Bali - A Paradise Lost

My friend and colleague, Andrew Stephens is currently in Bali. We both joke about how much we really love Bali  - passionately. Words like Mudsharks, and Kuta Cowboys are often part of the conversation, along with surfing, chilling and how in the world do we get to live and work there!

It's currently Summer and surf season, added that its the long Christmas Holidays and like Andrew, many Australians make Bali their home for a few months. With this comes.... rubbish.

Andrew recently sent me some photos of the beautiful beaches, littered with rubbish - plastic bags, bottles, basic rubbish that doesn't break down and drowns our beaches and waterways, while suffocating the marine life.

It broke my heart. Here is his post and photos. If you do get to Bali and have a few hours spare in your day, please contact Make A Change and volunteer to pick up some trash.


#PickUpAPieceOfTrash - Andrew Stephens

Before heading to Amed for some freediving, I had a few days in Seminyak working. Ducking down to the river mouth near Ku de Ta for a quick surf check revealed the entire beach covered in plastic and junk.

The sight of this trash was absolutely devastating.

Thankfully +Lisa Fryar pointed me to Make A Change Bali to see if any volunteer beach cleanups were available in the next few days and provided some inspiration about how people are dealing with the pollution and rubbish problem here in Indonesia.

Thanks #worldnomads

Daily clean up

Imagine lying under these beach umbrellas!

*sigh*

2016: Eleven Countries in Eleven Months

Phew!

At the end of every year, I like to take some time to reflect on the year that was and start making plans for the year ahead. I make wishes because I'm that kind of girl. Superstitious, hopeful, romantic, positive.

True, it's self indulgent and there are possibly a million better ways to spend my time. Like learning a new language. Clearing out my wardrobe. Selling my books on eBay. Regardless, its what I do and I generally start immediately after Christmas Day getting motivated for major changes and big planning.

My wishes usually involve getting fit, healthy and travelling more.

New Years Eve 2015 was no different - I wished for more travel because I'm an addict. I didn't really have a plan on how it would all play out, but I knew that travel would feature heavily on my year.

As the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for"!

Eleven countries in Eleven months.


Indonesia -Bali
I just love Bali. Whenever I land it feels like home. I love the earthy smell of incense burning and what the humidity does to my skin. Bali makes me feel alive and there is never a year without a trip to Bali, however short the trip is. I once went to Bali just for the weekend (ok, it was a long weekend, but a weekend nonetheless).

This trip to Bali was a spiritual trip. Clearing my mind for personal reasons and putting my body back into health and fitness mode.

I returned home more healthy, and with clarity of mind to launch my busy year.

*****

USA - Aspen
Whilst Aspen wasn't on my list, I never pass up the opportunity to jump on a plane. When a call came in to help a traveller on the snowfields of Aspen, I already had my Apres boots on.

What a winter wonderland! After a 15hr flight to Dallas, then a couple of hours to Aspen, I sadly only had 16 hours on the ground to watch happy shiny people glide up and down pristine ski fields. I was tempted to buy an hours lift pass, but knew that if I broke my leg before collecting a patient, I would probably lose my job.

So on the side I stood with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

It's now on my list to visit for longer!

*****

Italy - Rome
My daughter and her partner were travelling to Italy to go to a wedding, and....... what an excuse to visit Rome and spend some time with her! The added bonus was that my dad gifted us an "experience" to spend more time together as a family, so we rented a cute little Airbnb apartment in the foodie heaven of Testaccio where we feasted on all things Italian. Breakfast each day was a chocolate cornetto (a pain au chocolat / chocolate croissant) and a long black. Lunch each day was a pizza slice and dinner was something off the scale in terms of flavours and calories.

Rome surprised me! The Vatican, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps..... I could go on. Every corner was a "movie set" moment - places I'd studied in high school or seen in movies. The wow factor was omnipresent.

Spending time with some of the most important people in my life in such a stunning city..... priceless!

I returned home to Sydney with an additional 6 kilos.

*****

Croatia - Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik
Oh Croatia! No one told me how beautiful and chilled you are!

The overnight boat from Ancona to Split was an adventure in itself and proved that I'm not a lover of cruises. But sailing into Split as the sun rose behind it was spectacular!

An Airbnb in the walled old city was perfect to drop the bags off to before heading off to explore. I was taken back in time through cobbled streets and quirky cafes, with modern twists on pop-up bars and restaurants.

Four days on Hvar was not nearly enough time, but it was enough to finally breathe and zen-out of my normally hectic lifetsyle. Driving around the island in a red convertible, and sailing around to paradise beaches made me want to rip up my passport and stay forever.

