About Anna

Welcome to Global Gallivanting from a rickshaw in India!

Hi, I’m Anna.

Originally from sleepy Suffolk in the UK, I’m a crazy dreamer with an insatiable desire for travel and adventure who could never settle for an ordinary life or conform with the norm.

After graduating from uni and ‘selling my soul’ as a corporate slave I started to feel like I was wasting my life sitting behind a desk working for someone else’s passions and dreams. I thought that there had to be more to life than this!

But still, most of the time I thought it was easier just to carry on with the routine and the daily grind than it was to take the leap out of my comfort zone and run off to explore the world, I kept telling myself ‘one day’, ‘once I’m ready’, ‘when the time is right’.

The turning point for me was when I was told I had a detached retina and had to have an operation on my eye. It was the jolt I needed to realise that life is far too short to put off things off until ‘the right time’, or not make the most of every day. You never know what might happen tomorrow.

So after the operation I made up my mind to take control of my life, to live it the way I wanted not the way that others thought that I should.

I saved like mad for the next 18 months and then quit my job and left the UK in December 2012 to follow my dreams of a life of travel – to make the most of my precious time on earth.

I’ve never looked back, and have since travelled through much of India, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe slowly, independently and affordably. My only regret now is that I didn’t do it sooner!

Overlooking Vagator beach in Goa — Me overlooking Vagator beach in Goa

Why I Travel

I believe that travel is more than simply sights, selfies, and sunshine – I believe that travel, and the lessons you learn from it, can really change your life for the better.

I travel to grow as a person, to meet others who inspire and educate me, and to (hopefully!) do the same in return, to have my life enriched by the beauty and diversity of this amazing world, and to have my eyes, mind and heart opened wide.

I travel to make the most of my time on earth, to make every day count. Instead of counting down the days until the weekend or to a 2 week vacation – because life is simply too short for me to live it any other way!

But most of all I travel for freedom – to live life on my terms, to be in charge of my own destiny, to give myself the biggest luxury – time. Time to pursue my passions, dreams and ambitions instead of spending my years daydreaming out of a rain streaked window while working towards someone else’s dreams.

My Travel Style

Although I am self confessed travel addict I do not travel just to rush between the famous sights, ticking off a bucket list – I don’t find this kind of travel fulfilling. I like to travel slow, to experience, understand and immerse myself in different cultures and to learn from them.

Instead of days I often spend weeks (sometimes even months) soaking up everything a destination has to offer, meeting the locals, chilling out in beautiful, secluded areas, and looking beyond the tourists traps to get a real feel for the place.

I like to travel on one way tickets whenever possible. I prefer not to plan too much but to be spontaneous and open. To allow time for those chance meetings and random events that only happen when you take it slow. These random events so often become the highlight of my trip.

dancing at a wedding party in India — Dancing at a wedding party in a rural village in India – amazing chance experiences like this usually only happen when you travel slow.

How I Afford to Travel

Many people think that travel is simply too expensive to be a viable lifestyle choice. Of course, to travel long term you would need a small fortune if you wanted to stay in luxury hotels every night – but the reality is that living a nomadic lifestyle is much more affordable, and achievable, than many people think.

Of course, I had to make sacrifices to save the money I needed to break free, I have to be careful with money and I work hard while I travel – but there are many ways you can travel for free, or even make money while traveling, and there are many destinations where you can travel comfortably for under US$50 / £40 a day. Don’t let money worries put a hold on your travel dreams.

However, I’m far from a shoestring traveller. I’ll choose the best places to stay based on their value, not their price tag. I guess I would call myself a flashpacker – a kind of boutique backpacker!

What is a Flashpacker?

A Flashpacker has the same adventurous, independent spirit and lust for travel as a traditional backpacker but with a higher budget.

Flashpacker Family give a great definition of a flashpacker:

Flash-pack-er/flaSHˈpakər/
-noun, -s, One who travels with the intrepid ethos of a backpacker but having added comfort, style and technology whilst still maintaining a sense of exploration and adventure.

Generally Flashpackers travel independently and look for adventure and unique experiences, often taking the same trail as backpackers but have a bigger budget.

This is what I mean! Flashpacking - backpacking in style — This is what I mean! Flashpacking – backpacking in style

Good value for money is important (especially when traveling long term), but so is style and comfort. Sometimes spending a little extra on a flight to save a long, bumpy bus ride, checking into a character filled boutique hotel, or going on an off beat tour to really experience the best of a destination is worth the extra money for a more fulfilling travel experience – that’s what it’s all about after all.

For example, I love to stay at a heritage hotel where I feel like I can connect with the local culture and history in comfort, but I also like to stay in a backpacker hostels when I want to meet other travellers. I love traveling by train, meeting locals and seeing the landscape go by ,but sometimes I’m also happy to pay a little more to save time.

