Huh, well I did say I would keep writing, and then I didn't. It is almost 3 months since I last wrote!
Good news! I am going travelling this weekend! Ok, so the trip is domestic, up to Cairns, but the more I research it the more I wish I was spending more than 4 nights there. I will be taking a trip out on the reef, and in to Kuranda, and I'll probably hire a car too. And I am quite excited!
Then, when I get back I will be planning my next trip.... my feet are itching to get moving, but I have committed myself to remain employed for now.
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Sunday 17 April 2011
How's the new job?
This is just an update,
After 2 weeks of training, this week I got into a store and started selling travel... well, trying to sell travel... but it is a highly competitive industry and not half as easy as booking a trip online yourself. But yes, we can beat the online prices, and give awesome advice. I'm feeling very lost in the job at this point, but I know I will get my head around it.
My beau took himself back to the hospital 5 days after the accident and got the xray re-examined and then they noticed it was broken and have now operated and put a wire in it. He is still in a lot of pain, so I am doing my best to look after him.
After 2 weeks of training, this week I got into a store and started selling travel... well, trying to sell travel... but it is a highly competitive industry and not half as easy as booking a trip online yourself. But yes, we can beat the online prices, and give awesome advice. I'm feeling very lost in the job at this point, but I know I will get my head around it.
My beau took himself back to the hospital 5 days after the accident and got the xray re-examined and then they noticed it was broken and have now operated and put a wire in it. He is still in a lot of pain, so I am doing my best to look after him.
Thursday 31 March 2011
Pfaffers, (those things that periodically squirt out)
There seems to be a growing trend behind putting automatic squirters on walls. First it was the occasional bathroom wall that had a device that periodically squirted a dose of chemical (air freshener). And then it was the automatic bug sprayers that were installed on walls.
I really detest the concept. I have always been of the opinion that the use of chemicals such as air fresheners and bug sprays is unlikely to be good for ones health, and the idea of periodic squirtings, regardless of need, seems ridiculous.
My brother has one of the later (auto bug squirter) installed. He tells me it's ok, it's pyrethrum, it's natural. Well, poisonous snake venom is also natural but I don't want it in my system. And, aren't all the pollens and grasses natural (dear hayfever sufferers)?
Saturday 26 March 2011
I got the Job! but my beau's feeling sore
I've been a bit quiet lately, this is because, although I have decided to stay in Australia, I still want to be in the inspiring world of travel. So I have been busy trying to get a job as a travel consultant. This morning, my work has paid off, and I got a job offer (which I promptly accepted), and on Monday I will start learning how to send others off on adventures! As a 35 year old entering the industry it did seem like my options were limited, but I'm adamant that I can do this and do it well.
Yay!, I couldn't think of a better option for me at this point in time. And I think it might be the first job I have ever had which is, well, normal.
On the other side of things my beau fell off his (push) bike yesterday morning and had to go to hospital and get patched up. He also broke a tooth and so he isn't looking too good, or feeling too good, and he is facing a lot of dental work. I had wondered how I would be if a crisis hit... maybe it would make me want to head off again and have no responsibilities. But no! I got into car and drove 1.5 hours to Brisbane, and then phoned hospitals until I found out which emergency department had him so that I could go and 'be there'. I wanted to be there for him!
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Disaster in Japan
A couple of years ago my favourite cousin came to me with a question.
"Should I go to Asia and teach?".
"Yes!" I said.
She hadn't travelled a lot, and she knew her family wouldn't like the idea, and so she had opted to ask me before she asked anybody else, because she wanted to hear a positive response first. Despite the fact she also has a husband and 2 young children, I really thought there should be no hesitations.
At the time, she had talked about China, but in the end she chose to go to Japan. The husband and children, of course, went too. And now a disaster has hit! (The Earthquake, Tsuanami and problems of the nuclear power plant).
Her mother says she should never have gone, but I disagree completely. One shouldn't live life as if something bad might happen, because mostly it won't.
At this point, my cousin and her family are all fine. I believe they might be currently flying back to Australia, after having had 6 months there. I wonder if they will go back?
"Should I go to Asia and teach?".
"Yes!" I said.
She hadn't travelled a lot, and she knew her family wouldn't like the idea, and so she had opted to ask me before she asked anybody else, because she wanted to hear a positive response first. Despite the fact she also has a husband and 2 young children, I really thought there should be no hesitations.
At the time, she had talked about China, but in the end she chose to go to Japan. The husband and children, of course, went too. And now a disaster has hit! (The Earthquake, Tsuanami and problems of the nuclear power plant).
Her mother says she should never have gone, but I disagree completely. One shouldn't live life as if something bad might happen, because mostly it won't.
At this point, my cousin and her family are all fine. I believe they might be currently flying back to Australia, after having had 6 months there. I wonder if they will go back?
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Should I stay or should I go?
It was only in my last post that I told readers that I am staying on for the sake of a man I met. And now I am having hesitations.
You see, until now I was occupied with a project I was doing. I was cleaning up the flood damage in a 5000sqm industrial shed. A group of us cleaned, then I stayed on to co-ordinate the builders, electricians, and plumbers, while I myself painted the offices. It was a massive job that took me 8 solid weeks. But that job has come to an end and the tenants have moved in, and I am left deciding what to do with my future.
As for staying with the man, yes I still enjoy his company, but could he please send me flowers and ring me and offer to take me out? For dinner or to a movie, or something else. Just 2 months in, and he seems to think effort is no longer required.
I could be to blame in this, men, and even friends, do seem to leave many of the "us" decisions and suggestions to "me". But I would like some to come from "he". And, in the first week, when I still had my sights set firmly on travelling he called me constantly and I asked him not to. Now I wish I hadn't said a thing.
