Traveling In Wonder Blog
Heidelberg, Germany
Oberwesel, Germany
Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
Germany
Germany has the world's tallest church, The Ulm Minster, standing at 530 feet high and it takes 768 winding steps to the top!
Gummy Bears and the legend of the Easter Bunny both originated in Germany. The legend began sometime in the 1970's and Gummy Bears originated in the 1920's!
One-third of the country is forested.
Germany is known for being "The Land of Poets and Thinkers" as Germany's famous composers include Beethoven, Wagner, Schumann, and Bach.
Berlin has the largest train station in Europe!
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest! More than six million people attend every year! It is a 16 to 18 day festival that takes place in Munich, Germany from late September to the first Sunday in October! The first Oktoberfest was held for the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in 1810! It has only been cancelled 24 times in the past 200 years!
Neuschwanstein Castle! It was built September 5, 1869 and was occupied by King Ludwig II. Neuschwanstein is often called "the castle of the fairy-tale king". This castle is the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle in Disneyland. There is an average number of 6,000 tourists who visit each day!
Schwangau, Germany
GERMANY
Paris, France
I had a picnic on the Champ de Mars while staring up at this massive beauty. It is quite mesmerizing being up close as the structures’ architecture is out of this world. Did you know that the Eiffel Tower is the most visited tourist spot? More than 7 million people visit ever year.
How it’s rustic marooned brown finish grasped together to knit this large stance of a tower is absolutely marvelous.
This was the prettiest view. I awoke early and wanted to dine atop the Eiffel Tower as one of my bucket list items!
I stopped at a little food and pastry shoppe on the way back. It was cash only and inside I found limitless amounts of delectable treats available.. tarts, macarons, eclairs, creme brûlée, candies, baguettes, breads of all types.. the list could have gone on forever. I decided on a strawberry eclair and a baguette sandwich. The sandwiches here are long, skinny, and warmed.. served on a baguette bread and put under a panini maker. It was then placed in a long sleeve for you to take wherever you roam.
I decided to stop into another pastry shop (pictured) to take a find a few macarons to try, as I had never had one before this trip and I had heard so much about them.
The crisp outside had such a delicate and soft shell, breaking ever so slightly once you bit into it. The creamy consistency inside was a cool, refreshing taste that drew me back in for more.
Paris, France
The buildings were of a white pastel color, with romantic whirled and twirly patio fences that held flower pots underneath. I felt like Audrey Hepburn starring in Sabrina.. learning how to crack an egg in one hand.. dreaming of moon rivers while waltzing through this breathtaking city.
I noticed the beautiful fashion here. Long trench coats with hair in buns and many Parisians in glasses. I noticed the different scarves, pea coats of grey and black, and how put together everyone was all around the metropolitan area. I watched many carry baguettes with them as they walked, and even more smoked which I quickly realized was more popular here in Europe than in the US.
I began my walk towards the Eiffel Tower once I arrived, as it was the main attraction I wanted to view. This photograph was captured as the first moment I saw it in person, across the bridge. It was another one of those “awe” moments that stops you in your tracks the first time you see it. ... Of course, growing up we heard about this iconic structure but the initial first glance was something that brought tears to my eyes.
As I approached closer, I noticed the abundance of tourist shops with sparkling shirts of the Eiffel Tower and sweatshirts that had “PARIS” written across the front. My goal was, as always, to find the shop with the Christmas Ornaments.
While browsing the streets, I stopped at a crepe stand and bought a delicious Nutella crepe for 1.60 euro. It was the first item I had purchased here and it was fantastic. I remember the chilly October day well. Bundled in coats, sipping on an espresso with a crepe in hand. And I was having the time of my life ✨
A sauna is a small room where one can experience dry or wet heat sessions.
There are multiple types of saunas including infrared, steam, and smoke
sauna. The traditional saunas (smoke saunas) are ones the Finnish use regularly. It
is traditional for smoke saunas to burn large amounts of wood, 6 to 8 hours, and let the smoke out before enjoying löyly (the Finnish word for sauna
heat).
