Places I love in the world

So many of my loved ones have been holidaying or travelling lately. There’s been snow trips, road trips up North, Fiji holidays and travel through the UK and Europe. I’m currently as green as the wicked witch of the west.

I’m trying to decide where I want to go next and when Ian and I can actually coordinate holiday leave. While all that logistical stuff is being worked out in the background, I’ve been reflecting on my favourite places to be in the world.

This is my list of the six most happy spots for me.

6 – Home.

As in Lake Macquarie. Growing up, I really took the lake for granted. But now that I don’t see it as often, I realise just how beautiful it is. I wish I lived back there, close to my parents, my sister, David, and my fabulous cousins.

5 – Brighton Beach, Victoria.

I have loved this beach since I first saw Ken Duncan’s picture of it. I’ve been there a bunch of times myself now and it always makes me so happy. I love how yellow the sand is and I love the brightly coloured beach shacks. I think I have photos of myself doing stupid poses in front of most of them! My visits to this beach have always involved the people I love most in the world. That too makes me think fondly of this place.

4 – Hawaii.

Donna and I planned our Hawaii trip within an inch of its life. We itinerarised, then reitinerarised. It’s what we do. Planning is half the fun!

I always say to Kebabs that it feels like we grew up after our Hawaii trip. Before we went there, everything was simple. When we came back, life suddenly got more complicated. Work was stressful, our schedules were busier and there seemed to be much more to worry ourselves about. But in Hawaii, we were young and everything was wonderful.

3 – Kaikoura, New Zealand.

This was the place in NZ that I loved most. And NZ is so beautiful that it’s a big call to make. The day we were in Kaikoura, Ian, David and Leigh went sea kayaking and I sat on the beach for a few hours, all alone, feeling completely at peace with the world. The person I most like to spend time with is myself ;). So my time on this beach was pure, blissful, contentment. This photo is taken in Kekerengu (which is the next town over) looking back over Kaikoura. Such amazing colours!

2 – Xian, China.

Walking on the city wall in this picture was truly one of the happiest moments of my life. As I walked along with Mum and Ian, I realised that nobody in the world knew where we were. And there was something totally exhilarating about being so free.