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A few years ago, I got the coffee table book Where to Go When for Christmas. It’s a gorgeous book featuring full-page spreads on eleven destinations to visit during each month of the year.
I like to check things off. Each time I come home from a long trip, I find that book and underline my most recently visited destinations of the 132. Most recently: Slovenia (best in August). Fjord cruise, Norway (best in April). Helsinki (best in December).
But for the first time, I turned to the opening page, which featured a world map. I absent-mindedly drew a heart around Boston. Then London. Then Bangkok. Then New York.
I didn’t think about it. But these four cities have been incredibly meaningful to me.
It’s been a rough summer in lots of ways. On the heels of a yearlong trip, in which I only spent more than two weeks in a single destination (Koh Lanta, and even then I was constantly switching rooms), I threw myself into a summer of hopping all over Europe. A week in Croatia, a week in London. A week in Finland, a week in London. Paris, Puglia, back again.
It was the opposite of what I needed, but with no visa on the horizon, I had no choice but to keep leaving the UK. I took on way too much work requiring travel, and it wreaked havoc on me in every way possible.
And the summer got worse when Mario and I split up.
Don’t worry about me. I’m doing well. Mario and I are on excellent terms, talk every day, and still collaborate in our work. He has asked me to keep him off the blog in the future, and I’m happy to respect his wishes.
If you want to know what you can do for me, here’s what I’d like: Please don’t lean your head to the side, give me doe eyes, and rub my shoulder while asking if I’m okay. I know you mean well, but seriously. That is patronizing and the last thing that I want. Just be a normal level of nice to me. That’s what I’d like.
Also, please don’t speak badly of Mario, publicly or privately. I don’t want to hear it. We’ve never been a conventional couple, and we’re not having a conventional breakup. Just let me move on with my life, happily.
The Question
If you follow a lot of travel bloggers, you might be surprised to learn that several of them are not as single as they appear to be. A few of the more well-known bloggers in particular have been in relationships over the past few years, but haven’t revealed anything whatsoever on their blogs. One is even married.
I’ve always been very open and honest here, and you appreciate that. It’s the comment that I hear the most from readers. I think it’s important to paint everything with light and shade and show you the too-often-neglected dark side of travel. I used to have absolutely no filter (you do not want to read my first blog entries from my freshman year of college in 2002!), and now I think I’m at a good level of filter — open and revealing, but keeping the most important stuff private.
But telling you about the end of my engagement has got to be the worst thing I’ve done in my blogging career. I fucking hate it. And it has me second-guessing my openness and wondering if I should take the more private approach of some of my peers in the future.
What also sucks is that I know I have a contingent of readers that wants me to be single, broke, not making any money from this site, and living on less than $1000 a month in Southeast Asia. It’s a small contingent, but it’s definitely out there. And even though it’s been more than three years since I finished my first trip to Asia, and even though there are tons of travel bloggers covering ultra-budget travel these days, some of these readers expect me to be one of them.
Even though I’m single now, that’s not going to happen. I’ve evolved over time. Living on the cheap in Southeast Asia was perfect for that moment in my life, but it’s not what I’ve wanted for the past few years.
I’ll continue backpacking on and off throughout my travels, because I love the community and the fun, but at a more expensive and higher comfort level. Think Airbnb rentals in cool neighborhoods, private rooms in hostels, and the occasional four-bed dorm — not 12-bed dorms on the outskirts of town and roach-filled guesthouses because they’re all I can afford.
Upcoming Fall Travels
Let’s focus on the positive: travel! I’ve got a lot planned for this summer, but virtually no plans for 2015. Anything could happen. This is what’s definitely going to happen:
London
Yes, still London. I’ll be in and out of London throughout the fall, attending World Travel Market and hopefully doing some exploring in southern England as well as within the city.
Athens
My trip to Athens for TBEX Europe will be my first visit to Greece, one of my most egregiously unvisited countries! It’s about time.
