I love talking to people about why they travel, where they travel and their best travel tips. There's something so wonderful about meeting someone for the first time and swapping travel stories. Sometimes with all the content on the blogosphere we can miss truly beautiful stories and inspiring people. So, I thought I'd do a little interview with one of my favorite travel bloggers, Kayleigh from The Way I Wanderlust!
Why is travelling so important to you?
Ever since I can remember I was the odd ball in my group of friends. In high school they all talked about getting married and settling down with kids as soon as they were done University. All I ever thought about was taking off and discovering every Country possible. I was the girl with the box filled with pictures of travel destinations and movies like Under the Tuscan Sun were my favourite to watch over and over again. I definitely have a gypsy soul and find it hard to stay in one place to long. I get very restless unless I am planning or experiencing a new adventure. I think that life is to short to be afraid of the unknown and with each place that I visit I am more sure of myself and who I want to be.
Big Crystal Creek
So far our favourite destination would be Big Crystal Creek in Northern Queensland. We found this by chance when we took a wrong turn. Its this secluded place that not many people know about. There was no one else at the campground we stayed at so it felt like this entire place was ours. There was this deep area in the creek that was perfect for swimming in, natural rock slides and cliff jumping if you wanted a bit of adventure. Spending our afternoons sunbathing on the rocks watching the little turtles with their babies. Making smores on the campfire and star gazing until the early hours of the morning. It was such a peaceful time and we forgot all about technology and electricity and all those modern luxuries that you get so used to. Finding that place made our trip and the fact that it was an unplanned destination made it that much more special.
I always make sure to carry smoothing oil for my hair. I don't like packing a bunch of things like a straightener or a blow dryer so the oil is a good way to style my hair without having to pack so many things. Benefits lip tint is a big must for me as well. You can use it on your cheeks and lips which gives you just that hint of colour that your looking for.
What are some things you always travel with?
I always make sure I have a couple books with me when I travel. There is never a time where I don't have a book in my purse. Its such a good way to spend a few minutes or hours relaxing when you have time. My Mac book never gets left behind. I need it to document and write about my trips. A camera is really important to me as well. I never stop taking pictures. You never know when your going to catch something amazing.
for more animal love, have a look at this post
Do you have some tips for travelling solo?
What's your best piece of travel advice?
Be open minded. It can be scary travelling by yourself and sometimes you can miss out on great experiences because you were to shy or to self conscious to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you on the train or the girl staying in the same dorm as you in a hostel. Some of my closest friends are people I met in the most random situations while I was travelling around Europe. Its not always easy but if you just open up a little you will make some wonderful friends and then those places that you visit become even more magical because of the people you were with.
all photos courtesy of Kayleigh
Best piece of travel advice: Don't plan to much. Don't be afraid to go off the well known route. I find its the surprise encounters and by stumbled upon places that end up being the best experiences and the ones that you will always remember. My favourite places here in Australia are the ones that we found by chance and ended up staying for 4 or 5 nights because we enjoyed them so much.
See Kayleigh's previous post on travel here
Follow the rest of Kayleigh's adventures on her blog and her facebook page!
What piece of advice would you give to a fellow traveler like Kayleigh?
16 comments:
My best pieces of travel advice would be.....its not usually as scary as you think it will be...... ask questions if you don't know something....be wary of people invading your personal space...... and just be sensible about safety and trust your instincts.
I don't think Kayleigh needs any travel advice! x
I would agree .. get out there and go for it. Keeping in mind most folks are kind and want to help, you should feel okay about asking questions. Beautiful pictures.. love that turtle!
I wish I was more spontaneous with travel. But those are some good tips and it makes me want to travel. x
Reading Kayleigh's first paragraph about being the oddball who wanted to travel and have adventures rather than settle down really rang true to me. I've been lucky enough to have a partner in life - my husband - who shares my passion and my adventures, but I recently travelled alone for the first time and, although I was apprehensive at first, it was a great experience, too. The most important thing is, as Kayleigh says, not to be afraid to just chat with people!
xox,
Cee
Something I'm trying to get into the habit of is actually going to new places. I often find a place, love it and want to keep going back. Each time I go I feel like I learn and see more and I feel less like a tourist which is very important to me. But I guess it's about balancing it. I think of it as quality over quantity but Patrick and I try to make sure we include new places every year, even though we still go back to the places we love!
Great post! I guess for me it's a bit different than the average I had to move and travelled my whole life since I was young with military family, so I'm usually okay with being in different places and adapting more or less. My first thing to do is always research, I know some people who just pick a place and go without proper research on culture, people, and everything in between. Saves you if you're thorough, especially in countries where the language is not your mother language. :)
Great post! I already checked out Kayleigh's blog and love it! Thanks for all the advice!
I know what she means about being different in high school because I was like that too... No one cared about seeing the world but I loved the idea of it... Love this interview!
I;ve always been a "homebody", so it's funny that I now live in Cape Town. I was admiring someone I know who left this week for 7 months in southern asia- with only her first three days planned. It takes guts to go somewhere without a plan.
I completely agree with Kayleigh, often the road less traveled is the best road to be on! I really appreciate you having these posts Vanisha - I love getting to know the bloggers you showcase, and now Kayleigh is on my reading list.
I love to travel and can't wait to do more with my family!!
I love meeting other travel obsessed people! Great interview :) Travel is such a passion and driving force for many, and yet there are other people bless their cotton socks who never venture from their safe and cosy home town. I use to get so upset trying to convince people that there was a whole world out there waiting to be discovered, but in the end I decided to just focus on my own travel dreams and if nobody wanted to go with me Id go it alone, which I did! Luckily I have a partner to travel with now though :)
You definitely true about the significance of time to travel. For me, travel is important especially when am with someone, together dine and wine in place.
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Grat blog and nice post! I will be here more often, I'm ur new follower!
A girl after my own heart. I became addicted after my first long adventure in Europe. I was on my own which can be a little lonely at times but I met wonderful people along the way. The memories stayed with me even after 16 years later. Since then, I've planned many trips but have slowed down somewhat with a young child who is in school. My daughter has been dragged from country to country, city to city ever since she was 9 months old, thanks to her mother's wanderlust spirit :P
Love how this Turtle seems to be smiling for his photo. Cute!
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