Tuesday 19 August 2014

5 of the Best and 5 of the Worst Places to Stay

Whether you travel light, long or on a budget can you think of your best and worst night's sleep? 
I have travelled in many different hotels, motels and hostels and though it's tough to pick my favourite 5 I could narrow it down to a one hand selection which offered a great nights sleep, great facilities and good vibes. With the good there is always the bad and I have selected 5 of my worst nights sleep, or if I slept well I just might not like the accommodation... they make for funny stories though! 

Here are 5 places where I would stay again in a heartbeat:


1. Pueblo Bonito Pacifica*****
Luxury All-Inclusive Resort, Cabo San Lucas - Mexico

We'll start from the very top, where I cannot go past offering Pueblo Bonito Pacifica my poll position. This resort in Cabo San Lucas offers all inclusive to adults only so unlike it's sister resorts in Cabo it isn't infested with children. It's beachfront and has two large pools to prevent you swimming in the dangerous currents. There is no doubt this place is luxury, but we managed to score a great deal on Expedia when combining flights from San Diego, which is the closest US city to fly out of. For 4 nights and return flights for two it cost us $800 each which in the scheme of all inclusive is great value. We stayed at the end of March over Easter actually, where the resort put on an awesome Easter egg hunt which included spa prizes and diamonds! We scored 2 free t shirts which made for great pajamas. My recommendation is to stay over a Sunday where they put on a killer Sunday Brunch with flowing mimosas included. Each night is a different theme by the pool, we most enjoyed the Mexican night of course. Shaun loved the morning tequila shots which are basically a replacement for espresso coffee in Cabo, followed by Mango Margaritas all shaken poolside. I unfortunately cannot stomach tequila due to a night out that turned to the toilet bowl... but there was plenty to offer for me that was exclusive of tequila.
Overall our stay here was romantic, fun and relaxing with other guests forming groups of friends, honeymooners and people travelling from all over the world. If we could stay anywhere in the world again, this would be it and we are already planning our next trip here already, and bringing friends along for the experience. 


The most exotic and spectacular place I've stayed - Ever!

2. Villa Skansi Backpackers House
Hostel, Backpackers, Hvar, Croatia

This is good as backpacking accommodation gets, this family host do everything right. We arrived here on a hot afternoon and went straight to the outdoor terrace to check in, and offered a drink on arrival (not spiked with alcohol but our newly-made kiwi friends brought that along to share). We waited for our key and enjoyed the Croatian sun on the wicker furniture unaware of the beauty of this hostel. While waiting I was stung by a European wasp, and without further ado my Magyver kiwi friends patted the bite down with some of that vodka and a little bit of ice to heal - right as rain - as we say. Our room was ready at this point, downstairs into a basement like area were the dorm rooms, ours at the very back next door to the decked out kitchen. The rooms and bathroom were above standard hostel quality, but what made our visit to Hvar so much more enjoyable was the quality shower which head 5 different heads. What hostel in the world offers luxury shower heads? It was the best showering experience I had in a long time, 2 months into my backpacking journey, it was welcomed. The family host just knew how to make it all work, offering such great facilities to their backpackers and all the contacts of the world to get a boat here, jetski there, or a bike from the house next door to the grocers. It felt like a home, and they had welcomed us. We stayed over a weekend, and we all put in money to buy lots of meat, and the husband and wife duo cooked up a mean Croatian BBQ. It was a fun beginning to our night there, but also symbolised our last night in Hvar. It was also sadly the owners last night with their family dog who had reached an age of no recovery. We ate our BBQ and raised our glasses in the air to Blacky and our family host for their welcoming and wonderful hospitality. This place is perfect for solo, couple or group backpackers looking for a welcoming and fun vibe in more of a Villa style than a hostel. When I return to Croatia in 2015, I will re-visit here with my hubby to share wonderful experiences again - Cheers Villa Skansi.  

Outdoor terrace with a view!

3. Salerno Motel***
Motel, Christchurch - New Zealand

We visited Christchurch 3 months after the devastating earthquake. Despite so many people telling us to rethink our trip, we are super glad we went and super glad we stayed in the city. There is no doubt it was eerily quiet, the motel owner was welcoming and let us know what to do in case of any tremors throughout the night. I was slightly hoping that I would be able to experience a low magnitude quake, and follow his instructions to remain calm and on the bed, where he would then come around and check on each of us, what a host. Apart from seeing the magnificent aftermath of the 2011 destructive earthquake, we spent 3 lovely nights here at what looks like a standard motel. But Salerno Motel is far from it. The rooms offer a pop of colour which themes the entire room, we had metallic silver and turquoise and I still remember it. With a massive spa bath to warm you overnight during our winter stay. The motel was right on Bealey St which is the boundary of the CBD but is still walking distance to the centre and the gorgeous Botanical Gardens. Christchurch is only a 3 hour flight from Sydney, so a short trip to revisit is well worth it and if I was to return to the South Island I would definitely stay here again. 

The contrast of beauty and destruction in Christchurch months after the 2011 Earthquake
Deluxe Spa Suite in Salerno Motel

4. Pan Pacific Singapore****
Hotel, Singapore, Singapore


There are so many people I know who have been to Singapore either in transit for a night or for a week long stay, so I had many offers of recommendations for our stay. I'm not one to stay in mainstream places like Raffles Hotel, but I was tempted to book the Marina Bay Sands, it was just far too expensive for our 3 nights. We booked Pan Pacific Singapore with Qantas Hotels when we bundled up our flights and earnt some cool points during our stay, as well as an awesome upgrade on arrival. What set this hotel on top for me was the location, design and hospitality. It was set on top of Marina Square which had a massive H&M to get well and truly lost in, as well as a two minute walk to the Flyer and the Helix Bridge over the Marina Bay. Our hotel room was high-tech and ultra modren with a spa bath, that was separated by a king bed overlooking out onto the Singapore Flyer. After a humid day exploring the cultural districts across the city, arriving back into the hotel is refreshing not just with it's airconditioned breeze, but the complimentary chilled beverage in the foyer to enjoy sitting in the floating pods of the indoor bar atrium. The class and elegance here reminds me of Changi Airport, where hospitality in Singapore continues from your arrival to departure. That is why when I return to Singapore, not if, we will stay here again as the perfect transit destination for a few nights (or more).


