Barcelona express: food, sights and culture in two days
Here is a little post written during my visit to Barcelona a couple of weeks ago… now that I’m walking el Camino across Spain, Barcelona streets seem so far away. … Continue reading
7 Days walking el Camino de Santiago, Spain
After seven days of walking el Camino, my perspective has changed a lot. I have admired picturesque views more majestic than my imagination could conjure. I’ve met people from many … Continue reading
Following flowers and shells: a photo walk along el Camino de Santiago, Spain
One of the daily delights in my new life walking el Camino de Santiago is following trails of wildflowers, proud village blooms and the shell symbol of Saint James. Every … Continue reading
For the love of Turkish coffee
Thick, sweet, caffeinated goodness, oh how I love you… especially when served in tiny colourful cups amidst the whir of Turkish culture. For the love of you, I have been … Continue reading
Two days on Camino de Santiago: impressions
Day 1 From the moment we left our room in Pamplona, we were winging it. Dave and I both had light packs with minimum supplies for a month of walking, … Continue reading
Starting el Camino de Santiago: confessions from an almost-pilgrim
I am shaking in my figurative boots right now as I prepare for bed in Pamplona, Spain. Tomorrow when I wake, I’ll be eating a boiled egg and fruit, drinking … Continue reading
Must-have Istanbul meals for 10 Turkish Lira or less
The glory of Istanbul’s Ottoman architecture and colourful carpets is arguably matched by its exotic, flavoursome foods. After three months of travelling around Northern Europe on budget-conscious cold sandwiches and … Continue reading
From Istanbul to Barcelona, from there to here
A rising murmur in the afternoon street rouses me from siesta. Eyes open to a sun-streaked balcony of daisies and thyme. Ears focus on the plucking of strings and the … Continue reading
Travel. Food. Photo. Istanbul.
I’ve become that strange girl who photographs her food. I’m not sure if it’s a natural urge that I’ve previously suppressed through social awareness, or a new habit that’s sprung … Continue reading
A day trip to the Princes’ Islands, Turkey
Rocking gently on the wake of the busy Bosphorus with the sun on my neck and salt air in my lungs, I was sure our adventure to the Princes’ Islands … Continue reading
The magical world of Topkapi Palace – Istanbul, Turkey
One of my favourite Istanbul experiences is visiting Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s old city. As you walk through the impressive white Gate of Salutation, you are transported to a … Continue reading
Wide angle: a photo walk through Istanbul, Turkey
I am feeling inspired by the rich cityscape of Istanbul: the kaleidoscope of colours, the exotic scents that hang on humid air, the lovely clash and clamour on the streets. … Continue reading
Impressions of Istanbul, Turkey
The thing about Istanbul is, it’s not an easy place to sum up. I’ve sat here scribbling impressions for a hour and my list is long and varied. From the … Continue reading
How to travel the UK & Ireland in a campervan: lessons from 1 month on the road
Driving through the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland in a campervan is one of those classic adventures that offers more delights than you bargained for. You expect the charming thatched-roof … Continue reading
Walking Wales: the Pembrokeshire Coast & Brecon Beacons national parks
From the late night ferry between Ireland and Wales, to the deep-fried bread served at breakfast, and the hour spent patiently enduring a theological rant by a crazy woman in … Continue reading
A lazy spring Sunday in Dublin, Ireland
I was unsure about going to Dublin. Reviews from other travellers had not been amazing, many online resources sounded a bit blasé and I was simply not sure about what to … Continue reading
The west coast of Ireland: Westport, Achill Island, Doolough, Galway & Cliffs of Moher
The salt haze has stiffened and the evening light has paled across the wild Atlantic view. I am warm and comfortable inside the campervan but the whistle of the coast … Continue reading
Driving the Causeway Coast: from Belfast to Derry, Northern Ireland
Winding along pebbled beaches, through cliff-side tunnels, past castles and natural wonders, it’s hard to believe that Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route was not designed especially for a tourism brochure. … Continue reading
Wide angle: a photo walk through Belfast, Northern Ireland
The complex character of Belfast is hard to pick. The iconic yellow Harland and Wolff cranes and sprawling harbour flag the city’s shipping roots. The regal city hall marks the … Continue reading
The road to Glasgow, Scotland: the Highlands, Ben Nevis and Loch Lomond
When you look at the squiggly black line on a map, it’s hard to know what is in store for you on the road ahead. That 3cm patch of green … Continue reading
Rainbows & mist on the Isle of Skye, Scotland
Mist-veiled, ancient and peacefully picturesque, Scotland’s Isle of Skye is like a mystical forgotten land, chronicled in a dusty, leather-bound book. It is clear that nature rules there: stern peaks … Continue reading
8 Essential Experiences in Edinburgh, Scotland
Crawling with history, wholesomely creative and full of personality, Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is my latest destination crush. In fact, I will go as far as saying that, so far, … Continue reading
A day along Hadrian’s Wall, England
Ever since Mr Jones, my ear-pierced, leather-jacketed Ancient History teacher, explained the marvel of Hadrian’s Wall, I have wanted to see it with my own eyes. So when we drove … Continue reading
Exploring the Yorkshire Dales & the Lake District in a campervan
