Ever since going on my first holiday abroad at the age of around six years old, I have loved to travel.
That first holiday was a ferry trip across to Belgium to visit Den Haag (The Hague) and the only thing I remember was having chips with mayonnaise, which was an unknown combination back in 1978.
I say remember, this is a memory that my Dad told me many times as being not quite 4 years old, I do not really recall that trip at all.
The first trip I DO remember was when I had just turned six years old. It was on a coach to the Costa Brava in Spain. Over 30 hours on a coach with fifty other people was an adventure that I recommend to everyone!
Stopping in Paris for the day, seeing the Eiffel tower and having ‘that foreign muck’ as some of the travellers described the food, I was absolutely smitten by the crepes and warm baguettes, not to mention the beautiful buildings and stunning sights.
Trips every year encouraged this wanderlust and I was determined to work in the travel industry when I grew up.
I was lucky enough to visit many countries right up to leaving home at 17.
The Netherlands, Balearics, Mainland Greece, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Tunisia all had visits before I got married and settled down.
My husband and I had trips to Spain, Portugal, Florida and Egypt before taking our infant daughters to the same place I had been, all those years ago; The Costa Brava.
It was decided that travel in the UK was a LOT easier given the amount of equipment needed for twin babies and we spent many a happy break at Centreparcs and the Isle of Wight.
Chicago Wedding
However, back in 2015, a huge family holiday to St Lucia reignited this desire to see more places. This has been fulfilled with a multitude of European City breaks with my best friend, Boo.
Lithuania
Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Lithuania and Switzerland have all had the pleasure of our company, and us of theirs.
Italia, Bella
I also flew to Germany on my own to visit my dear friend, Rhina and the City of Stuttgart which was an absolute adventure and a half.
Rhina and I at the Cannstatter Volksfest
Boo and I spread our wings last summer and went to the USA for the wedding of another friend, the delightful Jules and his betrothed, Shelly. We spent ten days exploring the amazing city and had the best time ever (and a LOT of pizza).
Chicago Style
So, what is next on the list?
Well as the title of the blog has already stated, I am off on a long haul adventure to the Far East and the beautiful island of Bali.
This is somewhere I have wanted to visit for many, many years and this dream is finally coming true this week when I join a plus size group for a 10 day holiday to the paradise island.
Drag Show Time
Cooking lessons, jewellery making, spa visits, temple trips and more are all included and what is even better is that Boo will be alongside me. This is due to the fact that she actually booked the trip first and once she shared the info with me, I knew I had to book my place.
The group is quite small; no more than 12 people in total, staying in private bungalows. The organiser, Kirsty, plans all the various activities to make the best of our time away.
How High?
Boo and I will also be spending five days in Singapore on the way home. Well, when you go that far, you might as well make the most of it!
I have already bought a lot of clothing in the Summer sales; cotton trousers and dresses as well as new bikini’s. I have remembered to get items that cover my shoulders and legs for the Temple visits, and have loose scarves/pashminas to respectfully cover my head.
These will also double up as covers for my shoulders and arm when the sun is at its brightest.
I have had the required jabs (all 8 of them) and now I just need to get myself packed. I have less than 20 hours in which to do so.
