Guilty Pleasures #Travel Linkup

Guilty pleasures.

For me its those things that you know you shouldn’t be doing but cant help doing it anyway. Its your own inner voice going "Sam, you know you shouldn’t be doing that…" while your heart goes "I don’t care…stupid inner voice *grumble* *grumble*" We've all been there, we've all had that moment, and we've all gone with our hearts, the guilt of knowing we shouldn’t, only making that act of indulgence all the more deliciously enjoyable.

Here are my guilty pleasures, both travel and non-travel related, in no particular order. See how many you share with me :)

Sleeping In
…on weekends when I really should be out there making the most of it.
Because its a bright Sunny day in London
Because its only a two day weekend
Because I'm in London. Period.
(coffee in bed with a good book falls into this category too. As does spending hours reading in general.)

Travel
…when I know the exchange rate and how I'd be smarter to save it.
I almost died hitting the 'pay' button for hotel accommodation in Valencia. In the general scheme of things, it wasn’t really unreasonable, but when I found out how much it would be in Aussie dollars…! I almost got my flatmate to click the button for me it was that hard. But I loved, loved, loved my trip and it was SO worth it! The experience of that is something money just cant buy…yes, I've just moved into the 'Justification' phase of guilty pleasures.

And while actually travelling, sleeping in, wandering aimlessly, not making the most of where I am
...because I know how much it costs and chances are, with it being a big world, I might not be back.
Ive been away on travels and felt guilty pleasure in just lounging in the suuuuper comfy hotel bed when I should be out exploring. Also I've swapped lining up for 'major sights' for wandering around, getting lost and getting a feel of the place, but sometimes I do love doing that more you know?

Vampire Diaries (TV series)
…When I know I should be watching something "better"
Ian Somerhalder. First time I saw him was in another guilty pleasure TV show called Young Americans. I was hooked. Hot. Just Hot. Plain and simple. And he is possibly the only reason I watch the show. Don’t know who he is? Go Google him. Now. I'll wait……………………………Done it? Good. You're welcome ;)

Chocolate.
…like you need me to explain why…!
Ferrero Rocher, After 8 dinner mints and Muji chocolate especially, coz they are expensive to boot!

Buying books.
...when libraries are free and e-books are cheaper and don't kill any trees.
Unless its a really great book, I'll only be reading it once so buying a book that will just sit on my shelf after I've devoured it in a few days seems a bit of a waste of money. But I get such pleasure from walking into a bookshop, shelves lined with adventures, romance, mystery and magic, and adopting one, or two, or five into my home :) Luckily on my birthday last year, my friends just gave me book vouchers, I couldn't have been happier! When I'm feeling poor, or way too guilty, I'll buy books from charity shops. I cant help it, I will always be a book lover.

What are your guilty pleasures?

Join the travel link up with Emma, Kelly, Rebecca or guest host Polly and share your story or find more to read!

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Lost in Translation #Travel Linkup

My first ever experience of foreign languages was Japanese in high school. It was also my first embarrassing experience of something getting lost in translation...or pronunciation.

Our school was playing host to Japanese exchange students and we were all crammed into the teachers lounge meeting and getting to know each other, the girls on one side, boys on the other, as you do in awkward teen years, when one of the girls asked me if I liked guys "with led back". I didn't quite get that, but after she repeated herself a couple of times, I was like "Ohhhh! Guys who are laid back!" to which she nodded, yeah. It was a bit of an odd question but I said sure, I liked guys who are laid back. I swear her face lit up and she gave me the biggest smile before running off to another student...a tall Japanese boy with a red bag....

Since moving to London, Ive come across a few words which can cause a bit of confusion. The most common one you're likely to hear about is 'pants'. Pants in the UK mean underpants/knickers/panties whatever you want to call em. In Australia they mean trousers. Ive lost count of the number of times I've said 'pants' meaning trousers and gotten funny looks from people here.

Then there is the less common 'pull'. A friend of mine was chatting with a colleague at work and asked him if he pulled a girl. I was shocked! I was thinking 'How rude! Why would he pull a girl? That's not very nice!' Before I jumped in on my high horse to say just how rude and disrespectful he was and that women should not be manhandled, my friend saw the look on my face and quickly explained that 'pulling' meant chatting up a girl. Thankfully she had the grace to laugh at me only for the rest of the afternoon.

As an Aussie, I have been in the position of confusing others too. Bludger, dag, mozzie, Maccas and arvo just to name a few. Can you guess what they are?