Our suite at the Pan Pacific Singapore


5. Oasis Hostel Lisbon***
Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal

Featured on Europe's Famous Hostel's list, Oasis was literally an oasis location to stay in Lisboa. I recommend to majority of backpackers to use Europe's Famous Hostels list for many major cities when they book their stay, because Oasis was our first experience booking from this selection and is now tried and true for me and many other EFH hostels across Europe. So thanks EFH and Oasis for the novice experience that turned me into a fully fledged EFH booker. I first arrived here after a week long trip on a friends couch in London, followed by a hell-hole journey in Paris, then a magnificent few days in San Sebastian. I was still new to and learning about the backpacking world, and it was the third country I was visiting outside the familiar UK. I speak a little bit of Portuguese (the Brazilian version) so I was already excited to show off these skills to the locals. It turns out I speak a much more polite version than the locals. Arriving here I made some incredible Canadian and American friends, who I am still in touch with to this day, and who joined us to south Portugal for another few nights. This hostel offers friendly vibes, and great facilities to share set out with only small groups, so it is friendly enough to make friends, but not crowded enough to enjoy your space. They serve Sangria most nights and this was my first try of my now addicted Sangria and specifically red wine - I owe it to Portugal. The outdoor courtyard of this place is somewhat fairytale, with its lighting and vine covered brick walls that enclose you in, all to bring you closer to new friends. Here I played my first game of Flip Cup with my Canadian and American friends, got lost climbing the extremely steep yet narrow roads, and enjoyed breakfast of your choice each morning in the main kitchen. Overall Lisbon is an under-rated city, and I will return here, with my accommodation of choice back at Oasis to make new friends, hopefully for life.


Bathroom for one room, kitchen and living for two - always enough space in Oasis
Fantastic friends made in Portugal

Now onto the bad. Here are the 5 worst places I have stayed for many reasons and here's exactly why...

1. Vancouver Ramada Inn
Hotel, Vancouver, Canada


I don't know how to put this. Ramada, a quality hotel chain right? Offering accommodation around the world for a good night sleep. There is no denying that this hotel specifically didn't have too much wrong with it. The room was a little small, but not too bad for comfort. The hot water was tempermental, but not enough to ruin the shower. The bed was extraordinarily comfortable, and just perfect for a 28 hour journey to get there and sleep. And here is where it went all wrong. 
My husband and I begun our 7 week honeymoon in Vancouver, to watch some ice hockey, get a few runs in at Whistler and show me his old stomping ground. We were staying at the Ramada for one night after we landed in from YVR at 11:00 pm, then moving onto another hotel near English Bay for the rest of our 5 night stay (thank god we did). We had a shower and freshened up after the long haul flight, cheapest option was SYD - LAX - SFO - YVR a total of 28 hours, so we were on minimal sleep. Bed was all we wanted. I forgot to mention we were on the 5th floor of the 6th floor building. The hotel rooms stop at the 5th floor where the penthouse belongs to a personal owner. Shaun was knocked out cold sleeping before I even touched my head down onto the pillow, he did not witness half of what I am probably unable to share with you. But he was awoken 2 hours later by me at 2:45 am pleading with him to do something about the noise. The noise I am referring to was a Ménage à trois occuring in the penthouse directly above our bed including two females and an overtly loud arrogant man (the personal owner who apparently has lasted for over 3 hours). I heard everything, including one female being dropped, or falling on her bare behind which vibrated our entire room. I was at breaking point, I shook Shaun awake and said how can you sleep through this! Generally, I wouldn't care and Shaun said what I originally thought, how can I stop people from you know, having sex. But 2.5 hours in, with ridiculous (fake) noises and on no sleep I was beyond caring. I rang the reception at 3:00 am and said "Excuse me, but there are terrible noises coming from upstairs on the 6th floor and I am unable to sleep". A bell boy was sent up to do the unthinkable, ask a resident of the building to keep his rendesvous down as he is disturbing the guests. You know what his response was. Girls you're making too much noise. No you arrogant twat you are speaking far too cocky (pardon the pun) and loudly who cares if your having a 3-way keep it to yourself until you can brag to your friends tomorrow. Needless to say I was too embarrassed to mention it the next morning at 8:00 am that I had had less than 5 hours sleep. But I was glad to get out of there for the rest of my Vancouver stay, and never again will I return. 


On 5 hours sleep we still cheer for the Canucks, just backwards with the Aussie Flag.


2. Mission Valley Resort San Diego
Not a resort, San Diego, California

Unlike Vancouver, we were towards the end of our 7 week honeymoon so we found this place on booking.com where we could pay on check out. It was in Mission Valley, halfway in between San Diego CBD and Seaworld so a balanced location. We had a car to get around, and they offered free parking. The pictures on the website looked pretty good, we like to book places with an outdoor pool and spa so we thought it would do.
We arrived and almost immediately knew the pictures do no represent the true identity of this dodgy 'resort'. I won't go into too much detail because I do not want to speculate about what I really think this place is for. We arrived in the afternoon and were pretty buggered from the road trip from Las Vegas across the desert and bypassing LA (during peak hour). We lied down on the bed, TV on and ready to plan out the next 3 days in San Diego cautious of money at that point of the trip. Shaun and I were relaxing on the bed having a laugh trying to unwind, when my eye is caught by something in the corner behind the door. A dark patch in the carpet. Is it unravelling carpet? Maybe a dead rodent? Go and check it out Shaun. There nestled in the corner of the room lay this...

A previous guest left behind some personal belongings - they match the style of the carpet
A phone call to reception produced free breakfast for our 3 nights stay and a cleaner to arrive in our room. He came stocked with a clear zip lock bag, he was definitely collecting evidence. After the SDPD left we considered changing rooms, if not "resorts". But we knew we were on a budget and would have to suck it up. I struggled to get 100% comfortable sleeping in that bed. The morning we checked out, approximately 3:00 am to make a 6:00 am flight to Cabo, we realised why there was a leftover garment in our room. With an array of Escalades and SUV's parked all over the joint, all disappearing before anyone would usually resurface from their rooms to explore the beauty of San Diego. Just a tip, do not stay here no matter what the pictures look like. It ain't that pretty.