Athens gets a lot of flack from travelers, but that’s mostly because they’re visiting en route to the islands during the miserably hot summer. I’ve heard that the cooler months are much nicer, so I think visiting in late October will be a perfect introduction to the city.
What I’m most looking forward to is staying in a swank apartment near the Acropolis for a week with a few of my girlfriends. There shall be spanakopita. There shall be ouzo. There may be smashed plates.
Meteora
I have a few extra days in Greece post-TBEX — just enough to visit one destination. If you could go to one place within a few hours of Athens, on the mainland, in late October, where would you go?
Well, Meteora is the place in mainland Greece I’ve wanted to visit for the longest. Photographing those clifftop monasteries would be a dream come true. So I think I will go there!
Sri Lanka
I was supposed to visit Sri Lanka on my first trip to Asia four years ago, but I had to cut it out due to budget reasons. Since then, it’s been one of the countries I’ve yearned to visit the most.
And it’s happening. The Professional Travel Bloggers Association (of which I am a founding member and former board member) is putting on its first conference: TBC Asia.
There has never been a conference like this before: a not-for-profit travel blogging conference for professionals where a few days of travel is part of the itinerary. I’ll be sticking around afterward to explore a bit more of Sri Lanka. The beaches of Unawatuna and the highlands of Ella are calling my name.
Maldives
Being so close to Sri Lanka, this is my best chance to visit the Maldives. I can fly there for a $200 return flight (or 9000 Avios if I must), so why not just go?
The Maldives are famous for luxury resorts and overwater bungalows, but a few years ago they opened to budget travelers for the first time. The industry is very new and fledgling but I look forward to seeing it for myself before it gets popular.
Norbert from Globotreks wrote this excellent Maldives budget travel guide several months back; Lauren from Neverending Footsteps wrote another great Maldives budget guide this past week that recommends a few guesthouses in particular.
A Quick European Getaway
I fly back to London in December — the perfect launching pad for a short trip somewhere. A few days in Luxembourg or Copenhagen would be nice and would help me continue toward visiting every country in Europe, a goal I’ve had for the past year or so.
Home for Christmas
I missed the last two Christmases, so it’s time to go home and spend time with my family over the holidays.
Not that I’m a big fan of New England winters…but I am a big fan of my family!
Central America…?
I have two and a half months free before I need to be in Boston for the Women in Travel Summit at the end of March, which got me scratching my nonexistent beard in contemplation.
I had a world of possibilities and a few offers on the table. And so I tried to stop thinking about where I thought I SHOULD go and what I thought would be good for my brand, and instead thought of what I WANTED.
What do I want? Summer weather. Beaches. Cheap prices. Good infrastructure for travelers. Not Asia. Somewhere new.
And a VACATION. My first break from work in two and a half years.
When I tallied up the criteria, Central America certainly fit that bill, as I haven’t been anywhere in the region. With two and a half months, I should probably do either the top half (Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, maybe a bit of Mexico if I fly into Cancun) or the bottom half (Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua). The bottom half seems to have nicer beaches overall.
Central America seems like an easy destination — too easy — but you know what? I want easy right now. I NEED easy right now. I’ve got some offbeat journeys and destinations in mind for the next year, but I’ll save them for the warmer months.
And then…New York?
It seems like every trip I take to New York is better than the last. I had so much fun on my most recent trip there last week. So much that I’m now thinking that I should move there. Most of my closest friends from home now live in New York.
But OH MY GOD CAN I EVEN AFFORD THIS? Even though I’m now making more money than I did before I quit my job to travel, I’m still not sure whether that can translate into both living alone and living in a good neighborhood in New York City. As someone who works from home, those are two things that I need, and they are also two things that drive up the cost of rent exponentially. But the more I spend on rent, the less I can travel.
Anyway. If New York ends up being my place, I won’t move there until summer or fall next year. I have time.
The Next Step
When I drew the tiny hearts around those cities, I had no idea that I had chosen the four most pivotal cities in my lifetime.
Boston. My upbringing, my early adult life, my roots.
Bangkok. My fire, my independence, my love of travel.