A problem, for me, is that I feel like whether I stay or go, then that will be it. I think I either choose to keep backpacking now, or I chose to stay and commit to a life here. There should be no in-between, I must do something properly.
I actually I want to stay, I loved backpacking but I also want to work towards a future, build a sustainable house, have a sustainable garden, and this man reckons he wants that too! I've started applying for jobs, and this time I'm happy to take a job that requires some commitment.
You see, until now I was occupied with a project I was doing. I was cleaning up the flood damage in a 5000sqm industrial shed. A group of us cleaned, then I stayed on to co-ordinate the builders, electricians, and plumbers, while I myself painted the offices. It was a massive job that took me 8 solid weeks. But that job has come to an end and the tenants have moved in, and I am left deciding what to do with my future.
As for staying with the man, yes I still enjoy his company, but could he please send me flowers and ring me and offer to take me out? For dinner or to a movie, or something else. Just 2 months in, and he seems to think effort is no longer required.
I could be to blame in this, men, and even friends, do seem to leave many of the "us" decisions and suggestions to "me". But I would like some to come from "he". And, in the first week, when I still had my sights set firmly on travelling he called me constantly and I asked him not to. Now I wish I hadn't said a thing.
A problem, for me, is that I feel like whether I stay or go, then that will be it. I think I either choose to keep backpacking now, or I chose to stay and commit to a life here. There should be no in-between, I must do something properly.
I actually I want to stay, I loved backpacking but I also want to work towards a future, build a sustainable house, have a sustainable garden, and this man reckons he wants that too! I've started applying for jobs, and this time I'm happy to take a job that requires some commitment.
Monday 28 February 2011
Staying On
Ok, I got back to Australia early in December and I did promise that I would head away again and keep travelling, and yet I haven't left!
I had a few things I wanted to do in my life, travel was clearly one of them. Another dream I was harbouring for quite a while was to have some self sufficient Permaculture lifestyle, one day in the future, but it wasn't something I wouldn't want to do alone. And so, being that I was still single, I figured I would keep travelling, as I find it pretty good to do alone.
So, what happened? I came back to Australia, and got stuck in the flood cleanup (which I finally expect to finish this week), and I met a man who seems, so far, to tick all the right boxes for me. The floods might have been a lucky event for us because they made me stay around long enough to get to know him.
Of course it's early days now, so who knows.... but for now I am staying in Australia.
If people are interested I will keep writing about my travel adventures... I have plenty more!
Oh, and those nasty things I wrote about Peruvian men.... well this one seems different!
I had a few things I wanted to do in my life, travel was clearly one of them. Another dream I was harbouring for quite a while was to have some self sufficient Permaculture lifestyle, one day in the future, but it wasn't something I wouldn't want to do alone. And so, being that I was still single, I figured I would keep travelling, as I find it pretty good to do alone.
So, what happened? I came back to Australia, and got stuck in the flood cleanup (which I finally expect to finish this week), and I met a man who seems, so far, to tick all the right boxes for me. The floods might have been a lucky event for us because they made me stay around long enough to get to know him.
Of course it's early days now, so who knows.... but for now I am staying in Australia.
If people are interested I will keep writing about my travel adventures... I have plenty more!
Oh, and those nasty things I wrote about Peruvian men.... well this one seems different!
Monday 21 February 2011
Backpacker Pack List continued, again!
Ok, continuing on with what to take backpacking...
Towel
I really don't like travel towels and prefer to travel with an old worn cotton towel. But I did wish I had a little towel for my feet and and Croc sandals.
Toiletries
I have travelled with people who travel with a tremendous lot of bathroom products, but I've got no intention of being a beauty queen, and so I just keep things pretty basic. Here's one thing that you can learn.... it seems that, in my experience, toilet paper is available in most parts of the world. Yes, you might need to carry a roll, but no, you won't need to bring it from home!
Regarding shampoo, if you can get to a Lush shop you can get a shampoo bar, other shops might sell them too leave a comment if you know of places). Used correctly (not much is needed each time) a bar will last for ages. I wash my hair about twice a week and I made one bar last a whole year. I kept it in a sock made of the same stuff as what winter tights (ladies) are made from, and I kept regular soap in the other sock of the pair. These socks kept the bars together, and kept the space taken up in my toiletries bag to a minimum.
I discovered that a good comb was sufficient enough, and I didn't need to carry a hairbrush. You will probably want a moisturiser. In Peru I discovered buying individual satchels of Ponds moisturiser was cheaper than buying a tub, and the satchels were more convenient.
To shave, look for shaving oil, a little bottle lasts a long time.
Nappy pins are essential.... daily to hang a wet facecloth to dry, and you are bound to find other uses.
Important! Toiletry bags are much better if they have a strong, large hook to hang them with. If it doesn't you might have to sit your bag on a wet bench.
Finally, GIRLS ONLY, a menstrual cup (see http://menstrualcups.org/ to find out more) works wonders at home and whilst travelling. They are easy to use, just take a bottle of clean water with you to the toilet when it's time to deal with it. When you have a menstrual cup you won't have to search for pads or tampons ever again.
Miscellaneous Travel Essentials
A swim shirt! Australians call them 'Rashies'. They protect your skin from the sun, especially whilst swimming (because a regular shirt doesn't perform as well when wet). These are great, especially if you are travelling alone and not comfortable the stares of locals or wanting to ask any Tom to rub suncream on your back.
A hat - preferably a broad brim hat that you can fold or stuff into your bag.
Suncream
Sunglasses.
A first aid kit. From the travel doctor.
Pen, notebook.