 
3. Albany Super 8
Motel, Albany, Up-state New York


After a 4 week road trip around New England into Canada, and through up-state New York, 
we were on the home stretch from Niagara to New York for our return flight home. Unable to make it in one leg, we stopped over Albany to stay the night. As Shaun and I have stayed in a range of hotels, motels, hostels and B&B's over plenty of trips we thought a night in a Super 8 couldn't hurt. It was literally a one night stop and there wasn't anything for us to see, as we would be gone first thing in the morning. We arrived here just before dark and before inspecting the room we went down the road for dinner at the only place that was open. One of those $8.00 all you can eat, you know up-state style, Golden Coral I think it was. I ate steamed vegetables and rice avoiding anything suspicious, mainly because of deep fried or health hazard precaution. Usually I eat many cuisines overseas, but America is the only country that has left me with food poisioning to date. Back at the motel room its late and we are ready to hit the hay. After a shower that would not warm up, I peeled back the sheets to discover the bed had all different hairs stuck to the fleece blanket. It's the middle of winter in North America, no hot water and no fleece blanket am I going to make it through the night? Bang! Bang! Bang! It's 10:30 at night who is at a motel room door? Maybe we aren't going to make it through the night. I make Shaun creep over to check the door. He opens it to the latch only. Oh, sorry wrong room says some random guy. I think I have watched too many American horror movies, it was the perfect setting for something to go wrong. We leave the next morning and as we are packing up the Jeep the town siren starts going off, we start rushing thinking OK we're evacuating now. And the town is silent, calm and going about their business. I still don't know if there was an incoming tornado (in the middle of winter I doubt) or someone on the loose, but the siren rang through the town for ages. On check out we wanted to complain about the hot water and us being unable to change rooms, apparently we were the closest to the hot water tank so should get the first dibs, poor buggers at the end... The receptionist gets out the complaint book. Dead set she heaves up a book as thick as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and opens it up to the back. It's like what haven't we heard before. 
So in the last 3 trips to North America, we have stayed at Super 8 once, and once only.

4. Peter Pan Hostel
Hostel, Rebibbia, Rome

Rome is spectacular, full of history and ruin. This place is nothing but ruin, and unfortunately represents a poor metropolitan Rome, surrounded by the graffiti that surrounds most of the city. Most hostels are expensive for a stay in Rome and EFH's top hostel was booked out, so I thought I would cut back this city and try somewhere different within my price range. There is a reason this place is $25.00 a night, and should be less! I get out at Rebibbia station and walk the short distance to the hotel, it was short enough to walk straight past a prison. Then when I arrived to this hostel I thought, is this a prison, or maybe it reflected more like a hospital ward. The wide hallways, with shared bathrooms with tubs that looked straight out of the One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Our room was in the basement, with a small narrow window just above ground, so we could escape if we needed to. There was just nothing going for this place, the staff were not interested, the kitchen was sterile in a way that was uninviting with tables and chairs, again straight from the hit Jack Nicholson movie. What really bothered me about this hostel was when departing I asked for a taxi call to pick me up and drop off to the Roma Centrale station in time for my departure to Bari. Usually I am happy to catch trains everywhere, but being so far out in the suburbs a taxi was quicker so I didn't miss my train. I head outside with my backpack on and wait for the taxi to arrive. 10 minutes. 15 minutes. I need to ask questions now. The receptionist didn't make the call. They make a rushed call to the taxi company and I walk out to the main road now to make the journey that little bit faster. In the end, yes I missed my original train, which meant I had to stay in Bari for an extra night and miss my original ferry to Athens. Come to think of it, I can again blame this hostel to the terrible experience I had on the back up ferry I took to Greece.

http://www.hostels247.com/album/d5faeca8d0b95eae784fdc3006a9d19a.jpg
Prison-like Quarters in Rome
5. Sofitel Queenstown
Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand

I thought hard about what was number 5 on this list. Mainly because of the dozens of places I have stayed they have been great, offered just what I needed and 5 out of 50 isn't too bad. So if I have to pick, it would have to be the top of the range Sofitel in Queenstown. The premises are prestigious, the location is spot on, and the amenities were top notch. It is the best bathroom I have ever had the pleasure of showering and bathing in, with heated floors, waterfall showerhead and TV set in the bathtub wall. Amaze-balls! The king bed was one of the best I've slept, and was finished off with two little balconies that were just above street level. I just plain didn't like the vibe. It felt pretentious, and I can't deal with pretentious. I can stay in resorts, 5-star quality but give me the humble smile and warmth when I walk in!!! The staff were all tightly lipped, and spoke French in a New Zealand city, offering a Bonjour/Bonsour on arrival, give me a Kia Ora!!! If I wanted the French hospitality I would gladly receive it in France, New Caledonia or French Canada. I like authenticity, and local flavour which I found this hotel lacked. Everything else was spot on, but if I were to return to Queenstown, it would be to visit somewhere a lot more laid back and run by a local. I only have myself to blame for booking it, and most would love the experience. It just wasn't for me.

I haven't offered links or photos to help describe these locations as I wouldn't recommend them to my readers. At the end of the day, book accommodation that best suits you and yourself as a traveller. You will always be slightly surprised wherever you book, and these experiences shape future visits and tell your story. 

Whether you're looking for the best quality budget hostel, the 5-star all-inclusive resort, and even the all-inclusive (sub-)penthouse magazine shoot, embrace the journey always. 
.

Friday 8 August 2014

My Top 5 Worst Wandering Experiences

With the amount of time and effort you devote to travelling, something is bound to go wrong, at least a few times.

I think that's the reason I am still travelling, it is a method for me to learn from my mistakes, because when I look back at the worst experiences I have had abroad, I recognise how I could have dealt with the problems a lot better. Or even avoided them altogether.

We all have a moment where we get lost, or miss the train or maybe get food poisoning when we are wandering the globe, but most of the time these aren’t ground breaking life defining moments that change the way you travel, or even you as a person. I admit getting lost can be terrifying for some, but for me it is that wrong corner turned where the greatest discoveries are found. I'm talking about the ground breaking and life defining travel experiences that left a mark in my life that when I look back have moulded who I am as a traveller, and overall as a person.

So I will let you in on the 5 travel experiences that changed me, some just a little and some a lot. 

