How to keep fit whilst travelling and on a budget

I know the feeling. You've been travelling for a few weeks and although it seems like you've walked for miles, it just doesn't cut it. You need a gym, you need weights, you need to get back into shape...

I have been in Sydney for five months now and honestly, I haven't felt so big in my entire life! I thought coming to Australia would make me lose weight. How wrong I was! I guess I have to accept the fact that my body doesn't agree to zero exercise. I can eat (oh my I can eat) and so the only way to shed those calories is if I work out. This isn't to say that I have a unhealthy diet, not at all. I eat small but often to keep up with my busy lifestyle. However, in order to maintain my toned physique, my body requires at least three intense workouts a week.

Luckily for me, I find it as easy to shed those extra inches as I do to put them on. For the last month I have been training hard at a local gym, but this isn't sustainable if you're not going to be in one place for longer than a couple of weeks (which you're most likely not when you're on the road). So I decided to come up with some tips for those of you, who like me are travelling and want to remain in shape, but wish to do it on the cheap (cus every traveller loves a good bargain).

DO - look out for local deals. If you know you're going to be in one place for longer than a couple of weeks then get yourself on to Groupon or do a quick search on the Internet. You'll be amazed at what you can find (even in the more expensive cities like Sydney)!

DO - make use of local parks, ovals and so forth. You'll be surprised at what you can do with a set of stairs, a bench and some grass... Time to put those gym exercises into practice in the glorious sunshine ladies!

DO - try and walk, jog or run as much as possible. I love walking but sometimes I will run to and fro places to increase the intensity from day to day. 

DO - watch what you're eating. It's easy to grab a takeaway whilst you're travelling for the sheer convenience. However, this is not good for your waistline. Cook your own food instead - it's much cheaper and will save you piling on those extra pounds. Some great snacks which I often eat on the go here in Australia include cornthins (similar to rice cakes but made with corn) topped with avocado and tuna, nuts (I prefer almonds, walnuts or Brazilian nuts but any nuts will suffice as long as they're unsalted/unflavoured), boiled eggs, dried fruits, muesli bars and just plain old chopped up fruit or veg. 

DO - get some other fitness fanatics involved. Motivation is a big factor in keeping fit. I prefer working out on my own but it's easier said than done when you're staying in a hostel and most of your roommates are passed out from the night before. That temptation to stay in bed increases just slightly...

DO - take photos of your progress. It's easy to forget how you used to look. 'Gap fat' is a thing I'm afraid!

DONT - give up after a week. Change doesn't happen over night. You have to make exercise part of your lifestyle, regardless of how different it is to the one back at home. Yes you're travelling and want to enjoy yourself but what harm is half an hour out of your hectic schedule going to do? You'll thank me once you return home and step on to those scales trust me...

DONT - set unrealistic goals. This is about keeping fit, not shedding pounds which would be impossible on the road I would imagine. You don't want to be worrying about what is going in your mouth every second of the day. Travelling is about embracing the experience. Just remember, it's okay to grab a quick Mcdonald's whilst on the go, just as it's okay to indulge in a few alcoholic beverages (if that's the type of experience you're going for). Just be aware when this becomes a regular thing.

I am now in my fifth week of training and I feel heaps better already. Just remember it's easy to lose what you already have after a few weeks off, but it's also very easy to gain back. That first workout is never going to be easy so why delay? 

I will soon be on the road and will somehow have to try and maintain what I already have. This will be my biggest challenge to date as I won't know where I will be in say, two months time. Maybe I won't have access to a park or certain healthy foods which I like to eat, but I'll give it my best shot! Keep your eyes peeled as I willl be updating you with my day to day fitness and healthy eating regime here on my blog and across my other social media platforms.

Are you a finess fanatic with a passion for travel? How do you manage your busy schedule whilst on the go?

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A little taste of paradise

So my holiday within a holiday so to speak began on 5th July in Nadi, Fiji. A holiday I couldn't really justify, but nevertheless seemed only fitting seeing as I was on this side of the world. When else would I get the chance to visit some of the worlds most beautiful islands? I am a travel and lifestyle blogger after all...

