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Vast open landscapes, raw natural beauty, red dirt roads and stunning turquoise waters – Western Australia is like nothing I have witnessed elsewhere in the world. Throw in some of the most welcoming and relaxed people that populate its cities and towns and you’re going to need to make time to visit this relatively untravelled corner of Australia.
Esperance
For us, our trip to Western Australia was majorly to return to the beautiful town of Esperance and its surrounding beaches. This place is INCREDIBLE! I travelled to Esperance last year with a girlfriend of mine and it was love at first sight. I knew straight away that this wouldn’t be my only visit here and so I returned a year later with Chesh to soak in some more West Oz vibes.
Why is this place so amazing? Looking on a map, it appears to be one of the most isolated towns in the country and with only around 12,000 people living here it might not seem worth the 9 hour drive from the capital city of Perth. And that’s the magic of it. Only those with a sense of adventure, wanting escape from the normality and willing to travel large distances to find it will be able to truly appreciate this region. As soon as you step off the plane in Perth, you instantly feel that connection to nature and this strengthens as you leave the city behind and drive to the Southern coastline. After seeing only scrub and farmlands for the duration of the road trip, first seeing that crystal clear water washing up against pure white sand beaches will make your jaw drop. Seeing Chesh’s face as we rolled over the last hill before the coast will always be in my mind. After the initial shock and amazement, you’ll find yourself yahooing and high-fiving. Then comes the confusion – why is there no-one here?! Where are the hotels? Why is the coastline undeveloped? Why are all the shops closed on a Sunday? And this is the real charm of this place. Esperance is modestly beautiful.
The beaches
The coastline is the major appeal for Esperance. And there is so much of it to explore! We were here for 9 days and still only scratched the surface. Within 5 minutes of the main town you will be sitting on a beach with sand and water that competes with the beaches of Bora Bora. In fact, depending on which adjudicator you believe, the beach at Lucky Bay actually has the whitest sand in the world! And Esperance has the water clarity and colour to match a French Polynesian atoll. Even on a cloudy day the ocean plays a bubblegum hue that is just so pretty to see, but seeing the beaches here on a flawless summer day is crazy. All the most beautiful blue tones entice you into the water and the water clarity is also incredible – it’s like a swimming pool. But as you look back to shore you might see sandy cliffs with only a solitary staircase down to the beach or you’ll see untouched sand dunes and a handful of 4WDs spread out along the sand. Like I said, like nothing I have seen before!
Near the town our favourite beaches were West Beach, Twilight Beach and Blue Haven. Even if there’s a wind up (like we had) there’s a beach or a sheltered headland you can find to escape the swell and the breeze. We went in February (at the back end of Australia summer / high season) and we were never within 100m of another soul on the beaches. There is a scenic drive you can take West of the town that meanders along the coast and it’s so special. I challenge you to drive it and not stop at every look out and car park! Whether checking the surf or choosing your beach to explore for the day, this was a highlight I’d recommend.
In keeping with the theme of the region, if you don’t mind a drive then you can find some more magic further again from civilisation. One such favourite was the beaches at Duke of Orleans Bay, specifically Wharton Beach. About an hour and a half from Esperance, here you can park right up on the headland and walk down to the sheltered corner of white sand or you can drive your 4WD onto the sand. Either way, you will have ample room to spread out and enjoy this spot. Chesh and I had a surf here one morning and the water is so clear that you see straight down to sand, and you feel as though you are floating on air as you glide down the line. And taking a look around you will see not one sign of human intrusion to the natural landscape apart from the tyre tracks leading off the beach!
National Parks
Again for those not afraid of some extra driving, the National Parks have plenty more gems hidden inside. Beaches such as Lucky Bay and Hellfire beach were visited by us on the reg. At Hellfire Beach we had an afternoon where the sun came out from behind the clouds just as the few other beachgoers packed up for the day and we were left completely alone. We swam in the glassy waves and then sat up on the sun baked rocks to warm up and couldn’t believe the moment we had.
Then there’s Lucky Bay. Wow. With the whitest sand beach in Australia, this is a sheltered bay from the elements that has only kangaroos as locals! The roos are more than happy for you to sit with them as they graze on the beach. There’s even a local couple who set up their caravan on the beach and serve coffees, which is such a vibe since there’s no shops anywhere near this place! The only permanent feature here is a camp site perched on the hill, which is where we stayed for a few nights. You really can’t get a much better view to wake up to the white stretch of sand and the crazy blue waters. Nature is king out here.
Town
Esperance itself is a cute little town that has all the essentials of a country town, as well as our fav coffee shop Downtown Espresso Shop and boutique shopping at Tide and Co. But our favourite thing of being in Esperance was returning to the beautiful Esperance Chalet Village. This place is a little home away from home, perfect to hang out during the day or unwind after a big day exploring with a glass of wine in hand. Set among the trees the village feel is created with a series of cute, stand-alone chalets that are beautifully styled. But the best part for me was the amazing host Fi, whose vibes and energy for the area are contagious and will want to make you move to Esperance (we are still trying to work this out!). Fi is such a warm and vibrant soul that makes you feel so welcomed to be a part of the place. We have stayed here the last 2 visits now and are already panning our next visit!
Road trip
You can get to Esperance from Perth by plane, although this is quite expensive and so most people grab a car and hit the road. We hired a camper van from Perth with our amazing friends at Travellers Autobarn as we didn’t want to miss the epic Australian road trip vibes cruising around West Oz. I would suggest doing the same since everything is very far apart in this part of the country and the best things will need a set of wheels.
Leaving from Perth we were fully self contained for the trip down to Esperance, stopping road side for the occasional brew thanks to our little kitchen in the van or even once taking a nap in the bed. There’s also a few towns to stop at if you fancy a roadhouse meal, but we loved having the freedom to drive at our own pace.
