Our 2019 Plan...

​Well...if you hadn't noticed already we love to travel. We love to immerse ourselves in new and amazing cultures, get off the beaten track, explore those hidden gems and for me…eat all those ‘must try’s in each location! (I am a self-declared foodie and my relationship with food is growing daily at a ridiculous pace) 
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The feeling of travelling brings with it a sense of freedom that I have not felt through anything else before. It’s the feeling of waking up in the morning so excited about what the new day holds and the passion to really grab life by the balls. The similar feeling to a child on Christmas morning, that happiness and excitement all rolled into one, which is why so many of us choose this as a lifestyle and career. Travelling is a euphoric drug that is readily available creating an exhilarating roller coaster of endless emotions and the ‘want’ to see more and do more in this beautiful world. 

Time to put my heart on the line here for a quick minute, but if anyone knows me and really knows me then you will know that I , for many years have thrived with anxiety and for about a year and a half I had quite bad depression. I nearly said 'suffered' there but it's not something to suffer from, it's a mental illness that many, MANY of the population have and we need to thrive from it and keep building and growing from what holds us back. Personally for me, when I travel and explore new and wonderful places, I am at my happiest not because I am escaping 'reality' but because I am living my best, happiest life which I feel grounds me massively and keeps the negativity at bay.

​''Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure out everything all at once. Breathe. You’re strong. You got this. Take it day by day.''  - Karen Salmansohn

Fast forward to present day it's currently mid Feb 2019 and we leave April 8th so with 7 weeks to go, emotions are racing, excitement is building and the bank account is decreasing rapidly. Through this diary I will be keeping up to date with where we are and what we are doing each day. Mostly, to keep my family posted and to re-assure them that we haven’t been eaten by a tiger or attacked by an unfriendly turtle somewhere remote - but while I am at it, I want to let you guys know how we are doing all this affordably.

Our trip will be world-wide, so effectively a minimum of 12 months starting in the beautiful French Polynesia, moving in the America’s, across into Europe, then down to Africa and through to Asia before making our way back to the beautiful New Zealand.

We plan to blog about our top-rated locations along the way, why we love each place as well as the do’s and don’ts that we experience as I guarantee you there will most probably be heaps. However, the overall goal is most importantly to give you, the reader a true honest account of our experience as we travel around the world, volunteering, house sitting, exploring new and interesting sites, hidden gems, and generally live our life to the fullest – ALL WHILE ON A PRETTY TIGHT, YET REALISTIC BUDGET. 

The reason to write whilst traveling is not just to be awesome humans and give you guys all the cool 'tips and tricks' but in reality it's simply so we don't turn into potatoes. I think it's so easy to get into the 'tourist' mode while in new, interesting countries and that's when the brain literally switches off. By documenting our travels, this will keep our brains sharp, focused and hopefully will allow us to remain employable upon our return! 

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all — the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” – Randy Komisar

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