Traveller Profile - Sian
I would love to introduce you to Sian, our featured traveller of the month for July.
Hey there!
Sian is my name, and exploring is my game. I was born and raised in Sydney and proudly call Australia my home. I am currently studying Occupational Therapy (OT) and work as an OT Assistant. I work with individuals of all ages with a range of disabilities who continuously remind me every day to enjoy the simple/little things in life, so that’s what I do! Any spare time I get, I spend it exploring local areas of Sydney or venturing out a bit further for longer road trips. I have travel goals for 2022-23 (depending on covid restrictions, I’ll be happy with just one!!).
1: Plan a solo road trip down south before my final university year kicks off;
2: Complete my final eight week OT placement in Indonesia with Bali Sports Institute; and
3: Plan a campervan New Zealand trip with my best friend.
You can follow me, my adventures and my OT life on Instagram at @explorewithsian_
1. Why do you travel?
My adventure days have just been something I loved doing and sharing with people for a few years now. Still, looking back on the past year, I have realised it is actually a part of my identity. I find that exploring opens up endless opportunities of meeting new people, seeing new places, learning new cultures and experiencing the natural wonders of the world in person rather than through a book or show. It also purely gets me out of my comfort zone (- aka being wrapped up in a blanket burrito in front of a good show). Being able to spend a day, or even just a few hours, exploring a new area or visiting a favourite spot, really helps ground me and helps me forget any of my problems at that moment.
At the end of the day, I travel to look back on old photographs with my own children and grandchildren and show them all the cool places I have been to and that life has so much to offer.
2. Tell us your favourite: place to visit, mode of transport and source to get travel info
Place: Hmm, I can never pick just one favourite, but my longest-standing favourite place to visit would be Mooloolaba, Queensland. This area will forever hold a special place in my heart. I also love it so much as it simply just sounds cool to say, and it has a literal ‘loo with a view’ listed as a scenic lookout (don’t believe me, check it out for yourself, ahah).
Transport: Walking!! I could easily spend every day of the week full of walking to places and still not get sick of it. I find you get to enjoy the full experience of your destination and do things at your own pace. Also, I get to stop at any point to admire the view/scenery which makes the destination more rewarding.
Source: I much prefer reading through blogs from other explorers rather than a Google search. I also like to reach out to other Instagram accounts I know who have previously visited a place I am interested in going. These resources for travel info/tips include up to date, accurate, realistic and clear explanations. I also love hearing about other people’s experiences at certain locations. Connecting to other travelling accounts and sharing tips, tricks and recommendations really brings the community together.
3. What is your favourite travel memory?
Again picking favourites is impossible, but two immediately come to mind.
First overseas trip to Vietnam: My best friend and I had organised a last-minute, impulse trip to Vietnam, where we planned to catch a flight shortly after her last university exam, with no guarantee I would even have my passport in time. Safe to say, we made it to Vietnam with no issues. But I believe we experienced the culture in the best way possible as this wasn’t a holiday going from destination to destination. We spent our time volunteering in a local daycare centre for children with disabilities. Our accommodation was set up by the volunteer organisation where all the volunteers and program managers shared breakfast, dinners, bedrooms and late-night rice wine fun with locals. We truly got to experience Vietnam in the eyes of a local rather than just a tourist.
Overnight stay in the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation: After walking to Kulki Lookout along the water's edge where the beach meets the rainforest, we came back just in time for sunset. And boy, it did not disappoint, the entire sky was filled with pink and purple shades, like cotton candy, that bounced off the water. We could hear nothing but the slow waves crashing and the endless sounds of nature and singing cicadas. After the sun was set, we started up a fire where other guests (mainly couples) soon joined us and we all shared stories, and numerous beers throughout the night.
4. What's the most important thing you've learned while travelling?
Be open to anything, having a yes-man mentality (within reasonable doubt)!
On one of my last days in Vietnam, my friend and I had booked a food tour and made a deal together that we had to say yes to trying EVERYTHING that was offered. Thus, this pact provided us with some of the funniest and greatest memories of our trip.
5. Who would you love to sit next to on your next flight?
Either Tom Hanks - from past experience if any issues arise (re Castaway) OR Ed Sheeran - to purely sing me to sleep.
6. What's your best money-saving tip to travel?
Always take food and water with you - this is a time saver too!
Check discount apps (eg. Groupon, Scoopon) for package deals, Trivago website to find cheapest accommodation prices and NRMA app to find cheapest petrol prices.
7. How do you deal with the post-holiday blues?
I manage this in a few ways, but my go to is looking back on the pictures and videos taken on the trip. I also may post throwback pictures on social media.
The best way I deal with this though is planning the next one!!
8. What's one thing you like to do in every place you visit?
First, I like to take in the view: stand still, breathe in the air and just look at what's around. I then love to take photos from my phone to always have a reminder of the day and the memories it holds. This also helps me keep track of places I’ve been and what they looked like at that time.
9. Travelling can leave a big environmental footprint, how do you minimise yours?
Reduce my use of disposable plastics
Always use a reusable drinking bottle
I pick up and dispose of rubbish I may come across
Support local businesses rather than large chain stores
10. Plan an around the world trip for us, stopping in one city only on each continent.
(some are not cities and I’m not even sorry about it)
Western Australia: starting from Cape Le Grand following the coast up to Kalbarri.
Palawan, Philippines: guided boat tour, kayak, diving/snorkeling, island hopping tour
Blue Lagoon, Iceland: if you know, you know
Cappadocia, Turkey: sunrise hot air balloon, tours or hike through the Valleys
Bern, Switzerland: simply explore areas such as Interlaken, Grindelwald
Zimbabwe, South Africa: check out Devils Pool Victoria Falls, nearby National Parks, and head out to Kruger National Park
Buenos Aires, Argentina: ticking off Iguazu Falls, glaciers, Patagonia
Lethbridge, Canada: Glacier National Park
Thanks, Sian. You are such a good storyteller. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.
To read past traveller profiles; click here.
Each month an enthusiastic traveller will share with us their personal stories from their adventures around the world. If you would like to be featured in the upcoming months then please drop us a note below…