Because we had a spare day, we decided to detour to Albany for a night as we’d heard so much about the spot (actually it seemed very similar to Esperance). Although only a brief stop, we had an amazing vegan breakfast at The Alkaline Cafe and got to explore some of the amazing beaches that were the perfect appetiser to what we would experience in Esperance. In particular we loved Two People’s Bay in the national park, which hosts two giant rocks in the middle of an isolated bay – we had so much fun shooting this beach with our drone!
Perth
Cottesloe
Having been dosed up on the wild and powerful landscapes of the South Coast, we returned to Perth for a change of scenery and some time to explore one of the most chilled and friendly cities I have ever been to. We stayed in the beachside suburb of Cottesloe and absolutely loved it! This is a magic little stretch of coast just far away enough from the CBD to have beautiful yet relatively empty beaches and plenty of cafes dotted along the coastal road. We stayed at Cottesloe Beach Hotel which was in the most perfect spot to walk or bike ride along the esplanade and access all the beaches and coffee spots. But the hotel itself was our favourite place to have a late lunch, drinks or dinner and watch the fierce red sun set over the ocean, turning the sky into flavours of fairy floss. The Verandah Bar has a classic Australian vibe and when paired with the outlook straight over the beach its no wonder this place is buzzing on a hot day or at golden hour. There’s also the Beach Club for amazing cocktails and the more intimate dining option of the Fish Bar, which served up the freshest and tastiest food (this was so delicious after having been road tripping for the last 2 weeks!).
Rottnest Island
To cap off our time in Perth, we took a day trip out to Rottnest Island. This island is a half hour ferry ride from the mainland and such an incredible place to explore. You can stay on the island or just visit for the day, and since there’s no cars on the island you are best to grab a bike to cruise around. We grabbed some bikes on the island at opening time and had them back just before the last ferry, such is the amount of things to do and see here on Rottnest. We loved the white sand dunes in Parakeet Bay, as well as The Basin for a dip when the sun was burning hot. Perhaps one of the most iconic things about Rottnest (‘Rotto’ to the locals) is the little furry inhabitants called Quokkas. These little guys can be found alongside the bike paths and near the main town foraging for food. Of course you have seen the Quokka selfies, but their little smiles are so freakin cute!
It can take several hours to bike around the island, and so a MUST when visiting is to explore by the water which we did thanks to Charter 1! We jumped aboard the iconic yellow-coloured sail boat and made our way around the coastline of the island, stopping at a few magic spots like Salmon Bay. We swam in clear waters straight off the boat, watching eagle rays cruising beneath the boat. But the highlight for us was seeing sea lions! These guys perch up on the rocks off the island to take a break in the sun after spending time fishing at sea and we were lucky enough to have an encounter with them in the water! We could not believe it nor were we expecting this! Taking a dip off the boat and then seeing a couple of sea lions swimming around us, checking us out and then playing was one of my most memorable ocean experiences. Not only to be in the presence but to be the subject of their attention was overwhelming for me! This is just another reason to recommend seeing Rottnest via boat and this was the perfect end to our time in Perth.
We will be back!
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Your Guide to MILOS
Milos is our favourite Greek Island.
It has all of the musts for a dreamy Greek island getaway – beautiful blue waters, authentic culture, delicious local cuisine, cute villages, stunning vistas – but it’s the variety of crazy landscapes that, for me, make Milos a standout destination to visit. It’s small enough to explore easily by quad bike, but provides a vast number of authentic, cool & just downright #bucketlist experiences. We visited Europe for 6 months during this trip, mainly hugging the ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and this island was a favourite for both Chesh and I.
These are our must visits…
Sarakiniko
Sarakiniko is like another planet! Some of my FAV European summer memories were made right here, exploring its stunning moonscape & plunging into the ocean from the whitest & most pristine rocks I have ever seen. All times of the day are beautiful, but early morning (before sunrise) is truly special ~ you’ll experience it alone & watch the place come to life with colour & crowds. There’s a jump spot for the adventurous and show-offs, as well as a shallow channel for the casual waders. Give it a hug for me!!
Kleftiko and Sikia
On the other side of the island (the South West coastline) you will find another few spots with unique and magical scenery. This stretch of coastline cannot (easily) be reached by land and so the best advice is to take to the sea! The highlights of this area include Kleftiko and Sikia, although every other part of this rugged, rocky coastline is worth exploring, if you’re feeling super adventurous.
Kleftiko is full of crazy rock features jutting out from the sea as well as sea caves that you can enter by swimming or via boat.
Just around the corner you’ll find Sikia, which is an especially incredible cave with its huge roof open to the sky. You can enter with a small boat (or swim in, just be very careful!).
For us, one day wasn’t enough time to explore this area of coastline, so we went twice! Our first trip was with Polco Sailing and this was such a cruisy (& VERY enjoyable) way to explore. Pol himself and the crew were absolute legends and the whole day felt more like a day out with good friends seeing so much, yet at a relaxed pace. Not like some other sail excursions we’ve done before that feel very rushed and following a forced itinerary. Good laughs and such an experience!
Our second day out we decided to explore by ourselves, so we took a small boat out from our (now) friends at Rent Boat Milos. We picked up the boat from Provatas Beach and launched straight off the sandy beach. The freedom to follow your own agenda was amazing, especially when there is so much to see! We took our lunch and a juicy watermelon, swam wherever looked uncrowded and even had a nap on anchor floating in a beautiful cove with sheer rock walls all around.
Tsigrado Beach
There’s some other great beaches to check out down on the South of the island, including Firiplaka beach and Tsigrado Beach. Tsigrado is such a cool little spot & it’s definitely a must visit with the adventure factor of traversing through a cave & down a (pretty sketchy) ladder to get onto the beach. The sheltered bay, pristine emerald water & lack of crowds found here, make this one a must do. To note there is no food available here, so take snacks!
