The end of my journey

I waved goodbye to Sydney on Friday with huge sadness. I've such an amazing time there and I really didn't want it to end. But end it must. I arrived back at Heathrow airport in the early hours of Easter Saturday morning, seven months after I left.

What a journey it's been - emotionally, physically and mentally. I have learnt and experienced so much. It has been life-changing.

I've been reading Elizabeth Gilbert's novel 'Eat, Pray, Love'. It seemed pretty pertinent and got me wondering how I'd sum up my journey. I think it may be 'Teach, Learn, Live'. I've gone from teaching in Cambodia, to learning about myself and my limits and then rediscovering the joy in relaxing and enjoying life.

Friends who have known me for years have commented on my happy, relaxed demeanour. Others have said that I look ten years younger than I did a year ago. I certainly feel it. It's fantastic.

Whilst I'm incredibly sad to end this trip, I end it feeling happy and positive. I head back to family and friends in the UK with a renewed outlook on life.

This really isn't the end of my journey. It's just the end of this chapter. A whole new chapter of my life lies ahead and I plan to grab it with both hands!

With a little help from my friends

I've not only visited amazing places and seen stunning sights on this trip, I've made some fantastic friendships. The people I've met along the way have made my journey all the more special.

My fellow volunteers in Cambodia really helped me through. I was so far out of my comfort zone! The proper belly laughs, hugs and confidence boosts that we gave each other made the experience so much sweeter. Special thanks go to Suzanne and Sarah. I can't wait to share another fit of the giggles with you.

Vietnam was quite a lonely experience for me. It's a beautiful country with wonderful people and delicious food, but I spent a lot of time alone there. That all changed when I hit Halong Bay. The few days that I spent on that boat with a fabulous group of people (well most of them!) were just great. Monkey Island really was nuts!

And then I reached Australia. I joined my good pal Emma and everything changed. We had so much fun and a good dose of self-discovery. Our shared experience was a delight to us both and changed our perceptions of travelling. I miss you Em - thank you for sharing Aus with me.

I wasn't looking forward to New Zealand but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Magic Bus made it all too easy. It also helped that I found a fellow caffeine-addict in Kat who also found it extremely funny to mock the Kiwis' vowels (fush n chups indeed!).

I couldn't have lasted in Australia as long as I did without the generosity of some very special people. Massive thanks in particular to Michelle, Monica, Sarah, Mike, Brooke and Julian. You're total stars and I owe you big time. You made Sydney feel like home. It's down to you that I stopped travelling and started living. And I absolutely love this new lease of life that I've discovered.

Thank you.

Craving beauty treats

My money's getting tighter now (extending my stay would do that I suppose) so I'm having to make compromises. I looked in my wash bag the other day and suddenly had a hankering for my old life. I'm just about hanging on to my Estee Lauder Eight Hour Face Moisturiser but its days are numbered. Nestling next to it is a no-brand body cream, travel size shampoo and conditioner swiped from my last stay in a decent hotel and a razor that really couldn't be considered a threat if I took it on a plane in my hand luggage.

I remember the days when I chose from a veritable array of creams, lotions, serums, oils, fragrances and scrubs. I could match my beauty regime to my mood. My bathroom cabinet and drawers groaned with the weight of all my products promising to make my skin and hair look and feel so much better. What a difference a few months makes.

Back in South East Asia, I could treat myself to the occasional pampering session. When a pedicure costs a mere couple of dollars why wouldn't you? The other day somebody likened my feet to a hobbit's (you know who you are!). I thought my ingenious use of sand as an exfoliator coupled with a slick of red nail polish to distract attention was a pretty good solution. Apparently not - I need to send in the DIY SOS team.

Much as I complained about my waxing experience in Vietnam, I'd head back there like a shot. Now I use a rusting razor and some hair removal cream that was on special in Priceline. How the mighty have fallen!

I remember when my hair was sleek, shiny and straightened. Now it dries au naturel and I do by best with a few kirby grips and my new line in hairbands.

Would I change it? Of course I would! I'd love to be pampered within an inch of my life and to smother myself in luxurious body creams on a daily basis. But if adopting a low maintenance lifestyle for a while means that I can stay in Australia for longer, I'll make the sacrifice. Pass me the Aldi body lotion...

Rediscovering Melbourne

I'm so pleased that I came back here. I visited Melbourne in January but left feeling slightly cheated. Whilst I'd really enjoyed exploring St Kilda with its beaches, cafes, funky shops and arty creations, I gave the city short shrift. I spent less than a day in the city and so I only scratched the surface of this cracking place.

This time, I felt that I got to know it so much better. So much of Melbourne life happens behind the scenes. You have to look beyond the main streets and enter the lanes and passageways which weave between the glittering shopping malls and office blocks. With the narrow streets and pavement cafes buzzing with people sipping cappucinos, it felt more like Italy than Australia. I loved pottering around the hidden gems of the city and deciding whether to tuck into European, Asian or typically Aussie tucker.

There was lots happening whilst I was there too. I managed to catch a catwalk show which was part of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Week. It seemed weird seeing models showing off winter clothes whilst the sun was beating down on them. It was also the Melbourne Food and Wine festival (I suspect the fash pack didn't make it to this one though). I missed out on Jamie Oliver's event (slightly out of my backpacker budget) but I did sample some tasty delicacies, learn more about local food and admire the edible garden.

