No Fixed Plans

The second offical day of the tour was spent with 6 hours of travelling to Tena, were we were doing a homestay in the Amazon. We finally got there at 2pm (after leaving at 8am) where we had lunch, quickly put our bags away and then proceeded for this nature walk. During this walk, we all started getting these mud masks on our faces, where at the end we were interrupted due rain starting to pour. 

After drying off, showering and changing, we all went down to dinner, which was broccoli soup, fish that we deboned while eating, and plantain. After that, most stayed to play cards while a few of us ended off to do our night routines. 

The third day of the tour started early due to us doing a waterfall walk. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, mushed banana mixed with stuff that we couldn’t quite figure out (but was still alright), and a piece of pineapple. 

We then got a history lesson where we got shown different talag symbols and had the meaning explained to us. 

We then started our waterfall walk, which took about 3 hours as there was three waterfalls to climb up, just using rope to help pull us. They kept getting harder and harder as we kept going. We ended up at this waterfall which we all took pictures with but were told we weren’t going to climb up due to safety concerns. We started to head back down (which to many was scarier than coming up). We all changed and headed down to lunch. We all got green beans, carrots, rice and potato and while I got some kidney beans in a sauce, everyone else got chicken, still on the bone. 

After lunch we all hung around for a bit before most went on a nature walk to learn about medicinal plants while a few of us hung behind to read. 

We got collected before dinner to learn about marriage ceremonies and performed one ourselves (I was the bride) and then headed off for dinner which was lentils for me, monkey for everyone else. We all hung around a bit before going to bed.

Day 3 we all started early at 8am for breakfast before 7 of us went to do white water rafting

Before we started we were all a little scared that we were gonna die (nerves which was not calmed by our guide telling us to gather for our “final” photo) but it all turned out fine, with us being on the water for about 4 hours. We only hit one really turbulent area where everyone got thrown out of the boat (except me and the guide) before we headed off to shore and back to our group. 

We had to pack our stuff and then head to a different lodge where majority went off to cycle (again I stayed behind) which took them about 2 hours. We had a snack before dinner, learned exactly how they make chocolate and then went and had dinner. We all headed to bed decently early due to our travel day the next day starting at 7:20

When I first got to the hotel, we were told we had to pay $10USD each to get into our rooms, but after I paid they let us both in, Millie (the other tour member) on an IOU. We put our stuff away and then went out to look at some of the shops (most were closed as they tend to open at 10am and it was 9:30am) and to get Millie some USD. We gave up with the shopping (and were both desperate for a shower) so we decided to go back to the hotel and try again later. 

However, after the shower Millie felt like sleeping so I decided to go out by myself. I took some photos and saw some of the food options, which is where I realised I hadn’t eaten for 18 hours. I settled on this cafe, where I got an iced coffee and vegetarian sandwich (which was stuffed) for USD$7.80. 

I went back to the hotel and ended up crashing for 13 hours. 

Now, it was the offical start of the G adventures tour, however we weren’t actually doing anything with the group until 6pm that night. 

When I woke up at 3am, I called my mum and after started to look up some tours to do for that day, as I didn’t want to stay at the hotel for the whole day. 

I found this one that was a private tour that started by going up the cable cars to the top of the mountains. The tour guide explained that the mountains are often given male and female personalities (some are considered children too) and that their people often see them as protecting them. 

After coming down, we saw this neo gothic church, which was the first in Quito. There was a massive Spanish influence within the design. There’s 24 provinces in Quito so they had 24 different stained glasses to represent each province. They also put in a lot hearts, to represent being welcomed into gods heart. If you stood towards the front of the church and looked through the heart, you could see a Virgin Mary statue that stood on a hill through the window. 

We then went to this chocolate shop where I got a demonstration of exactly how chocolates made, from the fruit to the shelf. He let me taste the fruit and crack one of the beans. He explained that the shells get made into these energy tea shots and let me try it. He then showed me the machines they use to make it into the liquid chocolate and let me taste it at different stages. He then started showing me all of the different chocolates that he sold and let me try each, as well as this blueberry praline he had in a different cabinet. 

We then trekked through some of the streets, where I realised they let people walk on top of roofs to take photos with no safety equipment. 

Then it was time for the equator line. They went through the process of chocolate making again (however in no where near as much detail), showed us some native animals to the Amazon as well as hunting tools, and then took us to the main event. We did an egg balancing challenge (no one in my group did it but two people in the group before us did) and then we had to walk in a straight line with our eyes closed across the equator line. I was the only person in my group able to this. 

After this, I went back the hotel where I was planning on just relaxing in my hotel (it was about 2pm) but then a couple people in my group were planning to go to the shops so I decided to go with them. We went looking for a different atm and ended up back at the hotel at 5:30pm, which gave us just enough time to get organised for the group meeting/ dinner. We all meet, introduced ourselves and got informed about how the first two weeks were going to go. We then got taxis to dinner (and Ubers back) where we all started getting to know each other a little better before all of us wanted to go to bed and get ready for our early morning the next day. 

Earlier this year, I travelled to Hawaii with my mum (Lana), aunt (Kara), and some friends. We went for 14 days on a girls’ trip for my mum’s 50th birthday. This was a trip that had been in the works for 18 months and finally came to life on the 28th of August.

