In my line of work I am privileged to meet some incredibly interesting and talented individuals. While we all share a passion for travel, our personal and professional backgrounds are often very different. It is those differences that make travel such a dynamic and exciting industry to be in, right now. Travel content creators are constantly coming up with new and innovative ways to share their unique stories, while traversing the globe. I asked a few to reflect on their year of travel; their experiences and lessons learned and to reveal the bucket list destinations on their itineraries for 2017.
Sarah O’Farrell from Fit Travels specialises in slow travel around South East Asia, coconut in hand. Image © Sarah O’Farrell
Sarah O’Farrell | Fit Travels
Currently based in Melbourne, Sarah spends a lot of time in South East Asia where she soaks up the warm weather, enjoys the beautiful beaches and savours the spicy food. She shares her experiences on her blog, Fit Travels.
Share your favourite travel moment from 2016 with us…
This year I was fortunate to be selected as the Australian representative on the Kerala Blog Express. I spent two weeks travelling through the Southern Indian state of Kerala with 30 bloggers from 25 different countries. We stayed in some amazing resorts, ate delicious food and I made some lifelong friends.
Do you have a nightmare moment from this year?
I was in the same room, attending the same (intimate) dinner as Miss World Australia and the four runners-up in Thailand this year. That’s a moment that will definitely make you regret the chocolate bar you just ate.
Who has inspired you most this year and why?
Gosh – this is a tough one and I can’t just give you one name so here goes:
My sister – For finishing a degree where she will make a difference in other people’s lives, and always puts playing with her kids before having a clean house.
My Mummy friends and relatives – All of these women are superheroes in my eyes. I’ve got women in my life who have four kids, have kids and work full-time, have a child with special needs and have a child plus run their own business. There’s a certain level of patience once acquires when becoming a mother and that’s something to be envious of if you’re not there yet!
Every single blogger I’ve met – I love how blogging can be so varied and I think I’ve learnt something from every blogger I’ve met this year (and it’s a big list!) It’s a hard job to do full-time and I admire those that have the drive to create their own success.
What is the best lesson 2016 has taught you?
There is no ‘right’ formula for success or happiness. Both can be determined by the individual.
What is on your travel itinerary for 2017?
I’m hoping to do a week or so in Bali and Thailand very soon (we are lacking sunshine here in Melbourne.) Plus we’re doing a week long family holiday to the Gold Coast for my mother in law’s 60th birthday in April. Eight adults and six kids! I’m actually looking forward to it as three of my nieces/nephews have never been on a plane before so I can’t wait to share that experience with them.
Name the three destinations that are now at the top of your bucket list?
1. Not a destination as such but the Trans Siberian Train journey from China to Russia is at the top of my list
2. Iran
3. Myanmar – I’ve been here twice before (2013 and 2014) but I’d love to see how much it’s changed since.
Can you share one big 2017 life goal with us?
Continue to put myself out there and meet fabulous people, just like you Skye.
Cruising the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam was Kerri McConnel’s favourite travel moment for 2016. Image © Kerri McConnel
Kerri McConnel | Beer and Croissants
Kerri McConnel believes that anyone can travel. She writes about real people, places and experiences that she encounters on her travels – whether it be in a motor home or a luxury hotel.
Share your favourite travel moment from 2016 with us…
Ticking off a dream to cruise along the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam was my favourite moment this year. It’s one of those experiences that I imagine I won’t do again, so I was keen to make the most of it. To cap it all off, we had a wonderful river boat all to ourselves for three days.
Do you have a nightmare moment from this year?
I don’t usually have any nightmare moments, but this year I did, courtesy of a dangerous boat situation in remote Indonesia. A small, closed in fibreglass boat, no suitable exit and a driver smoking over the top of open petrol barrels as we boarded was more than enough to make me disembark.
Who has inspired you most this year and why?
What is the best lesson 2016 has taught you?
In a an online world that can be incredibly singular and self-devoted, I have learnt I can still make a difference in the lives of others by helping them with support and advice when necessary. By actively being part of forums, there is an opportunity to always give back and improve someones day.
What is on your travel itinerary for 2017?
This is always in a state of flux but I hope to get to India in March and also western Canada. I’ve also now been away from Europe for 12 months so I’m getting itchy feet to return.
