Progression

Hey Guys!
Appologies for the severe lack of posts but in all honesty.. there hasnt been much travel related things for me to give updates on - although i wish there was!

Had a testing few weeks at home with various aspects of my life so im now even more focused on getting away!
I have met up with my cousin again since my last post and he visited our family in australia for a few weeks; which looked awesome.
Also he created an incredible video with his 'gopro' camera which gives a great perspective on the whole idea of travelling.

We have begun our initial plan of where we intend to visit which features a range of places throughout Thailand, Borneo, the east coast of Australia and also hopefully Tonga again. Getting these thoughts down on paper and looking at maps makes me want to get the ball rolling even more!
Speaking of Tonga, i am hoping to be able to visit my friends there and help out with a camp which will hopefully be created by some awesome people called Chris and Ashley. Chris and Ashley have a blog which i totally reccomend you take a look at its called: http://theadventuresoftongaman.blogspot.co.uk/
I am hoping to be able to go and help with their camp 'One Love' when it is fully established in order to help get kids off the streets and into learning useful things to help keep them out of trouble and hopefully give them a better future!


So... what have i been doing for the past few weeks?
well to begin i have been working most days, which i am not really used to but having an end goal (a rather exciting one) really helps. Its strange seeing everyone at uni and nearing the end of their first year, but at the same time - although it feels as though im missing out - i feel like im experiencing different, equally as exciting things so it balances itself out i guess!

A few weeks ago I managed to skype Chris and Sam in Tonga, it was so strange being able to hear their voices and see them from the other side of the world. Chris even mentioned possibly building me my own hut over there which would be amazing!

Also I have received another letter from Sam that I need to reply to, reading the address hand written across the back of the white envelope makes me think of the tiny island of which it has travelled to me from. I find it much more personal and exciting sending letters rather than just facebook messaging or emailing people - it adds more of a connection. 

I am hoping to look into leaving in around September, however it's totally dependant on funds. 

A few weeks ago I came across an incredible deal hosted by 'STA travel'. They were offering a one way ticket to australia and a working holiday visa for around £498! However, as tempted as I was to take the offer it would mean leaving around June and I wouldn't have had a suitable amount of funding and I didn't want to rush into booking it.

So as it stands I am still looking at dates and I have figured out all the seasons and the places I want to go perfectly for if we leave in September, so that's pretty good as it all works out and can be altered if needs be. 

Hoping to skype Chris and Sam soon to catch up and to give more updates!

'Ofa 

(Love in Tongan)

The Letter and the Decision

Okay so, since writing my last post I have received a letter addressed from my friend Sam in The Kingdom of Tonga. It was awesome to have this appear through the letterbox and to open it up, knowing that it had been written on the other side of the world. 

Here is a picture of me with my letter from Sam 

Just so people don't get confused I have Sam, my friend in Tonga and Sam, my cousin in England. There's so many Sams! Hehe.

After reading the letter I decided I needed to reply soon - Sam's letter had been posted on the 22nd of December and it had only arrived in late January! After around 5 days I have finally finished my reply, it's six pages long and explains a bit about my background and what I've been doing since getting back to England; such as finding work and visiting friends. A large majority of my letter was focused around a huge decision I am currently having to make...to travel more or go to university.

I have been struggling with this decision since I have been back. On one hand university is a really valuable experience, and benefits you in the long run. However I also have good opportunities to travel again and that is where my heart is set. For days I have slipped in between the two choices and with friends and family giving me different opinions it has been really hard to decide. Has anyone else struggled with such a decision? Or is currently trying to decide? Let me know!

After about a month or so I sent a message to my older cousin Sam; Sam is an awesome guy, totally chilled and inspirational. We had a conversation regarding what was going on presently in both of our lives and he explained his similar passion for travelling and where he would like to visit. We found that we shared a common interest of travelling and also wished to explore the same places.

Our messages went a little like this: 

Sam: "I want to know all about your trip! We should meet up me you and my bro! xxxxx"

Hayley: "I was going to ask you what your plans where actually!! Regarding the whole travelling thing! I'm in a predicament at the moment and don't know what to do about if I should go to uni (cause I have a place) or travel more :( it's so confusing! Haha xxx 

But yes can we ? That'd be good :) xx"

Sam: "Well I'm going to oz and America the beginning of this year and then I'm guna save more and hopefully either end up in Thailand later on in the year or do some volunteering! But I would love to know about all the things you've done! Where would you go travelling again? I would say do as much travelling as you can when your this age! I still want Togo to uni and I'm 22! You can do that anytime! But yeah we need to meet up! When are you free? xxxxx"

When we met up we discussed mutual places we would like to visit and decided on a possible outline of an idea. Also I must admit I talked for absolutely ages about my travels and stories - poor Sam! 