In true Pip fashion, I managed to fit in a winery tour. My day in the Yarra Valley was just great. I learnt more about the cool climate grape varieties that do best in that region and I found some new varieties that I hadn't tried before too. It was a lovely day - glorious sunshine, great scenery, tasty food and lots of good wine. The day ended at Domaine Chandon with a glass of bubbly. Now that's my kind of tour!

Reflections on my journey

I've been a bit reflective of late. That might be because I've spent a lot of time on plane, bus and train journeys looking into space. It might just be that time of year with seasons changing. It might also be because I'm nearing the end of this journey. What an amazing journey it's been too - and it's not over yet.

This time last year I was miserable. I wasn't just a bit down, I was absolutely bloody miserable. A series of bad events had worn me down. I look back on it as if I was a different person. In a way, I was. I feel so far away from that person now (quite literally). I haven't felt this happy, healthy or positive in years. Thank you open road!

I did the difficult bit of travelling first - Cambodia. That was such a culture shock, but a brilliant experience. Alongside my memories of being filthy, sweaty and totally out of my comfort zone, are the memories of laughing until my belly hurt, making fantastic new friendships and reaping the rewards of teaching the kids. Vietnam was a test of flying solo. I learnt a lot about myself then. I've certainly tapped into my inner strength on this trip and I've discovered how much you can gain from pushing yourself a bit.

Australia has been a massive learning curve too, but it certainly hasn't been hard work. I feel like I'm sitting back and reaping the rewards now. Life here is so much easier. I feel relaxed, happy and so much more confident. I've met so many different people with interesting tales. It's really opened my mind.

I put a lot of this positivity down to the new love in my life - Sydney! Is it just a fling or is it a longer term relationship? That remains to be seen. All I know is that I've discovered something great here and my journey isn't over yet thankfully.

My New Zealand food trail

I've mentioned before how I've enjoyed learning about local food and wine on my travels. New Zealand was no different. I was only there a short time but I still managed to tuck in! My highlight meal was a delicious plate of green-lipped mussels. They were huge, succulent and smothered in a creamy Thai sauce (oh so authentically Kiwi!)

I didn't just sample the local delicacies though. I actually got my hands dirty and did a cookery course. I didn't learn how to prepare Maori hangi, barbeque or even Kiwi 'fush n chups'. My cookery course was how to prepare sushi and tempura.

Sushi may seem an odd choice of cookery class to study in Auckland. There are a few reasons behind it though. New Zealand was the first place that I ever ate sushi - about 12 years ago in Nelson. It was the kick of the wasabi that burnt the memory into my brain. Also, there is a big Japanese community in Auckland with lots of chances to sample the cuisine. Sushi has become my staple healthy, fast food option in Australia and New Zealand too, so the cookery class seemed rather apt for me.

The Japanese chef showed us how to make nori rolls, uramaki and tamago omelette, how to prepare the sushi rice and then how to create crispy tempura. He made it all look so easy. Believe me, it's not! From washing the rice 20 times to rolling the tightly-packed sushi into a perfect round roll, it is fraught with disaster! I was so pleased to fudge my way through it and produce a pretty attractive, delicate plate of food.

The secret? Clingfilm! It keeps everything packed tightly together when you roll it up. Now I'm not sure that's the age-old traditional Japanese method, but it worked for me. I don't think the sushi vendor need worry about his business just yet though. It's not such a fast food option when you make it yourself.

Next stop New Zealand

I didn't want to come here. I've nothing against New Zealand. I've visited before and liked it. I've heard great things about it. I've got good Kiwi friends. Still, I didn't want to come here.

Coming to New Zealand meant leaving Australia and, as I've mentioned once or twice before, I rather like it there. It's felt like home to me over the past few months. However, I boarded the plane from Sydney to Auckland reluctantly and here I am in the North Island of New Zealand.

Time to eat my words! I've actually really enjoyed my travels here. Everyone told me it would be cold. I had jumpers sent over from the UK in preparation. It's been hot and sunny here every day of my trip. The sun actually feels more intense than in Sydney. That'll be a lack of ozone for you. Still, it makes me happy!

I've been travelling around on the Magic Bus which has been a great way to meet people and see a lot of the country in your own time as you can hop on and off as you please. I'm only here for 10 days, so my pace is pretty fast.

I've been to Auckland, Thames, Rotorua, Waitomo, Taupo, Napier, Tauranga, Mount Mounganui (wasn't he in Karate Kid?), Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga, and we've stopped at various waterfalls, lakes, Lord of the Rings icons and random sights along the way. It really is a beautiful country with green, rolling hills, stunning natural landscapes, loads of sheep, cows and not many people. Maybe that's because all the Kiwis are in London...

Nearly all the people I've met have been British though. Mix in a smattering of Canadians, Irish, Aussies and Germans and you have a typical bus crew. Us Brits had a fun time trying to teach the Kiwi bus driver how to speak 'properly'. He seemed to get his vowels confused! I tried to explain that "Puppa [that's me], try some Noo Zillund fush and chups" just isn't right. Funnily enough, I got some choice Kiwi words in response.

It's been fun, but I have to wave goodbye to the land of the long white cloud and return to Sydney to see what will happen next on my journey. Watch this space...