Wednesday - We like, We love

Travel -  Warning: You may have urges to book a flight right after watching this!
If you are getting travel broody or even have a trip coming up soon, you should definitely watch the documentary film, Samsara. Directed by Ron Fricke, it took just over 4 years to film, over 25 countries and was filmed on an analogue camera. This not so traditional documentary will make you want to leave your 9 to 5 and travel for the rest of your life. Fitting when Samsara means the cycle of death and rebirth to which life to the material work is bound.
Next on my watch list... Baraka.

Skin - I am a little obsessed with toning mists at the moment. Since travelling I have been reaching for and since used up my Liz Earle Instant Boost Toning Spritzer. It helped keep my skin cool in hot sticky countries, and helped moisturise my skin now that winter is coming in Melbourne.
On the market for a new one, let me know if you have any for me to check out.

Fashion - Since arriving in Australia, I've been able to buy a couple of pieces of clothing. Yes, I did crack when I saw some sale signs! Oops.
Plus I have been working for some Melbourne based designers, so I can't really stroll into the studios in travel clothes. If you have been backpacking, you know what I mean!
I got a couple of things from Nasty Gal a little while ago and just ordered some items from the ASOS sale (if you haven't already, check it out!), I'm sure you'll be seeing them in the new few posts.

 Lifestyle - Now, Lets talk Cameras. For me, photography and travelling go hand in hand. We all want photos of places we've visited - to keep forever. I have been eyeing up a few cameras recently and want to have a good analogue camera so I don't have to steal the boyfriends all the time. I'm thinking either the Canon AE-1 or the Pentax K1000. If you have any recommendations, please drop me a message!
Another camera I am really interested in, and especially for travelling, is the GoPro. I think filming a lot of you trip is an awesome idea that I have never done. Decisions - decisions... hmm...!

Meeting the boys

The girls in my family are AWFUL at goodbyes, both my sister and I started crying around 5 days before I left... Oh dear!

Anyway, after a tearful goodbye, I jumped on a plane to Kuala Lumpur to meet Jordan and Dan.

Now, I roughly know my way around KL but not completely - And after a lot of horrible stories in the news about thief's, I was on high alert. 

I didn't want to get into a bad situation obviously, but more so, I didn't want my friends to have horrible memories of their first time in Malaysia! 

If you are going there soon, just watch your bags, don't put your phone on full display on the table, and just be vigilant BUT don't let it take over so you're not having a good time.

We wondered around, found an air conditioned route to the Petronas Tower, Score! 

Wondered the markets of China town and had a beer at the reggae bar. 

Now, I've visited KL a lot of times but I have never been to the top of the Petronas Towers, since I had the guys with me, we decided to do it! 

By the way, if you have an Malaysian IC card... You get a discount... And when I say discount, I mean RM25 for a ticket and the guys paid RM80! Another score! Well, for me anyway.

If you know of more places to go to in Kuala Lumpur, please share! I would love to check it out the next tie I'm there.

Next stop, Melaka!

How time flies, when you're travelling

Can you believe it's already been around 5 months since I left?

Sorry for my absence, never thought it would have been so hard to find time to sit down and write about my trip whilst I was away.

Luckily, I am now in Melbourne, Australia, settling here for a little while so I have some time in between jobs to write. 

Going back to my home country and spending time with family was the best idea EVER! I usually am only able to spend around 3 weeks at a time there but two and a half months was definitely better! 

Although, when I was leaving, I still felt like I should have stayed longer. Hopefully next time I can! 

Myself and my siblings are all very close, the only problem is we aren't close in distance. We all seem to be adventurous and move to different countries so it was brilliant to be living with my sister in Malaysia and seeing my cousins who I grew up with. 

I travelled between towns in East Malaysia, mostly based in Tawau, where my sister is currently living. Going back to my home town Sandakan - making my way to Kundasang and Kota Kinabalu seeing family in each place. 

After two months of eating my way through East Malaysia, I boarded a plane to West Malaysia to meet Jordan and Dan to carry on there! To be continued....

