Safety First!

So now with just under 2 weeks to go, the packing is under way and I'm focusing on the little details at the moment. An essential part of my bag is going to be the first aid kit. Sensible and boring as it may sound, i think its important to get this right. Get it wrong and it could equal big trouble. Diarrhoea on a Thai beach - fun times! So after much research and input from my chemist friend, here's my list! Concise and compact I reckon!

Malaria tablets
Diarrhoea tablets
Plasters
Aloe Vera
Eye drops
Tea tree oil
Neurofeon
Deet
Sting relief cream
Antiseptic wipes
Antihistamine tablets
Blister plasters
Insect repellent

HX

The Great Packing Debate

Well with only 3 weeks and 3 days to go (!!!!!!!) it's the time to start thinking about what to take and what to put it all in. I must say I've had a few sleepless nights over this so far. I think it's so difficult to think what you'll need over a period of 7 months in 3 different continents! You also want to be prepared for emergencies and surprises (especially being so far from home). I've also found so many different opinions on how much to take, what to take and what to leave behind. Lucky for me then that I've found a website that covers everything and you can really edit the information to tailor your own trip. Check it out here - http://travelindependent.info/whattopack.htm

The three important questions to ask yourself when packing are -

1. Would I cry if it got stolen/lost?
2. Will I be able to buy it locally?
3. Can I live without it?

Thanks to the website that's another thing ticked off the list, only about a 1,000 more things to go!! HX

Competition Time!

I've just entered the Just back competition on the Telegraph's website, so thought I'd share it with you! It's a great competition and fun to read all the entrys on there. So fingers crossed!! Here's the website - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-writing-competition/

Just back – The Journey

For me getting ready to go out is half the fun. So for me the journey, I.e. going to the airport and being on the plane is half the fun of going on holiday I love completely loosing myself in the world of airports and planes. For example spraying 10 perfumes on me at duty free and not buying one. Watching loads of films in a row and not feeling guilty while drinking some free Chardonnay. I love it. So an 18 hour flight from London to Hawaii wasn't a scary prospect for me. 18 hours of watching films and sleeping and I'd be leaving grey London behind for tropical and far away Hawaii – what wasn't to love? The best part – someone else was getting me there and preparing food for me. What I did not factor into the mix is that a holiday never goes exactly as they're suppose to. Boarding the flight I was dreaming of making lei's and sipping mojitos in 18 hours, in reality 7 hours after getting on the plane, I wasn't half way over the Atlantic I was in Heathrow. Where I had started. By now the mojitos of Hawaii were a distant dream and I was in nightmare reality – not allowed of the plane, not moving and surrounded by equally annoyed travellers. If there was ever anything to put me off planes and holidays abroad that was the moment. If there was ever anything to put me off living in England and it's terrible changeable weather that was the moment. However what made me and the other passengers hopeful was the incredible air hostesses and pilot. In true British style they were completely apologetic but most of all hopeful that we would get off the ground, when everything was against us. Dangerous weather, security and technology and the pilot was hanging on still. It paid off. We did eventually take off, and landed in L.A with a hotel voucher and promise for a flight to Hawaii the next day. Yes we were tired, yes nothing had gone to plan and yes we had missed out on a night in Hawaii for night in a questionable Mexican themed hotel near LAX. But we had a story to tell, a new found respect for the job of air hostess and pilots (not many people would fly 11 hours to L.A after being stuck on a plane for 7 hours not moving) and do you know what sipping the mojitos on the beach tasted 10 times better for it. I would never want to be stuck on a plane at Heathrow again but if I had never experienced that I wouldn't be able to write this and share my story. So the journey really is as important as the trip. HX

 

Bok

Bok - a.k.a hello in Croatian. It's just one of the reasons I've fallen in love with Croatia - such a great way to say hello! I've just recently returned from Dubrovnik and its one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Before I went we were told it's like a mixture Italy, Turkey, Greece and Spain. In my opinion it's not - Dubrovnik especially is unique and like nowhere else I've ever been. I love the contrast of the azure blue sea, the old town and its narrow streets and the amazing architecture. Some of my favourite things to do were sea kayaking, the cable car trip which gave a spectacular view of the old town and the walk around the city walls. Also we had brilliant meals with some of the best seafood. I'm mentioning this because travelling is about discovering new places, cuisine and cultures and Croatia is defiantly a place to do this and best of all it's just over 2 hours away from Gatwick. This just proves you don't always have to travel far to find more!

HX
p.s next post will be back to my impending trip - less than 7 weeks to go!

God Save America!

Blaine said 'The United States is the only country with a known birthday'. So as today is the 4th July (Independence day in America) I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate and recognise all the things that make the USA unique, awe-inspiring and must visit for all! If you hadn't noticed already it's a big country so there are a million amazing things that make it special, but here are some of my favourite! From chocolate bars to canyons, it's a diverse list but I think it shows how uniquely appealing America is. Happy 4th of July y'all!

1. The Grand Canyon - so amazingly vast and impressive - whether you choose to fly over it or drive by it, just do it!

2. Vegas - in any other country the place would have lasted 5 minutes, in America it gets more visitors every year. Why? Because it's Disney Land for grown ups.

