30 Countries Under 30

Growing up, my father's tales of his year-long travels around the world were a constant source of inspiration. He recounted adventures from chilling in Bali to apple picking in Australia, and even a marathon bus journey from the West coast to Adelaide before catching the inaugural Rugby World Cup final in New Zealand.

These stories weren't just about being away from home; they were about freedom, escape, and making lifelong memories. His experiences from 1987 spurred me to embark on similar adventures myself.

I was incredibly lucky to have experienced numerous summer and winter holidays from a young age. One of my earliest and fondest memories is of a trip to Florida when I was about 7. As a massive fan of Titanic and Disney, visiting the Titanic museum and Disney Land in Orlando was like stepping into another world. The long flight where I watched the then-new release of "Finding Nemo" is still fresh in my mind. Those swimming lesson challenges to win a Titanic souvenir are a cherished memory.

This early exposure to travel set the stage for later adventures, from staying in a villa in Greece to skiing in the French Alps. More recently, my travels took me to Thailand and Japan for the Rugby World Cup, immersing me in the vibrant street life of Bangkok. Travel, indeed, is a shared passion in our family.

My 10-Month Adventure

My gap year adventure began with a one-way ticket to Bangkok, just after completing my A-levels at age 19. The plan was fluid: traverse Asia with my limited savings, then move to Australia on a working holiday visa, and eventually reach New Zealand. The timing aimed to coincide with the Lions Tour in 2017.

In September 2016, accompanied by a friend, I embarked on this journey. Bangkok, our first stop, was a whirlwind of noise and activity, a plunge into the deep end for us both. We took a sleeper train to Chiang Mai, where a hill tribe trek helped us acclimatise to our new nomadic lifestyle. Our path then led us to Laos via the Mekong River and onwards to Vietnam, where the stunning beauty of Halong Bay left an indelible impression.

As we ventured down Vietnam, my friend and I chose different paths, and I was thrust into the world of solo travel. This phase brought its challenges, from the complexities of being alone to the unexpected joys of solitude. My journey took me through Cambodia's haunting Killing Fields and to Thailand's vibrant islands, where I experienced the famous full moon party. I explored Malaysia, Singapore, and the enchanting Bali in Indonesia.

After three months without seeing my family, a reunion during the Christmas and New Year period was a welcome respite.

Next, I headed to Perth, Australia, to stay with relatives and sought work in a health club. When that didn't pan out, I moved to Sydney, eventually finding a landscaping job in a remote town called Muswellbrook. This job, along with attending events like the F1 in Melbourne and the Sevens in Sydney, allowed me to explore Australia's east coast, from Byron Bay to the Whitsundays and Cairns.

The journey culminated in New Zealand with the Kiwi Experience (thanks to the recommendation of my sister), an exhilarating month-long adventure with a group of travellers who remain friends to this day. In Queenstown, I relived my father's experience on the Shotover Jet, even managing to replicate his pose for a photo.

The highlight was watching the Lions tour and attending the first test against New Zealand, rounding off an extraordinary 10-month odyssey. This journey was more than just travel; it was a profound lesson in self-reliance, coping with loneliness and homesickness, and building resilience at a young age.

Sabbatical Year

During my university studies in Business, I decided to take a sabbatical year for a mix of learning, travelling, achievement, and work. That summer was marked by a remarkable feat: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with my father. This challenging expedition, spanning six days with an especially arduous summit night, was in aid of Velindre, a local cancer charity we dedicatedly fundraised for throughout the year.

Following this adventure, I attended the Rugby World Cup in Japan with my family, a bittersweet experience as we witnessed our team's exit in the semi-finals. This led us to a detour to Thailand, revisiting some of the locales I had explored during my gap year.

The winter season saw me embarking on a new journey, this time in the luxurious confines of a private chalet in Courchevel 1850. Working for a billionaire owner, I found myself in the most high-end service role I had ever undertaken. My responsibilities were diverse, serving as both a chauffeur and a host, and requiring adaptability within a small, dynamic team.

This experience was a perfect blend of my passions: it combined my love for travel and skiing with the thrill of working in a demanding, high-performance environment. The stint was both fulfilling and enriching, right up until the onset of Covid-19, which abruptly necessitated our return home.

Remote Working

My journey into the realm of remote work began with an innate desire to merge work and exploration. As a co-founder of 123Cryptos, I had the unique opportunity to work and live abroad, which led me to spend a month on the picturesque Koh Tao island in Thailand.

There, I experienced the liberating sensation of working with a backdrop of serene beaches, gently crashing waves, and passing boats, all while being engrossed in my laptop. This setup exemplified the true potential of remote work; if your work is laptop-based, it theoretically opens the door to global mobility.

The COVID-19 pandemic made remote work a necessity, but its abrupt decline post-pandemic was a disappointing shift. In my view, hybrid working environments, blending remote and on-site work, shouldn't be dismissed as a lack of commitment or an attempt to avoid traditional work settings. Instead, they should be seen as a healthy, progressive approach to work-life balance.

Such setups, especially those that allow for even short periods of work abroad, are not just beneficial; they are commendable for their forward-thinking nature.

My travel experiences span the spectrum from luxury to budget. I've savoured the opulence of high-end resorts and grappled with the constraints of budget travel, like staying in a less-than-ideal hostel in Sydney. The choice was driven by necessity, as the city's high living costs clashed with my then-limited budget and the struggle to find work. These varied experiences have equipped me with a wealth of tips, plans, and travel guides, which I hope will benefit others. Whether these insights aid fellow travellers or simply pique interest, my goal is to share the breadth of my travel experiences. This blog serves not only as a platform for storytelling but also as a resource for those planning their journeys, reflecting both my past adventures and future aspirations.

Travel Insights

My travel experiences span the spectrum from luxury to budget. I've savoured the opulence of high-end resorts and grappled with the constraints of budget travel, like staying in a less-than-ideal hostel in Sydney. The choice was driven by necessity, as the city's high living costs clashed with my then-limited budget and the struggle to find work.

These varied experiences have equipped me with a wealth of tips, plans, and travel guides, which I hope will benefit others. Whether these insights aid fellow travellers or simply pique interest, my goal is to share the breadth of my travel experiences.

This blog serves not only as a platform for storytelling but also as a resource for those planning their journeys, reflecting both my past adventures and future aspirations.

Where to Next?

Out of the 32 countries I've visited, some stand out as particularly memorable. Climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania was a highlight, an achievement that combined physical challenge with awe-inspiring natural beauty. Thailand and Vietnam rank as two of the best countries I've explored; their rich cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant lifestyles left a lasting impression. New Zealand offered an unparalleled all-round experience, making it one of the best months of my travels and a fitting climax to my journey.

Looking to the future, there are countries I'm eager to explore for the first time, along with a few I've previously visited but not extensively, like Turkey and Italy. These have been brief encounters, typically holidays or rugby trips.

South America has always been on my bucket list, a region I contemplated visiting during my 10-month trip. Scandinavia, with its promise of stunning landscapes and hiking opportunities, is another destination I'm drawn to. The cultural richness and diversity of India and Sri Lanka also beckon, offering an experience that, while reminiscent of Southeast Asia, promises to be distinctly unique and captivating.

I love to travel and explore. So, in theory, I'd love to go all 195 countries. In reality, it will take time. Below is next on my list...a lot to go!

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