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I’m writing this blog while finalising my packing, as
I’m off on holiday this evening! After spending six years in a row at the same
New Year’s Eve party, I’m finally doing something different; heading to the
shores of Bali via Malaysia, for two weeks.
Going on holiday is very special. Some people go on
lots of holidays, others hardly go on any; and some folk will never go on a
single holiday during their lifetime. I didn’t go on my first holiday
until I was at university as there was no ‘going away’ culture in my family,
(apart from two trips to Bangladesh to visit relatives when I was 4 and 15.)
I haven’t been to a huge amount of places, but I
appreciate everywhere I have. While thinking about my New Year vacation, I
looked back at some old holiday snaps taken over the last decade, to get me in
the holiday mood. It stirred up some great memories that I want to share.
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| 1. Best day trip: Paris, France |
I first went to Paris on my 20th birthday
and was deeply unimpressed. It felt like the most unromantic place in the
world. It was grey, cold and grab (admittedly it was December). A few years
later, after spending £15 in Boots, I was given a ‘Buy One Get One Free’
voucher for Eurostar (this must have been the ONLY time they have ever ran this
deal!). I returned to Paris; this time on a blistering summer’s day and it
turned out to be the most fun day trip ever! A heatwave
penetrated through city and the streets were thriving with shiny, happy people,
basking on a fake beach and enjoying the outdoor street showers. I picked up a
gorgeous 5 Euro dress at the flea market, and feasted on delicious pastries.
All in all, it was a fabulous day…but it ended very sadly. On route back to
Kent, our train hit a deer. It lost its life, as did the train. We were stranded
for five hours with NO FOOD (as the announcement came that we weren’t going
anywhere, they shut the café – something I will never understand). In the early
hours of the morning we were eventually escorted off the train and walked a
mile along the track until we boarded a new train. I arrived back in Brighton
just as my shift was starting at M&S.
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| 2. Best adventures: Mexico |
I left my heart in Mexico, so I went back to reclaim
it. My first trip followed on from my Geography fieldtrip during my second year
at university. I did a project on Los Angeles, (Does the Hollywood Dream really
exist?) and Las Vegas, (Is Las Vegas really a 24 hour city)…I know! They
don’t exactly sound academic, but that’s Geography for you. If you think out of
the box, you can get away with anything!
Afterwards I popped over to visit a friend studying
at a Mexican University, I’ll never forget arriving and eating her freshly
cooked quesadillas – yum! Later I returned with friends and explored the East
coast. We had countless adventures in beautiful weather and ate amazingly. It’s
my ambition to retire over there.
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| 3. Best city: Barcelona, Spain |
Similarly as I stepped foot in Barcelona on another
birthday, I felt so at home that I ended up returning to the city again, less
that two weeks later! As well as incredible art, architecture, tapas,
entertainment, shops….Barcelona is one of the few places in Europe that catches
December sun.
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| 4. Best surprise: Scotland |
On the way to Scotland, I bought a rain mac. I’ve
never needed one before but I was convinced there would be constant down pours.
To my extreme shock, in the space of a week there was none. In fact I ended up
being there the one week of the year where it apparently doesn’t rain, despite
what the forecasts say. I travelled all across the whole top coast of the
country and to the islands of Skye and Stornaway. It was utterly beautiful,
peaceful, quiet and full of craft. There were weavers, artists, patchwork
designers; all crafting away in quaint houses, where anyone can pop in and take
a look. It really was like a dream world.
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| 5. Best company: Norfol |
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| 6. Best memory: Zurich, Switzerland |
Going on holiday
with my dad was an absolute honour. He dreamed about travelling but didn’t have
much opportunity to see the world. About a year before he got unwell, I
escorted him on a trip to Zurich to visit my sister. In the beginning the
non-traveller in him was a bit moany, but once he settled in, and laid eyes on
the breathtaking scenery, he was utterly relaxed. We definitely bonded on that
trip, and looking back at all the photos makes me feel very happy.
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| 7. Best food: Cork, Ireland |
I’ve had
authentic curry in India, classic tagine in Morocco…but the one culinary memory
I shall never forget is the brown bread of Ireland. It was the most delicious
bread I’ve ever tasted and I asked for extra portions every where I went.
Eventually I found out the brand and bought 10 loaves. I froze them all but
sadly none of them tasted as good back in London!
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| 8.Best forgotten: Elba, Italy |
Camping in Europe in February was never going to be
one of my best ideas …not checking out the accommodation proved to be another.
We turned up to find the only camping resort in the island closed for
refurbishment and were forced to pitch our tent on the beach (The spot was outside a closed bar). It was the
coldest, longest night of my life, during which time I got no sleep and had to
‘improvise’ when it came to going to the loo. Definitely best forgotten!
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| 9. Best relaxation: Hammamet,Tunisia |
Many a traveller turns their nose up at ‘package
holidays’ but whatever your opinions, the truth is they are easy, convenient
and can be very cheap. Curious as to what the ‘package’ is all about, a few
years ago I decided it was time to roadtest one for myself and thus ended up in
a popular tourist resort in Tunisia. While I’ll admit the evening entertainment
shows got a bit grating and the group water aerobics sessions didn’t get me
sweating, I can say with my hand firmly on my heart, that I had a great time. It
was just what I needed. Long hours at work meant I had no time to read
guidebooks or undertake planning. I wanted an easy trip; and that was what I
got. The rejuvenating effects were instant.
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| 10. Best luxury: Costa Blanca, Spain |
When you’re a
journalist there are two types of press trip you can find yourself on. The
first is when you’re part of a group of journos, usually hosted by a tourist
board or organisation, who take you around in a mini bus, organise your whole
itinery for you and feed you local specialities. The other type (‘best type’)
is when you go alone or with a guest, and are treated like a VIP at an
exclusive establishment. Last year I was pampered for three days at a 5 star
resort in Spain. As soon as I arrived I knew I would probably never be in this
situation ever again (I can assure you, nothing similar has happened to me
since!). I blissed out for the duration, sampling massages, taking frequent
dips in heated pools, undertaking relaxing activities like tai chi and dining
on the most divine of dishes – every meal, which was complimentary, came to
over 100 euros…I could never imagine an existence where I could afford that,
but for those three dreamy days, Barcelo Asia Gardens was my personal heaven.
And so to
Malaysia and Bali. My friend Janine won a pair of flights to the destination of
her choice, she picked Kuala Lumpar in Malaysia and gave me her other ticket.
To say I feel blessed in an understatement. We have no plans other than have
booked our first night in both locations.
I’m treating it
as a complete holiday. No work, no crafting, no writing, no blogging and
probably no tweeting either! It’s just going to be me, her, and a whole blank
canvas of exploration.
Whatever you have
planned for the next few days, I hope you feel as positive about 2012 as I do.
I can’t wait to share how I welcomed it in - normal blogging will commence upon
my return in mid-January.
