Welcome to Life…One Big Adventure.
From my first overseas trip at 17 years of age as a Rotary Exchange Student, I had great chunks taken out of me by the Travel Bug. I just knew that it was something that I wanted to do more of and as often as possible. Like many of us, Life got in the way and I had to knuckle down to mundane things like study and work, but now I have reached a certain age I am able to juggle more travel, funded by more work.
Similar to the other million travel blogs that exist out in the wide blue yonder, this blog describes my travels throughout Australia and overseas. I also have a bit a thing for long distance walking and other active travel such as by bicycle. I want to share my experiences – both good and bad – in the hope that it will encourage you to plan your own active adventure or at least get out there and make the most of all the wonderful things life has to offer.
If I can do it, anyone can. I am not elitist when it comes to travel. Everyone travels differently on different budgets and with different interests. The most important thing (in my humble opinion) is that you get out of your house/office and see something or meet someone who makes you think about the World in a slightly different way.
I love that Mark Twain quote:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
It truly captures the way I want to live my life.
On this site I will share:
- Tips and tricks on how to walk +1000km – what is in my backpack, how to train, where there are good sources of information.
- Getting off the beaten track and exploring small towns, national parks, and arty farty things.
- Good travel reads to keep you amused from your armchair while you wait for your bank balance to build, and
- Other Useful Stuff that may be considered handy even if you never use it.
I aim to post once per week and more frequently, if time/energy and WIFI allows, when I am on the road.
If you have a particular topic you would like me to write about, destination to walk to, red wine to drink, cake to eat, sunrise to ooh/aah at or anything else travel-related, then do let me know.
Have passport, will travel.
Life...one big adventure 
Very proud and impressed with your newest ‘adventure’ – congratulations on your blog Mel
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Thanks Mr H. Appreciate the support…
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So glad you are doing this blog Melanie. I will follow you with avid interest (and envy)!!
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I will never be able to match your list of adventures Lue. You should be the one blogging – not me! xx
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Great read Mel. Look forward to hearing al, about your Portuguese adventure.
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Thanks Ross. Hopefully the other pilgrims will be just as friendly! Enjoy your Italian stroll..
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You have an inspiring blog. I am looking forward to gaining new travel dreams from you.
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Thank you for your kind words. I am really enjoying sharing my experiences with fellow travelers. There is are just so many wonderful things to experience out in the big, wide world.
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I am looking forward to seeing more of the world vicariously!
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Great to hear! Even vicarious travel brings joy and opens the mind…in my humble opinion!
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I really enjoyed reading this Post. Keep up your good Work.
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Liked the Mark twain quote
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Yes, it is a classic, isn’t it? And it is so true! Have a great day. Mel
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The Camino is a great walk. I did it in 2014. The journey helped change my life.
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Yes, who would have thought that a simple walk could be so powerful?! It certainly left its stamp on me too. Bye, Mel
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Couldn’t agree with you more Mel, although the only couple of times in my life I had a 5-star experience I was on business trips for the company, so I can’t say if I would enjoy them much if I was paying for them myself. I tend to put the little money I have left on cycling adventures rather than just toasting my white ass under the sun, or shall I say burning it, as unlike those who have 50 shades of grey I can only manage 50 shades of red.
Thanks for the comment on my Warmshowers’ post in my cycling blog.
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HI Mel, The Camino is on our list in the mean time we’re stuck on Nepal. Less flight time is one factor! Look forward to exploring some of your back posts. Louise
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Thanks Louise. Yes, those long haul flights are a mongrel, but I just try to keep focused on the adventure that awaits me at the end! Nepal is amazing and I can’t wait to return one day. I am not sure I can tackle those mountains, but never say never, eh?! Mel
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No Mel never say never – it was the last thing I ever imagined I would do. People that have known me for a long time can’t believe the Trainer got me there. Louise
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I agree, but I have decided that I am a long distance walker that likes a solid roof over their head, a shower of some sort and a cold beer at the end of each day!! I imagine that may be a bit harder to find in the Himalayas! Yes, I am getting soft in my old age! 😉
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Hi, Mel – Glad to meet you here. My husband and I are currently planning our next Camino adventure – this time on the Via Francigena. We look forward to reading your posts about your adventures on that walk. We will also undoubtedly have questions for you!
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Happy to talk walking until the cows come home!! 😉
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Sorry to have missed your comment all those months ago! Hopefully you are enjoying the Via Francigena and all that pizza and pasta. Take care, Mel
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Mel! This quote says it all. Love your sense of adventure. I need to dig up your post on the Camino….I plan on doing the full 40 days as soon as I retire….coming soon. I look forward to that day! Thank you for all of your comments and support on the blog!
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Thanks Pam. I warn you! Caminos are addictive! I am planning my fourth next year! Happy to answer any questions. Have a great day, Mel
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I will definitely reach out….the Portuguese version sounds interesting too.
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Yes, the Caminho Portuguese is very beautiful especially taking the coastal route from Porto up. Reading some Facebook forums it seems that there is an increasing incidence of unwanted attention directed at females walking on their own. I certainly didn’t experience that, but I guess you can’t be too careful. Happy planning/dreaming! Mel
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Great site you have. Will follow!
Cheers,
John and Susan
Medellin, Colombia
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Many thanks for the feedback. Have a good day, Mel
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You have a great site ,Mel !I am excited to read all your travel stories which inspire me to travel and share my experiences with my co-bloggers ! I am a travel enthusiast and will love to travel more after this pandemic gets past !Have a very healthy and safe life,dear!
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Thanks so much for your feedback, Dhirendra. I look forward to following your journeys too! Take care, Mel
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I will look forward to your valued comments soon !
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Mel ,pl. follow my blog if you like my travel stories !😁
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Hello,
I simply wanted to say thank you for liking my blog posts. As a beginner in the blogging world, this means a lot to me. Also, I was soo surprised to discover we like the same quote :). I even mentioned it on my blog 😀 Every since I discovered it on a hostel’s wall in Peru, I simply loved it :).
xxxx
Carmina
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Happy blogging and happy traveling. You will meet so many fabulous people when you blog. I feel like I have friends from all over the World now. Have a great day, Mel
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Thank you for your kind words, Mel 🙂 I look forward to discovering more of this world 🙂 It’s night where I’m right now 😀 Enjoy your evening, day perhaps?? Carmina
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Lovely to be here Mel. I am surprised it was the first i was coming here to read about you and it is absolute pleasure to know about walking. I have walked immensely in a way and at one time just fell short of taking an Indian subcontinent walking journey, i cut it short to only the north towards Kashmir to the Karakoram.
Thanks so much for letting me be here
Nara x
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WOW! That would be an amazing walk. Exhausting, but amazing. Thanks for stopping by.
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Yes. Exhausting and amazing and daring to start with!
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