Travel Must-Haves

Travel is life. 

I think by now most of you know this as my life motto. 

I was recently inspired by a company called RelayRides to do a post based on travel must-haves. They are such a convenient company that offers car rentals straight from the airport. What better way to start your road-trip than with a reliable, clean and ready-to-go car waiting for you just outside of arrivals?!

If you're interested in booking a car rental through them then follow the link below:
RelayRides Airport Rentals
Not only that, but you can actually make money by submitting your car into their rental agency! Insurance? You get a RelayRides insurance card which you put in your glove-box which takes care of that. 

So anyway, after being so impressed with their company, I had to do a bit of a travel must-have's post for my blog.

Every traveler's list will be unique. 

We all have different things that are important to us - so today I am sharing mine with you!

I hope you enjoy it! 

1. A backpack.

There's no better feeling than packing that backpack filled with only the bare necessities and slinging it across your shoulders before you lock up your house and head off on your travels. 

2. Bare-feet on the dashboard!

How nice is it to kick off your shoes and lean back in the car-seat, knowing you're on a new adventure?

3. Red Bull.

For the early morning / late night drives.

I know it isn't the healthiest of things - but it beats pulling over at a random petrol station you drive past in the middle of no where to take a cat nap for an hour! 

4. A Go-Pro Camera.

The possibilities are endless with a Go Pro. 

Your photo's will be EPIC and you will capture SO much more of your trip. 

5. A guitar (or any other sort of musical instrument).

If you're lucky, someone you're traveling with will be able to play... and there's your nights entertainment if you're out in the middle of no where, camping next to a bonfire. 

6. A bottle-opener!! 

I'm not joking.

A while ago I was on this Safari with my mother for a few days out in the middle of no where and of course we packed an endless supply of beers (and wine) but forgot the opener!!! So there I was trying to force the bottles open with seat-belt buckles for half the game-drive. We did get them open in the end though. Hurrah!

Idiots....

7. Disprin.

(Extra Strength!) 

For those God awful hangovers that WILL happen while letting your hair down. 

8. A good book.

Whether it be in an airport, a train station or bus stop.. there will always be time to kill while you're exploring and traveling. A good book is essential to keep you company for those waits to catch your flight or long car journey to your next destination!

9. My surfboard.

I would get serious F.O.M.O if I was traveling around and suddenly stumbled across a beach with some delicious looking waves... so a surfboard is definitely a must-have to be strapped to the roof-racks of my car!

10. An Umbrella.

Rain or sun - an umbrella is a fantastic thing to have around.

It can keep you dry when it's wet and miserable and it can keep you shaded and cool if it's scorching hot. 

Just this past weekend I was up in Cape Town, South Africa and I spent a day at Ratanga Junction which is a seriously fun theme park up there. As fun as it is though, the queues can be seriously ridiculous. 

I waited to go on this ride called Monkey Falls: 

The wait was literally about an hour and a half (it was worth it in the end!) but there was barely any shade to hide under while queuing up in the blistering sun. 

11. Toilet Paper

Guys really do have it easy. 

If you're in need of a pee, you can just pull over and whip it out pretty much anywhere!! 

Us girls need to find a bush and squat.... which is not the most attractive or lady-like thing in the world. 

Drip drying really grosses me out....

So a roll of toilet paper is definitely a must on my list!! 

12. A Whistle-Kettle

I love whistle kettles. 
I've got a bit of a love affair with them actually... magical little minx's! 

On a serious note, they are so convenient when you're traveling though... especially if it's camping and you have no electricity around.

I for one cannot go without coffee in the mornings - so a whistle kettle is exactly what you need to get you up and going for the day!

13. A Fishing Rod

We've all got to eat! 

Anything could happen while you're traveling - you could get stuck with a flat tire or lost out in the middle of no where (but that's just half the fun of traveling isn't it!?) but with that in mind, it is always a good idea to pack a fishing rod with you... just in case. 

14. Passport

Juuuuuust in case you decide to hop across somewhere else on a whim.

I could never be without this trusty guy. 

15. Pillows




Sleeping on dusty, hard concrete floors or lifeless rickety backpackers beds is all part of the traveling lifestyle... but you know, we all have those little luxuries we just can't live without. 
One of those, for me, has got to be that big feather stuffed cushion to rest my head on at the end of an eventful day... a pillow enveloped with that familiar homely smell that just makes you smile as you drift off until the next adventure.
It's always good to keep home close to you - even when you're off gallivanting around the globe.

Safe travels everybody - and sweet, cozy, cushy dreams!

Travel is Life

Lately I've been on the prowl to discover new and interesting bloggers - I feel the need to read inspiring tales and see the beauty of other peoples worlds captured in the forms of eternal photographs and priceless words. 

I've come across some incredible people. I cannot get enough of their worlds and find myself being filled with overwhelming envy yet I feel this is a good thing. It has driven me. Inspired me. Reawakened me while I was on the verge of falling back asleep.

Travel. My life. My love. 

That little booklet containing stamps and holding pages upon pages of memories from trekking the globe - it needs to be hauled out again soon.

The stories I have been reading are beyond incredible - from women and men from all over the world, of all different shapes, colors and sizes... people who, like me, are passionate about boarding that airplane and experiencing all that the world has to offer. 

There's one substantial difference though. 

These people that I have recently stumbled across all did something amazing. 

They quit their jobs, sold their worldly possessions, booked a one-way ticket and packed their bags. 

(Probably not all of which in that order). 

