every day was the song "Good morning Baltimore". A bright and catchy tune where Nikki Blonsky's firing herself up that her dreams will come true. "...the world's going to wake up and see, Baltimore and me." A wonderful way to start the morning!

The day I drove to Philly for some cheese steaks and the liberty bell, the theme song was clear, if you're a  90's kid and this isn't the song that automatically pops in your head, then you should be ashamed of yourself. I pity the childhood that missed this epic.  "In West Philadelphia born and raised, on playground is where I spent most of my days..."

Next I flew to Chicago and I'll understand if you don't know this one, but Aussie country singer Lee Kernaghan was repeating "Conargo Chicago, you're doing okay" in my mind all day. What would be your theme song for Chicago?

Okay, so this next one's not exactly a song but I saw a movie once (Charly) where the main guy is trying to impress a beautiful girl, he's so nervous when he first starts talking to her that he gets his words mixed up - "Hi, I'm Utah, welcome to Sam". And that's what stuck in my head there.

Viva Las Vegas! Oh, the King! I should also mention that for most of my theme songs, I rarely knew more lyrics than I've posted here, so it really was a broken record consisting only of the sentence that actually contained the city's name in it. On another day this could be very annoying, but here I was too excited to be in Vegas to worry about whatever else Elvis had to say about it. :)

San Francisco brought two songs to mind. 40+ years after The Mamas and the Papas gave you some hairware advice in "If you're going to San Francisco...", Train released their track that used the city as a metaphor for a girl they loved and lost. but both are just as suitable as you ride the cable car and explore the wharf area that will take you to Alcatraz.

Los Angeles and San Diego were my other targets in California and spawned the songs Californication by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, California Dreamin' another one by The Mamas and the Papas! (which I didn't even realize until I researched for this post the origins of my fractured Californian songs!) and...my favourite by far, a classic to which surprise, surprise I actually know all the words for! California girls by The Beach Boys, "I wish they all could be California guuurrrrrrrllllllsssss"

Yup, well I hope you enjoyed this musical journey. That's the best part about association songs. Before my trip brought these songs to mind, but now, these songs bring back all the awesome memories I created there!

What would your theme song be for any given city you have visited?

Should a girl travel solo?

Okay so you've got the dream, the cash and the time off work. There's a not-to-be-missed sale on flights to Destination X...but…you don't have a boyfriend and are yet to convince any of your girlfriends that they also want an awesome getaway. So you're wondering...should a single girl travel alone?

Of course your safety is the most important thing, but does that mean you should stay cooped up in the bubble of your home country and never get out and explore the world, until you have a willing boyfriend or best friend to apply the “safety in numbers” principle?

Well, yes and no.

I have travelled in all sorts of combinations, in a pair (male and female), group of friends, flying solo but touring with extended family, with my mum and sisters, my husband…and of course as a solo girl!

There are benefits and drawbacks to all combos but my favourite was definitely the solo option and I’ll tell you why!

                      PRO'S                              CON'S

You can plan your own day! No compromising with an uber-enthusiastic art-loving travelling pal. If you prefer the local culture of the beach as opposed to spending every day in an art museum – then guess what? No objections! Go to the beach! You will make friends faster. Travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to explore alone. Even if you're a shy person you will be amazed at how naturally you meet people. You're bound to find a kindred soul in your hostel who is on their way to the louvre the same day as you, this means you can join forces, share the day and best of all, have someone to take your happy snaps instead of the same selfie shot as in the rest of your pics! You don’t have to wait! Or you can take as long as you like…to eat, dress, explore the attractions and sleep. The lengthy grooming/sleeping/dawdling routines of others can get really frustrating when it means you miss the only morning bus to your ancestral Irish cemetery you’ve travelled all this way to see. Your money is your own! You won’t feel pressured to spend money on sights only your friend wants to see, especially because yesterday they went white-water rafting with you. Of course compromising is part of any good relationship but if money is tight, you’ll be glad you’re the only one choosing where those hard-earned dollars go. Cheaper accommodation! A mixed dorm in a hostel is usually cheaper than a private twin/double room, saving you money. This is probably where the other solo travellers are staying too. Find someone you click with and get exploring! Damsel in distress! Play this angle up all you like. "Oh, this bag is so heavy!"...and enjoy the attentions of surrounding gentlemen.

