In January 2012 I decided to leave home in Northern Ireland and go travelling to New Zealand, and then on to Australia.  I’ve never really known what it is I wanted to do with my life career wise, all I know is I’ve always had a desire to travel and see what else is out there.  I’m not one of those people who leave home, looking to move to the other side of the world, and expecting the grass to be greener.  For me it’s all about seeing different places, experiencing different cultures, and at this point, I still expect I’ll be home some day.

Me (Vicki Larkin)

Since leaving the UK I’ve had fun trying to fund my travelling.  I’ve waitressed in a busy Auckland restaurant, tried my hand at orchard work, spent two ski seasons as a snow bum, and now I’m a dairy farmer.  When I wasn’t working my boyfriend, Chris, and I were travelling around the country freedom camping in our car.  In New Zealand, our goal was to see as much of the country as possible and in a bit of depth.  I didn’t want to be one of those people who work in Auckland for ten months and then book onto a tour bus and rush around the country in six weeks.  And I’m pretty sure we’ve achieved this, maybe even overdone it a little!

My only regret the whole time I’ve been away is that, other than the odd Facebook status here and there, I haven’t written down any of my experiences.  When you’re travelling the weeks very quickly run into one another and before you know it, half a year’s gone by and, other than hundreds of unorganised photos, you don’t have much to remember it by.  So I thought I’d give blogging a go, to share my experiences and remind myself of what I’ve done.

Vicki Larkin