Where have you visited?
I’m from Australia, so have travelled there extensively, and have also visited (in no particular order): Vanuatu, Fiji, New Zealand, USA, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Iceland, Norway, Malta, Greece, Spain, Italy, Thailand, India, Morocco, France, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Turkey, Egypt, Macau, Mexico, Netherlands, Romania, Mongolia, and Portugal.
Can you share a memorable travel moment or adventure?
There are so many! One special one happened in Thailand – I visited a temple, and the entire community was there participating in a ceremony to replace the robes on one of the statues of Buddha. Everyone was sat cross-legged on the floor, softly singing as they passed vast swathes of bright orange cloth through their hands. The monks were sitting at the front of the temple hall on low steps, and as the fabric reached them, they stood and draped the cloth over an enormous statue, using pulleys to pull it up over the shoulders way, way above our heads. It was so beautiful, so meaningful – I quietly stepped back outside to let them pray without observation.
Is there a destination still on your bucket list?
Japan
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I go hill walking most days off, and enjoy good books and good food. I like challenging myself to learn new things, and over the years have tried learning Spanish, crochet, ballroom dancing, free diving, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, and sketching.
Do you have any insider tips for first-time travellers?
Pack a full change of clothes and basic toiletry bag with miniatures and any medication you take in your carry on. Then if your bag should be delayed or go astray, you’ve got the basics with you already.
Check in for your flights online if you can – most travel insurance policies cover you for delays and cancellations once you are checked in, by checking in online you get a longer period of coverage rather than waiting to check in at the airport.
Scan copies of your passport, drivers licence and credit cards, and any visas for the destinations you are visiting, and send them to your own email address. If the worst should happen and you lose them, you’ll be able to access the scans and this will make your life much easier!
