Adventures, America, Travel, USA, Yosemite National Park Melissa Findley Adventures, America, Travel, USA, Yosemite National Park Melissa Findley

Visit California - the Gold Rush Rally.

……You had me at road-trip and ‘history and culture.’  

And so, that’s how it happens. You’re standing alone on the other side of the world (again) ready to embark on a journey, to meet new people, to hit the asphalt with new lessons to unfold; as they always do along on the road.

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East Arnhem Land, Yolŋu Land

The air is warm, the crescent beach is lined azure water and scattered with palm trees and a few dwellings. Timmy, the Traditional Owner of the land is smacking together his clapsticks and Uncle is playing the Didgeridoo as I watch the last light of the day sink below the islands dotting the horizon and begin to notice the heat from the fire as it licks my face.

We learn of skin names and of the Dhuwa and the Yirritja moieties and the yin and the yang of Yolngu culture. All the while, a saltwater crocodile named Nike lingers in the shore, he is a part of the family; everything is equal and balanced here in Bawaka homeland.

 

I laid down on my back and stared at the velvet sky of stars - observing and listening, into the dark night. I know that my time in East Arnhem Land with Lirrwi will stay with me for many years to come.


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Animals, Adventures, South Africa, Tourism, Travel Melissa Findley Animals, Adventures, South Africa, Tourism, Travel Melissa Findley

G Adventures “CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE” in SOUTH AFRICA.

My second trip to South Africa was an assault to the senses of the best kind. So vividly I recall the colours, textures, sights, sounds, the fragrance of everything - evoking beautiful memories from years before. Albeit, no two journeys are ever the same or could be compared, but I as with my last visit, I spent the days with my head in a cloud. South Africa, as if from my dreams, is home to the most dramatic scenery and breath-taking coastlines and the most amazing and unique encounters with wildlife. 

 

We journeyed across the southern coast of the country, from Durban to Cape Town, sleeping under the stars and uncovering the diverse land and fascinating culture of the rainbow nation. An adrenaline filled ten days, which had me feeling less of a 30-year-old and more into my heart – as if seeing the world all over again with a child-like bewilderment and curiosity for everything surrounding me.

 

South Africa fills me with a deep sense of happiness that I’ve found very few places in the world.

 

✧ ✧ ✧

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Adventures, Tourism, Travel, Ireland Melissa Findley Adventures, Tourism, Travel, Ireland Melissa Findley

Fill Your Heart with Ireland - A 6 Day Road Trip, The Wild Atlantic Way.

It has become apparent that I do not know how to take a true holiday, comfortable with the fact that wherever I travel my camera is an extension of my right limb. However, when December 2018 rolled around, I was in desperate need for a break and for once I actually had it penciled into my calendar: STAY HOME.

Little did I know that I would be booking a flight to the other side of the globe, packing my suitcase within two days and finding myself falling in love with the Irish way of life.

It wasn’t quite the break I had anticipated; yet, it was more than the break I expected.

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Adventures, Australia, NSW, Tourism, Lord Howe Island Melissa Findley Adventures, Australia, NSW, Tourism, Lord Howe Island Melissa Findley

Lord Howe Island - Just Paradise.

Lord Howe Island represents the way the world is supposed to be.

Just a two-hour plane flight from mainland Australia (Sydney or Brisbane), to discover a volcanic island of picturesque crescent lagoons teeming with diverse life, palm-tree shaded streets and incredible mountains rising from the sea.

On Lord Howe shoes are optional, the mode of transport is a bicycle and the universal language is a wave combined with a smile found on the face of every person you cross paths with. Mobile reception here doesn’t exist and connecting to WIFI is the last thing you think about when you have the most pristine, untouched beach to yourself for hours.

 

Australia’s best kept secret, a world treasure, by far the one of the most stunning of them all -- A real Holiday destination.

 

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Adventures, Travel, Tourism, Peru Melissa Findley Adventures, Travel, Tourism, Peru Melissa Findley

Peru, a dream come true - With PROMPERU

Peru.

Step back in time to a land of rich history and awe-inspiring ancient cities.

 

“I went around the world, because in the end, it was just a little further. Because time ceased to exist, and the fleeting moments of chance encounters along the way were the only thing that mattered.” - Anne-France Dautheville, 1970.

 

✧✧✧

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A road trip through the Outback - with Tourism NT.