Starting from a little:

5. An overnight cruise from Bari to Athens

I told my husband this story for the first time last week, and I must admit re-telling it I feel so stupid and I even shake my head at people who do stupid things like this. So to put it out there first, this experience was a case of poor judgement on my behalf.

I was on an overnight cruise from the south coastal city of Bari in Italy, across the Adriatic Sea and into Greece’s Patras to transit to Athens. My brother had told me when he was in Bari it was a little different to the rest of Italy, and to be careful as some areas may be a little rougher than others. So to prepare I had my guard up already, but I was pleasantly surprised by the city and the locals of Bari and really enjoyed the night and day I had spent there. I was feeling a lot more relaxed and ready to embark on the ferry to Greece, because Bari hadn’t phased me like expected. I jumped on the boat with a friend, and we made ourselves familiar. There were no cabins, just a large dining/bistro area with circular booths I was eyeing off already to sleep on for the journey. And also a theatre room with a couple dozen rows of seats, it was already full I think people had my idea and picked their bed for the night and started relaxing. So we settled later for some dinner, and then sat in the booth where a waiter took our order for a glass of wine. He returned with the bottle and said we could have it on the house. How lovely… We later went out to the balcony to enjoy the sunset with our final glass of wine, where the waiter followed to have a smoko break. I can tell some of your alarm bells might already be ringing. Here is a middle-aged European waiter, who travels out at sea for a job offering free bottles of wine and now follows two girls out onto a balcony for a smoke. 

Enjoying a glass of wine across the Adriatic Sea
I am a friendly person, it’s my personality, ingrained into me and has given me the opportunity to make many friends while travelling so I am grateful. However this can be taken the wrong way sometimes, and I think in this circumstance it did. The waiter told us about the boat, how often it is at sea and the imports and exports on board. He asked us if we wanted to go to the roof where all the truck drivers were to see all the cargo shipments heading for Athens. We were curiously interested, and this is where I have now learnt to signal my alarm bells, flags and whistles in the future. The rooftop was divine, unobstructed views of the Adriatic sea, and was very warm, away from the wind like on the balcony. We watched truck drivers lie on the roof with their beer bellies hanging out, taking in the Mediterranean sun, and saw an aerial view of the lines of trucks parked with inches to spare behind them ready to reverse off the ship when at port. My friend quickly went off to the bathroom, where the waiter put his arm around me. I smiled politely and knew then that he was more than friendlier than I anticipated and it was unwanted. I explained to him, I am definitely not interested and I would like to go back down to the deck. As soon as my friend returned, he was obliging and took us down where we packed up ready to sleep very early to avoid any future confrontation with the middle-aged perve. What makes me call him a perve, while we were trying to get to sleep he came past the theatre room and tickled our feet. I cringed and held myself ever-so tightly to pretend I was in a deep sleep, surrounded by so many passengers this was the place I was going to remain until we got off that boat.

A rooftop view
So lesson learnt indeed, most travel experiences will surprise you like Bari did for me, but a reminder not to let your guard down too far. Enjoy yourself, remain safe and remain alert. I could have avoided that situation indeed, listen to my intuition and when the flag is up, raise it high and move along.

4. Bali

I’ll paint a picture for you. Many of you know Bali and if you have been you know the atmosphere, the large amounts of Australians that go. Imagine what you know, now add a group of 7 girls travelling together for 10 nights in Legian Beach just outside of Kuta. Tell me you knew exactly what I was thinking before I even booked this trip…

I didn’t want to go. I had just returned from backpacking Europe, I felt like a nomad. Backpack imprints on my shoulders and back, wrists covered in a band from nearly every city I visited, you could of put feathers in my hair and braided it – my spirit was free and I felt like the world was ready to be discovered. My friends saw this as an opportunity to invite me to Bali for a birthday celebration, a 10 night birthday celebration. I never had an interest in Bali. Indonesia yes, very much so. But Bali was not foreign, too many Aussies saturate the streets and it is embarrassing. My closest girlfriends were going and were holding me up to it to go with them. I felt guilty, and I did want a girls trip to some extent, but not to this degree and I knew it going in what was going to happen. I made a pact with a good friend of mine, that we would stick by one another and if she ever felt uncomfortable or needed time and space I would help her out. A third world country can be confronting, but add fuelled up binge drinkers to the mix, it causes an ugly scene. Don’t get me wrong the trip was relaxing, fun and I got to see all that is Bali. But I felt like I had betrayed my values as a traveller, that I did walk the path most travelled. We didn’t venture out to see the temples, the rainforests, the islands. We walked Poppy Lane I and II about 5 times, and visited Bounty Bar most nights. I enjoyed the time spent with friends, but all it takes is one unhappy customer to cause the group to split, the awkwardness is tripled and everyone is on edge. The birthday girl felt as though we did not want to do everything she wanted to do and this trip was about her and we should be doing and going where she wanted. We were quick to remind her that we all paid our own share to go on this holiday and we would spend 9 out of the 10 nights doing something we wanted to do as a group not as per one individual. That didn’t go down well and the drama and water works arrived. Needless to say I am not friends with this person for other reasons but as you can see we probably aren’t the best suited friends. I spent a night out with some other people we were travelling with, and dined in local Indonesian restaurants, eating local fare and learning some cool words in Indonesian. That night away from the drama made me feel back down to my roots, and realised Bali can offer some experiences that weren’t for the naïve Australian tourist. I threw my tourist sticker away that day, and vowed that every future trip will be spent doing something truly amazing with my time and the countries glory to explore.

Cheersing in an Australian restarant, in Bali...
3. San Francisco

Why is San Francisco doing on this list? This Californian city is too beautiful to be considered in a Top 5 worst experience list? I don’t have anything against this city at all, just a series of bad luck occurred the first time I visited.

It was one thing after another, me and my newlywed husband were here for 3 nights and it was our last 2 weeks of our 7 week honeymoon. We had just been to Vancouver and Big White in British Columbia Canada, Couer D’Alene in Idaho, Chicago, New York, Montreal and Washington DC. We’re not tired just yet, but our funds were, we were in between a pay check so dining at IHOP for breakfast every morning was our strategy, along with sharing a bread bowl of Boudin Bakery’s Clam Chowder, AND trying to walk everywhere in San Francisco (the hills don’t look that big til you ¼ way up the top). I remember sitting in front of the painted ladies overlooking the city, and taking it all in as I am on the phone to our useless bank disputing the fact that they were 5 days behind withdrawing funds. Like seriously, what bank takes 5 days to withdraw the $1000.00 you took out of the bank plus the flights etc along the way. So in theory we thought we had more money that we did.