It can get lonely. You are far from home, the locals speak a different language, you’re missing your favourite foods and you wish your best mate could’ve been there to experience the spray from the world’s tallest waterfall with you. Remedy – find some chocolate (it probably won’t be your familiar brand, but at these times, any chocolate is better than none!) It’s all up to you! Multi-tasking, detail-oriented people may relish being the master of information concerning flights, visas, language, currency, hotel, transport, sights, eateries. If the thought of all that overwhelms you, having a partner can help “share the load”. I.e. You will take care of transport to/from/around the destination, they will organize the money – conversions, travellers cards, cash etc Be alert but not paranoid. Safety can be a concern but chances are your home city carries similar warnings to visitors and (hopefully) you’re not scared to explore mostly in daylight, stick to the main streets, and not go off with strangers. Apply the same rules there! If there are legitimate safety concerns though – book a tour. There’ll still be some freedom to explore but the guide can give you local info and you know someone’s keeping tabs to keep you safe. Pack light and tight. There's nobody to 'hold your bag for a minute' or distribute weight with to get under the flight luggage limit. So make sure you have suitable luggage you can manage on your own (leave room for souvenirs). You don't want to feel vulnerable when you're loaded up like a pack-horse, with an unsecured handbag on your shoulder.

So what’s the verdict? I travelled solo and loved it, even if I do travel with others I make sure it’s clear that if we have different interests, we should both be confident and prepared enough to go our separate ways and meet up again for dinner. That way you get the best of both worlds. You have a safety buddy for night excursions and you get to check off your itinerary, not be swayed by someone elses.

I should say though, that I didn’t just up-and-away from the start. I did a USA trip with a friend and stayed mostly with family. Also, speaking the same language is a huge confidence booster when overseas.

For my next bucket list adventure I planned to backpack through Europe…I had the dream, the cash and the time…but no travel buddy! I contacted an acquaintance and a distant cousin. I fully intended to stay inside this comfort zone but it wasn’t long before I found my wings of independence.

I split from my travelling partner and experienced all of the pros and cons above, but mainly I thrived in the foreign speaking countries, with currency I had to closely inspect to determine its value every time I handed it over, making friends (plenty of other solo’s just like you), deciphering maps and navigating public transport – I loved it!

There’s no con that would dissuade me from travelling solo again. (I prefer to say solo travel vs. travelling alone. It sounds much more exotic and because the fact is, that with the right attitude, it’s you making a choice, rather than feeling like a travelling-sally-with-no-friends.)

Check out Smart Traveller to make sure you don’t legitimately need to take extra precautions (i.e. Cairo’s not a great place for anyone right now) in your destination.

Be alert, not paranoid! When you return from your amazing adventure, your friends will be so jealous about all your cool experiences and will wish they had gone too!

And finally, at the risk of sounding too cheesy - what rhymes with solo?...Yolo! (You Only Live Once) - so get out there now girl!...(yeah that was pretty cheesy.....)

What to do when you've got travel limbo - 5 tips to get you on the next flight out of here!

Perhaps it’s only the truly travel bug infected souls who can relate to the feeling of travel limbo. You have just returned from an overseas adventure, where each day, each moment incited the feeling that you were living your life in technicolour...even if you did nothing more in an entire day than wander outside your lodgings to sample an indulgent local delicacy at the closest store.

Now that you have returned home to “real” life, to your routine and responsibilities, you question how the freedoms you felt whilst you were travelling… can now feel so unreachable. A faint memory.

I suffer from travel limbo, although the cure is quite obvious. I walked into the travel agent’s. With a few signatures and my credit card swiped, I had officially booked in my next trip. Goodbye travel limbo.

Here are some tips to keep you focussed in the limbo from one adventure to another:

1.       Have a dream list of places to go – Don’t worry about practicality, finances or baby-sitting for now. Just think…”One day I’d like to explore…Thailand, Canada, Peru [insert awesome destination here].”

Every action starts first with a thought – so get those thinking gears turning – if it’s not on your mind you might miss an opportunity to make it happen!

2.       Physical Reminders - Place a picture of your dream destination on your bathroom/bedroom mirror, in the car, on the fridge. You get the idea…..somewhere it will filter into your sub-conscious. You will be surprised by how hyper-aware you will become of the travel agents window you walk past to do your weekly grocery shop. Believe me, you will be glad you put that photo up when your eye catches the sign advertising 50% off Fijian cruises…it’s the same ship as the one on your fridge!

3.       Save money! - Whether it’s a set amount or a percentage of your income. Open a separate high-interest savings account and determine that any money that goes in, only comes out for plane tickets or accommodation bookings.

It’s much easier to say no to that third pair of sequined sandals when you know that the next time there’s a 24 hour sale offer on 2-for-1 return tickets to Japan. You will already have the cash to book your seat and say sayonara to staying-at-home!

4.       Learn a language - If your dream country of destination has a national tongue different to your own – why not get a head start! You might be able to manage the basics of French in the few weeks or months before your trip, but don’t forget you’ll also be busy securing tours, researching cultural experiences, investigating accommodation as well as organizing time off work, house/baby-sitters and packing. So spend some time perfecting your pronunciation and widening your vocabulary. When compared to the usual tourist butchering – your efforts will definitely impress the locals. Breaking down the language barrier is a sure way to have a more engaging and interesting journey.