In Finland, there are built-in saunas in almost every home and they are set to 102-140 degrees with low humidity. Water is thrown onto the hot
stones to increase the heat. It is also common to fully disrobe and use a bundle of birch twigs with fresh leaves to slap the skin to create stimulation of
the pores. Many fins race from the sauna to a dip in a cold lake or shower to cool off, and back to the sauna. It is the norm to partake in a sauna
session at least once or twice a week year round!
If you ever visit Helsinki, I highly recommend this sauna to visit! It was built in 1928 and has been actively functioning as a traditional sauna ever since! It is known as being the most authentic sauna in the Helsinki area - (Also, it’s BYOB!)
The Chapel of Silence. Kamppi Chapel.
In this little underground church off of the busy streets of Helsinki, I found myself admiring the purest wooden pews and smooth walls during the intense moments of silence.
This chapel is one of a kind as it welcomes everyone, no matter religion or background, to come together and admire in silence. I really enjoy this concept as it is a testimony, with this world being torn from religion to political views, that there are places like this where none of that matters because everyone can enjoy one another without actually speaking. Like a concert. But quiet.
Concerts to me, are an expressive way to release emotions, feeling ecstatic with likeminded newfound friends all around. Everyone is there for a certain reason, and they all have one connection altogether, the musical artist. I feel the similarities this way, here, in the Chapel of Silence. Although our similarities maybe a curiosity or perhaps a travelers mindset in this setting.
It was a chilly autumn morning when I made my first steps upon Suomenlinna.
A sea fortress covered in wonder and enriched in heritage.
Many explore for picnics near the seaside, bike rides in the sunlight, or visits to the museums nearby.
I throughly enjoyed visiting this little island and exploring all its hidden nooks and crannies amidst the windy October day.
If you ever visit Helsinki, this is a must do!
Helsinki Cathedral
One of my favorite things to do in a new city, especially in Helsinki, is to always check out the churches nearby. This is Helsinki Cathedral. One of the most well known buildings in Helsinki and an icon for senate square. It’s gorgeous white columns only measure half of what beauty lies within. It is known to bring in 350,000 to half a million visitors each year. It is a Lutheran church built, completed in 1852, but it still actively holds services and weddings! There is also a crypt to visit that holds a smaller chapel and offers a neat cafe called Cafe Krypta!
Kauppatori
I started off the morning on an adventure to the downtown main square, Kauppatori.
It just so happened to be hosting a large festival that day and the town square was packed with little vendors through each corner, rows and rows of hand crafted souvenirs, delicious street food, and a line of ships parked in the harbor nearby. One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to souvenir shop so I was in heaven.
I noticed most of the souvenirs were combinations of antlers from the reindeer in Lapland along with many wooden items. It was mind blowing how creative they were with different ideas to use from the antlers. Bottle openers, wine stoppers, Pukko or hunting knives, butter knives, Kuksa drinking cups, key chains... you name it.
I loved them all but my favorite was the Kukas as it is a type of wooden drinking cup made by the Lapps (Sami people) in Lapland. They have one or two openings for the fingers and often come with a reindeer leather strap. They can be used for hot and cold drinks and are traditionally made from birch bark or burl.
I decided to try the most popular dish at the festival, as there was a line throughout the area waiting to get into the tent. I found out it was a plate of fried and salted little fishies, muikku, with other vegetables. Vendace was the name of the dish!
Finland Fun Facts!
The first inhabitants of Finland were the Sami (Lapp) people who stayed in Lapland.
Lapland is geographically 30% of Finland, but is home to only 3% of the population!
The Midnight Sun is a normal phenomenon in Finland, where the sun does not set for 73 consecutive summer days.
With a population of 5.4 million, Finland has over 3 million saunas!
Finland offers free education at elementary, secondary, and university levels.
Finland was the first European country to give women the right to vote.
There are more Heavy Metal bands in Finland per capita than anywhere else in the world!
Real Talk: Sometimes I experience anxiety while traveling.
Maybe it is a slow build up, or it hits randomly but there have been a few times where I have had to combat anxiety from turning into a panic attack. If you have ever had a panic attack, they can feel so real at times and it can be quite terrifying.