When travelling, I'm always amused to see how English is used and it can provide a few giggles. Japan has been the oddest, all the above photos are from there, but I did spot an interesting store name in Brussels recently.

Do you have your own "Lost in translation" story to tell? I'm so excited to be guest hosting this months blog link up with lovely Kiwi trio Emma, Kelly and Rebecca. Why not join in and have a laugh? Details below!

An InLinkz Link-up

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The Unexpected Benefits of Blogging #linkup

I started this blog way back in 2005. Wow! Huh! I didn't realise its been almost 10 years till I wrote that! Okee...scary! Haha. Um yeah, so I started this blog when dinosaurs still roamed the earth...It was pre-facebook and I was embarking on an adventure in the Middle East, working as a flight attendant and travelling the world. I wanted a way to share my photos and adventures with my family and friends and this blog was born.

I have kept it through 2 years of cabin crew life in the sandpit, then returning home to Sydney, where it almost died due to lack of travel, and then accompanied me on my move to London where it really has really grown.

I really do love blogging, and it has given me so much more than I expected when I started out all those years ago.

source

So here is my list of the unexpected benefits of blogging, in no particular order:

1. An online home

Through lots of changes in physical addresses, this blog has been consistent and there is something calming about having your own virtual space that has 'always been there'.

2. A way to meet new people

I have met some wonderful people through blogging, virtually and in person. It has helped a lot with my moving to the UK and creating a new network of friends. Its nice to have others who are as interested in exploring London and don't mind when you ask them to hold off eating their food in a restaurant for a minute so you can take a photo.

3. A nudge to get out there!

I find that having a blog gives me that little nudge, a little friendly poke to get out there and do something, do anything. Try a new cafe, book some theatre tickets, go on a day trip.

4. Improving my writing

I know at least one person who will laugh at this point. I'm notoriously bad with my grammar - mostly because when I write, I'm more interested in getting my thoughts and ideas on paper than worrying about sentence structure and punctuation. However, as I've grown with this blog, I've tried a few small changes here and there to, hopefully, make my writing easier to read and more enjoyable.

5. Learning about social media

Its weird and perhaps the most unexpected benefit of blogging - you end up learning a lot about social media and technology. As part of maintaining this blog, I've read about self-hosting, migrating to my own domain name, some coding (though I tend to ask the lovely Stephanie to do all the grunt work), blog designs, different blogging platforms, Twitter, Facebook, blog readers, SEO (I still don't get it) and so much more.


I'm sure there are more benefits that i haven't listed here, but these are the few that come to mind at the moment. If you are interested in seeing what other bloggers have to say about this, pop over to Emma, Kelly, Rebecca or Sara's blogs and see check out post by the other bloggers linkup - or add your own if your keen!

What have been your unexpected benefits of blogging??

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A Room with a View #Linkup

A room with a view, its the icing on the travelling cake isnt it?

Most of my views while travelling have been, sadly, forgetable. A couple have been just horrible, namely a basement room looking on to a brick wall in London and a ventalation shaft in New York. But who cares about that really? Bad views dont make for compelling dreamy photos. So here are the nice, very nice, and downright jaw-dropping views i've had - feel free to daydream about the last one ;)

Most recently in Edinburgh, I had the pleasure of this lovely view.
 

Ive been know to rave about Japan on this blog and it comes up yet again here. I stayed in the heart of Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan.

The absolute best view i've ever has has been in Santorini, Greece. Can you blame me?

Keen to see other amazing views or share your own? Why not join the blog link up and hop over to Kelly's page to add your link and check out some other amazing posts!

What has been your favourite view while travelling?

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Favourite Travel Photo #Linkup

The lovely ladies Kelly, Emma and Rebecca are at it again, this time they seeking to peek into our photo archives for our favourite travel photos. My last linkup was a couple of months ago, having missed a few purely due to life pressures and being at a loss as to what to write about. This time however, the moment I read the theme, a photo popped into my minds eye.

New York City - Top of the Rock

I love this photo. It was taken by my friend J and I confess that it was totally staged. BUT, that day, there was a reflective moment which could have mirrored that photo. It was the end of my first trip to New York which had been entirely surreal; from finding myself in the middle of Grand Central Terminal to picnicking in Central Park, to walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, to seeing the Statue of Liberty. It felt so whirlwind that I had to stop and simply take in where I was, really absorb it, appreciate it and remember it. And that's what this photo is for me. A bitter sweet moment, on the cusp of leaving New York but loving the magic of being there those few days.

I have so many other photos that are favourites so I might do a separate post where I share one favourite photo from each destination. What do you think?

