The obligatory top 10 experiences

So here we are again, just a week later!

Radness.

This one is dedicated to Dragon 7, who is (hopefully) still lurking out there!

And in a not-so-secret message, D7, I re-enacted medieval warfare with that wonderful sword around my house. Believe what you will.

So like any good blog (should) I get asked alot, Internationally Natalie, what were the best?

Foods?

Sights

Countries!!

Manicures! Ok maybe not that.

But I can't do everything in this post (because I'd have nothing else to write about) so this week will be overall top ten countries!

But before you ask, yes, I liked most of them. Except Malaysia. Sorry.

Starting from my favorite, and working down, here are my favorite places I went!

1.) Papau New Guinea

Nothing thrilled me quite like Papau New Guinea. It had everything I was looking for- exotic looks, tastes, and the welcoming of a lifetime. PNG was a dream destination, one of those places you see on TV and go, "I should be here." But like most things, it wasn't the location, but the people. Better hosts there are none. Better educators would be hard to find. Why yes, it's Nat Geo worthy, but don't be fooled, they chose traditions not out of neglect, but choice. They serve as an example to the world of not letting go your best bits while modernizing to the new.

2.) Japan

Shocking, but true, Japan is number 2! Japan came as a pleasant surprise; it was highly anticipated, yet it wasn't until I got there that I realized how much I'd fall in love with one place.  Ancient culture with the topmost modernization, this place also won me over with its people.  The Japanese are not the shy stereotypes we make them out to be, they are enthusiastic, fun, and willing to share. You just gotta go to see it. I know returning will bring me only joy.

3.) Australia

People, Australia had been on my top destination roster since I was big enough to name places I wanted to go. Getting there was a bit of nightmare, 14+ hours of plane hopping I was in the land Down Under. Boomerang jokes aside, I'd naturally return to this place: Family-visiting, Kangaroo petting, Tim-tam chomping, Uluru-sighsteeing later; it left a mark on my heart that I won't soon forget.

4.) Russia

Now this is where it gets tricky. The countries that come after my top 3 aren't really in any order because they really are all number 4. Russia was highly anticipated, and while satisfactory, vies with Romania and Mongolia as my number 4. But Russians were just as sweet as you'd think they'd be. Or would you? See, they thought the same as you. But they are kind-hearted people who are mostly misrepresented by the news media and the 70s propaganda that made them out to be terrifying. I had so many tasty foods its a wonder I'm not 20 pounds of blini tacked on. Go there to learn ,and be amazed. Russia has got a lot more to it than meets the eye. Take a chance on them, and ignore what your newscaster is telling you.

5.) Romania

Happy Halloween, everybody! Or is it not quite there yet? Romania doesn't invoke vampires, but people come looking for them. This was the country I first met up with Mom, so it holds a special place in my heart is that place the true adventuring started. While I didn't personally meet that famous Transylvanian Count, I got to see first-hand his effects: Halloween as re-interpreted by an ex-USSR state going through their own changes. Be patient and understanding, as while you may be looking for absolute authenticity, remember they are catering to tourists. Watch your neck!!

6.) Mongolia 

Land of Genghis Khan, I'd have moved Mongolia up if I had done it different, aka, been on a horse the entire time I was there. Mom doesn't do the horse-back riding, so we made off with a Nadaam and Driving Experience that was as good as I could have wanted. Unforgettable people made Mongolia a winner, alongside the horse-riding, camel-riding, and wild scenery. The more you give, the more you get in Mongolia. And oh, by the way, try all the foods as scary as they may sound to the average American tourist. 

7.) Thailand

Why are you at number 7, Thailand? Because you didn't have Mom in it, that's why!! Land of the best food on Earth, (what is with the food in this post?), biggest smiles, a Sawadee-kah will win miles with this easy-to-tourist country. Thailand is the best if you are just starting travel in Asia, because it really has been so-touristed, so you'll never feel overwhelmed, as everyone has done everything in Thailand. But don't be afraid to walk off the tourist trail. You'll find that land of smiles. Just more genuine ones.

