Zanzibargirl's VirtualTourist Home Page

Seeing the world has really opened my eyes. I have seen through the eyes of other people. Having learn't from people living in other cultures and lifestyles, I have looked beyond the sphere that I live in.

It has inspired me, to see things for what they truly are, to explore above and beyond and attempt to achieve things in life on much higher levels. To always put my best foot forward and give things my best shot.

I hope my pictures inspire you as they are only the tip of what is out there for us to all aspire to. So with your eyes, enjoy a look at my photo's and I hope they inspire you, just as much as traveling and life inspires me. The world is a big place and I truly believe that in keeping your world open to it you will discover yourself. I did!!!!

So where have I been?

A never ending list so far that spans 30 countries and 5 continents.

So far:

1/ Australia of course (most of coastal & some inland N.S.W, Perth & Fremantle W.A. Darwin to the Red Centre & Uluru N.T. Q.L.D's Gold Coast, Brisbane, Fraser Island, Hervey Bay and Whitsunday Islands. Adelaide, S.A. when I was a kid. Canberra & the A.C.T. V.I.C's Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Halls Gap & the Great Ocean Road)
2/ Norfolk Island (this counts as a country with VT even though it is part of Australia)
3/ New Zealand for work in Auckland and Wellington.
4/ The U.K. (well London twice anyways plus Dover and St Albans).
5/ The Netherlands/Holland (Amsterdam, Edam).
6/ France (Paris, Lyon & Nice).
7/ Austria (Innsbruck)
8/ Germany (Rhine cruise).
9/ Belgium (driving through between France and Holland).
10/ Italy (Rome, Venice, Pisa & Florence).
11/ Vatican City and the amazing Sistine Chapel.
12/ Lietchenstein (Vaduz).
13/ Monaco (Monte Carlo).
14/ Switzerland (Lucerne & Mt Pilatus).
15/ Spain (Barcelona & L'Estartit).
16/ Kenya (Nairobi, the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Naivasha).
17/ Uganda (Gorilla's in the wild at Mgahinga National Park, Ngamba Island orphan chimps, Rafting the Nile near Jinja).
18/ Tanzania (Ngorongoro Crater Safari, beautiful Zanzibar Island, Dar Es Salaam & Mikumi National Park).
19/ Malawi (Kande Beach & Chitimba).
20/ Zambia (South Luangwa NP game drives & Livingstone/Victoria Falls).
21/ Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls).
22/ Botswana (Chobe National Park Elephants).
23/ South Africa (Driving from Johannesburg to Capetown & the Cape of Good Hope)
24/ U.S.A. (New York, Miami, Denver, Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks, Seattle & cruising Alaska).
25/ Dominican Republic (Puerta Plata, Santo Domingo & Caberete).
26/ Canada (Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa & Quebec City).
27/ Argentina (Buenos Aires, La Boca & Parque Nacional del Iguazù).
28/ Brazil's most famous city Rio de Janeiro & Foz do Iguaçu.
29/ Paraguay on the border (OK, so all I have is the stamp in my passport & a photo of a flag on the river to prove it but it counts).
30/ Bolivia's highest City La Paz and the drive to Lake Titicaca.
31/ Peru (The famous Inca Trail, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Huacachina & Lima).

What I have seen is only just the start. I can't wait to explore more and add to my experiences. As what is the world and life about if not to explore! Here is a list of things that I would love to see that I have yet to accomplish:

1/ Back to South America: The Amazon, Argentina, Chile, Patagonia, Santiago, Honduras, The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, more of Brazil.
2/ Antarctica. Pure glacier white ice with blue waters and the animals. I have seen this boat cruise you can do and you can go kayaking. It looks amazing!
3/Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to see some of Asia. To ride an elephant through Chiang Mai & see Australian history in Vietnam plus laze at a resort on one of the awesome beaches.
4/More of Australia, specifically Western Australia, The Kimberly's and Northern tip of Queensland to the Daintree & the Cape. I also want to dive the Great Barrier Reef.
5/ Borneo to see the other big ape in the wild, The orangutan. Plus to go diving, see sea turtle hatch & check out the headhunter trail.
6/ Greece and the Greek Islands. Athens and those white buildings against azure skies, particularly in Santorini.
7/ Turkey (Istanbul & Gallipoli. Must do the Anzac Day ceremony one year).
8/ Back to Africa to conquer its west, revisit Zanzibar & Morocco as well as Egypt's pyramids).
9/ The Netherlands because of my heritage there. I have to see where my family come from.
10/ Jamaica or one of the Caribbean Islands to just lay in the sun and stay in a beautiful world.
11/ Back to Italy & Spain in Europe to see more of the luxurious life that I discovered there. 'That's Amore'.
12/ The Grand Canyon and L.A., plus maybe the western coast. The only part of the USA I am interested in left that eludes me.
13/ Japan, to locate my Japanese billet from high school & to see Tokyo and Mount Fuji. To get 'Lost in Translation'.
14/ England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales and the UK in depth. Loch Ness, the Isle Of Skye, castles, moors, Stonehenge, Stratford Apon Avon & more. Plus back to London to actually get to see the Portobello Road markets in action. Maybe the third times a charm?
15/ The Great Wall of China and pandas in the wild for pictures for my mum.
16/ New Zealand. I was almost there (I've been through Auckland airport). So close but so far. A windy weekend in Wellington and Auckland for work doesn't quite count, so I will have to tour it soon.
17/ Tibet and the ancient lands of the Dalai Lama.
18/ India (to track tigers in the wild, see the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan, have a 'Bollywood' experience and to do some volunteer work in Goa).
19/ Finland, Sweden, Denmark and all the Scandinavian countries of Europe.
20/ Moscow & St Petersburg, Russia.

The world really is your oyster. But you have to be willing to explore everything that it has to offer and more. Open your eyes, see the unseen, trek across the road less traveled and open up to what is inside the wide depths of this world. Remember, you have to open up the oyster to find the pearl. Open up the world and discover its true beauty.

QUOTE

The famous Danish writer H. C. Andersen once said "To travel is to live and to live is to travel".

AN OLD IRISH PRAYER

Take time to work
it is the pride of success
Take time to meditate
it is the source of power
Take time to play
it is the source of perpetual youth
Take time to read
it is the source of knowledge
Take time to be friendly
it is the road to happiness
Take time to laugh
it is the music to my soul
And take time to love
and be loved

To my good friend Jane; who showed me this poem and who has shown me the path to venture towards my own personal style and success.

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My best foot forward - Stonetown Raindance

Living to the Full

I truly believe in giving my all, living life to the full and putting my best foot forward. I believe in appreciating life and dancing like a child. Playing in the rain, and just enjoying the world in which we all live.

What is life if not to enjoy and explore. For those of you who have read my pages you will know it may not always be an easy path, but every road is worth exploring. Chances are worth taking and I believe in looking deep into what is available. There is always a positive in every day and there is always more to give, more to live!

In the past few years I have traveled to places like Africa and South America. There they have so little, yet the appreciate so much! My life and my travels have taught me to appreciate everything I have got. To go on looking beneath the surface, laughing with a smile, listening with open ears, loving with all that is in me, living every second and learning from every moment.

I love the saying and find it a motto of mine: “Dance as though no one is watching, Love as though you've never been hurt, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live as though heaven is on earth” - Souza.

I believe in achieving my dreams and always aiming forward. I will never give up striving for what it is I truly enjoy and look for in life. I am lucky to have good friends, family and supporters who have shown me the way thus far. In 2004 I was lucky enough to achieve a long held dream.

Since I was 12 I wanted to go to Lake Louise in Canada. 12 years on, I achieved that dream. It has made me realise that if you put your mind to it you can do anything that you want to. Life is about pushing your boundaries, breaking free of your own inner restrictions and growing as a person. It is about opening up to experience. There are so many wonderful people out there. And places to see. I am lucky to have seen some of what the world has on offer. And I will always be open to what life has to offer around every corner. It is an amazing journey. One that I plan on appreciating every step. You only get one life. I amazingly feel so lucky that I, at such a young age, realise its worth, and I plan on enjoying every single minute. I love to live, I love to give, and I hope that you enjoy reading some of my stories...

This just in:

JAN 2005

Yay, another dream achieved. I now officially have a career in the industry that I love. I have always wanted to travel, and have just scored a career in reservations for a tour company. I am so excited. Now I get to help some of you travelers out there have some of the experiences I dreamed of and had. I look forward to fulfilling many dreams like mine!!!!

