Having a Sense of Adventure is defined as “an innate or cultivated disposition characterized by a willingness to explore and embrace new and exciting experiences,” and I believe that the best travels aren’t just about the destinations, they’re about the experiences, the stories, and the moments that happen along the way. 

In 2013 we took our first real travel adventure as a family, on a four-week jaunt starting in Singapore, exploring Vietnam from top to bottom and ending in Cambodia.  Zac aged 15 and Brynie 11 at the time, were given backpacks, and I asked them to embrace the unknown, stay curious, and having a Sense of Adventure is Required.  Our family’s travel mantra was born from this trip and adopted on all our travel journey’s that followed.   

That first trip brought Zac and Brynie face-to-face with countless firsts. From kayaking amidst the towering karsts of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay to learning the secrets of local cuisine in a hands-on cooking class in Hoi An, every moment was a new discovery. We took overnight trains, rode bikes through local villages and explored the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. But nothing quite compares to waking up in a tiny, rustic shack on the banks of the Mekong River, sharing breakfast with a pet pig named Bacon, who roamed freely alongside us. It was in these moments, the unexpected, the unusual, and the downright delightful – our adventures taught us one simple truth: a sense of adventure is required to truly embrace the world. Click Here to read about our adventures in Vietnam.

This blog is a celebration of those spontaneous moments, unexpected discoveries, and the beautiful chaos that comes with travelling as a family and more recently as an empty nester. This blog reflects my belief that the most meaningful experiences happen when we step outside our comfort zones and let the world surprise us. Whether it’s navigating new cultures, trying new foods, or laughing through the little mishaps that come with every journey, I aim to inspire others to embrace their own adventures, no matter how big or small.  

The travel bug bit me young when I took my first trip to Bali with seven friends at age twenty.  It was nineteen eighty-seven, but the memories are still vivid.  It was my first trip overseas and was the typical rite of passage Bali trip a lot of young Australians take.  It consisted of hanging out at the pool bar during the day and pub crawls in the evening with a couple of touristy things thrown in for good measure.   By the end of that ten-day trip one thing was for sure, I wanted to see more of the world! 

Completing University was my priority, but travelling the world was never far from my thoughts.  With the final exam done in November 1990, by April the following year I was on my way to London with an open return ticket on a working holiday with a friend.  With enough money to travel around Europe before I needed to start work, we jumped on a ferry to France with our backpacks, a two-man tent and a “Let’s Go Europe” book.  We picked up a car at the port and took off for the next 3 months soaking up the history and culture of countries like Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. 

With no money left in the bank it was back to London to work and save for our next adventure.  It felt like the world was at your feet, I went to Pamplona for Running of the Bulls, Edinburgh for the Military tattoo and weekends in Amsterdam just because!  We hired a Britz van and toured around Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  The highlight by far was a trip to Egypt sailing on the Nile River, riding donkeys in the Valley of the Kings and camels around the Pyramids. Click Here to read more about that trip. I surrendered my twelve-month ticket and stayed for a total of eighteen months before finally heading back home.  

Travel was in my blood now and although happy to be home I continued to travel, and on any given plane trip home I would be planning my next trip.  A husband, mortgage and two children couldn’t tame the travel bug in me.  There were trips with the kids in Australia, the USA, Canada, Asia, the South Pacific, UAE and one final trip as a family for five weeks in Europe.  As our children grew, so did their sense of adventure. Today, they’re off discovering the world on their own, following their own paths, making their own memories, and continuing the journey we started together. 

Travelling now is predominately with my husband Vin, but there have also been trips with the extended family and a couple of memorable ones with the sisterhood.  Already as a couple we’ve had an amazing trip to Sri Lanka, some down time in the Maldives, Fiji, Hamilton Island and a fascinating tour of Turkey, Jerusalem, Cyprus and Rhodes. 

In the spirit of embracing exciting and new experiences, I’ve turned my passion into an independent travel consulting business, partnering with Connected Travel.  I’m committed to delivering you a personalized service through my exceptional travel knowledge and experience travelling in luxury, on a budget and everything in between across 5 Continents and 42 Countries.  After all travel is the only thing that makes you richer and all that is required is a Sense of Adventure!   

Here, I’ll share my travel stories, tips, and experiences, from road trips close to home to international explorations far and wide. Follow me on my social channels where my goal is to inspire fellow wanderers, families, and anyone with a curiosity for the world to take that first step toward their next adventure!

In the comments section share with me “What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken that required a sense of adventure?”