Apps of the moment

If like me you are addicted to your iPhone, your battery will run out pretty quickly... But one of my biggest addictions are these three new apps:

 

I think Twickets has to be my favourite by far though.  It is an app which uses Twitter to connect fans who need to sell last minute tickets to other fans for face value or less.

So far I have managed to safely secure two lots of tickets for sporting events via this app, and enjoyed my first ever NFL game and my first ever England Football match - both at Wembley.

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Traveler tip of the week: Explore where you live

Budgeting is hard and deciding if that new dress is worth it or if you would rather have a day exploring or putting that money towards a trip to Thailand (for example) is hard.

At the moment, I can only realistically afford one big trip a year, however, I don't let my budget restrict my passion for exploring and finding new places.  One of my favourite past times is jumping on a train and walking around London all day - finding new things or just popping along to the latest event to pop up in Trafalgar Square.

So if you are looking for something to keep your itchy feet ocupied for a little while, take yourself off to explore your local/nearest Town or City.
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Next Stop: Thailand

In February, I am planning my first trip to Thailand with Holly.  So firstly, today we found our flights, which although we haven't booked yet, we are happy with and we are starting to shape when we want to be there.

The full moon party in March (when we are planning to be there) is on the 15th.  So we are aiming to arrive around then and spend two weeks exploring the Islands.

Looking at all of the research I have been doing, I think we are looking at an itenary like this:

Bangkok

• Climb Wat Arun
• See the Grand Palace
• Floating Market

Chang Mai

• Erawan Falls
• Cooking Classes
• Jungle Trek
• Elephant Trek (I am debating this, it's something that I would like to do but I feel kind of cruel doing it?!)
• White water/bamboo rafting

 Koh Tao

• Diving (second most popular place to dive, first being the Barrier Reef)

Koh Pha Ngan

• Full Moon Party at Hat Rin

Krabi

• Beaches, there is a great article here of all the things you can see here.
• Railay Beach, Ton Sai Beach

Koh Phi Phi

• Maya Bay
• See where the beach was filmed

Phuket

• Teeth Whitened
• Stay in Rawai
• Watch the sun set from Promthep Cape
• Phang Nga Bay (canoe)
• Old Phuket town
• Similon Islands

Koh Samui

• Big Buddah
• Grandmother/father rock
• Elephant Trek
• Kayak Tour
• Chinese Lantern
• Dinner on the beach
• Na Muang waterfall

Ang Thong National Marine Park

• Boat tour of the Islands

In one of these places, I really want to do some Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP), which hopefully I will have mastered the art of in Australia this Christmas.

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Planning your next trip

So you know where you want to go, all you have to do now is:

• Find some flights that suit your budget
• Book your flights (when you have the money)
• Sort out your Visa's
• Map your journey
• Research what there is to do in each of these places (Lonely Planet is always a great place to start), or if there are specific times you would be better off visiting these places (eg. Full moon Party)
• Find recommended places to stay
• Book all your hotels, hostels, beach bungalows, etc...
• Book or plan how/when you will need to book your transport from place to place

I am currently going through this process now, so thought I would start documenting it all for you here...

Lists are my most favourite way to plan, so it's always back to the good old pen and paper.  I start by finding a rough route, then planning what kinds of things you can do there via some of my favourite bloggers like Pommie Travels or just by 'Googling' the places I have read about elsewhere.

Once I have filled this out, I look at all the activities on a map and pin the most realistic ones that I think I would be able to do on the trip.

Then when I have a rough date I look at when I need to be in each of these places and work my way out from there.  Not everything will be possible and I always try and leave myself room for things going wrong, or in case someone gives me a great tip of somewhere to visit along the way, that Google or my Lonely Planet hasn't already thrown up.

Now, I am off to bed - but here's something to think about tonight...

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Dreaming of Thailand

It has been my dream for around 7 years now, to go and see Thailand and I feel like I am finally getting the chance to see it.

source: thailand-maps.com

I have lots of friends from various walks of life, that I am sure you will see on here with me at some point and one of my friends from my university netball team, Holly, who I virtually used to live with is planning to visit her brother in Australia in February.

As spontaneous as I am with some of my trips (India), I said to Holly, well if you are off to Australia why don't you stop in Thailand on your way?  If I had the opportunity to, I definitely would, to which Holly replied - why don't you come with me for the week?

This is something that I cannot turn down, a trip that I have been waiting a lifetime to go on and I couldn't think of anyone better to see the Islands with.

So soon there will be a new count down, as tomorrow we are popping to see our friends at STA travel, to see if they can give us a quote for our next and upcoming trip to Thailand.  Watch this space people...

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Another year older... another year wiser?

On the 17th it was my birthday and honestly I am like a kid in a sweet shop when this time of year comes around.  This year I turned 26 and I had an amazing birthday, made very special by all my friends and family - who I can't thank enough.  But this little person makes everything so much more magical...

This has to be one of my favourite birthday presents of the year... I won't add the photo here which explains the mankini's either!  But the dollars will certainly be buying me a few bottles of goon when I arrive in Australia this year, or maybe a few shots of Jager too?!

I had an amazing night out with all of my friends at Walkabout in London, where we said hello to a few shots of Tequila and of course Jager, which no Australian themed night out would be complete without.... my head ache wasn't thanking me too much the next morning though, oooops. 



However, I wasn't the only person with a Birthday this week either.  My nan also turned 70 (well we pretended she only just turned 70, she likes to pretend that she is a year younger than my Grandad rather than a year older... But I am sure you can all keep a secret too), so we celebrated in true Irish style, with a carvery, lots of birthday cake and singing.

Happy Birthday Nan, I hope you had a fabulous 70th (wink wink) Birthday and THANK YOU everyone for making my birthday this year so special!

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