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Starting vanlife

February 19, 2018 By EatWellTravelOften 1 Comment

At the end of 2017 I reflected back on the year that was and the words ‘Annus horribilis’ came to mind. Why? Because I didn’t get to travel much! I felt a wee bit trapped because after paying my mortgage and bills (my body corporate doubled on me last year) there was very little left in the travel kitty. And given that travel is how I create happy Shan (and how I recharge my batteries) it’s as much a need as a want (well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).

By anyone’s standards I DID LOADS; Tenterfield to see the Autumn leaves, exploring Couran Cove with my friend Deb, a few nights at the Noosa Food and Wine Festival, a weekend in Caloundra and another exploring the Scenic Rim, the Abbey Medieval Festival, rode the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and a weekend to visit the Bli Bli waterpark. I also ended the year on a high with a trip home to NZ for my Mum’s 70th, a long weekend at O’Reilley’s Mountain Retreat for my birthday, and a visit to Kanagaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills over the Christmas hols.

Yes I’m very grateful for ALLLLL of that, but I was still left feeling deflated and my feet were still itchy.

So I asked myself, what can I do to make things better in 2018? Get a better paying job, rent my place out, and get a van were the things that came top of my list.

I started looking at vans. I decided the Hyundai iload was what I wanted and went to a local car yard to look at some. But even secondhand and empty they’re commanding between $20-25,000 which was out of my price range.

Then my friend Ben messaged me and said ‘you don’t want one of those, you want one of these’. His mate was selling a Toyota Estima, a Japanese imported 8-seater people mover. I dismissed the idea because it was much smaller than the van I had in mind, but Ben convinced me to take a look at it. So I did, and then I took it for a test drive and then I decided to buy it, on my birthday! Best. Present. EVER.

As Ben so rightly pointed out I needed an everyday car, to go to work, do the shopping etc. as well as something I could get away and sleep in. The Estima fits the bill. It comfortably takes a double mattress in the back and I can still park at shopping centres and at home in my underground carpark (the iload is too tall and wont fit lots of places).

My new car van! Lots of adventures ahead!

So that’s how I started #vanlife and 2018 is set to be A YEAR OF EXPLORING! Sign up to my newsletter to follow my adventures.

Hi I’m Shannon, and this is my blog Eat Well Travel Often. If you enjoyed this post and want more travel and foodie inspiration around the Gold Coast, Brisbane and beyond sign up for my newsletter. I post heaps of photos on Instagram, and you’re welcome to pop into my Facebook lounge for a chat about all things travel and food.  

Filed Under: All, Vanlife - Memoirs From My Geisha Tagged With: new car, new van, vanlife

Comments

  1. Vaughan Hatcher says

    February 20, 2018 at 11:11 pm

    You are Dora the Explorer! Happy adventures Dora

    Reply

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Are you a food tourist? Then you’re in the right place…welcome to my blog

I'm Shannon, a not-so-flightless Kiwi, living in Australia. I'm busy makin memories... and doing my bit for regional food tourism. Last year I converted a Toyota Estima for a taste of vanlife (I call her Geisha). I share my adventures and the special moments I capture with my camera. And I host most excellent gatherings for fabulous ladies who like to wine and dine. Make yourself comfortable and have a read... Eat Well Travel Often my friend Read more

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What better send off for @goldcoastfoodandwinetour What better send off for @goldcoastfoodandwinetours than high tea like no other!
Another superlative #hightea experience from the fabulous team @palette.hota. A subtle infusion of native Australian flavours and traditional high tea treats... like this marshmallow and Davidson plum scroll... beetroot and olive sorbet, matcha panna cotta in chocolate and the best scones ever. The Gold Coast food scene thanks you for your tireless commitment over the years Karen. Best of luck up in Brisbane m'dear ❤ #goldcoastfood #paletterestaurant
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The colour of that water 😍 #Currumbin The colour of that water 😍 #Currumbin
I recently had a chance to learn the ‘secrets of I recently had a chance to learn the ‘secrets of sourdough’ at a masterclass in Currumbin.

Italian baker and pizza master @chef_roberto_giammellucca runs workshops after hours at @aperitivo.cafe.

This particular workshop was extra special as Roberto was celebrating his 100th student at The Sourdough Science Academy. 

A class of 12 people gathered around a big square table. We learned how to make and look after #sourdough starter, and Roberto shared his personal sourdough recipe and #bakingtips.

Aprons on, we all enjoyed getting our hands into the flour. There’s something so calming and earthy about kneading dough. And the smell when you pull your fresh baked loaf out of the oven is so divine.

There’s simply nothing better than a slice of sourdough warm from the oven, slathered with butter.

If you want to learn the nitty gritty of sourdough making, give one of Roberto’s workshops a try. He also runs sough dough pizza-making classes. Check out @the_sourdough_science

Shoutout to chef Roberto and @goldcoastfoodandwines for inviting me to get my hands in the dough!

#sourdoughworkshop #bakeyourownsourdough #sourdough
I fell in love with #MargaretRiver when I spent 10 I fell in love with #MargaretRiver when I spent 10 very chilled-out days there on my big road trip.

Charming villages and towns, stunning coastline and more than 200 wineries - this is a place you MUST visit.

When I was there, I discovered the Cape to Cape Track… a 123km walk along the coast between Cape Naturaliste lighthouse in the north and Cape Leeuwin lighthouse to the south.

I met an American girl while I was there, and she decided to hike Cape to Cape. She put in some big miles to finish it in around 4 days. She showed me some of her photos, the scenery looked amazing and I imagined myself hiking along the trail someday...

Guess what. It’s happening!

I’ve booked an 8-day guided tour with @capetocapeexplorertours. The walk is fully supported, so at the end of each day we get picked up and taken back to our accommodation for a hot shower. Only a day pack is needed while hiking.

We’ll be walking between 14-20 km each day, which sounds like a lot to me right now, but great motivation to get fitter. (If the walking gets too much there are shorter hike options each day, or you can take a ‘day off’.)

The tour includes wineries and local restaurants (of course). We will learn about the history of the area and the unique flora and fauna… it will be wildflower season!!

I have visions of walking with an amazing bunch of women, making new friends and drinking lots of red wine. Are you with me?

There are different accommodation options available, I’ve booked the glamping option in a bell tent.

Dates: 1-8 October (Queensland’s long weekend).

To reserve your place you need to pay a $600 deposit, the rest is due a month before the hike.

Places are filling up fast so don’t leave it too long to book ladies! Tours are a maximum of 15 people. If you book, please mention you are with ‘Shannon’s group’.

Margaret River is about 3 hours drive south of Perth. The tour includes Perth pickup and drop off.

➡️ Link to tour in profile!

Excited!
Not ready to say goodbye to hot cross buns yet... Not ready to say goodbye to hot cross buns yet... especially these super healthy ones from @seedsoflifeaustralia
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