Traveling: One hostel to another

It's in any sun worshippers life, that we flock to the warm weather and the sunny beaches. Many times we need to escape the winters of one place to keep our tan. That's what brings me to the southern hemisphere traveling along the east coast of Australia. Hostel life has become second nature for me at this point and could honestly be the most memorable part of my trip. Hostels aren't just a place to stay, shower, and eat, but I have been lucky to have met fabulous people. Most hostel dwellers are young kids 18-25 taking a gap year before University or backpacking to see the world before the 'real world'. I've stayed with people from Holland, NZ, Germany, Brazil, Canada, America, and a wide array of many other countries around the world. Since many travelers are alone hostels bring us together often in rooms of six or more and allow us to communicate and share our travel experiences with one another. My favorite question to ask the friends I meet is "where is your favorite place you've ever traveled and why?" The answers I've gotten have actually influenced my own travel and I am excited to say Fiji is now an upcoming adventure because one friend from Switzerland told me she was amazed by everything the country had to offer. After a delightful discussion of her trip and her recommendations, she shared with me some delicious Swiss chocolate. The mix of outgoing, adventurous youth provides for the greatest atmosphere of conversations and group activities. When one lad goes to the beach, all are offered an invitation and only the fools stay inside to sleep off their hangovers a bit more.

Beach of the Week: Byron Bay

Calling all laid back and ready to chill 20 year olds around Australia! Byron Bay is the perfect spot for you! It is full of beautiful honeys and rad guys who are down to beach and party their life away. The town itself is full of health stores and surfer shops that are to die for! And then, a block away, lies the most pristine beach that doesn't get too crowded, but is still a fun atmosphere. The ocean has the most magnificent blue color and a perfect little sand bar that attracts sun bathers who just get a little too warm from the hot, hot sun. The beach also has a wonderful walk to the nearby light house and rocky coast that is a must see morning hike. Also, if you're looking for a place to eat or stay, Ray's is a neat spot to check out! 

-as told by annabel

Beach of the Week: The Baths, Virgin Gorda

The Baths, Virgin Gorda

Quite a touristy venue, but there is no doubt why. As a main attraction to British Virgin Islands, the baths are a beautiful beach where stones (more like boulders) have been smoothed by the waves and pile together to form crevices we named baths. Water washes up and meets the sand to create pools to relax, photograph, and play. I’ve been plenty of times in all types of conditions and there is no saying when a time is best except maybe later in the afternoon or earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds. I’ve even been in the rain and it doesn’t stop the people.

-as told by Annabel

Here's to the Gals of the Beach

Here’s to all the gals with knotted and salty hair- lets face it, its just better that way! Those girls out there with perfectly blow-dried, highlighted, straightened hair are not doing it the right way. Wind is how we dry our hair because we know that blow driers do not travel well and seriously who has time for them?? The sun gives us our your highlights because they are a token and reminder of the hours we spent soaking in the rays. The ocean leaves its waves in your hair. It’s a beautiful thing when the salt holds the waves.

Here’s to the gals with tanned bodies accustomed to random tan lines and those “where’d that come from” scraps and bruises- the bikini’s, sunglasses, rings, bracelets, whatever the tan line is it shows for a winter overcame by summer. As for the bruises and scraps, they build character. Callused feet mean withstanding the hot sands.

Here’s to the gals with eyes that hold a hundred visions- there is nothing more spectacular than women with passions. When people talk to us and the topic hits home, they can see our eyes light up and we cant hold back until our passion become theirs.

Smiles that shine brighter than a thousand sun- because happy girls are the prettiest girls and let’s face it most of us our lucky enough to live on the coast! We might not give ourselves enough credit but our smiles make everyone else around us smile brighter too. We can create our own sunshine.  
And finally here’s to the gals with a craving for the place where the desert meats the sea.  Where the waves can wash away any uncertainty or problem clouding our minds. Where not letting the tide reach our towels becomes a main concern. And where our families push the importance of sunblock and our friends remind us of the meaning of the word carefree.

P A N G E A

Pangea is this past world idea of having a world without boundaries and borders. There were no passports or control. We were all one world. It seems like a foreign concept, but there was no concept of foreign affairs during the time of Pangea. When was the last time there were no limitations to travel? Travel, to me, is knowledge. I have become aware of so many different cultures and lifestyles throughout my travels and it is truly eye opening. The LEAVE A NOTE mailbox, at the north end of Wrightsville Beach, is a sort of melting pot. Inside there are notes from locals, students, and vacationers writing about their lives, troubles, pursuits, and happiness. Many are anonymous and many are signed. With notepads ands pencils handy, there are no restrictions to the words inside the mailbox.