Top 10 travels so far...

In no particular order...

FIJI, Ovalau, Lautoka

The old capital of Fiji, Lautoka, is on an island off the east side of Viti Levu. We caught a small plane - so small we could touch the pilot - and felt like we had gone back in time. 'Slow travel' would be the best description of hanging out here. Going to the local pub, riding bikes on bumpy dirt roads, watching kids jump off the jetty and meeting kids on their way to school. 

FIJI, Ovalua, Lautoka

The kids were so damn happy here. Or maybe they don't see tourists so often. We spotted about five foreigners the whole time we were there (about five days). Having said that, I know some of the cruise liners stop here.

FIJI, Nadi markets

We sat and tried to have a chat with this happy lady at Nadi markets. Shopping isn't the only way to make people happy at markets. 

FIJI, Viti Levu

I'd highly recommend hiring a car and doing a lap of Viti Levu. Entertaining, adventurous and beautiful. Playing chicken with a bus in muddy slosh, backing the back wheels off a cliff to get a photo, rounding corners and seeing vehicles coming straight for you, watching old men carry heavy loads along the roads, being shouted at with fingers waving as we pass young lads. Take a cup full of courage with you. 

AUSTRALIA, Gold Coast

But not Surfers Paradise. We stayed at Mermaid Beach and loved the Burleigh Heads area. I think that is where I'm meant to be living. 

AUSTRALIA, Gold Coast

So many people make use of the beach around sunrise and sunset - it makes you want to get active. Runs along the beach at sunrise are ultra easy when you have so many surfers, walkers, runners and yogis around.

TURKEY, Cappadocia

Hot air ballooning over Cappadocia. A landscape so weird and wonderous, seen while floating under a mammoth balloon. Strong and loud when 'gassed' and tranquil and dreamy when floating. 

TURKEY, Cappadocia

The early morning rise is certainly worthwhile. We were lucky, travelling just after war meant no tourists, so we got major 'bang for buck'. 

TURKEY, Cappadocia

Fairy Chimneys rock formation near Göreme in Cappadocia. We explored by air and foot. And then we went underground to the cities where the locals hid.

TURKEY, Cappadocia

At one stage our pilot took us so low to the ground we could touch the leaves on trees that swished past us. We trusted him, with knowledge of him being a world champion at his craft.

TURKEY

We sailed for four days along the coast. Water so clear you could see the bottom metres below. So warm that I swam whenever we could. Weather so hot all of us abandoned our bedrooms and slept together on the top in fresh air. On this cruise, I re-connected with a girl that I met on the Sunshine Coast years earlier. I had slept in her converted garage. We hadn't been in contact since.

Greece, Crete, local men

I LOVE getting to know the locals. Living in Crete, we got to know a few. I love their attitude to life (in parts). The family, the friends, the relaxing, the food. The raki? I even got into that. 

Greece, Crete, Elafonisi

Beaches in Greece (that I've seen) aren't spectacular. This was rated as one of the best. At least the water looked awesome. 

GREECE, Crete

I remember doing a couple of gorge walks. These guys were the locals. So much more to Greek islands than the beaches, rooftop sunset viewings and parties. 

LOMBOK

I fell in love with Lombok. I could nearly live there. I say nearly as the infrastructure is quite basic and I wonder if I'd get used to it. So chilled, awesome beaches, fab surf, friendly people. 

LOMBOK road by moped

I have never ridden a bike in Bali. Lombok is a completely different story. Just keep an eye out for the buffalo and surfboards hanging off all the mopeds and you will be fine. Southern Lombok, near Kuta, is such a beautiful area to drive around. 

LOMBOK, Gerupuk

Our surf guide lived in this village. After our surf, we went back to his home for cups of tea and to meet his family. 

LOMBOK, Gerupuk

Our surf guides wife, that looked all of 16 (but I think she was 17 or 18) was pregnant and set to work to boil water and entertain us. The homes are a contrast to ours, and the little niece was intrigued with the iPad and her photo on it.

LOMBOK, Kuta

The group of ladies in front of the Novotel at Kuta were friendly. Their girls would play on the sand, me teaching them how to do a sand angel. On the last night I let them show me their fabric... and bought some. They are still sitting in my cupboard waiting to be used. 

LOMBOK, Sengiggi

I loved Kuta Lombok, but not Sengiggi. It was a tourist town, and the beaches were nowhere near as nice as the southern ones. We walked along this beach once, and found a cliff with thongs and shoes jammed into it. Weird. 

PERU, Inca Trail

This little girl was so pleased with her blue ball. We stopped near her home, pictured, for supplies. Further cements my thinking that kids don't need loads of plastic toys. 

PERU, Inca Trail

Waking up before dawn to see sunrise over Machu Picchu is a ritual for all hikers. Unfortunately, like many, mist had covered the city. But, after breakfast, we got to see it in all it's glory. 

BOLIVIA, Salar de Uyuni

This landscape is amazing. It takes my breath away - quite literally. After being crammed in a 4wd for hours, with six others, cosy warm, stepping out into the near freezing air is a massive shock. Especially since it's sunny and appears so tranquil. 

BOLIVIA, Salar De Uyuni

At one passport check, I didn't think I was going to get any further. The guard double checked, triple checked my passport, looking me up and down, muttering something. I think he even took it into another room, which scared me. Finally, after what seemed like a very long time, but what was probably five minutes, he handed my passport back. 

BOLIVIA, Salar De Uyuni

I'd say we are going crazy from being cramped in the car, or we are all getting our photos possies. 

BRAZIL, Rio De Janeiro

I lived in Sao Paulo in 1998 and took my now husband back in 2000. I love the people, the beaches, the party feel, the food... it's a second home. Funny, didn't feel unsafe at all when I lived there - only later do I hear all the terror that can happen. Phew.

BRAZIL, Rio De Janeiro, coconut

I spent a lot of time on the beach in Brazil. Coconuts were a staple, something to drink before the Caipirinhas and Batidas. Bars are common on Brazils beaches, selling food, drinks and pumping out tunes. 

BRAZIL, Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande, when I first visited, was void of cars. I'm not sure if it still is, but I hope so. Hiking across the island to the most beautiful beach of Lopez Mendez. It was once voted one of the top ten beaches of the world by Vogue.

AUSTRALIA, Eyre Peninsula

Another ultimate experience. Plopping myself in a cage and watching a 4m plus Great White circle. Eek, you would think. But it was so graceful. The bars of steel (?) work wonders for confidence. 

AUSTRALIA, Eyre Peninsula

A big thumbs up when we finally got to be in the water with the shark in sight. It lingered down in the depths all day then heard we were packing up so popped up to say hi. I ended up jumping back in the icy water cage with no wetsuit - I couldn't miss out. 

AUSTRALIA, Eyre Peninsula

Swimming with sea lions is something I have always wanted to do. It's on my bucket list. And it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. We also got to have a quick swim with wild dolphins before having these little guys twist and twirl around us. 

Tell me where your favourite places are. I love to add to my 'where to go next' list. :)

I'm on a roll, just wait until the 10 'meh' places and the 10 must see in my life places...