Some have never returned since. 

The magical thing about many of these blogs above and beyond the incredible stories of their journeys, is that they want to help you achieve it too. 

They offer advice and tips. Helpful, quirky know-hows. Budget plans. Must-see stops... 

And so much more. 

Please check their world-class blogs out below, but be warned: If you click on the links below and haven't been bitten by the travel bug yet..... then you're about to be:

Chris - The Travelling Surfer

I very nearly had the pleasure of meeting this 'fella the other day after sending out a bunch of random emails to strangers I found off google while trying to find a job in Bali.
My plan was to go there for roughly 6 months and work while spending just as much time playing in the sun and surf.
This guy responded to my email pretty quickly, letting me know that he was actually in South Africa on a surfing trip as he typed and he would be passing through Knysna too! What a coincidence!! Unfortunately, things didn't work out and we missed each other - but we've kept in touch and will definitely be crossing paths (or waves) in Bali in the near future.

The other blogs you can link to below are all ones I found from Chris actually - and I'm so glad that I did! They're all just incredible:

Pack Your Passport

"In 2010 I LEFT England to PURSUE a life of work and TRAVEL on the other side of the world, starting in Australia and then moving to New Zealand. Today I balance life in London as a freelance writer and online marketing consultant with my love of travel. Follow my journey as I explore the world without living out of a suitcase."

This American Girl

"In February 2012 I sold all of my belongings and took a one way FLIGHT TO Costa Rica. I haven't stopped traveling since. Join me, Camille Willemain, in my adventures discovering peace, balance, and bliss across the world."

Vicky

"I'm done with the office. It's time to explore the places I've always fantasised about by making my money last as long as possible. Stick with me and I'll show you how they do festivals, holidays, breakfasts, wine o'clocks and life around the world..." 

Personally, I related a lot with:

Choosing Figs

If you read the below excerpt from her blog you'll understand why:

"I spent most of my 20s in a standstill, unable to pick which path in life I wanted to take. I wanted the nomadic life of a traveler but also wanted the husband, the condo, and the kitten named Bacon. 

Unable to decide which life I wanted more, I did nothing. When I turned 30 I’d had enough of putting my life on hold and decided to start “choosing my figs.” 

So, I quit my job, bought a one-way ticket to Europe, and have been traveling the world ever since."

Like she was, I am currently in my 20's - torn by which way to go.

Travel will always be a major part of who I am. Already I have been to:

Zanzibar: 

Read about my trip to Zanzibar Here

Amsterdam: 

Read about my trip to Amsterdam Here

Berlin:

Read About My Trip To Berlin Here

Munich:

Read about my trip to Munich here

Prague: 

Read about my trip to Prague Here

Venice: 

Read about my trip to Venice Here

Rome: 

Read about my trip to Rome here

Florence: 

Read all about my trip to Florence here

Pisa: 

Read all about my trip to Pisa here

Monaco: 

Read all about my trip to Monaco Here

The French Riviera: 

Read all about my trip to The French Riviera Here

Paris: 

Read all about my trip to Paris here

Switzerland: 

Read all about my trip to Switzerland here

Singapore: 

Thailand: 

To name only a few places on my far from complete list.

A big part of me dreams to do what the aforementioned travel bloggers have done.

Just quit.

Book a ticket.

Leave.

It's something I've dreamed about for years.

But right now - I'm not in the position to do so.

It's not about the money. I have more than enough saved up after years of blood, sweat and tears. I have worked ever since I finished school. I never had a gap year - never had a break - and MAN do I yearn for one.

The travels I have already done were all during leave from work - I always had obligations and something to come back to.

I can't even imagine what it feels like to leave and be completely, soulfully free. To be totally untied. Wow. 

I have a job I adore (how lucky am I to be able to say that!?)

 Two cats and a dog that are quite literally my fur-ball kids:

A (crazy) family that I love spending time with:

A partner-in-crime that granted I'm still getting to know but whom I am already falling deeply, deeply in love with. 

He has a full-time job too that he can't leave, his own company that he runs with his dad. 

We have, however, decided to book our tickets for a fun-filled, surfing holiday in Bali for next year. 

I can hardly wait! My surfing needs some serious improving till then - it's been far too long since I took surfing (something that used to nearly mean as much to me as travel and writing does,) seriously.

Before Bali, there has been talk about a little getaway to gorgeous Mozambique for Sam's 30th. 

Vamizi Island - Mozambique

So that's already two little travel plans we are setting into motion. 

I wish that I could tell you more. 

I wish I could tell you a great tale about selling all of my worldly belongings, barring the clothes on my back. I wish I could tell you I spent the money on some old beat up camper van and that for the next year I'd be traveling through Africa.... teaching the underprivileged to read and write, teaching them English and how to grow their owns crops... learning from them too and their humbly, simplistic lifestyle compared to ours.

Lately, I've been pretty bored with blogging.. if I'm honest. I want to give my blog some 'va-va-voom.' 

I want to build something, change something.. make a difference in the world. I want to inspire people. Help people. I want this blog to be meaningful. Something that you read every word of, not just skim over a few photographs and leave a small comment. I want to leave a mark on the world - on you... not just write the occasional recipe post that you may or may not try out. Write about a recent book I read that you may or may not read. I want to share with you the joys and hardships of travel - of life. Of a life. A life of one little girl... because that's what I am. But, I am far from ordinary. I have ambitions and goals bigger than life itself... and one day, hopefully soon, I will start writing about them on this here blog.