Firiplaka
The beach is AH-MA-ZING when the Northerly winds are blowing (which happens often). We were on the island when it was hit by 80kph+ winds & this beach (although a bit further to get to) was the most sheltered of all. There is food available here, so you can spend the full day!
Also dont miss:
- Mandrakia: the most gorgeous seaside village on the island in our opinion, pair it with dinner at Medusa Taverna for the ultimate evening
- Trypiti: A town high up in the hills & a beautiful spot for a late afternoon wine or long lazy lunch. Its a really lovely town to walk around too!
- Plaka: My fav village on the island, both for its unparalleled sunset views, being the highest point of the island AND its gorgeous alley way restaurants, cool little bars & gelato shops. This is a must do!
- Quad around at sunset, this is just such a cool experience! Get lost & have fun!
- Papafragas Canyon: A stunning canyon that you can swim all the way through. It’s truly a sight to behold.
Stay
During our visit to Milos we stayed up the top of the island in and around the town of Pollonia, which is a pretty little fishing village with great restaurants!
Aloni Cave House
For most of our stay we were lucky enough to call Aloni Cave House our home. And that’s exactly how it feels – like your own home. It’s a beautifully decorated old farmhouse that’s carved into the rock on the side of a hill! For us it was an amazing place to relax after a day in the sun, feeling secluded with no buildings around and yet still located on the road into Pollonia village. Views of the ocean and the farm land below were amazing while eating the local produce and wine provided by our host Corallia.
Corallia was so amazing during our stay, not only with her beautiful property but also giving an abundance of information on what to do whilst on the island. We were in Milos for 10 days and there’s still so much more to do so we were glad to have our time so well planned thanks to Corallia!
Del Mar
We also spent a few nights in Del Mar Apartments & Suites, which boasts little boutique apartment suites in the village of Pollonia. Great location, luxury interior feel and amazing breakfast spreads delivered to your room before you head out for the day. A cute little hanging chair out front to read a book and a short stroll into town for dinner really sticks in my mind!
Eat
Wow – where to start? There’s so much good food in Greece. Think halloumi, fried calamari, Greek salad, dolmades… drool! But given we spent around a month in the Greek Islands living on the typical dishes, we were also really keen to try something different to what’s served at your usual restaurant, while still keeping to the local style and ingredients.
One such place was Akrotiri Seafood Obsession, a cozy restaurant in Pollonia with the best seafood we had on Milos. The owner Zacharias is such a genuine food lover and his passion shows up on your plate. This place is one of only a handful that stays open for the locals during the winter months and it’s clear why it’s a favourite. The prawns and sardines will be in my dreams forever!
Also in Pollonia is the sushi restaurant Hanabi, which is a relatively new place on the waterfront with an Asian kitchen and candlelit vibes. We were CRAVING sushi so bad and I’m fairly sure this is the only spot to get it on Milos. Despite the lack of competition, it was amazing food and such a romantic setting!
But if you want to stick to more traditional food, I took Chesh to Psaravolada Restaurant as a surprise for his birthday and it was a hit! We quad biked through barren landscapes to the South side of the island and arrived here at sunset with a pink sky and drank wine on the cliff top over the sea. Located away from the main towns (or any other houses) this place is a hidden gem serving delicious food with an upmarket setting and relaxed vibe!
Other food favs:
Honourable mentions go to Kivotos ton Gefseon *bakery* (their watermelon tarts are LIFE & we had breakfast here multiple times!), Medusa Tavera which is honestly one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to (right on the seafront & the freshest seafood) & the gorgeous cliff top restaurant, Maistrali, which looks out to one of the calmest stretches of coastline on the island.
French Polynesia is the perfect setting for a tropical dream. I’m talking palm trees, crazy blue waters, fresh seafood and coconuts, lush rainforests, abundant marine life, beautiful reefs, and the most amazingly warm people and culture. Need I say more?
French Polynesia is made up of over 100 islands and atolls, scattered across the South Pacific Ocean in area roughly the size of Europe. This means that each island can offer something slightly different to your travel needs, whilst still serving up the tropical wonder that you’d come to expect. The islands are located roughly halfway between Australia and South America and are around a 6 hour flight South of Hawaii (although most flights are from New Zealand or West Coast USA).
We were lucky enough to visit for the full month of October and honestly, we are still pinching ourselves after the amazing experiences we had! This was our second visit to French Pol and we are already looking to go again this year – it’s that good!
Part of what made our stay so memorable was having so much of it planned out by our friends at Discover Polynesia. There’s a lot to consider when visiting the region, so I hope this blog will give you the right amount of inspo and info. And if you need a travel designer for your upcoming trip, reach out to Séverine at Discover Polynesia like we did to get the most out of your travels!
Bora Bora
This is a country that has always been on our Bucket List, appealing us as a picturesque place bordered by a long stretch of coastline with friendly people, culture, amazing seafood and a relaxed lifestyle. Having had our passports stamped sadly and leaving Portugal, I can confirm that our expectations were met, and more!
When deciding how to tackle travel through this long and diverse country, we started with our friends at DreamSea. They have properties all over the world (including Nicaragua, Sri Lanka and Bali to name a few) but it was their Portuguese locations in the Surf Camp South of Lisbon and Sintra Surf House that we chose to stay.
Surf Camp
Nestled into camp grounds on the dunes of Praia da Gale (South of Lisbon), we reached the surf camp via train. The trainline runs from Faro to Lisbon and your stop is at Grândola, giving a short drive to the camping grounds. Therefore it’s reasonably easy to get to, considering how remote it feels being there (and even when you look for it on a map).