Well, that, I think, covers it!
Towel
I really don't like travel towels and prefer to travel with an old worn cotton towel. But I did wish I had a little towel for my feet and and Croc sandals.
A friend had this little towel-in-pouch. I wished I had one.
Toiletries
I have travelled with people who travel with a tremendous lot of bathroom products, but I've got no intention of being a beauty queen, and so I just keep things pretty basic. Here's one thing that you can learn.... it seems that, in my experience, toilet paper is available in most parts of the world. Yes, you might need to carry a roll, but no, you won't need to bring it from home!
Regarding shampoo, if you can get to a Lush shop you can get a shampoo bar, other shops might sell them too leave a comment if you know of places). Used correctly (not much is needed each time) a bar will last for ages. I wash my hair about twice a week and I made one bar last a whole year. I kept it in a sock made of the same stuff as what winter tights (ladies) are made from, and I kept regular soap in the other sock of the pair. These socks kept the bars together, and kept the space taken up in my toiletries bag to a minimum.
I discovered that a good comb was sufficient enough, and I didn't need to carry a hairbrush. You will probably want a moisturiser. In Peru I discovered buying individual satchels of Ponds moisturiser was cheaper than buying a tub, and the satchels were more convenient.
To shave, look for shaving oil, a little bottle lasts a long time.
Nappy pins are essential.... daily to hang a wet facecloth to dry, and you are bound to find other uses.
Important! Toiletry bags are much better if they have a strong, large hook to hang them with. If it doesn't you might have to sit your bag on a wet bench.
Finally, GIRLS ONLY, a menstrual cup (see http://menstrualcups.org/ to find out more) works wonders at home and whilst travelling. They are easy to use, just take a bottle of clean water with you to the toilet when it's time to deal with it. When you have a menstrual cup you won't have to search for pads or tampons ever again.
Miscellaneous Travel Essentials
A swim shirt! Australians call them 'Rashies'. They protect your skin from the sun, especially whilst swimming (because a regular shirt doesn't perform as well when wet). These are great, especially if you are travelling alone and not comfortable the stares of locals or wanting to ask any Tom to rub suncream on your back.
A hat - preferably a broad brim hat that you can fold or stuff into your bag.
Suncream
Sunglasses.
A first aid kit. From the travel doctor.
Pen, notebook.
Well, that, I think, covers it!
Sunday 13 February 2011
Backpacker Pack List continued
On Rain protection
If you are going to take a rain coat, then get a good one. It should be some breathable waterproof material, and will probably cost you a couple of hundred dollars (in Australia). I say 'if' because I wish, in hindsight I had travelled with a durable poncho instead of my raincoat.... such a poncho would be longer, could cover my pack/packs as well, and would keep me drier if I had to sit in the rain (like when I had to sit unprotected on a little boat on a lake in Argentina). You can get ponchos of reasonable quality. Check the length before you go, as a petite person like myself probably would need to get one shortened.
A good poncho could also be used to sit on or as a make shift fly (tent). Disposable Ponchos aren't good for anything other than an emergency.
If you are a city traveller an umbrella might be suitable, but they aren't good for hiking, so an umbrella is not on my packing list.
If you are going to take a rain coat, then get a good one. It should be some breathable waterproof material, and will probably cost you a couple of hundred dollars (in Australia). I say 'if' because I wish, in hindsight I had travelled with a durable poncho instead of my raincoat.... such a poncho would be longer, could cover my pack/packs as well, and would keep me drier if I had to sit in the rain (like when I had to sit unprotected on a little boat on a lake in Argentina). You can get ponchos of reasonable quality. Check the length before you go, as a petite person like myself probably would need to get one shortened.
A good poncho could also be used to sit on or as a make shift fly (tent). Disposable Ponchos aren't good for anything other than an emergency.
If you are a city traveller an umbrella might be suitable, but they aren't good for hiking, so an umbrella is not on my packing list.
On socks
Really, there is no point buying an expensive pair of hiking boots, if you are going to put regular cheap socks under them. Good socks will keep your feet drier, and this will help stop you from getting blisters. They will also help keep your feet at a better temperature.
On shoes
Now that I have discovered my Croc sandals I could successfully travel with just 2 pairs of shoes.... My hiking boots and my Croc sandals.
Good hiking boots are a must if you intend to go hiking and they will help you carry your pack without damaging your body as much as you will by carry a pack whilst wearing thongs (this being Australian English for Flip-flops, not skimpy underwear!). I recommend waterproof breathable ones, but try for something not too heavy as then you will feel better about wearing them for everyday use.
I love hiking sandals too, but since dislocating my toe I recommend you look seriously at the ones with covered toes.
My Crocs! (pictured) I can wear these in the shower to protect my feet from foot fungus in travellers showers, then wipe them dry and wear them sightseeing or to a bar (yep, I think they look good enough). And if I want to dance in them (serious salsa I mean) I put some silver shiny tape on the bottom of them (to give me less traction and more spin), and tie them on with cute ribbon across the top.
Now that I have discovered my Croc sandals I could successfully travel with just 2 pairs of shoes.... My hiking boots and my Croc sandals.
Good hiking boots are a must if you intend to go hiking and they will help you carry your pack without damaging your body as much as you will by carry a pack whilst wearing thongs (this being Australian English for Flip-flops, not skimpy underwear!). I recommend waterproof breathable ones, but try for something not too heavy as then you will feel better about wearing them for everyday use.
I love hiking sandals too, but since dislocating my toe I recommend you look seriously at the ones with covered toes.