London. My great love.
New York. My potential future.
I don’t know where the road is going to lead me, but I hope you continue to stick around for the ride.
I will also be in Athens for TBEX, and possibly Central America over the winter! I’ll probably be in the top half. I’ve never been to Honduras and El Salvador. Although Mexico and the highlands of Guatemala appeal more. 🙂
Sometimes a change like this can bring just what you need. I am planning a visa run the same time as that blogging conference in Sri Lanka but didn’t even know about it. Is there some forum that reminds you guys of these things lol? I love 20 years hence coverage of Sri Lanka if you haven ‘t seen it!
There is always a happy ending. I loved this line: “There shall be spanakopita,” and Spanakopita was had and enjoyed by all.
Julie
You’re a badass, Kate.
I appreciate you sharing. It’s why I keep coming back. Thanks and good luck, even though you don’t need it.
Sounds like you are fine with your relationship status and that’s all that matters. Also sounds like you have some great plans for the rest of this year. Looking forward to reading about your plans for 2015!
I am pretty sure I am one of your oldest followers (+50) and was originally interested in your site as it was presented….Solo female traveler….I i appreciated your insights, tips, “third eye perspectives” as a single woman traveler.. Your earlier entries were sharp, perceptive…to be honest I could care two shits less with whom you sleep or your love life, etc. There are plenty of great novels, movies, I can engage with if that’s what I seek. I felt the power of your blog greatly diminished when it became a Mario and Me blog. I actually dropped off readership and went to more serious travel blogs who offered what they said they would. Again…I understand age groups…my guess is many females in your age group love that Mario and personal Life stuff… I understand marketing…we write to the audience….I’m just saying….you strayed….I am sure you enjoy strong readership and support… You are a gifted writer and experienced traveler….I would be thrilled to see you return to that pure and tight writing of your earlier days….maybe that doesn’t bring readers anymore….anyway…I wish you well…in your personal and professional world…I have learned much, as a solo female traveler from your
Thanks for sharing, Saundra. I actually have several readers in their eighties. 😉
had to add 2 cents, sandra H. mentioned her more mature age and i can beat that.
but have found travel blogs are for different people, ages and style of travel. as a mature solo traveler for more than 20 years i can learn from all travel experiences but always wonder when someone travels solo HOW DIFFERENT it is from going with anyone else………
have just started a new blog for maturesolotravel.com and hope to find some interest at the London travel show.
the mature traveler has time and sometimes money. there is no stereotypes, just because i dont linke bars others may………but the basics are the same: clean, safe and interesting (fun)
the last 5 years i have spent more time exploring and learning on trips
will watch for any changes in your type of travel this year………… please share how you enjoy restaurants without a seat mate, do you explore areas that solo women might need to think twice about, etc
it is all about the trip….
I really admire your honesty, Kate. That’s the reason why I follow your blog! Just keep doing what you do 😀 *hugs*
Love your honesty. Every trip I take pretty much I hit a wall where I just want to be home and in my own bed desperately. From over-doing it and biting off more than I can chew. It’s a terrible feeling, but then it passes and I’m rewarded with some awesome experience. When I read your …Budapest? piece (I think that one?) then I knew I wasn’t alone in those feelings, so yeah, nice for us that you share dark stuff too.
Excited to read about Maldives. Maybe you’ll find an over-the-water budget friendly bungalow situation! I’d love to stay in one of those.
Kate, your blog was the first travel blog that I ever discovered. Over one weekend I read nearly every article on the site!
Since the start I’ve loved your honesty, what you see is what you get! You have inspired me to chase my dreams even if they are unconventional.
New York seems like an amazing city, what woman doesn’t want to live the Sex and the City lifestyle? 🙂
I wish you the best of luck in everything you do, I know you will be awesome!
Looking forward to reading about all your upcoming travels. Greece has been my #1 for quite some time now and am curious about Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Unasked for advice from an old woman – take those vacations and enjoy those girlfriends. Take care of yourself Kate.