The DreamSea surf camp is like the VIP section of the larger Praia de Gale camping grounds, so you have access to their facilities while also having the location nearest the ocean. The surf camp has canvas style tents dotted around the site, with communal hang/eat areas and a strictly no shoes vibe given you are always walking on white sand. We stayed in the Glamping section which put our tent directly overlooking the beach and sandy cliffs. Our little veranda was the perfect spot on arrival to watch the sun setting over the Atlantic and knock back a few glasses of red wine!
The camp (as the name suggests) is built around surfing. The team are just as stocked to surf as their guests and we found it to be a great place to learn to surf and get the stoke that only comes from bobbing out behind the breakers and getting to your feet on that first wave. They have all the gear to get you going provided for guests, as well as lessons and info sessions. The beach itself is fairly friendly and the water was super clear and magic to jump into when the sun was hot overhead.
If you’re looking for other things to do around the surf schedule, the camp offers yoga, daily activities and even night time party vibes of you have the energy by the days’ end.
Sintra Surf House
Coming from a week in the Surf Camp being barefoot, salty and a little sunburnt, Sintra Surf House was the little bit of luxury that we needed whilst still being in striking distance to the beach and waves.
Located just outside of Lisbon, Sintra has always been a Bucket List visit within Portugal for us & we are so glad we included this in our stay.
You stay in a restored mansion which has a cool coastal vibe in a rural setting & is only a 15-20 drive from the main town (where you can visit Sintra’s famous palaces & eat your way through the tiny cobble stone streets of Sintra!)
We chose to check out Pena Palace (which is a MUST do) + we did a couple of days trips out to the surrounding beaches. We particularly loved Praia Grande & Ericeira, both perfect for a day well spent soaking up the sun. Don’t miss Ericeira though, this town felt like home for us, with a super trendy surf vibe & good vibes all round! We had an amazing lunch at The Mill, highly recommend!
Keep up the stoke Salty Fam! Enjoy summer xxx
Peru is an adventure seekers dream. It’s a country full to the brim of diverse landscapes & experiences, including some of the most iconic bucketlist destinations in the world – Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Sacred Valley & the once capital of the Incan Empire, Cusco.
Explore Cusco:
At 3,399 m above sea level, Cusco is a magical epicentre & fusion of cultures. It mixes colonial architecture with archeological remains of Incan stonework & an International community of travellers, hikers & explorers.
An old city with endless charm, you can spend a full day exploring, sitting atop carved wooden balconies & wandering the main square, Plaza de Armas.
It’s the perfect base to do multiple day tours like we did, including hiking Machu Picchu (2 day trek), visiting the Moras Salt Mines, exploring the Sacred Valley (including the really beautiful mountain village of Pisac) & climbing Rainbow Mountain (opt for the lesser known Palccoyo).
Best Eats in Cusco:
L’atelier Cafe
Green Point Vegan – awesome food & really nice people! Shout out to the boys for looking after Chesh with Coca tea when he was feeling really unwell. Must eat here!
Qura Bowls – really good acai bowls as well as your daily hit of greens! Opposite Green Point Vegan
L’atelier- this place felt like such a hidden gem. It was so cute with its gorgeous blue balcony looking over San Blas + they have nut milks, masala chai & gluten free desert options! We went twice!
Organica – This place is in a prime spot & has really good food! We opted for breakfast but their entire menu looked great. They have a little balcony that you can sip coffee & people watch across from Plaza de Aramas
San Blas Market – really tasty & fresh seasonal produce. Definitely go here to pick up fruit & veg for cooking at home
Stay
The JW Marriot El Convento is perfectly situated in Cuscos trendiest neighbourhood ‘San Blas’. Surrounded by cobble stone lanes leading to cute little cafes, colourful market places & even more colourful streets.
Housed in a restored stone convent, the property offers a unique stay with its huge sun terrace, great food & really cosy rooms right in the heart of the city. We really enjoyed our stay & would highly recommend.
If you’re like us & want to mix your accomodation up, you can opt for an Airbnb stay as well (we did 4 nights hotel / 6 nights airbnb to mix things up). We stayed in this gorgeous Airbnb (‘Mini Apartment in Historic Center’) for just $40 per night & it had everything we needed to enjoy the city (including kitchen & HOT HOT water).
Click here to book a stay with Airbnb.
Explore Machu Picchu & Agues Calientes:
Almost everyone dreams to one day visit the 15th century Incan citadel, Machu Picchu. The site itself is beyond belief, unlimited with its magic & as a wonder of the world it simply needs to be experienced to be believed.
Machu Picchus former use still remains a mystery, but with its astronomical alignments, panoramic views & possibly the worlds greatest sunrise spectacular it is a must see.
We have always dreamt of hiking the Inca Trail & for us it was an easy choice to book our 2 day / 1 night trip with Evolution Treks Peru. I personally was into their sustainability efforts, as well as their commitment to female empowerment (as the only trek company with women part of their team). Our guide Ru was incredibly knowledgeable & even more passionate about the history of the trail & preferred to talk of it more as a ‘pilgrimage’ than anything else. We’ve probably never had a better guide (ever) & genuinely feel we owe our experience to him. We learnt so much & had a genuine connection to what we were doing, as he encouraged us all along the way to stop, sit, listen to the parrots & breathe the fresh mountain air. It was magic!
Agues Calientes:
Agues Calientes is the tiny town at the base of Machu Picchu & offers lots of lodging from b&b’s to a number of more high end hotels. The town itself is a must see – don’t miss enjoying a coffee court side to its very old railway, the towns thermal hot springs or sitting by its glacial clear river to enjoy lunch!
Stay
Whether hiking in via the Inca trail or accessing via tiny (but mighty) neighbouring town Agues Calientes, Luxury seekers will enjoy retiring to the one & only Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu.
