Hello and welcome to Last Minute Wanders!
I’m Sarah, a 30-ish year old traveller, born and raised in Sussex, England. I’ve had a passion for travel for most of my life and I’m pretty good at exploring the world on a budget!
Have you always wanted to travel the world, but don’t think you have the money to do it?
Here at Last Minute Wanders, I write about how you can save money both before and during your dream trip, as well as providing some incredible destination inspiration and hiking guides.
I’ve found that so many people struggle with taking the first steps to turning their travel dreams into a reality, which is why my passion is helping people to see that their dreams are attainable and that anyone can do it!
What my readers love most is the down-to-earth travel advice that speaks to them of opportunity, rather than expensive luxuries that feel out of reach.
I would love for you to take a look and start your journey with me!
Here are some great Last Minute Wanders articles to get you started:
- How to actually save money for travel
- 13 Essential planning tips for long term travel
- Travel Safety Guide: 12 tips that could save your life
Alternatively, check out the Destinations, Hiking or Travel Advice tabs on the menu above!
My Story
As the clock chimed for the New Year in January 2012, I made a very important decision.
I realised that I was not happy in the life I was living and, while I had some amazing friends and a truly supportive family, I was going to have to make some big changes to get out of the rut I had found myself in.
Travel was something I had always been interested in – I travelled to Morocco on a school trip when I was 15 and, when I was 17, my dad moved to Hong Kong, flying my sister and I out to see him at least once a year following the move.
The idea of long-term travel had floated across my mind a few times, but I had never really given it any serious thought as I didn’t know how it could be possible for me.
I was working in a Customer Service position in my local town, finding myself staring at my PC and dreaming of somewhere – anywhere – I would rather be.
And as 2011 became 2012, I decided that I would make the dream a reality by the end of that year.
And I did it! 11 months of living a reclusive life at home with my mum, saying no to many invites for nights out (this was pretty difficult in my early 20s) and buying the cheapest version of everything I could, I managed to book a flight, buy insurance, apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Australia, with almost £3000 left to spend once I got out there!
Now, for many people, £3000 is not a lot. But for me, that was the gateway to my ultimate dream!
So, in November 2012, I packed my bags, headed for the airport, and boarded a plane to Hong Kong.
After spending Christmas with my dad, I brought in the New Year in Thailand and continued backpacking for the next 6 months around Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, before heading back to Hong Kong in June 2013. And, guess what? My measly £3000 lasted me that whole time!
Since then, I’ve spent two years working and travelling in Australia, 1 year and 8 months working and holidaying in Hong Kong, 1 year working back home in England, and 18 months in New Zealand.
If I can do it, so can you!
Partners in crime (or travel)
Now, let me introduce you to Theo. He is my partner in everything and is hugely supportive of everything I do, including starting the Last Minute Wanders website!
We were friends before I made that all-important decision to travel long-term. We remained friends while I travelled Asia and Australia and, on one of my infrequent visits back to the UK in August 2016, we met up again.
We ended up staying together for a few days. When I left the UK to continue my working life in Hong Kong, I was devastated that I had to leave him behind. I couldn’t believe that, after all this time, I had developed feelings for a friend who lived literally on the other side of the planet, in my home country.
We texted every day. It quickly became clear that we both felt the same way and, slowly, we came to terms with the idea of a long-distance relationship. Although this was something I had always wanted to avoid (I’d seen lots of other people’s long-distance relationships end on my travels), I couldn’t deny my feelings for Theo.
It went well, although it was unbearably hard. He made two trips out to visit me a few months apart, and we had a wonderful time.
By the time he returned to the UK after his second trip out in January 2017, I was a few months away from the end of my Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa, which ended in April.
Now, I wasn’t going to let a new relationship change my travel ambition; I had already spoken with Theo at length about my desire to visit New Zealand, and he agreed it would be a fantastic experience and agreed to come with me!
However, we both needed to save up some more money first, so I headed back to the UK, moved in with Theo, got another Customer Service job and saved up for a year.
We then spent 18 wonderful months in New Zealand together, a full seven years after I made that New Year decision.
And the adventures won’t stop there!
Why Last Minute Wanders?
Generally, we try not to plan too much in advance so as to keep our options open as much as possible. Sometimes the most memorable experiences happen by chance with a little spontaneity! We love hiking and exploring and our ‘last minute wanders’ often turn into long hikes when we get a bit too carried away! Check out the Hiking section for detailed ‘walk-throughs’.
We try to experience as much as we can while travelling on a budget and with this blog I aim to share these with you and help you to plan your own adventures without breaking the bank.
If I can do it, anyone can!
Let’s get you started with a few helpful articles:
- How to actually save money for travel
- 13 Essential planning tips for long term travel
- Travel Safety Guide: 12 tips that could save your life
Alternatively, check out the Destinations, Hiking or Travel Advice tabs on the menu above for more.
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