Where have you visited?
I have lived and worked in Australia and New Zealand, I was lucky enough to spend a year travelling and working in each Country. I have backpacked and volunteered around Central and South America, visiting Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Boliva, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. In the South Pacific, I have spent time in Tonga and Samoa, and America I have visited New York and Los Angeles and taken an epic road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco. Closer to home I have visited the Azores, Turkey, Spain, Egypt, Portugal, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland.
Can you share a memorable travel moment or adventure?
Lots to choose from but one that stands out is travelling by bus, taxi and finally the back of a truck to a normally sleepy, little misty Guatemalan village set at 2,470 metres altitude to celebrate the Day of The Dead or ‘El Dia de los Muertos’ Festival. There were week-long festivities including music, dancing, parades and delicious local food. The highlight of the festivities every year is drunken horse racing where men wear traditional highland dress, drink as much as they can for the 3 days prior and then race their horses. There were men falling off all over the place then being picked up by friends and forced to drink more beer!! And there were people cheering, screaming and dancing if their friend or family members won the races. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible and the most bizarre thing I have seen.
Is there a destination still on your bucket list?
There are loads on my bucket list!! The key destination being Papua New Guinea, I have wanted to visit since I was really small and first saw a programme about the local tribes and wildlife that life there.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have two very small humans who keep me busy, but outside of surviving parenting, anything outdoors – I am lucky to live on the coast so swimming also hiking, camping, paddle boarding and I am part of my local rowing club.
Do you have any insider tips for first-time travellers?
Learn some of the local lingo! Even just the basic words like please, thank you, yes, no, how much please, where is the bathroom etc. It is always really appreciated and a great way to engage with locals.
