Drink More Water

I honestly believe my 'secret' if there is such a thing.. is water! I know you read and hear all the time about how much water we should be drinking but it is honestly the truth, just do it!
Our bodies need so much water just to function and work properly. I don't believe 2 litres a day is even enough! I can drink about 4 litres a day and still want more.
 I was a weird child, even when I was an infant and went off milk around 6 months old the only thing I drank was water, I remember my mum even trying to trick me into trying lemonade and would tell me it was water but I would just spit it out. I had nothing else until the age of 15yrs then I started venturing out, or maybe just fell into peer pressure haha. I was even embarrassed going to birthday parties because all the kids use to drink soft drink but I didn't, I would literally dehydrate myself just because no one ever offered water at kids parties when I was young and I was too scared to ask for it as they would think I was weird..
 Luckily It didn't affect me too much growing up and I am so thankful now that I was like this, I am still the same, I still love water and I have never had a glass of any soft drink to this day.. unless it had alcohol in it :/ whoops.
 The benefits of drinking water are unlimited though, we need so much water just to circulate the nutrients around our bodies and keep hydrated. I am a sucker to thinking the more water I drink means that all that chocolate I just ate will wash away haha I know this isn't correct but it makes me feel better and maybe it works a bit ;) lol.
But honestly, carry around a bottle of water with you every where you go so you remember to keep drinking it!!
But yes if I have a secret, as some of my friends tend to think I do, it is drinking lots and lots of water! I am the water girl!!

Memories over Material

When I look back on all my travel memories not only from Europe but throughout my life, I no joke smile, it brings me so much happiness and I wouldn't change a thing.
Money is always there to be made, memories last your lifetime. Make as many great ones as you can while you can!
Tomorrow is never promised..

New Zealand - Christchurch & the Earthquake

Those days you feel like you want to go somewhere new so you just do it! Well this was a trip to certainly remember.
Never in my life have I felt more scared and helpless.. I arrived early hours of the morning on Sunday then the following night I was woken up by the feeling of someone constantly moving around in a bed. Soon realising that is was an actual earthquake, lasting about 2 minutes in total that actually felt like 10 minutes. Apparently this was kind of a normal thing for people that live here in Christchurch, however not usually lasting that long which scared me even more at the time knowing that one had never been that long before!
 I was then woken up about 2 hours later to loud sirens going off and a knock on my door.. Tsunami warning, it seriously felt like something you would see on the movies.
 We all had to leave the house and try and go in land away from the beach as where I was staying was about 1km away from the water.
 The roads were jam packed and the traffic wasn't even moving, i think my body went into shock as I couldn't string a sentence together and my legs wouldst stop shaking. I was just imagining a huge gush of water to come flooding through from behind us.
 After what felt like hours, we finally made it further inland to a friends house. I still didn't feel safe, as we were only 14km away still and waters can potentially go past 16km.
 After staying up all night watching the news fearing for my life and saying my potential goodbyes to my loved ones on the phone, it looked as though there was no tsunami coming our way :/ Thank god.
 The rest of my time was beautiful there though, Ive never seen such green land it brought back memories of being in the highlands in Scotland.
 There are so many cute cafes, definitely the best fish and chips and the scenery is spectacular in most places and Im pretty sure the people that live there are some of the nicest people I've met in the world!

However my next visit to New Zealand will be Queenstown :) apparently this is a must do!

Hamilton Island

Ive always wanted to visit the islands so I decided to convince my family to come away with me as they rarely go away.
Hamilton island is definitely that tropical island everyone would love to visit, reminded me of a smaller version of Waikiki beach in Hawaii.

 The water in the marina when you arrive is a beautiful blue and you feel in paradise strait away.
The island however is really quite small, with accommodation they give you a golf buggy to get around which is all you need, feels like your in your own little world.

It is really just a relaxation destination and quite over priced as expected. There are only a couple of restaurants and cafes to eat at and one little general store.

Magnificent views can be seen pretty much everywhere and it is really romantic if you were to go with your partner.
Snorkeling and paddle boarding are definitely a must on Catseye beach. There are a number of sea turtles that you might see if your lucky too. I saw and swam with two :)

There are also a few different trails and hikes up the mountain. Passage Peak offers sensational views and is so majestic and peaceful early hours of the morning, but just warning it is quite a hike!
Day trips can be done to Whitehaven beach which is beautiful and worth a visit, you can get there a few different ways depending on your budget too.
Lots of wildlife around and so many cockatoos, they are cute but very naughty. They like to visit on the balcony and one of them stole my whole cheese - packet and all, was pretty funny at the time.

I will definitely be back!

Which way?

I saw this quote today - it got me thinking again about how many people just follow the crowd. I must admit yes I do as well with certain things its hard not to with a lot of things actually. But in other aspects of my life I choose not to.
Im at a time in my life where I watch everyone around me following the crowd, doing things because they feel they are at that stage in their life to do so because thats what everyone else seems to be doing. I have always been one to believe in choices, yes I even got it tattooed on myself haha.
 But don't make a choice based on what everyone else is doing or what society makes you feel like you should be doing.
You have to remember that this is your life and your happiness so you do what you want to do and never compare your life to someone elses because you are not them and this is your journey.

Don't be afraid to travel on your own

Seriously don't be afraid.. what are you afraid of? Yes I know sometimes its daunting being all on your own in another country but really there is nothing to be afraid of. 

Im not saying just go and be an idiot, because yes there are things that can happen and of course you need to be smart while you travel, but it is honestly the best thing someone can do.

I can not explain how much you actually learn and grow as an individual when you've let go of all the hands you used to hold. 

So much is learnt that cannot be taught!

 

Ciao Bella Italy

Italy - gelato & affogato's yes please!

Ive been to a few places in Italy before and to be honest the first time I came here I wasn't that impressed, don't get me wrong it was good but I was expecting more. Then I came back and saw some of the coastline... OMG! Now one of my favourite places in this world, hands down Amalfi coast, Positano, Sorrento & Capri should be on the bucket list.
 Keep in mind it can be pricey thats why when I went here I stayed in Salerno which is quite close to Amalfi without the price tag. Its a great place to stay if you just want somewhere that isn't going to cost you an arm and leg and is central to everything. Close to the train, buses and ferries that take you to major cities or along the coast.
 My favourite day in Italy was definitely visiting Capri and probably still one of my favourite places that I visited on this trip. Capri is a small island just off the coast that you can easily catch a ferry across to, but make sure you go as early as possible as you will definitely want to spend at least a full day here.
My day here consisted of firstly an affogato of course (10euro later) and exploring the island, it is honestly so so beautiful, cute little shops, restaurants and incredible views all along the way. The walk to the top of the hill is worth it and plenty of stops along the way that offer spectacular views. The beach is that crystal clear water, however there is no sand only rocks, which are all white so it makes the water look even more perfect although they are not the comfiest to lay on.

 There are boats also that run all day that take you out around the island to check out some of the highlights, but I recommend if you have enough people definitely hire your own boat. Thats what we did and I honestly had one of the best days of my life. From going inside the blue grotto to swimming through the green grotto, the whole island has so much to see and do!