After having a think for a few more days I had finally made a decision and sent a message to my cousin:

Hayley: Sammy!! I've made up my mind!

Sam: Hahahahha wooooooo

          What have u decided?

Hayley: Shall I start growing my dreads now or? ;)

Sam: Hell yeah cuzzeeeeee

Ah! So now to start my research! 

We have decided on three main places that we would like to visit Thailand, Australia and Tonga. If anyone has any tips or extra information on any of these places it'd be great to hear from you. Obviously I have already visited Australia and Tonga but any extra help would be awesome.

While I was trying to make this major decision in my life I found some pretty apt quotes which brought me some inspiration and will hopefully bring some to other people:

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs

"I just wanna go on more adventures. Be around good energy. Connect with people. Learn new things. Grow." - Kid Cudi

“The most dangerous risk of all– the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” - Randy Komisar

So now the hard work begins, saving up and working almost every day to make this happen.

One last thing. I have learnt from meeting many different people around the world that lots of people want to travel but believe it is near impossible or 'risky' in the idea that it is breaking the norm. 

Well I hope to keep blogging to prove that the world is here to be explored and that it is completely possible and hopefully show that not everyone has to go to university or earn lots of money to achieve their dream.

Stay tuned. 

Peace

A little bit of the journey so far...

Thursday August 1st 2013. This was the day I headed to Heathrow airport, best friend in tow, for one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.

Last year I had to make the decision between finishing college and going straight to uni, or taking a gap year and exploring the world. Elise and I came to a conclusion and not once have I regretted my decision! Usually most people from the UK take their first trip close to home, however Elise and I went to the other side of the world; literally, grab a globe, put one finger on England and it's as far away as you can get! 

We began by catching a 12 hour flight to New Zealand, changing in Kuala Lumper, and staying over night in Auckland to wait for our flight to The Kingdom of Tonga. 

Tongatapu was the most beautiful and friendly place I have ever seen, it was not tarnished with tourists and was culturally rich. 

Elise and I saw many different aspects of the country which was a really valuable experience, we were invited into people's homes and met so many amazing people thus thoroughly enjoying every minute of our time there. 

Tongatapu is the true ideal of an island paradise with white sandy beaches, tall palm trees and a pure sense of tranquility.

There were a few things we had to get used to such as the food, which is very different from what we were used to in the UK but it was all part of the experience.

We did many things in Tonga, such as whale watching, exploring the island on scooters and we also visited near-by islands 'Eua and Pangimotu by boat which were uniquely beautiful experiences in themselves. 

In Tonga one of the incredible people we met was a man from the US called Chris. He was a really inspiring person and had built his own home from bamboo and other natural resources which was amazing to see and totally put my views on life into perspective, changing what I wanted to achieve.

We learnt so much here and I would love to go back, it's such a beautiful place and I would love to help make a difference there in the island paradise.

Elise and I then went in Seperate directions. Elise made her way down New Zealand whilst I saw my family in Australia for the first time in about 5 years. While Elise made her way through distant relatives, I visited mine and also had the chance to have a couple of days in Sydney. 

When the time came for Elise to rejoin me in Australia we decided to explore Adelaide and then venture over to Melbourne via a VERY long bus journey - which was definitely worth it (we made a few random friends and stayed in a youth hostel!)

Australia was a fun filled adventure full of new experiences, family and a whole lot of laughs!

Oh and can't forget the kangaroos!!

This is just a short snippet of some of our previous adventures from last year but just thought I would give a little update. Might give a bit more details soon and keep you updated on my future plans, so stay tuned! 

P.s here are a few pictures from our travels.

Enjoy!

The Beginning

Well hello there, my name is Hayley and i have decided to start a blog. why? because i feel like i can inspire other people and also discuss crucial things that people may be able to relate to.

This Is Me:

Things im passionate about: Travel, Living Life, The Media and Journalism, Music, Film, Culture, Radio and Television, Animals, Exploring, Fashion, Hippy Things and Freedom.

I have been through a lot in my life which has taught me a multitude of lessons and i hope that i can help other people, document my decisions/travels/ideas and entertain people through my blog.

Peace.