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I used to dream of travel. Constantly.
I used to screenshot and save images to my desktop of places I wanted to go. I had hundreds and hundreds of images in these albums, and I would scroll through them regularly.
But about two years ago, some work gave me the opportunity to travel. Right from the start, I found myself sky-high, head in the clouds, feet off the ground; it was here I got my first taste of it. W A N D E R L U S T . And then it began, a never-ending obsession with movement, change, and the unpredictable. A deep, passionate love for travel.
In the last year alone, I ventured to some of the most extraordinary places and saw some of the world's best-kept secrets. In no particular order (I couldn't possibly rank them; each place has such unique and unrivaled beauty of its own), here's a little inside scoop from 10 of the incredible places I visited over the last year.
MEXICO
November 2015, Six Days
Mexico was divine. Unfortunately, we had a lot of rain while we were there, but that alone was something to experience.
We rented different places through Airbnb and rented a car to cover the distances along the coast and to see inland treasures like cenotes and Mayan ruins. While Gran Cenote was one of my all-time favorites, others like Xel-Há and Ik Kil were just as magical! Swimming in the cenotes and underwater caverns is a definite must-do in Mexico.
So is hiring a private chef to come to your accommodation and cook up a traditional Mexican feast (not nearly as expensive as you would think).
We also explored the coastal Tulum Ruins and one of the Seven Wonders of the New World, the Chichen Itza. My recommendation for Mexico would be to time your visit to avoid the wet season if at all possible.
HAWAII*
July 2015, Five Days
Hawaii has been on my bucket list since before I can even remember. Everything about Hawaii is just so picturesque and beautiful: The palm trees casting shadows on the silken sands, the unforgiving tides, the happy-go-lucky vibes, and every single sunrise and sunset — it's all incredible to behold!
I stayed with locals on this trip and I will never forget the people I met on that trip. They were some of the kindest, most caring, loving, gracious, and generous people I have ever known. The people and the hospitality of the Hawaiian people made the biggest impression on me.
I remember everything about Hawaii so fondly, even the distinct smell of an incoming storm. I love Waimea Bay! Even just driving around on the highways, you encounter some of the most remarkable scenery and views you will ever witness.
I cannot wait to go back and hopefully explore the other islands also, so if you get the chance to go to Hawaii, I would recommend you stay as long as you can and see as much of it as you can.
ABU DHABI
October 2015, 72 Hours
My brother Sam and I stopped over in Abu Dhabi on our way home from the Seychelles. We caught a bus to Dubai to explore this amazing place we had only ever heard about. Dubai was so much more than I ever could have imagined.
With the guidance of Dubai Tourism, we squeezed in a hot air balloon ride over the desert at sunrise, a four-wheel drive desert safari and cultural experience, flyboarding, and viewing the city from the top of the Burj Khalifa. We even experienced the most unforgettable zip-line off the 30th floor of a building. We went across the Dubai Mall Fountain shooting directly past the Burj! It was amazing. I'd definitely recommend doing flyboarding and the 4WD desert safari if nothing else in Dubai.
Really, I would recommend staying longer than 72 hours. We certainly know for next time.
THE COOK ISLANDS
May 2015, 10 Days
For this trip, I teamed up with photographer Sean Scott (@seanscottphotography) working with Cook Islands Tourism to discover and creatively showcase the tropical turquoise waters and the islands' hidden gems.
Greeted by fresh flower leis and warm smiles, I instantly felt at home. We discovered waterfalls, inland hikes through tropical rain forests, dive spots over old wrecks, and experienced plenty of culture, amazing food, and even learned how to crack open a coconut with nothing but a stick!
The scariest and most thrilling memory of Cook Islands is swimming with the native marine life. There was one rather huge fish I called Barry, who devoured half a coconut — and its shell — right in front of me. While they wouldn't have hurt me, the fish's size was really intimidating.
The experience I remember most fondly from Cook Islands is meeting the local children, mucking around with them by the water's edge at sunset, playing on rope swings, riding bikes, having handstand competitions, and singing and dancing alongside them to local music and cultural songs played on the ukulele. It was so warming, like a big hug, to see their smiles lighting up their entire faces. I'd definitely recommend getting involved in the culture in the Cook Islands.
THE SEYCHELLES
October 2015, 11 Days
Sam and I ventured over the seas to this African country, not too sure what to expect. We knew it would be tropical, and the water looked jaw-dropping on Google, but I can't actually explain to you just how amazing this trip was.
This trip was all about relaxing, pampering, and appreciating the glory of the pristine natural environment. We experienced breathtaking sunset views from a cliffside golf course, private beach picnics, the best buffet I have ever devoured or even seen, endless white sandy beaches, bike riding around the island, a hike to a magical location, spa treatments, and so much beauty I felt like I was in a fairy tale.
Unfortunately, we were just too early to see the wonders of the turtle breeding season on the beaches. Something I'll never forget is pretending to be a mermaid in the Seychelles — floating and swimming free in the azure ocean (wearing a proper mermaid tail I purchased online before the trip).
If you ever get the chance to experience a luxury holiday in the Seychelles, do it!