I’ve been AWOL commenting on your site for a while, but when I saw this post I just had to come and drop you a line. As you requested, I’m not going to patronize you with sympathy, and instead I’m going to be positive and get excited for you. Kate, you deserve a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS for being at a spot in your life where you have such abundant choice available to you. You can go anywhere and do anything. Sometimes endings are painful and let’s face it, they suck, but what they do is provide opportunity and a heck of a lot of growth. Just think about all the possibilities for your future and all the amazing things that are down the road ahead! ::)
THANK YOU, Karyn. You’re right. The choices have only increased over time and now I have more than ever. I’m very fortunate for that.
Wow Kate, so many exciting and interesting coming trips and changes. In my opinion you should just do what you feel comfortable with, I like and respect your honesty and at the end of the day your readers will follow because it’ll be your story. Good luck! 🙂
I don’t know you personally, but I adore your writing and your personality, ever since I discovered your blog via xoJane. Keep it up, Kate (said without head-tilt, I promise!). You are awesome, and I can’t wait to hear what’s next!
I’m glad xoJane brought you here, yamsalot! I was wondering if I converted any of you guys into readers. 🙂 Thanks so much.
You are going to love Sri Lanka! We are here right now and love it. We enjoyed part of the Cultural Triangle, though the prices and a draw to the Indian Ocean brought us to the Southern beaches.
Also, I would say go for the Northern part of Central America – I love southern Mexico and Guatemala!
Kate,
We knew you before you took your suitcase and headed out into the wide world. We knew you before there was a Mario. Wherever you are; there you are! It’s all good. Have wonderful adventures for all of your life. We’re reading you!
Thanks so much, Rona!
Freedom!
Go forward Kate. You’re a great girl who’s an inspiration to many. Never forget it. You’ve worked extremely hard and I am delighted to have met you both. You’re both great people living a life filled with goals, excitement and adventure. 2015 is going to be a marvellous year and we’ll be behind you every step of the way. 🙂
Berlin will always be here for you whenever you come and this time I’ll show you around MY Berlin. My treat!
Thank you so much, Victoria! Hope we can do that next year!
Because you open up, people think they own a part of you. To hell with them.
Central America is awesome and yes it’s easy. The diving and snorkeling in Belize is the best I’ve experienced anywhere. Guatemala I fell in love with and the people are so welcoming. Damn I wish I could go back.
Kate, I love your openness and honesty! I’m excited to continue to follow you through this new chapter in your life. On a side note, I think Athens’ bad wrap is unwarranted. I loved my time there!
You are lucky that you were able to draw 4 hearts on a map. I’m still trying to figure out what cities my heart belongs to. Thank you for your honesty and keep doing what makes you happy.
I’ve learned from experience that there’s no better way to deal with a breakup than to continue living a kickass life, as it looks like you’ll be doing with all those upcoming destinations!
I loved Meteora! You can see a lot by bus/car, but I also recommend going on foot. It’s a somewhat tiring hike up to the top (we went from the town of Kalampaka to the monastery above), but it was a great experience.
Wow, I’m pretty new here, so I didn’t know about your Other Half anyway, but I am really sorry to hear that. At least you’re on good terms 🙂
Your plans all sound amazing 🙂
wow.. there are people who would love to see you broke and single? world is weird..
I did the same thing, visiting Athens en route to Santorini in mid August one year, but I can’t complain about it. I never minded hot weather and there were a lot of great things to see, so it was ultimately a great trip and I’m sure you’re going to enjoy it there 🙂
It may drive you crazy, but I AM sorry. Truly.
Moving on happily is the best thing to do in life. It’s a mark of a truly happy person who really lives their life.
Thank you. 🙂 I don’t mind people saying they’re sorry; I just mind the people who act patronizingly while doing it. Appreciate it.
You’re welcome. =)
As another note, I like that you talk about your personal life. It’s relateable. It’s life.
And I don’t want you to be poor and staying in cockroach-infested places…. I would never do that. I have standards and I like being comfortable somewhat. I would never stay somewhere with bugs. Not worth the low price.
