When my friends recapped their year, I was reminded of how I differed. It’s not boys, babies or career highlights that come to mind when evaluating the past year, but rather travel. The most cherished moments of my year were all intertwined with travel. Yet, as exciting and wonderful as travel is, it’s not always rainbows and on-time departures so here are my best and worst travel experiences of 2023 to ignite your wanderlust and serve as inspiration for your 2024 adventures.
👍 Albania
Albania received the award of being the 50th country I had visited, and I was excited to tick it off my bucket list. I thought Albania would be a highlight but has a disappointing start as passport control refused to stamp my passport despite my asking (several times). I’d been warned about Albania so didn’t push my luck. Albania was incredible and despite these warnings and the look on people’s faces when saying it was next on my list, I never once felt unsafe.
Our accommodation in Sarande was not only cheap but held stunning panoramic views of Corfu from our infinity-style pool where we had daily cocktails overlooking the ocean below. Albanian food proved to be the perfect mixture of Greek, Italian and Turkish food, accompanied with a 6 Euro (less than $10) price tag, for a carafe of cold local white wine.
If you are fortunate enough to set foot in southern Albania, ensure you visit The Blue Eye which is a beautiful vibrant blue natural spring so deep they are still unsure of the exact depth despite many divers taking the plunge! The water is only 10 degrees all year round which is ice cold for swimming and from personal experience, I can confirm this is very true!
Tip: Don’t watch Taken the night before leaving as I did!
Blue Eye, Albania
👎 Wildfires in Greece
Being in Corfu, one of Greece’s many islands, when the wildfires spread mid 2023 caused a degree of apprehension. We were set to leave the same day the fires began but they suspended all flights creating many concerned friends and family back home. We were severely delayed but made it back to London safely. Unfortunately, that meant I didn’t make my flight home to Australia as planned, however, a small price to pay considering the situation.
Taking off, we watched the black smoke look as though it was swallowing up the island and we saw the hero firefighters in helicopters attempting to get the blaze under control. As an Australian, we know how devastating bushfires can be and my heart goes out to the loved ones of those who didn’t make it as well as the properties and pets that were lost in the fire.
ABC Radio interviewed me upon my return and asked if I’d ever go back. I answered Yes, absolutely – Corfu is stunning, the people are generous and caring, the food is delicious, and the coastline is beyond picturesque.
View from our accommodation, the night before our flight from Corfu to England
👍 Business Class Experience
When flying with Qatar Airways on their Boeing 777 to Doha, I managed to bid on and win a business class upgrade meaning I spent the flight in one of their luxurious Qsuites. This reward meant I experienced taking off backwards which was an experience in itself, followed by a glass of Bordeaux, a scented refreshment towel and a Diptyque amenities bag.
After a perfectly presented three-course dinner and movie, the flight attendant made my ‘bed’ which was a flat bed with a mattress and multiple pillows. However, their Wi-Fi was quicker than my own home and their in-flight entertainment had over 100 movies to choose from so it’s safe to say I could have gotten a better night’s sleep, but it was certainly the best flight to date.
Qatar Business Class Qsuite
👎 Lost Luggage (again)
I’m renowned amongst my colleagues for my luggage not making it to its destination, but in 2022 when my two suitcases took a round-the-world trip to return to me (that’s three weeks in case you were wondering), I decided to finally invest in Air Tags. The following year, when returning home from London, my bags continued to travel on without me. I stayed in Perth for a night and knew almost immediately they had continued without me thanks to the clever tracking device.
Unfortunately, the baggage staff didn’t trust the new technology as much as I did, so I was told to wait until all bags were taken and submit a lost baggage report. Staying in the same clothes I’d travelled in for 24 hours wasn’t ideal, but my bag was waiting for me when I returned home as the app showed.
Tips: Remove all old airline tags and stickers, keep your baggage receipt and don’t check your bag in too late!
👎 Delays for days
It takes about nine hours to drive from Melbourne to Sydney. Air travel is (usually) the quickest way to get from A to B, however, our scheduled flight was cancelled due to the weather. Finally, our flight was rescheduled for three hours later before being, you guessed it, cancelled again. With queues out the door and passengers told to come back tomorrow, many eventually gave up and went home.
Bar hopping through the airport and politely begging to be put on standby for any possible flight, we finally scored ourselves two seats that evening. This flight was delayed a further three hours, but we did eventually take off. I foolishly commented to the flight attendant that the weather didn’t seem bad enough to have 12 cancelled flights that day – she agreed and only seconds later our plane was struck by lightning. Safe to say I won’t be changing professions to a meteorologist anytime soon! We landed safely in Sydney 12 hours after we left home and had a fantastic trip.
The upside is I can now tell you how much a glass of wine costs in every airport bar at Tullamarine.
👍 To Sua Ocean Trench
On the main island of Upolu in Samoa, this stunning ocean trench is a natural phenomenon. Whilst it was terrifying to climb down the trench’s accompanying 30-metre ladder, my apprehension quickly turned into excitement as I swam in the turquoise waters below. It’s one of the few places in the world where even the best Instagram pictures just don’t do it justice! Meaning ‘Giant Swimming Hole’, To Sua Ocean Trench is connected to the ocean via an underwater cave, although Samoan Tourism makes it very clear this is for experienced divers only!
Tip: If you have reef shoes this would make the final steps feel less slippery.
To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa
👍 Litchfield National Park, Darwin
Litchfield is a must-see if you are fortunate enough to find yourself in the Top End. The park is home to several stunning waterfalls that cascade into clear pools, iconic magnetic termite mounds and an array of flora and fauna. We visited in May and were encouraged not to swim in Wangi Falls as the locals believed there was still a crocodile lurking (shortly after the news informed us someone was attacked so I’m glad we listened)! Hours were spent walking among the various water holes and falls, swimming and relaxing at Buley Rockhole (which was supposed to be named Bluey, but it was spelt incorrectly and never corrected) and ending our day at the far busier, but equally beautiful, Florence Falls.
Tip: Check for closures before your visit and only swim in designated swimming areas.
Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory
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