For The Love Of Travel
Me in Piccadilly Circus, London, UK
The Arrival
“Hello Miss. Please state the nature of your visit?”
“I’m here on a working holiday, mostly holiday.”
“I see. and where will you be staying?”
“At the Eurotowers hostel in Stockwell, sir.”
“Do you have the contact details of any persons you will be residing with?”
“Well I have written my friend’s details on the form sir. But I will be at the hostel.”
“Very well, welcome to London.”
*STAMP!*
Yes! I’m in!
1 backpack, 2 doc maartens, an empty passport and many many dreams.
As I stepped through customs and immigration my heart soared! My first solo International adventure, one of infinitely many more to come.
This 19-year-old South African yearned to explore the world’s backyard. Like many like-minded South Africans’, I too, subscribed to the 2 year UK working holiday rite of passage…for the love of travel.
The Travel Bug
Me mid-cheese being a tourist in Oxford Street, London, UK
A never-ending, insatiable appetite to traipse the globe grabbed hold.
Work. Save. Travel. Repeat.
I wanted to see Europe by the age of 21….and I did!
I was a sponge! Soaking up every ounce of sights, sounds, tastes, and culture.
One month I had a mere 5 GBP to my name. Thank goodness for charitable roomies (of course I paid her back). But stay I would stay, noodles I would eat, return to SA no way! There was too much to still be explored…For the love of travel.
I quickly learnt where the cheapest foodie joints were, how to spend less on phone calls and the internet, all so that I could save every pence towards my trips.
From temp job to temp job the only thought sustaining me was that of my next big adventure.
The Wanderluster
I read an inspirational quote on Pinterest today that said:
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”.
Deeply profound words, don’t you think? They certainly ring true for me.
16 years, 20 countries and countless memories later I’m still the same wanderluster I ever was….for the love of travel.
Here are a few of my fondest memories of some the best places I’ve travelled to:
The first time I saw snow in Toronto, Canada
President George Mason and I having a chat about Obama care (just kidding) in Washington DC, USA
Sonya, Myself and Jenny in front of the Acropolis in Greece
Gondala ride with my girls in Venice, Italy (This is a photo of a photo circa 2001)
Cruising in the Carribean, St, Croix, USVI
Sunset Sailing in the Greek Isles
The White House, Washington DC, USA
Doha, Qatar
Ngong Ping, Hong Kong
Uluru, Ayers Rock, Australian Outback
I have a new motto now: “Stop dreaming Start Travelling!”
Once that travel bug bites, it never really goes away. Thank goodness for these insanely good flight specials from Travelstart. Now you too can experience the world without breaking the bank…for the love of travel.
*Some of these photos pre-date the digital camera era so please forgive the grainy quality
What great memories. I also did a European about 20 years ago with my bestie. Those memories are something I’ll treasure forever. It’s just a pity that I don’t have great digital photos to go with them 🙂
Thank you Sara! Wow! Isn’t it crazy how time flies? i have to agree with you, I’m looking at all my negatives thinking I better get these on a disk or something lol