I’ve learned a few skills to help me cope and I’d like to share them with you!
1: If you start to feel your anxiety rise, try the counting game. Name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.
2: Focus on your breath. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, breathe out for 6-8 seconds.
3: Take yourself out of the situation that is causing you anxiety and think of a place that you’ve either visited previously or would like to visit and imagine yourself there. The place I use is a small hidden lake I came across on one of my adventures in Norway.
Each of these tips have helped me immensely in traveling with anxiety and I hope they help you too!
England Fun Facts:
Leeds is one of Europe's rainiest cities. ☂️
You can drive from England to France (or take a train) in an underwater tunnel - I’ve done this and it was so convenient and lovely ☺️
There are more chickens than people in England. 🐓
The English drink more tea per capita than anyone else worldwide! ☕️
The London Eye is the tallest observation Ferris wheel in the world. 🎡
This bridge is actually called Tower Bridge! It opens once a day to let boats go through the river below and it is estimated a total of 40,000 people cross it every day!
Strawberry Field’s was originally a field of strawberries with a Victorian house on the property. The Salvation Army purchased the home and created it into an orphanage, which was named Strawberry Field.
John lived at his aunt Mimi’s home in Mendips and in his backyard, he had a treehouse in his apple tree. When I went through his childhood home, they let me go off and pick an apple from his same apple tree which influenced the lyric:
“No one I think is in my tree
I mean it must be high or low
That is you can't, you know, tune in
But it's all right
That is, I think, it's not too bad”
This is the viewed focus from John’s apple tree as he watches over the Strawberry Field orphanage from his backyard, meaning he can’t tune in as he could only watch from a distance.
In the lyrics
“Let me take you down
'Cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever”
Nothing to get hung about was actually a common saying from John to his aunt Mimi, as John would often want to wander through the fields but his aunt wouldn’t want him to wander too far, and he would often say that “it’s nothing to get hung about”, (its not a big deal, don’t worry..etc). Which is heavily influenced in this lyric.
John wrote Strawberry Fields Forever while he was in the film “How I Won The War”, which many believe sparked his creativity into writing about his hometown, specifically Strawberry Fields.
John Lennon’s Rolls Royce was created in 1965 after the boys were picked up by their manager, Brian Epstein, in Brian’s new Bentley, which was one of the first large purchases Brian made after The Beatles started to grow in popularity. Many believe that because John saw Brian’s Bentley, it influenced him to make the Rolls Royce purchase as his idol, Elvis, also had a Rolls Royce.
John was 24 years old when he learned how to drive. On the same day John got his license, they began to write “Ticket to Ride” and it was released that same year.
John’s Phantom V was customized to have tinted windows so when they could come back from shows and flights early in the morning when the sun came up, it would still be dark in the car for John. It was originally painted in Valentines Black but after John finished filming in How I Won The War, he requested a customized paint job with gypsy psychedelics, as it was the same time frame during the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967. He added in a customized bed in the backseat as well as a television, refrigerator, and telephone.
Another specialized detail John put in was loud speakers under the front wheel wells so he could use the speakers to prank his friends. He was often known to blast recordings of trains and jet engines to confuse pedestrians.
John kept Phantom V until 1977, to which he donated to Cooper-Hewitt Museum at the Smithsonian Institute, and in 1985 it was sold for 2.3 million. Currently it is on display in Royal British Columbia museum. It currently holds 35,000 miles and is valued at 7 million!
The Cavern Club
This photograph was taken at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. The Cavern is famously known for hosting The Beatles regularly in their early years. They played at the Cavern over 292 times!
Not only have the Beatles played at here but also famous musicians like The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Queen, The Who, and Black Sabbath.
The Cavern Club was inspired by the jazz district in Paris and was modeled after La Caveau de la Huchette jazz club!
I splurged and purchased a private Beatles Tour that took me through their childhood homes, schools, Penny Lane, St. Peter’s Church, The Cavern Club, The Casbah, Strawberry Fields, Albert Dock, and more.. but the Cavern Club was my absolute favorite. I cried when I was inside because I couldn’t believe I was physically in the spot that started it all.. The Beatles are my most favorite artist in the entire world and my trip to Liverpool was one of the most monumental trips I’ve ever taken in my life.