The only property atop Machu Picchu, with sweeping views across the valley, including that of Huayna Picchu (Machu Picchus neighbouring peak) & beginnings of the sites ruins. You can literally see hikers finishing their Inca pilgrimage from the properties grounds, you are that close to the action.
We recommend to hike the Inca (you can do 2 or 4 day treks) & finish your experience with a night or two at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, your legs & tummies will thank you ~ we did this & so happy with our choice.
If you are looking for some old world charm, hop aboard Belmond’s Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco & enjoy a uniquely elegant experience, including romantic candlelit dinner & some of the most spectacular views of the Andes.
A massive thank you to Kiwi Collection for organising our stays at both Belmond Sanctuary Lodge & JW Marriott El Convento!
Other tours we loved!
We were lucky to experience two separate tours with Exploor Peru, including Rainbow Mountain & Sacred Valley, both accessible via Cusco & both achieved in a day each. As a side note, be sure to book your Rainbow Mountain tour at least 48 hrs after arriving to Cusco to give your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (Sacred Valley is completely fine though, as it’s actually at a lower altitude than Cusco).
Rainbow Mountain:
We chose to do the alternative route to Rainbow Mountain ‘Palccoyo’, as it is not yet flooded by tourists & we had the privileged opportunity to be led by a member of the local community & his trusty llama. Palccoyo is actually cherished & managed by the local community, so we felt a real connection to being up on that mountain in the safe hands of our guide.
The mountain reaches approx 17,000 feet so it is tough hike. It’s very achievable though for someone who is fit & isn’t affected by altitude sickness. Chesh was affected by altitude sickness while in Cusco, but was still able to complete the trek. It takes around 3-4 hrs round trip (depending how fast you walk) but there is no pressure to speed through the day & you set the pace.
We didn’t need it, but Exploor Peru also carries an oxygen tank for safety purposes & they are highly knowledge & take great care of you.
Sacred Valley:
Many of you reading this have probably seen the Moras Salt Mines on Instagram & Pinterest – they became very popular recently & for good reason. They are super beautiful & unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They were much better in person than any photo I’ve ever seen of it!
At time of writing this (May 2019) there are only a few weeks left that the mines will be open to walk around. Shortly they will be closed for good to protect their integrity. You can still visit, but you will view them from a platform (which still gives incredible views & great photo opps).
On this same tour you can visit Moray (really interesting circular ruins), Pisacs archeological site & craft markets + Urumba, a neighbouring village for a delicious lunch.
We really loved the Pisac markets, they felt very authentic, as we sat & watched women weaving rugs for quite some time, children huddled laughing eating corn & had lunch at an amazing vegan restaurant called Wakiy Cafe.
We loved our experience in Peru & would really recommend a visit! Give yourself about 7-10 days to have the full experience & allow your body to adjust to the altitude.
Chesh & Sez xx
Esperance should be on everyones #bucketlist. It is without doubt one of the most stunning places I have ever visited & the great news… it’s pretty unknown Internationally & due to it’s isolated location, many Australians have even yet to visit – so it’s uncrowded & unspoilt! I had to pinch myself multiple times a day thinking ‘this is the best beach I have ever seen & no-one is here – how can this be’!?
Top Experiences:
-Get super up close & personal with wild kangaroos at Lucky Bay
-Spend at least 1 full day exploring Cape Le Grand National Park (there are endless coves to swim in so get ready for a big one!)
-Swim at the insane ‘The Duke’ aka Duke of Orleans Bay (1.5 hrs from Esperance)
-Go 4WDing & check out the lesser known beaches surrounding Esperance!
-Fly over Lake Hillier, the mega famous Pink Lake. You’ll need to book this in advance, locals recommend GM Helicopters
-Cruise the local beaches – must check out Blue Haven, Twilight Cove, West Beach & Observatory Point
-Spend a few hours at Thistle Cove, a small bay with insane mountains as the back drop
-Climb Frenchman’s Peak for sunset over Cape Le Grand NP
-Get inspired & visit Tide & Co an awesome artisan space by local gal Lucy. Luce is an amazing photographer (the creative behind Love Childs), so there will no shortness of beautiful local imagery to get you excited about your next adventure (while you are there pick up a copy of Esperance Tide & find out what’s on while you are visiting!)
Getting There:
You have two choices, drive or fly.
You’ll set off from Perth & the quicker more direct 700+ km drive will take you roughly 10 hours (map below). There isn’t too much to see, but a few small towns along the way make the epic journey pretty cool + famous wave rock is via this route too!
However, if time allows, take the scenic route along the coast, as there are some great little towns along the way like Busselton, Margaret River & Albany. I loved Margaret River (try to stay a few nights & taste some of the best wine the country has to offer).
If you choose to fly, REX is the only carrier & the flight will take around 1.5 hrs – much more time efficient obviously, however, much more expensive. Flights are generally around $500 return per person.
Where to Stay:
Esperance is a small coastal town, but for it’s size, does offer some great places to sleep after a big day exploring!
We stayed at the beautiful & quaint Esperance Chalet Village which is in my opinion by far your best option in the region. It is SUPER cute, offering complimentary bikes, direct access to the beach (the property is nestled just behind the sand dunes of a local beach), communal fires, retro A-frame & cabin style accomodations, excellent kitchen facilities + the young family who run the village live on site & are SO lovely / happy to help you with any questions you might have. If staying here, you’ll also find yourself in an excellent location – just 2 mins drive to the local supermarket, 5 mins to town & close by to the highway which takes you directly to Cape Le Grand National Park.
Camping Options:
If camping is more your thing, I highly recommend Lucky Bay Camp Site in Cape Le Grand National Park. We didn’t get the chance to camp here this time, but it is ONE OF THE BEST camp sites I have ever seen. Essentially it’s beach view camping for $11 per person & although very remote (a plus in my opinion) you have an amazing little coffee van on site to get your daily kanga-chino fix (yep… you read right, KANGA-chino ☺️).
