The Aussie Nomad » travel blogger

The Aussie Nomad 2.0

The Aussie Nomad — Mon, 30 May 2011 12:00:53 +0000

Travel blogging has been a blast for me. I’m discovering I actually enjoy writing (not that I claim to be good at it) and all of this social media stuff we do on a daily basis. The hardest part has been making my blog my own.

At the start you can’t afford a designer to make the site look good, so you find the best free/cheap option you can. I picked my trusty old Thrilling Theme up after having looked for weeks and weeks. It had the features I wanted and at the time I had not seen another blog using it. Fast forward 2 weeks after I launched and I found it on over 5 different blogs… so much for being unique.

Still in the beginning it’s not the design that makes you, its you. Time passes and your writing develops (for the better I hope), then a brand emerges and low and behold it’s been over a year since you started dabbling in this travel blogging scene. It was at that moment some 6 months ago when I had to decide, am I serious about this or just having a laugh?

I weighted it up and wanted to take the next step into travel blogging but felt like I had an anchor holding me back, my blog theme. It has served me well as I grew but how can I really find my voice when I look like everybody else (no offence to people using Thrilling Theme I do love it).

So I put down the money my blog was making and enlisted the help of the beautiful girls at Shatterboxx, Jamie and Nicole. My only need, make it awesome. I think they did that and then some to be honest and can’t thank them enough for the result. I was less than helpful with ideas to start with because I didn’t know what I wanted, I just knew it needed to be different. Jamie worked her magic and well while I’d like to take credit for some of the ideas, it was totally all her.

I hope you like the new look of The Aussie Nomad, it’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait to move forward. While you are at it be sure to stop by the Aussie Nomad Facebook Page and checkout the new welcome page. I even gave the old twitter page some loving as well.

No related posts.

Thanks for checking out my post - The Aussie Nomad 2.0. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 40

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:04:40 +0000

I have more travel ideas swimming around in my head than I’m game to tell my mother for fear of being disowned, especially since I’m the favourite right Mum . One such idea I will share because I think everyone should do it, is to drive across a country. Maybe Australia, Canada or the UK I really can’t decide I just know I’d love to do it.

Someone who is driving themselves around the United States however is Christy & Kali from technosyncratic.com. While I’d prefer something a little easier to park than a motorhome I just love the idea of going wherever you please and not having to rely on someone else to get you from A to B.

Even more interesting would be to pack a couple of travel bloggers in a car and tell them to come back in 2-3 months time. No maps no directions just go see what you can see and report back to us all. Hmm sounds like an idea don’t you think.

The bonus of having a smaller vehicle and camping or staying in cheap accommodation is you also get to avoid nasty things like their worst RV disaster ever. Just reading that post and imagining being there makes me a little queasy so those with a weak stomach might want to prepare before reading that one.

Something less stomach turning was the post on why you should learn to paddleboard. Now I’m not about to even consider it here in cold old England but if you happen to find yourself in a warmer climate it’s certainly a much easier task to master than surfing.

While these guys are getting to the end of their driving around the US trip, I’m looking forward to seeing how it all pans out. Especially as there is talk of travel abroad and hey if your ready my blog already you already love that idea so go check them out.

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 40. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 39

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:16:25 +0000

When I made the decision to leave the comfort of Australia for the unknown in Europe one factor didn’t worry me as much as it does other people, money. I was working a 9 to 5 job and making enough that while I knew I had to cut back I never had to go without or work crazy hours at a second job.

One traveller that I’m a little in awe of given she’s studying to finish college 4 days of the week and then working the other 3 days to save for her travels is Lauren from neverendingfootsteps.com. I feel lazy just thinking about all that work.

A post she just wrote about extra ways to earn money online got me thinking that so many of us just aim for the big advertising dollar in the sky. Lauren mentions filling in surveys and writing product reviews as a way to make a few extra dollars on the side. It doesn’t pay huge sums but writing product reviews etc would be great for improving your writing skills for your blog and doesn’t take long at all.