Keep on keeping on, sista. Sounds like you have an excellent year ahead of you and a whole lot to look forward to.
Wishing you the best through all this change and all these new beginnings. As someone who basically had an entire blog based around an engagement that ended I’ve definitely become more careful about what I share now about personal details like dating, family and friends. I think everyone with a presence online has to make a determination about what to share publicly, and sometimes that evolves with time. Hopefully at this point you don’t regret sharing what you have, and that the support and feedback you get from readers has made it a positive experience.
Sounds like you’ve got some pretty great plans for the coming months!
Thank you for such an open and emotionally honest discourse. You’re an inspiration, truly. I’m sorry you have to go through this challenging time. I also think it’s wonderful that you’re focusing on the future. I’ve been embracing a more positive outlook on life lately and it really works wonders for me.
Also, I didn’t know you were one of the founders of the Travel Bloggers Association!! THANK YOU for being a vital part of an organization that I really respect and aspire to join the ranks of one day.
Also, also, Boston girls are the toughest kind, so I know you’ll continue to rock everything you do despite whatever you go through in life. I can’t wait to continue reading about your adventures. Thanks for being you!
Thank you so much, Maria! 🙂
Oh girl. I want to say all the things you have requested we not say. So I wish you lots of fun lucrative projects, lots of money, good food, and booze.
Your second photo caught my eye because it looks very similar like one I recently posted from Florida: http://www.auckward.com/2014/09/22/taste-whats-come-beaches-beaches-beaches/
In Florida, there’s a country road along the beach called 30-A, where the water looks just like the pic you posted. It’s quiet, with lots of good NOLA-inspired Southern food. Rent a bike, veg out on the beach, hear some really good live music, soak up some Southern hospitality and bourbon.
If you ever make it toward New Zealand, I hope we can meet and have a flat white. 🙂 Life is an adventure, ain’t it?
Cheers,
Tina
Thank you, Tina! 🙂
I love Central America! I had two months, started in Panama City and flew out of Honduras. However, the last couple weeks were time crunched but one of the key items on my per trip itinerary was to get my open water dive certification in utila, and I did and it was wonderful! I think Nicaragua was my favorite…
I love your honesty, Kate! In my opinion, you should continue to write honestly and include as much or as little personal information as you’d like. Some people like it, and some don’t. You be you, and do whatever you are comfortable with. The same goes for how you travel. I love your blog the way it is and have for the past 2 years since I found it. Everyone changes as time goes on. Sometimes that’s in the way you travel, and other times, it’s in how you write or where you live. You’re on a great path and have a bright future ahead. Be true to yourself.
Thank you, Mike. I really appreciate readers like you who have stuck by me for so long.
So I’m going to be 100% honest, I’m in that small contingent of readers that you mentioned in the post. I’m not saying I wish you were broke and still in SEA, but it’s more that I found your blog when you were in that state and that’s what got me into your blog to begin with and really made me a fan of you.
As someone who really got motivated to begin backpacking (early next year!) I plan on starting my adventure in SEA and it was you and other travel bloggers who inspired me to do that.
Your current stuff just isn’t as relevant to me anymore, however I haven’t abandoned you as evidence of me still being here.. I still follow you on twitter and whenever you announce an article that catches my interest I do come have a look, but yeah it’s nowhere near the amount I used to frequent the blog.
In any case I wish you the best of luck with your future plans, you’re an awesome person Kate, keep doing what you do!
Thank you very much, Justin, and I really appreciate you explaining this. It really makes things clear for me. I totally get that you want to follow people who have more in common with you, and I’m glad you still drop by when you’re interested in the subject.