Lesson learnt #1 go back to the trusty travel card.

Given the financial stress, Shaun and I had a big argument while we were walking along the bay. Not about money. About who was better at exercising during our personal training, yeah go figure. The thing is with Shaun and I, and both our parents will agree, we will argue til the cows come home about who is right. A search on Google is generally how we end arguments, but when it’s personal we will keep going and no-one will admit they are wrong until Shaun realises he won’t win, so he does. I remember arguing with him about the Bugatti and he thought it was a V12 engine, but I said no it is two V6 engines so they classify it a W12. I was right, I am Top Gear certified. So the argument isn’t the issue, this happens all the time, but the issue was that I couldn’t take it anymore and I walked off. I think it was a good 2 hours wasted when we could have been exploring that Shaun was looking for me, when all along I was waiting for him at the information centre – duh look there!

Lesson learnt #2 when travelling it’s OK to argue, but don’t walk off.

The money scenario was sorted, the argument was long gone and we had made up. And we were off to Vegas! We had a 7:30 am flight from SFO. So we checked out of the motel at 5:00 am and called a taxi to take us to the airport. We have this thing in the US, where you check in your biggest bag, then you take your backpack and carry on etc. to the gate and they ask passengers if it’s a full flight if they want to bring their bag to the front to check it in – no extra cost! So anyway we’re untangling our bags to go through security, when the security officer asks us to take out any laptops or aerosols. Shaun looks at me and says get the tablet out of your backpack. But the tablet isn’t in my backpack? “I gave it to you at checkout”… I think San Francisco had just consumed me by then and stress was visibly coming out of my ears. I knew right then and there the tablet was either at the counter at the motel or in the taxi. And guess what, the receptionist at the motel didn’t have it and the taxi company said the driver didn’t have it, I wonder who has it now?

Lesson learnt #3 when things are going bad, just go with it an expect it to get worse – and don’t panic, keep it together.

So, San Francisco is still an incredible city, I just learnt 3 valuable lessons here.


2. Singapore Changi Airport

This is the funniest of the lot. I actually love this one, and contemplated making My Top 5 Greatest Experiences, and put it on there.

I’m sure all of you are familiar with preparing for your departure to a country, to check your government, embassy and lonely planet guides about entering permissions for the country your visiting. I for one have used Australia’s Smart Traveller, run by our government. I have used this plenty of times, for every country I have been to, ensuring I can always enter when I arrive. I do wonder at this point, how do the Amazing Race contestants manage to organise visas and entries to a country if they have no idea they’re going?

So we arrive to Changi Airport just before 11:00 am for our 2:00 pm flight to Ho Chi Minh City. We had just spent the morning walking around Marina Bay and the F1 track in the hottest day of our stay, so the air conditioned terminal was bliss. We are flying Tiger across the Gulf of Thailand and go to check in once we hit the 3 hour mark. I love being at the airport early because I love exploring and people watching as locals and tourists come and go. At check in the attendant takes our passport and flicks through asking where is your arrival letter into Vietnam? I said we don’t need an arrival letter, I checked with our government before we left Australia can pay on entry. She checks with her supervisor and returns to say, no you need an approval letter before you depart I cannot check you on this flight. My heart starts palpitating, so what do I need to do? She tells us to contact the Vietnamese Embassy and arrange an approval letter and this could take up to 3 days. OK my heart is really beating out of my chest now – I am thinking about the all-inclusive resort we have booked in 3 days’ time on a beach resort in Mui Ne. I do not want to miss out on this. I walk away from the counter with Shaun and he is telling me to relax. We head downstairs to get the free WiFi I am visually distressed, and the soldiers walking around with AK47 rifles are looking at me. That immediately calms me. I call the Australian Embassy international number AND their local Singapore number. No answer, on all numbers. I would hate to actually be in trouble. I look up the address and we get into a taxi and drive out to the Australian Embassy, right near Orchard Rd aren’t they lucky. The security guard is suspiciously looking at us. I see some DFAT workers coming from their lunch break. I ask them for help, one was the assistant to the Australian Ambassador in Singapore. She told me to go to the Vietnamese Embassy and gave us the address, and gave me her card to let me know how we went. She also said, did you try calling us… I laughed and said yes dear, on every number. They don’t make it easy for you.

We head over the the Vietnamese Embassy, a two-storey house with open gates and no-one attending. It is hilarious the comparison to Australia’s Fort Knox premises. It was also highly convenient for us that the visa approvals was only open from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm, and here we are now at 12:30 pm... There is a laminated piece of paper telling us to contact a travel agent who can organise a visa for us. I call them and they say, yeah we can do for you in 2 days, $70.00. Can you do it for me today? Yes, $250.00. Each. Get here now. Our taxi driver is waiting for us, Amazing Race style, to take us to the travel agent. This place was awesome, an 11 storey building with tiny little offices for local Singapore businesses. A different side to Singapore and here we are sitting in their office. They process Vietnamese travel and visas all day every day, and see many Australians every day just like us. Too many of us get it wrong confused with the website… hmmmmm maybe something needs to change there. He takes our passports and fills out paperwork while Shaun is at the local ATM withdrawing $500.00 SGD to pay for our 2 hour visa application. The agent, Kelvin, drives Shaun and our passports to the embassy and chats friendly with the officers, who produce a nice fresh new visa approval into our passport. That visa cost more than our actual passport. The next thing Kelvin does once he is back at the office with Shaun and our passports, is book us a flight leaving Singapore at 5:00 pm (in 3 hours). Off to the airport we go, this time Jetstar so I don't need to face the Tiger attendants in embarrassment.

Vietnamese Embassy

I am so amazed at how quickly we managed to sort that out, and depart Singapore on the same day. It was one of the best travel experiences I have ever had, as well as the most avoidable. I will always read the information a lot more clearly now when travelling to another country. And when in doubt, call to find out.