3. Hershey's chocolate - people hate it or love it. I love it.

4. The Breakfasts - the Americans are best at breakfasts in the world in my opinion - personal favourite stacks of pancakes, maple syrup and bacon.

5. The contrast of iconic cities - New York, Miami, L.A, Boston, Chicago, Washington - how can one country have so many amazing cities?!

6. Sailing in Maine - such an amazing experience, you can learn to sail all while eating some of the best sea food.

7. Road tripping - one of the best countries to road trip in because there are so many places to visit and stop off and different routes to take. It feels like you are visiting loads of different countries in one.

8. Victoria's Secret - Underwear heaven. If it's good enough for Heidi Klum, it's good enough for me!

9. The Weather - America's got it all, year round sunshine of Hawaii, seasonal weather of New York and the breezy sunshine of California.

10. The Americans - people may put their noses up at the Americans but I think they are the kindest people and are especially welcoming and laid back. I always feel at home in America. Mostly though they are proud of their country, which is both rare and admirable.

I could go on forever, but instead of that choose a state and find out for yourself! HX

ROAD TRIP

The definition of a road trip is a 'journey on roads'. One of the earliest recorded road trips was in 1907, the Pecking to Paris road race. Today road trips are vastly popular and can take place almost anywhere. Whatever your route, all road trips result in a journey including stories for life, hilarious photos, too many sweets/alcohol and usually one of the most memorable times of your life. Every road trip is unique, but here are some that i have either done, will do or hope to do in the future!

AMERICA

When i was younger me and my parents did two very different road trips, New York to Boston and Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Both very different, but amazing in their own unique ways. New York to Boston included trying to navigate ourselves out of new york, boat trips in New England and using the pool of a posh hotel next door to our questionable motel! Las Vegas to LA saw us take in a vast expanse of desert that's magical and scary at the same time. Stopping off at Santa Barbra and San Luis Obispo brings you back to reality (well a high class reality!). DREAM ROUTE - route 66 of course! Check out this website for tips - http://www.roadtripusa.com/

AUSTRALIA

This September to December, we will be travelling between Cairns and Melbourne - although on a bus rather than a car i still think it counts as a road trip! I can't wait to visit the cities including Sydney and Brisbane but also the chilled out paradise of the islands and sunshine coast. The ultimate chilled out, sunshine and cosmopolitan road trip. This website is a great planner - http://www.australianroadtrips.com/

EUROPE

I've done a fair few french road trips in my time including lots of french bread, cheese and attempts at speaking french. While i think a french road trip is a must, it's so easy to explore the whole of Europe in a car - no need to stick to one country. A little closer to home, me and some friends have done a few summer road trips to wales which has also provided endless excitement and memories and a cheap alternative. DREAM ROUTE - Italy, South of France and Spain.

Go get a map and start planning your road trip now. The possibilities are endless! HX

The Travel Writer

Travel writing as a carer would be a dream for me. Getting to travel, write about about the travels and then paid for it - yes please! Although I'm sure there's a tad more hard work involved! Jane Egginton has had 20 years worth of experience writing and editing in the travelling field. Some of the travel guides she has edited and written in include Dorling Kindersley, Thomas Cook and Michelin. She also spent four years in house at Readers Digest. Suffice to say she has had a lot of travelling experience and knows her stuff! I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to ask her some questions, so here they are. Also check out her travel blog here (I love it!) - http://www.travelwriteruk.blogspot.com/ and follow her on twitter here - http://twitter.com/#!/janeegginton. Thank you Jane!

Holly - I've just arrived in Thailand what's the first thing I should do?

Jane Egginton - I would jump in a tuk tuk, whizzing round the traffic clogged streets, this always gives me a real buzz. Then, pull up at a street stall and tuck into some freshly cooked, delicious local food.


H - Thailand is known for it's food, what's good to eat there and any favourite meal you've had there?

JE - I love it all. The fresh fish, cooked in delicate spices, the chilli infused noodle soups, crunchy pad thai...


H - For you does Thailand mean party party or rest and relaxation (or both?!)?

JE - I was never one for those full moon parties, but I love to languish on the white sand beaches and usually find myself having a massage every night - they are a steal and some of the best in the world


H - How would you sum up Thailand in three words?

JE - Smiling, spicy, beautiful


H - What attracted you to South America?

JE - The language (I wanted to improve my Spanish, but couldn't communicate in Spain - Latin Americans are so much more patient), the landscapes - the variety - from beaches and desert to rainforest and mountains is astounding.


H - What are some of your favourite places, things to do or experiences in South America?

JE - I love the desert in Bolivia, which also has a fascinating indigenous population. Colombia is extraordinary and I got married on the beach on its Caribbean coast. My favourite is Brazil. The people are so open (they call us 'fechado' - closed).


H - What's unique about Brazil?

JE - Well, they speak Portuguese, unlike the rest of South America, but what really hits you is the personality of its population. Just go - you will understand what I mean.


H - What are your essentials when setting out on a new trip?

JE - I am not a great planner, but I always carry my iphone with me to be connected to the world.


H - Finally for you, what's the best thing about travelling?

JE - Meeting other people and learning about the world.


HX