5.       Reminisce old travel memories - Put your photographs of iconic locations on your wall, perhaps you didn’t have to travel too far to take that picture of your family on the Sydney harbour bridge or the honeymoon snap of you snorkelling along the Great Barrier Reef – but they are still international icons that someone living next to the Eiffel tower or Niagara falls may be dreaming of and hoping to one day visit. Don’t take it for granted!

It can be as simple as a digital photo frame scrolling through your travel pics that can keep adventure fresh in your mind.
Having constant reminders of white-water rafting in Bali, beach hammocks on Maui and the Inca trek to Machu Picchu keeps you hungry for adventure and when you’ve got that, repeat steps 1-4 to get you through travel limbo, into your travel agents office and off to your next exotic location!

My travel photo wall. A constant reminder of the places I have been and determination to see more!

Heavenly Hana, Hawaii

Aloha!

Hawaii was the trip that changed my life. I was on holiday from my sensible career in a sensible office in the centre of the city.

The kaleidoscope of greens, blues, reds and yellows found in the abundance of nature assaulted my senses. The smells, sights, sounds and the slower pace of island life suited me and I felt careless and free. I relished my few weeks in the sand, sun and surf.

Upon my return to Australia, I finished up that sensible job and with my new-found "island mentality" decided I wouldn't get another, but would see what my heart wanted to do.

I considered my options. If my love of travel, sunshine and flexible working hours were a fruitful combination - that would be the ultimate jackpot!!!

Long story short, I began to write. My first article was published online in 2011. A very proud day for my young writing career :)

So I share it with you now. Follow the link or read it below!

Enjoy your vicarious journey of one amazing day in Maui!

Navigating the twists and turns of the Hana highway...

“Try this, it’s amazing. And so good for you.” I eyed the bran-like cereal mush being offered to me in a bowl, an all-natural sunflower seed concoction mixed with soy milk. It was clear Cat was a hippie, the natural material of her earthy-coloured clothes, bare-feet and free-flowing hair was a visual give away. I accepted mostly because of a why not attitude? That was my first introduction to Cat, another solo female traveller staying the night at the Rainbow Surf hostel in Paia, Maui.

Nine hours later Cat and I were driving the “Road-to-Hana” together.

A sense of adventure I already owned, but after a day with Cat I would learn to let go even more, to really observe, feel, touch, taste and smell nature.

It’s 6:30am when we set off from our hostel in Paia, wearing our tourist uniforms of singlet, sarong and sunglasses with an ever-ready swim suit underneath. The first stop was “Jaws”, a hard to get to surfing spot where the waves come in at 100ft during the winter months. It was August so I wasn’t expecting any big waves. The bumpy, sandy dirt road resulted in an unfamiliar “Low tyre pressure” warning light just as the air from all four tyres simultaneously escaped, a girly squeal didn’t change the fact that it was too late to turn back now.

Two girls in a rental car with no mechanical experience or phones on a deserted back road wasn’t an ideal situation. However, I’d come to see Jaws and so we pressed on.

My pilgrimage felt duly rewarded when I looked down at the infamous water below, imagining the surfer’s being towed out by jet-ski’s and riding back in on the gigantic waves funnelling into the inlet.

We sang Beach Boys songs as we rumbled back over the potholes and along the main highway to find a gas station to pump up the car tyres.

The Hana Highway narrows to a two lane winding road, about an hour past Paia town, stretching forty miles to, unsurprisingly – a town called Hana. “I survived the Road-to-Hana” giftware is everywhere, t-shirts, mugs and towels emblazoned with a yellow hazard road sign with a black arrow snaking upwards were not the kind of souvenirs I was looking for.

Rainforest sprouts one side, ocean views extend on the other. It’s known for its tight corners and edge-of-the-road cliffs into the Pacific.

It’s one road there and the same returning, unless you plan to drive around the back of the Haleakala Volcano, where the road is just as winding but even more narrow and less maintained.

It’s advised not to drive at night on either of these roads, and make sure you fill up with gas as there aren’t any refuelling stops between Paia and Hana.

Tourists are abundant here so traffic can back up due to cautious drivers, one-lane bridges and people frequently stopping at each new, but similar vista. We experienced a major hold-up due to a forest fire ahead and waited two hours whilst emergency services doused the blackened and now vegetation-less cliffs.

We wandered along the road eating ripe guavas and cherry apples from roadside trees whilst

honeymooners in their convertibles and jeeps baked in the sun and tour buses idled to keep the air-conditioning running as they waited for the road to clear.

