Ahhh travel memories – I’m lucky to already have more than a few fantastic ones already under my belt. This style of post has been floating around a few travel blogs in the last few month and I’ve loved reading everyone’s different experiences, memories, highs and lows. Here’s my ABCs to add to the mix!
A // Age you first went travelling?
Very young – my parents took me to Australia when I was about nine months old apparently… can’t say I remember it much!
B // Best foreign beer you’ve had and where?
Oktoberfest in Munich, without a doubt. I loved this festival so much that I’ve now been two years in a row! Not only is it a great party, but the beer there is delicious. It’s unpasteurised, so fresh and I like it more than any other that I’ve tried. My favourite is probably the Lowenbrau, which also happens to be my favourite beer hall.
C // Cuisine. Favourite?
Vietnamese for sure. I love the fresh flavours, and tried to sample as many dishes as possible in my two trips there. But it’s a close call with Japanese, Mexican and Spanish also being favourites of mine, and the fusion-styles that are so common in London. As I’m a bit of a foodie, I also love recommending places to people to try… check out my “Eating My Way Around…” series for my favourite picks!
D // Destinations. Favourite and least favourite? Why?
Eeeek, making me pick a favourite is like choosing a favourite child! It was enough of a struggle to narrow down my favourite adventures of 2014 or of 2013. If I really had to, I could probably get it down to three. New Zealand, always, specifically the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula with its beaches and bush. Barcelona, for its fun vibes, delicious food, and also beach! Aaaand then Vietnam. I loved the variety in countryside, the largely welcoming people, the breadth of experiences and also, as mentioned above, it is my favourite cuisine.
Hard to pick a least favourite destination… although funnily enough a specific sight in Vietnam also makes my let-down sight list, below. Apart from that I really can’t think of anywhere, except possibly the Brunei airport in transit. That place was BARE.
E // Event you’ve experienced abroad that made you say “WOW!”?
ANZAC Day at Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. I knew I would find it moving, but I didn’t foresee quite how emotional I would find it, or how proud I would feel to be gathered with thousands of people, mostly young, representing our countries and remembering those who had given their lives. Very special.
F // Favourite mode of transportation?
When I’ve got the time, I love train-travel for bigger distances… so easy compared to flying and I love seeing the countryside roll by my window. When I’m at a destination I have to get out and explore on my own two feet – it’s my favourite way to see a place.
G // Greatest feeling while travelling?
Hehe, just love this gif
That’s another hard one. I think it’s a tie between that amazing feeling at the start of a trip when you have everything in front of you, and the feeling of discovery. Whether it’s a delicious meal, walking around a corner to find an amazing vista, or falling in love with a new destination, they are all pretty special!
H // Hottest place you’ve ever travelled to?
On a trip with family when I was young, we visited Singapore when there were intense bush fires in Indonesia. Not only was it an extremely hot time of year, but the conditions were made more extreme by bad smog. Not fun. I’d love to see it again without the haze!
I // Incredible service you’ve experienced and where?
The incredible panoramas at sunset from Mikla Restaurant in Istanbul
I can be such a pain to dine with given my severe lactose-intolerance, particularly in places where butter, cream or milk are a big part of a city’s cuisine. I always appreciate anywhere that takes the time to consider their menu and possible options. But overall the most incredible service I’ve experienced was at Mikla Restaurant in Istanbul… not only were the views phenomenal but the service was attentive without being pushy and so, so polished.
J // Journey that took the longest?
While the flight to or from New Zealand immediately springs to mind, another journey that took far longer than anticipated was even more gruelling. A bus from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang was meant to take around 8-10 hours, but two long delays due to a landslide and then a break-down actually ended up closer to 16 hours. The stunning scenery and cute kids we encountered would normally have meant this was not a problem, but as I was also sick at the time, I just wanted to be tucked in bed. Instead, we perched on the mountain while locals discussed with our bus-driver the best ways of getting through a fairly intense mud-slide, which ended up being pushing the bus through. Fun fun!
K // Keepsake from your travels?
When I moved to the UK from NZ I had all sorts of souvenirs from previous trips – tickets, flyers, even beer caps. Now I try to be minimalist, and so in each place I stay I buy a postcard. Ideally black and white if I can find it, or a sunset or night shot. I have these all stuck up on my wall and I love watching my collection grow!
L // Let-down sight. Where and why?
