Nesting in Kuala Lumpur

After a long and noodle soup-fuelled three days of flights I have made it from Fiji to Kuala Lumpur (via Melbourne, Auckland, Hong Kong and Singapore). I lost sight of which airport was which during the 18,000Km of flights but enjoyed exploring each airport during layovers and in a haze of sleepiness and hunger. Noodle soup and our colourful new travel cushions certainly kept us entertained.Kuala Lumpur is known to be a foodie heaven and it has already exceeded expectations with its endless variety of Asian foods from many countries, all at street food prices. I have enjoyed sushi lunches, more noodle soup than I can shake a chopstick at and avoided the pungent durians at all costs. A highlight so far has been our exploration of KL's China Town, which was typically decked out with giant red lanterns and a myriad of covered and open-air market stalls and alleys. The sights, sounds and smells of the alleys and bubbling Chinese pots of fish being stirred by ancient Chinese women were overwhelming at times and yet fascinating. Having already filled ourselves on local samosas we had little room for more food but will definitely return another day. We contented ourselves instead with exploring the bustling market stalls and admired local fruits, knock off goods, a street performer undertaking a very long headstand which turned his face purple and an endless array of flower bouquets containing teddy bears. An eclectic mix!As I am also approaching a move to New Zealand in mid-December I have taken to stocking up on some basic goods essential to a writer's life....my favourite pink Muji pens and a new journal. I have missed those simple items during my three years of being on the move and, as someone kindly pointed out, I am definitely 'nesting'. It feels great to be travelling and even better to be preparing to make a home. image

Diving the Poor Knights

I had no idea the marine life of New Zealand could be so diverse and colourful until I saw these photographs from Nicholas's recent day of diving the Poor Knights marine reserve. They left me speechless! This is one of the world's top dive sites and Nicholas's experiences there with Dive! Tutukaka certainly did that title justice. This site is one for the bucket list and it also demonstrates the importance of marine reserves for the health of our oceans and fish stocks. Read on to find out more:http://www.friendsforsharks.com/02/09/2015/blog/diving-the-poor-knights/

To the top of New Zealand

We made it to the top of New Zealand! After almost six months of travel in our Wendekreisen Travel Ltd campervan and 66 shark conservation events we reached the very top of the North Island. It was an epic moment when we realised just how far we have come; both literally and with Friends for Sharks. I hope you enjoy the stunning photography of Nicholas's, which really demonstrates how beautiful the sub-tropical Northlands are. Onwards we go into our final week in Auckland and then Australia.http://www.friendsforsharks.com/01/09/2015/blog/hello-from-the-top-of-new-zealand/

West Coast Wanderings

Back online after a busy and fun-filled few weeks traveling the West Coast and Northland of New Zealand whilst providing our Friends for Sharks conservation events. It was wonderful exploring the rugged scenery of surf hotspot Raglan and we stayed at an eco-retreat called Solscape. It was a unique and inspiring place to recharge our batteries and that of our campervan home! We have been traveling New Zealand for almost six months now with our marine conservation cause and trusty Wendekreisen Travel Ltd campervan Bertha. We also took time out to visit Hamilton Gardens and Nicholas's photography of the themed gardens in this blog are stunning:http://www.friendsforsharks.com/31/08/2015/blog/west-coast-wanderings image image image image    

Memoir Reviews

I have been featured on Jackie Parry's blog with a review of my memoir No Damage. Jackie is a hero in my mind and someone that inspires me a great deal. She has sailed around the globe with minimal prior experience, explored far flung destinations and written memoirs including an inspiring adventure travel memoir Of Foreign Build: From Corporate Girl to Sea Gypsy Woman.She has also trekked the Australian bush with five horses, detailed in her latest book A Standard Journey, and is currently traveling through Europe on her dutch barge. Her blog and books are an adventure in themselves and well worth reading. Here's the link to her blog:http://jackieparry.com/2015/07/15/memoir-reviews/   

Vitamin Rest

I have something to admit....and I really really guilty saying this...but...I am tired and have lost my enthusiasm.There I have said it! I have admitted that I am traveling around the world and no longer wish to see anything new because all I want to do is sleep. How on earth can that be possible?! I am experiencing incredible new journeys and sights every day and yet I have never felt so tired. Lately I find myself hiding under the campervan covers during many a winter morning here in New Zealand.  I am usually a morning person and eager to greet the day at 7am without fail. I LOVE mornings, I love waking up full of energy, I adore breakfast and I love life. Until recently that is. Now I don’t like mornings, breakfast no longer delights me with its bread and honey and I am more interested in sleeping than I am in seeing anything new. My 'joie de vivre' has taken a vacation without me. Would someone be so kind as to return it to me please?

I am on this grand adventure around the globe all year, I move to a new town every few days and run a marine conservation cause with my wonderful other half (who by the way is also hiding permanently under the covers). I am also attempting to write two books and we have completed 59 public speaking events in 4 different countries the last six months. Maybe that is why I am tired? I have also lived in a different country every year for the past five years. Ah, now it is starting to make sense. I have been doing a lot of awesome things and I have forgotten to take a rest.

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Rest is where the miracles happen, where new ideas begin to bloom.

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Don’t get me wrong, I have loved all of those experiences and I wouldn’t change them but…I’ll be honest…I would give anything at the moment for my own bed, a pot of decent tea and some routine. I never thought I would be saying that and I feel guilty for even admitting it when I am on this incredible journey with my suitcase. I know how lucky I am to be here but, er, would it be okay if I just had a rest?Rest. That is absolutely what is needed here and it is something I have neglected entirely since we left the UK in February. I don’t mean eight hours sleep and I don’t mean thirteen hours sleep – I tried both and also tried two solid days in bed sleeping. None of those have shifted the tiredness because they haven’t truly rested my body and mind.People often talk of achieving, adventure, inspiring, doing, pushing, dreaming, excitement and travel and I am a huge supporter of those ideals. They are wonderful for broadening minds and living a life that is rich with experiences. I LOVE adventure and doing new things. However, people don’t often talk about just how tiring doing those things can be and that there is just as much need for genuine rest along the way.

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Nobody can wear their superhero pants all the time.

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With that in mind I have taken to resting as if it is my new sport. I am sleeping like a fuzzy bear in hibernation, I am eating like a small wiry pig with an obsession for fruit, I am reading piles of inspiring and comforting books and I am tilting my head to the winter sunshine as often as possible. It's working! The more I rest, the more my creativity and zest for life are beginning to blossom again and the more my anxieties and stress levels are lessening. It would seem that rest is vital for peace of mind, health and survival in this manic world we live in. How did I not know this? Never mind adventure, rest is where it’s at and I think it’s time for another dose.

Stopping can be the hardest thing to do but it brings the greatest rewards*

*As does a decent cup of tea