My Crocs! (pictured) I can wear these in the shower to protect my feet from foot fungus in travellers showers, then wipe them dry and wear them sightseeing or to a bar (yep, I think they look good enough). And if I want to dance in them (serious salsa I mean) I put some silver shiny tape on the bottom of them (to give me less traction and more spin), and tie them on with cute ribbon across the top.
On taking a sleep sheet and/or sleeping bag
Lots of people ask whether they should take a sleeping bag, and that depends on the type of trip you'll be doing. But, in a year of backpacking (10.5 months South America, 1.5 months USA), I only actually needed it on one 2 night tour, and I could have hired one on that occasion, so it is the one item that I carried for the whole year but should have left at home.
On the other hand, I do recommend that, if you are travelling in cheap hotels/hostels/homestays, you take a sleep sheet. Sleep sheets are special sack style sheets, they are generally available in cotton or silk. Silk takes up less space but is hotter, cotton takes up more space but is cooler. I found years ago that the single silk sleep sheet is too cramped for me (and I am petite), so this time I travelled with a double silk sleep sheet, and found it worked well for me. I have also met people who had bought a length of interesting fabric somewhere and were using it as a sheet. Later it would be sewn into something and larger people were able to use theirs as a wrap/sarong.
On Toiletries
Oh, there is so much more to write! I'll cover this one later, and more...
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Backpackers Pack list
Lots of people ask me for handy hints on what to take or not to take on a large trip. I travel fairly lightly (it could be lighter), I have travelled a lot, and I have worked in a travel goods shop selling all those expensive travel items (see below) that may or may not be worth buying... so I might be a good person to ask.
As a general rule, you can travel with 2 sets of clothes, one for today while the other is being washed. I admit I travel with about 3.5 sets. If you get efficient with your laundering* and you'll get one set washed and dried each time you settle in for the night.
For a woman, I would say that a set of clothes, to keep you versatile in a variety of climates, is:- a tank top, a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, bra, shorts, and long trousers. You will need twice as many (4 sets) of socks, and panties. Real panties (Briefs), obviously, will take up more space than G-Strings (thongs), but they'll also keep your trousers fresher longer. Also in clothing you will need a sweater and jacket, and a hat.
Men could probably pack a similar bunch of stuff, but without any bras!
On expensive travel goods stuff
Expensive travel items usually take up less space and will wash and dry really well overnight. The synthetic fabric of them also usually gets smelly faster. If I'm not doing anything too strenuous then I can usually wear a cotton shirt for 2 days before laundering it. But a synthetic travel shirt will only last me a day.
So, for me, I would actually take a mix of speciality travel clothes and normal clothes.... for hiking I like an old** worn long sleeved cotton work-shirt, but I like to team it with some speciality travel trousers. Not all travel clothing is the same. If you buy cheap you might find yourself hotter when the weather is hot and colder when the weather is cold. You might also find yourself smellier! I love the superfine merino wool products, but the ones made in China aren't as good. Find Australian or New Zealand made brands and I think you will smell less and be more comfortable. Be warned! Check the label! Although a brand was once manufactured in NZ, it might now be manufactured in China, and the quality hasn't remained the same. In travel trousers I will give a special mention to New Zealand brand Earth Sea Sky, their travel trousers are fantastic, and I admit I haven't tried much else of theirs.
I haven't finished writing about what to take, so I will continue with another post soon. If you have any questions, please use my comments field to ask them.
Efficient Laundering
*Efficient laundering means washing your clothes as best you can, wringing them out really, really well, and then wrapping them in your towel and wringing them inside your towel before hanging them out to dry
**The old ones seem to dry faster and be more comfy.
As a general rule, you can travel with 2 sets of clothes, one for today while the other is being washed. I admit I travel with about 3.5 sets. If you get efficient with your laundering* and you'll get one set washed and dried each time you settle in for the night.
For a woman, I would say that a set of clothes, to keep you versatile in a variety of climates, is:- a tank top, a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, bra, shorts, and long trousers. You will need twice as many (4 sets) of socks, and panties. Real panties (Briefs), obviously, will take up more space than G-Strings (thongs), but they'll also keep your trousers fresher longer. Also in clothing you will need a sweater and jacket, and a hat.
Men could probably pack a similar bunch of stuff, but without any bras!
On expensive travel goods stuff
Expensive travel items usually take up less space and will wash and dry really well overnight. The synthetic fabric of them also usually gets smelly faster. If I'm not doing anything too strenuous then I can usually wear a cotton shirt for 2 days before laundering it. But a synthetic travel shirt will only last me a day.
So, for me, I would actually take a mix of speciality travel clothes and normal clothes.... for hiking I like an old** worn long sleeved cotton work-shirt, but I like to team it with some speciality travel trousers. Not all travel clothing is the same. If you buy cheap you might find yourself hotter when the weather is hot and colder when the weather is cold. You might also find yourself smellier! I love the superfine merino wool products, but the ones made in China aren't as good. Find Australian or New Zealand made brands and I think you will smell less and be more comfortable. Be warned! Check the label! Although a brand was once manufactured in NZ, it might now be manufactured in China, and the quality hasn't remained the same. In travel trousers I will give a special mention to New Zealand brand Earth Sea Sky, their travel trousers are fantastic, and I admit I haven't tried much else of theirs.
I haven't finished writing about what to take, so I will continue with another post soon. If you have any questions, please use my comments field to ask them.
Efficient Laundering
*Efficient laundering means washing your clothes as best you can, wringing them out really, really well, and then wrapping them in your towel and wringing them inside your towel before hanging them out to dry
**The old ones seem to dry faster and be more comfy.
Friday 4 February 2011
Another disaster hits Queensland
This hit of cyclone Yasi in North Queensland is shocking! We haven't had time to recover from the flooding yet, and now this has hit us. The state's resources are really being stretched.
