During a round the world trip in 2011, I followed the route most backpackers take in Australia and headed up the East Coast. It’s a well-trodden path and with highlights like Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach it’s easy to see why. Most of us spend the majority of it in the…
There are a handful of places you visit when backpacking through South East Asia that truly surprise you. You stumble across them by accident, and they weren’t on your initial itinerary. For me, Langkawi in Malaysia was one of those places. I decided to island hop my way from Thailand to Malaysia due to civil…
At this point in our trip I’d spent 5 months away from chilly England and it was the first time in a while that I’d seen a proper morning frost on the ground. It was a drastic change from the humidity of Singapore and the warmer climates of the North Island of New Zealand. However…
Many of you won’t be aware that in 2012 I was shortlisted for one of Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’, to be a ‘Wildlife Caretaker’ in South Australia. In a way it kick-started the process that resulted in the creation of Intrepid Escape, and although I didn’t win the dream job, it showed…
Lets start by stating for the record, that there are so many things to do in New Zealand, 10 won’t cover it! These are just my highlights, 10 of the ‘must do‘ activities or places to see. Seen something I need to add? Please let me know in the comments section below, I’d love to…
One of the biggest sacrifices to travelling or even relocating abroad is missing a special occasion, whether is Birthdays, Weddings or Anniversaries. You’re often faced with the difficult decision, and in my opinion nothing should get in the way of the trip of a lifetime, or a dream re-location. So what can you do about…
I’ve been a big tennis fan since I was young, and going to all four Grand Slams has always been high on my Bucket List. Having already ticked off the Wimbledon Championships, my next opportunity was the Australian Open in Melbourne, the home of Australian sports. After the long break in the tennis season, the…
Following the popularity of Christmas Abroad: Part 1, another 7 travellers write about their most memorable Christmas Abroad. This year, I’ll be spending Christmas at home, with the family in the South of England, hoping for some snow, walking the dog and stopping by the local pub! Where will you be? Please feel free to tell…
For those of us that celebrate Christmas, it is usually a time for family and tradition, and it’s often the element of routine that makes it so special. For me an English Christmas day is spent round a warm log fire surrounded by family, followed by a traditional roast turkey dinner and then a countryside walk with…
I arrived in Fiji with zero expectations. I had heard hugely conflicting opinions from good friends, it was like Marmite, people either love it or hate it. I decided to book my flight to Fiji between New Zealand and USA, a popular route for backpackers. The main reason I had to come here was the…
Its hard to find many ‘hidden gems’ in Thailand these days, and Railay, tucked away on Thailand’s Turquoise Coast, is by no means off the beaten track. When I landed in Bangkok, Railay wasn’t on my itinerary and I hadn’t heard much about it. I found myself rock climbing in Railay by accident, after a…
If you aren’t practised in the world of travel photography, it can be a whole new ball game. Even if you are a good photographer, it can be a totally different experience to travel whilst documenting your destination well. Below I have provided 5 travel photography tips for beginners that will hopefully help anyone with…
Tucked away in the corner of the Atlantic, Iceland might be one of Europe’s most spectacular and unique destinations. Uninhabited until the 8th century, the harsh terrain and climate made life tough for the inhabitants. The medieval Icelandic Sagas tell of the lives of the early Icelanders; violent battles, feuding families and heroic deeds –…
When planning my trip to New Zealand, there was one thing that cropped up time and time again, in all the travel guides, all the bits of advice I had scribbled down on random bits of paper; the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There’s a reason why this is known as the best one-day hike in New…
One place I’d go back to in a heartbeat in South East Asia, is the Gili Islands. I had a pretty good recommendation from a respected traveller, but it still surprised me how few backpackers were heading there. Most stopping in Bali, but not the Gili’s. Now don’t get me wrong, if you venture outside…
There isn’t much in life to prepare you for the feeling of seeing one of the most iconic travel landmarks in the world. A place I’ve dreamt about seeing since I was young, that you see in photographs and movies, a place that was an early entry on my Bucket List. The walk over the…