Another post that I like to follow on all people’s blog’s was the travel itinerary. Reading about her travel plans from the beginning of her blog compared to reading it now reminds me of when I was making my initial list of travel destinations. It’s so hard to pick a spot and go with it when you are constantly reading new material on a daily basis. Even then when you are on the road your plans will change at some point it’s just a backpacking law.

As Lauren still has 144 days and counting till departure (according to the clock on her blog) I’m looking forward to seeing the journey plan out. With a bit of luck I’ll even get to catch up with her here in England so I can make it known just how jealous I am of her planned Trans-Siberian Railway adventure.

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 39. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 38

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:40:28 +0000

Keeping up with everyone’s travel blogs is hard work and something I’m sure many of you can agree with as I glance at my ever growing list of reading material. If only someone would buy me an iPad or similar device so that all my wasted travel time reading the local newspaper could be better spent reading blog material *hint hint anybody*

In the time I do have for blog reading though I’m always finding a new article that makes me think that little bit more and forces me to reflect on what I know. This week I read a post that did just that and it was from Julia over at homelessandconfused.blogspot.com.

Julia wrote a post titled Are We More Adventurous Abroad and after stopping to think about it, I believe we are. Travelling solo forced me to open up and climb out of my shell so to speak. Once I was out there I found myself standing at the front of the group to try things rather than hiding at the back like I would at home.

Sure it could have just been the fact I didn’t know anybody so didn’t have that feeling of I dont want to look stupid in front of people I know syndrome. In the end I think having made the decision to travel solo I had empowered myself to be a better me and that lead to my new found adventurous spirit. What do you think?

And just quickly because any post that involves alcohol is always worth mentioning. Julia recently had the joy of not only meeting some Google folk but even better (yes I’m and IT guy and I’m saying better than meeting google folk) she toured the Guinness Factory. And while I’m still not sold on Guinness myself how can you beat a pint from a 360 degree bar like the one offered there (hit up her blog for the pictures).

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 38. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 37

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:43:08 +0000

Good old Friday again, it rolls around signalling escape to those that are in the 9 to 5, Monday to Friday working cycle. Unless of course your a traveller, a backpacker, a wandering spirit where every day is Friday or Tuesday or who cares really because you just chalked up another day doing something you love. Right now where was I going with all this… oh yeah now I remember.

I’ve been following Dave from whatsdavedoing.com for a fair old while now and figured it was time to show my appreciation by giving him a good old write up here.

Dave has seen and done a lot. Starting in London some 10 or more years ago to progressing to Africa, Asia and even America where he took what has to be one fine road trip from Seattle to California. Having grown up in the middle of know where in Australia I’ve forever been in love with a good old drive. Just the road, some tunes and nothing but time… oh how I miss driving.

Another recent post that is more entertaining than rant was his post on why top 10 post make my head explore. I’m particularly fond of the last category:

Top 10 Travel Bloggers Who Are Far More Popular Than I Am And Will Hopefully Give Me A Bunch Of Free Publicity If I Mention Them In A Post

And while this is just a Top One post I’m sure Dave will help me out with some shameless promotion of my blog to help build on my addiction to be like the totally coolest doped out travel blogger/writer/guru/expert you’ll read in the next 5 minutes. Right Dave??

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 37. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 36

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:28:05 +0000

As I’ve been learning the meaning of cold here in London the last few months, there has been serious thought put into my next foray into Europe. High on the list of countries to spend some time is Spain and the rest of southern Europe where I can soak up as much sun as my aussie skin can handle.

In my search for finding the best places to visit I’ve obviously found even more blogs to add to my regular reading. One such blog that I’m fast trying to catch up on is by Christine from christineinspain.com.

One of the first posts I read was titled the 10 Best Things About Living in Spain and who would argue with the list. After all I think everybody would love it if the Siesta was adopted world wide.

