Rotterdam - The Netherlands

As an Au Pair we are all hired through companies which organise 'get togethers' so Au Pairs can meet each other from all over the Netherlands. In November we had an event in Rotterdam, so a close friend of mine and I decided to make a trip out of it, which turned out to be one epic weekend.

We arrived at the train station which compared to Utrecht, it is quiet magnificent. It is giant in every way possible from the large display screen on the inside to the giant modern inspired entrance. We finally felt like we were in the 21st century. As Rotterdam was flattened during the World War 2 it's been rebuilt extremely modern compared to Utrecht which is still original Dutch architecture. 

We walked down the street capturing Rotterdam's strange art pieces, including the 'Santa Clause' or the 'Buttplug Gnome' by Paul McCarthy. After a short walk we reached our hostel Hostel ROOM, which turned out to be an awesome hostel. The staff here were more than helpful and extremely friendly. They gave us great tips of where to go during our time there and were willing to help with all of our other questions. 

By night we walked to the Euromast which is the highest lookout tower in The Netherlands. For a small entrance fee of €9.50 you take the first elevator up 100 meters high for some pretty spectacular views of Rotterdam. Then for the most breathtaking views you can get into a rotating glass elevator called the space tower to go a further 85 meters for a 360-degree panorama of Rotterdam's magical skyline.

We then made our way into town for a bite to eat at Bazar, this vibrant Moroccan themed restaurant that had hundreds of lanterns hanging from the ceilings of all sizes and patterns. The staff were very energetic and friendly and to top it off the food was super delicious. After filling our bellies we headed to a bar conveniently called Bar. Bar turned out to be a super cool, laid back alternative place that had an art installation which later in the night was transformed into a dance floor to a live DJ. We met some local Dutchies and had a fun night out till early morning.

Waking up early bright eyed and bushy tailed, (I tell a lie) we made our way downstairs to breakfast (which comes free with the purchase of your hostel stay), which was really tasty and there was quiet a fair bit to choose from; a variety of tasty cereals, a couple of different breads, a various selection of spreads, juices and of course the most important coffee. 

Next stop was the famous Primemark store. Being an Australian I hadn't experienced this affair yet, so I was keen to see what all the rave was about. And those raves are not to be under estimated or taken lightly. Primemark really does has everything you need at super low prices. Just beware of the hundreds of people that are also there to catch a bargain. Also, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to look around the entire shop, you'll need it while dodging around those crazy bargain shoppers.

Finally, (the reason we came to Rotterdam) we made our way to the Au Pair event which was held on a large colourful boat that involved around 120 au pairs networking together from all over the world. We enjoyed the afternoon meeting new people while sailing around the beautiful port of Rotterdam.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert

Returning to Paris

Ahh Paris. I knew it wouldn't take me long to return. This place just feels like I should really be living here. I'm not sure if that's my irrational mind thinking, or whether my feet are actually itching to relocate one day. Time will tell.

During the week one of my South Africa Au Pair friends asked if I'd like to join for a weekend trip to Paris. Oh man, if only she knew my level of passion and love for Paris. Obviously, I said yes.

It had just been my birthday the weekend before, so I was stoked (that's an understatement) to be going to Paris to celebrate my birthday along with Halloween with some great friends. Compared to last birthdays celebrations in a regional Australian town with the theme of 'An Evening in Paris' this was really a dream come true.

After the long bus trip, we walked for what seemed forever (due to my heavy luggage) to our apartment that looked over the city with a slight view of the top of the Eiffel Tower. Yep, it wasn't going to get better than this even if it was just the tip of the tower.

We dressed up into our Halloween costumes and headed straight to the Eiffel Tower to watch the light show and pop open my birthday gift from a close friend - a bottle of delicious French Champagne, Veuve Clicquot. Perfect start to the weekend. 

In the morning we caught the Metro to Abbesses and wandered up the winding steep streets of Montmartre to see the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur. It was in such a beautiful location right on the top of the hill, so we sat there for a while taking in the warm sun and the familiar tunes from the man playing the harp.

As my friends hadn't been to Paris yet, we went and seen all of the main attractions; The Louvre & the Pyramid, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, The Lock Bridge as well as eating the most perfect French Onion soup and of course some delicate macarons.

