More Annual Leave, Please: October Travel Plans 2017
It’s been a loooooong time since I’ve written one of these posts, largely due to the fact that I haven’t left Australia in almost a year (and let me tell you something, it feels like a lot longer). Where does the time go? What is life?
Anyway, allow me a moment of naval gazing (although, isn’t that blogging by definition?) to share with you my upcoming travel plans for October (and a wee little bit of November). I am already ridiculously excited about this trip and writing about it will probably cause that feeling to intensify… which isn’t a bad thing!
London Calls
I don’t know exactly how to feel when I think about going back to London. I mean, mostly happy, obviously. But will I regret having left, or feel indifferent to the city that I called home for over two years?
Emotions aside, my London bucket list is loooooong and I’m looking forward to ticking off a few things that I never got around to doing before I left the city. Richmond, Kew Gardens maybe, a visit to the National Portrait Gallery and a TAXIDERMY CLASS!
Plus a lot of time whiling away the hours with my mates in British pubs. Although that possibly goes without saying.
A New York State of Mind
Norwegian are my favourite airline for a multitude of reasons – they’re cheap, they fly to Svalbard and they treat you like a human being, not cattle just to name a few. Yet the reason I love them primarily, is they offer particularly inexpensive flights between NYC and LDN – I’ve seen flights for 200 quid round trip.
Due to this, it seemed like it would be almost offensive not to fly to my favourite city in the world for a handful of days (and I mean a handful… sadly it will only be three). Yet, this will be my third trip to the Big Apple, so I’m not feeling too sorry for myself.
I’ll also be staying in Brooklyn for the first time ever, having previously holed up shop in Manhattan and Harlem. It’s also the first time I’ll have to pay for accommodation – it’s clearly time to make more contacts in the city that never sleeps!
Wedding Bells
From New York, I’ll be heading south to the American city that I think of as my “home very far away from home”, Atlanta GA. My good buddy from high school has lived there for five years and visiting him is always a lot of fun – even when we just hang out at his place, stuffing ourselves full of Tex Mex and binge-watching “Breaking Bad”. That’s all we did the last time I stayed over and it was terrific fun and coincidentally, the only holiday I’ve ever returned from feeling somewhat relaxed.
This particular trip is special – I’m heading to ATL for his wedding. It’s the first “destination” wedding I’ve ever been to (okay, it technically doesn’t fall under this category as they do live in the States… but I’m rolling with it, regardless). We’re all grown up now, that’s for sure.
The Big Island
And finally, I’ll be winding down for the last four days of my trip in Hawaii! It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit and it’s only taken five trips to America to finally set foot on its 50th state.
I’m flying in and out of Honolulu, but I’ll be spending the majority of my time on the Big Island. I’m staying in a B&B by the ocean, not far from Hilo and planning to rent a car to check out a few of the sights. I’ve heard pretty amazing things about the Big Island – many trusted sources have said it’s their favourite of all eight of the islands.
To say my expectations are sky high is an exaggeration and then some.
Also – LAVA FIELDS!!!!!
So, that’s it! It’s not a very long trip – I think I’m barely breaking three weeks and anticipate being jet lagged for probably the whole time. Yet, it’ll be a holiday filled with familiar faces and places, plus a little bit of undeniably gorgeous nature tacked on the end. Can’t go wrong with that.
Have any tips for must-sees and dos and that you’d like to share – particularly for Hawaii?
Such exciting plans! Hawaii will be amazing – I really want to visit ASAP. Also, I can completely understand your reservations about heading back to London. Hopefully it’s a happy return visit!
Thanks Ashley! I hope so too. You should go to Hawaii. It really sounds like everyone should.
Haven’t been to Hawaii, I’m sure it’ll be spectacular!!! Very jealous about NYC, I think you can never have enough time in this super exciting city. It’s been more than four years now since my last visit but there’s still so much on my bucket list. Will be interested to hear what staying in Brooklyn is like! Safe travels (when the time comes)!! 🙂
Aw cheers Kati. I think Hawaii would be right up your alley so you’ll have to go one day! At least it’s relatively inexpensive from Oz… although I’m a bit nervy about spending more than 3 hours on a Jetstar flight! Thank you x
Yep, agree, Hawaii could be amazing!! I think I’m a bit over beach/ocean at the moment (oops, did I say that in public IN AUSTRALIA?!!! 😉 ), I want MOUNTAINS!! But there’s a ton of hiking in Hawaii from what I’ve seen around the blogosphere, at least I think there is, so that should be exactly my kind of thing – except it’s always warm (is it??? I don’t know actually…). Anyway, hope you’ll have happy and safe flight home on Jetstar, yikes!
Haha fair enough! I’m craving them on the other hand… Melbourne does not do any favours in that regard. I think Hawaii does have a lot of nice hikes from what I’ve read and hopefully won’t be too hot in October… we’ll see. And yeah, it could really go either way! You have to pay for EVERYTHING, so I’ll make sure I have a book on my Kindle for the trip back! And thanks Kati. 🙂
So so excited for you! Have a wonderful trip (although I am sure you will 😛 ) Looking forward to reading about the lava fields
Thank you Nat! I look forward to writing about them.
Sounds like a fantastic way to spend three weeks! Richmond is almost like a little town of its own, and I love seeing the deer in the park. If you’re pushed for time, I’d choose Richmond over Kew (I felt the latter was a bit overhyped, but The Hive exhibition/structure is pretty cool). Love the look of those lava fields in Hawaii!
I have to admit, I may save Kew for a return visit when the Pagoda is reopened next year! Richmond will definitely happen though. They look amazing! I am very excited about seeing them in real life. No one has ever had anything bad to say about Hawaii, so pretty unreasonably excited about it.
Oh my, so jelly! I would absolutely LOVE to do the Big Island of Hawaii to see the lava… and I’ve been to Hawaii 5 times and never gotten there (-_-) Exciting times ahead for you, looking forward to your updates and photos! Safe travels 🙂
Dude, five times is bloody impressive! Sixth time a charm? Where else have you visited there? Yeah I’ll admit – I’m looking forward to getting some fresh content happening, haha. And thanks ?