Travels of Shepp

I always say time is different for travellers. It seems to go slower, but in a fantastic way that means time is stopped and you have all the time in the world to explore. 3 days pass and you look back and everything you've seen and done and think, was that really only 3 days ago?  So even though I've only been out here for under three months, it feels like I've experienced enough for a lifetime. Multiple lifetimes, actually, as with every turn and change of direction I feel like I've started afresh yet again. Life #1: Travelling Finally starting my trip was so unbelievably exciting, that I had planned it for 1 year and a half and it was all finally coming to fruition felt amazing. I didn't know what was coming next or where I would be in a month and that felt like I was starting a whole new life. My few days in Singapore were magical, and I really fell in love with the city. I'm so glad I did that because that was my first time in Asia and I'd lo...

Unbeknownst to me, my last stop of my East Coast trip was the beautiful beach town of Noosa. It felt good to be out of the city, especially when I arrived at the YHA which was gorgeous old pale blue building. It was pretty but I was not happy about it being at the top of a very steep hill After getting settled here (and having a phone interview with an au pair family), I went for pizza and a pot of beer for a tenner with a German couple from my room. What can I say, every backpacker loves a good deal. During this meal I got the happy news that I was offered the job as an au pair! I think getting this news at the start of my time in Noosa really made me relax and enjoy it more, as I knew I had something to go to after my trip. The next day, I got up and went straight out to do the national park walk with the Germans and my good friend Leah from Byron Bay. Noosa is situated right by a National Park, with stunning coastal views and natural surroundings. I love when you can s...

So, my East Coast trip has come to an abrupt end. I'm obviously sad and disappointed that it's ending early, but grateful that I still got to do most of it. I've had an incredible 3 weeks! I'm also lucky that my plans haven't actually been drastically changed. Fraser Island was cancelled so I missed out on that, but apart from that I had nothing else planned, and overall I'm doing what I would have been anyway because I had lined up a job that I was due to start next week. So now I'm starting my job as an au pair early! As I'm writing this I'm sat on a bus to Brisbane to start this au pair job. Every bus I've got so far has been mainly empty, and every seat around me has been free- but this bus is almost full. That just goes to show how this has affected everyone's plans. A lot of people would have had Fraser Island planned next, and now that's cancelled along with a lot of other things, the travel community is figure out ...

Over the past 2 and a half months, I've been to a lot of different types of places. I've been to the three big cities of Australia: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as Surfer's Paradise which is also a busy city. But I'm surprised to say that I prefer the rural, smaller towns of Australia. I've not been anywhere that remote yet, but out of all the places I've been so far I've preferred the small towns and natural areas over the big cities. Brisbane  I've lived in cities and stayed in built up areas my whole life, so I'm quite surprised to say that; I thought I would feel more comfortable in the cities over the small towns. But for me, the rural areas just feel like proper Australia, and you truly see the natural beauty of this country and all it has to offer. I've been in Surfers Paradise, then Brisbane, and it feels really good to be leaving the cities and heading for small town of Noosa. The cities were fun and I'm gla...

One huge lesson I've learnt from my travels so far has been to always go with my gut. It's that deep, instinctual feeling when you're about to do something, telling you if it's a good idea or not. For me, it often comes in the form of when I meet someone or go to do something and it just doesn't feel... right. It's been good to me so far; I don't want to *jinx* it but generally I've done ok and so far not ran into any huge problems (please don't let this be my famous last words). But, of course, the world situation at the moment is scary, unpredictable and unprecedented. It's not something my, yours, or your mother's gut will be able to give you a reliable answer on. Being in the middle of travels during this global pandemic is a really weird situation to be in. I have a lot of friends who are cancelling or changing plans, and don't know what's the best move to make. It's really hard to know what to do, and it's...

The version of me I am in Byron I hope I can be everywhere. For me, this part of my trip has brought relaxation without overthinking or overplanning like I have a real tendency to do. I'm open to new things and meeting new people, and I'm tolerant and accepting of circumstances and plans changing. I'm trusting myself and the decisions I make, and I'm comfortable both with people and on my own. I've enjoyed taking things slower and embracing the mellow lifestyle of Byron. I'm leaving Byron ultra-chill and worry-free. With one exception; I have a slight worry that this calm has just been a result of being in Byron Bay. Like when you go on holiday and feel relaxed and refreshed, only to come home to the same-old and start stressing a week later. But I know, in truth, that how we feel is not because of a place. It can of course help, but your mindset is just that, in your mind, and I am the only one responsible for that. At the end of the day, how I feel...

I'm absolutely loving Byron Bay. I knew I would like it, everyone I've spoken to says it's one of their favourite places up the east coast. But something about the ultra-chill, relaxed hippy vibes of the place is exactly what I needed to soothe my travel anxiety and homesickness. One day I've had in Byron so far encapsulates the good feeling I get here. The day started off with an activity I'd had planned that I was very excited for- dolphin kayaking. I'd never been kayaking in the sea before, let alone seen dolphins doing it, so I was really looking forward to it. In our double kayaks I was paired with a lovely girl called Leah who was also with Welcome To Travel, and we had a lot of fun trying to not capsize! Once you got in the sea and got past the first wave smacking you in the face, it actually wasn't too hard. About half way through, and quite far out into the sea, I was reminded by my stomach that I sometimes get seasick. But I...