I’m now starting to lose count of how many visits I’ve made to the beautiful outback of Australia, a place I sincerely love exploring – it’s alluring charm and magic is never lost on me. Each time I visit I leave feeling lighter and with a heart full of lasting memories.

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Adventures, Travel, Tourism, Bhutan Melissa Findley Adventures, Travel, Tourism, Bhutan Melissa Findley

BHUTAN, The Land of The Thunder Dragon.

HAPPINESS IS A PLACE.

A mandate of the Bhutanese state is Gross National Happiness. In translation: Happiness is only** achieved through "sustainable and equitable socio-economic development; environmental conservation; preservation and promotion of culture; and good governance". 


The essence of a unique society: in touch with the traditions of the past, a deep spiritual connection to the environment and the main goal in life being “happiness” - you can’t find a more enlightened travel destination in the world today.

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Adventures, Australia, NSW, Shellharbour Melissa Findley Adventures, Australia, NSW, Shellharbour Melissa Findley

A seaside escape: Shellharbour.

A favourite seaside escape, Shellharbour is blessed with a beautiful environment of beaches, lakes and national parks, incredible local food served with a genuine smile and magical underwater worlds. 

It really does have a summer vibe all year round, with a laid back lifestyle that gently washes away all the noise and replaces it with a sense of peacefulness. 

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Adventures, Australia, Blue Mountains, Published, Travel Melissa Findley Adventures, Australia, Blue Mountains, Published, Travel Melissa Findley

Live With Us - with COUNTRY ROAD.

ON THE ROAD: With COUNTRY ROAD X Live With Us // THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. I started out on this journey heading in the direction of the unknown. That’s the true freedom and beauty of the open road. You get to discover more of Australia with the windows down, hair blowing wild in the wind, nostalgic songs and good company – all of which makes heart sing. 

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South Africa, Uncategorized Melissa Findley South Africa, Uncategorized Melissa Findley

Breathtaking South Africa

I’d had been looking forward to heading to South Africa for quite some time and before I left everyone kept saying to me “Oh you just wait, you’re absolutely going to love it.” and LOVE it I did. I have to admit I had no idea what to expect, I mean, I knew it was going to be a beautiful destination, but I don’t think I was prepared for just HOW beautiful it is. 

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Adventures, Australia, Travel, Uncategorized Melissa Findley Adventures, Australia, Travel, Uncategorized Melissa Findley

Micro-Adventures with TEVA

Taking a break whenever I can back in Australia and visiting all my favourite places to just “be.” A chance to recenter and immerse myself in the beauty that is a place, which I am lucky enough to call home. Kick starting a micro-adventure series with TEVA Australia. // Please head to the full blog post here. Get out there! M. x

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Uncategorized Melissa Findley Uncategorized Melissa Findley

B A L I

Checking in from paradise.  Recently I had the opportunity to visit Bali with my beautiful, beautiful friend and roommate Chelsea. A girls trip combining a holiday with work, which was perfectly timed – – we spent some time getting back to our roots, taking the moment to appreciate every day and a new rising sun, exploring Bali, slowing down, practising yoga and eating incredible, nourishing food. Collecting memories not things. 

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Adventures, Travel, Uncategorized, Vanuatu Melissa Findley Adventures, Travel, Uncategorized, Vanuatu Melissa Findley

Vanuatu: I S L A N D S P I R I T

The world is huge and we are tiny. Explore it. ✧♡• In just under two and a half hours from Brisbane you can escape to paradise.  You know those places that you instantly connect with, that pull at your heartstrings in an unfamiliar but almost comforting way? Calling you back again so much so that you spend days dreaming about your return, before you even leave? I was pleasantly surprised and completely blown away with the incredible untouched beauty of Vanuatu. 

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Adventures, Australia, Queensland, Travel, Uncategorized Melissa Findley Adventures, Australia, Queensland, Travel, Uncategorized Melissa Findley

The Pacific Coast Way - Brisbane to Cairns

Life is not about milestones, but moments • The open road, fresh air in our lungs and laughter filling our bellies: eight days on the road with Tourism Queensland and Toyota Australia.  One of my biggest photo updates this year. I’m feeling incredibly grateful to have spent time with good friends exploring all the natural wonders of my home state along The Pacific Coast Way, a 1700km stretch linking Brisbane to Cairns. 

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