Hello Kate,
I have been a fan of yours for about 2 years now, I spoke so highly of you that one of my friends has begun to follow you and has been inspired to take her first solo travel experience. I must say when I first started reading your blog you had just posted about a relationship split, I was drawn to that pain because I was also experiencing it as well. Then amidst the Facebook blurbs I read another article about how you found love this made my heart soar because at the time I too had found a partner who completed me in every way, now once more in not exact terms we find ourselves in the same boat. I don’t know why my sporadic deep readings of yours seem to coincide with love and loss but maybe the universe likes to remind us that we are never experiencing something so alone be it love, joy, travel, or the unfathomable pain of heart break. Now being 26, the age you were when you bravely quit your job and began living, I find myself ticking off the half hours at work willing time to go by faster. The 6 months post graduate school have not been what I perhaps naively thought they would be like. People like you inspire me and give me hope that yes you have to work to live but you can decide what kind of life is worth living for. Best of luck and one day you will be able to breathe again.
What a brave and beautiful post, Samantha. Thank you so much. And thank your friend for me, too!
I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years but don’t think I’ve ever left a comment.
Your plans for the next couple of months sound so great. Sri Lanka has such a special place in my heart and at the moment not a day goes by without I’m thinking of going back. I hope you’ll like it too.
I’m living in Copenhagen so I definitely think you should go there in December. Tivoli is quite magical when it’s decorated for Christmas. Don’t hesitate to email me if you want any advice on what to do etc..
Hi Kate,
Breakups are a terrible time and I can only imagine how heightened those feelings are when you’re exposed to the world and their opinions–it’s your life, dammit! I’m so sorry that some of your readers have made this experience even more difficult for you. I’ve been following your blog for a few years now and while I can’t say I’ve done nearly as much travel as you, you have absolutely inspired me to be more adventurous in the locations I choose. Seeing your list of upcoming travel has once again sparked my interest in Sri Lanka and I can’t wait to read about how it goes.
Your independence and resilience in the face of a whole truckload of challenges has been absolutely fantastic to read over the years. I hope this experience doesn’t limit your desire to share those challenges candidly as I think that is partly what makes you, you. Best of luck Kate and can’t wait to continue reading about all of your adventures!
Hi Kate & great to know about your Asia adventures
Kate,
I don’t travel much any more and never to far away places but reading about your experiences, thoughts about life, personal bits and travels is liberating and encouraging. All of those aspects of your blog endear you to me and (obviously from the loving comments above) many others.
You open up worlds to me that I may otherwise never see and make it possible to include those places in my dreams.
My wish is that the positive and happy nature you exude is an attitude that stays inside you as well.
Appreciate the beauty and knowledge you share. (Pics in this post are phenomenal, btw)
Thanks so much, Teri!
I like your attitude, Kate, and seriously appreciate your honesty. I hope you get to all the places you’ve got lined up, most especially the ones you ‘want’ to see. I’m a bit envious about a few, like Athens (I’ve yet to make it to any place in Greece) and New York (I’ve been to NYC just once and can’t wait to go back). Travel ‘for’ yourself and enjoy 🙂
There’s no question as to you are you behind the scene! You don’t come across as pretending to be someone you are not…I adore real bloggers like you who aren’t afraid to show the more vulnerable side. It is nice to know that there are people out there not wanting to polish their appearance to come across better than their daily life really is. Life isn’t all picture perfect even though SO many people and industries work so hard to make it seem so. You project a real image. I am sorry to hear that your relationship has ended. I am not sorry for you sharing it. You are a highly strong and capable woman and kudos for you for keeping true to your blog personality and being real. I wish you all the best in moving on…literally! I love your blog and only wished I had as much gumption in my 20’s. I’ve traveled and hope to more and you are the seed that has been planted for my own future endeavors! All my best!
Thank you so much, Laurie. 🙂
Travel on Kate! <3
Hey Kate
Sorry to hear about your news but I’m glad you’ve got some amazing plans for next year. I’ve always admired how open you are on your blog-I can never even seem to click the “in a relationship” button on facebook and I struggle to talk about personal issues on my blog. You’ve definitely motivated me to try though. I met you last year in chiang mai at the couch surfing thing, and I was struck by how approachable you were. Sending you good thoughts!