I am actually still in Queensland, in Brisbane. I came down a few weeks ago to push the mud out of a commercial shed that my mother owns (it is due to be tenanted as soon as it is operational), but have ended up staying to continue with the work that needs to be done.
Being that tradespeople are in short supply at the moment and that I have the experience of having painted a few houses, I am now painting the office part of these sheds. It's a rather big job, but I am pleased with the progress.
What I will do after this I still don't know, but I think I will stay around for a while. I'll tell you all why one day soon.
I am actually still in Queensland, in Brisbane. I came down a few weeks ago to push the mud out of a commercial shed that my mother owns (it is due to be tenanted as soon as it is operational), but have ended up staying to continue with the work that needs to be done.
Being that tradespeople are in short supply at the moment and that I have the experience of having painted a few houses, I am now painting the office part of these sheds. It's a rather big job, but I am pleased with the progress.
What I will do after this I still don't know, but I think I will stay around for a while. I'll tell you all why one day soon.
Sunday 30 January 2011
How could I travel so much?
One of my most asked questions, after quite a bit of travel talk, is “What do you do?” and when asked this I have reached the point of asking “Do you really mean to ask me how I could afford to travel so much?”- “Yeah, I guess”.
Honestly, it's easy... I am stingy, really stingy, well, stingy when I am in Australia. And I made some good investments, and had great help (most importantly the advice) when I needed it. And travel is cheap (when you do it like I do).
Let's start with stingy.
When I think that I know people who spend one hundred dollars every week on booze (alcohol), then I think, really, if you take that $5200 a year and invest it wisely, then a lot more people could afford to travel. Other people spend a few thousand on cigarettes a year.... you see my point here. I don't drink much, and I never smoked because I couldn't bare to spend the money on it... that might make me stingy.
I also don't spend much on clothes, makeup, shoes, home entertainment, sports or clubs or the myriad of other things people spend their money on. They just aren't things that interest me much. Big screen tv's being sold for thousands of dollars equate to me thinking how long I could travel for on that much money. I rarely buy gifts for friends or family, I don't think the planet needs more consumerism and I would rather they reciprocated and didn't buy me anything (.... although frequent flyer points are always welcome!).
What I do like to spend money on is experiences. I splurged in South America and did what many Backpackers wouldn't do – the Galapagos Islands.
I don't want the world to have more people like me, but I dislike it when people imply that I shouldn't be having all this travel, when they clearly have other things they spend their money on. It is your choice, for the most part, how you spend your money.
Investing:
I was probably 16 when I read a highlighted newspaper text that said that something like 90% of the world's millionaires became so through real estate. That text planted a seed, I didn't want to be a millionaire, but I would be wanting enough money to travel. I even went and discussed the investment idea (though it was only a seed) with an old local guy who had also invested in Real Estate (Jack Gosden was his name). Jack advised me to buy industrial property. At 18 I failed to take Jacks advice and bought a cheap 4 bedroom house instead.
To buy a house at 18, it was really cheap ($55,000), and I got a Building Society Home Loan because the deposit needed was less. Whilst renting out the unused rooms, I painted it and did some minor fix ups, mostly with the help of family and friends, and then moved out and rented it out to a family (about a year later)... with my outgoings needed to keep it just 10c a week more than what I received in rent. Imagine! Ten cents per week, and your house is being paid off! I paid extra every week, and later redrew some to buy another house.
I have since sold the houses – perhaps a silly move financially speaking – but I had the money to travel, and that's what I wanted.
The first house I bought.
I have just mentioned the help I got from family and friends in the repairs to my first house, and also the advise I got from Jack. My parents were instrumental in their encouragement to invest, without them I would never have had the confidence. I realise now that it is this confidence that made the difference, it was them saying “go ahead, do it!” that made all the difference.
Skipping university, although not always the best option, also meant I could work, invest and renovate in a way that I couldn't have afforded the time or money for had I gone to University. I followed my dream, and my dream wasn't for any career, so this suited me.
Travel is Cheap:
Travel really is cheap, when you travel as a backpacker. Airfares and Insurance are the only real big expenses. Typically in South America I would spend less than $10 a night on accommodation, often with breakfast included. Menu of the day usually would be a big lunch for me at $2-$3, eaten late and then just an evening snack to see me through the night.
My big expense was sightseeing, but even so, as a backpacker you could often find other backpackers to do the sightseeing with cheaply. Guide book in hand, walking the streets, you can often discover a lot in the city for no additional expense.
Even in the USA, when I was backpacking alone (prior to meeting up with my mother) I planned my trip to stay with friends and to couchsurf (www.couchsurfing.org) and I would take a packed lunch. Washington DC, with all it's free museums, and me being accommodated in a friends house, was really cheap.
Saturday 22 January 2011
More Travel worthy Blogs
Hey, just in case you're wondering about the blogs of this traveller, because they have been a little 'home based' of late, well more travel blogs are coming!
I plan to write a packing list (because I've travelled 49 countries and worked in a travel goods shop, so I think I am entitled to write this). Another article on making the money to travel, and another on quarantine, and more!
I plan to write a packing list (because I've travelled 49 countries and worked in a travel goods shop, so I think I am entitled to write this). Another article on making the money to travel, and another on quarantine, and more!
No to Australia Day Fireworks!
Well, I have spent the better part of my week pushing mud and muddy water in the clean up from the massive Queensland Floods. There really is nothing interesting to report about this, aside from my finding a prawn (shrimp) in a shed in Rocklea (a suburb of Brisbane, badly affected be the floods).