All National Park Bookings are essential & can be made through WA National Parks & Wildlife Service.
If you are keen to mix it up, you can also check out the Orleans Bay Caravan Park which next time I visit, I will definitely be staying at. It’s a 1 minute drive from Duke of Orleans Beach (one of my absolute favs EVER!)… you just can’t beat the location.
Thistle Cove
I have had my eye on this little beauty for the last few years. It’s fairly off the radar; I saw it by chance at the time (maybe somewhere in the abyss of Pinterest?) & I just fell in love with it! It felt so familiar, with all the tropical feels I live for, but without the crowds, it was untouched & even years later, it had not become a tourist mega-hotspot.
Bawah Reserve is home to 6 islands, 3 lagoons & 13 beaches. The water is pristine, I’m talking glassy, azure deliciousness that has to be seen to be believed.
The Reserve is nestled in a marine conservation area which is home to endless underwater species, including turtles, reef shark & colourful fishies (we also saw lots of beautiful bright blue starfish too!) And, in my absolute joy, the property is doing so much in the way of protecting their stunning home, through sustainability efforts like solar power, providing guests with natural products (like 100% natural mosquito repellent made by disadvantaged local womens groups as well as providing reef friendly sunscreen!) regenerating the local reef & giving back to local communities / villages of the surrounding islands (i.e they support local line fisherman by purchasing all their fresh fish for the restaurant & offer them safe harbour in their lagoon!). I swoon over all of this!
Finally, I’ll leave you with this… this is the only resort in Indonesia which offers the true meaning of all-inclusive luxury, by being the only retreat in Asia to include all spa treatments (a massage a day keeps the Dr. away?).
I know… sign me up!
Getting There:
The Reserve is 160 nautical miles or 1 hr 20 mins by seaplane. You’ll land in Singapore, catch a short ferry to Indonesia & fly out from there. The transit is really simple & when arriving into Singapore in the morning, you’ll be sipping on a fresh coconut by lunch!
Because the resort is all inclusive, your flight fro Singapore is included in your stay too! Goals.
When To Go:
We visited in January & it was beautiful, super warm with a little drizzle here & there! We were told this is the common weather pattern & guests should expect mostly sunny days with tropical rain year round. YES THANKS! FYI because it literally sits by itself in the middle of the ocean, it doesn’t experience the same distinct seasons as say Singapore or Indonesia #islandlife.
Some of our fav moments from the trip…
Coconuts are life 
Breakfast by the beach
Breakfast goals
Our little home on stilts
One of my fav spots on the island
Mum being so cute 
The jetty
Your Transport 
Our room!
Kayaking 
The house reef
When you think about heaven on earth, what do you think of?
For me, the Maldives is what comes to mind, with its crystal clear aquarium-like lagoons & palm tree fringed islands. There is no doubt, if you are an ocean, summer, beach lover like me, you are either dreaming of the Maldives OR since visiting, that’s all you can dream about.
Another thing I really wanted to mention before getting into the detail is that as a destination, the Maldives is for everyone. Although it’s perfect for honeymoons / special occasions, it’s also an epicentre for epic adventures, unforgettable moments with marine life, so so good for solo travellers looking to unwind & connect with other adventurous souls & couples who just want to do something rad together. I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice, once with Chesh (my partner) & once on a Mumma / daughter trip with my beautiful mum. Both were equally as good, for different reasons & experiences.
Getting There:
Although remote, the Maldives is easily accessible from anywhere in the world.
No matter where you are coming from, you’ll arrive into the capital, Male. If you are coming from Australia, the trip takes about 13 hours (with a stop over in Singapore) & if you are coming from US / EU expect a little longer with a stopover in Dubai or Singapore. Book in advance & save on flights, as usual.
When To Go:
Honestly, I don’t think you’ll find a bad time to visit the Maldives. Of course there is a dominating wet (April -November) & dry (Dec – April) season, but each season brings beauty & depending what you are looking for, your ideal season might be different to what you might think… I’m actually all about shoulder season, which equals less crowds, variable weather conditions (which makes for beautiful experiences) & cost effective travel.
‘Wet’ season is actually the best time to spot whale sharks & manta rays, being mating season. This is a bucket list experience not to be missed & a small bit of rain each day is worth every second for this incredible opportunity (trust me). Generally in wet season you’ll experience down pours & lots of sunshine otherwise.
Dry season is ideal for the perfect beach holiday if you don’t want a little weather to rain on your parade. Expect sunshine 24/7!
I have been in both dry / peak season (January) as well as shoulder season (April) – I genuinely loved both equally for different reasons.
Where To Stay:
Four Seasons Maldives
Four Seasons is next level, they offer meaningful experiences, incredible service & some of the best geographical locations in the Maldives. They actually have 4 offerings, Kuda Huraa (a speed boat trip away from Male & a beyond beautiful layover), Landaa Giraavaru (a short 30 minute seaplane ride direct from Male), Four Seasons Private Island (we visited & I’m telling you this is one of the most beautiful paces I have EVER seen) & Four Seasons Explorer (an intimate boat with 12 rooms only / an insanely cool & unique way to experience the Maldives).
Beyond endless beauty & exceptional experiences, there was a deep love for the ocean & the natural ecosystem, which I found to be so humbling & beautiful from such a huge International brand. Both Kuda Huraa & Landaa Giraavaru have a Marine Research Centre with researchers, conservationists & marine biologists working around the clock to address key issues of coral bleaching, turtle & manta ray conservation & general ocean health. They are doing so much in the way of rehabilitating / releasing sea turtles, amputating their poor limbs (this is so sad, but I learned that many sea turtles loose their limbs due to getting tangled in netting), & taking care of some of these sea turtles for the rest of their lives due to their irreparable injuries. The Marine Centres are also working hard to breed & release native Maldivian fish to boost marine numbers & marine health. I was so so blown away by their efforts & you can check out more here.
