I met my nephews girlfriend on Christmas Day, a really sweet little thing with a travel wish-list I could relate to. Although, it did surprise me that someone with such a passion for getting out there, has never travelled, but her opportunities have been limited for various reasons and now she is desperate to explore the world. She has thought about it over the past year and is now planning on becoming an air hostess to kick her dreams off. I listened to her plans with absolute envy. She's young enough and pretty enough and smart enough to get her wish. Free travel, and a lot of it!
Thats not to say I didn't clock up enough travel points of my own this year. My carbon footprint was shameful, and my wish to explore new places was met.
The beginning of the year I spent at home in Sydney wishing our summer wasn't being destroyed by rain and cold winds. The Year of the Dragon had started poorly, with a bland New years Eve and no solid plans to escape.
So, we booked a month in Indonesia to find some sun and dragons.
Landing in Bali always feels like home to me, I love the mixed smell of incense with motorbike fuel along with the sweaty heat and humidity. I also happen to love the food and the people and the dances and the sounds and the... everything! We spent a few days in a little Balinese villa I found on www.agoda.com.au which was perfect to acclimatise to the humidity and cocktails before flying off to Flores where we found a traditional boat to float us around the archipelago in search of Komodo Dragons. And dragons we found. Nothing quite prepares you for the grotesqueness of the Komodo Dragon, the grandness of the beast, the size of the toxic claws that could kill with one scratch, or the stench that follows it after feasting on a deer. They move faster than I can. That scared me and thankfully I wasn't eaten.
Swimming and snorkelling off our boat with seahorse and manta rays kept us busy during the days, while lazing on the outdoor deck under the stars at night meant heavenly sleep. We woke to watch the sun rise over prehistoric jagged mountains and welcomed home the returning fisherman each morning. Labuan Bajo hosted some amazing restaurants with wonderful food. Hot chilli crab and chicken satays were drowned with Bintang and Tiger beer. The mountains behind the town were home to gorgeous bush walks and waterfalls where we played for hours, jumping off rocks and swimming in pristine waters. Note to self and others: do not wear white trekking pants when walking through these parts, you will inevitably slide down a portion of the mountain. Mud sticks.
I woke to my first Muslim "call to prayer" one morning while we were moored off the tiny village of Komodo. An experience I wasn't expecting at that time of the morning, but was happy to have just the same.
The people of Flores are extremely hospitable , a very welcoming group who take the time to talk and are genuinely interested in making sure you have a great experience. Some say this is Bali 20 years ago. I don't think so, its very different to Bali (and yes, I was there 20 years ago and almost every year since). Flores has its own flavour and is now added to my "favourites" list of places to hang out for a while.
Before heading home we returned again to Bali and headed north to Pemuteran where we stayed for a few days contemplating never returning to Australia again. The black sands where turtles came for respite and the reefs beyond where we were stranded with pods of dolphins and more gorgeous coral sea life. We then drove our little jeep back towards Ubud before finally coming home. Long faced and slightly suntanned. (OK - more than suntanned, the skin cancer council had a lot to say about my pinkened and peeling back on my return!).
Melbourne was my friend a couple of times for various short trips over the year. I adore this city; the culture is classy, the people are friendly and the food is amazing. And the fashion...... oh if only I were a size zero.
The middle of my year was spent heads down and working hard and then I landed a dream position, in the travel industry!
My first assignment was to head to London for a few weeks and try as I might to hide my excitement, I failed. I just love London, and with a few friends living there it meant the trip could be maximised for work AND play! I also decided to hang out in Paris for the weekend, something very strange as an Australian to be able to say (and I have said this every day since!)
Arriving in London at the end of October at 7am and it was pitch black. No sign of sunlight and that was exactly how it should've been. We stayed in Southwark at the Novotel which was surprisingly nice and spacious. Southwark was central to everything and the hotel only a 5 min walk to wherever I needed to be. Like the office of course, or Borough Markets or Browns Pub, Tower Bridge, the Eye, Waterloo, BlackFriars pub, or the tube to take me to the shopping district of Kensington. And of course it was central enough to be able to see my friends.
Getting to Paris for the weekend was easy. My French friend had her arm twisted to accompany me and suggested we fly rather than catch the train. The flights on British Air were half the price and only 45mins and as time was limited (as were funds) this was a no brainer. I found a really cute little boutique hotel in Bastille (BLC Design hotel) that was wonderfully free of bed bugs and very close to the nightlife.
Paris was a dream and I ticked off all the icons from afar through obligation, but most importantly I immersed myself in the cafe and champagne culture and laughed my way for two days straight. Paris was without a doubt the best weekend and highlight of my year.
Flying home on Etihad was another "chore" I was happy to endure, especially on a flat bed business class seat with all the comforts of a five star hotel! I quickly became THAT girl in business who sculled expensive champagne while watching the poor people walk to towards the end of the plane. I made the most of a short lived experience.
And now I find myself on the eve of another year with no solid plans for travel. My husband is running the New York Marathon in November so obviously I will have to support him in any way I can (ie, go with him and shop for new shoes).
My wish to the universe for 2013 is that I find myself in similar circumstances as this year. Extremely thankful to able to spend more time with my family, to be working in an industry that I love, to travel to places I have never been to before and to be utterly enjoying myself.