The weekend eventually had to come to an end, so we made our way to the bus station to catch the late bus home. Except there were some slight details we hadn't quiet double checked. By slight details, I mean the main detail - the actual location of the bus station. We ran around the area for more than 30 minutes asking everyone in sight if they knew the location. No one knew anything. We had 5 minutes before our bus was going to leave and we were all a frantic mess, we didn't know what to do. Until our knight in shining armour (beautiful French man) came along and actually ran us to the bus station. We arrived at our bus as the driver was closing the luggage compartments. A big thank you to that beautiful French man for getting us to the bus, even though I really would't have minded being stuck in Paris.

Until we meet again Paris. 

Beautiful French architecture 

Winding steep streets of Montmartre

Sacre Coeur Basilica

Arc de Triomphe 

The Louvre Museum

'Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller' Ibn Battuta. 

Making the big move: Australia to The Netherlands.

Flying over Dubai

After an extremely short two days back in Australia catching up with family and close friends, I was already making the long commute back to Perth to catch my flights to Amsterdam. The entire drive felt like it flew past within moments. My head wasn't focused on the 600kms we were driving, but on all the things I felt I might not have packed, or my flight times and the life I was leaving to create a new one. The whole drive was a blur, but after 6 hours we finally arrived at the airport and oh my gosh did I have major butterflies.

Goodbyes are never easy, but when you know that you're leaving for a set 12 months and you have to get yourself through those 21 hours of flight time alone, you know that staying strong is imperative. Or travelling alone is only going to be a lot more difficult than it should be. So I hugged mum and my little sister goodbye and wandered into customs feeling pretty nervous and unsettled but at the same time feeling completely ecstatic about this new journey. Once boarding my first flight, it felt as though a lot of my anxiety was left behind. As soon as the aeroplane was off the ground there was no choice to turn around. I was doing this. I was going to live in the Netherlands for 12 months.


Arriving in Schiphol Airport I felt as though I could finally relax. I had made it. I was finally living a dream of mine. How is that? When did I get so lucky?

For such a long time I had always felt as though my dreams where always too big and out of reach. But I finally got my shit together and made things happen. Since 'getting my shit together' I have learnt that you can't just survive in life, you really must thrive. Thrive to be your best and create the best possible life for yourself, because only you can decide where your life takes you. 

I finally met my host family who I was going to be living with for the next 12 months. I was excited and nervous to start this new life, but I was determined to make it a great year.

"Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design." Jim Rohn.

Goodbye Europe, Hello Australia

Leaving my two friends in Paris at the Charles De Gaulle train station was a really sad moment. After travelling together for the past month we had experienced some truly amazing experiences together that I will never forget. Parting with them felt like I was parting with my right hand. But time was running short (I was late) and I had to board the train to get back to London to catch my flights back to Aussie Land. I was catching the Eurostar which only takes a couple of hours and is pretty inexpensive if booked months in advance.

The train ride didn't seem long at all, I slept most of the way and then I was just sad for the rest. After spending nearly a month with so many friends I felt completely alone now. I was thrown out of my comfort zone and left to find my way with my own two feet. Being alone has never really been something that would make me sad. I actually quiet enjoy being alone. I can have some pretty intelligent conversations with myself, or with others if I spike up the confidence to talk to a stranger. But boarding that train alone was somewhat nerve-wrecking. 

Once getting off the train I had gotten myself together and knew what I had to do. Get home safely. As we had spent a week in London before Contiki I already knew the train lines pretty well so that brought me some comfort. I arrived at the hotel feeling restless and rather alone again. So I got myself ready to go check out Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Square to purchase some final gifts. 

Even though there were so many people around me, I still managed to feel lonely and a bit unsettled. This travelling alone thing was a bit hard at first. It was like I had to re-learn being alone. After a couple of hours, my heart had finally slowed down, I was feeling cheery again and I realised I had finally calmed down about being alone. I wandered around till dusk, made it back to the hotel, ordered the taxi for 4am, packed up my bags and had a good nights rest.

Waking at 3am the nerves had kicked in again. This time around I was going to be on the flights alone. A 21 hour or so journey on a plane alone just did not tickle me fancy this early in the morning. But I had to tell myself to stay strong, confident and happy otherwise I was only making it worse for myself. I jumped into the cab and attempted to tell the taxi driver 'Heathrow Airport Terminal 4' with what little voice I had left (no voice really, lets be honest). He thought it was hilarious that I sounded like a dying cat so we had a giggle at my expense lightening my uneasy mood. 