Today I want to mention the current appeal for people to say no to Australia Day (January 26) Fireworks, with the money instead being spent on the Flood Recovery effort. There is a causes page on Facebook that you can sign up onto... they already have almost reached their target of 50,000 people.
Basically the gist is that Fireworks are expensive and unnecessary and we have things that need rebuilding now, so let's put the money towards that. But I also support this cause for environmental reasons.
Call me a wet blanket if you must, but I'm tired of seeing fireworks at almost every public event. It seemed that they were all the more exciting when they were on just twice a year, and tell a kid these days "Hey look, Fireworks!" and they give you a look like "Well, so, same as every other event this year...".
Fireworks are bad for the environment, do some research and you will quickly see that they are toxic. And if they are terrifying for dogs (an animal used to our (humans) selfish stupidity), then imagine what it must be like for the other small animals that live amongst us.... Possums, squirrels...
So, for me I'd like to see Fireworks at an occasional event throughout the year, and the rest of the year, let's find some other entertainment.
If you'd like to support the Facebook cause:
Today I want to mention the current appeal for people to say no to Australia Day (January 26) Fireworks, with the money instead being spent on the Flood Recovery effort. There is a causes page on Facebook that you can sign up onto... they already have almost reached their target of 50,000 people.
Basically the gist is that Fireworks are expensive and unnecessary and we have things that need rebuilding now, so let's put the money towards that. But I also support this cause for environmental reasons.
Call me a wet blanket if you must, but I'm tired of seeing fireworks at almost every public event. It seemed that they were all the more exciting when they were on just twice a year, and tell a kid these days "Hey look, Fireworks!" and they give you a look like "Well, so, same as every other event this year...".
Fireworks are bad for the environment, do some research and you will quickly see that they are toxic. And if they are terrifying for dogs (an animal used to our (humans) selfish stupidity), then imagine what it must be like for the other small animals that live amongst us.... Possums, squirrels...
So, for me I'd like to see Fireworks at an occasional event throughout the year, and the rest of the year, let's find some other entertainment.
If you'd like to support the Facebook cause:
STOP Australia Day fire works, GIVE that money to QLD!
just do a Facebook search for it and I'm sure you will find it as I did.
Saturday 15 January 2011
Flooding here versus there
The flooding in much of Queensland this week has been bad, really bad, but Queensland is in a good position to recover. We are very fortunate compared to other parts of the world.
Yesterday morning I decided to check BBC World News (they have a fantastic iphone app) to see if there was actually anything else happening in the world (because mostly we seem to only be getting news about our very own disaster that has been unfolding right here). I discovered that there are floods in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines also at this time. With over 400 people dead in Brazil, it really makes our problems pale in comparison. (We have 16 confirmed dead so far, and 28 missing)
In those countries, recovery is a much tougher item. Lose your house here and it is a tremendous lose, but, likely, you will still have your job, or welfare, and with either of those, if you spend carefully you will have enough money and support to house and feed your family and enough left over to start to push ahead again. In other parts of the world things aren't likely to be so easy.
Years ago I was in Guatemala during a landslide that left a whole village buried without chance of recovery and the next village (to where I was staying) with 1 metre of mud through it. Risk of disease was great, water and sewage were posing risks, as were the decaying bodies in the mud. Many of my friends went and helped dig the mud away, but I donated some money and kept working on another volunteer project I had already been on.
What has been tremendous in both locations is the sense of community spirit disasters like this produce. So many people are helping out, and both the helped and the helper are reaping the rewards of this assistance.... for the person being helped the benefits are obvious, but for the person helping it is also giving them a great feeling of being of assistance to others. Lets hope none of this charity and its rewards are forgotten anytime soon.
Yesterday morning I decided to check BBC World News (they have a fantastic iphone app) to see if there was actually anything else happening in the world (because mostly we seem to only be getting news about our very own disaster that has been unfolding right here). I discovered that there are floods in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines also at this time. With over 400 people dead in Brazil, it really makes our problems pale in comparison. (We have 16 confirmed dead so far, and 28 missing)
In those countries, recovery is a much tougher item. Lose your house here and it is a tremendous lose, but, likely, you will still have your job, or welfare, and with either of those, if you spend carefully you will have enough money and support to house and feed your family and enough left over to start to push ahead again. In other parts of the world things aren't likely to be so easy.
Years ago I was in Guatemala during a landslide that left a whole village buried without chance of recovery and the next village (to where I was staying) with 1 metre of mud through it. Risk of disease was great, water and sewage were posing risks, as were the decaying bodies in the mud. Many of my friends went and helped dig the mud away, but I donated some money and kept working on another volunteer project I had already been on.
What has been tremendous in both locations is the sense of community spirit disasters like this produce. So many people are helping out, and both the helped and the helper are reaping the rewards of this assistance.... for the person being helped the benefits are obvious, but for the person helping it is also giving them a great feeling of being of assistance to others. Lets hope none of this charity and its rewards are forgotten anytime soon.
Flood Photos
We don't normally have footpaths like this, but this is what the water of Mondays flood in Toowoomba did.
Also in Toowoomba, check out the side of the building on the right... like a bomb went off, but all the damage is water damage.
A yard in Dalby after the water has risen and fallen multiple times. It was a pleasant garden before the floods.
That's not chocolate lining the cupboards and floor, it's mud! But with help we cleaned the entire bottom floor of this Dalby house today.
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Stuck! In flooding of South East Queensland.
It was my intention to come home for Christmas, volunteer at the Woodford Folk Festival, and then get going on some more travelling. But things don't always turn out as intended, especially when one doesn't have any kind of plan in place.