As I walked off the plane, I was struck immediately by the heat and humidity, not forgetting the sound of the locals singing. What a welcome - it surely topped any other welcome I've had on previous holidays. 'Bula Bula' they sang. 'Bula' we chanted back at them. Because 'Bula' means everything in Fiji - literally everything. 

As I was travelling alone I was hoping to meet some other likeminded travellers and my luck was in - at the airport, I met my first buddy. Her name was Laura so evidently we were going to be best friends! After some quick introductions, we were greeted by our airport transfer, a rather pleasant Fijian fellow who took us to our first stop on the trip, smugglers cove, a pretty little thing situated right on the beach. Talk about being thrown into the deep end. Along with a quick supermarket sweep (because apparently the water was going to cost ten dollars a bottle on the island), we also discussed the possibly of grabbing some weed on route too (don't worry - we didnt go along with it). Only in Fiji...

After a rather unpleasant night seep in my thirty bed dorm and one stung foot later, I realised why people don't really rate Nadi. The beaches weren't very clean, and for some reason I didn't feel safe enough to go venturing out on my own. Luckily this was only a stop over before our tour really began. 

   

       

  

The next day we were dropped at the Marina for boarding (Denarau) where we got to see the real Fiji - the hundred or so islands on offer. We boarded our ferry and made our way to South Sea Island, the smallest of the Fijian islands, and small it was! You could literally walk from one side to the next in less than five minutes. Yet, funnily enough this island had everything you could possibly need - a pool, lots of sun loungers and a very friendly set of staff. Again, we were greeted by the singing of the locals and lots of Bula chants.

        

        

Unfortunately for me, the first few days of my holiday didn't get off to the best start. After a fair few restless nights sleep prior to this trip, it appeared my body had reached breaking point. I think a mixture of sun stroke, sea sickness and exhaustion had set in. Plus new foods never go down too well with me. Rest was in need and rest I got. I ended up in bed both nights before 9pm!  

Despite this, I got to enjoy two days of dreamy weather along with a very cool trip to where the Castaway movie was filmed, before heading to my next destination - Barefoot Kuata, which wasn't the easiest to pronounce I must say! I also got the chance to visit a traditional Fijian ceremony and try some of what the locals drink. I'm never one to say no to an alcoholic beverage but this was an acquired taste to say the least! It tasted and looked a lot like dirty dishwasher water but it would have been rude to have said no. 

        

        

After an extremely rocky boat ride, a wet rucksack and some rather sea sick passengers, we arrived behind schedule of course (Fiji time). Despite the unruly weather we were greeted again by the islanders and got ready for lunch. I didn't think anything could top the previous island but it seemed anything is possible here in Fiji.

Located in the Yasawas, a two hour journey north from our previous island, Barefoot Kauta was much larger than the previous island. Again, our dorm was situated right on the beach, along with everything else you could possibly look for in paradise; a small bar area with three pools, lots of walkways off the beach, clear blue sea and beautiful golden sands, not forgetting the unbelievable staff. You truly are spoilt when you come to Fiji. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best during our stay on Kuata, but we made the most of the little sun there was. 

       

During my time on this island I took part in my first ever summit walk which saw me walk to the highest point on the island (it was much more fun than it sounds). I nearly didn't make it after a few scrapes and slips, but I powered on through despite the humidity. I also got the chance to take part in the traditional welcome dance which was heaps of fun I must say. It was here that I met my next set of friends, two groups of English girls who unfortunately I had to leave for the next stop on my tour - Barefoot Manta. 

       

      

Of course, me being me I got chatting to another couple of girls on my boat who happened to be staying in the dorm next to me. Funnily enough they were from Australia which meant we had heaps to talk about. Out of all the islands, Manta has to be my fave. The beach was beautiful, the food delicious, and the staff - amazing! The guys from the dive shop were particularly great, so if you ever find yourself staying on this island, make sure you say hello! Even though we were hoping for manta rays, it seemed we had come at the wrong time of year. However, we did get the chance to snorkel on a pretty awesome reef site on the morning before heading on to my final destination - Nabua Lodge, the last stop in the Yasawas.

