TRAVEL|GLOBETROTTERS
New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia— Where I’d Love To Take My Partner
A virtual tour of my dream vacation that I will thoroughly enjoy for years to come
One of the first type of publications I looked for on Medium, when I began to write more regularly, were travel publications.
Surprisingly, I found very few. The few that I did find never added me as a writer, so I started my own travel publication, Taking Off.
However, shortly after that, I came across stories by fellow travelers that were published in a new publication called, Globetrotters.
I write for that publication now as well and this month there is a challenge for which I can submit multiple stories.
It was hard to pick one place.
However, once I did, I didn’t think I’d pick another and write about it, but here I am.
After reading this week’s Globetrotters newsletter, my head was swimming with sweet dreams of future travel.
I’ve always loved to imagine the places I’ll visit before actually visiting and these 3 countries have been at the top of my list since I was a teenager!
My partner would absolutely love exploring these countries with me as well.
It would be one of the best dream vacations because it combines these 3 countries that are relatively close to one another in proximity, but vastly different in terms of landscape and culture.
New Zealand
Barb Dalton’s stories about her homeland, especially about the food there, make me want to hop on a plane and go to New Zealand this weekend!
I’m a big fan of Lord of the Rings as well, the books and the movies. The entire trilogy was filmed in New Zealand which makes me curious to explore that gorgeous country as well.
Every person I’ve met who’s been there has had a great deal of positive things to say about it, including the fact that you can ski in the mountains the first half of the day and spend the second half frolicking in the water while the sun is setting.
Kiwis are one of my favorite fruits and it’s also a nickname for people who are from New Zealand.
From glaciers to beaches, whale-watching to wine-tasting, New Zealand has so much to offer. Not sure where to begin? Get started with these places.
Australia
There are a couple of Aussie writers I follow whose stories I’ve read: DeeDee and Adrienne Beaumont.
My love for Australia started, and has continued, with some awesome Australian films that were shot on location there:
- Rabbit Proof Fence
- Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
- Sirens
- Strictly Ballroom
- Lion (part of it)
I really enjoy watching these kinds of videos, especially on my television, that give me glimpses into what these places are like.
Ideally, I’d rent a car in New Zealand and Australia to drive all around whenever and wherever my partner and I want.
Set itineraries are not my style. There are always things and places that are on my list to check out.
From island hopping to sunbathing on a beach with friendly kangaroos, here are some of the best Australian experiences.
Whether you’re up for adventure, keen to meet furry locals on an iconic wildlife encounter or want to delve into our culture and history with a First Nations experience, there really is something for everyone.
However, my motto while on vacation is:
The plan is not to plan.
This isn’t easy for me, but it’s the best — taking each day and moment as it comes, at least to try and do that as much as possible.
It helps me feel more relaxed and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
Indonesia
When I moved to Seattle in 1996 at the wee young age of 19, I met a few people who were from Indonesia and they spoke about it with such warmth and nostalgia that I’ve longed to visit ever since.
The only reason I haven’t been to this part of the world is because the airfare alone is almost always at least $1,000 round-trip (usually $1,500+) and the flight time is usually 20+ hours.
It’s a serious investment of time and money!
That’s why when I do make it there, I will stay for at least 2–3 months in order to make the most of my stay in that part of the world.
Who knows when I’ll return…
…or IF I will return.
Indonesia may not be the first place that many people would think to go but it is a truly hidden gem in Southeast Asia even though it is a giant in size, having more than 17,000 islands with 240 million people!
You will find that a lot of tourists love coming to Indonesia because of how beautiful and diverse this country is. Known to many as Wonderful Indonesia, it brings you the second largest tropical forests, many pristine beaches with great dive sites and surfing waves, amazing hikes to active volcanoes and wildlife.
It’s also incredibly cheap compared to many western countries.
And the food…..
Diverse cultures bring amazing food of varieties and taste. Try out all the delicious Indonesian food such as nasi padang, nasi timbel, nasi uduk, bakmi, kuetiaw, bakso, soto ayam, ayam bakar, gado gado, sambal, kue and fresh local fruits just to name a few.
From street food to eating house (restaurant) to higher end dining, you can be sure to satiate your appetite in Indonesia.
Now I’m hungry…for food and to explore these countries!
If you’re hungry for more, check these other stories:
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