We arrived well before check-in time at the hotel but still made our way to the Pacific Monarch Hotel, hoping that at least one of the five rooms we booked would be ready. To our luck, four of the five rooms were. We headed up, and the one friend whose room wasn’t ready (Lorrie) stored her bag in one of the available rooms. Then we decided to check out the International Marketplace. We looked around Target, settled on some of our breakfast options, scoped out a few restaurants, and then headed over to the ABC Stores for lunch.

While there, we also noticed a Honolulu Cookie Company shop. Mum, Kara, and I had visited one six years ago and couldn’t wait to go back (Kara and I especially). When we went in 2019, these shops were hard to find, but they must have boomed after COVID — and thus began mine and Kara’s game for the rest of the trip: to see who could get the most free samples at the end of each day.

The thing that’s been at the top of my mum’s bucket list for a few years now is going on a helicopter ride. We talked about doing one early in the planning stages but decided that most companies were just too expensive and that the money was better spent elsewhere. After a lot of thinking and comparing companies, my brother (Harry), his girlfriend (Bonnie), and I decided we wanted to help Mum achieve one of her dreams and surprise her with it as her birthday present.

We found that Magnum PI Hughes had the best value, offering a 50-minute ride all around the island for AUD $578.11 per person. For reference, most other companies were offering 10–15 minute tours for a similar (if not higher) price. Going with this company was definitely the right move — especially towards the end of our trip, as we got to see from the sky some of the places we’d already visited. Magnum was amazing: they took lots of photos of us in and outside the helicopter, made sure we were comfortable with the safety precautions, and checked in when Mum and I were running late (we were exhausted from a false fire alarm at 1 a.m. and had trouble getting an Uber). They couldn’t reach us though, since I forgot they only had my phone number and I didn’t have access to it at the time.

Fifty minutes felt like the perfect amount of time, and I would highly recommend the experience.

Another highlight for me personally was waterfall rappelling. I found this on TripAdvisor — Chasing Waterfalls: Wild Hawaii Rappelling. I was the only one in my group interested, which I found a bit strange — who wouldn’t want to walk backwards down a rocky mountain while holding onto a rope tied to a tree? But to each their own. The tour cost USD $315, and I added a USD $100 package for drone footage and 100 photos.

Our tour guide, Caleb (it’s his own business), was super knowledgeable about the local wildlife and nature. Upon arrival at the trail, he lets you choose which waterfall to go to. Since I’m not the fittest person and my legs were still aching from the Diamond Head hike the day before, I opted for the smaller one (which is still by no means small) and comes with a shorter hike.

In the past, I’ve gone skydiving, bungee jumping, and abseiling — and if you’re into the same kind of activities, I would highly recommend this tour.

We filled most of our days with activities like those mentioned above, as well as Cirque du Soleil, the zoo, and the shopping centre. While many of these places are within walking distance, Uber costs can add up quickly. The good thing to note, though, is that Honolulu has an excellent public transport system. All you need to do is buy a pass from an ABC Store (you’ll have no trouble finding one — they’re on almost every corner) for around USD $5, and download the Transit app (green logo). The app is super easy to use and lets you track your trip on your lock screen, even showing how many stops you have left.

Honolulu is an amazing place to visit for all ages and will definitely be a well-enjoyed trip for anyone who goes. 🌺

I’m a 19 year old traveler chasing cheap flights and every story I can collect along the way

I started this blog because I didn’t want to wait until I “had it all figured out” to see the world – spoiler: you never really do. So instead of staying home and wondering what’s out there, I packed a backpack, booked a ticket, and decided to find out for myself.

At 12, we went on a family to Bali and at 14 to Hawaii (with a few interstate trips in between) and then Covid struck and we couldn’t travel anywhere. That’s what initially made me decide I wanted to travel anywhere and everywhere, any opportunity I could.

Since then, I’ve gone interstate to Cairns in February 2024, where I got to tick off 2 things off my bucket list (skydive and bungee jump), explore all throughout Europe in April/May 2024 with my Uncle Nathan for a month (which was also my first time on a group tour for the whole trip), and Hawai’i in August/September 2025 for 2 weeks as a girls trip for my mums 50th. This was for 2 weeks, where we went back to Pearl Harbour, did a 50 minute helicopter trip that went around the island (as my mums present) and I got to go rappelling down one of their waterfalls (surprisingly no one wanted to join me for this).

My upcoming trips include going to South America next year on a group tour (June- September 2026) where I’m visiting Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica. I’ll get to go through the Amazon, see the top of Machu Picchu, experience the coffee culture in Colombia and Zip line in Monteverde, just to name a few things. On this trip I’ll also get to tick off a couple things off my bucket list; going across the salt flats in Bolivia and see one of their wonders of the world in Brazil (Christ of Redeemer).

In November 2026, I’m also going on a 10 day Indian Pacific train trip with my Uncle Nathan, where we’ll be in the train for 4 nights and in Perth for 6 days.

In the planning stages is also a 4 week trip to Japan with Cousin Erin, where we’re planing on staying in many different cities, and potentially Asia and Europe in 2028 with my Uncle Nathan.

I don’t know exactly where I’m headed (or how many wrong turns I’ll take getting there), but this is just the start. Here’s to new cities, new stories and being able to travel the world.