Catching the bug

I caught the travel bug the first time I flew overseas. I was 10 years old and headed to Japan on a special program through my primary school that would see me living with two different Japanese families over a two week period - without my parents! I had been on a plane before but this was way more exciting! Traveling into a completely different culture was amazing and I had a fantastic time... actually I don't think I called my parents once (much to their disappointment)!

Next saw me traveling to Bali with three of my closest girlfriends at the ripe age of 18 for 10 days of fun in the sun, and lots and lots of bargaining at the local markets. This was definitely one of my most favourite holidays, especially when I look back at photos of us dancing happily away in Sari Bar - just one year before the tragic Bali bombings. I'm not sure I will ever go back to Bali.

But the BIG trip was what really got me addicted to travel - my big adventure to the UK two years ago. Traveling firstly to Fiji for three days and then Vancouver for the same amount of time were both huge highlights (I guess it helped that my travel partner and I had free accommodation at both destinations and were treated like princesses - ah the perks of travel writing)! Not to mention the fact we got to stay at The Ritz for our first two nights in London - free of charge.

Nothing beats the freedom of having no plans, and being able to head off to whatever destination you desire. And roughing it can be fun! We travelled to Amsterdam for Easter and then to Crete a couple of months later for a much-needed sun injection. And the fact that our trip was cut short due to running out funds, has made me more motviated than ever to get back over there and see all the places I dream of seeing - and my first stop has to be New York! The big apple = absolute dream destination for me.

Travel opens your eyes and your mind to so many amazing sights and experiences - memories you'll cherish forever. So it's no wonder that we spend the majority of our working lives saving our pennies to take holidays all over the world. My motto is to do it while you can - you never know what life has in store for you. Set a goal and go for it, because you can always make money, but you might not get to see everything you want to, before it's too late : )

Notes on Glossy Paper