1. Paris

It has taken me a few days to think about writing this one, I have been  procrastinating. This experience I hold mainly to myself, but it is important to share with others because many other people have been caught in similar situations. This is about being at the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Happy exploring the Parisian streets

Many people have mixed reviews about the City of Love that is Paris. You either love it or you don't. I'll tell you my overall review of Paris would be a beautiful city decorated with wonderful, historical and architectural masterpieces. It is frightening the idea of gypsies and over the top salesman who shove Eiffel Tower keyrings in your face constantly, but that comes with the nature of travelling to high traffic tourist destinations. For me the City of Paris is not a place of love. An unfortunate experience occurred which resulted in fleeing from the city 2 days earlier than anticipated. 

I had taken the advice from a fellow hostel roommate to view the Eiffel Tower directly from Trocadero station and the Trocadero Gardens. Beautiful spot, and as I am laying my eyes on the landmark for the first time up close and at night taking pictures, I am approached. A function was going on somewhere behind me and there were drunken locals fluttering about, and there was one there I was not interested in at all. With a plastic cup of booze in one hand and his other on me, this guy grabs onto me and basically harasses me in front of one of the most romantic spots in the world. I run to a couple to make it look like I am surrounded by people, and speak English to them for help. They do not understand as they are not French nor speak English. At that point this guy chases me and grabs hold of the back of my belt loop pulling me backwards and placing parts of him on parts of me that or not welcomed. At this point I am feeling overwhelmed and run to the bottom of the Eiffel Tower and am surrounded by dodgy market men trying to sell their souvenirs. It all happened so quickly, but I was out of there and out of Paris the next morning. 

I know full and well that this can occur anywhere in the world, including locally in my own city/country. This is why it would shame me if someone did something like this to a traveller in Australia as it would destroy the person's experience. That is why I will always watch what is going on around me, not only to embrace the world and the people in it, but to also be aware, even in the most populated cities on this earth.

I did not fall in love with Paris when I visited, but I hope to revisit and try and fall in love with the French capital one day. Travelling is an experience, and it can be positive or negative but it will mould you.

Let the spirit of wander change you. Learn from mistakes and bad experiences, and allow them to frame your mind to become not only a better person, but a greater traveller. And never stop seeing the world.

Sunday 3 August 2014

Wandering About Chasing the Dream

In life we are all chasing a dream, in the United States it is a constant drumming to children and middle-class workers to live the American dream. Growing up in Australia, I can't remember any defining dream-making stories, which is probably the reason why I created my own along the way. My parents can probably vouch for me on this one, if I wanted something I worked out a way to make it happen, and it was usually not what everyone else wanted. At some point growing up, I turned against what most people thought was normal, it was a coming of age moment when after my 10th birthday I didn't want to be the girl that blended in with everyone else. I quit dance class, threw out all of pink decorations in my bedroom and pulled my hair back. I decided at a young age that I was going to define my own dreams, and chase them. I am proud of that moment, and 14 years later, I have another itch to chase my next dream.

I had just finished an organic, filling and mega-tasty breakfast at my favourite cafe in Cronulla. It's a ritual to come down here for a Saturday starter in the sun, but I had the morning off work to head to a medical appointment and wanted to make the most of the gorgeous weather Sydney had been lucky with this Winter. Maybe since living in Melbourne, and being under a blanket of grey 90% of the time, I needed to embrace the blue skies I had missed so much. 

After brekky, I had an hour to kill until I needed to head to my appointment, so I walked 4 kilometres around Bate Bay in Cronulla, and took in the phenomenal views that cannot be taken for granted. I love this spot. I have my earliest memories in this place, whether picnicking on the grass behind Shelley Beach as a toddler, or body boarding at Eleura as a teenager, this place is as home as it gets. For more than just the memories, but I own a property here and have lived right in the thick of it for a year of my life so the weekly visits were permanent at some point. I love people watching and as I listen to people walk together chatting about what their plans for the weekend are, or how they're not speaking to their boyfriend right now because of how much of a jerk he is, I wonder what their journey in life is. I am here this morning only because I have a morning off work to go to the doctors, but these people around me have tans that take an effort so mornings here must be frequented. How do they do it? I would kill to be strolling the beaches of Vietnam, or the Swiss lakeside just one morning at a time, what are these people doing each day wasting time here, or is this just the lifestyle they worked so hard for? I must admit being stranded until my next departure makes me an envious person, I think it is due to lack of travel in the last year and my soul is yearning to be driving to that airport for an international departure - on a one way ticket. 

A spot to contemplate, with a view - Growing up in Cronulla, New South Wales

45 minutes later, I head back around the bay to wait for Shaun to meet me. This 10 minutes I spent waiting was a ground breaking moment for me. The first time I have never thanked Shaun for making me wait. I sat down looked at this spectacular view, and knew that everything we had planned was right, and we were heading in the right direction. Any inkling of doubt was washed away that morning at the beach, to the point where I would even sell our property to make our dreams come true. That property was 500m up the road, and our tenants were probably coming home from night shift working at the hospital or cleaning up the apartment to get ready for a party there were probably going to throw to start off the weekend. Who knows, we don't know them, but they're living there while we are stuck with the lack of financial freedom to leave the country without a doubt. 


Contemplation time was over, I was sitting in the waiting room to see my gynaecologist (sorry for the overshare, but it's a woman's world). Literally 15 minutes in the room with my doctor, I am back at reception paying over $200 and booked in for surgery in less than 2 weeks time. The receptionist smirks at me as I ask her how much my Private Health Cover will pay for the surgery. She prints me all the fees and asks me to pay a deposit, I smile and nod and say thank you so much... for just destroying my dreams. The silence between Shaun and I is as awkward as anything, I know what he's thinking, he knows what I'm thinking and the whole car ride home was silent a part from me forcibly asking what he wanted for lunch. Once we're home, I have a quick 30 minutes for lunch before I get to work for the afternoon. We're grilling some chicken and Shaun says to me, so what are we going to do. I hyperventilate inside and say well I have been thinking, we have a few options: 
  1. We cancel my surgery..... "Carissa your health is important, no."
  2. We delay the trip another 6 months to save more money..... "Carissa we have already delayed this dream of ours, no."
  3. We look at selling the apartment to have the financial freedom we desire and have no mortgage that bleeds into our travel funds..... "Bingo, yes."
I couldn't believe 4 hours later my exact thoughts were now translating into reality, and he agrees with me. Our plan was to break even with the mortgage and the rent while we were away, but we needed X amount of savings to do that before we went, and the medical bills (that private health insurance sneakily doesn't cover) were a big rain on our parade. I explained the unnecessary to Shaun, how I always feel like I have my head in the clouds and I dream so big and high sometimes, that when something like this happens I feel so deflated and I start sinking back down to the ground again. I need to control this feeling, and selling the property will do that. OK quick, I have to get to work now...