8.) Norway

I'm shocked this made the roster, because my bank account would rank them dead last. Because Norway ain't kiddin' around, this place will cost you an arm and a leg. But Frozen jokes aside, the Fjords will take your breath away. So will the bill you'll get after the excursion, but remember, photos are forever.

9.) Greece

We're going Greek! Me and mom had a blast here...as soon as we hit the islands. Love the history, but Meteora was easily forgettable, despite the moving monasteries and the beautiful icons. Believe the hype, Santorini is amazing, but don't kid yourself and go in the summer. All you'll meet are hordes of tourists. Go find the real version in winter, where only locals and the truly dedicated are on the Islands.

10.) Serbia

Got to get one of the ex-USSRS (aside Romania) on this list. Serbia is a pleasant place of WOW, I wish I'd known about this place when I was younger, and yes, it's got that whole sphere of REMEMBER KOSOVO? Mystery to it. I saw blown up buildings, party boats, Serbians, and the potential this city has to be great again. But you didn't hear it from me. Go there, while it's still got the allure and the shady past to keep it under wraps.

Alright, D7, where's my sticker?!?

Oh look, a blog! A year's reflection.

Oh yeah, thought this blog wasn't ever going to see the light of day.  It was dismissed in favor of pretty pictures. Eh, so it was.

Well yeah, you would be right. Write. And there's the obligatory pun.

But anyway, this post is both a farewell and a welcome back post. Because there's been changes in my life. As a person, I've circumnavigated the globe, all within a year's worth of time. And I've seen some terrific sights. And met some unforgettable people. I chased my passion. And the world went with me.

But before you ask, no, I didn't see the whole world. Because I haven't even set foot into all of one country on the African continent. Or most of South America. Polynesia. Antarctica. Or anything ending in Stan.

I-STANbul doesn't count. But you catch the drift.

Unfortunately, my severe writer's block...laziness... whatever... may not get all those past stories of my year abroad on this blog. But I have the photos.  And that doesn't mean there are other ways. And the cool fact that much of my reader base is well, friends and family!

Which means instead you can come see me and I'll share stories with you! Over a glass of club soda or wine! 

Or a pint of Guinness!

But of course I will make the brief announcement, because it's important. Here it goes:
I am taking a 3 month break from my world travel.

Really you can do that, BUT HOW!?!

Yup!

And I'm doing it in the place I call home.

That's right.

Say What!

For 3 months I'm staying in the U-S-A.

Let me emphasize that at this point in time, I fully intend on resuming my travels. It's in my blood. I can't stop what I love.

But I noticed as a year had come and gone that there was something lacking in my travels. It took a year to figure it out, which was good to do. I experienced much kindness in the world. Though, my travels weren't always perfect, and there were bad stops, and sucky experiences.

Like when my camera went missing. That shady hostel in Malaysia. Or when my laptop screen shattered. Or when I was severely food poisoned in Cambodia. That motorcycle burn in Myanmar. Or...well, you get it.

Yeah that actually happened.

But I saw different sides. And I realized something. Now, I need to dedicate my focus into giving back. As a thank you to the world for what truly was an unforgettable experience. Because I grew. I changed. I became a better me.

And the coolest part was 6 out of the 12 months my Mom backpacked with me!!! I mean really, how special is that!??!

 For those of you who remember that very first post I wrote might guess what I'm referencing. That magic answer to life. What's it about.

And I did find it.

The answer was purposeful travel.

What do I mean?

I've decided that somehow, someway, that I need to put my energy into doing travel with purpose. I've done my sightseeing. I'm grateful I had this opportunity to do it. But now I need to channel my love of abroad into something that does good for others. And well, sustains me too. Good karma, eh.

Though I will say sightseeing vistas like this will never get old. 

But I also have to be realistic. Nobody can switch overnight from being a world traveler on the go to a humanitarian assistant.

