2012!!

Hi 'ya. New year, new blog! If you're reading this, you are most likely a) a friend who already knows me or b) a friend of a friend who has directed you to my blog or c) you happen to "stumble" onto my new blog. Whether you fall into a, b or c, a warm welcome! Abroad or... a broad in 5 inch heels, a travel and photography blog will feature my travel stories and photos in 2012.

A short background about the broad in 5 inch heels if you're new. I am a woman of a certain age - an age where I've been to many places and done many things. Originally from Singapore, I lived briefly in Caracas, Venezuela and done some traveling. From little islands like Boracay and Koh Samui to cities like Istanbul and Paris. The stamps on my passports include countries like Ecuardor, America, Italy, France, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brazil, Canada, Turkey, Indonesia, Philippines, Greece, England, New Zealand and Spain. I currently live in Sydney, Australia with a husband and two children.

In South America, I have trekked the Andes, jumped off a cliff in a parasail and trekked behind Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. I have been pampered under the rough sand-paper hands and stinky icky oil of a masseur on the beach to the soft tender hands and aromatic oils of a professional masseur at some of the best spas in south east asia. I have also shopped in a wet market in a little village in the outskirts of Vietnam to world class shopping centres in Singapore and Paris. Properties I have stayed in range from the most basic of "dumps" to some of the most gorgeous and prestigious properties in the world.

I have also gone on some amazing gastronomical journeys which included meals of exotic animals like the capybara pictured below.

Armed with wanderlust and a curiosity about the world we live in, I decided at a young age that do or die, I must see as much of this world as possible. Being the wife of a corporate executive for many years, I was privileged enough to visit many places, staying at some of the most beautiful properties at no personal cost. We say it's a small world but there are still many, more wonderful places to visit, beautiful people to meet and exciting things to do.

Check out my first blog, frockqueen.blogspot.com for my other loves - fashion, shopping and clothes. Why frockqueen? Because I love my frocks. I'm making up for lost time growing up as a tomboy who wouldn't be caught dead in a dress. And why 5 inch heels? Well, simply because I love shoes. Which self-respecting woman wouldn't?? Not only do they go better with my many frocks but I adore shoes. I love dressing up and you can't leave home without a nice pair of heels.

Having only taken up photography in the middle of last year has also enabled me to capture some wonderful moments in life. Photography has enabled me to meet some very interesting people whom I would not have had the pleasure of meeting otherwise. I also enjoy nothing more than a good photography walkabout. Wondering off on my own armed with my camera, you never know what you can capture.

I have a few trips lined up this year that I'm super excited about. And this is what this blog will be about. Watch this space for travel stories to Bali in January and then to Singapore and Cambodia in April-May with a few short trips in and around New South Wales in between.