After some quick goodbyes, I boarded my final transfer all alone which made me doubt my final destination, and right I was. The staff weren't as welcoming and there wasn't an awful lot to do there. However, I made the most of my time by catching up with some fellow travellers who I had met previously on the trip, not forgetting two more final activities before jetting back to Sydney, these activities being my favourite ones of the trip so far. My first activity was a visit to the Sawa - I - Lau caves which involved another half an hour boat ride of course. Evidently I was bricking it, as I'm not a huge fan of water or confined spaces, but I was all for facing my fears on this trip I must say! 

       

However, somehow during the trip I had managed to misplace my final two activity vouchers which nearly cost me my place on these two trips. Rest assured, I argued my case with the rather rude receptionist and managed to jump on the next departing vessel that morning. I wasn't paying again that's for sure! The next day it was another early morning wake up call via the island drums, before a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon where I got to swim with hundreds of fish during feeding time. 

After one last lunch, it was time to board the yellow boat just one last time before heading back to Smugglers Cove in Nadi. Of course the boat was running behind schedule which meant a late return to the mainland. 

       

Overall my lasting impression of Fiji remains a truly positive one. The people are exceptionally friendly and the atmosphere is so chilled. It truly is paradise! If you like the feeling of being miles away from home, then this is the place for you. For me, possibly not the best resort as a solo traveller. However, least I know what all the fuss is about now. I would definitely consider coming back, maybe in a couple of years or so when I can finally face the thought of stepping on to another boat, and maybe with a close friend or a partner. 

What makes Fiji really special are the variety of islands available for you to enjoy, all of which are extremely unique. I for one certainly didn't realise how many islands they were, and how far apart they all were. There is certainly more to Fiji than meets the eye.

       

Have you ever been to Fiji? What was your favourite island?

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Travelling - What to pack (the essentials)

As you may be aware, (thanks to my countless tweets/photos, and not forgetting my previous post), just under a month ago, I embarked on my year (or more) trip to Australia; first stop Sydney. The trip itself is something I had been planning for many months beforehand, along with the packing that is...

However, for those of you who've been travelling yourselves may know, it's hard to know exactly what to pack, especially when you don't know how long you are going to be away for. Like many other travellers, I searched high and low for the ultimate packing list to assist me with this. Lets just say, it wasn't easy. Taking inspiration from various different sites, I decided to come up with my own exclusive guide on what to pack, which will hopefully be useful for all sorts of travellers out there; whether this is a 4 week trip around Europe, or a gap year globe trotting across various continents. Obviously feel free to comment and make your own suggestions as I am quite the novice still! 

Just to give you an idea of what I am letting myself in for over the next year, I am  currently working as an au pair in central Sydney for six months. Come September time, I will be embarking on my next journey driving along the East Coast for several months with two of my very best friends from the UK. After this, I will fly across to South East Asia for a couple of months exploring the likes of Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos to name a few. I'm even making plans to stop off at Fiji and New Zealand, but I will see how I get on with managing my finances first! I am likely to be faced with a multitude of weather conditions along the way, so bear this in mind whilst you take a read through some of my travelling essentials...

Bags

• 1 strong large rucksack. I bought a new one especially for my travels from a camping/hiking shop called Trepsass. This cost me just £40 which is a bargain considering how pricey some of these can be. Mine holds 65l so it's a little on the larger size. However,it all depends on how much you are willing to carry. Personally, I think anything between 50l and 80l would be feasible. 
• 1 smaller rucksack/ small case. This is particularly useful for day trips/weekends away, or simply as hand luggage. Remember to check the sizing if you do decide to use this as hand luggage, as different airlines will have their own personal requirements on this.
• 1 small/medium bag - for everyday use. Lugging a rucksack round all day can be tiring, even those smaller daypacks. Therefore, I would certainly recommend purchasing a smaller hand held bag to get you from A to B. 
• 1 bum bag - again for everyday use. This will be particularly useful when I start moving around more, when keeping my personal items secure.
• 1 clutch bag - for those evenings on the town. Remember to pack as lightly as possible (flatpack bags are much easier to pack) and to never bring your best pieces with you, even if you want to remain fashionable. You can always buy more if you need to when you arrive.