Well maybe.

And I wanted to come home for the holidays. Like Halloween (the best Holiday EVER!!!) Thanksgiving. Christmas. And doing on the side, steps into research into doing purposeful travel. Helping people. Teaching English, (Which I am certified to do!). Something that can sustain me and my love of the world.

So now it's time to retire the sightseeing traveler. I've grown, I've learned, and had my share of experiences. Now it's time I give back.

But to go, I must start. And so, for a little while I'll be stateside. I'm sure there's a few local dives that need some travel photos of. And some special friends I need to see. You, certainly, reader of this post!

Internationally Natalie does USA... yeah, you heard it here. Sans castles though. 

I can't promise the writing will continue. In fact, I'll go ahead and say it: travel blogging may not be  my specialty.

Hahahahaha...or am I!?

 I'm more visually motivated. I like to write when it suits me. So I'll kick that idea off. But I like telling stories. So it won't quite be unheard of, right?

But my Facebook page, Internationally Natalie, will still be running....expect to see pictures of my daily life!! (palm tree a-go-go)

So if you want to follow along the next chapter of the this little book we call life, stay tuned.
Because we're only on Chapter 2.

And there's still many more pages to fill.

To the next adventure!

What I wish I'd known in New Zealand.

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." -Bilbo Baggins, The Lord of the Rings:The Fellowship of the Ring.

Well, this post on New Zealand  was going to be a lot different than what it ended up being. To put it bluntly, the original draft consisted of a full on rant about how I absolutely detested a NZ bus/tour company and how my experience of New Zealand was basically ruined by a backpacker bus.

A few days of planning and soul searching mid-trip I decided to ditch said bus tour. It was either that or I was going to end up leaving perhaps one of the most beautiful countries on Earth with a bad taste in my mouth.

Well, besides the sulfury eggy taste from Rotorua.

And so I dedicate the following post to those out there contemplating a trip to New Zealand. And er, perhaps can avoid making the same mistakes I did. 

1.) December-April is insane in terms of tourism.

Holy snap, New Zealand! For some crazy, misinformed reason, I assumed that NZ, relying on the rest-of-the-world's schedule, wouldn't experience surges of tourists until our northern hemisphere months (May-August). I was very, very wrong.  Everyone wants to get out of their own personal snow-hell (here's to you, NE North America) and are looking at New Zealand to holiday in. Which unfortunately, unless you've hired a campervan to spend your nights in, you are looking at booked-solid accommodation. It's not a last-minute trip this time of year, that's for sure.

This empty road is deceptive.

2.)  Know your tour.

Ok, so I mentioned I may have been stuck on a hell tour. Said tour in question was Kiwi Experience. They are more of a bus-pass system with a side of touring, with the driver who acts as a tour promoter/hostel booker/guru of everything.  Sounds good in practice....and in choosing them I did like most, based on good reviews on TripAdvisor and a price tag I felt I could live with.

Now, before I get on my soapbox, there were  people on my bus that did have a good time. They were predominately under the age of 23 and mostly had no real fixed plan of New Zealand aside from partying and were OK with getting stuck in towns for several days. Which is really the target group Kiwi is looking for. For the 'I have X date to be in X airport'  or 'Drinking parties are not why I came here' well, your patience might be tested.

Yeah.

The biggest problem I had with Kiwi Experience wasn't with the partying, but with lack of organization as well as information that could have prepared me to negotiate the hurdles that came up. Yes, travel has issues, (just ask anyone) but when you book a bus pass/tour, it's implied the service you paid for is covered and uh, reserved.  What booking doesn't tell you is that KE will only book you for one 'sector' of travel when you purchase a pass ticket. This means if you purchase a pass for the entire country, well, you're only good for where that pass starts in (ie: North Island, South Island).

Talking a long walk off a short pier....