The Perfume Pagodas north of Hanoi in Vietnam. It was Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, and having missed our train to Hue we had an extra day to kill. The Pagodas were recommended as stunningly beautiful, but in reality they were crowded, covered in rubbish, and seemed like nothing special. Plus, on the gondola ride to the top, a lady projectile-vomited next to me and on my shoe. I was highly unimpressed and basically tried to stick my head as far as possible out the tiny window to avoid joining her! Not a great day out.
M // Moment where you fell in love with travelling?
I don’t remember the first moment, although it probably would have been one of my family’s first big holidays to Bali or Italy. I often have moments while travelling where I have to stop and take in exactly where I am and how lucky I am to be there – they make me fall in love with travel all over again!
N // Nicest hotel you’ve ever stayed in?
As I mention below I haven’t tended to stay in super-luxury places often, preferring to go for Air BnB or save my pennies in a nice hostel. Two of my favourites that were a bit of a treat were Phuoc An in Hoi An, Vietnam and the amazing Tamanu Resort in Aitutaki, Cook Islands.
O // Obsession. What are you obsessed with taking photos of while travelling?
EVERYTHING! I have the most patient travel companions. I particularly love a good door and an incredible view, and have been known to sprint for sunsets. I also (unsurprisingly) have a bit of a penchant for photographing my feet with city signs or views.
P // Passport stamps. How many and from where?
Three – two from my trip to Turkey last year and one from Australia. I travel on a relatively new British passport, so it’s not likely to get many stamps while I’m mainly travelling round Europe. No goal of a full passport for me!
Q // Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where?
Choosing just one is tricky as I tend to seek them out! My hunt for dragons in London, street art and one-way pedestrian street in Prague and the crazy architecture of Peña Palace in Sintra, Portugal would all have to be right up there.
R // Really frightening. One place you’ve visited where you felt unsafe or uneasy?
I’m struggling to think of somewhere that stands out. Walking through the streets of Berlin this New Year’s Eve felt pretty risky with fireworks being set off in the street!
S // Splurge. Something you have no problem spending money on while travelling?
Experiences, including dining out. While I don’t tend to stay in the most luxurious hotels, I am happy to splurge on a fantastic meal or a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
T // Touristy thing you’ve done?
I do touristy things all the time – often the reason they are touristy is because they are a fantastic attraction or activity in a destination, and I don’t believe in writing them off just because they’ve made a top 10 list somewhere. In London, I would say climbing the Dome of St Paul’s Cathedral or watching the Changing of The Guard at Buckingham Palace are some of my most touristy exploits!
U // Unforgettable travel memory?
I will never forget hot air ballooning at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey. It took my breath away – the beauty of the mountains, the serenity of the rising balloons, and the dawning of a brand new day. Simply magical.
V // Visas. How many and for where?
None! As above, I don’t have much in my current passport, although I do have Vietnamese and Laos visas in my NZ one. Ironically just before I went to Turkey I discovered that if I’d booked to travel there on my New Zealand passport I wouldn’t have had to get a visa, whereas because I was travelling on my British passport I did need one. Fortunately they were easy and not very expensive to get online.
W // Wine. Best glass while travelling?
Mmmm. I am a big wine fan but I don’t have the budget to go for the very top tastes yet. It was pretty fun drinking wine at the Contiki Chateau in Bordeaux which had been grown on-site and made in the village – a very local drop!
X // eXcellent view and where from?
I will always seek out a viewpoint – it’s my favourite way to see a city. I love viewing Auckland from Rangitoto Island, Florence from the Duomo, or Paris from the Arc de Triomphe. I’ve listed my top viewpoints for London here – I think the Dome of St Paul’s Cathedral would have to top the list!
Y // Years spent travelling?
If you count from the beginning, 28! However, I’ve never travelled for more than three weeks at a time, and I’d love to spend a decent length of weeks or even months on a trip at some stage.
Z // Zealous sports fans and where?
Living in Auckland for the Rugby World Cup was an amazing experience – the city was packed with fans, and I was lucky enough to go to games supporting a few different countries, including Japan, the USA and Wales. The atmosphere was electric, culminating in the ultimate finale for New Zealand fans when we won the Cup. That game took years off my life as it was so tense, but the feeling afterwards was unbeatable! I can’t wait for September when the Cup comes to the UK – I’m hoping it will be just the same or even better!
What do you think of my travel ABCs? Have you written your own post? I’d love to read it – please leave me a link!
