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Cambodia Phnom Penh Remork

November 2013 – 2104 Budget Travel Talk

December 19, 2014 By Jan Robinson 14 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


 

It is hard to believe that we are well into the month of December.  The perfect to time to reflect on our year of travel. I’ve  made a coffee so why don’t you join me for a recap of Budget Travel Talk from November 2013 to November 2014.

November 2013

We returned to Australia from Turkey and Cambodia.  This trip was one of our most memorable and Turkey strode to the top my favourites list.

As budget travellers we don’t spend a lot of money on accommodation, but that doesn’t mean accommodation is not important to us. Our travel days are spent walking, talking, listening, eating, absorbing and then returning to our home away from home to process it all and recharge.  Although we had our share of dramas, like being relegated to the street by a wonky lock, those dramas have now transitioned into quirky travel memories.

TURKEY

Istanbul Memories

Our first seven days in Istanbul were spent in a huge minimalist Airbnb apartment in Galata.  Timber boards underfoot, an occasional rug, an old piece of furniture, a bank of windows that flooded our space with light, a huge mirror propped in the dressing room, the kitchen window I squeezed into – to peer out of, a rustic balcony with old cigarette butts in the tray.  At night we sat with feet propped on that balcony rail.  It was there that we discovered the cunningly hidden mosque amongst the trees below – our own melodic early morning call to prayer wake up and roll over.

The Light Filled Bedroom

Light Filled Galata Room in Istanbul

When we saw Galata Tower we knew we were home.

Istanbul

 

CAMBODIA

Phnom Penh Memories

Cambodia Phnom Penh Palace

Although Turkey worked it’s way into my psyche, the humid heat of Cambodia spoke directly to my North Queensland soul, welcoming me back to the tropics.

Cambodia was a challenging place to visit.  A tragic past that saw the ruling government annihilate the educated population, left deep scars and horrible poverty, but still the people smile and welcome.

Phnom Penh days were spent in slow motion to accommodate the heat.  Evenings consisted of shooting the breeze with what seemed like half of the population on Sisowath Quay. The parade of motorbikes was endless; the exercise classes and football games entertaining and the riverside temples a cacophony of Khmer music, flowers, colour and people.  We devoured plates of tasty Amok (steamed curried river fish), breathed incense and sewers in equal quantities and embraced Remorks (the Cambodian version of Thai Tuk Tuks) with glee.

Cambodia Phnom Penh Remork

 

Alibi Villa Guesthouse was our Phnom Penh haven. An oasis of shining clean floors, welcoming staff, huge beds, cool showers and delightful courtyard breakfasts that lay hidden behind a gate at the end of a nondescript lane.  I would be lying if I said that their Air-Con did not feature high on my list of things to like as well.

Alibi Villa Courtyard Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh Alibi Foyer

AUSTRALIA

June 2014

Lucinda Memories

Lucinda Beach Palm Trees

 

We rented a three bedroom home for a week through Ray White an Ingham Real Estate Agent.  Days spent catching, cooking and eating mud-crabs, followed by a good night’s sleep in a comfortable bed ensures a return, and for only $465/week. It was delightful reconnecting with our early lives together.  Both of our families had caravans in Lucinda’s Wanderers Holiday Park and with our young kids in tow we spent a good percentage of our family holidays in this casual North Queensland seaside town.

Lucinda Sunrise.

Lucinda Sunrise

 

July 2014

Sunshine Coast Memories

We were so excited to spend two weeks house and pet sitting at Mudjimba on the Sunny Coast north of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland.  We belong to and recommend trustedhousesitters.com.  With a gorgeous home and a beautiful red cattle dog/staffy cross to look after we were in heaven.  Our temporary home was vast, with pine floors, a sunken lounge the size of a small home, a large airy family room, timber deck, inground pool, two huge bedrooms, two offices and one massive upper storey bedroom. It had one of those ducted vacuum cleaner systems that made cleaning the house a breeze. From the garage there was a servery door that led directly into the kitchen pantry to save carrying groceries through the house – what genius.  A morning stroll to the newsagency/coffee shop and an afternoon beach walk, with our eager guide Mazzy the Surfer dog formed the bones of our day.

A few words from Mazzy 🙂

Housesitting Mazzy Sunshine Coast Queensland

September 2014

Mission Beach Memories

We grabbed a few days away at this relaxed beachside community situated between Townsville and Cairns.  This iconic North Queensland destination inspired long languid beach walks, gourmet pizzas and unending ocean and island views – a typical relaxed beach break.  Our home here was called Onna Mission – we had the bottom half of the house to ourselves and it was right on the ocean at Wongaling Beach.

Onna Mission beach front.

Mission Beach North Queensland

 

JAPAN

November 2014

Kyoto Memories

Autumn Colours at Ginkaju-ji – the Silver Pagoda, Kyoto.


Kyoto

 

Our Initial motivation to visit Japan was cheap Jetstar flights from Cairns to Kyoto.  We had been watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity, but before booking we needed to find somewhere to stay during Kyoto’s busy Autumn Season.  Luck was on our side when we found a newcomer on the Airbnb scene who found us a vacancy – our room was large with two floor beds (self framed mattresses on the floor) and the perfect location in Southern Higashiyama.  This was an incredible piece of luck as it is usually necessary to book six months in advance for Spring and Autumn in Kyoto.   So many interesting people shared the Airbnb House during the two weeks that it became one of the highlights of Kyoto for us.