Of course if you are into diving & experiencing marine life up close, there is so much on offer, from an on-call manta service, whereby guests will be notified of manta sightings & immediately taken out to see / swim with these majestic creatures. Whale shark & turtle experiences + snorkelling the home reef is insanely amazing – you can check out the coral planting project (*& even sponsor a coral frame which will be planted on your behalf) which both Kuda Huraa & Landaa Giraavaru are working hard on (for more info on Four Seasons Coral Planting, click here).
If you are into a day at the spa, all property options have you covered, but one really stood out for us (& I have never experienced this anywhere else!) At Kuda Huraa, when visiting the spa, you are whisked away in a traditional sailing boat to a private island… its only a 2 minute boat ride away from the main island, but you feel worlds away while on this tranquil mini paradise.
All properties offer water sports, including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling etc – but if you want to surf, Kuda Huraa or the Explorer are for you. Landaa Giraavaru is nestled in a magical calm lagoon surrounded by turquoise, clear, shallow water which almost feels more like a natural pool for miles, than anything else. So incredible!
Some of our fav experiences during our time with Four Seasons are below…
Beach Suite Floating Breakfast at Landaa Giraavaru 
Pristine white sand at Four Seasons Private Island 
Four Seasons Private Island, from above
Snorkelling & Kayaking with mum at Landaa Giraavaru
Fresh coconuts at Landaa Giraavaru
Four Seasons Private Island 
Newly rescued baby sea turtles being fixed up & checked before heading to their new home at Kuda Huraa
Little details at the Landaa Giraavaru Spa 
Mum being cute!
Snorkelling with turtles at Landaa Giraavaru
Unique experience – dinner at Landaa Giraavaru’s overwater Arabic restaurant 
Drone view over the Private Islands House rEEF
Snorkelling Landaa Giraavaru neighbouring reef 
Four Seasons Private Island
The Westin Maldives
Completely in awe of this fresh new resorts location & top notch service. The staff – WOW, you were always treated like family, greeted by name & everyone just seems so happy to be there (this makes your experience SO memorable & was one of the key things I took away from our stay).
The property is in one of the best locations in the Maldives being in striking distance to Hanifaru Bay. This area is a UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Maldives & it is legally designated as a Marine Protected Area. There are strict regulations in place to protect and preserve this amazing wonder, which is why it is so incredibly pristine & booming with marine life.
FYI whale shark season is from May to December. In this period, plankton gets trapped in the funnel-like reef, attracting whale sharks and schools of manta ray. Hanifaru Bay is the world’s largest feeding station known to exist & if that alone isn’t a reason enough to immediately book your stay at The Westin, I don’t know what is!
It’s always interesting to visit BRAND NEW properties, often there is unfinished business & sometimes, things are in shambles. This was absolutely not the case at the Westin – I could not believe their attention to detail – they had preserved so much of the natural ecosystem & so the island was flourishing & wrapped up in lush greenery. Around every corner you were greeted by blooming tropical flowers, pristine palms & endless palm trees.
The food was out of control INCREDIBLE. The property has 4 eateries, including high end Japanese overwater dining, relaxed rooftop hangs, casual breakfast / dinner dining & my absolute fav, the Hawker Market, a sand floor asian infused, ocean front, open air restaurant.
All the food goals 
Lunch at Hawker 
Hawker Market
Finally the rooms are just soooo good, pristine & new. They have thought of everything – the bedding is extremely comfy (with lavender oil available for a heavenly sleep), dip pools (in overwater villas & beach villas) & thoughtful spaces to just unwind & melt into your dreamy vacay.
If you are thinking of visiting The Westin, I highly recommend!
Some of our fav moments below…
Lush tropical gardens 
Hidden gems
Pristine sand beaches 
The resorts neighbouring island
Most stunning sunset from our overwater villa 
The walk to breakfast
Mum & I 
Never getting sick of this view 
Layover:
We stopped in Singapore & stayed at Lloyds Inn. I stayed here many years ago when coming home from another big trip & genuinely loved it / had to go back. It’s super tranquil, set amongst lush greenery & the property has a pool + garden area to lounge your jet lag away.
Happy travels my friends xxx
Sarah
Categories
What’s in MY CAMERA BAG
One of the number one questions I get from you guys is WHAT’S IN MY CAMERA BAG & the gear I travel with.
As a travel & lifestyle photographer who is on & off planes, buses, trains etc, I like to keep it light.
These are my absolute tried & tested (#notsponsored) pieces of equipment that I take with me EVERYWHERE. I have minimised my gear over the last few years to be more efficient & travel friendly, so I hope this helps!
Camera:
I use the SONY A7Riii
I am in love with this full frame camera – the quality in both photo & video is phenomenal. This was the best option at time of purchase (& I think still is) because unlike many other cameras on the market it could do both still & video REALLY well (I know this sounds crazy but even though iPhone has 4k capability, many of the most well known & uber expensive camera brands DO NOT!!) I REALLY wanted a camera that could capture 4k video & support slow mo to get that beautiful buttery look, which the A7Riii can do perfectly. So glad I made the switch, so so happy!
Lenses:
I use the SIGMA 24mm Art Lens for Sony E Mount
I love the look & natural colours from the Sigma lenses. I find the 24mm to be crisp, clear & better than any lens I have ever used. It’s wide enough to bring in the environment surrounding your subject, while keeping the focus on your subject – which is perfect for travel & lifestyle content creation. Little distortion (unlike some wide lenses) – you will love, I certainly do.
The next lens on my purchase list is the 16-35mm 2.8 Wide lens by SONY. This is a must have for me (in fact I am selling my 35mm to purchase this lens, because I found the 24mm & 35mm to be very similar & especially when travelling you need to be smart about having variable tools for different jobs).
