The Travel Life

Last year I spent an average of 5 days a month at home!!!!!! Its crazy to me because it felt like a lot more, but when reviewing my 2018 travel schedule, the truth was there. This fact would be less shocking to me if I didn’t live in beautiful, sunny, (expensive) Southern California and actually love my home so much. However, I was an International Purser for my airline in 2018 with a fixed international line, so most of that travel was actually for work. Paid to travel? Yes PLEASE!!!

Sitting in the engine of my favorite bird. The Boeing 787-900
London, England

My job brought me to Singapore, Australia, the UK, China, and Japan, sometimes 4 or 5 times a month, in 2018. It was one of the most fun and travel heavy years of my life. I ADORED it. I became addicted to stalking the “open flying” board (where flight attendants go to pick up trips) and my habit paid off, literally.

The Super Tree Forrest and Flower Dome
LAX-SIN, in 2018, it was longest commercial airline flight in the world.
Our layover was 24 hours.
Singapore

While I was a bit tired (hydration, amazing supplements, and good nutrition are KEY) I was so happy and grateful to be doing what I was doing, I couldn’t help but feel amazing. There’s something that happens in your body when you’re working hard to fulfill a dream or a goal you’re incredibly passionate about…. you begin to acquire super powers. Ask any new mother or entrepreneur, when you love something deeply and have a non negotiable goal in mind, ANYTHING is possible. MY super power is going long periods of time without sleep (and being fully functional), avoiding jet lag, and making the most of a short amount of time ANYWHERE.

Making the most of a 24 hour layover
Coogee Beach, Sydney, Australia

Aside from work, my husband and I traveled like true maniacs in 2018 as well. I think the term “travel addict” describes both of us perfectly. We love living on the beach in LA, but after we’ve been stationary for more about 2 weeks, we start planning our next trip. While he does come with me on layovers occasionally (especially holidays and birthdays), we like taking longer, more adventurous trips on our own time.

Just after repelling down a waterfall.
Arenal, Costa Rica

Two very important things I learned at an early age while traveling are:

1.Always be prepared (snacks, clothes, chargers, entertainment)

2.Always expect the unexpected (and roll with the punches).

Sometimes your sister will end up making friends with the top club promoter in Vegas while waiting in line and you’ll get dreamy VIP service and penthouse parties for days. Other times, your rental car will break down in the middle of nowhere in New Zealand, on a stretch of highway where there are literally signs saying “no cell phone service for 75 km”. It’s all a part of travel and frankly a part of life. So put on your positive attitude and roll with it. Take it an as opportunity to learn about the world, yourself, and the people around you!

Maruia Hot Springs, a Relaxing Paradise …. before the car broke down
Maruia Hot Springs, New Zealand

Needless to say, I have a lot of stories, adventures, and travels to share with you from 2018. So stay tuned! We also have some incredible trips planned for 2019!!! “Exotic” is the name of the game for the year to come. In the mean time, follow me on instagram @kimmieflies and enjoy some of these great pics from our travels, to start planning YOUR next adventure!

Mermaiding, My Favorite Pastime
Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
California has my Soul, but Italy has my Heart
Frascati, Italy
Somewhere off the Coast of Cozumel
Cozumel, Mexico
One of the favorite Foodie Cities
Melbourne, Australia
Surfing in Waikiki with Marco
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii
Light Magic, in Gaudi’s Sagrada Famiglia
Barcelona, Spain
Sydney Vacation with my Family
Tarronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia
The Harbor Bridge at Night
Cafe Sydney, Sydney, Australia
With Marco’s Family, Lunching on the Beach for Ferragosto
Locri, Calabria, Italy
Phi Phi Islands Lookout Point
Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand
Back at LAX
Los Angeles International Airport, California, USA

10 thoughts on “The Travel Life

  1. ❤️❤️❤️… you are amazing! Can’t wait to see more!!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. wonderful!! great story. so true. great pix. a lot more to come!!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Love the photos of all the destinations and the fashion. Bella

    Liked by 1 person

  4. You are an inspiration! And the most beautiful travel guru in the world! I will be following this and also trying to cook like u😘. Congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Oh my gosh, I can not wait to read more of your posts!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. When you travel on interline, can you post that it is an interline trip. I mean, when you travel for work, or non-rev on your own carrier, it is given in that is how you arrived at your destination. But, I’m curious as to how much airline employees travel interline. I don’t expect costs, as you shouldn’t state those. But if you interlined, it would be nice to know, if it was an easy seat to get, etc.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the feedback John, I will definitely add that in when appropriate

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  7. Linda Kellam Barker April 26, 2019 — 2:24 am

    Excellant. Hope to fly with you soon. Linda Kellam Barker

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Linda! Hope to fly with you soon as well!

      Like

  8. Linda Kellam Barker April 26, 2019 — 2:40 am

    Kimmie, So enjoyed your article and photography. I like yourself attended University in Italy (Firenze). I assume you still fly for UA? My husband ( MX in MCO), and I, (Int’l Purser in EWR) are travel addicts as well. Just came back from Telunas Private Island Indonesia (family connections, 1 hour off of Singapore). I hope to follow your blog. If you get a chance keep in touch by email, Ciao Linda

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