I realise I’m a little slow off the mark, compared with a lot of people who have no end of law of attraction stories. I’ve just discovered the ‘Law of Attraction’, via an amazing book (bible?) lent to me, Ask and it is Givenby Esther and Jerry Hicks.
Evidently it’s all similar or the same principle as The Secret which was huge a few years back. Indeed the law of attraction stories in there were inspired by Ask and it is Given (you’ll need to listen to some interviews with the Hicks’ to find out more).
I’m learning in Ask and it is given that if we’re guided by how we ‘feel’, that we have the best chance of following our true paths. There are many, many inspiring law of attraction stories out there (and now, on this blog, like here and here).
When we feel great, as in, we feel/know things are right, then ultimately we’re doing the right thing and are very ‘connected’ with our source energy.
Law of attraction stories: the feeling of ‘home’ or belonging
Tonight, walking through my old London neighbourhood, London Fields and quaint Broadway Market (pictured below).
I remembered how every day here I felt happy. From the moment the flat ‘found us’ by chance, the energy in the neighbourhood felt right. It was the law of attraction. It’s a law of attraction love story!
I loved walking in that gate every day, loved the little flat, adored the park, markets, shops, dogs in pubs…
Every moment felt right, and leaving felt so wrong, to the point where I know I wasn’t meant to leave (at that time, anyway). Life was ‘right’.
The energy was flowing and I was meant to be there in that place at that time; perhaps in another life, I’d be there for longer.
Given these kinds of situations then, how do you get that feeling back?
How do you make another situation ‘right’?
Not that I’m unhappy with my lot (on the contrary, I realise I’m one of the lucky ones), but curious – anyone got any insights?
What are YOUR law of attraction stories? Let me know in the comments.
PS you might be able to tell from the newer posts in this blog – my law of attraction story ended up pretty great, because a few years later I’m back living just two train stations away from Broadway Market.
As I write this I’m mid-air on a flight across Queensland. I’ve been on a work trip, and in all honesty I’m a little sleep deprived, but it just occurred to me that the next time I’m due on a plane – in around seven weeks – I’ll be on my way to London again. While this space has been updated with travel advice, images, media clippings and social commentary, I haven’t updated recently on my true inspiration, travel. This site was born of my desire to share an experience that began in 2010 – that of changing tack, leaving life behind as I knew it, to move to the other side of the world to start again at 30 years of age. Nuts, I know. But the best thing I ever did.
How has living abroad changed you?
Loving + leaving a new home.
When I was in Vancouver for a few months late last year, I caught up with a friend from there who lived in Australia for a number of years. We discussed how it feels to leave somewhere you’ve settled into – a place you’ve come to call home, that has offered new opportunities and regular adventures, not to mention chances for personal growth that can too often be missing in ‘everyday’ life. When she moved back home she couldn’t understand what it was she was feeling – sadness, depression, loss. A friend told her she was grieving for her life in Australia. Immediately I understood. Leaving London was like breaking up with a love of my life. I’d grown, lived, begun again, learned, travelled, ticked items off my bucket list that I hadn’t even imagined might be possible just a few months prior. I wasn’t at all ready to leave and am actually only just getting over this terrible ‘break-up’ now.
I in fact investigated this experience further for a story commissioned by a national women’s magazine, and interviewed four women, all who, like me, moved to live and work overseas in their thirties – to Jordan, London, Hong Kong and Paris. Each, like me, agreed that making this move ‘later in life’ was in hindsight, more beneficial than going over as a young backpacker. Regardless of the fact that it’s a little harder to ‘settle’ when you’re a bit older, the opportunities to advance career and add new life experience to our repertoire of skills far outweighed any difficulties. Challenges became obstacles we overcame – these then transcended into achievements. One case study however, particularly identified with my feeling of loss. She fell in love with the ‘city of love’. A few years on, when I spoke to her, she was only just ‘getting over it’. She said that a second small stint in Paris was either going to ‘make or break’ it for her, but upon her return she managed to find some closure. She caught up with friends, walked her old neighbourhoods, contemplated the experience and happily, was able to move forward when she returned back home again to Australia.
Living for the moment; enjoy the ‘now‘.
I suppose the same will happen for me. Images of my old life have started appearing in my mind again: reading a book in front of the Tower of London, wandering around Broadway Market, gazing up at the old buildings from a bus navigating its way through Whitechapel, and squirrels racing through Kensington Park. It’s the little things – so different from my home in Australia – that are sometimes the things I miss the most. Those flashes of memory that come from nowhere, but that are often triggered by a sound, song, photo or the accent of a fellow traveller passing by in the street. Does anyone else agree? Buying a Tube pass, lunch from Tesco or dropping by a pub for a pint on the way home on Friday afternoon… I’m really looking forward to going back and retracing steps; and I’m excited to be inspired about the adventure ahead. Watch this space.