Clothing

• 1 waterproof jacket. For some reason I didn't trust my mums 'rainmac' after getting soaked through at Glastonbury, so I purchased a new one, again from Trespass. This cost just £25 and has been my most valuable item to date. 
• 2 pairs of trousers/jeans/leggings- for those colder days/evenings. Again, I have found these items particularly useful as believe it or not, it does rain here! Leggings particularly are very versatile and lightweight, so stock up ladies!
• 1 jumper/ hoody - again for those chilly nights. 
• 3 pairs of shorts - it will be hot enough to wear these eventually so I've been told...
• 5 Tops. T-shirts, vests, bralets; whatever tickles your fancy. I've brought quite the collection again as these are extremely light to pack. 
• 5 dresses. I love dresses and most of mine are lightweight too so I managed to squeeze more than I probably needed in. 
• 5 bikinis/swimsuits. I like having a selection when it comes to swimwear, but again, less would suffice.
• 2 yoga pants - for working out. I've also bought two pairs of shorts for working out whilst I've been over here. Even though it can get chilly, it's ridicously humid too. I may not need these when I start backpacking, as I presume I won't be working out too much then, but they can be used as extra layers if needed.
• Underwear (socks, bras, pants). Remember you can always wash these whilst you're travelling so only bring enough for up to two weeks. Saying that, I think I counted over 30 pairs of undies the other day... Okay, so I don't travel lightly. This isn't to say that you should follow my example...
• Pjs. I didn't think I would be needing any long pjs but it turns out I was wrong once again! It is so chilly here at night at the moment so definitely not okay to let it all hang out!

Shoes

• Trainers - for walking/working out. I am not usually a trainer sort of girl, but these have been a god send so far in the stormy weather!
• 2 pairs of sandals - for everyday wear. I bought an identical brown and white pair from primark which I wear most days/ on an evening if the weather is nice. 
• Wedges/ boots. It's not overly warm at the minute and we are entering Australia's winter so I ended up buying some black ankle boots over here to wear during the evenings. 
• 2 pairs of flip flops or thongs (as you Aussies like to say). No need to break the bank with these shoes. Cheap and cheerful, you'll be surprised at how handy these are. Think shared showers and an alternative to slippers...

Accessories

• 2 pairs of cheap sunglasses. I think I have around 5 pairs with me, but I am a bit obsessed with sunglasses at the moment, and they were all off the high street so I'm not too fussed if they go missing or get broken.
• 1 hat - cause nobody wants sunstroke. My black Chelsea hat is a classic and looks great in the day of on an evening. The perfect finishing touch to jazz up any outfit.
• 1 lightweight scarf. Luckily my brother's girlfriend bought me a lightweight scarf as an early birthday present to bring with me, as this item has been virtually glued to my neck since I've been here. Perfect for those chilly evenings or even as a sarong on the beach, this item is light to pack and very versatile.
• Jewellery (including a watch). I can't live without my jewellery including my classic skull ring so again, another essential on my packing list. Saying that, I've tried to keep this to a minimal as its so easy to lose, and not something you wouldn't be able to live without. 

Toiletries

• Shampoo and conditioner 
• Shower gel
• Moisturiser 
• Deodorant
• Sun cream
• Wet wipes including makeup remover
• Antibacterial hand gel
• Sunscreen
• Sanitary products 
• Toothbrush/paste
• Razors and cream

Medicines

• Immodium and Rehydration salts - cause everyone gets a dodgy some point whilst travelling.
• Paracetamol/Ibuprofen - for those aches and pains.
• First aid kit including plasters. Hopefully I won't be needing this but you can never be too cautious.
• Mosquito spray (and lots of it). It appears that the Mosquitos here are a huge fan of the English blood so I'm getting through this by the bottle.
• Prescription tablets. Remember to label these clearly as you don't want these to be confiscated. 
• Savlon/tcp for any cuts/wounds. We travellers like to take risks, and the majority of the time, these risks come with consequences. Obviously you can buy these sorts of things when you need them but in some places they may not be that easy to get hold of. 
• Vitamins. I'm always getting ill so this is an essential one for me. However, I think it's a good idea to carry a supply with you as you are more susceptible to getting ill whilst you're travelling. 
• Cold and flu tablets. Even though the weather is still on the warmer side, there are still some nasty bugs floating around, something I am well attuned to in the UK, I always seem to pick up the latest virus or cold so I was prepared for the worst when I arrived here (especially as I was arriving in the colder months).

