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:
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:
"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."
"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."
"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:
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:
Amsterdam:
Berlin:
Munich:
Prague:
Venice:
Rome:
Florence:
Pisa:
Monaco:
The French Riviera:
Paris:
Switzerland:
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.