Finally landing in Jakarta I started to feel confident and pretty stoked to be so close to home. Little did I know I was about to walk into a pretty scary situation. Walking to the 'transfer' desk, there was no one there. We were all told to go the 'immigration' desk. So we all lined up and everyone goes through, except for me. I wasn't allowed. I was getting told to get a visa or to go away. Great. Stuck in Indonesia with people waving their hands at me to go away. I found a man in what seemed to be a security suit to see if he could help, but no, I got the same 'shoo shoo' hand wave. I am about to go to a corner and cry. But I obviously had to get transferred. So I lined up again, and asked those around me if anyone else was a transfer to Perth (there were some) so I insisted on asking a different Immigration Officer. This time the man walks away with my passport and ticket. Are you kidding me? Thoughts of worry and panic were going through my head so I jump on the wifi and express my fear to a close friend via Facebook. Thank god for Facebook. I would have ended up in that corner crying without Facebook. After 20 minutes the man returns and points me back to the transfer desk. I finally walk back and there were people there. After all that worry I should have just gone back. I have no idea where those other Perth transfers went, but hey at least I finally got home safe!

Falling in love with Paris

It has been my biggest dream to visit Paris - and is still my absolute biggest dream to live in Paris. Maybe I have watched too many romantic Parisian films or fallen in love with the language. But hey, a girl can dream.

If you know me well, you're fully aware of my obsession with Paris. Even my 21st birthday was themed 'An Evening in Paris', completely decorated with Parisian things from Eiffel Towers (of course), French food, French music and of course delicious Champagne.

Anyway, back to my travels, the drive from Lucerne to Paris was long but totally worth it. After arriving at our lovely hotel just outside of the city, we were not long back onto the bus for a sight seeing tour of the city. Around 9pm our first stop was the Eiffel Tower. The light show begins every night at 9pm and sparkles for 5 minutes every hour until 1am. It was cold, drizzling rain and I was shivering as I clearly wasn't dressed for the weather, but as soon as the light show began all was forgotten. I was absolutely in awe of the light show. I'm not sure how a man made structure can be so mesmerising but for some reason I just couldn't take my eyes off of the giant triangle. The whole five minutes I stood there hypnotised. I propped my coat up over my head and everything fell silent, except for the rain drops landing on my coat falling in pattern of the twinkle of the lights - or so it seemed. 

They say the early bird gets the worm, which we proved correct waking up early the next morning to beat the line for the Notre Dame. We walked straight on in without a line in sight. This cathedral is beautifully gothic inspired and created with such detail it's no wonder it took years to complete. The stain glass windows create so much colour and depth on the inside, it allows you to feel a peacefulness, but with the small use of light a mysterious feeling is created forcing you to wonder about its history.
As all tourists do, while in Paris we visited the ever famous shopping street Champs Eylsees (which apparently I can't pronounce even remotely close due to my Australian accent). It's actually a gorgeous street, everything is set out so appealing to the eye you'd think it was a painting. But no, it's all real including those hundreds of people wandering the streets at the same time. We started at the Arch de Triomph and made our way down to the Lourve Museum.
The Lourve Museum is quiet a magnificent architectural sight. And if you were also unaware of the size like me you are going to be blown away. Did you know its one of the largest museum in the world? Yes, I probably should have know that but I didn't. We used our Tour Managers' secret tip to skip the que for the line, which worked a treat. We got to check out the famous Mona Lisa painting and many more famous paintings. 
By night we had tickets to experience the jaw dropping Moulin Rouge. If anyone is in Paris this is the first thing I'd highly recommend to go and see (after the Eiffel Tower light show obviously). It was quite pricey but absolutely worth every cent. I have been to circuses, dance events and even some plays but this topped everything by miles! It was a two hour long show that literally didn't stop surprising me. From miniature horses to a pool filled with pythons, the Moulin Rouge has no limits. I don't want to give too much away so you are going to have to witness it for yourself. 
The morning crept up on us and it was time for goodbyes - Contiki was at an end. After spending 19 days with a bunch of strangers turn friends, from all over the world it was safe to say I had learnt my limits and how to say hello in multiply languages. I am so glad that I went on a Contiki tour and would recommend it to everyone. It was so great for a first time traveller because everything was exceptionally organised.
I spent my last night in Paris watching the Eiffel Tower light show with a delicious nutella and banana crepe in hand. Perfection.

The amazing views from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Obviously while in Paris I had to order some Escargot. Rather tasty I must say.

The Beautiful Arc De Triomphe. 

Tomb of the unknown soldier.

The charming streets of Paris.

Admiring the Moulin Rouge in all its glory.

Magnificent Lourve Museum

Lourve Pyramid

“She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city”. Roman Payne.

Hello Switzerland

Crossing over into the Switzerland boarder was nothing short of spectacular. The landscape of this country is completely mesmerising. Royal blue waters surrounded by mountains overlaying mountains enclosing the beautiful medieval city of Lucerne.