I'm now excited, motivated and restless. You can hear the exhilaration in my voice as my dreams are getting closer. In less than 24 hours, we met with our most fabulous real estate agent and signed the paperwork. A lot of you might be thinking, silly, silly girl. A lot of you don't know me, and how being spontaneous my whole life had lead to a lot of success and happiness. And lately I had been lacking spontaneity and it felt so good to be alive and ready to go! 

A question I asked my followers - Would you?

I know what I want, it's been a while since I have been able to make a decision, sometimes not even knowing what to have for dinner. So knowing what I want is just as liberating as the idea of selling the house, successfully. We have the next couple of weeks on the market to see if this will all come together as we hoped, for those of you outside of Australia, the property is booming here, especially Sydney. You know when you take a journey in life, and things just work out, this is that moment in the making. With the potential to change our lives, the next step in this journey before departure, is to quit my job... A seven year career, stable, networked, well-paid and could I really do this? 

Quote of the Century

Saturday 2 August 2014

Wandering Two months in, Two award nominations



It was a nice way to end the month of July by being nominated for our 2nd Award - The Liebster Award. As we start off August, the last month of Winter for me here in Australia, and we venture into Start Wandering's 2nd month online, I am so pleased to be nominated by Bon Bagage

In just two months I have learnt so much, not only about the world out there as others see it, but about myself as I embrace writing and inspiring others every single day. I didn't think I had it in me, but with encouragement, growth and inspiration I am surprising myself as well


Liebster Award Rules

  1. Acknowledge the blog who nominated you and display the award
  2. Answer eleven questions that the blogger gives you
  3. Give eleven random facts about yourself
  4. Nominate eleven blogs that you think deserve the award (with less than 200 followers)
  5. Let the bloggers know you have nominated them
  6. Give them eleven questions to answer
Which country would you never visit? 
That's a toughie.... A few things go through my mind when I think about this. Most tourists are too quick to judge a country, or a destination because of something that occurred a decade ago, or because the media hype displays it as a gang-infested, war-torn or a health stricken place where people of the western world should avoid. It may not be the right time to travel to certain parts of the world, at some point, but that is what makes history. A country beating adversity, some with wounds to show for it, and for the world to see and learn so it doesn't happen again. WWII was defined as the war to end all wars, and when I visited a concentration camp in Germany, the deaths, the propaganda that went with it, were there to educate our future generations - that this should never happen again.
OK that's the end of my rant about that, now to answer the question. In terms of possibility it would probably be North Korea. 




Do you have a travel song you always listen to when going away? 
I read this question, and knew exactly which song I would pick - always has been always will be: Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (2009). 
I first heard this song from my brother who shared it with me while he was travelling throughout Europe. I missed him, envied him, and wanted to follow his footsteps. It was on my playlist as I backpacked around Europe in 2010, and when I was returning home, the folk band helped embed those memories until the next trip. When I met Shaun shortly after I returned, I finally understood what the lyrics meant. We have travelled far, far away from our hometown, but it feels home whenever I am with him, and that is what keeps us travelling.



I would also add any song from the soundtrack of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Ben Stiller picked some killer songs to amp up the feeling of wanderlust, including Space Oddity - David Bowie. 10, 9, 8, 7.........

What’s your most beautiful travel memory? 
Overall, the moment in New York City framed in my mind forever, when Shaun got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in New York city. That is irreplaceable and I cannot describe what that visit to Manhattan feels like to anyone, NYC will always be magical to me. 
One that I can share with you to do yourselves, is head to the top of Mount John in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, at night. This place is known to have very little light pollution and apart from Antarctica is the most southern observatory in the world. It was also the world's first sky-nature reserve. Not only is the ride up the mountain in complete darkness fun enough (the headlights of the vehicles can destroy the telescopic lens), but when you're up there you can guarantee to see dozens of shooting stars, so many wishes were made that night. We also saw Jupiter through one of the five telescopes in the observatory. What is really cool is the astronomers at the top of the mountain help you take photos to get clear pictures, just like the naked eye, where you can see how here on earth we form part of the gorgeous Milky Way. 


On top of Mt John Observatory looking into the Milky Way sky
What keeps you motivated when you’re blogging? 
Photos. Whether its photographs I have taken on previous trips, current photos or pictures of destinations I plan to travel to and need some inspiration, the vision is created within these images. I might also have a moment, where it will all just click, an epiphany if you like where a smile, even tears of happiness met my face. Earlier on today this happened to me going for a stroll on my local beachside, and that has motivated a draft I am working on at the moment, and a few other things in the background. 
Reading my fellow bloggers, their ideas, their stories and their experiences is extremely inspirational. It is warming to know that so many people in all different places around the world all share the same passion, goal and experiences and most don't share the same language. That is incredible, and what makes this blogging industry impact the rest of the world. All it took was reading the blog of a young traveller one day, and two days later I had created this. No set-up, no foundation, just an idea and my fingers are energised using this keyboard when I am spreading the passion of wander. 
Finally, it is the jealousy. I am going to be honest, seeing friends on my personal newsfeed who are travelling while I am not kind of drives me crazy. Especially when they are somewhere that I have been or plan to go. I get that FOMO feeling (Fear Of Missing Out), and I swear it puts me into a bad mood for hours. But I am genuinely happy for people getting out there and seeing the world that I love so much, I know, I know, I can't have mother earth all to myself.