Miscellaneous 

• 1 antibacterial travel towel which I've heard a life saver when travelling. They are not only absorbent, they are also hygienic and very easy to fit in your bag.
• Goggles
• Shower cap
• Travel pillow
• Ear plugs
• Eye mask
• Travel tissues 
• Books
• iPad/ phone/ camera and chargers
• Plug adapters. Make sure you get a universal plug if you are meeting multiple counties. 
• Selfie stick
• Makeup
• A Notebook and pen. This is so handy, especially when you're a blogger. You never know when you might need to write something down!

Documents

• Visa - you will need one of these to enter most countries I believe. If you are thinking of working in Australia, this will need to be purchased and approved before your departure. 
• Travel insurance including medical insurance - make sure you are fully covered for all the countries you are visiting including all activities too.
• Money. Possibly the most important items on this list. Make sure you have some local currency with you, including a card of some sort to book flights etc on the go. Most of my money is loaded on to a travel card called mytravelcash who I would thoroughly recommend. Not only does this card convert straight into the local currency, it is also free for me to withdraw money using this card. I also have a credit card from the UK with me which I haven't actually used but is great for any slight hiccups.
• Passport - make sure this has a good couple of years on it as you never know where you might end up in two months time!
• Driving license/other form of ID. I wouldn't recommend carrying your passport around with you unless absolutely necessary, especially on a night out. Leave this in a secure place at all times.
• Scans of important documents. These will come in more handy than you think. Documents are likely to go missing at some point so having a back up is crucial. You don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere without any form of ID or way of communicating!
• Air tickets and hostel confirmation. Make sure you have all relevant tickets on hand and have printed out any hostel/ hotel confirmation so you are able to check in as smoothly as possible. 

I hope this has given you a little bit of inspiration for your next big trip, wherever this may be! Stay tuned for more travel posts over the upcoming weeks, including a REBRAND of my blog to tie in with the big move to Oz!

Until then, goodbye. 

                                                  

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What it means to be happy

I am a firm believer in the old saying 'anybody can do anything if they put their mind to it'. Happiness is my number one goal in life, not money or possessions (even though I would like these too), but true f**king happiness, and this I believe, can only be achieved when all possibilities are explored. I am a wonderer, an adventure seeker, and I will not settle until I feel I have achieved all that I am destined to. The world is such a fascinating place and my mind is truly open. In little under three weeks time, I will be embarking on my next journey, starting off in Sydney Australia and from there, who knows... The world is certainly my oyster at the moment and that one way flight to Australia is my calling.

I have always been destined to travel. I hate the thought of settling in one place. This scares me above all else. Life is too short to settle, to stick with one job and one set of friends. There are over seven billion people in the world right now. How sad is it that we only know a fraction of these, a mere flicker of dust on the earth's surface. My favourite thing ever - meeting new people. I love exploring new cultures and seeing how others live - this excites me above all else.

Time. I never seem to have enough time at the moment. It's like the world is against me. That's another reason I am going in a way - I am getting older by the second! I fear this, and am trying to put off doing the stereotypical things every adult is expected to do at some point - move out, find a partner, get married and have children. 

I have never been as sure as I am right now that I need to get out of here, move on, and 'find myself'. Okay this is the cliché travelling thing to say, but I truly do feel like this is my time. I set up this blog in the hope to share my writing, to make new friends, but most importantly, to keep a sort of diary of things I have been up to. Travel writing has to be one of my favourites now. I love the way one can describe a place, how you get lost in the words almost. I know I don't belong here, and until I find somewhere where I can 'settle' so to speak, then I am going to keep on travelling and never ever look back...