Everything leading up to the arrival of our hotel was stunning. But the amazingness stopped as soon as I walked into the entrance of our hotel. Originally the hotel was a jail which had been converted to a hotel. And by converted I mean a fresh coat of paint and a few things here and there to make it hotel standard. The original design and features are well kept including the scary cell doors. This was by far the creepiest hotel I have ever stayed in. I had planned that I would spend the two nights in to recover from my flu but as soon I was left in my room for no longer than 5 minutes I was rushing back out to catch up to everyone. There was no way I was staying alone in that room no matter how ill I was feeling. Creepy sounds and movements had me literally running for the door.

In the morning we took the bus up the mountain to catch gondolas to the top of Mt Pilatus. The views were f#$&ing mind blowing. I could have stayed up there all day but the schedule was calling and a few of us wanted to make our way down the mountain for some tobogganing. After the action packed morning we got to experience (taste & view) some of Switzerland's finest; cheese fondue, chocolate shops, swiss watches and swiss knives.

I am defiantly looking forward to exploring more of this beautiful country.

Dying Lion of Lucerne Monument 

View from Chapel Bridge

It's better to look back on life and say 'I can't believe I did that' than to look back and say 'I wish I did that'.

Pit stop in Pisa

Have you ever heard of this 'Contiki Flu', that everyone gets on their Contiki tours because everyone makes out with each other?
Well it's all a lie. Not everyone makes out with each other, well even if they do, this flu simply comes about because of the 'Contiki lifestyle'. Late nights, early mornings, insufficient amounts of sleep, unhealthy food, minimal exercise and a jam-packed itinerary are all part of Contiki and are all ingredients to a recipe for an immune system crash. And boy had mine crashed. In 'real life' I very rarely let any of these ingredients be part of my life as I like to live a pretty healthy lifestyle. So during my time travelling my body was in major shock while consistently fighting these ingredients but had managed to fail miserably. 

During the majority of my time on Contiki I was without a voice. I literally couldn't talk. If I tried really hard I could push out a squawk that sounded like a dying bird. It was truly horrible and bad timing because getting to know people became such an effort. But with the Contiki schedule and the desire to make the most of my time travelling I soldiered on with my squawking voice.

I managed to crawl off the bus to witness the bizarre Leaning Tower of Pisa. This is really quite a strange site as the building is actually on a huge lean. Well obviously, but I didn't think it would look as peculiar as it did when I first saw it. I mean, it looks like its about to fall over, well I hope not. But I couldn't believe how much of a lean the building is on.

There wasn't enough time to climb the tower or go inside the Duomo Cathedral so instead we enjoyed a nice stroll around the area while giggling at the tourists attempting typical touristy photos with the Leaning Tower.

We only stopped here for a few hours before heading to our next destination, so stay tuned.

Enjoying the simple things in Florence

In all of these breathtaking Italian cities the one thing I continually recommend, as it was my favourite during all my visits is just wandering around the place, taking in the sites and snapping a few photos. Walking down the narrow streets at a somewhat casual pace (as our Contiki schedule was quiet packed, down time was limited) it was nice just to discover some local markets or taste some yummy gelato at my own pace.

Our stay in Florence started with a walk through the main part of town which feels like an open museum. The buildings here are simple and in shades of yellow, orange or cream, it's quite picturesque. In the Piazza della Signoria there are many statues, including the replica Statue of Davide and the Fountain of Neptune. The amount of time, effort and physical work that would have gone into these pieces to create such perfectly shaped, smooth and life-like figures is just crazy.

It rained a lot while we were in Florence but one lesson I learnt while travelling is that you can't let these small things bother you or let it ruin your day. Whether it's bad weather, tiredness or sore feet, you only have limited time in these beautiful places so you have to ensure you make the most of it. Embrace the rain or buy an umbrella. Remember that you're tired because you partied all night until sunrise or because you caught that 21 hour long-haul flight that got you to these amazing places. As for those sore and blistered feet, you should be thanking them for getting you this far, so protect them with some comfortable shoes and promise them a pedicure when you get home.

Learning this while travelling has made quite the impact of my life now. I mean I have always been a pretty chilled person but something has come over me to just calm me down a lot more. I don't take things too seriously, or let those little things bother me and I do the things that make me happy. It has honestly made me a much happier and content person. I mean, don't get me wrong I still stress every now and then but it just does't affect me as much as it used to. "Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts your life will start to change." 

The Duomo

Replica Statue of David

Fountain of Neptune