SEPT 2005

Settled into job and lifestyle of Bondi. I so love living in the Eastern Suburbs. Played first game of netball since I was young gal in school a couple of weeks ago - scary uniform! I feel like I'm back at school but was fun. Brisbane bound in November and fingers crossed, I think that it looks like next year I will be crossing off some of South America from my list. I am officially training for Machu Picchu.

DEC 2005

Visiting the family for Xmas, last two months have consisted of a very crazy build up to the silly season. Lots of going out around Sydney, a visit to Brisbane, Salsa classes, making new friends and catching up with some old ones from both here and overseas. I have been 'Livin Lavida Loca'. I have plans to learn some Spanish before I head overseas next year so I don't get lost completely somewhere in South America. There are trips to Auckland and Perth also on my horizon... MERRY XMAS EVERYONE!

APRIL 2006

I'M HEADED TO SOUTH AMERICA!!! RIO, BUENOS AIRES, MACHU PICCHU, LIMA TO LA PAZ WATCH OUT! I'm ready to be 'Livin lavida loca'!!!!

JUNE 2006

Back from amazing South America, I'm struggling to get back to reality in Sydney and wishing I was still traveling. Hmm, where would I choose to be right now if I could. Maybe in Equador, on my way to Mexico and then W.A. before Canada bound for the snow and to work, then back to South America. If only dreams could come true. I'm working on it. LOL!

JULY 2006

I have moved into my new home/flat at South Coogee, with a balcony including an ocean view. This month is whale watching season as the pods head into view up the coast. I can't wait to enjoy my new balcony when its summer and not so cold and have a few BBQ's of a Sunday arvo with cold beers on the deck.

OCTOBER 2006

I have just taken a week holiday to relax venturing to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. Awesome! Fraser is gorgeous and very relaxing. Hervey Bay so quaint, quiet and wholesome. I loved Fraser's beautiful Lake Mackenzie and Basin Lake, the Maheno Shipwreck, laughs with fellow travelers and the peace of the Mango Hostel back in Hervey Bay. Watching the whales breach was a fitting finish to the week. I feel refreshed!

JANUARY 2007

After Christmas visiting the folks I kicked of the new year with a big night 2 parties & massively long walk home from Bondi to Coogee in the wee hours of the morning (just home in time for Sunrise). This month starts a busy period where I don't have a weekend free. This weekend I'm off learning to surf in Seal Rocks, then there is not a weekend free until March with trips for work coming up to Canberra, Fremantle & Melbourne. It seems like there is one crazy year to come!!!!

JUN 2007

The last few months have been hectic to say the least. I have been busy working, taking weekend trips surfing and for work in January & February. I have also been away on a few weekend visiting the South Coast of N.S.W. (Batemans Bay, Narooma, Bermagui & Jindabyne).

Now to my really big news. I am going to university. Yes thats right - you read right! I officially start my degree next month. It's been a long dream of mine. I can't believe it! But it is an exciting change with a great big challenge in it for me which I have determination to succeed. Wish me luck!

APRIL 2008

Its a long journey piecing together the pieces of the subjects that will form my Communication degree. I have still over 2 years to go. Last year was a success and managed to pass all of my subjects with quite good grades, including a couple of distinctions. I had a bit of a working holiday over the summer but I am now back to knuckling down hard at the books again. It's not easy doing it on your own. But I have to believe in myself and think about the long run. I have to do it for me and for my future. Because at the end of the three years what I am learning now will help me to achieve my next goal. I plan at the end of my studies on taking a trip to India. It is my hope to do some volunteer work there and make a difference to the world around me.

My studies are making me realise more and more that what I want to communicate is about the world around me. I think that if I can do that I can help to create understanding. If I can inspire others to see what is truly out there and inspire then to explore it, perhaps I can make a difference and bring people together.

Some Songs that Inspire Me

BREAK AWAY - KELLY CLARKSON

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get on board a fast train
Travel on a jet plane
Far away
And break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging with revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me
Gotta keep movin on movin on
Fly away
Break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
Though its not easy to tell you goodbye
Take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
Breakaway
Break away

BEAUTIFUL - CHRISTINA AGUILERA

Don't look at me

Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, it's hard to breathe
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed

I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down oh no
So don't you bring me down today

To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
It that the way it is

You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down oh no
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down oh no
So don't you bring me down today...