Fun Fact: Before my departure back to the United States, I tried desperately to find a job somewhere in Europe so I could stay.. I filled out many applications throughout my time backpacking across Europe and had different interviews but I actually was offered a position here!
However, upon returning back to the US, I found out I got the job to be a flight attendant and quickly switched my career path last minute.
It’s amazing how one decision can change the course of your life!
TRAVELER TIP: If you’re visiting a new city, take the time to not only see it during the day but also at night.
Discovering a new city at night rather than during the day is like watching the streets come alive right in front of you.
I took this on the London Eye, where I rode the Eye twice (once during the day, once at evening). I enjoyed seeing everything during the day but at night, it felt like I was in a movie. The aesthetic haziness of the fog and mist from the rainy evening set into play. I was able to capture the reflections off of the water on the pavement. It was like I stepped into a dream.
The best way to explore a new city on your own:
Start off early. I love waking up when no one else is awake and starting my day off taking photographs of the world around me without many people or cars in the streets.
Find a small business bakery or coffee shop. Ask them what their most popular item is and order it to try something new. I love to do this and pretend to “be a local”. People watching next to a window, journaling my thoughts.
Keep a map in your back pocket but wander without using it for as long as you can. I like to play this “game” with myself to try and get to know the areas better without needing my cell phone or a GPS. It also gives me a new sense of wonderment while strolling about!
Take pictures AND videos but also keep some time to take it all in without electronics. When I first set out in a new city, I try to find a balance between taking pictures and putting my camera away. Since I get excited to be in a new place, I tend to take a lot of photographs right when I get there, but after some time, I put my camera away to soak it all in myself. If I could rewind, I would take some time to focus more on videos in stillness, watching the world go by but I am also extremely thankful for the photographs I have.
Don’t let the little things bother you as much. If your train is late, or you forgot the wrong coat, you can’t find your way around, or it’s way too hot... all those little things don’t matter years from that moment. When I look back on different countries, I don’t remember all the small stuff that happened but I do remember the breathtaking moments that really “wowed” me.
A few items I learned while living in England:
1) I had a washing machine in my kitchen. It definitely made it convenient to not have to go to a laundromat!
2) I had no idea “beans on toast” was a thing until my roommate taught me how to make it.
3) Apparently “fancy dress” is also a thing there too? The number of groups of girls and guys dressed as random characters while running from pub to pub is a hilarious sight I will never forget.
4) I was taught how to make a proper “cuppa”. And I realized that pouring water straight from the faucet into a mug, microwaving it for one minute, adding a tea bag, and drinking it without adding any sugar or milk.. was the wrong way to make tea. It was an entire process to learn and I can now say I am a proud owner of an electric water kettle.
5) Also, I had no idea there was such a thing as a hot water bottle. Putting them at the foot of my bed before crawling in to go to sleep is pretty much the best thing in the world.
6) Pants do not mean what you think they mean.
7) Eggs aren’t refrigerated in the grocery stores in the UK and if you go to the refrigerated section they won’t be there.
8) So many people walk everywhere in the UK vs. taking cars to get places. Because of this, there were many trails all around and I also noticed many cobblestone streets as well.
9) Going to the same pub after a day at work or school is extremely common here and you often had the same group of people say hi and get to know you day after day.
10) When people ask “are you alright?” it doesn’t mean that they are concerned about you. My first few days of living here, I had to ask a friend if I looked OK because people kept on asking if I looked alright? And I was trying to figure out if I looked sick.
“Are you alright?” = “How are you?” for us Americans!
How to Meet New People Abroad:
1: Be friendly and on the lookout for perfect opportunities. Are you waiting in a line and there are people around you looking bored? Try and strike up a conversation with them about something mutual (weather, reason why you’re all in line, or ask them a question).
2: Ask for recommendations from nearby locals. Not only have I made friends this way, but I’ve also discovered many gorgeous new delicious restaurants, experiences, new shops by doing this as well.