There is also a great post on the Best of Southern Spain which lists some great places to visit. I especially love the idea of being able to see Africa from Spain, maybe I’ll even have time to find a way across for a day

If your not already a regular reader I’d say get your reading glasses on and head over there. My desire to see Spain is growing with ever post I read at the moment.

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 36. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 35

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:19:29 +0000

With all of my focus having been on Australia for Australia Day, I’ve noticed yet another traveller has landed in the land down under. Maybe it the wide open spaces, kangaroos and sunshine that attracts them or it could just be they have a death wish as so many of the worlds deadlist animals call Australia home.

No matter the reason, Caroline from carolineinthecityblog.com is now calling my country home for the next little while.

Unfortunately for me I missed out on meeting up with Caroline when she landed in london late last year. But I did notice just this week she has already found some of the great travellers that are calling Sydney home. I do love the fact that you can land in a foreign city and instantly have people asking you to come and meet up with them.

Caroline also wrote a great post on 5 reasons I’m leaving the country that I wish I could have realised back when I was much younger. While I love that I’m travelling now, you can’t help but feel jealous of people getting into at the start of their 20′s as opposed to the end.

One thing’s for sure, if many more folk come to see Australia while I’m not there I’ll have to make a trip home to join the party so I don’t feel left out.

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 35. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 34

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:46:00 +0000

Recently I’ve been looking for great new blogs that are just waiting to get eyes on their stories. This week I’ve looked a little closer to home and picked up a blog from my temporary home in London.

Who is it you ask? well I want you all to go and have a read of Jayne’s blog www.40before30.com. I’m yet to meet up with Jayne but I can say we did talk on the phone once… pity she doesn’t really remember.

As you can probably guess by the title, Jayne’s attempting to see 40 countries before turning 30. With 4 years still to go and only another 5 countries to reach her target, I think the goal is as good as in the bag. Just reading through the list of countries already visited makes me jealous.

One such destination on Jayne’s list that I’m hoping to visit myself this year is Portugal. Her post on Lisbon has pretty much told me a lot of things about the place that I had no idea about. To be honest, I really only knew Lisbon was is in Portugal before that anyway.

Now enough of the free publicity go and read her blog.

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 34. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 33

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:45:58 +0000

A new year is here and what a year its going to be for so many people. First time backpackers are going to set off into a world of discovery and those that were already on the road… well a new adventure is just a bus/plane/train ride away.

This also means more brand new, fresh paint smelling blogs are going to rise from nothing and take us on the ride with them. Sharing the highs and lows of everything they see and do we all get to read along and live the story as well. One such blog that I’ve only just found some 10 minutes ago and just had to share with you all is by Sheryll over at thewanderlustproject.com.

After not letting a quarter life crisis ruin her life, Sheryll is packing herself and her boyfriend up to take to Thailand. And let me warn you now, that’s going to be one of the most honest posts you’ll read anytime soon so be sure to leave a comment when your done.

She has also started building up a dream destinations list which includes some places that I think we would all love to visit.

My first impressions on 2011, yeah its going to be a good travel year folks.

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 33. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.

Travel Blogger Friday 32

The Aussie Nomad — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:29:44 +0000

Finding a new travel blog for me is like getting a big present at christmas time. Your excited to see what’s in it, is it fun? is it boring? will I love it and want to play with it every day?

Well first impressions from Steffy’s blog unusualtraveltip.com is pretty good. I mean her bucket list includes the following at number 11.

Do a Guinness world record

Now I think that should be on everyone’s bucket list don’t you?

It would also seem she wasn’t as lucky as me when that volcano from Iceland that nobody can pronounce the name of decided to blow its top. While I flew into Paris with no delay, Steffy had to get a little creative in getting from Finland back to Germany on a students budget. In the process thought she took advantage of three money saving tips we could all use to help make Europe easier on the budget.

Now all you have to do is go leave her a comment and your karma for the day gets a +1. Safe travels everyone, wherever you are.

Thanks for checking out my post - Travel Blogger Friday 32. For more of the same head on over to my blog The Aussie Nomad and check out all of my other travel articles.