The town I grew up in, Dalby, was one of those hit by major flooding during my time at the folk festival, so last week I went out there to help to clean things up. That was a waste of time, because another flood has come through again and everything I washed is now grotty again!
I didn't actually finish the cleaning last week anyway, because early on Thursday, as I was working, I received a call from my brother telling me I had better leave Dalby ASAP, or get stuck there. He was right, I made it through to Toowoomba before the road was closed.
This is the State we call the 'Sunshine State', and our logo is 'Beautiful one day, Perfect the next', but I haven't seen a full day of sunshine since my return. After years and years of drought, I have returned to find my state a soggy mess!
Yesterday trumped all prior rain events for the area. I am now in Toowoomba, and Toowoomba is situated at the top of the mountain range (the Great Dividing Mountains), so you'd think it would be pretty safe from flooding... wrong! Yesterday we had hours of torrential rain, and it was too much, and so an 8 metre wall of rain came rushing down the creek through the centre of town. It tossed cars about like they were aluminium cans, and knocked down buildings. More water then went to the bottom of the range and took out a tiny community. As I write this they are saying 7 people are confirmed dead, and 72 are missing, but that both these numbers look likely to rise.
I haven't been out for a look so all my information is coming from the tv, radio, and internet. I urge you to have a look at this video (my link mightn't work, so copy and paste) http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/01/10/3109884.htm
look carefully when the van hits the second tree (it completely knocks over the first one), there is a man clinging to the second tree. I heard he is OK. Current advisories are that people should stay home and keep out of the way. It still hasn't stopped raining!
Being in this has been weird, I mostly have what could be described as an ominous feeling of dread. As soon as it's allowable, I want to go and help with some clean up. But right now, I can't get to Dalby to help there, Toowoomba has said stay away from the centre, and the road to Brisbane has been cut too. So I've been in the garden harvesting things to eat... can't get to the supermarket either!
The town I grew up in, Dalby, was one of those hit by major flooding during my time at the folk festival, so last week I went out there to help to clean things up. That was a waste of time, because another flood has come through again and everything I washed is now grotty again!
I didn't actually finish the cleaning last week anyway, because early on Thursday, as I was working, I received a call from my brother telling me I had better leave Dalby ASAP, or get stuck there. He was right, I made it through to Toowoomba before the road was closed.
This is the State we call the 'Sunshine State', and our logo is 'Beautiful one day, Perfect the next', but I haven't seen a full day of sunshine since my return. After years and years of drought, I have returned to find my state a soggy mess!
Yesterday trumped all prior rain events for the area. I am now in Toowoomba, and Toowoomba is situated at the top of the mountain range (the Great Dividing Mountains), so you'd think it would be pretty safe from flooding... wrong! Yesterday we had hours of torrential rain, and it was too much, and so an 8 metre wall of rain came rushing down the creek through the centre of town. It tossed cars about like they were aluminium cans, and knocked down buildings. More water then went to the bottom of the range and took out a tiny community. As I write this they are saying 7 people are confirmed dead, and 72 are missing, but that both these numbers look likely to rise.
I haven't been out for a look so all my information is coming from the tv, radio, and internet. I urge you to have a look at this video (my link mightn't work, so copy and paste) http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/01/10/3109884.htm
look carefully when the van hits the second tree (it completely knocks over the first one), there is a man clinging to the second tree. I heard he is OK. Current advisories are that people should stay home and keep out of the way. It still hasn't stopped raining!
Being in this has been weird, I mostly have what could be described as an ominous feeling of dread. As soon as it's allowable, I want to go and help with some clean up. But right now, I can't get to Dalby to help there, Toowoomba has said stay away from the centre, and the road to Brisbane has been cut too. So I've been in the garden harvesting things to eat... can't get to the supermarket either!
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Camping in the mud
Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland, Australia
27 December 2010 - 01 January 2011 (and the 2 days either side)
Camping in the mud is such fun! Actually it's not, but it's ok, and you really have to take it with a positive "I can handle this" attitude, or it would really get you down.
I arrived at Woodford Folk Festival site on Sunday December 26th, and set up my camp site in the rain. I put my borrowed tent on the back of my borrowed ute*. This kept me up off the sodden ground, but gee I wish I had borrowed more blankets, as the metal ute* tray was cold and the borrowed blow-up mattress provided no insulation. But I survived.
It continued raining until Thursday, when we had a pleasant two days of sunshine, and then it rained again all day Saturday and provided us all a wet pack-up on Sunday. It was extremely muddy. Long timers at the festival (those who have been every year or almost every year in its 25 year history) told me that rain was an important part of the festival, that it washed down the site and gave a new appreciation of life. I liked this. They also told me that rain during the festival wasn't a problem, but that the 3 months of rain prior to the festival was giving extra challenges.
I went to the festival as a volunteer in the 'Infology' department. Infology are the people that others go to for information or if they had lost or found something. And, we also took in, and dispatched a lot of laundry for the Woodford Laundry service. I am an observant person, so I like being involved in 'Information services', next year though, I think I will take another look at options before deciding what position to volunteer for. I would definitely do Infology again, but I might like to try something else.
So, what is Woodford Folk Festival? Well it is a whopping great big folk festival, some call it a Hippy Fest, and I have heard it referred to as a Feral Fest. It is indeed one of the most entertaining and interesting events I have ever known. With over 20 venues you can be entertained by bands and solo artists - from new and undiscovered, to ones that have been popular for years - by dancers, circus performers, street artists, comedians, and so much more. You can also learn! I attended workshops on playing the harmonica, on decorating slumped glass, and I went to numerous talks on environmental issues and alternative health. Had I been game, I could have learnt trapeze! Food is also a treat at Woodford Folk Festival. Forget Dagwood Dogs and Fairy Floss that might be the main stays at other festivals, this gig has vendors selling food influenced by far way places like Ethiopa and Jamaica.