Before I go, here is another favourite. It was taken in 2005, my very first day in London. Ever. You can tell a lot by my smile. And I still have that guidebook!

What is your favourite travel photo?

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Best Meal While Travelling - Travel linkup

So many yummy dishes, so little time! I have eaten my way through some places but the one place that really takes the cake in every regard, flavour, presentation, price, ambiance and service, is Japan. I did not a have a single bad or below par dish. So what is the most memorable? Funnily enough it had nothing to do with the food at all.

Dishes from a Kaiseki dinner - see the little green bird?

I was in the Akihabara district in Tokyo, Japan with my friend trying to find a place for dinner. We came across a wooden shopfront that looked like it was transported from rural Japan and looked busy, warm and welcoming. We stepped inside.

Tempura nettle leaves and soba noodles

A sweet waitress greeted us and apologised saying they had no tables then, as a second thought, asked if we'd mind sitting at the back. I had no problems with that, the smell of food was intoxicating and I wasn't going anywhere.

Okonomiyak - a type of savoury pancake

It turns out that the 'tables' at the back were sunken tatami mat seating. I think maybe she thought foreigners preferred tables, but not me, this was exactly what i wanted :) I clambered into my seat, ordered a bunch of food and then sat back to take in my surroundings.

Vegitarian Bento Box

The walls were covered in traditional Japanese murals, and the entire space was filled with 'Salarymen' (office workers) getting drunk and creating a ruckus. Some were passed out, their heads resting on the tables, some were getting more drinks, some were slurring lines to the karaoke playing on one screen and others were watching some sports game on another.

Did i mention dessert? They tasted so good!

They would call to each other from across the room, faces red, swaying slightly before getting distracted with another drink. All of them were in almost identical suits, jackets off and tossed aside with their bags in a heap, ties loose, shirts rumpled. It was hilarious and fascinating to watch. I'd heard about this work tradition but seeing it was entirely different.

Crab miso soup and clam rice

I don't remember the food. I think there was a fish and some sushi and I'm sure it tasted great but my attention was on these guys. It was really brilliant. Id never seen anything like it and haven't seen anything like it again.

Clam miso soup and chicken teriyaki with rice

Since I was so distracted I didn't take any photos of the meal. Instead, here are some photos from other meals I had around Japan which were all absolutely delicious. And now I'm craving Japanese...

What was your memorable meal while travelling?

As always thanks to the lovely girls Emma and Kelly and Rebecca for this travel link up.

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Pinch Me Moments - Travel Linkup

I have been quite privileged to travel as much as I have and to continue to experience moments that take my breath away. 

The beginning of my travels started in a conference room in a hotel somewhere near Sydney Airport where I was told I had just been picked to join an airline in the sand pit. I was so shocked that I hugged the a girl who i'd only met 5 hours earlier just because I needed an outlet for my emotions.

That job led me to several travel a pinch me moments including my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in Paris which seemed to cure me of how sick I had been that day. It also led to my first layover in London which was 2 full days of pinch me moments not to mention the truly amazing moment where I was able to pet a lion cub in Johannesburg.

More recently...One day I received a visa in my passport granting me 2 years to live and work in London. Up until the moment I saw that visa I didn't think it would happen. I was stunned, speechless, my eyes hardly able to believe it - it was the quiet before the storm - soon I was running around the house, bouncing off the walls with a smile so big my face hurt. A life in London, the whole reality of it exploded inside me but I still needed someone to pinch me because it was a dream come true.

Living in London still takes my breath away, from glimpsing the dome of St Pauls Cathedral to spotting old London in the every day like the traditional gas lamps. And two years there allowed for some great adventures and pinch me moments.

Outside of London my trip to Japan in April 2012 was full of amazing moments. There were the bright lights of Shinjuku, the cherry blossoms in bloom, real life Maiko and Geisha in Gion, Kyoto (let me tell you they are rare and when one exited private ochaya (teahouse) right in front of me I was like a deer in headlights) and the A-Dome in Hiroshima.

Also, there was seeing the Coliseum in Rome bloom out of nowhere as the bus from the airport took me to the centre of town. Cruising down the Grand Canal in Venice at night. Seeing the mesmerising Northern Lights in Iceland, though admittedly if someone had pinched me then I wouldn't have felt it i was so numb with cold, hehe. Arriving in the heart of New York City and pretty much my whole time there was unbelievable I just could not get past how surreal the whole thing felt.

Looking back on all my travels and experiences, it strikes me that I have been living an amazing dream. Being able to travel and see the world was a big dream for me and up until I was 23, I never thought it would be possible. Its truly amazing where life takes you.