I chose Maui to “experience” the nature of an island as it would have existed before white man’s discovery. Cat and I didn’t plan to just tick off guidebook recommended stops with a camera click and move on.

At Twin Waterfalls we wandered down a banana leaf strewn path sipping sugarcane juices, our sarongs cradling bulges of likiokai, the Hawaiian name for their sweet, yellow passionfruit. Cat had declared she didn’t need to wear shoes, I decided to follow suit, but seconds later my sandals were back on, my desire to be free was strong, but the soles of my city-feet weren’t yet up to the task.

Further down the highway at Waikani falls, a cliff face with three separate waterfalls splashed into a pool below. The occupants of a generous number of cars had stopped for their routine camera clicking, but we climbed down rocks and fallen branches at the side of the bridge to the level below, hopping from boulder to boulder until we stood before the falls. The water was freezing, but invigorating. Why not swim under a triple waterfall in Maui if it’s there to be done? I looked back up at the bridge to see those same tourists now taking photos of we brave adventurers.

Exploring the Keanae Peninsula Bay road off the main highway we found an arm of land reaching into the sea, the water looked inviting as it does everywhere, but this is not a place for swimming. The sharp, volcanic rocks and the crashing waves aren’t exactly people friendly. We saw quite a few tan-skinned fishermen though, I wondered if it was even possible to ever get used to the mesmerizing views.

I was lucky, I had my own nature guru companion to identify wild-growing mango and guava trees, but even on my own it would’ve been hard to starve along the road to Hana. The highway is ripe with fruit stands and banana bread stalls every few kilometres. “It was my Great Aunty who had the original recipe for banana bread on the island, it all started here, then everyone wanted to make their own too,” promised one islander as we sampled, “The best banana bread on Maui.”

At another vendor’s house we left our payment in a tin box on the table before pulling apart a fresh loaf of mango bread. The fruity, cinnamon smell and taste lasted much longer than the actual loaf of bread.

Following a stepped path from a timber shack displaying koa wood wind chimes, grass mats and mountains of green coconuts and papaya we found a lower level, where ferns created a natural fence allowing a glimpse of hidden ocean views beyond.

From his fruit cutting table Kevin offered us some juicy pineapple and sweet papaya. That Maui pineapple was pure golden sunshine drizzling down into my stomach, filling my mouth with a sweetness and warmth I’d not known fruit could be responsible for. We ate the entire pineapple and papaya. My lips smacked for more.

The natural high in my belly continued until we reached Coconut Glen’s ice-cream stand. Cat tried the spicy Chipotle chocolate, I had liliokai. A hollowed out, half coconut shell with a strip of coconut husk served as our bowl and spoon. I could see a light twinkling in both Cat and Glen’s eyes as they bonded over his dream of changing the world through his home-made, non-dairy, all-organic coconut milk ice-cream. It was a kind of hippie oasis and Glen’s passion was so catching that I was soon repeating his spiel to the next customers about how this was the greatest ice-cream experience you would ever have and if after tasting it you so agreed, to signal a gong on Glen’s big brass plate. I rang it three times.

Hana is all about the drive, so after our eight hour jungle exploring, lazy eating, waterfall wading and people meeting journey, we were tired!

Relax time called for some sun and sand. By now I was wearing bare-feet full-time and eager to trek to the red sand beach. It’s accessed via a sandy, somewhat rocky cliffside route. Rounding the corner to the cove where the rocky sand really is a rusty red was amazing. We clambered down to the beach. Cat posed cross-legged in the sand, meditative in the serene setting, rich red 30 metre high cliffs walled us in on three sides, some vegetation grew at its base. The swelling ocean was tamed by a giant wall of rock, creating a calm lagoon for swimming. I watched a man and his son jump from the rocks while I hot-footed it straight into the consoling water, happy to have achieved my own claim of surviving the road-to-Hana. Now all I need is one of those mugs with the road sign symbol on it.

Welcome! Welcome!

Yes, I've joined the blogosphere! It's both exhilarating and daunting - am I too late to the party? Do I have anything new to say? Are all the good blog-a-thoughts taken? Can I write anything interesting worth reading about?

Well, I have decided that procrastination has been my side-kick for far too long - so...I have kicked him to the side and taken up with my new friend "Just do it", determined to make a difference in my own life...and perhaps connect with a few lives out there while I'm at it!

So what will my blog be about? Well I have named it "Joy in the Journey" because I would like this to be a platform to commit myself to posting travel articles...But as I don't get to travel all the time (I wish!), there will undoubtedly be room for posts about experiences in my life and I would like to remember to find joy in that journey as well.

So...welcome! Join me on this journey and keep on reading, while I blog out my life and have some crazy fun along the way!