Travel. You can always make more money, but you can't always make more memories — Travel. You can always make more money, but you can’t always make more memories

I’m happy just wandering around a city, exploring quaint lanes at my own pace, but I also love to have a local guide who can show me all the off beat secrets and bring a city to life in a way that would be impossible alone. And I would hate to miss out on once in a lifetime activities, like diving the Great Barrier Reef or ballooning over the temples of Bagan, but I’m quite happy to take a local bus or eat street food as it gets me closer to the local culture and saves me money for other things – perhaps you could call it luxury backpacking!?

Are You a Flashpacker?

Flashpackers are really quite common nowadays – I mean how many travellers hit the road without a smart phone? Do you check the price of the flight before deciding whether to take that 14 hour bus ride? Are you happy to pay a little extra for a more comfortable stay instead of staying at the dingiest and cheapest hostel? Do you splurge occasionally on a sunset cocktail at a swish rooftop or beach bar? If you do, your probably a flashpacker like me!

me and Kevin at Aer bar — Kevin and myself at Aer Bar, at the Four Seasons Hotel enjoying cocktails overlooking the skyline of Mumbai

My Favourite Travel Moments

I’m often asked about my favourite destinations, but as, for me, travel is also about the experiences rather than counting countries or ticking off sights – I’ve complied a list of my favourite travel moments instead:

Since Dec 2012, the highlights of my life of full time travel include;

Travel Has Been Life Changing

More important than the sights I’ve seen, is the change that has occurred in me. I know it sounds cliché but it’s true – travel really has changed my life!

Travel has made me happier, less stressed and more confident, I’ve learned new skills, made more friends that I can count and most importantly of all I learned that the world is not a scary place, that people all over are inherently kind and I am constantly overwhelmed at the kindness of strangers.

And I’m only just getting started! The more I see the longer my bucket list grows!

In Queensland, Australia while working in a country pub

About Global Gallivanting

After I began traveling full time I was so inspired by what I saw and the lessons I learned that I started writing about it and publishing it on my own blog for friends and family to read back home. It wasn’t long before I started getting messages from readers all around the world and so, in February 2013, I launched this website, Global Gallivanting, because I hoped that, by showing you all the incredible experiences and lessons learned from long term travel, I could inspire others to make their dreams a reality too.

I’m often asked what does ‘Gallivanting’ mean?

Gallivanting means – to roam or travel for pleasure

The Oxford Dictionary even gives this example for Gallivant:

“gal·li·vant

ˈɡaləˌvant/

Verb informal

To go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment.

“she quit her job to go gallivanting around the globe”

This is exactly what I did! Gallivanting sums up the way that I like to travel. I love to be free and travel spontaneously, I have an insatiable thirst for adventure, to explore the world slowly but surely, to marvel at it’s beauty, to immerse myself in the local culture and seeking adventurous, unique and off the beaten track experiences and to have the luxury of time – to learn, to laugh, to love, to breathe, to dream and to roam free.

What does Global Gallivanting aim to do?

I created Global Gallivanting to share with you, not just the stories, photos and reflections from a life less ordinary, but also to provide inspirational articles, practical tips and useful advice to inspire, educate and entertain other travellers. I want to show you that there is more to life than the 9 – 5 and that long term travel,or a nomadic lifestyle, can be an achievable, affordable and fulfilling lifestyle choice.

What does Global Gallivanting focus on?

Travel, lifestyle and adventures around the world
Culturally immersive and meaningful travel experiences
Adventurous , independent and off the beaten track travel
Travel in India, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe
Solo female travel
Flashpacking (boutique backpacking)
Long term and slow travel
Living, working and volunteering abroad

Volunteering in a government school in Bangalore, India while working to promote Leave Ur Mark — Volunteering in a government school in Bangalore, India

So, welcome! Let me take you with me on my adventures around the world, let me share with you all the beauty it holds and show you how you can make your dreams of travel a reality too!

Contribute to Global Gallivanting

I’m often inspired by my friends, other bloggers and amazing people that I’ve met on the way so I’m also sharing their stories of how they work and live abroad and getting all their local secrets and travel tips.

If you would like to contribute and help inspire others to travel please check out the guest post guidelines, for more inspiration check out the interviews with other nomads and of course, if I can help you with any travel questions or to work with me then just drop me an email!

Work with Global Gallivanting

I often work with like minded companies who I feel will be of interest to my readers, if you are interested in working with a travel blogger to promote your destination or travel related brand in a cost effective and engaging way then check out my Advertising, Marketing and PR page to request a media kit and schedule of rates.