As always thanks to the lovely girls Emma and Kelly and Rebecca for this travel link up. Anyone is welcome to join in the linkup, visit the hosts pages for more details.

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Making my first friend in London - The Expat Diaries Linkup

Westminster Abbey

When I first moved to London, I didn't know a soul. My first six weeks were spent in a hostel. I was working nights (remotely) on wifi that kept dropping out every 10 minutes, going cross-eyed reading and reply to ads in the search for more permanent accommodation, trying to adjust to hostel life (it was my first time), and exulting in the excitement of finally having made the move to London and simultaneously fending off the anxiety of being on my own.

Pretty swish for a hostel dont you think?

 The best thing about hostels is that you get all walks of life there and generally, because of the shared-room/facilities setup, people are more open to connecting with others. Of course there are the exceptions such as tour groups, friends travelling together, school groups, sporting team etc who tend to stick with people they know.

Our hostel came with its own knight!

I was staying in a pretty nice hostel with a huge common room, a breakfast/dining room and bar. As the days lapsed I began to notice people who weren't just passing though. There was a girl who spent each morning Skyping with someone back home, a guy who was older than the average crowd who seemed to know all the staff well, a group of young teachers who were temping at different schools while trying to find a permanent placement and home amongst a few others.

Portobello Road Markets

One evening I opted for the slightly quieter breakfast room to work and eventually found myself in the middle of the group of teachers. My ears perked up when I overheard one girl say she had found a room in a really nice area at a bargain rental rate. My first words, to what wold become my first Aussie friend in London, were when I butted into her conversation with an envious "Wow, how'd you manage that?"

Snow in Clapham Common during my first house hunt

It wasn't an instant friendship, I bumped into her a couple more times before I mustered up the courage to ask for her number and, after that, the courage to send her a text inviting her to do something.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Its not easy making friends as an expat, you just have to bite the bullet, get out of your comfort zone and speak to someone. I'm glad I did, my time in London would not have been the same without them.

Yes my new found friends we're nerds Harry Potter fans too

This post is part of the The Expat Diaries Linkup hosted by Postcards from Rachel. Pop over to her site to read more expat stories or to join in the fun.

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Travel wishlist for 2014

Today I'll be linking up with the lovely Emma and Kelly for their 2014 Travel wish list, planning and inspiration.

After travelling to a fair few destinations last year, across the Atlantic, in Europe and even in my own backyard (a.k.a London) I'm keen to do more, see more and experience all I can this year. So here is my travel wish list - its what comes to mind at the moment but I'm sure it'll grow and morph into something totally unexpected by the end of the year.

In and around London I'd love to finally get my butt to the Kew Gardens. I've been wanting to go for ages but just never made it there. Another item on my wish list is a canal boat ride. I love the walk from Little Venice to Camden Markets and would be happy to have one of these pretty boats cruise me there.

Outside of London there are so many choices. It would be great to fit in more of the beautiful English countryside, maybe take a trip to the New Forest, explore the Lakes District, the Peaks District or Snowdonia. I wouldn't mind stopping in York or Edinburgh again, they are a favourite!

Old aquaduct somewhere on the road from Edinburgh to the Lake Windermere

Portugal, Berlin, Granada are some places in Europe i'd like to visit. I think both Portugal and Granada would be great weekend escapes to seek out precious rays of sun. Hmm...i'm thinking Russia would be great for something totally different.

Further afield on my travel bucket list there is the Great Wall of China. I have been wanting to do that for ages. India too - though India is a big trip so will most likely leave it for another year. Other places are Vietnam or Cambodia. I'm not sure if I'll get that far this year but this is a travel wish list right?

Manhattan skyline taken from the Brooklyn Bridge

I had such a great time when i was in New York last year, I didn't nearly have enough time so another trip there would be a real treat! Rio is a city i have heard nothing but rave reviews about, the people, the lifestyle, the vibe and buzz of the city, it makes for an alluring destination and it is rapidly climbing up my travel wish list.

I also might try to give Morocco a go, or perhaps Tunisia. I almost made it to Morocco last year but changed my mind in favour of a destination further up on my bucket list...what can i say, time is precious and sometimes you just cant fit in everything you wish. 

York Minster Cathedral taken from the original city walls

Anyway, I think thats more than enough dreaming about places to go for this year dont you? Realistically speaking, i'll be happy making to just a few of these this year, after all, any travel is an absolute blessing and treat!

Whats on your travel wishlist for 2014?

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