 Airbnb House Kyoto

 

We have seen the amount of Budget Travel Talk subscribers jump enormously since sharing our Japanese experiences on the blog and there is still more to come.

Whether you are working through the upcoming Christmas Holidays or putting your feet up for a well earned rest, we look forward to seeing you in the new year.

In the words of the 16th Century English Christmas Carol:

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Next week the blog there will be more Bright Lights of Osaka.

Share your 2014 travel (it can be a link) in the comments for us all to read.

Visit Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox.

 

More from my site

  • Fun Things to do in Townsville Australia and Magnetic IslandFun Things to do in Townsville Australia and Magnetic Island
  • What to see at Hobart Botanical GardenWhat to see at Hobart Botanical Garden
  • Sunset over Gallipoli and an Instanbul to Gallipoli Day TourSunset over Gallipoli and an Instanbul to Gallipoli Day Tour
  • My Top Travel Memories – First TimersMy Top Travel Memories – First Timers
  • Whitsundays on a Budget – How to Get to Whitehaven BeachWhitsundays on a Budget – How to Get to Whitehaven Beach
  • A Locals Guide to Coffs Harbour AttractionsA Locals Guide to Coffs Harbour Attractions

Filed Under: Australia Travel Blog, Japan, Journey, Turkey

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

Previous Post: «Osaka Glico Man Bright Lights in Osaka Japan
Next Post: More Bright Lights in Dotonbori Osaka Japan Big Hand and Puffer Fish at Dotonbori Osaka»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. totraveltoo

    December 19, 2014 at 11:56 am

    Fantastic we really have enjoyed travelling with you this year. We are off once again in 2015.. we will be in South America House Sitting.. Love to know your plans.. Jane & Duncan Co-Founders To Travel Too

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 20, 2014 at 8:09 pm

      Yes I saw you were short listed for one housesit and had several others lined up already. How fantastic. We’ve not been to South America so I am looking forward to hearing about it.

      Reply
  2. Kathy Marris

    December 19, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    What a busy travel year you have had Jan! I have enjoyed following your travels throughout the year and look forward to more travel tales during 2015. Happy Christmas to you too!!

    Reply
  3. Muza-chan

    December 19, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Merry Christmas! (^_^)

    Reply
  4. Lisa Wood

    December 19, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    what a fantastic recap of your Budget Travel Talk year from November 2013-2014.
    Love your Pictures, Cambodia looks incredible – the yellow Phnom Penh looks incredible 🙂
    We love Sunshine Coast, sure miss the beaches there.
    Our trip to Eden was our Hi-Light for the year! We loved seeing the wonderful sights of Eden – http://www.newlifeontheroad.com/edens-fascinating-sites/
    Love following your Journey Jan xxx

    Reply
  5. Nancie

    December 20, 2014 at 9:09 am

    What a great year of travel you had, Jan. Your Turkey posts have put definitely put Turkey very close to the top of my travel list. Your house sit sounded perfect. Mazzy looks like a sweetie! Merry Christmas! and thanks for being a regular linker to Travel Photo Thursday this past year.

    Reply
  6. jo

    December 20, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    What a wonderful year of travels you’ve had Jan. I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings too.

    Reply
  7. Mike

    December 23, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    I absolutely loved this trip down Memory Lane for you blog, Jan. I also reflected back on what was going on my life. 2014 was difficult here with a big, temporary high in between. That picture of the Galata Tower is absolutely AMAZING! Thank you for including the pic of the pup on the beach, my friend. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 23, 2014 at 2:55 pm

      She was the cutest dog and used to talk (little noises from her throat) while looking into my eyes 🙂 Merry Christmas.

      Reply
  8. Krista

    December 23, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    You’ve had some amazing and beautiful adventures, Jan. 🙂 Travel hasn’t been part of my year in 2014, but I hope to make up for it in 2015. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 23, 2014 at 4:17 pm

      I hope your travel dreams come true in 2015 Krista, but meanwhile you have been living the dream on your farm with your Bear. Have a lovely Christmas.

      Reply
  9. Rachel@safari254

    December 24, 2014 at 4:16 am

    I’ve enjoyed your travel recap, looking forward to reading more of budget travel talk in 2015. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  10. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    December 28, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    You’ve traveled to so many wonderful places this year and taken all your readers along with you. I must admit that I truly enjoyed all your Turkey posts. When my cousin told me she’d be visiting there for a week in March, I almost felt like I could recommend so many places to visit (or just point her towards your blog). We visited Kyoto in the spring, so it was nice to enjoy it in the Autumn vicariously through you. Looking forward to seeing what 2015 brings for you two.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 28, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      Turkey is a fantastic destination and it would be great if you recommended my blog to your cousin, also Jenny from A Taste of Travel has a lot of Turkey posts too. I am looking forward to following you as usual through 2015.

      Reply

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