Drone:
I use the DJI Mavic Pro
This is my baby. I have always & will always love this little guy. I have put him through some serious tests & he has passed with flying colours every time (pun intended).
This drone may be a slightly older model, but it is INCREDIBLE & I have yet to make the upgrade. It’s great for travel being really light / portable & compact and the best part, it has a 4k camera with portrait mode capability.
If you are keen to upgrade, the Mavic Pro Platinum is now available – it has longer flight time, wider flight range & noise reduction.
Drones are really easy to fly & no doubt after a few flights you will have your confidence up. I went to an open field to learn & got the hang of it really quickly 🙂
Important safety note: PLEASE always be aware of your surroundings when flying a drone – make yourself familiar with your flight path before the flight & make sure you feel super confident before flying the drone high &/or at a long range – I would always recommend flying within a radius where you can physically see your drone. It can be really dangerous especially around areas where light aircraft fly. Be sensitive to peoples privacy too & don’t fly too close. I recommend AirMap for every drone user.
Finally, do ensure you purchase DJI Insurance post-purchase. It’s around $150 & honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done, since learning can be challenging & the insurance will cover you for 2 x replacements (as long as when you crash you are flying within the parameters as set out by DJI ie. suitable weather conditions & as long as you can send the body back in – sadly if you loose to the ocean & cannot retrieve the body, your insurance will be void).
+ I always travel with extra batteries (as they do each only have a flight time of 28 mins, in optimal conditions)
The Remote control comes with the drone, just providing for photo reference – you do not need to buy this separately 🙂
Underwater Photography:
I use the Outex Underwater Casing with Dome Port
This underwater housing is every travel lover / adventure enthusiast / ocean lovers dream. It puts your camera in your hand underwater, while being light, super robust & extremely portable. I made the switch from a larger, much more expensive kit & I am absolutely stoked! It’s less than half the price of anything in a similar category on the market & provides the same value, if not more because you don’t need to worry about – ‘can this fit in my bag’, ‘will I be able to carry this all day to get that ONE shot’,’ is it worth it to bring’? I had all these feels previously (& it made me so upset because I LOVE TO SHOOT UNDERWATER – I might trek for 3 hours to find a secluded bay & I don’t want to miss the opportunity to shoot there, but I also don’t want to carry 4kgs on my back! This is the perfect balance.
FYI if you are looking to do split shots (half under water / half above) you’ll need a dome (the circular glass attachment pictured above) this allows the water to disperse around the dome so you can capture this style of image. I use my dome all the time, even for general underwater shots – there is no distortion, so you can keep it on at all times. If you don’t think you’ll be taking this type of shot, you can purchase a flat glass lens cover too, there are both options 🙂
Photos: Left & right taken with dome, middle shot taken completely underwater also using a dome.
Stabiliser:
I use the Zhiyun – Tech Crane plus
Ever wonder how your fav creators manage to capture that perfect clean footage without any shaky / wobbly parts?! This is it. This stabiliser is new to my kit, but I am really loving it. I’ve always wanted to create smooth buttery video & now I can with this lightweight / handheld dreamboat. I use my Sony a7riii + 24mm lens & it handles it really well (just be sure to check the total weight of your equipment because everyones gear will weigh differently depending on your body & lenses). The total weight it can manage is 2.5kg, which to be honest is quite heavy, so most of you should be fine!
Filters:
*Do not skip past this part – learning about filters has been my biggest photography learning of 2019 so far
I use GOBE Lens Filters
Firstly, these guys plant trees with every purchase. They have a deep love for the environment & that makes me so proud to be affiliated with them. Secondly their products are probably the most reasonably priced filters on the market, retailing between $29 & $60 (for packs).
UV Filters: I highly recommend using their UV Filter, which adds protection to your lens and can be left on at all times (you can attach filters on top of them). They reduce UV light from entering your lens so reduce haze and in turn improve picture quality.
ND Filters: I highly recommend the ND8 & ND64 (these are my favs & I basically do not take them off during the day – I just select which one based on lighting conditions. ND filters also allow you to create those dreamy silky waterfall or wave scenes (even during the day).
If you are a videographer, ND filters are especially important. I would say this has been one of my biggest learnings this year & has really supported my growth as a videographer. You simply cannot shoot slow mo, shoot at a large aperture (to blow out your background) & or create beautiful bokeh without ND filters, as your shutter needs to be double your frame rate & in the sun – trust me I’ve tried, this is impossible.
Accessories:
I use Sandmarc Drone Filters
I didn’t realise how important ND filters were until I flew my drone in the Maldives WITH ND filters. Anyone shooting during the day, in high light situations should invest – you can get a pack for $99 & seriously, these will up your game. Say goodbye to glare & washed out images. These are essentially sunglasses for your drone – don’t fly without them.
I use the Lacie 4TB Hard Drive
If you don’t have one, please get one, you are making me nervous. Rule of thumb, always back up EVERYTHING. I have lost precious files before (it does happen, data cannot be retrieved & with no explanation). It’s just not worth it – these things are so cheap when you consider how valuable your data is.
I use the CYGNETT Portable Charger
Never be caught out again without phone charge. Especially important if you travel a lot, use a drone (because of course you need a charged phone to use your drone) & or just are on your phone a lot! When fully charged this portable charger will charge your phone 5 times (it has 2 USB portals too so you can charge another device at the same time!).
Travel Bag:
Matt & I both use WANDRD bags
These are the best on the market for functionality & with the modern traveler in mind. The Duffel Bag is perfect for short haul trips or those where you need to pack light. However on long haul flights I use this bag as my check in camera bag – with all its thoughtful compartments, it is perfect to protect my beloved gear.
Thanks guys & happy travelling xx