Here's some selected photo:

TOP 5 IPHONE APPS FOR TRAVELLING

1. B i g  D a y - E v e n t  C o u n t d o w n .

Now, this isn't completely necessary, but if you are anything like me - spending everyday, recounting down the days till your trip, then let this app do it for you!

The full app costs 69p and lets you have up to 20 countdowns at a time. You can set the date, picture and also name each one.
You can download Big Day Lite, which is for free, but you only get to have one countdown. so that would be perfect for holiday goers.

2 . X E  C u r  r e n c y .

Like the website, this free app allows you to see currency exchanges. Always a good idea to have when travelling.

3 . H o s t e l  W o r l d .

When backpacking a lot of people don't usually want to bring an expensive phone. I will be bringing my iPhone, as to me, with all the apps that can help in a lot of situations. Most importantly to me, contacting home!

Another reason is for apps like this. Whilst backpacking sometimes you are so exhausted from travelling, you just want to find a place to lay your head ASAP. This app allows you to search your current location or a different location for hostels. You can then read reviews, see the prices and book through this free app. That all gets a thumbs up if you ask me.

4 . G o o g l e   T r a n s l a t e .

Select to translate form one language to another. Simples.

5 . S k y p e .

Of course, this app would crop in there somewhere. Contacting friends and family all over the World is needed for those homesick days.
If you have an iPhone there is also Facetime, but not everyone (especially my mum) has an iPhone.
Just create an account before you go and start getting your friends to add you then you can speak and see each other without having to pay a penny. Just look for some free WIFI and you're sorted!

TOP 5 TRAVEL FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

1. L U S H  s h a m p o o  b a r s .

The most genius idea. Who knew it would work so well. As well as being a great shampoo to take with you on your travels it is also my shampoo of choice back at home. There are a few different ones for different hair types. I use the Seanik shampoo bar, sea salt to give it body with Irish moss and nori seaweed to soften it. It smells, well, lush!

Great idea for backpackers as it weighs less than a bottle and it lasts a good few months.
Plus, no spillages, no burst bottles over your edited travel wardrobe, so no sad faces!
Check them out here.

2. B o u r j o i s   M a g i c   N a i l   P o l i s h   R e m o v e r .

A great travel item if you have some extra space in your pack.
Yes, most people leave their nails bare whilst travelling, give them some fresh air after years of hiding under layers of paint. But if you are one for nail art then this bad boy might be for you.

No need for cotton pads, this Bourjois nail varnish remover uses a soaked sponge inside - So all you have to do is pop in your finger and twist. It claims to take 1 second but it's probably more like 4-6 Seconds.
You can pick these up for around £4.99 from Boots.

3. N A R S   -   T h e   M u l t i p l e .

Perfect for travellers who need one product to do multiple things.
This multi-purpose stick can be used on your eyes, lips and cheeks.

It's sheer application that blends easily is great for quick, effortless make up. Great for travelling as you don't want to spend ages doing your make up (If you decide to wear any), which means more time seeing amazing places! I have the shade Maui.

4. F L O   A t o m i z e r .

FLO is a small spray bottle that you fill up with your chosen fragrance.
There are two sizes, a 4.7ml and 6ml spray bottle.
If you're travelling, carrying a few different fragrances can take up too much precious room and if you, like me, have a few fragrances knocking about at home - It's a good idea to decant a perfume that you aren't taking with you so you have a selection without having to lug glass bottles around!


5. B l o t t i n g   p a p e r s .

Now, if you are going to a hot, sweaty country, you will most likely find these useful!
Having a grease ball of a face can never be a good look, and if you are one of those people who seem to pull it off - I want to know how you do it!

Having to keep adding powder to your face isn't always ideal, so using a blotting paper can take away all that shininess and keep your make up looking (a little more) fresh.
I've seen a pack in Boots before but if you are going to Asia, then save some pennies by buying them there. They are everywhere there and probably better too.


Are there any product you would recommend for travellers?

ROUTE IDEA #4

It has been a while since I have written a post! My, my has time flown!

Since my last post a lot has happened. Plans have changed, tickets have been booked, overtime overload, and the fringe is grown out.

Here is our brand spanking new route idea to get us back into it!