This blog belongs to two of us, Luke and Amanda. Luke is a 40 year-old video editor and Amanda is a 47 year-old primary school teacher. We both love food, photography, food, pretty scenery, beer (that’s Luke only), meeting people, walking (although Luke prefers walking to get beer) and food. We both hail from sunny Melbourne, Australia.
We travelled around the world in 2013 and this blog was our means of communicating with friends and family, as well as keeping track of our journey. Through it we met many like-minded people and recieved some great advice on what to do in places along the way. We enjoyed it so much that we have kept it going through our time spent at home, blogging about our past travels and what impact they have made on us, and then on subsequent trips.
In 2013 we visited a total of 21 countries during our trip: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the USA and New Zealand.
In 2018 we visited the UK, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, France, Scotland, Ireland and Thailand, in that order. 🙂
In 2023 we visited New Zealand, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria and Northern Ireland.
If the blog seems a bit jumbled, chronologically speaking, it’s because Luke’s video updates are very far behind Amanda’s blog entries as videos take a lot longer to create. We have many videos still left to produce, so they’ll just be posted as they’re finished. We’d love for you to follow us, hear your thoughts about our travels and share your own journey with us. 🙂
Here Comes The Planet 
Cant wait too see you guys again! Roll on May!
I had a dream about you last night, you were driving us in a mini bus but really crazily, like they do here in Thailand.
Hey there Luke (& Amanda – hopefully we’ll meet sometime!) – have loved following your blog. We’re planning a trip to Vietnam with the kids at the end of the year so I’ve loved watching your videos. Looks amazing! Would have been nice to catch up at Jacks birthday next week, but hey – I’d much rather be travelling around the world! Stay safe, have fun and keep the great blog & videos coming. Love to you both. Mon & Jock xox
Thanks Monica! If there’s one thing I can advise, it’s avoid buses if you’re over 5’4. Seriously, it’s a nightmare here! And do go to Hoi An, it’s gorgeous:).
Hey Mon! Great to hear from you. Thanks for checking out the blog – glad you’re enjoying it! Hope you’re still reading. I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to replying to your message until now! Eep. Sorry about that! Where in Vietnam will you be going, and for how long will you be staying? I’m sure you guys will have a great time, as long as you’re prepared for how crazy it can be! Definitely check out Hoi An and places along the coast like Hue if you have time. Love and hugs! xo
Thats an awesome photo
Came upon this blog and are blown away by the pictures! Can you tell me what camera you use to shoot (obviously, it requires much the skill of the photographer as well!). Been meaning to upgrade my novice DSLR to a pro version, but not terribly sure what is a good option. Great blog, I am following your stories!
Wow, thanks! Positive feedback is much appreciated:). I use a Canon 60D and I brought a 70-200mm lens with me, purely for the African leg of the trip and I’ve now mailed that home as it weighs about a kilo. I started with a 17-55mm lens as well, but then bought a 10-23mm which I’ve hardly taken off the camera since I bought it. I’m finding I really love the slight fish eye effect it gives at 10mm. I’ve mailed the 17-55 home now too so hopefully one lens will do me for the rest of the trip! The ultra wide is certainly a good one for hand-held selfie video – and on that note to 60D is superior for that too as it has a flip out screen.
But you know, I think no matter what camera you use, you get used to it. Spend more on the glass (if you have the means) than the body and think about what type of photography you love. My 70-200 is brilliant for portraits but right now I’m all about landscapes so the 10mm is best. I also spend quite a bit of time with photoshop, upping the saturation, cropping, using vignettes to make images a bit more eye catching. It’s amazing what a bit of added contrast can do for photos that are going online.
There’s so much that goes into a great shot – timing, framing, lighting, subject – equipment is really only one factor. I took some of my favourite photos with my point and shoot, then my 350D before my 60… that being said, I love the higher ISO, faster processing and bigger screen and could never go back;). I get camera envy when I see my friends’ 1Ds and 7Ds with their L-series lenses… but it’s as much about being in the right place at the right time – good equipment will never make up for a bad eye or not having your camera ready.
Essay much? I could talk photography for hours, obviously – and I am certainly no professional. The odd wedding and this blog are about all I get up to. Plus I’m not terribly good with photoshop, although my bf is teaching me more as we go along.
You’ve got some pretty great photos there yourself – love a good night time shot, like ‘Mangalem at night’. I’ll go have a proper read:).
Amanda and Luke, What a fabulous adventure you’re on. I love your itinerary – you obviously put a lot of thought and energy into planning it … and I like how you’ve left some “wiggle room” in your schedule. Your photos are a joy and I applaud your intrepid spirits. My husband and I have wandered the world extensively, so enjoy your journey of a lifetime. All the best, Terri
Why thank you! We’ve tried to included a bit of variety and it’s worked well – so far! Any tips on things to do in places we’re yet to go? We’re about to visit Croatia and Italy so advice is most welcome:).
Thanks kindly for the compliment! The itinerary has been cut down a bit from what we originally had planned, but that’s been for the best, as we’ve had more time to enjoy the places we’ve been. It’s always hard balancing planning ahead with free-form travel – just recently we booked in to see a couple of towns but we so love where we are at the moment (Antalya, Turkey) that we now wish we had more time to stay here! Always the way, isn’t it? 🙂
Your travel blog certainly is extensive! Also very well written with fantastic photos. I’ll enjoy going through and reading more of your entries. Hope you continue to enjoy ours as well! 🙂
Hi guys… Just wanted to pass on my thanks for stopping by to check out my blog and for being brave enough to ‘Follow’ it 🙂
I admit, it’s all a bit new still, but I hope you liked what you read so far, as much as I have writing. Looking forward to seeing more from your travel and eating adventures too.
Uncle Spike
No worries! You’ve got some interesting stuff to blog about. 🙂 As long as you’re enjoying it, that’s the main thing! 😀
I love blogging and getting feedback – and reading about other people’s lives. I blogged for 12 years via live journal but wordpress seems to reach a bigger audience. I love going back to remind myself about all the great things I’ve done too… and the mistakes;). Enjoying your writing so far!
Glad to hear it 🙂
Have a fun day
Only ” in a relationship for 2…yrs”?
…or is this an old blog?
Mebbe u should write since 2010 ? … since then it’s never out of date…
xbrad