Thursday 24 October 2013

AND I'M OFF INTO THE CLOUDS, DON'T KNOW IF I WILL FIND MY WAY BACK DOWN

Wearing: Tee - Dotti

I've been back in Coober Pedy for a good few months now. I didn't have the best luck here last time, but things have got so much better.
 
Coober Pedy is a weird little town. When you first arrive you'll notice all the red dust, the flies and the fact a lot of people live underground. A lot of tourists pass through town on their way to Uluru, Alice Springs or Adelaide and this is all they see.
 
As I have been here a while now, I have seen past the towns little qwerks and it really feels like home. To me, Coober Pedy is a place where strangers will give me a lift when I'm walking in the rain or the 40 degree heat. Where the local supermarket will let me take my shopping home and pay for it the next day when I didn't have enough money on my card. Where the nurse who gave me a hepatitis jab invited me to play golf with her family after finding out its on my list of things to do before I leave. And where I have made great friendships with a group of people who have been friends for years.
 
People often ask me why I have stayed here for so long and it's hard to explain to people who are only here for a day or two. It's a town that you either love or hate and I have fallen for it hard. I only have a few weeks left here now before I head off to Thailand for 4 weeks and I'm incredibly sad to be leaving.
 
My year is Australia will be up on the 19th November and I can't believe how quickly it has gone. It really has been the most incredible experience and I can't wait to come back. To any one who is thinking of going travelling, but has doubts, I urge you to take the leap. It will be the best thing you ever do.
 
If you ever find yourself in Australia, I would definitely recommend coming to Coober Pedy. As they say 'don't judge a book by its cover'. Get to know they place, stay here for a while and speak to the locals. Coober Pedy's reputation is worse then it actually is. I think you'll enjoy it.

Monday 21 October 2013

ROSE'S TRAVEL TIPS | MOVING TO NEW ZEALAND

Since starting my blog, I have tried to combine my love of writing and travel. I finally decided to write Travel Tips for you adventurers out there and share with you what I have learnt along the way.
Through Twitter, I have met many more bloggers who are on a journey of their own and so I asked if they would want to share their own tips with you. First up is the lovely Rose who, in under a month, will be travelling to New Zealand to be with her boyfriend Ed. Here are Rose's Travel Tips for anyone thinking of moving to New Zealand.
 
  1. Research E V E R Y T H I N G - Moving to New Zealand is a big, big step and it's not something I thought about lightly. I researched almost everything I could before I started on the process, It may be a bit different to me as I am going there knowing someone and being able to live with someone but it's basically the same start. I'd say the best way to start researching and working out if moving to New Zealand is the right thing for you is to read other peoples stories. Blogs are a great way to start. Reading Emma's blog actually made me really think about the whole situation and the things that could go wrong; it was a really good insight to the whole moving thing. So I'd say that is a good way to start as it's not all happy times while travelling, things can go wrong.
  2. NZ Ready Account - Another tip is to set up a NZ ready account. I'd never heard of this until I started researching visas and jobs out in New Zealand but it's really helped. First off it asks you some basic questions on what you're planning to do etc and then calculates everything you need to do before you leave for New Zealand. It puts it into really helpful bullet points as well which can be ticked off when you're done (which is very satisfying haha). It also put into groups for you so it starts with '6 months before leaving', '3 months before leaving' and so on, very handy if you're an OCD person like me and wants to do everything and anything to help me get ready AND in order.
  3. Be Prepared with Packing - I started sorting packing out around 2 months before hand, taking pictures of outfits I liked so I could remember what things to pack and sort out my wardrobe. Throwing away anything that I didn't need so I don't leave my room in a mess for my parents haha. It may be different to other people as I am leaving for 2 years but even if you are just travelling to New Zealand for a couple of months packing will probably be on of the hardest parts. I am dreading it but at the moment I am thinking truthfully what will I need over there. Be sensible. Do you really need that many shoes? Probably not. I keep trying to remind myself that you CAN buy stuff out there it's not like the stuff I pack will be it for 2 years. So I'd say start early. Maybe not the actual packing but definitely start organising and thinking thoroughly what kind of things you need and write lists. Lists are a god send.
  4. Remember and Consider Travel Insurance - I am putting this one in here because right this second I am have a little freak out about travel insurance. I am saving literally every penny and every penny is needed for me to get £2100 which is the amount I have to have to be allowed into New Zealand. Now that's fine I will get that BUT I didn't take into consideration travel insurance and its very hard to find one that is under £100. £100 of money that I really need in my bank, so all I'm going to say is if you're saving money as desperately as me try and think about travel insurance and maybe you wont be as stressed as me. At the moment it's looking like Travel Supermarket is my best bet with 12 month cover for £102. Like all my other tips I'd say research as much as possible as thats the best way your going to find the good deals.
  5. The Last Few Weeks Before You Leave - I have 4 weeks until I leave. All I am going to say is treasure every moment you have. I am taking pictures of everything and anything to remind me of home and my family as I know when I get to New Zealand I will be stupidly home sick. I am trying to make the most of my hometown before I leave and doing things I haven't done before. So yes, last tip is treasure the last month/weeks you have left.
Make sure you check out Rose's blog so you can follow her journey to New Zealand.
 
[For more Travel Tips; click here]

Wednesday 9 October 2013

SNIPPETS | THE STUART HIGHWAY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

 
At the weekend, me and some friends travelled from Coober Pedy to Bairds Bay. My friends have a beach house there and as it was a long weekend in Australia, it seemed rude not to. It took a massive 12 hours to drive there, with lots of stops along the way.
 
On one of the many stops, I pulled out my camera and took some snaps in front of a salt lake, and here they are.

Tuesday 8 October 2013

SO I SINK IN TO THE TUNE, AND I INHALE THE FUME

Listening to: On a Mission by Katy B
Wearing: Sunglasses - Ray Ban . Tee - Boy London at Asos . Jeans - Topshop . Bag - Zara . Flip flops - Havaianas
 
When you're travelling, you wear the same clothes every week. A little while ago I got so fed up with my clothes, I made an Asos and Topshop order and got it delivered to Australia.
 
I have always wanted a Boy London tee, so I splashed out. I don't usually spend so much on t-shirts but I thought why the hell not.
 
Just after these pictures were taken, I ended up jumping off the jetty in to the sea with my t-shirt still on. My friend gave me a top to wear whilst mine dried. I ended up keeping it on for the rest of the day and she wore mine, once it had dried. We both decided that our t-shirts actually looked better on each other, so we decided to swap.
 
This day turned out to be one of the happiest days of my life; so full of laughter and the best memories. Now, my new tee won't only remind me of my lovely new friend, but one of the best days of my life.