I’d been anticipating our visit to England’s Lake District with a niggling curiosity and measured excitement. The area that inspired literary greats such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor-Coleridge and Beatrix … Continue reading
Driving through the Peaks District to York, England
Complete with ancient Roman walls, a piano-serenaded cathedral and a castle tower encircled with daffodils, the city of York in England was another delightful find on my Wicked road trip … Continue reading
A beginner’s guide to skiing in Bansko, Bulgaria
When you talk to a skier or snowboarder about their sport, you’ll notice the poetry and passion in their words. The natural majesty of towering white peaks, pine-scent air and … Continue reading
Wide angle: a photo walk through Stratford-Upon-Avon, England
Weaving under wise old trees and past mossy stones, the walk along the Avon in Stratford is one of the most peaceful I’ve done. The sun came out for us … Continue reading
First two days in a campervan: London, Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon & the English shires
Sitting in our Wicked campervan atop a night-shrouded hill somewhere in Derbyshire, England, it is hard to believe we have seen so much in the first two days of road … Continue reading
My Wicked Campers road trip begins: UK & Ireland here I come
Do you ever feel like you just need to get into a car and go… explore…get lost? I’m now two adventure-packed months into a nine month European trip and am … Continue reading
Glimpses of Wales: Cardiff, Swansea, Mumbles & Rhossili
The wintery coast of Wales can have a very calming affect on the weary traveller. Wind-battered headlands, rocky cliffs, pebble-strewn beaches and soggy green fields along the Gower Peninsula are … Continue reading
How to be impressed by Bristol, UK: art, food & views of the river
I recently visited a spunky place called Bristol, in the south-west of England, and was wildly impressed with what I found. A city of about 440,000 people, Bristol boasts an … Continue reading
The Travellers’ Introduction to London: 6 mini itineraries to get you started
Nervous excitement fluttered in my belly as our plane soared over the green patchwork surrounding London. After a lifetime of media impressions, hours of reading about the sights and lots … Continue reading
One month travelled, eight to go.
My understanding of one month seems to have adjusted a little since starting this adventure on 1 January. Instead of one hour, one day or one month, I now seem … Continue reading
Top 10 tips for travelling Stockholm, Sweden
Known for its world-class designers, elegant city-scape and natural summer beauty, Stockholm is a city of high-density living that offers plenty of urban cultural delights. After four full days of … Continue reading
Wide angle: Exploring Oslo, Norway in winter
Norway’s capital, Oslo, is a city with understated appeal. Organised, clean and winter-quiet on first impression, Oslo’s small city centre offers a relaxed atmosphere and a humble blend of historic, … Continue reading
Norway in a nutshell: the delights of Norwegian trains, fjords & Bergen
The train bound for Bergen offers a picturesque glimpse at Norway’s natural delights. Frozen lakes wedged between icy peaks; ragged pine-lined gorges plunging to black-ribbon creeks; leafless trees like skeletons … Continue reading
Hunting the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway
Flying to Tromsø, Norway for barely two days in search of the Aurora Borealis (a.k.a Northern Lights) was brazenly optimistic at best. Although the phenomena is commonly seen from this … Continue reading
Playing in a winter wonderland: Kleivstua, Norway
I could hardly believe my eyes as the bus pulled into Kleivstua Hotell to reveal pine trees dusted in white, branches with icy fingers and a blanket of fresh snow … Continue reading
In focus: Vigeland Park in Frognerparken, Oslo, Norway
If I had to pick one attraction to recommend in Oslo, it would be Vigeland Park in Frognerparken. Only minutes by trik (tram) from the centre of Oslo, this unique … Continue reading
Farewell Brisbane, hello Singapore–Dubai–Frankfurt–Oslo
As I sit looking across the night-lit Oslo fjord thinking of the past few days, I am astounded at how far I’ve come. My senses are hazy after more than … Continue reading
Thanks for the Versatile Blogger nomination
So I’m chuffed to have been nominated as a versatile blogger by Mschristiner, Worldly Winds and Get Set and Go! Thank you all! Although I’m only relatively new to the world … Continue reading
Looking back to step forward: lessons from past travels
I was flicking through an old travel journal while packing the other day and I found this passage. I wrote it when I was 20 and terrified to be embarking … Continue reading
2244km In 3 days: driving the east coast of Australia
Spontaneity can be a blessing and a burden. It can lead to amazing adventures that you may otherwise reason away… and it can find you tired, bleary-eyed and staring at … Continue reading
A photo walk through Brisbane, Australia
I love that, even after three years of actively exploring this city, I am still finding delights during my daily wanderings. With only five weeks left before lift off for … Continue reading
Packing, piling, listing: how to prepare for months of travel
Sometimes I feel like my head will explode from the size of my mental ‘to do’ list. While I’m feeling that quite regularly these days (with only six weeks until … Continue reading
Blue-Balled Monkeys and Molasses: Random Post
I wanted to share a delightful email that I received this week. Although the somewhat random title does not suggest it, the email was in response to a recent parcel … Continue reading
Adventures Under $20: The Travel-Budgeter’s Guide to Brisbane
I used to consider myself a very conscientious saver. But as my pay packet has grown, so has the time between consulting those handy budgeting spread sheets that I used to … Continue reading