Aww, thank you, Stacey! Glad you’re doing well. You only have to do what you’re comfortable with. 🙂
Hi Kate!
High five for ending a relationship when you feel it’s not leading to the type of future you are looking for. Most people don’t and they get locked into something that has little or no satisfaction. I’m all for relationships, but at the same time it should be with someone going in somewhat of a same direction as yourself. And kind and caring of course:)
I use my facebook page more than my blog to connect with readers. Sometimes it’s fun some and sometimes it’s personal. I notice that it’s become very easy for me to shell out my life to my readers. Sometimes too easy. I’m always a little nervous when sending out a personal message but one thing I’ve learned, FROM YOU, is to speak from the heart. I know I will get comments but nothing feels better than to release everything that’s in your heart, well, almost everything. And I notice that the times I do, I get a positive response.
You have been a key inspiration in parts of my life and I think how you blog is great! I wouldn’t want you to change yourself at all because your fans love to read about what you like to shell out! Of course there will be haters but haters gonna hate! That’s what they know how to do. As for the rest of us, we absolutely adore you!
Keep up the good work and keep us with you on your journey through life:)
Azzah
Thank you so much, Azzah. What a kind message. I’m so happy that you’re doing so well with your blog and connecting with people!
Good luck for the future travels! *Hug* I’ve been reading throughout, and still will – you were one of the first people to inspire me to go out and travel! 🙂 I am living in Oxford now, so if you’re ever around, or if I am in London when you are, it would be great to meet up and catch up on life since super-hot-and-humid Parma! xxx
Thanks so much, Alex! I’d love to meet up again when we have the chance!
Very exciting! The uncertainty of being a traveler is a double-edged sword. It is incredibly fun and enticing but can also be nerve-wracking and exhausting. I think Central America is the perfect place to just lie low and relax. Good luck!
Good for you for holding your head up and moving on with dignity and contentment. This is nice to see; there is enough drama in the world if you ask me! I feel happy for you and am sending happy vibes. I am also insanely jealous you will visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives!!! Gah.
Hey Kate. Just stumbled across this today… better late than never! So… I’m thinking beers in December when you’re back in London? My treat. Enjoy Greece love xx
I’d love that, Hayley! I miss Balham.
I thought something was up after reading some of your posts. I say congratulations to you on a positive outlook and for planning more travel. Onwards and Upwards x.
Thank you, Brooke!
Hey Kate, just wanted to wish you all the best in the new paths you are following both personally and professionally. I’ve been reading your blog a few years now and it in part gave me the confidence to rekindle my love of travel. I’m a mom who didn’t travel when I was childless and single and have regrets about the path I chose. Reading your stories inspired me; not to try and live like I was 20 or say poor me, but rather I can still be a newbie traveller at 39 and I can do it alone, damn it! So, this past July I booked myself on a women only multisport adventure in Kauai, Hawaii! Left hubby and kids at home, flew 26 hours and kayaked the western pacific coastline. I learned to surf, hiked epic trails, made new friends so wonderful, we have booked another trip already together to hike and Kayak in Newfoundland next summer. You even inspired me to blog about it. So, “Cheers” to the catalyst effect of your writing and your inspiring life. You go girl, thanks for lighting the fire under my ass to incorporate my travel dreams back into my life; it’s never too late.
Hi Kate!
I love your blog, and I love all of it. From the portions where you were broke in South East Asia, to the newer portions detailing your many adventures. I love that you are still able to do this and that you really have made travel in to a job, I find you inspirational.
I understand why you may want to keep your private life more private, but I do hope that you stay open on this blog. i love how real you feel. To me, you have always felt like an older sister, or cousin. I love how we are able to follow your life, the good and the bad! Your blog does not sugarcoat it or skip over the horrible bus ride, you tell us all about it!
Your blog inspired me and helped convince me to travel solo!
i hope you are able to to continue being Adventurous Kate for years to come!
What a sweet comment, Danica. Thank you so much! And I’m so glad that you’re traveling on your own now!