It’s been a while since I ventured out in Brisbane, capital city of beautiful Queensland, Australia, and I was keen to discover contemporary things to do in Brisbane at night on this city break.
I was lucky enough to attend higher education at the University of Queensland ‘back in the day’, and I also spent a number of years working at B105 FM – fun times, and I definitely feel affectionately towards this city.
Things to do in Brisbane at night: what’s new
A lot has changed in Brisbane over the past ten years – bars have opened and closed, tunnels and roads have appeared across the city and the Valley is now, well, super cool. Cloudland, anyone?
Even Festival Hall has transformed into an elegant apartment block – if you’re walking by the site on the corner of Charlotte and Albert Streets, check out the wall of fame in the foyer that features nostalgic photos of when major acts like the Jackson 5 and Beatles performed here.
We were keeping a keen eye out for my (very cool) auntie who was one of the revellers at the Beatles appearance in 1964.
Brisbane, where to stay
This past weekend we landed in the city as preparations for the Riverfire Festival were well under way.
Air Force jets soared across the sky as we watched from our fab Botanic Gardens-facing room at Royal on the Park, ideally situated in the heart of the city, just a block from the shopping hub that is the Queen Street Mall. This lovely hotel can be booked at a bargain if you take a look at your favourite hotel booking site (or direct to RotP’s site), and a brand new bonus for all guests is free use of an iPad during any stay.
Where to have a drink at night in Brisbane
Come Friday afternoon, we were ready for a drink and catch-up with old friends and family.
The Port Office Hotel on Edward Street is a contemporary bar, often associated with a bit of a ‘yuppy’, suited-up crowd – we therefore expected drink prices to be quite hefty.
Fortunately, we were pleasantly surprised to discover a neat little ‘happy hour’ on drinks from 5 to 8pm – one to remember if you’re up this end of town on your own city break.
We indulged in some fun cocktails (at $5 each!) and I reminisced on one of my more memorable birthday celebrations – my 25th that I’d hosted in this very same location.
I’ve just realised that was a number of years back though, so I’ll omit the exact date in this particular column!
Dining in Brisbane at night
By 7.30pm it was well and truly time for dinner. I must say, I was happy to discover quality eateries offering reasonably priced cuisine are once again back on the menu in Brisbane city.
For a long while it seemed ‘after dark’ options were few and far between.
We were led to Nagomi at Eagle Street Pier, boasting river views and just a few minutes walk away from the Port Office.
If you enjoy Japanese dishes as we do, then you’ll LOVE this place. The food was divine, and at around $6 per dish (designed to share amongst friends), value is excellent too. Can’t wait to head back here!
Local’s tip: From 5.30 to 9.30pm on Thursdays for $25 it’s all-you-can-eat. YUM.
Go dancing at night in Brisbane
Finally, like the ‘good old days’, it came time to dance.
We’d heard a rumour that the Pig ‘n Whistle Riverside on Eagle Street played an awesome selection of music – you know, the kind of music we ‘used to’ love dancing to – like Vanilla Ice, tracks from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack; Britney, Christina, Maroon 5, crazy boy-band dance tracks and even a little Funky Cold Medina… yep, ‘the Pig’ is where it’s at.
Felt like it was 1997 ….er… 2005 again.
Either way, if you want to go dancing and relive your Uni days (90s through to today), this is the place to end your night. After all, it is music that truly makes a good night out great!
It’s one of North Queensland’s prettiest, most stylish beaches, and this weekend (while visiting newly wedded friends, Kellie and Damian on their honeymoon) we spotted five weddings along the beach at Palm Cove! Great that they all chose Saturday afternoon (because it was gorgeous, especially compared with Sunday which was a bit drizzly and disgusting); but I was wondering how they all came to divvy up a spot on the beach front. Seems all went off without a hitch though, and we didn’t notice any runaway brides later on in the evening – just a few tipsy revellers resort-hopping. Seems it ’tis the season for tying the knot, but we were just as happy watching the spectacle and indulging in $10 cocktails during Vivo‘s happy hour from 3pm. This 2-minute video offers a dreamy snapshot of what it’s like in this idyllic little beach precinct 25-minutes drive from Cairns (on the way to Port Douglas):
Or, show Palm Cove some FACEBOOK love for all the latest updates on happenings in the area.