For me, Woodford Folk Festival is about trying new things. I would look at the programme each day to plan things out a little, but for me serendipitous discovery is one of the treats of the festival. Wandering in to a venue and sitting down to the fantastic sounds of a group I had never heard of, leaves one feeling quite delighted. And everyday I would attend a talk, even if it wasn't on a subject I was interested in, because by attending something I'm not 'into', I learn more.
People watching at Woodford FF is always a treat. Woodford attracts a whole lot of people who don't fit into, or don't want to fit into, conventional society. And then there is a whole lot more folk that take the opportunity to wear something completely outrageous just for this event. On day three I called my mum (a natural redhead) to tell her she should come over, as Woodford FF seems to have more redheads than the rest of society.
Environmentally, Woodford is a pretty good festival. They really are limiting their waste output as best they can. Water bottle refills are the expected methods of keeping up your liquid intake, and food outlets use eco packaging. However there was also a lot of merchandise for sale and way too many new clothes being worn to play in the mud, which tells me that too many people there aren't getting the anti consumer message or understanding that acquiring what you don't need is actually damaging to the environment (and I know, I fly airplanes across the globe, so I shouldn't be too hard on them).
Next year I do plan to go back to Woodford, hopefully as a Volunteer, maybe in Infology, but maybe someplace else. And next year I really hope I have a camper van to sleep in.
*this is Australian terminology, short for utility vehicle, Americans might say 'Pick-up truck'.
27 December 2010 - 01 January 2011 (and the 2 days either side)
Camping in the mud is such fun! Actually it's not, but it's ok, and you really have to take it with a positive "I can handle this" attitude, or it would really get you down.
I arrived at Woodford Folk Festival site on Sunday December 26th, and set up my camp site in the rain. I put my borrowed tent on the back of my borrowed ute*. This kept me up off the sodden ground, but gee I wish I had borrowed more blankets, as the metal ute* tray was cold and the borrowed blow-up mattress provided no insulation. But I survived.
It continued raining until Thursday, when we had a pleasant two days of sunshine, and then it rained again all day Saturday and provided us all a wet pack-up on Sunday. It was extremely muddy. Long timers at the festival (those who have been every year or almost every year in its 25 year history) told me that rain was an important part of the festival, that it washed down the site and gave a new appreciation of life. I liked this. They also told me that rain during the festival wasn't a problem, but that the 3 months of rain prior to the festival was giving extra challenges.
I went to the festival as a volunteer in the 'Infology' department. Infology are the people that others go to for information or if they had lost or found something. And, we also took in, and dispatched a lot of laundry for the Woodford Laundry service. I am an observant person, so I like being involved in 'Information services', next year though, I think I will take another look at options before deciding what position to volunteer for. I would definitely do Infology again, but I might like to try something else.
So, what is Woodford Folk Festival? Well it is a whopping great big folk festival, some call it a Hippy Fest, and I have heard it referred to as a Feral Fest. It is indeed one of the most entertaining and interesting events I have ever known. With over 20 venues you can be entertained by bands and solo artists - from new and undiscovered, to ones that have been popular for years - by dancers, circus performers, street artists, comedians, and so much more. You can also learn! I attended workshops on playing the harmonica, on decorating slumped glass, and I went to numerous talks on environmental issues and alternative health. Had I been game, I could have learnt trapeze! Food is also a treat at Woodford Folk Festival. Forget Dagwood Dogs and Fairy Floss that might be the main stays at other festivals, this gig has vendors selling food influenced by far way places like Ethiopa and Jamaica.
For me, Woodford Folk Festival is about trying new things. I would look at the programme each day to plan things out a little, but for me serendipitous discovery is one of the treats of the festival. Wandering in to a venue and sitting down to the fantastic sounds of a group I had never heard of, leaves one feeling quite delighted. And everyday I would attend a talk, even if it wasn't on a subject I was interested in, because by attending something I'm not 'into', I learn more.
People watching at Woodford FF is always a treat. Woodford attracts a whole lot of people who don't fit into, or don't want to fit into, conventional society. And then there is a whole lot more folk that take the opportunity to wear something completely outrageous just for this event. On day three I called my mum (a natural redhead) to tell her she should come over, as Woodford FF seems to have more redheads than the rest of society.
Environmentally, Woodford is a pretty good festival. They really are limiting their waste output as best they can. Water bottle refills are the expected methods of keeping up your liquid intake, and food outlets use eco packaging. However there was also a lot of merchandise for sale and way too many new clothes being worn to play in the mud, which tells me that too many people there aren't getting the anti consumer message or understanding that acquiring what you don't need is actually damaging to the environment (and I know, I fly airplanes across the globe, so I shouldn't be too hard on them).
Next year I do plan to go back to Woodford, hopefully as a Volunteer, maybe in Infology, but maybe someplace else. And next year I really hope I have a camper van to sleep in.
By day 2 my Gumboots were hurting and I was debating whether barefeet or my croc shoes were my best option. Either way I would be muddy. This photo taken at my campsite. I had to set up a bucket outside my tent for feet washing.
Although my site was muddy, at least I didn't have water running through it like these folk.
A dry day at the festival provided the perfect opportunity for a lot of people to work on getting sunburnt.
Juzzie Smith teaches us some harmonica. I first discovered Juzzie busking at the Darwin markets years ago... he seems to be doing pretty well now, and he deserves to.
More information about the Woodford Folk Festival can be found on their website: www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
*this is Australian terminology, short for utility vehicle, Americans might say 'Pick-up truck'.
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