3: Try to stay in hostels or couchsurfers. Often, I find the easiest places to meet people are those with a crowd that is wanting the same experience with a sense of community. Look for hostels that have a common room, a community kitchen, or an area with to hang out like couches and games. This is a perfect place to strike up conversation.
4: Compliment someone! Giving a compliment not only makes the person feel good and boosts their confidence, it also creates a conversation topic!
London, United Kingdom
When I travel, I try to scope out time to sit on a bench or a cafe and people watch. I create different narratives in my head for each person and often wonder where they are from, what they are doing, and imagine a typical day for them.
If you ever find yourself abroad, watch closely to the trends that are in other countries compared to your own country. I often find trends created in Scandinavian countries start to show their face in the United States a little while afterward!
PRO TIP: Bring a journal when you travel!
I often try to bring a journal with me at every place I visit. This gives me a chance to document everything on paper so I don’t forget little details years from now.
Maybe you’re thinking “I’m going to be traveling the whole time, I don’t have time to journal!” and at first I thought this too, but on my first solo journey, I realized the majority of my journaling time was spent on the go or while I waited. I probably did 80% of my writings on trains, airplanes, or waiting in an airport. Sometimes if the friends I would travel with wanted to head in early, I would go to my room and journal before falling asleep.
Maybe you’re thinking “OK but what would I write about?”
I use the same basic tactics for my writing:
How did you get to where you are right in this moment? What gave you the idea to book this trip? Where are you going? What are you most excited to see? What are you bucket list items for this trip? What dishes do you want to try? Where will you be staying? What will you be doing? What is one goal you want to set for yourself on this trip?
Once I write those ideas down.. if I still have time to journal, then I write about the present moment.
What do you see currently? What did you eat and drink today? What sounds do you currently hear? Where are you right now? Who are you currently traveling with?
And on the journey home from exploring a new destination, I ask myself these journal prompts:
Would you like to live at the destination you visited? Why or why not? What do you think living in that destination would be like? What would a normal day be like if you did live there? How are things similar or different from that destination to your home town or current place of residence? Which traditions have you learned here that you would like to bring back home with you? I finish with replaying everything that happened from start to finish on my trip, and I like to highlight one lesson I learned from my trip.
Journaling may feel difficult and bothersome at first.. but it is so helpful to reflect years later when you’re wanting to look back and experience all those wonderful memories again!
Denmark Fun Facts:
1) Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world! Aarhus is Denmark’s happiest city.. so technically Aarhus is the happiest place on earth! (…move over, Disneyworld!)
2) Denmark had the oldest flag in the world, Dannebrog, and it is over 800 years old!
3) Denmark does not have any mountains so biking is never uphill and more than 50% of those who live in Copenhagen ride their bikes to and from work everyday!
4) Denmark also has the world’s oldest amusement park, Bakken! The second oldest one is the Tivoli Gardens!
5) LEGO was invited by the Danes in 1949! You can visit the original LEGOLAND here as well!
Did you know that in Denmark it rains every second day, on average having 171 days of rain each year?
Denmark
It was a chilly winters night when I arrived at the Tivoli. We waited in a long line and I enjoyed people watching while wondering what was inside. To be honest, I hadn’t heard of the Tivoli before but by how packed it was to get in, I knew it was something quite special.
When we walked in I noticed rows of decorated trees glistening in white Christmas lights. Red bulbs hung about in each tree and little cabins with the cutest chimneys on top sold delectable treats and trinkets. Each one served a different purpose and I thoroughly enjoyed walking from each one to window shop. I loved watching the children’s faces light up and experience the true happiness Christmas had to offer. There were so many games, amusement rides, different courses of foods.. I wish I could transport myself right back into that very moment of walking in for the very first time.
How to sleep in an airport
Step One: Become Tom Hanks.
Just kidding.
Step One: Find a quiet corner off to the side with a stretch of seats close together without bars between them. If you have trouble finding this, see if there are any 24 hour coffee shops with couches that allow room for sleeping (in exchange for purchasing a few items on the menu - LHR has an amazing coffee shop that I’ve done this with).
