2019 Travel Round Up
Ever since my first European city break to Amsterdam back in 2013 where I was bitten by the travel bug, I’ve been dreaming of seeing the world. The more places I travel to, the longer my list grows and more effort I put into making travel happen. Quite like a flower, when nurtured properly, grows to its full potential. The seeds from that flower is similar to boarding another flight that takes me to another place just as a new flower blooms.
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In 2016, I went on a backpacking trip around South East Asia and upon my return, I researched ways that would help me travel longer and make travel meaningful. I decided to save up at home before working abroad and start writing about my travels. I love writing and I love travelling so the two naturally blended together.
Which brings me to 2019. The year I took the plunge, quit my job and moved down under. But that wasn’t until the end of August and I had a few other places I wanted to visit before getting a job and adapting to Aussie life.
Read Next: How to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa to Australia
Europe
Contents (jump to)
A friend of mine was getting married and as the maid of honour, I planned a hen party abroad for her. We went to Marbella, Spain in May and had an absolute blast. I love Spain and this was my 11th time visiting the nation. Marbella is a glitzy, expensive area of Costa del Sol and the perfect place for boujie days and nights of dancing. My taste in food stems from these visits to Spain because I love a tapas night, my friends and regularly share Sangrias and I could live on nothing but seafood paella for the rest of my days.
A few weeks later, I went to one of my favourite places to celebrate a friend’s birthday: West Wales. It is a gorgeous part of our country and I’ve been umpteen times for weekend or day trips. We stayed in a caravan, visited Tenby and Saundersfoot enjoying drinks, games, food, walks on the beach and general memory-making.
Read Next: What to Do in West Wales
Thailand
Then July 3rd came around which was the day Scott and I were leaving home for our new journey for the second half of 2019. It was emotional to say the least. Saying goodbye to my family, friends and beloved Barry Island was difficult. I can’t shake a homesickness but I know that wanderlust runs through my veins to my globe-shaped heart.
We took a flight from Cardiff airport which is so much easier than going from London and our family were there to wave us off. We stopped over at Doha airport and straight onto Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand is an incredible country with lots to see and a place I will re-visit forever. We decided to spend a month in Chiang Mai, the north of Thailand which is my favourite city. My favourite moment came in Chiang Mai when we went to the top of Doi Suthep for sunrise. We were completely alone and Scott proposed to me! I’ll treasure that special moment always.
Thailand Blog Posts:
Top Places to Visit in Thailand
How to Use Public Transport in Chiang Mai
Malaysia
The month flew by and we were going to a new country for both of us: Malaysia. I fell in pleasantly love with Malaysia because of the people’s warmness, the food’s deliciousness and the wildlife’s uniqueness. We went to Kuala Lumpur and stayed in the best hostel ever, Penang Island, the most epic wildlife safari in Borneo, and back to Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia Blog Posts:
Australia
The Working Holiday starts the day you enter Australia after your visa has been granted and so we booked our flight while in Asia as we weren’t sure when we’d arrive. We got to Melbourne, Australia in August and thankfully found jobs within our first two days! We were only supposed to be in Melbourne for 1 night before going to the country to do farm work. Those on a 417 Visa need to do three months regional work in order to qualify for a second year visa. The first morning in Melbourne changed our plans completely because we felt a little magic in this city. Fast forward to end of December, we are still in Melbourne!
We have lived in 4 different areas, adapted to Aussie life, gotten to know their culture here, learned new things about our overseas cousins and settled in the awesome city that is Melbourne! I’m loving my time here and although Australia is a big ol’ country, I don’t know that anywhere will top Melbs… let’s see this time next year!
Melbourne Blog Posts
Asian Food Market in Melbourne
4 Things I Learned About Melbourne
Bottomless Brunch Review in Richmond, Melbourne
Local Restaurants to Try in Melbourne
Street Art in Melbourne: A Photo Diary
South Yarra: A Guide to Melbourne A Neighbourhood
A Personal Comment on 2019
2019 was a rollercoaster of emotions for me personally. I experienced one of the worst moments right at the start of the year, the best moment getting engaged in the middle, experiencing homesickness, adapting to a new country lifestyle, quitting my job, leaving my people yet being extremely content while travelling. All the tears I’ve shed this year will be the seeds for growth next year.
Thoughts for 2020
We can only be with one employer for 6 months so that grounds us to Melbourne until March. After that I’m not sure where we will go next in Australia or if we remain in Melbourne. I’m looking forward to health, happiness, travel and blogging success for 2020 and a new decade.
I’m visiting New Zealand for one week at the start of January but not sure where else I will travel next year but here’s to hoping it’s lots. Here’s to also hoping you’ll stick around to find out.
Thanks for reading!
I always use Booking.com for my accommodation, if you want the best deals I recommend using them too!
If you liked my review of 2019, please pin it to your story boards on Pinterest!
I love reading every single word you write as it’s from your beautiful heart love what you’re doing and will follow you forever well done Shireen you have already achieved so much, spreading your love and meeting new friends along the way.