Travelled: to Qualia Resort, Hamilton Island and Hayman Island.
Lived: like a Queen! And experienced a sea plane for the first time.
Learned: humans really shouldn’t feed wildlife – the rubbish we eat completely ruins not only the eco-system but a wild animal’s natural ability to live, hunt, protect itself and grow.
Already unsure as to how this particular weekend could get any better, Tamara impressed me by taking us to one of the jewels in Hamilton Island‘s gleaming crown – Qualia – an ultra-exclusive, private retreat that offers guests ‘Qualia-only’ beachfront, dining and spa space. We were privileged to join an early morning yoga class overlooking the ocean (the epitome of Zen), followed by a delicious breakfast in Qualia’s long pavilion.
As I indulged in Eggs Benedict with a special touch of avocado and spicy tomato, I couldn’t help but gaze out at the ocean and mountain views thinking, “how on Earth did I end up here?”.
This continued to play on my mind as Linda and I wandered down to the guests’ private pool and beach-front (pictured below) to snap a few photos. Lucky patrons lazed on comfy sun beds, soothed by the lapping ocean and warm environment, no doubt admiring the view which included a whale playing in the inlet!
Next we were in for a real treat! The five of us, along with our belongings, were packed carefully on board an Air Whitsunday sea plane – destination: super exclusive, beautiful Hayman Island. Grinning like a 5-year-old I held on tight to my handbag as we took off across the ocean. Gliding over coral reefs and Whitsunday islands of all shapes and sizes, we stared in awe at the beauty that we, as Australians, so often take for granted. A highlight of the flight was the fly-by of spectacular Whitehaven Beach – a stunning and iconic Queensland location, popular for weddings and tourism photo shoots.
Take a 60-second flight with us:
The sea plane engines quietened as our pilot guided us down on to the water, and we gently sailed our way into Hayman’s ‘backyard’. I have always dreamed of visiting Hayman.
As a teen – a child of hard-working parents, doing their utmost to provide a decent education for their kids – I attended a private school brimming with ‘privileged families’, and I recall some of my classmates telling stories about Hayman. It sounded so flash, high-end, luxurious. Let me assure you, it is.
Serene, absolutely beautiful, and I now am the one who is privileged to have visited. Walking through the doors into my sensational pool-view apartment, I was overwhelmed by the now familiar, “how did I get here?” feeling. In fact, thanks to Hayman (and all of the Whitsundays, actually), my enthusiasm and delight for travelling ‘in my own backyard’ has been renewed. Hayman Island really is a paradise, second to nothing witnessed on the Travel Channel, anywhere in the world.
From the mouth-watering fine-dining menus, peaceful spa treatments, landscaped gardens, open air gym, tennis facilities and beaches to the water sport activities, island hopping adventures and reef diving, it’s all here (and more!) – indulgence and fun at your fingertips. Save your pennies people, this spot is worth it. Whether you’re in a beach villa, pool-side or lagoon-view apartment, it’s all luxury and five-star service. And why would you travel overseas to experience paradise when you can support local operations like this? Enough said.
Any Whitsundays experience will provide ample opportunities to do whatever you fancy – rest, relax, exercise, indulge. The Whitsunday Islands are sublime; everywhere we went the service was excellent and amenities certainly five-star. See you all again soon, with any luck ;-)
GREAT BARRIER REEF, KEY FACTS
The world’s largest coral reef system.
In 1981 was deemed a World Heritage Area.
Spans an area almost one and a half times that of the UK or roughly the area of Germany.
Comprises just over 2900 individual reefs; around 760 of these are fringing reefs, which can be found on sections of the mainland shores and islands.
The reef includes 900 islands, 600 of which are continental islands, such as those 74 in the Whitsundays; others are coral cays formed though build up of coral.
The GBR is home to 10% of the world’s fish species; includes 1625 species of fish, 400 species of hard coral, more than 150 species of soft coral, six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle, 30 species of whales and dolphins, 133 species of sharks and rays, 215 species of birds and approximately 1300 species of crustaceans.
[Sources: Great Barrier Marine Park Authority (GRMPBA), UNESCO, Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), Great Barrier Reef Foundation]
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This past weekend we landed in the city as preparations for the Riverfire Festival were well under way.
By 7.30pm it was well and truly time for dinner. I must say, I was happy to discover quality eateries offering reasonably priced cuisine are once again back on the menu in Brisbane city.