GHANA
August 2015, One Month
In August this year, I spent a month traveling through Ghana volunteering with a charity called Thrive Africa. It was honestly one of the most humbling, eye-opening, and rewarding things I've ever done.
I visited Kumasi and Bolgatanga, living and working in local homes and buildings that were often made from thatch and mud, and eating very much like the locals. (A definite must in Ghana is to try some of their local dishes.)
In Bolgatanga, we helped the caregivers of orphaned children build farms and sow crops to help give them a source of income. In Kumasi, we helped build, furnish and stock libraries for schools.
One of the best things about this trip was being actively encouraged to experience the culture, natural environment, and beauty of this country. We experienced wildlife in their natural habitat, swam under gorgeous waterfalls in Mole National Park, and trudged through plains, jungle, and mu. It made such a difference to our role as international volunteers — we didn't feel like we were imposing our Western ways. The people of Ghana were so kind and had a contagious spirit for life, especially the kids.
The most bizarre experience was one night being surprised by some cheeky baboons wandering into our hut to sneak food, sunglasses, and one even grabbed someone's sunscreen, smelled it, then threw it off a cliff.
I feel like there is so much more of Africa I would love to see, so I will definitely be going back.
INDONESIA
May 2015, Five days
I have been to Bali on a couple of trips now, but this one was certainly the most memorable. It was spontaneous, and it was with my brother Sam and one of my close girlfriends. It was simply about catching up, relaxing, and refreshing our souls.
We stayed in the beautiful villas from Total Bali, hired a cheap moped, and together explored the coastline and up into Ubud, where I had never visited before.
The coolest thing was visiting the palm reader from Eat, Pray, Love. Although he was asleep, we still all got 15-minute readings from his son.
I'd definitely recommend for you to try as many of the amazing healthy eateries in Bali as you possibly can. They are so delicious, fresh, and cheap.
And of course, when in Bali you have to enjoy a fresh coconut on the beach! That's a no-brainer!
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
April 2015, 12 Days
I'm from Australia, so for me, a trip in the Land Down Under isn't exactly the most exotic of travels. But this trip was one of the best experiences ever.
Sam and I flew to Perth, hired a camper van, and lived out of it for the next 12 days, road-tripping up the coast to Exmouth.
The best, most memorable and most amazing and miraculous experiences of the trip all involved the Whale Shark Cruise with Ningaloo Blue Dive Tours on Ningaloo Reef. We swam with and got to photograph those most majestic giants of the sea: whale sharks, and lots of them.
There were over 100 whale sharks in one area, and since whale sharks are solitary animals, that's pretty much unheard of. There was one point where I even ended up sandwiched between two of them.
Of all the things I feel like should be on the top of everyone's bucket list, this is it. I will never, ever get over how insanely amazing this experience was.
JAPAN
March 2015, 10 Days
I made this trip with Contiki and a whole bunch of other social media influencers from all over the world. Tokyo was an insane city — the traffic, the amount of people, the lights, the technology, the pace! My favorite experience was probably the Robot Restaurant with performances by huge anime-inspired robots as you wine and dine.
Every day was full of experiences and adventure — relishing black-egg sorbet overlooking Mt. Fuji, relaxing in Japanese onsen in the snow, dressing in traditional kimono ... the list goes on.
If you are visiting Japan, do your research and find the things you are interested in. There is so much to choose from, you couldn't fit it all in one trip.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Summer 2015, 14 Weeks
The USA is so dynamic to me — it's always different every time I visit. I think I have felt every emotion across the whole spectrum in response to experiences in the USA.
This year, I visited NYC for a few quick days for a whole heap of meetings, and Miami to see a close friend. I flew my mum over to do a road trip from L.A. to Salvation Mountain. We visited Palm Springs and Las Vegas, and we even made a stop by the Grand Canyon!
I have made some of my favorite memories in the States. The incredible people I've met, friends I've made, souls I've connected with, places I've stayed, companies, teams, brands, and individuals that I have had the absolute pleasure of working with (that sounds like a cheesy thank-you speech, but I honestly feel like the connections I have made are now some of the greatest friendships I have), and just all round some of the weirdest, wildest, and wackiest things I've done and seen!
I've eaten at Nobu across the room from Justin Bieber, I've eaten a slice of pizza bigger than my head (and half of my torso), I've had a scavenger hunt around Los Angeles, paid $180 to hire a bike for a day, visited the outrageous offices of Facebook, Instagram, and Google, flew under the Golden Gate Bridge in a helicopter, took a huge metallic gold "NYC" lettering balloons to the top of the Rockefeller building, wore an amazing designer dress to a fancy charity ball in San Francisco, made yoga shapes on a rooftop with designer Mara Hoffman, watched the sun set fire to the sky at sunset in the Grand Canyon, toured throughout Universal Studios, gone on every ride possible at Disneyland, lay by a pool underneath the Eiffel tower in Las Vegas, rode jet skis in Miami, felt 129-degree heat in Palm Springs, and had a backstage tour of a Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas.
My recommendation for anyone visiting the U.S.: Just smile and be friendly, and you will see a side of the USA the travel books don't know about.
*I know Hawaii is technically part of the U.S., but I have made them separate because they feel like totally different countries!
If you would like to read more on these trips, you can head to sjana.com.au to find more details and stories.
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