Have you ever been travelling? What does it mean for you to be happy?

Sorry for the lack of posts at the moment but expect many more travel related ones over the upcoming weeks. I would love to hear your thoughts on my next adventure too, so feel free to share these. 

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Exploring Dublin

So last weekend I embarked on a spontaneous trip to Dublin with two of my best girl friends - a well deserved break if I say so myself! After grabbing ourselves a bargain return flight for just £36, we couldn't wait to explore this marvellous city. I have always wanted to visit Ireland - and even though this wasn't a true representation of all that Ireland had to offer - it still beats staying in the Midlands! Everything, from the strong Irish accent, to the sweet Guinness stew and numerous street performers dotted about the cobbled streets made this the perfect little getaway before Christmas. 

Now I would be lying if I said Dublin exceeded my expectations - it didn't. But what it did do was make me a whole lot more grateful for the prices of amenities back in the UK (just kidding). It was awfully pricey though, which a lot of people had warned me about beforehand. For some reason I had also envisaged the city to look a lot older that it did, and feel somewhat more Irish (if that's possible). However, it was clear from the moment that we stepped foot into this city that it was a thriving one; one that welcomed tourists and their wallets! Saying this, the night-life was brilliant (more on this later). There were lots of little Irish pubs and bars to check out around the Temple Bar area, which again were a haven for tourists like myself. $7 for half a cider - they must think we are all from London!

After arriving at our hostel, we dropped off our bags and headed straight out in search of the Guinness Factory. Prior to this trip, I had heard very mixed reviews about this place, and I can't say I was overly impressed as I walked around the first floor after handing over 18 euros. However, after reaching the fourth floor and getting the chance to not only pour - but enjoy my own pint overlooking Ireland on the eighth floor - I was happy I went along after all. Now a certified member of the Guinness academy - I can go to sleep knowing I have achieved something with my life...

                 

                  

                   

After a quick pint of Guinness (or in my case - a swig) we headed back to the hostel for a quick nap. By this time we were starving and ready for some grub. However, we had not prepared ourselves for how cold it was that evening. First off, we decided to walk, which was brave in itself, but the sheer lack of clothing we had decided to go out proved to be an awful idea. By this time - it was too late to turn back. In a desperate bid to find the famous Temple Bar we got out our crumpled map and hoped for the best. Luckily we came across this little beauty - The Hard Rock Cafe where food was promised, and lots of it! Luckily we managed to grab a table fairly quickly and dig in to our delicious burgers. I have always loved Hard Rock café's and can now say I have dined at one too. After we had filled ourselves up to the brim, we decided to do what every Irish (and English person for that matter) loves to do - get merry. It is the season after all! Live music, cheesy music, Irish music - this place seemed to have it all. I had a brilliant night mingling with the locals and getting my groove on...

The next day, we decided to check out more of the city, including the many shops (of course). After a fairly early wake up call, we started by heading down to the renowned Christ Church which was stunning. As if the Church wasn't enough, it even had its own little Christmas Market in the crypt which I fell in love with, and live music from the church orchestra. I could have sat there all day listening to that. After this we headed down to Dublin Castle, which again I was very impressed by - it was beautiful inside. Luckily it wasn't too busy so we got time to stroll around at our own leisure. After a quick bite to eat - Guinness stew in my case, we then headed to the shops - where the real magic happens. I didn't realise how big this city actually was - it' s only until you start really exploring it and all its little backstreet's that you realise how wonderful it truly is. Of course the shops were rammed with those last minute Christmas shoppers but this didn't phase us. I think we could have easily spent half the day browsing around Penneys (the Irish version of Primark).

Exploring the city

Lunch is served

After we were all shopped out, it was time to head back to the hostel. I couldn't wait to rest my poor feet after walking around in heels all day - bad choice Atkins! By which time, it was time to get ready all over again for our last night in Dublin. Once more, we decided to take a leisurely stroll into the town (this time in warmer attire) grabbing a quick bite to eat and few drinks along the way. This was the perfect end to our little break. And there you have it - Dublin in a nutshell. Would I go back - yes! This is such a great city and so easy to get to from the UK.

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