I created the “Travellers’ Tales” section to give my readers and other travellers an opportunity to talk about their travels. Today I would like to introduce you to Nicole LaBarge , a travel blogger based in New Zealand. Visit her blog at Travelgal Nicole .
I would love to hear about your travels too. Go to “Travellers’ Tales” , fill in the quick questionnaire and email it to me with your blog links.
Read about Nicole’s travels here,
Hi. I’m Nicole and I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, USA. I had my first taste of travel when I was 16 years old and went to France for my high school French class. Ever since then I have been hooked and I like to call myself a travel-holic, not workaholic. From there I spent a summer volunteering for Save the Rainforest in Panama before college, studied my junior year abroad in Scotland and moved to London right after I graduated.
I lived in London for two years before moving to Japan for a year and then onto New Zealand where I have been for the last 12 years. You could say that I am a serial expat as I have lived in five different countries to date.
It is my goal to visit all 193 UN countries and I’m about halfway there with 97 countries to date. In 2015, I spent six months in Africa travelling from Cairo to Cape Town. I just finished a trip to the Central Pacific where I was off the beaten path visiting countries such as Nauru, Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Micronesia.
In March I am off to South America for 5 months while backpacking around and visiting all the sites. I’m so looking forward to visiting Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu and Colombia!
When I was 10, I took my first plane ride to Memphis, Tennessee to visit my Aunt. I clearly remember visiting Graceland and the Peabody Hotel where they have ducks that live in the hotel and everyday they travel through the hotel down to the water fountain to spend their day. There was a lot of character to Memphis and I really enjoyed it.
Over the Christmas I visited some lesser known countries such as Nauru, Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Micronesia. It’s insane to think that people live in these countries in the middle of the Pacific. I spent most of my time in Micronesia which is more developed than the other islands but still quite remote.
I took a tour of the island in Micronesia and there is so much history there from World War II. I was also able to go kayaking through the mangroves on the island as well. Just a really tranquil experience.
That would be the six months I spent in Africa travelling from Cairo to Cape Town. As an animal lover, I was in heaven on safari. So many great moments there and the people are amazing as well. I have to say I really got used to the lifestyle of hakuna matata and just taking each day as it comes.
The Maldives. Stunning blue waters and white sand beaches. I did a seven day digital detox there and I wasn’t bored once. The best part of the Maldives isn’t above the water but actually in the underwater playground there. Such beautiful snorkelling with whale sharks, turtles, and manta rays.
Spend the night on a deserted island. The stars are amazing at night and the feeling of being in the middle of the Indian ocean is like nothing I have experienced before.
I usually travel solo but on my trip to Africa I met a friend who has a similar travel style. We had a lot of laughs and really enjoyed ourselves. It’s great when someone else pushes you to try new things and yet gives you enough space to have your own time as well.
Sunscreen. I know that is not glamourous but I think it stems back to when I lived in the UK and went on holiday in Greece. Someone asked me where I was from and I said "the UK" and he said “no way”. I wasn’t sunburnt enough to be from there. Living in New Zealand you learn how strong the sun can be. I apply it daily on my trips and will definitely be using it when I head to Brazil.
My second item would be my camera because photos are my souvenirs.
Don’t wait to travel. Go! When I lived in the UK all my Aussie and Kiwi friends had already been wherever I wanted to go, my Canadian friends didn’t have much money and my American friends weren’t interested in travel. I decided then and there that you cannot wait for others to travel. Just go!
Madagascar. I will get there in the next few years. When I set a goal, I just go. I really want to see lemurs.
I really enjoyed Hermanus. It was a beautiful spot with lovely cafes and restaurants and the added bonus that you can see whales right from the beach. Such a cool experience.
Blog: Travelgal Nicole
Facebook: www.facebook.com/travelgalnicole
Instagram: www.instagram.com/travelgalnicole
Twitter: www.twitter.com/travelgalnicole
Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your fascinating travels with us!
I would love to hear about your travels too. Go to “Travellers’ Tales”, fill in the quick questionnaire and email it to me with your blog links.
Who will I feature next? I’ve got an exciting line-up ahead. Make sure you subscribe to the free newsletter so you don’t miss out on some exciting travel tales.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
Awesome site you have here. I will be back to visit to see for more content and will recommend it to my friends. Very inrseetting reads if you ask me. Great job.