PRO TIP: If you have a first flight out but are checked in and inside of the actual airport, chances are they will probably kick you out and make you stay where the security area is, so you’ll have to go through security again. Sometimes it’s best to just wait it out near security until they open around 3/4AM.
Step Two: If you can’t find a bench / chair and have to sleep on the ground - try and take some items out of your bag to create friction between yourself and the cold floor. This REALLY helps. I often have my set up as a sweater or two underneath me, and using my backpack as a pillow - resting my head up against it. If you do this, I strongly encourage having your pack locked or having the zippers near your head in case of thief.
Step Three: SET AN ALARM! The last thing you want to do is to miss a flight you’re waiting for because you accidentally overslept! Please make sure your phone is not on silent!
Step Four: Keep your valuables near you and on you (I often sleep with my campera bag wrapped around my neck / chest) when you sleep.
Step Five: Be friendly with those around you. You’ll notice the people who are also doing what you’re doing and if you can create a little buddy system by saying hi to people and asking if they are on the same flight as you, this helps in case they (or you!) accidentally wake up later or if you’re in a foreign airport, you can both go through security together and find the gate.
Step Six: When you get to your destination, you’ll probably be really exhausted from sleeping in an airport. Listen to your body. If you need to go ahead and take a short nap - do it.
Step Seven: Have fun!
I didn’t know much about Semmering but when I arrived it was the most magical town I had ever visited. I arrived the day after Halloween but I noticed there wasn’t anyone walking nearby. I thought it felt odd as I was the only one out and about. I looked into the empty shops and walked throughout the neighborhood but everyone was completely gone. It was as if I had set foot in a mysterious ghost town and I had it all to myself.
I then saw a man who was cleaning his front steps of his shop and I approached him to ask where everyone went and he told me that it was Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, and that everyone was in the lovely church just down the road! He was so kind and opened his shop just for me to purchase a few souvenirs!
PRO TIP: When visiting a new country, try to find a “golden nugget” of information or new product there to bring back with you! When I was in Austria, I had first heard about walking sticks.. and I used them during my trek throughout the mountain top. Since this moment, I have brought walking sticks with me on every hike!
HOW I PLAN MY TRIPS:
I have a dedicated system I use every time I am about to create another trip excursion! First I grab my travel notepad and write down all my travel ideas.
Then I make a list of the following: Bucket List Items / Excursions, Foods / Dishes I want to taste, Souvenirs I want to purchase, Days of vacation I want to take!
Once I have these 4 options filled, I start to plan the best time of year to go (often choosing spring / autumn as those time year round tend to be the cheaptest).
I first look at flights to find the least expensive time to fly. Then I build off of that.. I begin my hostel / hotel / Airbnb search to match said dates.
Then, I begin my “bucket list” search on viator or trip advisor. If possible, I try to sign up for the excursions ahead of time to secure a spot.
Finally, I will research nearby top rated restaurants that have a certain particular popular dish to try!
The hardest part is to wait for it!
FUN FACTS: Vienna, Austria is known for being the “Wine Capitol of the World” due to the abundance of wine that it creates!
It is also known as the Music Capitol due to four very important composers (Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Straus) who lived in Vienna.
It is the Birthplace of psychotherapy! The Sigmund Freud Museum is located in Sigmund Freud’s apartment in Vienna!
You can thank Vienna for snow globes, crossiants, and PEZ candies!
PRO TIP: Try to spend some time in the countryside of whichever destination you’re visiting. If you fly into the well known city of the destination you’re visiting, explore the main “hot spots” and tourist areas but also try to schedule a day trip outside of the city centre. This gives you two unique and personal experiences in one trip!
In Austria, I arrived into Vienna to spend some time during the city centre, but decided to take a random trip into the mountains to capture the countryside. This is Semmering, Austria. Semmering is about an hour train ride from Vienna and is a must-see gorgeous Austrian town. I arrived into a cloud that was nestled between the two mountain tops.
Good Morning from Semmering, Austria!
Can’t fit your bag onto the airplane but don’t want to pay for checking?
I have been there too many times to count.. Overpacking for a flight, trying to squeeze each item into your bag to make it all fit.