No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what we say
(no matter what we say)
We're the song inside the tune
Full of beautiful mistakes
And everywhere we go
( and everywhere we go)
The sun will always shine
(sun will always, always shine)
But tomorrow we might awake
On the other side

We are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down oh no
So don't bring me down today...

Don't you bring me down...today...
Don't you bring me down...mmmmm...today...

BREATH IN NOW - GEORGE

i see love and beauty all around
i also see the sadness thats embedded in your frown
i wonder why you choose not to talk to those who surround
i sense the fear of lifting heavy feet, higher than you want to
i just want to believe your truth
you stand there but you do not cast a shadow
you walk away with every word you choose not to say
i suppose that moving on paints a new colour for each day
i dont like to see dreams put on the shelf, to deal with on that one day
i just want to be happy for you
coz i only have one second, this minute today
i cant press rewind and turn it back and call it now
and so this moment i just have to sing out loud
and say i love i like and breathe in now
and say i love i live and breathe in now
i move on holding on to what i learn
its time to let go of the notion that the whole world's against me
break free of shackles that formed young, time free and now
now i know its not all up to me, i can count on another
so move on, lighter, and be free
coz i only have one second, this minute today
i cant press rewind and turn it back and call it now
and so this moment i just have to sing out loud
and say i love i like and breathe in now
and say i love i live and breathe in
i believe in for today, i just want to know that you're okay
coz i believe in breathing just for today
i just want to know that you're okay
coz i only have one second, this minute today
i cant press rewind and turn it back and call it now
and so this moment i just have to sing out loud
and say i love i like and breathe in now
and say i love i live and breathe in now
and say i love i live and breathe in now

BORN TO TRY - DELTA GOODREM

Doing everything that I believe in
Going by the rules that I've been taught
More understanding of what's around me
And protected from the walls of love

All that you see is me
And all I truly believe

That I was born to try
I've learned to love
Be understanding
And believe in life
But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like

But I was born to try

No point in talking what you should have been
And regretting the things that went on
Life's full of mistakes, destinies and fate
Remove the clouds look at the bigger picture

And all that you see is me
And all I truly believe

That I was born to try
I've learned to love
Be understanding
And believe in life
But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like

But I was born to try

All that you see is me
All I truly believe
All that you see is me
And all I truly believe

That I was born to try

I've learned to love
Be understanding
And believe in life
But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like

But I was born to try

But you've got to make choices
Be wrong or right
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like

But I was born to try

BUSES & TRAINS - BACHELOR GIRL

Hey Mom
Why didn't you tell me
Why didn't you teach me a thing or two
You just let me go
Out into the World
You never thought to share what you knew

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good
I want to do it again

Hey Mom
Why didn't you warn me
Coz about boys is something i should have known
Their like chocolate cake
Like cigarettes
I know they're bad for me
But I just can't leave 'em alone

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good
I want to do it again

I wanna do it again
Oh, felt so good

Hey Mom
Since we're talking
What was it like when you where young
Has the world changed
Or is it still the same
A man can kill and still be the sweetest fun

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good
I want to do it again

WHATEVER IT IS - BEN LEE

Are you changing, are you changing, are you changing.
Do you know it, do you feel it, do you know it.
But you're waiting, why're you waiting, why're you waiting.
Just do it, whatever it is.
there are secrets, there are secrets, there are secrets.
there are places, there are places, you can go to
they might tell you, yeah they'll tell you, that you shouldn't

just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
go do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
just do it, whatever it is.

and you're dancing, and you're looking kinda crazy
and your arms, are making little circles
there are reasons, there are reasons, you can find out

so do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
go do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
whatever it is, whatever it is.

it's so quiet, it's so quiet, it's so quiet
and you're dreaming, and you're dreaming, and you're dreaming
I turn to you and say - awake is the new sleep, awake is the new sleep
so wake up. And do it, whatever it is. Just do it, whatever it is.
'cause awake is the new sleep, awake is the new sleep
so wake up
wake up.
and do it. Whatever it is, whatever it is,
just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is,
go do it, whatever it is, whatever it is
just do it, whatever it is, whatever it is.