SLEEPING BEAUTY

Ever since I was given an eye mask on a Sydney to London flight, I've been unable to sleep without one!
These are slightly more cute than my drab brown Qantas one.

Pack Easy

Towels are the one thing that takes up too much room in my suitcase!

Just 'pop a pill' and soak in water and it transforms into a 11" x 9" multi purpose towel!

Surfers Paradise, QLD, Australia

I am off to Surfers Paradise to celebrate New Years Eve with some friends!

I seem to be spending a lot of time in the state of QLD this year (although, I don't mind at all!!!)

Here are a few pictures of when I was in Surfers Paradise in Sept/Oct this year;

South Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia

This is one of my fav photos that I've snapped whilst holiday-ing!


It took us 4 hours to get to the ferry that went to the island (2 small ladies pulling 20kg suitcases!) and this is what we saw when we sat down with our first beer!

It made the train, bus, taxi and ferry trip all worth it!

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Because The Boy is on an Army base in Brisbane, QLD, I've had my fair share of weekend trips to the capital of Queensland and can highly recommend the The Oak North Quay for its great value, amazing views, location and ambiance.

Our Room

The view by day

The view by night

The rooms are only basic, however they are clean and comfortable. I usually book through Wotif.com and have never paid more than $170 a night (it's usually only around $120 or so)

Queen Street Mall is only about a 10 min stroll and Southbank is even closer.

Brisbane is a relaxed and bright town, however it still has all the city like qualities that one wants from living close to a CBD. If every thing continues to go as is, I will more than likely be moving from Sydney to Brisbane in the next 12 months =)

To check out touristy things to see while in Brisbane - visit the Brisbane's Visitor Centre website. I can highly recommend the 'Hop on Hop off' bus tour that I did when I had a day to myself in Brisbane.

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Here are some photos of the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. I went there in March 2006.

1. Hole in the Rock - our boat was meant to go through the hole, but rough sea's did not allow this to happen

2. Hole in the Rock

3. Hole in the Rock

4. Nothing but the Tasman Sea

5. Cape Brett

6. Bay of Islands

7. Bay of Islands

8. Bay of Islands

9. This rock is covered by bird poo - gross

10. Corinne, Me & Lauren on our boat...it was VERY chilly

It took us about 4 hours to get there from Auckland - which is too much time in a bus for one day if you ask me! I would recommend staying in Bay of Islands.

New Zealand is such a pretty place!

Travel, in general

I admire people who travel around for months, even years, at a time. They are not afraid of the unknown and they really learn to know their destination/s rather than just see it. That type of travel, however, is not for me! I’ve tried it once, and I’ll no doubt try it again, but I just can not be that carefree traveler that we’ve all met.

I am determined to see and experience all I’ve ever wanted to see, without packing all my things into a 20kg suitcase for the next 12 months! It may take me 3 times as long, but I’ll get there.

I think when it comes to seeing the world, you’ve either got a passion for it or you don’t. I’ve friends who are happy to never leave the country, hell I even dated one (that ended when I packed up and moved to London) but I would go utterly insane if I was confined to this small little island known as Australia.

I also think it’s important that one explores ‘their own backyard’ before trying to take on the world. This is especially true in Australia – the difference in lifestyle and culture between Sydney and say, the Northern Territory is significant, to say the least. Why deal with expensive airfares and language barriers when can take baby steps and experience something different, while still using a currency you are familiar with?

Your travel companion makes the world of difference to the type of holiday you have! I love The Boy to death, and look forward to traveling the world with him – but I would never give up trips with my gal pals. My next travel buddy that I have in my sights is my father… someone who has experienced so much and enjoys learning new things as much as I do would be an asset to travel with, don’t you think?

Travel Photography (as I like to call it) is the best part of seeing new places. Taking pictures is one thing I love even more than traveling itself. Photos in general bring back memories - but photos of places you have traveled too are just beyond words. I'll go more into my travel photography obsession another time, but I'm sure you'll notice just how much I love it when you are inundated with photos every 2nd post =)

These are just a few of my thoughts on traveling! I’m far from being an expert – so I’d love to hear your thoughts?