PRO TIP: If you’ve packed a sweater, take it out of your suitcase and put it on. Once you get onto the actual plane you can take it off if you’re extremely hot and place it on your lap! Also, If you purchase anything IN the airport - keep the bag! Fill it with those items that won’t fit (or last minute souvenir items) so you can bring it with you onto the flight, without paying extra!
My first time Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef! I went on two dives that day and saw sea turtles, corals as large as me, all the animals in Finding Nemo, and reef sharks!
Bungee Jumping! I went bungee jumping by myself.. 164ft which is about 15.5 stories high!
Always try to taste something different when in a new destination!
If you end up liking the new dish you tried, snap a picture of it on your cell phone!
You can easily look up the recipe when you get home to try and re-create it (or find a restaurant that can!).
When I first set eyes on these mountains.. I remember trying to breathe in the fresh air as long as I could. Pausing to focus on my breathing. Closing my eyes to remember all the lovely sounds in the rainforest. The trees brushing against one another, the abundance of birds singing softly , the frogs and the crickets, the gushing from the nearby waterfall.. and the wind the blew through my hair.
PRO TIP: Next time you are on a vacation or trip you want to remember.. try to use your five senses to capture the moment. Breathe in all the smells, feel the wind against your skin, taste the local foods slowly, set some time just to pause in the moment staring at all the sights to see., and listen to the natural sounds surrounding you.
PRO TIP: Whenever you travel to a new destination, try to listen to a brand new album or set of songs along your journey. This way whenever you go to reminisce over the memories for years to come, you can play that same album and the memories will bring you right back!
The Blue Mountains
I took a day to explore the Blue Mountains, hiking through the rainforest with a personal guide. He shared with us the stories of the three sisters, Dreamtime, and we saw the deadliest spider in the entire world.. the funnel spider! He was an aboriginal descendant and showed us how to create the aboriginal paint from rocks found throughout the forest. In order to wear aboriginal paint, you must get permission from a descendant, which is allowed for us so we were able to try it!
Greetings from Australia!
My first post is on August’s featured country of …Australia!
Australia is where I took risks and decided to try new things. My story began when I was a flight attendant. I had some time off and Australia was on my bucket list of places to see.. so I flew on the 14 hour plane ride on a jumpseat. Which meant that it was a packed filght and I had to sit in the seats where the flight attendants on duty sit. However, it is illegal for a jumpseater to sleep while jumpseating, so I had to stay awake for the entire overnight flight walking the cabin! I flew down under for a few weeks and spent it exploring alone. To jumpseat from Minnesota to Australia, I paid $120 round trip to fly. Fun Fact: Flight attendants are able to fly for free all around the United States.. but if you’re abroad, you have to pay taxes!
Sydney Opera House
Fun Facts:
The Sydney Opera House gives tours inside for $30 a person and the structure is the most magnificent sight to see. The design for the Opera House was created by the Danish architect, Jørn Oberg Utzon. He won a contest by submitting his design for a competition back in 1956!
More than 10.9 million people come to visit the Opera House every year!
Australia is known for many different types of foods!
While down under you can enjoy Kangaroo, Emu, Crocodile, Meat Pies, Chicken Parmigiana, Sausages, Vegemite on toast, Tim-Tams, and Fairy Bread!
HOW TO SOLO TRAVEL:
Be confident.
Know that you can do this and there will probably be times where you get freaked out and lost but you will find your way.
Be smart.
Map out exactly where you are going and where you need to be. Try to time your flights to arrive in the daylight hours. Pick hostels, hotels, airbnbs, couchsurfers with rave reviews to get you started. Each of these services should give you clear instructions on how to get to them by airport, train, or car.
Be friendly!
Don’t be afraid to reach out and start talking with others! Spend time in the common areas at your hostel or hotel and ask if people want to go out to dinner or go take a walk with you. Share your story and learn their stories too. Making friends along the way is all part of the fun!
Always keep an open mind.
Plans change. Flights get cancelled. There can be stormy weather.
But if you are able to go with the flow and enjoy the moment where you are, those little bothersome worries will float away!