Instead I kept exploring Croatia.

Dubrovnik..... not having a TV means I have no idea about Game of Thrones, of which I was reminded down every alley and square in this truly fun city.

What a fun city, if not a little too touristy.

*****

Bosnia - Mostar and Sarajevo
I still remember the Siege of Sarajevo from the 90's; as a young adult I was acutely aware that on the other side of the world was a tragedy in action.

I'd never have imagined that one day I would be driving through Bosnia as a tourist, taking in the sights, sleeping in bullet peppered buildings and immersing myself into the historic cafes sipping Saleb and smoking shisha.

But I did that!

Walking over Stari Most, the stunning Unesco Heritage site of the Mostar Bridge was surreal. Once again, I was transported back in time in a city I knew too little of but one that I know I will return to and explore further.

The little cafes and restaurants where I drank local wine and ate too much Chevapi..... A few more kilos surely couldn't hurt!

And then there was Sarajevo where I fell in love! The facade of Sarajevo remains to ensure the memory of the Siege is front of mind. Dig deeper and the nightclubs, markets and cafes are full of fun and passionate people.

I still cant believe I smoked shisha! Not quite a convert, but chilling out in a cafe smoking was one of my highlights of Sarajevo.

 

*****

Montenegro - Kotor and a stunning roadtrip
The stunning winding road around the mountains and lakes of Montenegro, is indescribable. If only I could ride a motorbike, this would be the perfect ride. A night in Kotor exploring the walled city and wandering around the lake was peaceful and another step back in time.

It was obvious that money has flowed into Montenegro more than other Eastern European countries, the roads are brand spanking new - a dream to drive on. Beachside cities with expensive cafes overlooking marinas of Russian super yachts. Yep, there was money in Montenegro.

*****

Serbia - Belgrade
I invited myself to a wedding in Belgrade! Because..... I love weddings and I love to travel and I'd never been to Serbia! I'd heard that Belgrade is the nightclub capital of the world, and it didn't disappoint. Days start late and are very long; throughout the city are bars and cafes that kept me well fed and watered.

Being a hippie, I'm open to trying new things. So when an opportunity presented to jump in a car and drive a couple of hours to an old farm and shoot some guns I was only slightly uneasy. Put that rifle, pistol, AK47 and sniper rifle in my hands and well... the hippie in me went out the window. What a rush! I cant say I'll ever pick up a sniper rifle again, but I can say it was my favourite of all the guns. And I surprised myself with how good I was!

My little apartment was close to the Belgrade Fortress, which meant afternoon exercise exploring the stunning grounds of Kalemegdan Park, which was also the location of the wedding I'd invited myself to.

Romantic. Sexy. Fun - thats Belgrade!

 

*****

Hungary - Budapest
I had a choice of returning to Venice or exploring Budapest.... I chose the latter. Its not that I don't love Venice, it's one of my all time favourite cities. Its possibly also the most romantic city in the world, I'd explored it with someone I love and I didn't want to taint that experience by returning. I'm unashamedly romantic like that.

So Budapest it was.

My son was keen to explore the Turkish baths of Budapest and I was happy to oblige. If a teenage boy shows interest in anything other than a video game, you have to take advantage of it!

We hired Segway's (against every bone in my body) and we explored the city on two wheels. Most of the city has been rebuilt after WW2 (as has much of Europe), but it still felt like stepping back in time. We explored the castle (where I came crashing off my Segway and left my dignity behind), and soaked our souls in the Turkish baths of Gellert.

Budapest surprised me. I loved it.

*****

Germany - Berlin and Potsdam
I'm very fortunate to be in a role that affords me travel.

A dear friend had just moved back to Berlin and I was very keen to see her and her family so even though Berlin was for work, I took advantage of having too much annual leave on the books and extended my stay there.

Before I left, so many people had given me the "hype" about the city and I had very high expectations. Sadly, the city just didn't do it for me! Maybe it's been talked up too much, maybe I was exhausted after all the years travel - but Berlin really disappointed me.

My final night in Berlin, I went to the Christmas Markets alone and drank Gluhwein and bought christmas decorations for my team. Sadly, these are the markets that only a month later were the scene of a terrorist attack.

Potsdam on the other hand... wow! I loved this city, the quiet pace, the autumnal forest, the funky apartment I stayed in, my beautiful friend Katrin.

*****

Austria - Vienna
Being in Europe means you're close to everything and my time in Berlin with an extra 10 days meant I could choose to go anywhere at short notice. I'd originally planned to spend the weekend in London but plans changed and I ended up catching a train to Vienna.