 During the high season of travel, passengers that haven't reserved individually all of their sectors (note: you would have to know this to do this) won't get on buses departing to other sectors. In comes me, and I find this out two days in-tour. I'm left scrambling to figure myself out of my last stop in Queenstown with a flight that departs Auckland on a set date. This ultimately led me to a last-minute plane ticket. Yeah.


3.) Because campervan/rental car is the way to go.

I'm no New Zealand tourism expert, but I'm sure they would agree with me that something is lost going on a bus tour in New Zealand. Yeah sure, it's convenient and...potentially informative, but at some point driving past one two many interesting stops was frustrating. I could imagine a lot more flexibility in seeing New Zealand if I had my own set of wheels. Of course, as a single traveler, this is not the most affordable option either, so bring friends or family, or make nice with someone.

4.) New Zealand is pricey.

Oh jeeze is it not cheap. New Zealand's definitely a place to save for, and it's better to come here willing to spend than not . I'm not saying it's completely out of a super-budget price-range, but I was shocked how expensive activities were here. The best things in New Zealand are outdoors, granted, and hiking is free, but transportation, adventure activities  (glacier walks, bungee jumps, kayaking, dolphin swimming, glowworm caves...you name it), food, and lodging cost a lot more than I had seen in Australia.

Apple picking: working holiday in Hobbiton.

5.) Go in with a plan (if you have set dates)

This might have been my biggest blunder. I'm working on being a little more flexible with my travels, and trying not to trap myself with reservations (nothing says inflexible like a plane ticket) but I'd be lying if I'm indirectly not a type-A, try to figure out everything in advance type traveler (resulting in me procrastinating on everything else in the meantime, such as, ahem travel blogging.)

Feeling a bit sheepish.

I kinda just left it up to my so-called tour to determine everything for me to see in New Zealand.  When I reached my make-or-break point mid-tour and  chose to escape rather than spend another day losing my mind, I had no idea where to go or what to do. I made a quick choice and spent my four days in one town. While I had a great time, I may have been able to fit in some more sights had I had a better idea of what else was out there. Even if you go on a tour, have an idea about what you want to see- in case you have to abandon ship.

I made like this fur seal and beat it.

6. Bring a sweater.

I learned this first in Tasmania, then in New Zealand. It's an island, yes, but it's not the Caribbean. This water comes from Antarctica.

Swimming? Nope, nope, nope.

It will get cold at some point, somewhere, even in the middle of their summer. So don't forget some warm clothes.

7. Bring good outdoor shoes.

So uh, I literally wore out my shoes in New Zealand. Granted, I've been hoofing it around the world since October 07, but I didn't anticipate replacing them as quickly as I did.

You were supposed to get me through China!!!

Much and more of New Zealand is outside, and requires a bit of walking/hiking/climbing. I luckily managed to find a shoe store to get some new kicks after wondering why my knees were aching for days marching up mountains and back.

So bring a good pair for New Zealand- the more comfortable and durable (and rain/mud/anything outdoors-proof), the better!

8. Distances are greater than you think.

Speaking of being on the go, how about traveling through New Zealand? Looking on a map, New Zealand looks relatively small.  But it's really not. So don't try and fit too many towns in day by day. It might take a little longer than you think.

Driving Queenstown to Auckland.takes how many hours!?!?

9. Leave your food at home.

This goes for Australia too. Their bio-restriction rules are strict. Leave anything organic (food, plants, products) back where you came from. Heaven forbid you bring a banana.

They'll feed you to the sheep.

10. Time.

I saved this one for last, mostly because, I have an issue with this argument. It seems to be a point made in travel that anything less than three years in one spot is not enough time to see a location. Example: You spent X days in X city/region/country? That's not enough time.

Two weeks was just enough, though with three weeks I could have seen more of the North Island. My point is, go for however long you can (some travel is better than no travel), but to have a fairly good 'holiday' I will advise a minimum of three weeks.

But don't be surprised when you start planning to come back for more.

It didn't seem like my blog would ever see life again, but I'm working onto finishing writing about Papau New Guinea, and closing on Australia. Stay tuned!