Interview with Fayebeline
I stumbled across Faye one day on Twitter and fell in love with her easy writing style and balanced mix of travel posts, book reviews and lifestyle content. Faye's flatlays are a complete dream and her ability to consistently produce content is a benchmark I'm aiming for. Check our Faye's site and her great post all about why we are writers and not bloggers at Faybeline.
As always I start with the question no traveller wants to answer (because it’s so hard to choose)… Please share with us your favourite/ best/scariest or funniest travel story…
I have a life-long scar from a moped accident I had in Nusa Lembongan, just off the coast of Bali. I was on the back of a moped and we skidded, fell and banged our heads against a wall. I blacked out for about three seconds. It's a good job we had our helmets on! The locals were an amazing help and got hold of the hostel where we were staying to take us to the local doctors. We probably didn't need the doctor's as it was cuts and grazes, but it's safe to say we were put off the whole idea of bikes and mopeds for the rest of the holiday. Another one was the time I went to the loo at the campsite in Karijini National Park and it was only after my friend said "Why didn't you tell me there was a snake in the toilet?" that I realised I could have had my bum bitten by a snake. I swear I'm a cat with nine lives.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever had (travel related or otherwise)?
Just do it. It sounds cliché, definitely not from the Nike ad, but it works. The other cliché is You Only Live Once. I always knew that I wanted to travel solo to Australia and I saved hard for it for three years. I did it, lived my best life (the majority of the time) and made sure I put my needs first whilst I was out there because I knew I wouldn't have the chance to do it again. When it comes to booking more trips, I hear YOLO in my head all the time and it is true. We have one life and we need to make the best of it - through travel and seeing and experiencing new things.
If you could only go back to one place in the world, where would you go and why?
Bali. Watching those sunsets in a bikini with a cocktail or beer in hand is one of the best feelings there is.
What has travel taught you?
Travel has taught me that I can do anything I want to and that I'm braver than I think. I flew across the world on my own without a second thought and I made new friends in a foreign country three times. I have lived in other countries and put myself first. It has taught me to recognise that material things aren't as good as memories, that I have the capability of doing more than what I am "supposed to do" and that anything is possible as long as we work for it.
What is that one moment from a trip you will never ever forget?
I will never forget the complete bliss and ease I had when I drove from Adelaide to Melbourne by myself. There was such clarity and solace in that car journey that made me reflect on my travels and my life. I wish I had spent longer on the Great Ocean Road; spending more time at beaches and avoiding the business of the cities. It was a moment that made me realise that I can do anything I set my mind to because I was in control of it.
And finally… What’s your favourite line from the Stories from a Backpack manifesto and why?
I took a huge risk when I went to Australia. I had a long distance relationship with a guy that lasted the trip, but didn't last full stop. There was always that what if whilst I was out there, but I wanted to go and I have zero regrets for going because it was one of the best things of my life. I'm taking another risk soon. I'm packing up my life at home and moving somewhere I've never lived before to be with a guy I've known for eight months, but life's always an adventure with him so there will be lots more stories to share I am sure!Thank you so much Faye! Laura xx