A romantic 10 hr trip by train, reading books and taking in the countryside of gorgeous little villages. Basically 10 hours of idleness that is pure luxury in the fast pace of my life.

Austria is the home place of Sound of Music, and Vienna is the home of Mozart. What's not to love about that?

Beautiful buildings and very clean streets hide the of nastiness of humanity. I was surprised at the amount of homeless people, hidden debris that didn't quite fit in with the city. I was attacked at 8am on a Saturday morning in Vienna, and by midday I had booked myself to the next city the following day.

*****

Czech - Prague
25 years ago I was offered a role in Prague, and as a young single mum I thought this was my chance. Unfortunately the day before we were due to fly out, the job was retracted and my trip was cancelled, but my yearning to go had never wained.

25 years later, I arrived by train into a wintery Prague without any expectations but to explore.

Travelling solo in a city like Prague is pure heaven! Being winter, it was freezing - and I loved it! I rugged up with boots, a thick cape and a mink hat and explored my little heart out.

Once again I drank Gluhwein in the square, I ate goulash and pretzels and meandered for hours through alleyways and hidden squares. Locals were so friendly, I truly fell in love.

I stayed in a little hotel near Charles Bridge which was so close to everything.

It will not be another 25 years before I explore Prague again!

*****

So for 2017...... I have no idea what to wish for, but I do know more travel is in my sights! Twelve for twelve? 

I won the Sky Lottery!

Travel addicts know exactly what its like to plan a trip. So many considerations; manage a budget, get time off time (how much time, when is a good time), location, style of holiday, what to wear, how to pack.... 

I'm no different! For the last thirty years, I've ben an avid traveller - clocking up thousands of kilometres every year just to get to my destination. Some of my favourite trips have been last minute ones with little planning, and some of the most memorable have been where I was able to tack on a few days to a business trip. 

I was fortunate to land a job many many years ago that afforded me the opportunity to travel for work which meant that not only did I clock up miles (and points), I rarely had to pay for my flights. But despite it being travel for business, I was never permitted to travel in business class (as per company policy), until I joined my current company. 

For the past four years, I have been flying in business class (mostly) for my trips, of which there have been many! Business class, let me tell you - is special! There is a comfy lounge, loads of leg room, seats that become flatbeds, champagne, and little toiletry bags of nice things. And more champagne. Did I mention champagne?

My most recent trip, I won the sky lottery. I was upgraded to a FIRST CLASS apartment on Etihad Airways - just like another redhead Australian girl, Nicole Kidman. 

Flying from Sydney to Berlin meant that my first class experience was of the long haul variety, 14hrs to Abu Dhabi, a couple of hours in the First Class Lounge, then another 8hrs to my destination. And return! For those 2 x 27hrs worth of travel - I was the ultimate princess rockstar sans attitude. Or maybe with just a little attitude, and a little bit of boast posting on social media. But just a little.

Flying Business and First Class on Etihad begins before you even arrive at the airport because it includes a chauffeur limousine to drive you to the airport where the check in process is red carpet all the way. I seriously regretted not buying a new outfit for the experience. 

I enjoyed a glass or two of Bollinger in the Etihad Lounge in Sydney Airport pre flight, and once boarded and arrived at my seat (1A), a few more glass before take off. I was personally introduced to my chef (Darryl) and my lovely hostess (Amy) who continued to look after me and bring me amazing treats throughout the flight. 

 

But let me tell you about my little space. Oh my! 1A was everything I thought it would be. A spacious little cabin with a wide beige leather chair the reclines completely to a flatbed. The space was so generous that I couldn't even stretch my legs to reach the other side. Admittedly I don't have the longest legs in the world, but you get the visual. 

I watched movies on the big screen in my apartment. I drank more champagne and ate al la carte, the best Wagyu Steak I've ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth. 

I even had a shower - at 30,000 feet! Yes, I stood in the bathroom of the A380, naked (admittedly consumed with anxiety that if we hit turbulence I would need to race back to my seat in the nude!) and I used every product in my First Class toiletries kit! (sorry, no photos of the shower for very good reason)

When I returned from my shower, I found a lovely bed waiting for me...... to sleep for a full eight hours! My neighbour snored a little, but the Bose headphones soon fixed that. 

On arrival in Abu Dhabi, we disembarked on the tarmac - where a private car awaited my arrival to drive me to the terminal LIKE A ROCKSTAR! 

The rest of the journey was pretty much the same. Customer service to rival none, comfort and luxury that would make the Queen feel at home and and experience I may never get to repeat. I made the most of my First Class indulgence, and while I may have come across at times as a little smug - it was pure excitement. 

***Not a sponsored post***