Do you visit dangerous countries? 
If we're talking the over-exaggerated media reports on dangerous locations worldwide, it might look like I actually listen to what they say. But if were the case as everything is reported, I would never leave my lightly padded bedroom. Danger is measured on the perception of the traveller, the most dangerous experience I have had to date isn't crossing the streets in Ho Chi Minh City (how much sense does their traffic make?), but a terrible night in Paris - more on that in a later post. Given the unfortunate events that lead to the death of a fellow travel blogger, Harry Devert, maybe Mexico. But I wouldn't say I felt in danger any more than walking the streets of my own city. 
If the question is aimed to see if I like the path less travelled, then hell yes! I am all for venturing into little villages, speaking with my hands, and experiencing the thrall of what is truly foreign. The danger aspect hasn't crossed my mind, I would love to trek the mountains of Afghanistan, shark dive in J'Burg, and travel through Africa from top to bottom. My head is in the clouds half the time, I may be naive but the world is meant to be seen. Danger or none, make the most of it. But always travel safely, and don't push the boundaries.

Where would you like to live other than your home country? 
Everywhere.... I could live in the Mountains of Canada, the beaches of South East Asia, the meadows and atmosphere inside Pubs in Ireland, or the Latin American culture of food, dance and carnival. The thing is I plan to do all of these things as a part of my bucketlist for life experience, not just to tick off a landmark or say I tried the top 10 cuisines in the world. But to immerse myself in another continent for as long as I can, to say not only did I step foot on all continents but I lived, breathed and experienced the different corners of the globe. 
Then after all that is done, I could probably do the unthinkable to Australians and settle in New Zealand. 

What’s the ultimate travel souvenir you ever got/bought? 
Other than my passport, and my very worn lucky four leaf clover socks, from my Pop's hometown in Northern Ireland. I would say the wine collection I have gotten from many overseas destinations. Some top picks from Central Otago New Zealand, and Niagara's Inniskillin ice wine. There are a few bottles that will remain closed for a decade. And we won't settle for that long anyway, so what a way to treasure a memory - in a bottle. And it will taste so very good.  

Tasting Inniskillin Ice Wine in Niagara on the Lake - Canada

Which trip are you planning right now? 
I would love to tell you, but its kind of a secret right now... Sssshhh. All I can say is I am preparing for the trip of a lifetime, a journey to Start Wandering. I will share this journey with all of my readers as it is being made and while I am away. Some very big things will be announced shortly, so I can only say keep reading and you will find out.

Is there something you don’t like about travelling?
Coming home... actually not even, its those last few days. You're still exploring, maybe 2 cities left, and these days flyby and these nights feel like they didn't even occur. You know that feeling, if you're a seasoned traveller, you too hate that feeling. I can only describe it as your heart stretching to hold onto every moment while it can, to embrace every sight, smell, taste and touch of your surroundings while you listen to the crowd rush around you knowing this is where I'm about to end up. Back to reality. The herding of people like cattle in their home cities, as they drag themselves to work each day. Yes that is the part about travelling I do not like. You feel it is unfair to fully enjoy the last couple of days, as you betray the city you're leaving. Such a bitter taste. 


What’s your favourite foreign food? 
OK I am going to nut this down to a few destinations and a few cuisines. 
1. Pintxos in San Sebastian - The Basque do their version of Tapas so right.
2. Che (Dessert in a glass) - A very specific Vietnamese dessert from Ho Chi Minh's Nha Hang Ngon - Sago, Coconut Milk, Banana, and Jellies. Also on par, is the Vietnamese Iced Coffee, a daily consumption while you're there, from anywhere.
3. Singapore Chilli Mud Crab
4. Given my extent of travelling throughout North America, I can't go past their take on foreign Mexican foods, and by far the Chimichangas from Hussongs in Las Vegas are the best! 

I can't go on my mouth is salivating! I am also a big fan of foreign wine.

Do you prefer travelling solo or with a companion?
Having travelled solo, or in groups with girlfriends, in the past, I am now converted to the trusty companion. My passenger for life. There is something special about exploring a destination with someone special to you. Whether you're in the car on a road trip and accidentally drive down the wrong side of the road, or get stranded in the international airport without a visa to your next destination, or experience some really unfavourable noises coming from the penthouse above your hotel room; I have someone to laugh it all off with. Not only that, the mini-meltdowns have brought us extremely closer together and have tested us throughout our entire relationship. We travelled as boyfriend and girlfriend, then we got engaged and travelled as fiance and fiance, then travelled as a married couple. The hardest has been as a married couple. Your funds are all derived from the same account, you know each other in and out, the flaws, the loves and the fears. And yet you wouldn't have it any other way. Shaun knows how to calm me down before getting on a flight in a thunderstorm (I'm in remission with my fear of flying - there is a cure!!). And I can negotiate the fees and costs for some of those big ticket expenses, car hire etc. We bounce off one another, because we still are individuals. 

My companion, Shaun and I - Fiji


11 Random Facts you might not know about me: 
  1. I'm part of 10% of the population being left-handed, and proud
  2. I've never broken a bone in my body, meanwhile Shaun has broken nearly all including two shoulder reconstructions and an ankle
  3. I used to really enjoy painting and drawing, and want to take it up when I get back on the road
  4. I am terribly afraid of scarecrows
  5. I have never owned a dog, and am waiting for the opportunity to own one finally - I love dogs
  6. I have two older brothers who have a major impact in my life
  7. I lived in Melbourne for over a year while my husband trained in Air Traffic Control
  8. Sunflowers are my favourite flower
  9. I am a major fan of Ice Hockey which is growing in Australia, I follow Vancouver Canucks (Bruins fans please don't take it to heart, I love the city Boston!)
  10. Shiraz is my drop of choice, followed closely by Pinot Noir (only from Central Otago)
  11. I am actually really addicted to computer games, but I will play for a few weeks then lose total interest. 
Now nominating 11 blogs that I enjoy following:
  1. Where in the world are you right now?
  2. Can you pinpoint the exact moment you knew this was what you wanted to do?
  3. When travelling what is your biggest challenge?
  4. Do you take tours when you travel or explore on your own?
  5. Name something, other than your passport, that if you lost in your baggage you couldn't live without?
  6. What is your favourite airport and airport experience worldwide? 
  7. What are the essentials you take on a plane, or long haul bus ride?
  8. What was the most confronting travel experience you've had, and why didn't it stop you?
  9. Was there a destination that surprised you and you fell in love with automatically?
  10. What does your first day consist of in a new city?
  11. You're at your favourite travel destination, and you have $10 left what do you do with it?
Can't wait to read each of yours - Go!

Follow your own path