Name the three destinations that are now at the top of your bucket list?
I don’t have bucket lists as I change my mind too often but I’d love to see these places soon – Western Canada and Alaska, Africa and Scandinavia.
Can you share one big 2017 life goal with us?
To travel more with my husband and to ensure I stay as fit and healthy as I am now.
Australian photographer and journalist Jackson Groves lives an enviable life of adventure. Image © Rob Mulally
Jackson Groves | Journey Era
Jackson is a 25-year-old journalist and a photographer from Adelaide, Australia who opted for exploration rather than a regular career after graduating from college. He now spends his days photographing people and places from around the world while sharing his adventures on Journey Era
Share your favourite travel moment from 2016 with us…
After sleeping on the deck of our sailboat in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, the rising sun was my alarm clock. I watched the sun creep over the horizon giving light to the other boats in the harbour. Captain Jack had promised me if the boat wasn’t moving I could jump from the mast. Our entire time on the ship it had either been moving or we were touring a specific location. Without any other thought on my mind I found Jack and asked him one last time if it was fine and then headed up the mast. While climbing the rickety old wooden ladder 50 feet or so above the deck I had no second thoughts and everything felt right. A drone buzzed around me and cameras and necks were arched up towards me from the deck. I flew off and plunged into the blue waters of Labuan Bajo, capping off an amazing journey throughout Indonesia.
Do you have a nightmare moment from this year?
I actually don’t it was a seamless year of backpacking and hiking with no dramatic moments or run-ins. Not once throughout my six months in Southeast Asia did I encounter any problems. Maybe because I am 6ft tall, bearded and have a long mane of hair. Who knows but I hope it stays that way.
Who has inspired you most this year and why?
I feed off people’s energy, drive and originality. So if you tick any of those three boxes you will have impacted me in some way or another. While on a trip to Indonesia I really fed off the energy of Rob Mulally, a professional photographer from Sydney. The guy would sprint along the beach to change a lens as the sun was setting and then throw himself down into the sand to find the right angle.
I found a lot of inspiration from the people I met who were living in villages and towns in Southeast Asia. There were far too many smiles around for the amount of hard work being done and the living conditions endured.
What is the best lesson 2016 has taught you?
2016 wow what didn’t you teach me. I think something I have learnt to do is to have the ability to listen to an entirely different point of view, religion or culture and not feel the need to compare or rationalize to my own beliefs, outlook or perspective. I’ve met hundreds of travelers and many locals while backpacking. I quickly gathered that the ability to listen despite how wrong, misguided or out of touch you think someone’s views are is the quickest way to make a friend on the road.
What is on your travel itinerary for 2017?
Who knows! I don’t plan too far ahead but I am hoping to visit India in early 2017 after spending time exploring the coast of South Australia, which is my home state. What happens after that I will have to wait and see.
Name the three destinations that are now at the top of your bucket list?
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Siargao, Philippines
Alice Springs, Australia
Can you share one big 2017 life goal with us?
Humanitarian work is high on my agenda and something I hope will be a big part of 2017.
One to watch: Anita Hendrieka has a huge year of travel planned for 2017. Image © Anita Hendrieka
Anita Hendrieka | Anita Hendrieka
Anita Hendrieka left NZ at the tender age of 19 to explore the world and share her stories through her adventure travel blog Anita Hendrieka. Now you can find her in New Zealand, United Kingdom or anywhere in between.
Share your favourite travel moment from 2016 with us…
My favourite travel moment would have to be discovering an absolute paradise called Palu Bay in Sulawesi, Indonesia. It just took my breath away, I could not put the camera down. Just imagine white sand beach, turquoise water, colourful huts and an ice-cold Bintang.
Do you have a nightmare moment from this year?
Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to go to Kerala, India. This was my second time in India so I knew what to expect except this time I was going with a bunch of beer-loving bloggers. Let’s just say I have learnt my lesson about drinking too much beer, combined with never-ending Indian food and staying in a pool until 5am during a lightning storm. It took me over a week to recover from brutal stomach ulcers when I returned home. It was certainly a trip of a lifetime.
Who has inspired you most in this year and why?
Janet from the website Journalist on the Run. She is absolutely killing the blogging game with her interesting stories and honesty about how travelling is not always perfe